Chapter 37
JOELLE
The Rose Hotel ballroom is stunning. Twinkling lights everywhere. A massive Christmas tree in the corner. Tables draped in white linen with gold accents. The Mavericks have gone all out this year. I'm standing with Collette near the bar, watching everyone arrive.
"You look incredible," Collette says. "That dress is perfect."
I smooth down the red fabric of the dress I chose to match Emmett’s tie. I’m not normally a dress girl, but I wanted to look special for him tonight.
"Thanks. You look great, too."
She's in this stunning silver, sparkly dress that makes her look like she’s dipped in silver liquid.
"Have you seen him yet?" she asks quietly.
"No. Not yet."
"He's going to lose his mind when he sees you."
"That's the plan."
Pierre and Issy arrive. Issy looks gorgeous in emerald green. Pierre is in a classic black suit.
"You two look amazing!" Issy says, hugging us both.
"So do you," I tell her.
Felix and Harper arrive next, and Harper is in navy blue, and Felix looks sharp in charcoal gray.
"The gang's all here," Harper says, linking arms with me.
More people filter in, the team, their partners, coaching staff, front office, and everyone is dressed to the nines.
"There he is," Collette murmurs.
I follow her gaze to see Emmett walk in with Sully.
Navy suit, red tie, hair styled perfectly, that scruffy square jaw that I love rubbing against my thighs.
He looks devastating. Our eyes meet across the room.
And for a moment, everything else disappears.
It's just us. Those stormy green eyes take in every inch of me, and judging by the heated glare they are producing, he likes what he sees.
Then Sully says something to him, the moment breaks, and he looks away. My heart is racing.
"This is going to be torture," I whisper to Collette.
"Yep. But you've got this."
Coach Anderson takes the stage, tapping the microphone.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Manhattan Mavericks’ Annual Christmas Party!
" Applause fills the room. "Before we get to the fun stuff, I want to say a few words about this team.
This season, you've shown incredible heart.
We're on a winning streak. We're fighting for the playoffs.
And I couldn't be prouder." More applause. "Now, let's eat, drink, and celebrate!"
I'm seated with Collette, Pierre, Issy, Felix, and Harper, with the family.
Emmett is three tables over, with the boys.
He's facing my direction, and I can feel his eyes on me even when I'm not looking. Then dinner is served, which feels like forever to get through the three courses. Everyone is laughing and chatting away, while Emmett and I spend the night stealing glances from each other. It sucks watching the other couples laugh together and kiss, while the one person I want to do it with sits three tables over and I have to pretend he doesn’t exist.
After dinner, the dance floor opens up. I'm watching from my seat when Emmett approaches our table. My heart stops.
“Hey, guys, are you having a good night? How nice was dinner?” he asks. My brothers launch into a conversation about the food.
“Babe, did you want to dance?” Harper asks Felix, who shoots up out of his chair.
“Before you go, do you mind if I steal Jo for a dance?" Emmett asks my brothers. I freeze. What is he doing?
Pierre grins. "Hell yeah, Captain. I trust you. Unlike all these other fuckers." There’s a slight wince on Emmett’s face when he says it.
“Good idea, Cap, come join us,” Felix says as Harper pulls him onto the dance floor.
“Let’s join too,” Issy says, getting up from her chair and holding out her hand for him, he goes willingly.
I turn and look at Collette, “Go. I’m fine on my own.” She grins
“Hold on,” Emmett says. “Hey, Fish, you dance?” he calls out.
“You know I have twinkle toes, Cap.”
“Collette needs a partner,” he says.
Fish looks at my sister and then at my brothers. “Are you insane?”
“Fish, just for tonight,” Felix calls out. “But I’ll be watching you,” he yells, moving his fingers from his eyes to Fish’s direction.
“Fine,” he grumbles.
“Gee, thanks, Fish,” Collette grumbles.
“I didn’t mean it like that. Your brothers are scary,” he tells her.
“Don’t do anything stupid and they won’t have to kill you.” She chuckles darkly.
“Cap, what have I done to you to deserve this?” He groans as he pulls my sister onto the dance floor, which just makes Emmett laugh.
“That was diabolical.” I laugh.
“It worked. We can now dance together without eyes on us, as they will be more concerned with Fish than me.”
I shake my head, it’s brilliant.
Emmett extends his hand to me. "Jo, would you like to dance?”
I take it and let him pull me into him, and then he leads us to the dance floor. The song changes to something slow and romantic. His hand settles on my waist, mine on his shoulder, and we keep a respectable distance, even though we don’t want to.
“I didn’t get to tell you earlier, but you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he whispers into my ear.
“You scrub up rather nicely, too.”
“Please, tell me I get to peel this dress off you tonight.”
“I think that can be arranged.” I smile as he moves me around the room.
“Fish, that hand has dropped,” Pierre calls out, which makes us laugh.
“Poor Fish.”
“He’s dying, but it’s fun to watch.” Emmett chuckles as we dance around the ballroom.
We walk back to the table.
Pierre is grinning. "See? Cap's a gentleman. He kept his hands in respectable places.”
“It wasn’t me moving my hands,” Fish argues.
“Sure as hell wasn’t me,” Collette adds with a giggle.
“Oh, come on, you kept moving my hand,” Fish states.
“You wish.” She grins.
“Respect the sisters, Fish,” Felix adds.
“I do. I would never touch her,” Fish explains.
“Wow. Thanks,” Collette says, acting offended.
“That’s not what I meant. You’re hot. What I mean is …”
“What did you just say?” Pierre glares at Fish.
