Darkness Surrounding
Two can play at this game
Emery’s POV
Ever since the large metal door clicked in its lock, separating Brian and I for the first time in hours, I had been anxiously pacing the threshold. My heart thundered in my chest as I twisted my fingers together and chewed on my bottom lip. Why was I so anxious? It wasn’t like Brian was going to come back from his meeting and things were going to be like they were in the bungalow. Or were they? I didn’t know but I was a little apprehensive about how he would react toward me now that we were back on the compound.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Emery,” I chided myself, shaking my head as I walked. “So what if I was happy with him there? It didn’t mean anything. We were just lost in the moment at the stupid bungalow. Things are not different between us!” I told myself even though my racing heart and the butterflies in my stomach were telling me otherwise.
What would be so wrong if things were different between us? I mean, the night we spent together had been wonderful—amazing actually. Brian had been so kind and the words he whispered in my ear all night were enough to drive me wild. Not to mention that each little kiss he gave me felt like a jolt of electricity. Just thinking about the way Brain’s touch affected my body was making me dizzy all over again and I had to close my eyes. It was like taking a hit of a really good drug…
Fuck, I really needed to get my act together and get my head out of the gutter. It wasn’t going to happen again and we both knew it! “It’s over…back to normal…” I swallowed thickly, trying not to let my mind wander to our last night together.
But the more I tried to push those glorious memories away, the more they invaded my thoughts. So much so that I couldn’t keep a stupid smile from spreading over my face. God what was wrong with me? I was setting myself up to get hurt but I couldn’t stop thinking about him and how he made me feel.
“Come on, Pagano girls don’t feel anything for anyone. And since when do I need a guy to make me feel happy?” I scoffed. But that was just it; he did make me feel happy—really happy.
The kicker was, I had never felt that happy, alive, and free with anyone in my entire life. I was usually a prisoner in my own home for crying out loud. But there on the beach with Brian, I was free to live, laugh, play, and love how I wanted. There were no restrictions and that meant the world to me. He made me happy and took care of me in my time of need, and for that I owed him more than I was willing to admit.
But the question was: was everything I felt some kind of fluke influenced by a moment of weakness in the bungalow or did Brian really make me happy? Would I always feel that free and uninhibited that around him? I didn’t know but I was anxious and excited to find out what was going on between us. Did he care about me? Did these butterflies in my stomach mean that I actually liked and cared about him? Wait, what? No, no, no...
I stopped dead in my tracks and my breath hitched in my throat at the thought. No, I had to be imagining these feelings. I couldn’t actually like and care about Brian! He was my kidnapper for Christ sakes!
“No, get a grip on yourself, Emery,” I scolded myself as I paced the length of the room. “It was just a fun little get away…it meant nothing…” Even I didn’t believe the words coming from my mouth. “I can’t like him…” But deep down I knew I did like him.
Brian had this remarkable effect on me that I couldn’t quiet explain. He just made me feel whole and alive, which was something completely new for me. I had to admit, I liked how I felt around him and I knew I couldn’t give up that feeling. Hell, from the get go I was drawn to him. So why fight it? Why not just give in for the first time in my life and let the cards fall where they may. That’s what Jo told me to do times over! I knew it wouldn’t last forever, but a little fun while I was here wouldn’t hurt right? No relationships…just fun. That was it.
Without warning, I heard the door unlock and I stopped dead in my tracks. Brian was back and that realization alone made my heart thunder even harder against my ribs. “Let the cards fall where they may….” I said, a smile spreading across my face as I darted back to the bed, positioning myself in playful manner. I quickly ran my fingers through my long blonde hair and tossed my over shirt across the room, leaving me in only a pair of short denim short and a black crop top.
I closed my eyes to gather my thoughts, only to see those haunting brown eyes accompanied by that sexy smirk in the darkness of my eyelids. I could feel anxiety and excitement coursing through my veins as I sat waiting for that gorgeous man to walk through the door. Damn, I really needed to get a grip or else I was going to make a fool out of myself. Though that thought didn’t stop my heart from feeling like it was going to explode. Why did Brian have this kind of affect on me? I didn’t know but it scared and excited me all the same time.
“What is he doing?” I muttered to myself after waiting for a few minutes. I could hear voices outside the door and I couldn’t stop my curiosity. What was going on? Did something happen to Jo?
I quietly crept to the door just in time to hear Brian’s irritated voice through the crack. “What?! I did what he wanted, got her out of the house… Fine, I skipped a fucking shift, what the hell, wasn’t the first, won’t be the last time,” Brian said indignantly, his voice alone making me smile. I just hoped he wasn’t in trouble because of me.
“You did, but you never did it for a woman… at least not just for one… so what is this? You nailing the little blonde?” another voice snapped. Was that Vengeance or Christ? I didn’t know, but I was more concerned that they were talking about me.
I held my breath as Brian replied, “There is nothing.” He’s just saying that so he doesn’t get in trouble, I thought, feeling my heart sink a little bit as I bit down on my bottom lip. He can’t actually mean that after everything he said to me last night.
“Oh you can fucking lie to Shads, but not us… You are fucking falling for the Pagano girl? Is she that good, huh?” My breath hitched my throat and my eyes grew wide. No, there was no falling here…just two adults having fun. Right?
“Fuck you, I’m not falling for anything,” Brian snapped. “And I am not fucking telling you shit… I’m not saying she is a fucking good lay and I am not saying that, but that’s all she is…” I scoffed and shook my head in disbelief. So there was the truth…I was just a good fuck. Good, so there was nothing between us and we were back to normal. But then why did it feel like someone grabbed my heart and squeezed it as hard as they could? Why did I feel both hurt and confused right now?
“So she is nothing? Just a good fuck? What about the rules?” Jimmy’s voice sounded and I felt like I was going to be sick. He was in on this too?
“You know, she begged me to fuck her. What can I say, Jimbo? I can’t say no to a woman who wants a piece of me. She was desperate and I was willing to help her out.” That cocky, self absorbed, son of bitch! I did not throw myself at him and I certainly wasn’t desperate! If anything it was the other way around! We’ll see if he gets to touch me ever again. Emery Jane Pagano is not a desperate whore! Fuck, now I was pissed and hurt.
“I would have banged Jo already, if Shads wouldn’t be in my fucking hair all the time, and he knows it. If he gives me a chance alone with her, she would be mine.” At the mention of my sister’s name, I clenched my fists. No one was fucking going to touch Jolie if I had anything to do about it, not Vengeance and certainly not Shadows. I had to warn her…but I had to make sure she was okay first.
“So she is just a good lay?” Jimmy asked again, breaking my train of thought. Why did he need to bring that up again? Hearing it once was bad enough.
“I already told you,” Brian replied, making my heart squeeze painfully in my chest again. What the hell was wrong with me? Why was this even affecting me? I was stronger than this! I just couldn’t believe I was so stupid to think that our night together changed anything. What had I been thinking? I was an idiot!
“So you would be up to going out and picking up a bitch in the club? Without a problem?” Jimmy asked and I felt like I was going to be sick. No, he wouldn’t just throw me away like that…
“Sure. Like I said, just a good lay, that’s about it,” Brain said and I saw red. Oh, hell no! No one was going to play me like that and then go jump ship to some bar whore! Just thinking of him touching another girl made me feel sick and pissed off. Fuck, him! From now on, the topic of Brian and I was closed and I would keep my distance. I wasn’t about to play this sick and twisted game.
“Really?”
“Fuck yeah, what are you guys thinking, I get the feelings and all that shit… Hell no… She is available and she is hot, you would do the same, but she means not a thing to me. Would you guys shut up now? I plan to fucking do exactly that, fuck her and then go to work tonight…” Brain said cockily and that’s when I’d had enough.
If Brian really thought he was going to come in here and try to seduce me, he had another thing coming! That was for damn sure. I was not his little plaything and I certainly wasn’t going to sit around and let him use me like that. Not when I thought that maybe I could possibly like him…oh fuck no! Brian had been pretty damn clear on how he felt about me so now it was time to make my stance known. From this point on, I would have nothing to do with Synyster Gates.
“So we got shift tonight, let’s make a quick stop in a bar,” Vengeance said and I couldn’t take it anymore. I felt disgusted and used and I certainly didn’t need to sit here and listen to this bullshit.
“No problem…” I heard Brian say as I moved away from the door. “I can fuck whoever I want, whenever I want, no big deal… Could use another pussy anyway.”
“Fuck you, Brian,” I hissed to myself, moving as far across the room as I could. I didn’t want to see him let alone be in the same room with him. I would rather stay in that cold damp room than here with him! And as much as I hated to admit it, his words hurt me and really pissed me off.
How could I be so disposable to him after all the things he said to me last night? It didn’t make any sense! But one thing was clear, if I meant nothing to him, he meant nothing to me. Two could play at this game and I could guarantee he wouldn’t like the results. We were done—no sex, no talking, not touching, no nothing.
I crossed my arms over my chest as Brian came into the room, my temper rising from seeing the smug look on his face “Em? What are you doing? Didn’t I leave you clear instructions for when I got back?” Brain asked in a cocky tone.
I scoffed and shook my head, standing up to my full height and glaring back at him. He looked surprised to see me standing across the room from him. Well, he’d better get used to it because this was all he was going to get. I just had to keep my wits about me so that I wasn’t blind sighted by his false words, hopes, and feelings again. And no matter how good it felt to kiss him or be in his arms, he was arrogant dick and I couldn’t believe I thought otherwise. He was fucking prick and I was idiot for thinking that things had changed between us!
