by Amy Brent
“This car is incredible.” I say and admire the leather seats and glossy black controls.
“It’s a rental for now, but when we get back to L.A I’m probably going to get one just like it.” We make small talk until he pulls into my apartment complex. It was a much shorter ride than I’m used to, and I find myself hesitant to walk away from him. The snow outside gets harder, and I know if he doesn’t leave soon he might very well be stuck here. In my studio apartment that has a single futon. I picture Emmet lying on top of it and me on top of him, and the bold part of me takes over.
“Do you want to go inside?” I ask. Emmet’s hands close around the wheel and squeeze. I blush, feeling stupid for ever offering anything. “I mean, I know it’s small so of course you wouldn’t want to go in.” Before I can continue my embarrassing rant Emmet unbuckles his seat belt and leans across the center console to meet my lips with his. He shuts me up instantly, one hand cupping the back of my head and the other unbuckling my own seat belt. I press against him greedily, pulling at the top of his coat while my other hand slides down and squeezes his thigh.
His tongue flickers across my lips and I moan into him, wincing when my bottom sits on the seatbelt.
“Remy,” He murmurs against my mouth. “Invite me inside again.”
“Let’s go inside, Emmet.” I say. Emmet practically leaps out of the car and opens the passenger door before I even have the chance to catch my breath. His arms scoot beneath my thighs and back and as I warn him against lifting me up, he easily scoops me in his arms and carries me to my second floor apartment. He gently lets me down to unlock my front door, but as soon as it’s closed pulls me towards him again and kisses me deeply. I unbutton his winter coat as he unzips mine, and as soon as it’s off my hands run along the muscles of his arms. They’re strong and flexed as his hands roam my body, fingers trailing my work uniform until they slip underneath my blouse and find my skin.
He pushes me backwards until my legs hit against the futon and I fall, pulling him down with me. My blouse comes off as I pull his sweater over his head. His abs are hard beneath my touch and I run my nails down his stomach, spreading when I reach a thick field of hair just above his belt.
“Remy.” He sings my name and kisses my neck. One hand slides up my skirt as the other pulls my bra strap down and follows it to my breast. I moan loudly when he touches it, and as soon as his fingers stroke my nipple his other hand finds my panties and his tongue meets mine as I open my mouth to cry out.
My hands dip to find his belt, but the minute I touch it Emmet gasps and springs to his feet. He’s out of breath and I watch as his chest expands with every gulp.
“Emmet?” I ask and fix my bra strap. He has a very noticeable bulge in his pants and all I want is to touch it.
“I can’t, I’m sorry. This was a mistake.” He grabs his shirt and rushes to put his coat on.
“What did I do?” I cry. He presses a kiss to my temple and grabs his car keys. “The roads are going to be covered! It’s dangerous.”
“It’s even more dangerous here.” He says. He gives me a sad smile. “We’ll see you later. Good night, Remy.”
Emmet slams the door behind him and I’m left in nothing but a bra, a skirt and wet panties. I grab my shirt and fling it at the door.
“Damn those twins!” I yell and cover my head with a pillow. They’re more trouble than they’re worth.
For once I’m excited for the outlet the restaurant provides me. I clock in nearly an hour early and stay busy throughout the day. Charlie and Camila both notice I’m quick to agitate and they leave me alone for the most part.
I had spent practically the entire night trying to determine what I did to make Emmet leap from me so abruptly. There was so much desire and lust between us, and he’s the exact gentleman I’ve always dreamt of. I would have gone as far as I could had he not rejected me.
“You’ve been staring at Scott’s shoes for like three minutes.” Camila bumps into me and whispers in my ear. I snap back to reality, finding Scott grinning at me like a madman, and rush to put his order in. The dinner crowd rushes in and for the next hour and a half it’s the repetitive motion of taking orders and clearing plates.
When it beings to die down I take a moment to check my phone. A missed call from my dad alarms me, but before I get the chance to call him back David steps into the break room to let me know the Kennedys just arrived. It seems the staff all understand to seat them in my section, and I fake a brave face as I meet them to take their order.
“Took you long enough.” Jake smirks. He wears a button up with rolled sleeves and slacks while Emmet wears a business suit. Despite their obvious similarities it always strike me odd at how completely different they are. “I was worried it was going to be Christmas by the time you got here.”
“Hey Remy, how are you?” Emmet looks at me as if nothing between us ever happened, and I force myself to act the same.
“It’s getting busier the closer we get to Christmas.” I tell them, speaking mostly to Jake. “Maybe you can convince my boss to hire a few more hostesses?”
“I’ll bring it up at our next meeting.” Emmet answers. I gave him a small nod and take their order. Jake frowns as I leave a lot quicker than usual, but I can’t stand spending another minute pretending everything was normal.
“Any plans for Christmas?” Jake asks as I bring them their plates. I give a short reply and leave to tend to my other tables.
The twins stay much longer than other customers, chatting with David whenever he gets a moment to sit with them.
“Ay, why are you giving the twins the silent treatment?” Camila asks.
“Girl, mind your own business.” I snap. She sighs and rolls her eyes, calling me a drama queen as she goes back to her tables.
At the end of the day only six tables remain, two at Sophie’s, three at Camila’s, and one at mine, the twins. They’ve been finished with their dessert for a while now and are waiting on David to finish up a call to continue their conversation with him. I refill their beers and let Camila know I’m heading out back to make a call. I bundle myself up and cover my head with a warm hat. Snow falls heavily around me as I dial my dad.