“Fuck. Nothing.”
“I think he said I was hot.” Collette grins.
“I didn’t mean it,” Fish says, shaking his head.
“Oh, sorry, now I’m ugly.” Collette continues to tease.
“Fuck. Come on, Lettie. Tell your brothers you’re joking,” Fish pleads with her.
“I’m just teasing, guys. I was the one grabbing his ass.” She smirks, sending a wink Fish’s way.
“Fuck.” He groans, scrubbing his face.
“Don’t touch my fucking sister,” Pierre warns, pointing at Fish.
“I won’t. I promise.”
“What happens if I want him to touch me?” Collette smirks, pushing Pierre’s buttons.
“Seriously? Him?” Pierre looks at her. “Gee, I thought if you wanted anyone in this team, it would be Cap.”
I still. Collette’s eyes widen.
“Ew. He’s too old. No offence,” Collette tells Emmett.
“None taken,” he says.
“Fine, then Sully would be the second option,” Pierre adds.
“I like how you are pimping out your team to your sister there,” Sully adds.
“Wait. What? No, I’m not,” Pierre says.
“Kind of sounds like it, babe.” Issy smirks, joining in.
“Bro, I think you’ve had too much eggnog.” Felix chuckles.
“I’m so confused. How did we get here in conversation?” Pierre says, shaking his head.
“I was yanking your chain, that’s how.” Collette grins.
“You’re so annoying,” Pierre grumbles.
“Sorry, Fish, for involving you in my prank,” Collette tells him.
“So you should be. He was ready to murder me, and I’m too pretty to be murdered,” Fish tells her.
“Come here and I’ll make it better.” She smirks, holding out her arms for him. He starts to walk over, but Emmett grabs him.
“You’re walking into another trap.”
“Fuck. Lettie, you’re bad.” He points at her.
“This is payback for all the shit I’ve had to put up with all year from you.”
“Me?”
“All your social media troubles,” she says, raising a brow.
“I’m a good boy, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Fish says.
Collette rolls her eyes at him.
“What is happening?” I lean over to Emmett.
“I have no idea,” he says, watching the ping pong match.
“You’re not such a good boy on your private accounts, are you?” she throws back.
“How do you …?” His eyes narrow on her and then he turns and walks away.
Emmett and I just look at each other.
The night continues. More dancing. More conversations. But all I can think about is Emmett across the room.
My phone buzzes.
Emmett: Meet me. Room 1247. ASAP.
My heart stops.
Joelle: You didn't.
Emmett: I did. Don't make me wait.
I look up and find him across the room. He excuses himself from the conversation with Sully, and I watch him leave the ballroom.
I lean over to Collette. "I need to go for a bit."
"Go where?"
"Upstairs."
Her eyes widen. "Did he just rent a room for a quickie?"
"Apparently."
"That's hot. Go girl.” She grins.
"I know."
"Go. I'll cover for you if anyone asks."
"Thank you."
I wait five minutes and then slip away from the table and head to the elevator. The ride up feels endless, my heart is racing, and I can’t believe I am doing this.
Room 1247.
I knock softly. The door opens immediately and Emmett pulls me inside.
"You're crazy."
"No. I just fucking need you,” he growls, shrugging off his jacket and throwing it on the armchair.
The room is dark except for the city lights streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The view is stunning. Manhattan spread out below us.
"I couldn't wait another minute. Watching you all night. Not being able to touch you."
"So, you rented a hotel room?"
"I did." He backs me toward the window. "And I'm going to fuck you against this glass while the party happens below us."
Heat floods through me. "What if someone sees?"
"We're twelve floors up. No one can see. It’s two-way glass, that’s why the lights are off." His hands slide up my thighs, under my dress.
"Emmett …" That is hot.
He spins me around, presses my hands against the glass, and pushes my dress up around my waist.
“We don’t have much time.” His hand slides between my legs. "You're already wet.”
"I've been wet all night watching you.”
"Good girl." He pulls my underwear aside and dips a finger in, making sure I’m wet enough for him.
“Perfect,” he whispers into my ear. Then I hear his zipper, and a moment later, he is sliding against my wetness, pushing into me, slowly wetting his dick.
Without warning, he bucks and pushes all the way in, hard and deep.
I gasp, my hands flat against the glass.
"That's it," he growls. "Feel me.” He doesn't go slow, just takes me, pounding into me while I'm pressed against the window, the city lights blurring with each thrust.
“Fuck, baby, I’m close, but haven’t gotten you off yet.”
“Please, just fuck me,” I plead.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I know you will finish me later.”
“Fuck,” he growls as he continues to fuck me against the window. It’s so fucking hot, kinky, and dangerous.
"Emmett …" I moan.
“I know, I’m close, so close.” And then I feel him, filling me up.
It’s so hot. “Fuck, Trouble. You are so fucking perfect,” he says, kissing the back of my neck.
I hum with satisfaction even though I haven’t come myself.
Then suddenly he lifts me up, wrapping an arm around my waist and carries me to the back of the sofa, his dick never leaving me.
“Hands on the edge, legs spread, Trouble.” I do as he says, and then he pulls himself from me, but before I can tell him that I’ll make a mess his mouth is on me.
This is wicked. I feel him lick, sucking and eating himself out of me.
Shit. This is … hot. My mind starts to blank as he continues to go to town between my thighs.
My legs on either side of his face, I could sit on him if I wanted to.
This angle is so different, and I feel the signs as it creeps over my body.
“Yes. Yes.” I moan as I chase my climax.