As the door shut, Brian started to close the distance between us and I took a step backwards for every one that he took forward. Oh, no he wasn’t going to win this battle. He started a war and I was certain I was going to win.
“What the hell is you problem?” he finally asked, getting the hint that I didn’t want him to touch me. Okay, so maybe I did want him to touch me, but he couldn’t. I couldn’t trust myself around him because deep down I knew I still cared. Not to mention that I was beyond pissed by what I heard through the door.
I scoffed and shook my head. “Nothing,” I said bitterly, knowing that if I told him the truth it would only make things worse. “I want to see my sister,” I shot back, leaning against the cold brick wall. Shit, he had backed me into a corner and I could see that realization in his eyes. I needed to get as far away from him as possible.
Brian’s brows pulled together as he looked me up and down like he wanted to devour me. “You’ll get to see her, but first we have some unfinished business to take care of, princess.”
“No, I want to see her now!” I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him. God, he made me sick! Thinking that I would be sitting around waiting to fulfill his sexual desires. And to think for a moment I thought that maybe there was something between us. Fuck him! I wasn’t some plaything he could have whenever he wanted and then leave behind when he was bored. No, I refused to be that girl—it hurt too much.
Wait, what did I mean that it hurt me? Oh no…I must have just imagined it. There was no way I actually had deep enough feelings for the guy to warrant hurt. That was ridiculous and proved the fact that I needed to get out of here! He was messing with my head and my body! “Take me to her now!”
Brian chuckled and put his hand on the wall above my head. “I make the rules, princess, not you. Besides I don’t really like following directions, not when I can see what you actually want,” he was so close again that all I could smell was his cologne and a faint dusting of smoke. God it was intoxicating. I momentarily closed my eyes, taking it all in before I realized what I was actually doing. “You see, that right there proves my point so cut the crap, Em. Let’s finish what we started on the beach. You know you want to…”
My brow furred as I looked up at him, his amused browns meeting my eyes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said but it didn’t come out as believable as it should have. “And you have no idea what I want.” Hell, I didn’t even know what I really wanted.
“I don’t?” he chucked as I pushed away from him and made my way across the room. “After all the screaming you did last night, I’m pretty sure I do,” and there he was again in my personal space. Couldn’t he see that I was pissed off at him and didn’t want anything to do with him? “Seems like you’re just trying to play one of your little princess games. Or maybe I know what you want more than you do. Don’t act like I’m blind and can’t see that look in your eyes. How you just closed your eyes when I leaned into you, or how your nails curled into my hair when I kissed you earlier. Don’t lie to yourself. You want this just as much as I do, princess.”
“The only thing I want is to see my sister!” I finally snapped, moving away from him and picking up some dirty clothes on the floor. I knew that if he kept that close proximity that I wouldn’t be able to keep myself in check.
“That’s not what your body is telling me,” Brian continued, ignoring my request. “You’re body is meant for me…craves me so why keep fighting it? Give in and live a little bit, princess. Just like last night…” I could hear the smirk in his voice and I couldn’t look at him. Brian’s heavy hands fell on my hips as he pulled me back into his embrace. Oh, it felt so good to be in his arms. I took in a shaky breath as I tried to remember what my end goal was here. That’s right to get away from him and out of this room, but did I really want that?
“I don’t want anything to do with you!” I hissed, pulling away again and moving to the opposite side of the room. Though I was now very aware of the large mass he was trying to conceal in his jeans and the thought made me shudder. I had to remember that I was pissed off at him for thinking I was some kind of sexual pawn. “I want to see Jolie,” I said again, crossing my arms and narrowing my eyes.
Brian’s hands once again pulled me backwards into him, stopping me from grabbing another shirt to put away. "I find that hard to believe, Emery. Don’t you remember how you screamed my name as I filled you with each deep thrust?” His warm breath tickled my neck and I had to bite down on my lip to suppress the moan that wanted to escape. “Or how you begged for more…”He brushed my hair to the side and wrapped an arm around me, hugging me close. I leaned back into him as those talented lips started to trail my neck, his fingers tracing small circles on my exposed flesh. “You want me…admit it, Emery.”
No, Emery, get a hold of yourself! You can’t do this. First of all, you’re pissed at the bastard, secondly he’s using you, third, giving in will only get you hurt, and lastly you’re not some toy! I forced myself to pull away and turn around to face him with my hands on my hips. “I said no,” I said as sternly as possible.
Brian scoffed and rolled his eyes, pushing me back into the wall. “Tell me something, Em, does you’re heart speed up when you’re around me? Do you shudder when I run my fingers over your hot little body?” He tilted his head to the side, watching me with an amused smirk as I involuntarily answered all his questions. “Do you shiver when my lips get close to your neck?”
“What-what does that have to do with anything?” I stammered, moving away from him to pick up the room again. I could feel the heat in my stomach rising and I quickly tried to push it away. This was no time to be turned on by his dirty talk.
“Just answer the question, princess.”
“I’m not a princess,” I hissed as I threw the last of the clothes into the hamper. “And no, I don’t’ feel anything in relation to you!” I snapped, not believing the words coming out of my mouth.
I turned back to face Brian as he licked his lips and his eyes raked over my body, causing me to blush. My fingers nervously moved though my hair while I looked away from him, only to find him back in my personal space before I could even take a breath. What was he doing to me? He was breaking down my resolve in a matter of seconds and that terrified me. No, I couldn’t let him win…
“You know what, princess?” He cooed in my ear, his warm breath sending goose bumps down my exposed arms as my heart thundered in my chest. “You’re lying to yourself… you want me as much as I want you…just like on the beach…” And there was his tongue on the shell of my ear, making me melt into his arms. Why was he like a drug? “Stop playing these little games and give in. You know you want to.”
As tempting as he was and how good he made me feel, I couldn’t give into him. “No, I want…” I moaned. Though the kisses on my neck were making it extremely hard to focus on the task at hand. My head was clouded and I needed to stop him before he got to far.
“You want me, Em…” Brian breathed in my ear, his lips sending my body into a euphoric state. “And I want to taste every inch of you.”
“Brian…” I practically moaned, feeling his arms scoop me up into the air and press my back against the wall were this whole conversation started. The mass in his pants pressed into my core through my denim shorts. Why couldn’t I tell him no?
“I love it when you moan my name, babe,” he growled before his lips devoured mine.
I instantly gave his tongue access, craving his sweet taste. I knew that I shouldn’t but it all felt so good and I literally couldn’t stop. My fingers tangled in his hair as he forcibly pushed me against the wall. As his lips moved against mine, it felt like every nerve ending inside of me was about to explode.
He kissed me with such a passion that I felt it all the way down to my toes. It made my heart flutter, almost bringing me to tears and was enough to make me realize how deeply invested I actually was. I knew right then that I didn’t want to be anywhere but in Brian’s arms and that thought sent me into a panic.
“NO!” I breathed, pushing Brian away and shaking my head. My hands instantly went to my head as I started to pace back and forth. No, no, I couldn’t be falling for this asshole, not when he said I was a disposable whore! Fuck, get that thought out of your head right now, Emery! He doesn’t want you! God, why did that thought hurt so much?!
“What? What’s wrong?” Brian rasped, looking at me incredulously. Both of our chests were rising and falling rapidly and I couldn’t deny the look of confusion and something else hiding in Brian’s eyes. “I cant do this…we cant do this,” I muttered to myself shaking my head as the panic set in. No, I needed to put distance between us and the best way to do that was to get out of this room. I couldn’t trust myself with him!
“Can’t do what? What the hell is your problem?” Brain looked so irritated and confused.
“I need to see Jolie! I need to make sure she is okay,” I yelled, making up an excuse to pin my erratic behavior on. I quickly pulled away from Brain, being extra careful to stay a step ahead of him. I couldn’t let him pull me back in because I wasn’t strong enough to stop myself. This was all too much for me to handle right now. “Calm down, Em. Like I told you, I’ll take you to see her but you need to relax. Come here,” Brian tried to sooth, holding his arms out for me. They looked so welcoming but I knew better than to give in.
“Why? So you can try to fuck me again?” I snapped, grabbing my button down shirt and putting it over my black crop top. “I said no and I meant it!” I raged.
“What the hell has gotten into you?” Brian retorted, looking taken aback by my actions. I scoffed and shook my head, “What’s gotten into me? Well, let me tell you! I’m sick of being your little pawn and plaything! I am a human being and I am not here to be service your ever pleasure. So if that’s what you’re looking for you better find another girl to play with because I’m done!” I burst, unable to stop myself.
Brian open and closed his mouth a few times and took a few steps toward me, looking more than confused. “What are you talking about, Emery?”
“Oh please, like you don’t know,” I laughed bitterly crossing my arms over my chest, trying to push away the hurt and panic I was feeling inside. I knew that seeing Jolie wasn’t going to fix this, but it was the easiest way to get out of this situation. “I’m done talking to you. Just take me to see my sister.”
“Em what—”
“You promised me I could see her and I’m tired of waiting. If you care at all you will take me to see Jolie before I lose my fucking mind!” I yelled, causing Brian to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Take. Me. To. See. My. Sister. NOW!”
“Fine!” Brian snapped, throwing his hands up in the air. “I’ll take you to see your sister but then you’re mine, mark my words, Emery,” Brian warned as he tightly grabbed my arm and dragged me down the hallway. I could tell he was pissed off by my actions by the way he was handling me. Well, he wasn’t the only one that was pissed off.
