Emery’s POV

"And what exactly do you think you're doing?"

I looked up from the mirror to see Brian leaning against the bedroom doorframe. I couldn't miss the smirk and the way he licked his lips as he looked at me. He looked like he was undressing me with his eyes and the thought alone was making me squirm.

"Just trying to find something to wear for this surprise you keep talking about," I said with a small giggle.

It was weird but I was oddly excited about Brian’s newest surprise. Hell, ever since Jo’s birthday party, he had been acting different towards me. He was more caring, more playful, and dare I say more loving? I wasn’t sure but Brian’s actions were making those emotions I had been trying to suppress intensify and I didn’t know how much longer I couldn’t deny the truth.

There was just something about Brian that made the butterflies in my stomach erupt every time our eyes met. It was like I was addicted to his presence and I couldn’t get enough of him. He grew on me a little more every day and I knew I couldn’t resist him any more.

Brian licked his lips before a smile spread over his face. "You said I would need to dress for warm weather. Do you think this is good enough?” I asked, looking at my teal crop top and denim shorts in the reflection. I spun around and bit down on my bottom lip, hoping he liked what he saw. “When is the surprise anyway?” I questioned, talking fast with excitement. “Do I have to wait much longer? Aren’t you going to say something?”

Brian’s eyes traveled up and down my body before a smirk appeared on his perfect lips. "Hmm... I think it’d look better on the floor," he chuckled before moving towards me and ignoring my questions. His hands landed on my hips, tracing over hem of my shorts in the most seductive way possible. "You wouldn’t happen to have something sexy on underneath, would you?"

"I don't know. That’s for me to know and for you to maybe find out late," I teased, spinning around in his arms before he could start kissing my neck. "I need to see what this so called surprise is first.”

Brian narrowed his eyes and smirked at me as I pulled away but he stepped in front of me. "You have no idea what you’re in for, Princess.” His hand ran slowly up my arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps in its wake. He had some magical effects on me.

"Hmm...” I started, tapping my lip with my finger and mocking him. “I think you telling me my surprise is hot, that I need to dress for warm weather, it involves something blue, coarse, and wet doesn’t really add up to much. Sounds like you just want me back in your bed with some new lingerie. Do you think I’m that easy to win over?” I challenged, amused by the little game we were playing.

"It’s hard to say,” he chuckled, staring me down with those smoldering brown eyes that I always got lost in. “But I can give you another hint if you answer three more questions."

It had been the same thing for the past week. We would play this game where he asked me three questions about myself, only to give some stupid miniscule clue that got me nowhere. What was he playing at? I was starting to think that there wasn’t a surprise, though part of me was overly excited about the possibility. Just the thought of Brian doing something special for me made me giddy.

I took in a shaky breath as his lips gazed mine but only just. That was one of the most teasing gestures he could do because I wanted nothing more than to kiss those perfect lips. "Fine, but only because there’s nothing else to do."

"Careful Princess," Brian warned with a sexy smirk. "You know I have no problem spanking your ass.” I rolled my eyes, which only made him laugh a little louder. “So Miss Pagano, what has been on your mind all day?"

"Just trying to figure out what this stupid surprise is. Honestly you really had to drag whatever it is out a whole week?" I complained and Brian shot me a pointed look.

“I don’t think complaining about the game counts as a viable answer. I guess you’ll never find out what it is…” he said pulling away from me.

“That’s not fair!” I whined but he just walked back over towards the partially open door.

“My games, my rules, Princess.” Oh so this was funny to him? Well not for me! I hated waiting for things! Hell, I had done nothing but wait my entire life and it was curl for Brian to continue. I just wanted to know the freaking surprise!

“Fine,” I rolled my eyes and then crossed my arms over my chest. “I guess I have been thinking about… fuck it’s twisted for me to even say…” I sighed, rubbing my hands over my face. “I was thinking about the annual ball my father always had the week of our birthdays… though I know now it was never really for us… and… well, I was also thinking about your little wake up call this morning.” I admitted with a blush.

Brian’s face changed from a look of anger to amusement in the matter of seconds. Was he upset about what I had been thinking about? Was it the wrong answer?

