by Wanda Edmond
His behaviour that day almost made her believe that there was a lot more hidden behind the shiny exterior, but later that same day, Ross appeared on television with a young actress and invited everyone to enjoy life. What a disappointment!
“Did you hear a word of what I said, Emma?” Evelyn asked her daughter, really concerned with her behaviour lately. “What is going on with you?”
“Sorry, mom,” Emma smiled at the older woman. “I was thinking about something.”
“Lately, you do a lot of that.”
“Yes, you are right.” She agreed with her mother. “I should pay more attention to what is going on around me.”
Emma’s answer didn’t really satisfied Evelyn, but she decided to let it go for now, “Have you seen Ross lately?” She asked instead.
“I... why... what?” Emma stuttered in response.
“I was wondering what is going on with him.” Her mother continued. “Thomas says that he is almost constantly partying and being even more irresponsible than usual. We are worried about him.”
“Oh,” the young woman sighed with relief. “No, I haven’t seen him since the last dinner here.”
“If I didn’t know better, I will say that he is in love...” Evelyn laughed, while Emma almost choked on her coffee. “What is it, dear? Are you okay?”
“Yes,” Emma muttered, still too stunned by her mother comment to actually speak.
“Anyway, tell me about your work.”
The change of subject was more than welcomed and the two women continued their conversation with no more sensitive subjects.
Chapter 7
At that the man’s eyes hardened and he took a deep breath. Emma recognized the serious expression and prepared herself for what was going to happen next. He took the few meters back to the bench in two quick steps and leaned over her again.
The look he shot at her could be easily identified as a hungry one, but the kiss he gave her after that was all she had ever wanted. The moment his lips met hers, her whole body felt an electric charge passing through it. Slowly, her head fell on his shoulder, his hands gently cradling her body close to his.
They stayed quiet, Emma’s hand lying over his heart as he held her in his arms, content to run his hand up and down her back and press an occasional kiss to her temple. During those few minutes they were getting to know each other’s bodies, saying all that was unsaid through small touches and soft kisses.
He took her hand and then guided her slowly to the soft sofa near the window, switching off the light on the way there. The moon was bathing the meadow in a soft glow, leaving most of it in the shadow. Emma’s wide eyes never left his as he sat down and tugged her close to him. She held her breath at the look of desire in his eyes and slowly moved her head to press their lips together.
He opened his lips and started sucking on hers, sending tiny tingles all over her body and waiting patiently for her to open her mouth in return. The man captured her lips and she moaned at the feeling of his tongue entering her mouth. He took her head in his hands and guided her into straddling his legs. His right hand reached behind her head and tugged off the band holding her hair together, until he was able to free it and tangle his hand in it.
Slowly, his other hand curled around Emma’s waist, bringing her closer to his chest and the bare skin under her hands. It took Emma some time to master the courage to touch and caress him the way he was touching her, but now her hands freely explored his large chest and broad back, leaving red marks behind them. The moment she touched his nipple, the man pulled his mouth from hers with a wet pop and started kissing her over the neck.
“Ross...” she moaned.
Emma woke up with Ross’ name on her lips and visions of her dream in her mind. In some sick way her mind had mixed her old fantasies about her own Prince Charming and Ross Jonson.
“Oh, God!” she exclaimed, once her dream started to fade away.
All her life, Emma had been looking for that perfect man that will be everything to her and will love her unconditionally. She had never put a face on him and up till now he was some kind of fairy tale hero. This was the first time she actually dreamt about him and saw his face.
Ross Jonson was starting to appear even in her dreams, haunting them and filling them with unreal desires. The situation was becoming too complicated.
In her haste to fix it, Emma took her phone and for the first time dialled Ross’ number. He responded on the second ring and from his voice, Emma could tell that he was still up.
“I’m Emma,” she said and waited for him to react at the fact that she was calling him.
“Oh, this is now something I wasn’t expecting,” Ross said in his usual sarcastic tone. “To what do I own this call?”
“Why do you keep acting like this? I told you that I want nothing to do with you.” She went straight to the point.
“Right,” the man said from the other side of the line and Emma could feel his smile even with the distance between them. “Why then are you calling me at this time in the night?”
“That has nothing to do with it. Just, answer my question, please.”
“Okay, let me see,” for once in his life Ross played along. “You are pretty, you are wonderful in bed, you keep running from me, you are a challenge Emma, and I like challenges.”
“Are you saying that if I come willingly, you will lose interest and let me be?” Emma asked, still unbelieving what he was saying.
“Maybe,” the man laughed again. “I have to try it, in order to be sure.”
“You are out of your mind!” She exclaimed disgusted with him and with herself, for even considering it in the first place.
“And yet, it was you, who called me.”
Without any answer to his last comment, Emma closed the phone and almost threw it against the wall. Ross was maybe the only person in this world, capable to make her forget all she was.