A few minutes later we entered the open living area and I saw my sister sitting at the island eating some lunch. “JO!” I yelled, ripping my arm away from Brian and running toward her. I quickly pulled her into my arms and looked her up and down, but not before giving the big brute the dirtiest look I could muster.
“Are you alright? I was so worried about you! What happened?! What did he do?!” I rushed out all at once, not caring who heard me. “Emery,” Brian warned and I turned around to glare at him. He was not going to interrupt my time with her and either was Shadows. They were both on my shit list now. The Pagano girls were no man’s plaything!
Thankfully Jo pulled us both into the living room out of their direct view so I could get the full story. I still didn’t like the way the big brute stared at her and I knew something was up. More than her being sick like she claimed.
“Jo, answer me and answer me honestly, is he hurting you?! I mean… he never lets you out of sight, right? He keeps you under his watch at all times… what is he doing to you?” I asked quietly, meeting her eyes for the first time since our reunion.
“I-I don’t… he is not hurting me. He is actually pretty nice to me,” Jo said, looking away from me, which told me she wasn’t telling the truth. “Nice, doesn’t seem fitting for that big brute, Jo. Is. He. Hurting. You?!” I pressed only for her to shake her head and turn the conversation toward me.
“I mean the way you and Gates glared at each other, what is up there? Did he do something to you?” Jo asked and I shook my head, not wanting to go down that path.
“Don’t try to turn this around! What are you doing in his office? In his room?!” I continued, my mind flashing back to what Vengeance said to Brian. Oh, if anyone was touching her that was the last thing they’d ever do.
“Work… I’m helping with office work, organizing and stuff… and we talk.” Oh yeah, like I was going to believe that when she wouldn’t even look at me! She was lying and I knew it! “Talk? He doesn’t look like the sweet talker to me, Jolie.”
“Well, what are you and Gates doing in his room… probably the same?!” Jo asked and my breath caught in my throat. Why would she ask that? God, I couldn’t tell her about Brian—she would freak out! Hell, I was still freaking out!
“He is mostly absent and it’s better that way, since he is pretty much a big offensive dickhead,” I snapped before I could stop myself. I was still beyond pissed at him but Jo didn’t need to know. She would only worry. I had to turn this back around on her before she asked more questions that I couldn’t and wouldn’t answer. “Jo, did he touch you?”
Jolie’s cheeks immediately lit up and she looked everywhere but at me. That son of a bitch did touch my sister! “JO?!” I raged, pressing for more just as Matt beckoned my sister to his office. My eyes instantly flashed over toward Brian who was smirking at me as he leaned up against the island. He was the only other person in sight. No, she couldn’t leave me out here alone with Brian. I couldn’t trust myself with him!
“Don’t go… You don’t have to… please,” I begged, grabbing her hand and squeezing it tight as Brian’s eyes met mine. “I need to tell you something else, Jo… Wait,” I said, trying to find a way to get her to stay. She needed to know about Vengeance’s plan anyway, so I might as well use it to get her to stay with me. “Stay here,” I pleaded only for her to pull away and head toward Shadows, who called her again.
“I’ll just see how I can help and then I’ll be back, alright?” Jo said before she pulled away completely.
“Jo…please don’t…” I breathed inaudibly, my chest rising and falling with panic. No, no, no…what was I going to do? I couldn’t be alone with Brian, not when all I could think about was that kiss and how it made me feel. Fuck! I pinched my eyes shut and bit down on my bottom lip, trying to push those foul emotions away.
“Em?” A voice sounded behind me, pulling me from my thoughts. I instantly tensed, fearing the worst as heavy footsteps made their way toward me. “Are you hungry? I’ve got some food ready for you.” Wait a minute, that wasn’t Brian’s voice! That was—
“Jimmy!” I squealed, turning around and throwing my arms around his waist. Boy was I glad to see him! “You’re here! Thank goodness!” I gushed, squeezing him tight as the realization hit. He was the answer to all my problems! Jimmy could help me stay away from Brian—hell to forget about Brian! It was the perfect solution! Why didn’t I think of it before?! Jimmy was the perfect distraction.
“Where else would I be? Someone has to cook for these assholes,” Jimmy laughed, looking down at me with amused eyes. “They would all starve without my knife master skills!” he said, moving his hands around like he was doing some odd version of Tae Kwon Do. “Cooking meals one minute and destroying evil the next! No one can stop me!” He bellowed, making me laugh.
Jimmy quickly darted across the room, kicking and punching at the shadows. “No mortal can beat me!” He continued and the next thing I knew, I was flying through the air, spinning around in circles. “Jimmy put me down!” I laughed, my head falling back as I gasped for air from laughing so hard. “You will feel the power too! Embrace it! EEMMBBRRACCE IIIT!” He screamed just before we both tumbled on the couch, laughing hysterically.
“Rev, knock it off the shit. Emery needs to eat before she goes back in my room,” Brian snapped from the kitchen, looking at Jimmy and I with narrow eyes. What I wasn’t allowed to have fun now? Or was he pissed because I wasn’t giving him the time of day? I wasn’t sure, but I would test my theory…
“Yes, you’re right…she needs to eat,” Jimmy said with a wicked smirk, standing up and saluting Brian, which only made me giggle more. “Come on, let’s get you some food.” Jimmy helped me up off the couch and I instantly took his arm and linked our fingers together.
“What did you make me?” I asked, leaning flirtatiously into Jimmy as he pulled out the stool for me. “The Rev’s famous hot ham and cheese with a side of homemade tomato soup,” Jimmy explained as Brian, clenched his jaw. Now that was interesting wasn’t it? Well, let’s see how Mr. Gates likes this…
I quickly picked up my spoon and took a sip of soup, the delicious flavors exploding on my tongue. I slowly pulled the spoon out of my mouth, watching both men take a deep breath. “Mmm…Jimmy this is amazing,” I gushed, playfully petting his arm as Brian clenched his fists.
“Yes, Jimmy is a great cook. Now eat so you can go back to my room. I’ve got to go on shift shortly,” Brian growled, as I took a bite of the sandwich and let out another moan. Oh, was I touching a nerve? I was just a good lay remember? And that’s when it hit me. If he could fuck other people, then so could I. We’ll see how he liked a taste of his own medicine. Revenge was something my father taught me to do very well…
“Actually, I had a different thought,” I said, whipping my mouth with a napkin and setting my spoon to the side. “Can I stay with you tonight, Jimmy?”
“Sure,” Jimmy shrugged only to get a glare from Brian. What? If he was going out to fuck some bar slut, why couldn’t I have some fun with my good friend Jimmy? “That is if it’s okay with you, Gates,” he added, looking at him with a smirk. What was that about?
Brian opened and closed his mouth a few times as he glared at a smirking Jimmy. “Fuck…Whatever. Just have her back by morning,” Brian grumbled Oh, was someone pouting now? This really was interesting…
“Perfect!” I smiled, patting Jimmy’s hand. “Shit, but if you’re staying with me, I need to go pick up my room! I’ll be right back!” He yelled and then vanished down the hall, his hands flailing over to of his head. “Operation clean up shit must commence!”
“See you soon,” I waved just as my spoon clattered to the floor.
“Shit, sorry about that. I was just trying to help pick up,” Brian said, bending down at the same time as me to grab the spoon. Our hands touched and I recoiled, afraid of the shock that I felt. When I looked up, his gorgeous brown eyes were watching me with an amused smirk. This was no accident—he knocked it down on purpose. “Soyou really think staying with Jimmy is going keep me away?” he whispered, snatching up the spoon but not moving. “We’ll see about that because I think we both know we have some unfinished business.”
I gapped at him and slowly stood up, not breaking our stare. “What are you talking about?” I hissed, feeling my heart start to race. I could smell his sweet cologne from here and it was sending my senses into a frenzy. This might be harder than I thought. “You’re going on shift and I’m making it so I’m not bored out of my mind,” I lied, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I know what you’re doing and its not going to work, princess.” Oh that smirk was killing me right now. I had to lick my lips and swallow thickly to keep my wits about me. He raised a brow and pulled out a cigarette, putting it between those very nice lips of his. “You cant stay away from me forever.”
The hell I could! Brian made it perfectly clear to his buddies that I was nothing but a good lay, so I owed him nothing. Not to mention that I wasn’t about to stand around and wait for him. No, I was going to live my life and have fun with Jimmy. Fuck Brian for thinking that he could play me like that, and fuck me for falling into his trap. It wasn’t going to happen again that was for damn sure. Now he would suffer the consequences.
“Yo, Gates, let’s go!” Vengeance called, standing in the door with a smirk on his face. “We’ve got a busy night.”
Brian looked over his shoulder and then turned back around to face me, smiling even wider when he saw me nervously chewing on my bottom lip. What kind of effect did he have on me? I didn’t know but it needed it to stop and a night with Jimmy would do just the trick. I would prove that Brain meant nothing to me. Then hopefully that stupid fluttering feeling in my stomach would go away.
“See you around, princess,” he threw a wink at me before turning around and following his friend out the door. I took in a shaky breath as I watched him leave, my heart thundering in my chest.
“We’ll see about that,” I scoffed to myself and crossed my arm in front of my chest, refusing to feel anything in relation to him. The only problem was that it wasn’t working.
Matt’s POV
“So did Christ get any new leads from tapping Pagano’s line?” Gates asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “Anything Vee and I should look out for?”
