Blitzing Emily (28 page)

Brandon glanced over at Emily. “We’ll have to decide what we’d like for lunch.”

“I’m fine with almost anything.”

He played with her hand. She laced her fingers through his. Her voice was soft. “Those questions were pretty harsh.”

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “Just a day’s work. Not a big deal.”

Emily realized she was mad at him earlier for not being truthful with her, but this whole conversation proved what a hypocrite she was.

She was too chicken to ask him if he meant it when he told the reporter he loved her; she didn’t have the guts to bring it up.

“Somebody’s pretty quiet. Is something wrong?” Brandon said.

“No. Everything’s fine.”

“Now, I realize I’m a man and that makes me pretty much oblivious to this kind of thing, but I’ve had experience with that ‘everything’s fine’ stuff. Usually, it means something’s wrong.”

“I’m still thinking about the press conference,” Emily said. She was lying to him, after she let him have it for lying to her. God, she sucked.

“They wanted the details because it sells newspapers. I don’t like what they said about you. I know we both wanted publicity, but not this kind of publicity.” He shook his head. “I promise I’ll take care of this.”

“You don’t have to do that—”

“Trust me. I’ll handle it.” Brandon turned his attention to the road.

“Maybe I can help,” Emily said. “It’s not fair that you should take the heat by yourself. I was there, too.”

“Aren’t you sweet.” He flashed her a quick smile. “I know the press can be tough on women in these types of stories. They’re not so anxious to take me on, though.” He reached out for her hand again. “I hope you’re hungry. I’m starving. Let’s go get some pancakes, and then I’ll drop you off at your lesson. We’ll make some dinner later. I’ll teach you to make lasagna.”

“Will there be more kissing?” Emily asked.

“Absolutely.” He braked for a red light, and gazed into her eyes. “You’re my dessert. I do amazing things with chocolate sauce.”

Emily’s toes curled.

Chapter Seventeen

E
MILY BREEZED THROUGH
the front door of Amy’s flower shop five minutes after she opened for the day, carrying two nonfat lattes and a box of baked goods. Amy narrowed her eyes at her sister.

“Nice to see you stopped by the bakery. I told you I was gaining weight.”

Emily set the box and the coffee tray on Amy’s worktable. “It’s a pretty big occasion,” she said.

“Better be.” Amy pulled a chocolate iced doughnut from the box and took a bite. “God, this is good. I can only imagine what you might be celebrating.” She leaned closer to Emily. “Let’s see here. Flushed, smiling, eyes sparkling, hair’s got that tousled look.” Her sister pointed at her with the doughnut. “You just boinked Brandon.”

Emily bit into a lemon tart, and tried not to look so damn obvious.

“Oh, I need
all
the details.” Amy grabbed her coffee cup and another doughnut. “Spit it out.”

“Have you talked to Mom?”

“Quit it. I need to know.” The phone rang. “This will not get you out of some answers. Hello, Crazy Daisy.” Amy listened for a moment, and Emily saw an evil smile steal over her lips. “Brandon, it’s so nice of you to call.” Emily choked on her coffee. “No, no, things are fine. I’d love to help you with that. Is there anything specific you’d like to send?” She listened for a few more minutes and said, “I’ll get right on it. What would you like on the card?” She scribbled on the notepad next to the phone. “I’ll make sure she gets them this afternoon. Thanks for thinking of me.” She laughed. “I’ll be sure to do that. You, too. Bye.”

She hung up the phone and said, “If you don’t marry him, I will. He said he wanted to send something as lush and as beautiful as you are.”

“He makes me sound like the Amazon rainforest.”

“You’re getting Ariana roses and freesia,” Amy said. “Maybe some white lilies and greens. I got some this morning. They’re gorgeous.”

“Maybe it’s bad that he’s not sending red roses.”

“Everyone else does. They’re boring.” Amy grinned at her sister. “He said that I was the professional and I knew what would make you happy. He also said that he wants a bunch of my business cards to give out to guys on the team who are always looking to send flowers, so I scored. Maybe he’d like a case of microbrew as a thank-you gift.” She plunked down on the stool by the worktable. “Out with it. What happened yesterday?”

Emily was ebullient, but also a little scared. She’d spent the previous night having sheet-scorching sex with a man she adored. A box of baked goods sat open in front of her, Brandon was sending flowers, and the day was shaping up to be spectacular. At the same time, she had a big confession to make.