His words kept sounding in her head – you are a challenge, you are a challenge... How could she ever fall for this man? His behaviour, his words... they were all humiliating for her and for all women in the world.
She tortured herself for weeks now, she has been even dreaming about him, and Ross... Ross saw her as a pray, as a game he had to win.
Emma returned to her bed and tried to go back to sleep, but pieces of her previous dream continued to haunt her mind...
She felt herself falling apart and being put back together in the matter of few seconds. When she was able to see again, she found herself sitting on his lap, cradled in his strong arms. They were both covered in sweat and breathing heavily, and Emma was only too well aware of the fact that she wanted this man. He penetrated her slowly, almost like he was afraid she might break and his thrusts were accompanied by deep groans.
Chapter 8
The next day, Emma was feeling tired and disoriented and only the smiley faces of the children in her class were able to make her smile. It was Friday and as every Friday of this month they were finger-painting. Every available surface of the classroom was covered in colourful paint and almost every kid had some on his or her face.
“Miss Davis,” one of the other teachers interrupted her thoughts. “There is someone to see you.”
Alison was a few years older than her, but Emma liked very much the funny and happy character of the other woman. “Who is it?” she asked her, but Alison only smiled and walked further into the room.
“Go, Emma,” she said. “I will keep the peace here.”
“Thank you,” Emma responded and walked out of the room.
The visitors were usually asked to wait in a small parlour by the entrance of the kindergarten, where they will be out of the way. Emma, however, went first to clean her face and hands and remove the apron she was wearing. During the ten minutes it took her to clean up, she wondered who it might be, but no answers come to mind. Her mother came very rarely and only after calling first and the parents of the children usually spoke with her in the morning or late in the eve
ning, when they came to take the children home.
So, her surprise was big, when she opened the door and found Ross sitting in the chair near the window.
“What are you doing here?”
“Hi!”
They spoke at the same time, but it was Ross, who actually managed to continue the conversation. “I wanted to talk to you,” he said. “And since you refuse to speak to me on any of the occasions we have, I decided to corner you at your work, where you cannot run or hide behind someone else.”
“I have to go...” Was all Emma could think to say. His presence was filling her with the same feelings she experienced each time he touched her. There was something dangerous and arousing about him, something that Emma wasn’t able to fight.
“I suppose you have to, but not before you hear what I have to say.” The man insisted and moved towards her.
Emma knew him too well and was aware of the fact that Ross will not hesitate to make a scene if things don’t go his way. So, she closed the door and sat down on the chair that was farther away from him.
“Okay then, talk.”
“I know that what happened between us is bothering you,” Ross sat back down and started talking as if he was in his office – calmly and confidently. “I don’t see why that is so, but I want to assure you that I won’t say nothing to anyone.”
“It’s not just about that...”
“I suppose, but you are not talking to me, so how I am supposed to know?”
“It is not like me acting this way...” Emma tried to explain her dilemma.
“Why is it so bad to act impulsively for a chance?” Ross asked, while studying her intently.
“As I said, this is not who I am.” She repeated.
“Emma, I know that you don’t approve of my way of living, but I don’t see how some casual sex between us can actually hurt you.”
“It’s not for you to understand,” she stood up and started pacing. “All I am asking for is for you to leave me alone and stop making advances.”
“You never stopped me before,” Ross smirked at her discomfort. “And I can say that you liked my advances.”
“You are my stepbrother,” she dismissed his comment. “I want to start things between us anew.”
“So,” the man concluded. “You want me to act as if I never saw you naked and screaming with pleasure?”
He waited for Emma to say something, but she continued to look away, so Ross continued. “Isn’t this what people call hypocrisy?”
“It is,” she cried. “But, what other choice do I have? I cannot tell my mother what I have done, I cannot change things and there is no way I am continuing to act this way.”
“We always have a choice, Emma,” this time Ross spoke in a serious tone. “But, okay, I will leave you alone for now.”
“For now?”
“Yes, for now,” he confirmed. “Because, if you give me the slightest sign that you have changed your mind, I cannot promise that I will be able to resist you.”
“I will not...”
“Don’t... please, don’t,” Ross interrupted her. “Let’s see what life has stored for us, little sister.”
After those last words, Ross gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek and left the room without any further explanation. Emma, however, stood there for long minutes after he was gone, replaying in her mind their conversation and trying to determine if she had been right to act this way.
She should be happy after all, she finally had what she wanted – Ross had promised to stay away from her.
Chapter 9
During the next family dinner, Ross kept his promise. He even sat on the other side of the table and tried not to look at her the way he used to before. His behaviour helped Emma and she was slowly relaxing and starting to act a lot like her old self.
She even told a few funny stories from her work and offered to help Thomas with some children's charity he was thinking about. Her mother was happy to see Emma back to her old self and after dinner invited both of them to stay for a game of cards.
Emma was ready to excuse herself, but Ross gave her a meaningful look, which she translated as – This is your chance to act as if we are family.
