Chapter 5
Emily
The streetsof downtown Pine Grove are waking up on this warm summer morning. The birds are chirping and the sky is full of fluffy white clouds. I thought Sam was crazy when he told me he was moving to a small town. There’s a change in him. He’s happier. I know part of that has to do with getting out from under our parents’ control. The other part being Maxine. He is so in love with her. I can tell by how he talks about her. I am so happy for him. Someday, I hope to find that kind of love. Right now, I need to focus on finding a job. I have some savings but it won’t last me forever. That is why I am out here exploring the town. I need a story to submit to the Boston Globe. I love Boston and it would be a dream come true to get this job. But first I need to figure out what I’m going to write about.
While walking down main street I can’t help but notice the going out of business signs on the small mom and pop shops. I noticed a big mall on my drive into town. Makes me wonder if the mall is why these shops are closing. The journalist in me has the wheels turning in my mind. This could make for an interesting piece. I take a few photos as I continue down the street.
A few blocks later, I find myself outside Maxine’s salon. I can’t remember the last time I had a haircut. Not since I left for my internship. This could be my excuse to get to know Sam’s girlfriend. I slip my camera back into my bag, then head inside. The place is alive with music and laughter. Women are sitting in pink, plush salon chairs. Stylists are working hair into various styles. The scent of hairspray fills the air. More is more life in here than all of downtown.
Stepping up to the receptionist’s desk, I smile at the pretty blonde sitting behind the desk. She matches my smile with a sparkling one of her own. “Welcome to Bombshell Studios. How can I help you?” she asks with a cheery voice.
“Would it be possible to get my haircut? I know it’s last minute-”
“Emily, hi,” a familiar voice rings out from across the salon. I look over to see Maxine walking this way. She opens her arms and pulls me in for a hug.
“Hi Maxine.” I hug her back. There’s so much warmth and caring in that one hug, I can see why she makes my brother happy. One hug and my entire mood feels brighter.
Maxine turns her attention to the receptionist and says, “Janice, this is Sam’s sister, Emily.” Janice gives me a nice to meet you. She tells Maxine that I’m looking to get my hair done.
“That’s perfect. I just had a cancellation.” Maxine takes my hand and guides me over to her station. She takes my bag and hangs it on a hook along the wall. I take a seat in the chair. Maxine drapes a pink apron over me before spinning me around to face the gold-framed mirror. Her hands work the scrunchy out of my hair. Fingers work through the strands.
“What would you like to do with your hair?”
I made this plan so quick that I didn’t think about what I want. “Um, well. I like to pull my hair back while working. Not too short.” Way to be vague, Em. “Sorry, I don’t know what to do with my hair.” Before leaving for college, my mom decided what happened with my hair. Which was shoulder length, with bangs. That looked terrible on me, by the way. This is the longest my hair has ever been.
Over the course of a few hours, my hair has been washed, trimmed, and highlighted. My nails clipped and painted. It has been an amazing day of pampering. I can see why Maxine’s salon is so popular. Maxine spins me around to the mirror and I almost recognize the woman staring back at me. I run my fingers over my hair. It’s so soft and wavy and perfect.
“Maxine, you are a miracle worker. I love it.” Her bright smile beams behind me.
“I’m glad you love it.” With a quick flick of the wrist she removes the cover up. I thank her again and pay before I head out.
I can’t help stopping to look at my reflection in the store windows and thinking, I can’t wait for Russell to see it. I don’t know why I care what he will think. No, I know why and it’s because over the last couple of weeks I’ve gotten to know Russ better and I’m falling for him. He is so fun to be around. It’s only been a short time, but he sees me for who I am as a person and not because of what my family can do for him. When I talk, I know he is actually listening to me. He cares about my hopes and dreams. The man built me a freaking dark room in his backyard. Try as I might to keep my focus on getting a job, I can’t stop thinking about him and the life we could have. There’s a problem. He’s my brother’s best friend and I don’t want to come between that, but I can’t shake these feelings.
I skip up the walkway to the house. It’s after three and Russ will be awake by now. I slide the key in the lock and with a click the deadbolt opens. Russ is sitting on the couch when I step inside. I’m surprised to see him still in his sweatpants and t-shirt. He’s usually dressed for work by now. Not that I know his daily schedule. I do.