"I don’t know if your dad and sex in the same sentence should be a turn on or not," he chuckled, pulling me back into his embrace, his thumb finding my nipple through the thin material of my strapless bra and playing with it. I bit my lip to suppress a moan that threatened to escape. "But don’t worry about your dad… you won’t be going back there. I will however be waking you up every morning with my desires.” He purred in my ear, sending more goose bumps over my skin.

"Is that so?" I breathed shakily, feeling my arousal skyrocketing. Did I hear him correctly? He wanted to wake up every morning with me? Did that mean he had feelings for me too?

"Unless you have another idea,” he teased and I had to swallow thickly. “Next question, so when is your birthday?" He already knew that answer. Was he joking around?

"September 16th,” I said with a raised brow as the smile on Brian’s face grew. Why did he seem to get more handsome with each passing moment? I honestly didn’t know how much more I could take.

Brian pulled me down onto his lap on the bed, wrapping his arm around my waist. I could feel his desire growing in his pants and that only made me wet. I could just imagine riding him as that wave of pleasure hit and I shuddered in delight. “Mine is July 7th…”

"What did you do for your birthday?" I asked, knowing I had missed it this year. The Avenged guys kidnapped Jolie and I at the beginning of August. Maybe I would get to spend that day with him this coming year?

Wait a minute, did I really just think of still being here a year later? I didn’t know what was wrong with me but I knew I was giving myself false hope. Something would happen before and I would surly be shipped off someplace else. I better not even get used to the thought of having anyone to rely on, not even Jolie. It was Emery Jane Pagano against the world.

"I'm asking the questions," Brian said, quickly throwing me off of him and onto the bed, breaking my train of thought. I let out a light shriek and seconds later he was on top of me. I loved when he showed me he was in charge.

"Last question...what would your perfect birthday look like?" His brown eyes boar down into mine and I melted. My feelings grew for him everyday and I knew it wouldn't be long before I was head over heels for him. I just hoped he felt the same way.

I bit down on my bottom lip as I stared back into his dark eyes. All I could think about was our alone time together on the beach. Everything felt so free and right there and I would give anything to feel that way again. "Come on, Princess, tell me.”

“I guess I would just like to go to the beach bungalow again,” I admitted with a deep blush. “Though I wouldn’t complain about a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream either… and maybe hanging out with my sister and the guys. I had a lot of fun of Jolie’s party.” I said, trying to think of how many days it had been since Jolie’s birthday. Mine had to be any day now right? I wasn’t sure what day it was because time seemed to blur together when I was with Brian.

Brian smiled and sat me up, his eyes never leaving mine. There was something glinting in his eye, almost like he was hiding some big secret. “Really?”

“Yeah, I guess being kidnapped by you and your weirdo friends has grown on me…” I teased, playfully elbowing him in the side and biting down on my bottom lip. It was the truth. They were nothing like the horror stories my father had told us for years. Hell they were becoming more like family than my own father. I was pretty sure they cared more about Jolie and I than he ever did.

"Hey!" I heard from the door just as Brian reached out to tickle me. I could see the hunger in his eyes just before Jimmy barged into the room. "We are not weirdo's we are evil geniuses!" Jimmy screamed before jumping on the bed next to me.

"Fuck Jimbo what are you doing here? Cant you fucking knock?" Brian sounded frustrated but just then Zacky joined us too.

"You were the one who left the door open," Zack answered, looking between Brian and I with a raised brow and a knowing smirk. There wasn’t anyway he would know what was going on between Brian and I, would he? “But anyway Shads says it’s time to go and to make sure Em is ready.”

I raised my brow and looked at Brian, panic starting to course through my body. Time to go? Go where? Were they sending me away with that Dan guy? NO! I didn’t want to go. I stood up and shook my head, looking between them with fearful eyes. “I don’t want to go,” I said firmly, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

“Relax, Princess and just follow directions,” Brian laughed. What was so funny? And more importantly, how could he do this to me?

“No, I’m not going anywhere without Jo!” I insisted, which only made all three guys laugh.

“Well lucky for you she is going too,” Zack said just before a blindfold was placed over my eyes. “Come on, we have a time schedule to keep.”

