Chapter Twenty-Six #2
Emmett sauntered into the room and set a glass of water on the nightstand nearest to me.
I smiled up at him before he rounded the bed and slid beneath the sheets next to me.
“What’s going on in that big, beautiful brain of yours?
” He pulled me to him—my back to his chest, his favorite way to hold me—and kissed my temple.
Something hard and familiar poked me in the butt.
Insatiable.
“Do you think we ordered enough cotton candy?” I asked.
His chuckle sent strands of hair fluttering about my face. His wicked fingers stroked over my forehead, down my cheek, brushing the hair away before continuing downward.
“There will be plenty of cotton candy. You and Meg have thought of everything. Seriously, this is going to be the best Memorial Day picnic to date.”
The picnic had been one of Emmett’s first initiatives when he started at the company.
While Price Industries always held an annual Christmas party, he felt there should be another regular event where they could show their appreciation to their employees.
Memorial Day was a perfect mid-point. Giving everyone the Friday before the holiday off—with an optional invitation to the picnic—had been a morale booster.
I wiggled against him, the rigid length of his cock grinding against my ass. “It’s going to suck seeing all those families together tomorrow and not being able to…touch you.”
“Hey, that’s your choice, lady. You’re the one causing your own pain.”
I slapped his arm, and I felt him grin against my neck. Then he began covering it in open-mouthed kisses. “I’d be more than happy to kiss you just,” kiss “like,” kiss “this,” kiss “at the picnic if you’d allow it. You’re in control here, Callie.”
“Is that so?” I turned in his arms and pushed him onto his back, straddling his hips. His brows rose with surprise and then a wicked smile spread across his handsome face.
“Whatever you want, baby. It’s yours.”
I spent the next hour showing him just how in control I was, bringing him to the edge over and over with my mouth, my hands, and my pussy.
* * *
We were up bright and early the next day to meet the vendors who had been hired for the picnic.
It was a blur of organized chaos—setting up games, arranging catering, and dealing with any last-minute fires.
But, thanks to Meghan’s skilled leadership, everything was ready to go thirty minutes before the first guests began to arrive.
By one o’clock that afternoon, the park buzzed with activity and Meghan—acting as emcee for the event—was preparing to start the three-legged race.
“I wanted to say a quick thank-you to my partners in crime. My brother, Emmett Price, and his…”
Oh God.
“Special Projects intern, Callie Winters.”
The crowd clapped, and I blew out a harsh breath, smiling at the few people who recognized me and nodded in my direction.
“They were instrumental in making this event possible, so I think it’s only right that they kick off our games as our first three-legged race couple!”
More applause echoed around us. I should have known I wasn’t getting out of this unscathed.
“Who wants to join them?”
I glanced across the grassy space in front of the stage and saw Emmett standing next to Wick. He smirked at me as he brought a glass of lemonade to his lips. Wick’s attention was wholly focused on the stage.
Next thing I knew, I was standing at the starting line, my right leg tied to Emmett’s left leg. Nine other pairs were lined up next to us while we waited to compete in the annual Price Industries Three-Legged Race.
Apparently, it was a big deal.
“Remember, Mr. Price, I don’t like to lose. Don’t mess this up.”
The starting horn sounded, and we lurched forward, our bound legs stumbling awkwardly as we tried to find our rhythm. The other couples surged ahead, laughter and shouts of encouragement echoing across the field.
Emmett wrapped an arm around my waist, steadying me. “Just follow my lead,” he murmured, his breath hot in my ear.
We fell into an easy stride, our bodies moving in sync. Grass and dirt kicked up under our feet as we pushed forward. The finishing line drew closer with each coordinated stride.
“You’re doing great, keep it up!” Wick’s voice rang out among the cheers of the crowd as we gained ground on the leading couples.
My competitive side flared, adrenaline surging through me as I locked eyes with Emmett.
A crooked grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Those blue eyes sparkled with a challenge and something deeper that sent a shiver down my spine.
Our bound legs worked in tandem as if we’d been practicing this ridiculous game our whole lives.
For a delirious moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world.
We were within a few yards of the finish line now, rapidly overtaking the pair in front of us.
Emmett’s muscular arm flexed against my side as he propelled us forward.
I matched his urgency, my heart hammering with exhilaration.
And then it happened. My foot caught on dip in the ground, and I pitched forward with a yelp.
Emmett’s arm snapped out, catching me against his chest as we tumbled across the grass and our legs came untied.
I landed half on top of him, dizzy but unharmed, as gasps and laughter rippled through the crowd.
Emmett looked down at me with a mixture of concern and amusement. “You okay there, killer?”
I huffed out a breathless laugh. “Yeah, I’m good. Although I think we just lost the race.”