“Nothing that I’ve heard,” I grumbled, carefully watching Jo and her sister in the living room. I knew that Jo wanted to talk to her sister privately, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was just so damn beautiful with her long legs, long dark hair, and those stunning blue eyes that cut all the way down to my soul. It was like I was addicted to her and I couldn’t get enough. Hell, just sitting here watching her was driving me crazy. I didn’t know how much longer I could stay away from her.
“I just hope we catch those bastards,” Gates added, shaking his head as he followed my gaze to the living room. “Is Emery behaving herself?” he asked, looking slightly amused.
“For now,” I replied, watching as Emery squeezed Jolie’s arm and heatedly spoke. It was then that I noticed the look of panic spreading across Jolie’s face, which instantly sent me off. The little blonde had caused trouble from the get-go and I wasn’t about to sit here and watch her make Jo miserable. No, I had to get her out of there.
I quickly stood up from the island, earning raised brows from both Jimmy and Brian. “I’ve got some work to do. Make sure the girls gets back in your room before you leave, Gates. I want a full report after your shift too,” I said sternly. “And Rev, I want you to follow up on any leads that they find. Do you hear me?”
“Got it, Shads,” Jimmy said as I called for Jo. Was that a look of relief? Well, good because it had been way too damn long since I’d touched her. I craved the feeling of her lips on mine and I couldn’t wait anymore. I had to have her. “Jo!” I called again from my office door.
As soon as she was inside, I slammed the door and crashed my lips into hers. Before I could stop myself, I grabbed her hips and pulled her into me, letting her feel the excitement she had been causing in me all day. Our tongues danced together and I couldn’t get over how good she tasted. Part of me wanted to take off all her clothes right here and have my way with her, tasting every inch of her perfect body. I mean, just from touching her soft skin and smelling her citrus shampoo I was going insane. I wanted her—all of her.
“Did I understand your panicked look right?” I growled, slowly kissing down her neck as she nodded. God she smelled and tasted so good. “What did she want from you?”
“She is… concerned… that…” Jo moaned as my lips made their way back up her neck. “That you hurt me.”
“And am I hurting you?” I chuckled, rubbing my erection into her warm core. I could feel her warmth through the layer of denim that separated us. “No,” she moaned, making my cock throb painfully. “But I am hurting…” I growled. I had the worst case of blue balls from this morning and having her this close to me again was killing me.
“I’m sorry,” she chuckled lightly, “Can I help you with that?”
“Oh yes… I’m just afraid your sister will come barging in here at any second…” I grumbled, knowing that our time was limited but I wasn’t ready to give her up yet. I pushed her back further on my desk and hungrily assaulted her in passionate kiss.There was eager desperation in this kiss and I couldn’t stop myself. I wanted all of her, every inch of her, all the good, all the bad, everything. Jolie Pagano was mine and mine alone.
Somewhere in our heated kiss, Jolie had wrapped her arms and legs around me, caging me in against her petite frame. As I looked down at her, I felt my heart race in away it never had before. I couldn’t deny it any longer; I was in love with this girl. And as crazy as it sounded after only knowing her for a month, I didn’t care. She needed to know and I hoped she felt the same way.
“What is it?” Jolie asked, her blue eyes blazing into mine with lust and something else. “Is everything okay? Did I do something wrong?” A frown fell over those beautiful features and I couldn’t help but smile. “No…far from it, babe,” I said, shaking my head as those three little words tingled on my lips, just waiting to be said.
“Then what is it?” Jolie tilted her head to the side with an adorable questioning look. My heart instantly sped up and I licked my lips, shaking my head. I was ready to tell her how I really felt. “Jolie I—”
“Shads! Open up! I’ve got JB on the line,” Johnny’s voice sounded through the door as he loudly knocked. “Fuck,” I hissed, hanging my head. Perfect fucking timing Christ! I swear I could kill him for interrupting this moment. “I’ll be there in a minute,” I barked, giving Jo an apologetic look.
“I’ll make it up to you later, I promise,” I said before quickly giving her a kiss and adjusting myself to hid the raging boner in my pants. “This better be good, Christ!”
I ended up spending half of the day on the phone with Jason and Matt Berry sorting through Pagano’s coded messages, while Jolie sorted papers and picked up my office. I just couldn’t believe how many messages Pagano was sending out that didn’t mean anything. Was he trying to blind sight us with this bullshit? I was pretty sure he was fucking with us and that left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“This is fucking useless!” I snapped at JB. “I’m done for the night. I’ll talk to you in the morning,” I said, hanging up the phone as Jolie’s hands started massaging my back. I closed my eyes and leaned back into her arms, just enjoying her touch and the electric currents that ran down my spine. “Damn babe…”
“Are you all done for the night?” Jo asked, moving around to sit in my lap. Her small hands moved up and down my chest, awaking my arousal in an instant. “I fucking hope so,” I sighed as I ran my fingers through her long silky hair. She closed her eyes and let out a small sigh, as if she were enjoying my touch. “Your dads got us running around in circles.”
“He good at that,” Jo scoffed and slowly opened her eyes. “But enough about that, what did you want to do tonight?” she asked with a mischievous smirk on those perfect lips.
“I’ve got a couple ideas,” I chuckled. “But how about we go for a walk around the compound and I’ll make you dinner?” I gently ran my thumb over her cheeks with a dimpled grin. “It should be dark outside now so no one will see us and my men should be gone for a few more hours…”
“That sounds amazing, babe,” Jo said, her lips instantly moving to my neck, placing a small line of electrifying kisses. My heart rate was steadily increasing as my member throbbed underneath that beautiful ass. “
“If you keep that up, I’ll have to make other plans,” I rasped, trying to stay in my own head, but Jo was making that extremely difficult. My hands were running up and down her sides as she moved against me. I could feel the heat of her core threw her short denim shorts and it took everything inside of me to slowly stand up. “Come on, let’s take advantage of our alone time. I’ll have plenty of time to make you scream after dinner.”
The next thing I knew, Jolie and I were slowly walking outside the compound. It was dark and quiet, which was a nice change compared to the hectic atmosphere inside the compound. Jo seemed to enjoy the peacefulness of the scene too because all she just kept smiling at me and cuddling into my arm.
“It’s beautiful out here,” Jo said a few moments later, looking up at the sky. The warm salty air kept blowing her hair and I was too distracted by her beauty to even notice the stars. “I didn’t know there were so many stars…”
“Yeah, I used to come out here with the guys all the time,” I admitted, swallowing thickly as Jo wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me close. “What happened?” Jo looked up at me with those big blue and my heart started to beat faster in my chest.
“I guess we got caught up in the everyday bullshit, you know?” I sighed, shrugging lightly. “We used to hang out and do crazy shit all the time but now…damn all we do is work.” I frowned as I looked out in the distance toward the ocean as we walked back inside. “Some days I wish we could just go back to the early days, before we got all tangled up in this stuff.”
“Why?” Jo asked, taking my off guard. “You have everything you want now. You have power. You’re free,” she said, gesturing around at the compound. “Well, not completely,” I smirked, looking down at her as I cupped her cheek.
“What-what do you mean?” Jo stammered, nuzzling into my hand. “Well, for starters, I cant go anywhere without a gun,” I joked only to see Jo frown slightly. “I’m joking, Jo,” though I wasn’t sure that was actually the truth. “Oh…”
“But if I’m being honest,” I said, turning to face her fully, staring down into those gorgeous blue eyes. “I’m not completely free because I cant full have you the way that I’d like to.”
“What?” Jo frowned and I sighed. “If I were free, there were be no secrets. No hiding. I would want everyone to know what a lucky bastard I was to have you at my side. I would take you out and show you off to the world because no one as beautiful as you deserves to be locked up, Jo. And if I ever see your father again, I will punch him square in the face for keep you a prisoner in your own home. You are too smart and too beautiful to be locked inside a room,” I said just before Jolie jumped up into my arms and stopped my words with her lips.
When Jo pulled away we were both breathless but she didn’t move away. Our bodies were touching and I didn’t want to let her go. Not now, not ever. My heart thundered in my chest as I looked down into those beautiful blue eyes, the realization of my feelings for her hitting me hard.
“Matt…” Jo breathed, her hand resting on top of mine as she took in a shaky breath. “I-I—” she stared only to get interrupted by the delivery door buzzer ringing loudly. Shit! I wasn’t expecting anyone. Who the hell would be at the back door?
“Shit, I’ve got to grab that. I’ll be right back, babe,” I grumbled before kissing Jo’s lips. “Hold that thought…” I quickly sprinted to the back door and looked through the spyhole. “Oh you’ve got to be fucking kidding me…” I sighed, running my hand over my face after seeing who it was. “Fuck!” I wanted to just walk away and pretend no one was here, but I knew she wouldn’t back down that easily. She would then start calling and that never ended well. I had to get rid of her and fast.
“Hello Matty,” the voice of April purred as soon as I opened the door. The redhead instantly clung to my chest, walking her fingers up my abs in a seductive manner. “I haven’t heard from you in a while…so I thought I’d stop by. I figured you’d like to do a little catching up…” she purred and I mentally cursed myself for ever hooking up with this woman in the past.
“Actually April, I’m a little busy right now and—”
“Don’t be silly, Matty. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do since the last time you called me. Work can wait...” April interrupted before she dropped her purse in the threshold and walk past me. Shit, how the hell was I going to get rid of her?