I shook my head and tried to squirm free of Brian’s hold behind me. “No! You said we wouldn’t have to go back there! You promised!” I practically cried, feeling my anxiety increasing with each step I was forced to take. “You promised!”

Suddenly my back was pressed up against the wall and those dark eyes were looking back at me. Brian smiled down at me and covered my mouth with his hand before I could open it to ask any more questions. His touch seemed to calm me.

“Relax, I’m not taking you back home, Em,” Brian vowed. I sighed and looked over his shoulder.

Behind him I could see Jimmy and Zack talking with Matt and Jolie, who was standing in the middle of the foyer with a large bag in her hand. She was smiling and looked happy about wherever it was we were going. She wouldn’t look like that if they were sending me away right?

Brian’s hands were suddenly on my cheeks, forcing me to look at him. “Trust me, Princess. I wouldn’t do that to you. We are taking you to the surprise I promised you.”

“You’re not trying to trick me, are you?” I asked, my tone a little shaky. I was afraid of losing everything all at once. I wouldn’t be tricked!

“Do you really think I would give you up that easily, Princess?” Brian smirked. “I’ve grown accustom to you,” he whispered in my ear, and sending my body into a frenzy. “And I’m rather fond of this little game of cat and mouse we have going on.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “You better not lie to me… Jolie and I will be safe?”

“Yes, you will be safe. Shads and I will make sure no one lays a hand on you,” he promised, quickly leaning forward and pressing a kiss to my lips while no one was watching.

The next thing I knew, the blindfold was back over my head and I was sitting next to Jolie in the back of a car. I could feel every bump in the road but couldn’t miss the undeniable smell of the ocean drifting through the window. God I missed the smell of the warm salty air. Wait a minute… warm weather, blue, coarse, and wet… were we going to the beach? No… it couldn’t be. It was too dangerous.

“Now listen, ladies,” Shadow’s voice suddenly sounded somewhere in front of us as the car came to a stop. “We need to set some ground rules. You must wear the clothes and wigs that Gates is putting in your lap now. No one goes anywhere without one of us and if you see someone your recognize, we need to get out of here fast. Got it?”

“I doubt we will see anyone we know,” Jolie said next to me, though you couldn’t miss the excitement in her tone.

“Well, just in case you do, let us know,” he said as the blindfold was pulled off of my face, moving over to help her put on the wig and shirt.

“Thanks babe, but I’ve got it,” she said, slapping his hand.

“I just want to make sure it’s covering you completely. Here put this on too.”

Jo shook her head and looked down at the sweatshirt Matt just handed her. “It’ll be too hot with that on, babe. Please just trust me, I promise I wont put myself in danger.”

Matt shook his head, practically climbing into the back seat with us. “I’m not budging on this, Jo. Put it on, or we will not get out of this car.”

“No, Matt,” Jo said defiantly crossing her arms. “I don’t see what a sweatshirt is going to do. I already agreed to wear the stupid wig and that will be hot enough!”

“For the hundredth time, it’s for your own safety, Jo,” Matt sighed. “Don’t argue with me, just do it. Please?” Jo let out a light humph and reluctantly pulled the sweatshirt over her head. She was irritated and that much was evident in her body language. What was going on between her and Matt?

“Where are we anyway?” I asked, not able to see anything through the dark tinted windows.

“Put your disguise on and I’ll show you,” Brian whispered to me over Matt and Jo’s new line of bickering. Something had been off between then ever sense we got in the car and you could cut the tension between them with a knife. I hoped maybe some alone time on the beach would get Matt and Jo back to normal. Even though I hated to admit it, he was good for her.

Without saying another word, I quickly pulled on the very realistic red wig, baseball cap, and plaid sleeveless button down shirt. I didn’t know how believable this disguise would be but I more concerned about finding out our secret destination.

“I can’t believe after the talk we had that you are still pulling the boss card!” Jo huffed as Brian opened the door to let us out of the car. As soon as I stepped out, my flip-flop sunk into the sand and my eyes lit up. We were really at the beach? I looked around and not even five hundred feet away the waves were crashing into the beach.