Emmett grinned. In one swift motion, he scooped me up and slung me over his shoulder, my stomach dropping with the dizzying movement.
“Emmett! What are you doing?” I squealed, torn between laughter and disbelief as he started running, carrying me toward the finish line.
“Winning, of course.”
The dumbfounded expressions on the faces of our coworkers and their families raced by in a blur as Emmett ran with me draped over his shoulder.
He carried me triumphantly across the finish line, his arm clamped around my thighs to keep me from tumbling off his shoulder.
The crowd erupted into a mix of amused cheers and good-natured boos at our blatant cheating.
“Well, that’s one way to do it,” Meghan chuckled into the microphone, shaking her head. “I don’t think that’s quite what I had in mind for the three-legged race, but I’ll allow it.”
Emmett set me down, that evil grin still plastered across his face. “What can I say? I play to win.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I said, giving him a playful shove. Despite his antics, a tiny part of me melted at the way he’d so effortlessly caught me and refused to let me fall.
He leaned in close enough that only I could hear.
“I told you, baby. Your dreams are my dreams. Even if your dream is to win a simple race, I will put that—and you—first.” He winked, and a flush crept up my cheeks.
Anyone looking at us right now would know something was going on.
I opened my mouth to respond, but Meghan’s voice boomed out before I could.
“Alright! We’ve got more races to get through. And for the sake of the other competitors, maybe try to play a little more by the rules next time?”
We both laughed, moving to the side as the next group of contestants stepped up to the starting line.
Emmett put a hand on my lower back and whispered in my ear.
“Be right back.” Everything about the interaction screamed intimate and my eyes darted around as he walked away.
Suddenly, I heard a deep voice beside me.
“That was some race.” I turned to see Thomas Price sipping lemonade, eyes on the next race. “He’s lucky to have a brilliant, kind, beautiful woman like you at his side.” He turned toward me, smiling warmly.
My eyes widened at the unexpected compliment from my secret boyfriend’s father and boss. “Thank you, that’s very kind of you to say.”
Does he know? Did Meghan tell him?
“I hope you know how much I value you, Callie.” Thomas rested a hand on my arm in a fatherly way. “You’re exactly the kind of partner Emmett will need when he takes over as CEO one day.”
I opened my mouth to reply, but he continued.
“This job...it’s all-consuming. Late nights, high pressure, constant demands.
Emmett will need someone who understands that.
Someone who can take care of the home front when he’s stuck at the office.
Someone to put the kids to bed, make sure he’s eating right, keep him grounded.
You’re so capable. I know you’d do wonderfully. ”
I pasted on a smile, trying to mask the unease settling in my chest. “You’re too kind, Thomas. But Emmett and I aren’t—”
He chuckled. “I’m old, Callie, not blind. I see how you two look at each other. Mark my words, you’re going to make my son very happy.”
As he wandered off to speak to another group, my smile faltered. His words echoed in my mind—take care of him, put the kids to bed, make sure he’s eating right. Was that truly how he pictured my role in Emmett’s life? Just keeping house while Emmett worked to change the world?
I swallowed, trying to tamp down the sinking feeling in my gut.
Part of me had hoped that Thomas, a successful businessman in his own right, might have a more progressive view of how a modern relationship could work.
That he’d recognize Emmett would need an equal partner who could juggle career and family together.
I loved Emmett. There was no doubt about that. And I’d always assumed we were on the same page about pursuing our ambitions side-by-side, making sacrifices for each other when needed. The thought of him outpacing me, leaving me behind in his metaphorical dust…My chest ached.
Don’t freak out.
Thomas was from an older generation—of course he had outdated views on gender roles. Emmett wasn’t like that. He’d been nothing but supportive of my goals. Hell, he’d just carried me over his shoulder to make sure I won a damn game.
But Thomas had planted a new seed of doubt. What if, when push came to shove, Emmett did expect me to step back? To prioritize his career over mine?
I spotted Emmett laughing with a group, his eyes bright and animated. He looked so alive, so assured of the path laid out before him. Did I really want to risk being the thing that stopped him from reaching his full potential? Would putting me first hold him back?
A tornado of fears and insecurities whirled in my mind. I suddenly felt smothered, the picnic scene closing in around me. I needed space to breathe—to think. I spared one more glance in Emmett’s direction before I turned and hurried toward the edge of the park.
Once inside the cool, blessed silence of the park’s pavilion, I allowed the tears to spill over.
Get it together, Callie.
Swiping at my face, I pulled out my phone with shaky hands to type out a message to Emmett, telling him I wasn’t feeling well and that I was leaving.
Before I could finish, the door to the pavilion burst open.