Ever since the large metal door clicked in its lock, separating Brian and I for the first time in hours, I had been anxiously pacing the threshold. My heart thundered in my chest as I twisted my fingers together and chewed on my bottom lip. Why was I so anxious? It wasn’t like Brian was going to come back from his meeting and things were going to be like they were in the bungalow. Or were they? I didn’t know but I was a little apprehensive about how he would react toward me now that we were back on the compound.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Emery,” I chided myself, shaking my head as I walked. “So what if I was happy with him there? It didn’t mean anything. We were just lost in the moment at the stupid bungalow. Things are not different between us!” I told myself even though my racing heart and the butterflies in my stomach were telling me otherwise.
What would be so wrong if things were different between us? I mean, the night we spent together had been wonderful—amazing actually. Brian had been so kind and the words he whispered in my ear all night were enough to drive me wild. Not to mention that each little kiss he gave me felt like a jolt of electricity. Just thinking about the way Brain’s touch affected my body was making me dizzy all over again and I had to close my eyes. It was like taking a hit of a really good drug…
Fuck, I really needed to get my act together and get my head out of the gutter. It wasn’t going to happen again and we both knew it! “It’s over…back to normal…” I swallowed thickly, trying not to let my mind wander to our last night together.
But the more I tried to push those glorious memories away, the more they invaded my thoughts. So much so that I couldn’t keep a stupid smile from spreading over my face. God what was wrong with me? I was setting myself up to get hurt but I couldn’t stop thinking about him and how he made me feel.
“Come on, Pagano girls don’t feel anything for anyone. And since when do I need a guy to make me feel happy?” I scoffed. But that was just it; he did make me feel happy—really happy.
The kicker was, I had never felt that happy, alive, and free with anyone in my entire life. I was usually a prisoner in my own home for crying out loud. But there on the beach with Brian, I was free to live, laugh, play, and love how I wanted. There were no restrictions and that meant the world to me. He made me happy and took care of me in my time of need, and for that I owed him more than I was willing to admit.
But the question was: was everything I felt some kind of fluke influenced by a moment of weakness in the bungalow or did Brian really make me happy? Would I always feel that free and uninhibited that around him? I didn’t know but I was anxious and excited to find out what was going on between us. Did he care about me? Did these butterflies in my stomach mean that I actually liked and cared about him? Wait, what? No, no, no...
I stopped dead in my tracks and my breath hitched in my throat at the thought. No, I had to be imagining these feelings. I couldn’t actually like and care about Brian! He was my kidnapper for Christ sakes!
“No, get a grip on yourself, Emery,” I scolded myself as I paced the length of the room. “It was just a fun little get away…it meant nothing…” Even I didn’t believe the words coming from my mouth. “I can’t like him…” But deep down I knew I did like him.
Brian had this remarkable effect on me that I couldn’t quiet explain. He just made me feel whole and alive, which was something completely new for me. I had to admit, I liked how I felt around him and I knew I couldn’t give up that feeling. Hell, from the get go I was drawn to him. So why fight it? Why not just give in for the first time in my life and let the cards fall where they may. That’s what Jo told me to do times over! I knew it wouldn’t last forever, but a little fun while I was here wouldn’t hurt right? No relationships…just fun. That was it.
Without warning, I heard the door unlock and I stopped dead in my tracks. Brian was back and that realization alone made my heart thunder even harder against my ribs. “Let the cards fall where they may….” I said, a smile spreading across my face as I darted back to the bed, positioning myself in playful manner. I quickly ran my fingers through my long blonde hair and tossed my over shirt across the room, leaving me in only a pair of short denim short and a black crop top.
I closed my eyes to gather my thoughts, only to see those haunting brown eyes accompanied by that sexy smirk in the darkness of my eyelids. I could feel anxiety and excitement coursing through my veins as I sat waiting for that gorgeous man to walk through the door. Damn, I really needed to get a grip or else I was going to make a fool out of myself. Though that thought didn’t stop my heart from feeling like it was going to explode. Why did Brian have this kind of affect on me? I didn’t know but it scared and excited me all the same time.
“What is he doing?” I muttered to myself after waiting for a few minutes. I could hear voices outside the door and I couldn’t stop my curiosity. What was going on? Did something happen to Jo?
I quietly crept to the door just in time to hear Brian’s irritated voice through the crack. “What?! I did what he wanted, got her out of the house… Fine, I skipped a fucking shift, what the hell, wasn’t the first, won’t be the last time,” Brian said indignantly, his voice alone making me smile. I just hoped he wasn’t in trouble because of me.
“You did, but you never did it for a woman… at least not just for one… so what is this? You nailing the little blonde?” another voice snapped. Was that Vengeance or Christ? I didn’t know, but I was more concerned that they were talking about me.
I held my breath as Brian replied, “There is nothing.” He’s just saying that so he doesn’t get in trouble, I thought, feeling my heart sink a little bit as I bit down on my bottom lip. He can’t actually mean that after everything he said to me last night.
“Oh you can fucking lie to Shads, but not us… You are fucking falling for the Pagano girl? Is she that good, huh?” My breath hitched my throat and my eyes grew wide. No, there was no falling here…just two adults having fun. Right?
“Fuck you, I’m not falling for anything,” Brian snapped. “And I am not fucking telling you shit… I’m not saying she is a fucking good lay and I am not saying that, but that’s all she is…” I scoffed and shook my head in disbelief. So there was the truth…I was just a good fuck. Good, so there was nothing between us and we were back to normal. But then why did it feel like someone grabbed my heart and squeezed it as hard as they could? Why did I feel both hurt and confused right now?
“So she is nothing? Just a good fuck? What about the rules?” Jimmy’s voice sounded and I felt like I was going to be sick. He was in on this too?
“You know, she begged me to fuck her. What can I say, Jimbo? I can’t say no to a woman who wants a piece of me. She was desperate and I was willing to help her out.” That cocky, self absorbed, son of bitch! I did not throw myself at him and I certainly wasn’t desperate! If anything it was the other way around! We’ll see if he gets to touch me ever again. Emery Jane Pagano is not a desperate whore! Fuck, now I was pissed and hurt.
“I would have banged Jo already, if Shads wouldn’t be in my fucking hair all the time, and he knows it. If he gives me a chance alone with her, she would be mine.” At the mention of my sister’s name, I clenched my fists. No one was fucking going to touch Jolie if I had anything to do about it, not Vengeance and certainly not Shadows. I had to warn her…but I had to make sure she was okay first.
“So she is just a good lay?” Jimmy asked again, breaking my train of thought. Why did he need to bring that up again? Hearing it once was bad enough.
“I already told you,” Brian replied, making my heart squeeze painfully in my chest again. What the hell was wrong with me? Why was this even affecting me? I was stronger than this! I just couldn’t believe I was so stupid to think that our night together changed anything. What had I been thinking? I was an idiot!
“So you would be up to going out and picking up a bitch in the club? Without a problem?” Jimmy asked and I felt like I was going to be sick. No, he wouldn’t just throw me away like that…
“Sure. Like I said, just a good lay, that’s about it,” Brain said and I saw red. Oh, hell no! No one was going to play me like that and then go jump ship to some bar whore! Just thinking of him touching another girl made me feel sick and pissed off. Fuck, him! From now on, the topic of Brian and I was closed and I would keep my distance. I wasn’t about to play this sick and twisted game.
“Really?”
“Fuck yeah, what are you guys thinking, I get the feelings and all that shit… Hell no… She is available and she is hot, you would do the same, but she means not a thing to me. Would you guys shut up now? I plan to fucking do exactly that, fuck her and then go to work tonight…” Brain said cockily and that’s when I’d had enough.
If Brian really thought he was going to come in here and try to seduce me, he had another thing coming! That was for damn sure. I was not his little plaything and I certainly wasn’t going to sit around and let him use me like that. Not when I thought that maybe I could possibly like him…oh fuck no! Brian had been pretty damn clear on how he felt about me so now it was time to make my stance known. From this point on, I would have nothing to do with Synyster Gates.
“So we got shift tonight, let’s make a quick stop in a bar,” Vengeance said and I couldn’t take it anymore. I felt disgusted and used and I certainly didn’t need to sit here and listen to this bullshit.
“No problem…” I heard Brian say as I moved away from the door. “I can fuck whoever I want, whenever I want, no big deal… Could use another pussy anyway.”
“Fuck you, Brian,” I hissed to myself, moving as far across the room as I could. I didn’t want to see him let alone be in the same room with him. I would rather stay in that cold damp room than here with him! And as much as I hated to admit it, his words hurt me and really pissed me off.
How could I be so disposable to him after all the things he said to me last night? It didn’t make any sense! But one thing was clear, if I meant nothing to him, he meant nothing to me. Two could play at this game and I could guarantee he wouldn’t like the results. We were done—no sex, no talking, not touching, no nothing.
I crossed my arms over my chest as Brian came into the room, my temper rising from seeing the smug look on his face “Em? What are you doing? Didn’t I leave you clear instructions for when I got back?” Brain asked in a cocky tone.
I scoffed and shook my head, standing up to my full height and glaring back at him. He looked surprised to see me standing across the room from him. Well, he’d better get used to it because this was all he was going to get. I just had to keep my wits about me so that I wasn’t blind sighted by his false words, hopes, and feelings again. And no matter how good it felt to kiss him or be in his arms, he was arrogant dick and I couldn’t believe I thought otherwise. He was fucking prick and I was idiot for thinking that things had changed between us!
As the door shut, Brian started to close the distance between us and I took a step backwards for every one that he took forward. Oh, no he wasn’t going to win this battle. He started a war and I was certain I was going to win.