They paired up men against women, and even Emma had to admit that she enjoyed herself. When it was time to go home, Ross accompanied her to her car and leaned against it.
“Is this what you wanted?” He asked.
“Yes, thank you.” Emma kept her distance and tried to sound normal. It wasn’t easy, however, as his very presence was enough to make the blood in her veins boil.
“Why then did you act as if all you want is for me to kiss you?”
“What... I... never...” Emma stuttered in answer. She tried frantically to find some kind of excuse and leave this place immediately, but Ross was leaning against her car and she had to pass through him to open the driver’s door.
“Really? You never looked at me as if I was a piece of meat you very much wanted to eat?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I saw you Emma,” Ross insisted. “During dinner and after it, you followed me everywhere with your eyes and I could see the desire in them.”
“You are imagining things,” she tried.
“So, if I kiss you now, you will feel nothing?” He challenged her.
“Yes,” she answered, before actually thinking about what she was doing.
Without further warning, Ross leaned forward and claimed Emma’s lips in a sweet kiss. There was a lot of finesse in that kiss, and Emma was gently forced to open her own wide, so that Ross could explore her mouth. The man slowly pushed his thigh in between her legs and grinded it softly against her middle. Emma gasped in shock at the bold move, giving him even better access to her mouth. Ross’ dove deeper, stroking every surface his eager tongue could reach and turning his head to the side, to reach even deeper.
The shock and sudden desire made Emma forget that she should be fighting to get free and she let the strong man manhandle her freely. When Ross felt her gave in, he let go of her hands and used his own to caress her body. His lips released hers bruised ones and moved to kiss her neck, which Emma unconsciously tilted for him to have better access. She tried to say something at that point, but Emma found out that she was already out of breath, just from being touched and kissed.
The man stopped abruptly and Emma felt disappointment filling her from inside. Ross, however, didn’t let go of her, but simply spoke into her wet and tender skin. “Do you want me to stop?”
The question surprised both of them, but Ross wasn’t making the same mistake again. This time they knew what they both wanted and there was going to be a lot more explanations to give after the fact. Emma tried to get her breathing under control and spoke softly into his ear. “No…”
Ross then looked up to her, his eyes wild and his lips curving into a slight grin. She expected him to say something, but he had other ideas. The man took her hand and tugged her towards the other side of the car, hidden well under some green bushes.
Before Emma could find her voice and ask what he was doing, Ross leaned over her and continued to kiss her, as if their life depended on it.
Emma had the impression that the temperature has risen to million degrees. The look in Ross’ eyes was pure sex, scaring me and making her excited all at once. She saw his eyes drop to her mouth and unconsciously passed her tongue over the lower lip. Ross breathed in quickly at seeing that and moved his feet uncomfortably.
She couldn’t stand the stillness anymore and closed the gap between them, brushing her lips against his. She meant it to be like a test of the waters, but before she could pull away more than a few millimetres, Ross wrapped his arm around the back of her neck and pulled her into a scalding kiss.
It was like fireworks were exploding all around them, filling the night with brightness and lightings. A kiss had never felt to Emma so electric and so utterly right. She did not hesitate to bring one of her hands to the back of Ross’ head an
d place the other over his heart. He was kissing her hard and passionately, pulling their bodies together. Emma revelled in the firmness of his chest against her breasts. Finally!
She felt his tongue on her lips and without hesitation, opened her lips to let him in. The first swipe of tongue on tongue was like nothing she had ever felt before. Need, sparks of lightning, scalding want…
Their kiss became deeper, as they explored each other’s mouths and left their hands free to roam over the other’s body. When Ross wedged his hand between them, touching her breast, they both moaned and pressed harder together. The time had stopped – it felt like an hour and like a single second.
Suddenly, Ross gasped and broke the kiss. They both were gasping for air, while Ross rested his forehead against Emma’s. She took a few deep breaths to steady herself and slowly opened her eyes. She wanted that kiss, that feeling to go on forever. She was so safe and loved in Ross’ arms that she did not want to ever leave their comfort again.
Chapter 10
They kissed for long minutes in the shadows of their parents’ parking lot, but when Ross offered to take her to his house, Emma refused. His offer was like a bucket of cold water and it made her realize that she had fallen once again.
She had to admit that Ross was right with his assumptions. She really followed him everywhere during the dinner and after it. It was impossible for her not to. The man was handsome and his presence made the room feel small and airless.
He let her go that night and Emma ran home as the little scare girl she was. She spent the night thinking and rethinking her actions and Ross’ reaction to them. The man surprised her, he was both acting as if he didn’t care and as if all he cared was her. He couldn’t lie about the passion he felt, as his kisses were more than a little prove of it. Ross also kept his promise and didn’t tell anyone about them.
Was this as confusing for him, as it was for her? Emma had to find out. She had to know what the man thought and how did he see this thing between them.