“I don’t know what to do,” Emily said.

“Take him back to bed later. Doesn’t that sound like a plan? It does to me.” Amy bit off another huge chunk of chocolate-frosted doughnut.

“I’m in love with him.”

Amy flew around the table to throw her arms around Emily. “Finally. I have been waiting to hear you say that.” She returned to her chair, sat down, put her chin in her hand, and said, “You’re shaking. You’re scared shitless, you big chicken.”

“I thought I was in love before,” Emily said.

“You are the only woman on the planet that could have an evening with a man most women would do just about anything to body slam, and not be quivering with happiness afterward,” Amy said. “Buck up, little camper.”

“It’s not that I’m not happy—”

“I can’t believe you. You’re not doing this, Em. I
know
you. What happened?”

Emily let out a sigh. “Well, you know about what happened at Icicle Creek.”

Amy’s grin was positively saucy. “Everyone knows by now. Where’d you go after you guys gave the Cub Scouts an eyeful?”

“His house. We didn’t get out of bed all day yesterday.”

“Details.”

“I don’t think so,” Emily said.

Amy took a sip of her coffee. “Was it good? And how many times?” Her sister was teasing her, but Emily saw the happiness in her face.

“I’m not going to t—”

“You tell me everything else.”

Emily closed her eyes for a moment.

“It was incredible. He’s—Amy, he’s beautiful. All of him. His chest is just—I couldn’t stop touching him. He smells so good, he tastes so good, and he’s an amazing kisser. He’s funny and wonderful, and he’s really good at taking my clothes off. He made me forget my own name.” Emily grinned. “Lots of orgasms.
Lots of them
.”

Her sister’s mouth dropped open. “And you’re not home in bed with him now?”

“He had to go to his workout, and meet with his trainer. I missed my lesson today.” Emily wrapped her arms around her midsection. “It’s going to cost me.”

“Who gives a shit? I wouldn’t.” Amy shrugged. “Maybe I should date his brother.”

“Dylan isn’t an athlete. He’s a doctor.”

“I’m still not getting what the problem is here,” Amy said.

“Maybe he doesn’t love me back.” Emily said.

“If he’s not already in love, he’s been on his way for a long time now. Why do you think every guy you meet is another James?” Emily flinched, and Amy reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “I’m sorry. That was an awful thing to say, but Em, it’s true. You meet the greatest guy ever, and—well, that’s ridiculous.”

“The whole time I was with James, I kept thinking things were moving along. We were dating, we were sleeping together, Mom and Dad loved him, things seemed like they were falling into place. I thought he was the best I could do.” Emily fiddled with the paper sleeve on her coffee cup.

“You never felt about him the way you feel about Brandon.”

Emily shrugged.

“You’ve obviously forgotten whom you’re talking to,” Amy said. “I saw you post-James. I never saw you like this. Plus, I seem to remember that James had a few—shall we say,
problems
in the bedroom.”

James had a low sex drive. He shrank from Emily when she tried to hold his hand. He wanted to be in control. He dictated every instance of physical affection between them. It was “inappropriate” to kiss him in public. A hand on the thigh when they sat together was deemed “too aggressive.” Emily spent the entire year she and James were together in a state of utter frustration. She loved touching and being touched in return. She longed for passion. She wanted to be with someone who valued what she wanted to share with him. Even Amy had no idea how extensive James’ problems were.

The few times James and Emily entered his bedroom, things went downhill fast. According to him, Emily was too noisy. She was too fat. Her boobs were not as “perky” as they should have been, and she shivered at the memory. She couldn’t imagine why she stayed with him, and even more, why she was still letting him inside her head. Somehow James had managed to penetrate into areas of her psyche nobody else had, and Emily’s job was to oust him. Permanently. She deserved better.

“Brandon’s the exact opposite,” Emily said. Just thinking about last night made her smile again. He had celebrated and cherished every inch of her—several times. “I understand why Anastasia went so sideways after they broke up. I’d miss it, too.”

“She said on that entertainment show his nickname should be ‘Tiny.’”

“Amy, she’s nuts. He’s definitely proportional.”

Her sister’s eyes lit up with glee again. Time for a subject change.

“Mom and Dad are still a little cautious around him,” Emily said.