“What the hell is you problem?” he finally asked, getting the hint that I didn’t want him to touch me. Okay, so maybe I did want him to touch me, but he couldn’t. I couldn’t trust myself around him because deep down I knew I still cared. Not to mention that I was beyond pissed by what I heard through the door.
I scoffed and shook my head. “Nothing,” I said bitterly, knowing that if I told him the truth it would only make things worse. “I want to see my sister,” I shot back, leaning against the cold brick wall. Shit, he had backed me into a corner and I could see that realization in his eyes. I needed to get as far away from him as possible.
Brian’s brows pulled together as he looked me up and down like he wanted to devour me. “You’ll get to see her, but first we have some unfinished business to take care of, princess.”
“No, I want to see her now!” I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him. God, he made me sick! Thinking that I would be sitting around waiting to fulfill his sexual desires. And to think for a moment I thought that maybe there was something between us. Fuck him! I wasn’t some plaything he could have whenever he wanted and then leave behind when he was bored. No, I refused to be that girl—it hurt too much.
Wait, what did I mean that it hurt me? Oh no…I must have just imagined it. There was no way I actually had deep enough feelings for the guy to warrant hurt. That was ridiculous and proved the fact that I needed to get out of here! He was messing with my head and my body! “Take me to her now!”
Brian chuckled and put his hand on the wall above my head. “I make the rules, princess, not you. Besides I don’t really like following directions, not when I can see what you actually want,” he was so close again that all I could smell was his cologne and a faint dusting of smoke. God it was intoxicating. I momentarily closed my eyes, taking it all in before I realized what I was actually doing. “You see, that right there proves my point so cut the crap, Em. Let’s finish what we started on the beach. You know you want to…”
My brow furred as I looked up at him, his amused browns meeting my eyes. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said but it didn’t come out as believable as it should have. “And you have no idea what I want.” Hell, I didn’t even know what I really wanted.
“I don’t?” he chucked as I pushed away from him and made my way across the room. “After all the screaming you did last night, I’m pretty sure I do,” and there he was again in my personal space. Couldn’t he see that I was pissed off at him and didn’t want anything to do with him? “Seems like you’re just trying to play one of your little princess games. Or maybe I know what you want more than you do. Don’t act like I’m blind and can’t see that look in your eyes. How you just closed your eyes when I leaned into you, or how your nails curled into my hair when I kissed you earlier. Don’t lie to yourself. You want this just as much as I do, princess.”
“The only thing I want is to see my sister!” I finally snapped, moving away from him and picking up some dirty clothes on the floor. I knew that if he kept that close proximity that I wouldn’t be able to keep myself in check.
“That’s not what your body is telling me,” Brian continued, ignoring my request. “You’re body is meant for me…craves me so why keep fighting it? Give in and live a little bit, princess. Just like last night…” I could hear the smirk in his voice and I couldn’t look at him. Brian’s heavy hands fell on my hips as he pulled me back into his embrace. Oh, it felt so good to be in his arms. I took in a shaky breath as I tried to remember what my end goal was here. That’s right to get away from him and out of this room, but did I really want that?
“I don’t want anything to do with you!” I hissed, pulling away again and moving to the opposite side of the room. Though I was now very aware of the large mass he was trying to conceal in his jeans and the thought made me shudder. I had to remember that I was pissed off at him for thinking I was some kind of sexual pawn. “I want to see Jolie,” I said again, crossing my arms and narrowing my eyes.
Brian’s hands once again pulled me backwards into him, stopping me from grabbing another shirt to put away. "I find that hard to believe, Emery. Don’t you remember how you screamed my name as I filled you with each deep thrust?” His warm breath tickled my neck and I had to bite down on my lip to suppress the moan that wanted to escape. “Or how you begged for more…”He brushed my hair to the side and wrapped an arm around me, hugging me close. I leaned back into him as those talented lips started to trail my neck, his fingers tracing small circles on my exposed flesh. “You want me…admit it, Emery.”
No, Emery, get a hold of yourself! You can’t do this. First of all, you’re pissed at the bastard, secondly he’s using you, third, giving in will only get you hurt, and lastly you’re not some toy! I forced myself to pull away and turn around to face him with my hands on my hips. “I said no,” I said as sternly as possible.
Brian scoffed and rolled his eyes, pushing me back into the wall. “Tell me something, Em, does you’re heart speed up when you’re around me? Do you shudder when I run my fingers over your hot little body?” He tilted his head to the side, watching me with an amused smirk as I involuntarily answered all his questions. “Do you shiver when my lips get close to your neck?”
“What-what does that have to do with anything?” I stammered, moving away from him to pick up the room again. I could feel the heat in my stomach rising and I quickly tried to push it away. This was no time to be turned on by his dirty talk.
“Just answer the question, princess.”
“I’m not a princess,” I hissed as I threw the last of the clothes into the hamper. “And no, I don’t’ feel anything in relation to you!” I snapped, not believing the words coming out of my mouth.
I turned back to face Brian as he licked his lips and his eyes raked over my body, causing me to blush. My fingers nervously moved though my hair while I looked away from him, only to find him back in my personal space before I could even take a breath. What was he doing to me? He was breaking down my resolve in a matter of seconds and that terrified me. No, I couldn’t let him win…
“You know what, princess?” He cooed in my ear, his warm breath sending goose bumps down my exposed arms as my heart thundered in my chest. “You’re lying to yourself… you want me as much as I want you…just like on the beach…” And there was his tongue on the shell of my ear, making me melt into his arms. Why was he like a drug? “Stop playing these little games and give in. You know you want to.”
As tempting as he was and how good he made me feel, I couldn’t give into him. “No, I want…” I moaned. Though the kisses on my neck were making it extremely hard to focus on the task at hand. My head was clouded and I needed to stop him before he got to far.
“You want me, Em…” Brian breathed in my ear, his lips sending my body into a euphoric state. “And I want to taste every inch of you.”
“Brian…” I practically moaned, feeling his arms scoop me up into the air and press my back against the wall were this whole conversation started. The mass in his pants pressed into my core through my denim shorts. Why couldn’t I tell him no?
“I love it when you moan my name, babe,” he growled before his lips devoured mine.
I instantly gave his tongue access, craving his sweet taste. I knew that I shouldn’t but it all felt so good and I literally couldn’t stop. My fingers tangled in his hair as he forcibly pushed me against the wall. As his lips moved against mine, it felt like every nerve ending inside of me was about to explode.
He kissed me with such a passion that I felt it all the way down to my toes. It made my heart flutter, almost bringing me to tears and was enough to make me realize how deeply invested I actually was. I knew right then that I didn’t want to be anywhere but in Brian’s arms and that thought sent me into a panic.
“NO!” I breathed, pushing Brian away and shaking my head. My hands instantly went to my head as I started to pace back and forth. No, no, I couldn’t be falling for this asshole, not when he said I was a disposable whore! Fuck, get that thought out of your head right now, Emery! He doesn’t want you! God, why did that thought hurt so much?!
“What? What’s wrong?” Brian rasped, looking at me incredulously. Both of our chests were rising and falling rapidly and I couldn’t deny the look of confusion and something else hiding in Brian’s eyes. “I cant do this…we cant do this,” I muttered to myself shaking my head as the panic set in. No, I needed to put distance between us and the best way to do that was to get out of this room. I couldn’t trust myself with him!
“Can’t do what? What the hell is your problem?” Brain looked so irritated and confused.
“I need to see Jolie! I need to make sure she is okay,” I yelled, making up an excuse to pin my erratic behavior on. I quickly pulled away from Brain, being extra careful to stay a step ahead of him. I couldn’t let him pull me back in because I wasn’t strong enough to stop myself. This was all too much for me to handle right now. “Calm down, Em. Like I told you, I’ll take you to see her but you need to relax. Come here,” Brian tried to sooth, holding his arms out for me. They looked so welcoming but I knew better than to give in.
“Why? So you can try to fuck me again?” I snapped, grabbing my button down shirt and putting it over my black crop top. “I said no and I meant it!” I raged.
“What the hell has gotten into you?” Brian retorted, looking taken aback by my actions. I scoffed and shook my head, “What’s gotten into me? Well, let me tell you! I’m sick of being your little pawn and plaything! I am a human being and I am not here to be service your ever pleasure. So if that’s what you’re looking for you better find another girl to play with because I’m done!” I burst, unable to stop myself.
Brian open and closed his mouth a few times and took a few steps toward me, looking more than confused. “What are you talking about, Emery?”
“Oh please, like you don’t know,” I laughed bitterly crossing my arms over my chest, trying to push away the hurt and panic I was feeling inside. I knew that seeing Jolie wasn’t going to fix this, but it was the easiest way to get out of this situation. “I’m done talking to you. Just take me to see my sister.”
“Em what—”
“You promised me I could see her and I’m tired of waiting. If you care at all you will take me to see Jolie before I lose my fucking mind!” I yelled, causing Brian to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. “Take. Me. To. See. My. Sister. NOW!”
“Fine!” Brian snapped, throwing his hands up in the air. “I’ll take you to see your sister but then you’re mine, mark my words, Emery,” Brian warned as he tightly grabbed my arm and dragged me down the hallway. I could tell he was pissed off by my actions by the way he was handling me. Well, he wasn’t the only one that was pissed off.