“I told you, Jo this is just to make sure you are safe,” Matt huffed, pulling my sister toward the other side of the car, and putting the wig more firmly over her head. “Will you please just listen for a minute? I’m not fucking taking control! It’s just a precaution based on our fucking research.”

“Do you think they’re okay?” I asked turning to look at Brian who just shrugged. “They’ll figure it out. Shads just has a hard time sharing control,” he chuckled. “Trust me… they’ll be fine.”

“Should we go after them?” I asked, watching them argue by a palm tree a few feet away from the car.

“Nah, let them figure it out. You’ve waited long enough for the surprise,” he said showing me a basket in his hand. Brian suddenly scooped me up into his arms and put me on the other side of the rope that separated us from the beach. We both quickly pulled off our shoes, instantly enjoying the feeling of the sand between our toes. “Ahh…I’ve missed this.” I sighed as he took my hand and lead me towards the pier. “Can we walk in the water?” I asked, looking up to see Brian watching me with a smile.

“In a few minutes, I’ve got to take you to the surprise,” he chuckled and carefully guided me around the groups of sunbathers. “We’re almost there…”

“Where are we—” Before I could finish my sentence, Brian pulled me to the left and into a small tent and beach set up by the base of the pier.

“Wow,” I gasped, looking around at the little tent that faced the ocean set up with drinks, chairs, and flowers. There was even a spot set up for sunbathing, relaxing after swimming, and a little changing station with two bikini’s hanging outside. I slowly sank down into the chair out in front of the tent, gapping at everything. No one had ever done anything so special for me in my entire life. I literally felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

“What-what is all this?” I gasped, looking around in awe. This couldn’t be all for me, could it?

Brian threw his head back with a musical laugh. “Em what day is today?”

“Friday… I think?” I furred my brow, looking back up at him, completely confused now. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Brian chuckled and cupped my cheek, his calloused thumbs running over my cheeks. “Think a little bit harder, Princess,” he chuckled. “Your sister’s party was six days ago, so that makes today…”

“My-my birthday,” I said slowly, watching Brain closely. God I was such an idiot! I couldn’t believe it was my birthday and I didn’t even realize it! No wonder everyone was look at me weird at breakfast and Jimmy made me my favorite stuffed French toast. It all made sense now! “You-you did all this for my birthday?” I gapped.

“Well, I had some help,” he shrugged, still watching me intently. “But do you like it?” Brian asked, kneeling down next to me and nuzzling his nose against my ear as he spoke. His warm breath sent chills down my spine and I had to blink a few times to regain myself.

“Brian…” I said breathlessly, meeting those dark brown orbs. “It’s perfect and honestly too much,” I shook my head; still not believing this was my life right now. It was like he made my wish come true.

“I’m glad you like it. I made sure the guys set it up with everything you and your sister like. I hope you don’t mind sharing with Shads and your sister. It’s for Jo too…” he muttered and I couldn’t control the feeling inside me anymore. I was head over heels for this man and there was no turning back. I had to let him know, so before he could say anything else, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his in a kiss. When he pulled away, his eyes locked with mine and his smile grew.

“What?” I asked as he shook his head and took my hand, kissing it a few times. “Brian what?”

“It’s just unbelievable,” he continued to shake his head before he pushed a lock of hair behind my ear. “You’re beautiful.”

I smiled lightly as a blush engulfed my face. “You’re not so bad yourself,” I said with a smirk coming over my lips as he pulled me onto his lap. My arms instantly went around his neck. We sat cuddled together on the beach, talking lightly and eating the snacks in the basket.

“This is honestly perfect,” I said, after a comfortable silence settled between us. I felt so unbelievably happy right now and it was all because of Brian. “I just don’t want to go home.”

“Lucky for you we still have some time,” Brian lifted my chin, looking back into my eyes. “Plus I’ve still got one more thing planed for the evening…well maybe two.”

“Or even three?” I teased, earning a chuckle. “But really, this is the best present I’ve ever gotten,” I breathed looking out to see the relaxing waves of the ocean crash on the beach. I didn’t know where Jo and Matt had run off to, but I was enjoying my alone time with Brian.