“There’s nothing you can do. Just wait them out,” her sister advised. “They’ll get over it.”

“I don’t understand why they liked James and Dad is hesitant about Brandon. They had lunch, and Brandon said it went well. I thought Dad would warm up to him as a result, but it seems to be taking a little time.” Emily took a sip of her soda. “Brandon’s the better guy here. He makes me happy.”

“I think you’re worrying about this too much. Maybe you should talk to them.”

“I did. It was the same arguments. ‘He’ll ruin your career. Can’t you find someone at Seattle Opera to date? At least then he’d understand your schedule.’”

Emily rubbed her temples as Amy got to her feet. She knew her parents loved her, and they worried. She wondered how long it would take them to realize she’d made a good choice in Brandon.

“I have to do some stuff. You can help me,” Amy said. “Come on. You know you want to,” she teased. Amy dragged Emily into the refrigerated unit. A few minutes later, they were cleaning and preparing roses.

“Tell me what’s new with—Steve, isn’t it?”

“I dumped him. He was too clingy.” Amy pretended fascination with a thorn caught in her shears.

“There must be someone else you’d like to date.”

“Hell, no.” Amy brushed the debris into the garbage can below her worktable. “There was a guy at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. He’s a stockbroker. I don’t know what he was doing there.” She ran water in the sink to fill a bucket for the newly cleaned roses. “I heard he’s thinking about running for the City Council.”

“Eww, Amy. Not a politician.”

“You dated one,” Amy said.

“That was the mayor of Bellevue, and it lasted about twenty minutes. He considered lying to be a recreational sport. Tell me about the stockbroker.”

“Tall, dark-haired, looks like he works out. He was talking to some guy about playing basketball in a league. He’s not bad. Maybe a little buttoned-down for me.”

Amy needed a guy who liked to play as hard as he worked. Steve, the ex, owned a restaurant group with his twin brother. At the same time, he sported an earring and rode a Harley on the weekends. He might have been clingy, but he also had Amy’s number. Emily wondered what happened, but Amy wouldn’t answer her questions on the subject.

Amy grabbed half a dozen roses out of the newly cleaned bucketful. She pulled another handful of flowers out of her walk-in to make an arrangement.

“You’re going to have to tell Brandon how you feel.”

“Oh, no. I’m not going there. Not for a while.”

“You’re wearing his ring. I’m thinking it’s the perfect time.”

“No. Not doing it. I’ll sound like every woman on one of those cheesy reality dating shows that can’t have sex without confessing true wuvvv.”

Amy glanced up from her work to catch Emily’s eye. “You have a ring. You guys did the horizontal mambo and, evidently, things went well. Life’s short. Chop, chop.”

“I’m not ready.”

“I think you’re crazy.” Amy’s hands flew as she worked. The arrangement took rapid shape inside a square glass cube vase.

“Maybe you should tell me what’s on the card.”

Amy let out a low laugh. “You’ll be finding that out for yourself.”

She stepped away from the worktable, plucking an enclosure card from the assortment on the front counter. She spent a few minutes writing whatever Brandon had dictated to her, returned to the workroom, and secured the card in the arrangement with a plastic holder. She put the arrangement into Emily’s arms.

“From Brandon. Enjoy it.”

Emily smelled the flowers, admiring her sister’s skill. “You do excellent work.”

“I know. Be sure and thank him for this.”

“There’s a very good chance he’s about to get lucky again.” Emily kissed her sister goodbye. “I’m going home before the traffic’s insane.”

“See ya. Take your damn doughnuts out of here, too.”

Emily managed to make it back to her car before tearing the little white envelope open to read the message Brandon sent with the flowers.

Sugar, I long for you. – B

She closed her eyes and hugged the notecard to herself. He could have written hundreds of words, but he’d packed a world of emotion into four. She slipped the message into her handbag so she wouldn’t lose it.

E
MILY SPENT THE
drive to her townhouse musing over Amy’s comments. As much as she hated to admit it, Amy was right. She needed to tell Brandon how she felt about him. Truthfully, she hoped Brandon would say those three little words before she did.

Her cell phone rang, and she hit the speaker function.

“Hey, sugar, how are you?”

Brandon’s voice made her heart rate pick up. She flashed on a great mental picture of a rumpled bed and a blond, naked, sleepy-eyed man highlighted with morning sunshine.