A few minutes later we entered the open living area and I saw my sister sitting at the island eating some lunch. “JO!” I yelled, ripping my arm away from Brian and running toward her. I quickly pulled her into my arms and looked her up and down, but not before giving the big brute the dirtiest look I could muster.
“Are you alright? I was so worried about you! What happened?! What did he do?!” I rushed out all at once, not caring who heard me. “Emery,” Brian warned and I turned around to glare at him. He was not going to interrupt my time with her and either was Shadows. They were both on my shit list now. The Pagano girls were no man’s plaything!
Thankfully Jo pulled us both into the living room out of their direct view so I could get the full story. I still didn’t like the way the big brute stared at her and I knew something was up. More than her being sick like she claimed.
“Jo, answer me and answer me honestly, is he hurting you?! I mean… he never lets you out of sight, right? He keeps you under his watch at all times… what is he doing to you?” I asked quietly, meeting her eyes for the first time since our reunion.
“I-I don’t… he is not hurting me. He is actually pretty nice to me,” Jo said, looking away from me, which told me she wasn’t telling the truth. “Nice, doesn’t seem fitting for that big brute, Jo. Is. He. Hurting. You?!” I pressed only for her to shake her head and turn the conversation toward me.
“I mean the way you and Gates glared at each other, what is up there? Did he do something to you?” Jo asked and I shook my head, not wanting to go down that path.
“Don’t try to turn this around! What are you doing in his office? In his room?!” I continued, my mind flashing back to what Vengeance said to Brian. Oh, if anyone was touching her that was the last thing they’d ever do.
“Work… I’m helping with office work, organizing and stuff… and we talk.” Oh yeah, like I was going to believe that when she wouldn’t even look at me! She was lying and I knew it! “Talk? He doesn’t look like the sweet talker to me, Jolie.”
“Well, what are you and Gates doing in his room… probably the same?!” Jo asked and my breath caught in my throat. Why would she ask that? God, I couldn’t tell her about Brian—she would freak out! Hell, I was still freaking out!
“He is mostly absent and it’s better that way, since he is pretty much a big offensive dickhead,” I snapped before I could stop myself. I was still beyond pissed at him but Jo didn’t need to know. She would only worry. I had to turn this back around on her before she asked more questions that I couldn’t and wouldn’t answer. “Jo, did he touch you?”
Jolie’s cheeks immediately lit up and she looked everywhere but at me. That son of a bitch did touch my sister! “JO?!” I raged, pressing for more just as Matt beckoned my sister to his office. My eyes instantly flashed over toward Brian who was smirking at me as he leaned up against the island. He was the only other person in sight. No, she couldn’t leave me out here alone with Brian. I couldn’t trust myself with him!
“Don’t go… You don’t have to… please,” I begged, grabbing her hand and squeezing it tight as Brian’s eyes met mine. “I need to tell you something else, Jo… Wait,” I said, trying to find a way to get her to stay. She needed to know about Vengeance’s plan anyway, so I might as well use it to get her to stay with me. “Stay here,” I pleaded only for her to pull away and head toward Shadows, who called her again.
“I’ll just see how I can help and then I’ll be back, alright?” Jo said before she pulled away completely.
“Jo…please don’t…” I breathed inaudibly, my chest rising and falling with panic. No, no, no…what was I going to do? I couldn’t be alone with Brian, not when all I could think about was that kiss and how it made me feel. Fuck! I pinched my eyes shut and bit down on my bottom lip, trying to push those foul emotions away.
“Em?” A voice sounded behind me, pulling me from my thoughts. I instantly tensed, fearing the worst as heavy footsteps made their way toward me. “Are you hungry? I’ve got some food ready for you.” Wait a minute, that wasn’t Brian’s voice! That was—
“Jimmy!” I squealed, turning around and throwing my arms around his waist. Boy was I glad to see him! “You’re here! Thank goodness!” I gushed, squeezing him tight as the realization hit. He was the answer to all my problems! Jimmy could help me stay away from Brian—hell to forget about Brian! It was the perfect solution! Why didn’t I think of it before?! Jimmy was the perfect distraction.
“Where else would I be? Someone has to cook for these assholes,” Jimmy laughed, looking down at me with amused eyes. “They would all starve without my knife master skills!” he said, moving his hands around like he was doing some odd version of Tae Kwon Do. “Cooking meals one minute and destroying evil the next! No one can stop me!” He bellowed, making me laugh.
Jimmy quickly darted across the room, kicking and punching at the shadows. “No mortal can beat me!” He continued and the next thing I knew, I was flying through the air, spinning around in circles. “Jimmy put me down!” I laughed, my head falling back as I gasped for air from laughing so hard. “You will feel the power too! Embrace it! EEMMBBRRACCE IIIT!” He screamed just before we both tumbled on the couch, laughing hysterically.
“Rev, knock it off the shit. Emery needs to eat before she goes back in my room,” Brian snapped from the kitchen, looking at Jimmy and I with narrow eyes. What I wasn’t allowed to have fun now? Or was he pissed because I wasn’t giving him the time of day? I wasn’t sure, but I would test my theory…
“Yes, you’re right…she needs to eat,” Jimmy said with a wicked smirk, standing up and saluting Brian, which only made me giggle more. “Come on, let’s get you some food.” Jimmy helped me up off the couch and I instantly took his arm and linked our fingers together.
“What did you make me?” I asked, leaning flirtatiously into Jimmy as he pulled out the stool for me. “The Rev’s famous hot ham and cheese with a side of homemade tomato soup,” Jimmy explained as Brian, clenched his jaw. Now that was interesting wasn’t it? Well, let’s see how Mr. Gates likes this…
I quickly picked up my spoon and took a sip of soup, the delicious flavors exploding on my tongue. I slowly pulled the spoon out of my mouth, watching both men take a deep breath. “Mmm…Jimmy this is amazing,” I gushed, playfully petting his arm as Brian clenched his fists.
“Yes, Jimmy is a great cook. Now eat so you can go back to my room. I’ve got to go on shift shortly,” Brian growled, as I took a bite of the sandwich and let out another moan. Oh, was I touching a nerve? I was just a good lay remember? And that’s when it hit me. If he could fuck other people, then so could I. We’ll see how he liked a taste of his own medicine. Revenge was something my father taught me to do very well…
“Actually, I had a different thought,” I said, whipping my mouth with a napkin and setting my spoon to the side. “Can I stay with you tonight, Jimmy?”
“Sure,” Jimmy shrugged only to get a glare from Brian. What? If he was going out to fuck some bar slut, why couldn’t I have some fun with my good friend Jimmy? “That is if it’s okay with you, Gates,” he added, looking at him with a smirk. What was that about?
Brian opened and closed his mouth a few times as he glared at a smirking Jimmy. “Fuck…Whatever. Just have her back by morning,” Brian grumbled Oh, was someone pouting now? This really was interesting…
“Perfect!” I smiled, patting Jimmy’s hand. “Shit, but if you’re staying with me, I need to go pick up my room! I’ll be right back!” He yelled and then vanished down the hall, his hands flailing over to of his head. “Operation clean up shit must commence!”
“See you soon,” I waved just as my spoon clattered to the floor.
“Shit, sorry about that. I was just trying to help pick up,” Brian said, bending down at the same time as me to grab the spoon. Our hands touched and I recoiled, afraid of the shock that I felt. When I looked up, his gorgeous brown eyes were watching me with an amused smirk. This was no accident—he knocked it down on purpose. “Soyou really think staying with Jimmy is going keep me away?” he whispered, snatching up the spoon but not moving. “We’ll see about that because I think we both know we have some unfinished business.”
I gapped at him and slowly stood up, not breaking our stare. “What are you talking about?” I hissed, feeling my heart start to race. I could smell his sweet cologne from here and it was sending my senses into a frenzy. This might be harder than I thought. “You’re going on shift and I’m making it so I’m not bored out of my mind,” I lied, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I know what you’re doing and its not going to work, princess.” Oh that smirk was killing me right now. I had to lick my lips and swallow thickly to keep my wits about me. He raised a brow and pulled out a cigarette, putting it between those very nice lips of his. “You cant stay away from me forever.”
The hell I could! Brian made it perfectly clear to his buddies that I was nothing but a good lay, so I owed him nothing. Not to mention that I wasn’t about to stand around and wait for him. No, I was going to live my life and have fun with Jimmy. Fuck Brian for thinking that he could play me like that, and fuck me for falling into his trap. It wasn’t going to happen again that was for damn sure. Now he would suffer the consequences.
“Yo, Gates, let’s go!” Vengeance called, standing in the door with a smirk on his face. “We’ve got a busy night.”
Brian looked over his shoulder and then turned back around to face me, smiling even wider when he saw me nervously chewing on my bottom lip. What kind of effect did he have on me? I didn’t know but it needed it to stop and a night with Jimmy would do just the trick. I would prove that Brain meant nothing to me. Then hopefully that stupid fluttering feeling in my stomach would go away.
“See you around, princess,” he threw a wink at me before turning around and following his friend out the door. I took in a shaky breath as I watched him leave, my heart thundering in my chest.
“We’ll see about that,” I scoffed to myself and crossed my arm in front of my chest, refusing to feel anything in relation to him. The only problem was that it wasn’t working.
Matt’s POV
“So did Christ get any new leads from tapping Pagano’s line?” Gates asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “Anything Vee and I should look out for?”