“Hi Russ,” I greet him while I slip off my shoes. He looks away from the magazine in his hands. His eyes light up when he sees me. That look hits me right in the core.
“Wow, Emily, you look beautiful.” It comes out in a husky whisper that makes me grin.
“Thank you. Maxine did my hair.” My fingers fluff my hair. “Why aren’t you dressed for work?” I try to hide the concern in my voice. Maybe he is not feeling well.
“I have the night.” Excitement flutters through me. Could I be getting a night with Russ all to myself? “I ordered a pizza and rented those movies you said you wanted to see. Thought we could have a movie night.” Yes!
“That sounds perfect. I’m going to go change into some comfy clothes.” Eep a whole night with Russell. I may die from excitement.
The Princess Bride is playing on the TV. Russell and I are cuddling on the couch. We started the night on opposite ends of the couch. As the night went on, we inched closer to each other until his arm was around me and my head resting on his chest. Russell gives the best cuddles. He smells amazing and his fingers feel so good, softly trailing up and down my arm. If he keeps it up, I might end up stripping my clothes off and begging him to touch every inch of my bare flesh. Just the thought has me squirming.
“Are you doing okay, buttercup?” Russell asks, looking over at me.
“I’m good.” My voice cracks. Get it together, Emily. “Just needed to shift a little.” Lier.
We settle back into the watching the movie. The narrator says the name buttercup in the movie and piques my interest.
“Russell, do you call me buttercup because of this movie?” I ask. He told me once that this was one of his favorite movies. If it’s true, then I love my nickname ever more.
“Partly. It’s because of the dress you wore the day I picked you up from the airport.” I’m trying to remember the dress I wore that morning. “The bright yellow color reminded me of the buttercups that grew behind my parents’ house.” That is even sweeter. I sit up to get a look at Russell. His cheeks flush and his eyes glow with desire.
“That’s very sweet, Russell.”
“You reminded me of home. Spending all this time with you, getting to know you. You feel like home, too.” His words have my heart fluttering like hummingbird wings. “I like you, Emily. I like you a lot.” He cups my cheeks in his hands and leans in, brushing his lips against mine. They are soft and his mustache tickles my upper lip. My eyes fall closed as he deepens the kiss. When our tongues meet, I get lost in the kiss. There’s so much passion and promise between us. I can’t remember the last time anyone kissed me like this. Scratch that, nobody has ever kissed me like this. I crawl into his lap, straddling his waist. Russell’s hands slip under the hem of my shirt. I gasp in our kiss when his hands find my bare breasts.
“Mmm, no bra,” he grunts while kissing me. Thumbs circling my hard little buds.
“No panties, either,” I whisper back. Russ nips my lip in response. He breaks away long enough to pull my shirt up and off my body, tossing it to the floor.
His eyes roam my bare chest. “So damn beautiful.” I watch as he licks his lips, then dips his head down and takes my pink pebble into his mouth. His other hand massages my breast. He takes his time loving on each of my breasts until he has me needy and squirming.
“Russ,” I whine.
“Don’t worry, buttercup. I’m going to make you feel so good.”
I gasp at the touch of his fingers on the inside of my thigh. They softly trail higher and higher, disappearing under the hem of my sleep shorts. He teases my wet slit with the tip of his finger. My hips rock against his hand, trying to get him where I want him most.
“Please,” I beg.
“Please, what, buttercup?” he asks, rolling my nipple between his teeth.
“Please, make me come. I need you.”
He bites my nipple, and my head falls back as the pain and the pleasure rip through me. “So pretty when you beg.” He licks my nipple, soothing the pain, then does the same thing to the other side while his thumb circles my aching clit. Russell is a dirty tease. Bringing me to the edge of bliss, then pulling me back. It is a delicious dance. Finally, he pushes two of his thick fingers inside me.
“Yes!” I cry out as he moves his fingers in and out of me, while his thumb and mouth work to build me higher and higher, until I’m screaming his name.
“Russ, yes! Don’t stop.”
“That’s it, buttercup, come all over my hand,” he urges as he adds a third finger. Hammering his fingers in and out. My orgasm takes me over, body shaking with pleasure. Russell holds me to him while his fingers pull every bit of pleasure out of me. When I finally come down, I go limp against his chest. He cradles me in his arms.
“That was incredible,” I pant, trying to catch my breath.
“We are just getting started, buttercup.”