“You are something else, Em,” He smirked, breaking my train of thought. He spun me around in his lap again so that we were facing each other. Our eyes locked and I could feel my heart racing in my chest. He made me feel so alive and so happy.

“Em,” he breathed, his fingers running over my face as he stared into my eyes. There was something there that I hadn’t noticed before but I couldn’t identity it. It felt like we were the only ones on the beach and my heart was soring. There was no turning away from this man ever again because I knew that I was severely falling for him now. Another few days like this and I was positive that I would be head over heels for the guy. Was it too soon? I didn’t know but I couldn’t change how I felt.

“You are more than I ever bargained for,” Brian said, smiling down at me, my face still in his hands. He pressed his mouth to mine again, and I was so surprised by electric shock that hit me, that I felt like my bones were turning into mush. I wrapped my fingers up into his hair, wanting to hold him like this the rest of the day.

My heart was thundering against my ribcage as Brian pressed his forehead to mine, his eyes telling me everything I was longing for him to say. I just needed to hear the words. “Em… I’ve never done this before but I think I’m—” He started, leaving me hanging on his every word. But he what?!

Suddenly Brian’s phone sounded in his pocket, stopping from saying the rest of sentence. No! I needed to know what he was going to say! “Fuck,” he hissed pulling it out. “I have to take this… it’s the guys,” he said, pulling away from me, but not before placing a kiss on my lips.

“And don’t you go anywhere,” Brian growled in my ear, nibbling my earlobe. “I’ll be right back.” I bit my lip as I watched him walk away toward the pier, my heart sinking slightly. What was he going to say?!

“There you are!” My sister’s voice suddenly called, pulling my attention away from Brian. I looked up to see her in a straw hat with a short black wig on. She honestly looked like a different person. Jo looked down at me with her hands on her hips and an irritated expression on her face. I wonder what happened between her and Matt. “What are you guys doing in here? Did he finally fess up?

“What? No… not yet…” I sighed as Jolie pulled me up out off the chair. “But something is different… in a good way,” I blushed only to realize that we probably weren’t alone. I quickly looked around over my shoulder to see that we were completely alone. “Where’s Matt?” I asked with a frown, following my sister toward the shoreline.

“He had to go take some phone call… probably needing to order someone else around,” she scoffed, walking through the water. She muttered something under her breath that I couldn’t understand.

“Is everything okay with him?” I asked, looking at her with a frown. I hated to see her unhappy and I would give Matt a piece of my mind if he hurt her! No one miss treated my sister and made her unhappy.

“He’s just—UGH! Just drop it, Em. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I just want to enjoy the beach. That’s what all this was supposed to be about anyway,” she said, looking at me with wicked smirk before kicking water at me.

I gasped and blinked at her, feeling the cold water run down my body. “Oh you’re going to get it!” I yelled and charged after her. “You wont get away with that, Jo!” We played around on the beach until we were both completely soaked and breathing heavy from running through the sand.

“You’re a cheater!” I accused, grabbing her arm and dragging her down into the sand.

“It takes one to know one, Em!” Jo countered, throwing her head back with a laugh and pulling us back to our feet. “But enough for now, I’m hungry. Let’s go see what snacks the guys packed in that picnic basket.”

I nodded my head in agreement as my stomach let out a loud growl. I forgot how much fun it was to be out and about without having to worry about anything. “After a snack, do you want to lay out in the sun?” I asked just before someone cleared their throat behind us.

I smirked and crossed my chest, thinking Matt and Brian had finally caught up with us. “About time you guys came back to—” Only when Jo and I turned around, it wasn’t the Avenged guys standing behind us. There before us was some tall brutish man in a gold and black leather jacket bearing a toothless grin.

“Well hello ladies. It’s so nice of you to join our party,” he said, reaching forward to grab my arm. I quickly pulled it away and opened my mouth to call for Brian just as cloth was shoved in front of my mouth. A wave of dizziness came over me and I fell backwards into a pair of strong arms, everything going black…

Notes

So was Brian finally going to admit his feelings to Emery? Who do you think took the girls? Will the guys catch them in time?!

Thank you so much for you comments! We love reading them and thank you for sticking with our story!