“Nothing that I’ve heard,” I grumbled, carefully watching Jo and her sister in the living room. I knew that Jo wanted to talk to her sister privately, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was just so damn beautiful with her long legs, long dark hair, and those stunning blue eyes that cut all the way down to my soul. It was like I was addicted to her and I couldn’t get enough. Hell, just sitting here watching her was driving me crazy. I didn’t know how much longer I could stay away from her.
“I just hope we catch those bastards,” Gates added, shaking his head as he followed my gaze to the living room. “Is Emery behaving herself?” he asked, looking slightly amused.
“For now,” I replied, watching as Emery squeezed Jolie’s arm and heatedly spoke. It was then that I noticed the look of panic spreading across Jolie’s face, which instantly sent me off. The little blonde had caused trouble from the get-go and I wasn’t about to sit here and watch her make Jo miserable. No, I had to get her out of there.
I quickly stood up from the island, earning raised brows from both Jimmy and Brian. “I’ve got some work to do. Make sure the girls gets back in your room before you leave, Gates. I want a full report after your shift too,” I said sternly. “And Rev, I want you to follow up on any leads that they find. Do you hear me?”
“Got it, Shads,” Jimmy said as I called for Jo. Was that a look of relief? Well, good because it had been way too damn long since I’d touched her. I craved the feeling of her lips on mine and I couldn’t wait anymore. I had to have her. “Jo!” I called again from my office door.
As soon as she was inside, I slammed the door and crashed my lips into hers. Before I could stop myself, I grabbed her hips and pulled her into me, letting her feel the excitement she had been causing in me all day. Our tongues danced together and I couldn’t get over how good she tasted. Part of me wanted to take off all her clothes right here and have my way with her, tasting every inch of her perfect body. I mean, just from touching her soft skin and smelling her citrus shampoo I was going insane. I wanted her—all of her.
“Did I understand your panicked look right?” I growled, slowly kissing down her neck as she nodded. God she smelled and tasted so good. “What did she want from you?”
“She is… concerned… that…” Jo moaned as my lips made their way back up her neck. “That you hurt me.”
“And am I hurting you?” I chuckled, rubbing my erection into her warm core. I could feel her warmth through the layer of denim that separated us. “No,” she moaned, making my cock throb painfully. “But I am hurting…” I growled. I had the worst case of blue balls from this morning and having her this close to me again was killing me.
“I’m sorry,” she chuckled lightly, “Can I help you with that?”
“Oh yes… I’m just afraid your sister will come barging in here at any second…” I grumbled, knowing that our time was limited but I wasn’t ready to give her up yet. I pushed her back further on my desk and hungrily assaulted her in passionate kiss.There was eager desperation in this kiss and I couldn’t stop myself. I wanted all of her, every inch of her, all the good, all the bad, everything. Jolie Pagano was mine and mine alone.
Somewhere in our heated kiss, Jolie had wrapped her arms and legs around me, caging me in against her petite frame. As I looked down at her, I felt my heart race in away it never had before. I couldn’t deny it any longer; I was in love with this girl. And as crazy as it sounded after only knowing her for a month, I didn’t care. She needed to know and I hoped she felt the same way.
“What is it?” Jolie asked, her blue eyes blazing into mine with lust and something else. “Is everything okay? Did I do something wrong?” A frown fell over those beautiful features and I couldn’t help but smile. “No…far from it, babe,” I said, shaking my head as those three little words tingled on my lips, just waiting to be said.
“Then what is it?” Jolie tilted her head to the side with an adorable questioning look. My heart instantly sped up and I licked my lips, shaking my head. I was ready to tell her how I really felt. “Jolie I—”
“Shads! Open up! I’ve got JB on the line,” Johnny’s voice sounded through the door as he loudly knocked. “Fuck,” I hissed, hanging my head. Perfect fucking timing Christ! I swear I could kill him for interrupting this moment. “I’ll be there in a minute,” I barked, giving Jo an apologetic look.
“I’ll make it up to you later, I promise,” I said before quickly giving her a kiss and adjusting myself to hid the raging boner in my pants. “This better be good, Christ!”
I ended up spending half of the day on the phone with Jason and Matt Berry sorting through Pagano’s coded messages, while Jolie sorted papers and picked up my office. I just couldn’t believe how many messages Pagano was sending out that didn’t mean anything. Was he trying to blind sight us with this bullshit? I was pretty sure he was fucking with us and that left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“This is fucking useless!” I snapped at JB. “I’m done for the night. I’ll talk to you in the morning,” I said, hanging up the phone as Jolie’s hands started massaging my back. I closed my eyes and leaned back into her arms, just enjoying her touch and the electric currents that ran down my spine. “Damn babe…”
“Are you all done for the night?” Jo asked, moving around to sit in my lap. Her small hands moved up and down my chest, awaking my arousal in an instant. “I fucking hope so,” I sighed as I ran my fingers through her long silky hair. She closed her eyes and let out a small sigh, as if she were enjoying my touch. “Your dads got us running around in circles.”
“He good at that,” Jo scoffed and slowly opened her eyes. “But enough about that, what did you want to do tonight?” she asked with a mischievous smirk on those perfect lips.
“I’ve got a couple ideas,” I chuckled. “But how about we go for a walk around the compound and I’ll make you dinner?” I gently ran my thumb over her cheeks with a dimpled grin. “It should be dark outside now so no one will see us and my men should be gone for a few more hours…”
“That sounds amazing, babe,” Jo said, her lips instantly moving to my neck, placing a small line of electrifying kisses. My heart rate was steadily increasing as my member throbbed underneath that beautiful ass. “
“If you keep that up, I’ll have to make other plans,” I rasped, trying to stay in my own head, but Jo was making that extremely difficult. My hands were running up and down her sides as she moved against me. I could feel the heat of her core threw her short denim shorts and it took everything inside of me to slowly stand up. “Come on, let’s take advantage of our alone time. I’ll have plenty of time to make you scream after dinner.”
The next thing I knew, Jolie and I were slowly walking outside the compound. It was dark and quiet, which was a nice change compared to the hectic atmosphere inside the compound. Jo seemed to enjoy the peacefulness of the scene too because all she just kept smiling at me and cuddling into my arm.
“It’s beautiful out here,” Jo said a few moments later, looking up at the sky. The warm salty air kept blowing her hair and I was too distracted by her beauty to even notice the stars. “I didn’t know there were so many stars…”
“Yeah, I used to come out here with the guys all the time,” I admitted, swallowing thickly as Jo wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me close. “What happened?” Jo looked up at me with those big blue and my heart started to beat faster in my chest.
“I guess we got caught up in the everyday bullshit, you know?” I sighed, shrugging lightly. “We used to hang out and do crazy shit all the time but now…damn all we do is work.” I frowned as I looked out in the distance toward the ocean as we walked back inside. “Some days I wish we could just go back to the early days, before we got all tangled up in this stuff.”
“Why?” Jo asked, taking my off guard. “You have everything you want now. You have power. You’re free,” she said, gesturing around at the compound. “Well, not completely,” I smirked, looking down at her as I cupped her cheek.
“What-what do you mean?” Jo stammered, nuzzling into my hand. “Well, for starters, I cant go anywhere without a gun,” I joked only to see Jo frown slightly. “I’m joking, Jo,” though I wasn’t sure that was actually the truth. “Oh…”
“But if I’m being honest,” I said, turning to face her fully, staring down into those gorgeous blue eyes. “I’m not completely free because I cant full have you the way that I’d like to.”
“What?” Jo frowned and I sighed. “If I were free, there were be no secrets. No hiding. I would want everyone to know what a lucky bastard I was to have you at my side. I would take you out and show you off to the world because no one as beautiful as you deserves to be locked up, Jo. And if I ever see your father again, I will punch him square in the face for keep you a prisoner in your own home. You are too smart and too beautiful to be locked inside a room,” I said just before Jolie jumped up into my arms and stopped my words with her lips.
When Jo pulled away we were both breathless but she didn’t move away. Our bodies were touching and I didn’t want to let her go. Not now, not ever. My heart thundered in my chest as I looked down into those beautiful blue eyes, the realization of my feelings for her hitting me hard.
“Matt…” Jo breathed, her hand resting on top of mine as she took in a shaky breath. “I-I—” she stared only to get interrupted by the delivery door buzzer ringing loudly. Shit! I wasn’t expecting anyone. Who the hell would be at the back door?
“Shit, I’ve got to grab that. I’ll be right back, babe,” I grumbled before kissing Jo’s lips. “Hold that thought…” I quickly sprinted to the back door and looked through the spyhole. “Oh you’ve got to be fucking kidding me…” I sighed, running my hand over my face after seeing who it was. “Fuck!” I wanted to just walk away and pretend no one was here, but I knew she wouldn’t back down that easily. She would then start calling and that never ended well. I had to get rid of her and fast.
“Hello Matty,” the voice of April purred as soon as I opened the door. The redhead instantly clung to my chest, walking her fingers up my abs in a seductive manner. “I haven’t heard from you in a while…so I thought I’d stop by. I figured you’d like to do a little catching up…” she purred and I mentally cursed myself for ever hooking up with this woman in the past.
“Actually April, I’m a little busy right now and—”
“Don’t be silly, Matty. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do since the last time you called me. Work can wait...” April interrupted before she dropped her purse in the threshold and walk past me. Shit, how the hell was I going to get rid of her?
Notes
So what do you think? Em and Brian in major denial and Jo and Matt are figuring things out? Hmmm....will it last? Who is at the door?
Oh thank his he’s okay! But now Em is not okay. When will this group get a chance to breathe?? Loving it as always ladies!
7/15/19