My dad answers on the third call.
“I know I said I’d be in town for Christmas, but I have to change our plans.” He says. I’m more surprised at the disappointed I feel than at his words.
“Yeah, that’s fine. Maybe next year.” We hang up and I lean against the brick wall of the restaurant. Exhaustion hits me like a tornado and my head falls into my hand.
The backdoor opens and close, and Jake stuffs his hands in the pocket of a thick gray coat as he turns to me.
“You’re upset.” He says directly. His head is covered by a knit hat pulled down over his ears, and two tufts of hair peak out over his forehead. “Is it another asshole?” I laugh.
“Isn’t it always?” I say.
“My fist is always available for rent.” He jokes. I shake my head.
“I don’t think you should go punching this asshole.” I rub my hands together, cursing myself for forgetting gloves at home. “It was just a misunderstanding anyways.”
“A misunderstanding?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Yeah. I thought he was interested but it turns out he wasn’t. I don’t know.” I shrug. “I guess I wasn’t good enough.”
He sucks in a sharp breath and stares at the snow at our feet.
“I didn’t realize you were seeing anyone.” Jake goes from conceited rich man to awkward boy in a matter of seconds.
“I’m not. I wasn’t. I was stupid for assuming a guy like that would want me.” The pity in my voice make me wince. I am not a one woman pity party. But Jake takes it way more serious and pulls me into his arms.
“You’re impossible.” He says against my hat. The cold air vanishes, and in the dark sky I can’t see much other than his hard chest. “There isn’t a single guy who wouldn’t want you.”
I look up at his face,
at his strong jawline that I’ve been wanting to trace ever since I first saw him. He meets my gaze, and we both breathe heavily beneath the snowfall. His hand presses against the back of my neck and climbs to my ponytail, pulling it and letting my spirals bounce around my head.
“Like that.” He nods, satisfied. “You’re already irresistible enough, but with your hair like that, it’s impossible not to want you.”
“Jake.” I start, but he tightens his hold on me and I’m done trying to guess his motive. I kiss him first, standing on my tiptoes and pressing his body against the wall. He grunts and kisses me harder in return.
At the same time we both realize we’re standing directly next to the backdoor of the restaurant, and he picks me up beneath my knees and carries me around the corner of the building into a dark alleyway. But with Jake’s hands squeezing my thighs and caressing my hair I find that I’m not so scared.
He pushes me hard against a wall, hands sliding up and down my thighs. I feel his muscles flexing as he caresses my body, and I wrap my thighs around his waist. I begin to unbutton his coat and he puts me down long enough to tear it off of him. My jacket and apron joins it in a pile next to our feet, and he begins to unbutton my blouse.
“Remy,” He nibbles on my earlobe. I shiver against the heat of his breath, feeling a wet tingling sensation between my thighs. “I’ve wanted to fuck you the moment I saw you.” He growls.
I don’t waste any time and tear at his belt, throwing it on our pile of clothes. His hand dips beneath my blouse and underneath my bra, cupping me as he traces slow kisses down my neck towards my chest.
My fingers trail down his abs, pressing against them until they slide inside his slacks. His thick rod throbs against my skin, and his moan is throaty and raspy as his tongue licks down my breast and flicks my nipple.
I gasp loudly, but Jake isn’t done. He sucks on it and lightly bites the very edge, and I return by wrapping my hand around his hard cock.
“Fuck.” He murmurs against my nipple. “Fuck Remy.” Jake straightens up and kisses me roughly. His hand pushes my skirt to my thighs, and I cry out against his lips as he strokes me.
I stop caring where we are and what we’re doing. I stop thinking about absolutely everything except for how much I need Jake Kennedy inside of me. I try pulling down his slacks to release all of him, but something in Jake snaps and he pushes himself off of me.
“Jake?” I ask, leaning against the wall. He tugs his slacks back up and fetches his coat, handing me my apron and jacket in the meantime.
“I can’t.” He says. “God, Remy, I want to, don’t think for a second I don’t, but I just can’t.”
I fix my skirt and blouse and put my jacket on. The cold bites at my skin for the first time since Jake wrapped his arms around me.
“Why?” I ask, tears forming in the corner of my eyes. Jake stares at them with an anguished look. “I’d rather you just say you don’t want me. I don’t understand.”
“I just can’t, Remy. I’m sorry.” He tugs on his knitted hat and walks away.
I go back to the restaurant after ten minutes. No one pays much attention to my absence, but I notice both Emmet and Jake are gone. Even in a heated kitchen, their absence still leaves me colder than the snow outside.
The closer we get to Christmas the worse my life seems to become. Jake and Emmet both grow distant and request either Camila’s table or Sophie’s. The day after Jake practically ran from me in the alley I overheard David telling the cooks that the twin’s visit will be coming to an end soon. I find out after asking the kitchen staff that Jake and Emmet are planning on signing an agreement on the new restaurant shortly before Christmas, and that they’ll be heading back to California the day after.
I try to pretend it doesn’t bother me, but as I watch Camila throw her hair back and flirt so obviously that it almost hurts, I realize their cold shoulder affects me more than my own father’s. There’s a connection between all three of us and yet they’re choosing to ignore it. There’s such a longing whenever I see them, the same strong lust that blinds me to common sense every time they touch me.
The week before Christmas, in the middle of the third Christmas track that’s been repeated every ten minutes, as David forces all of the staff to wear constricting Santa hats and threw a reindeer nose at me that I promptly gave to Charlie, the Kennedy twins walk in and again sits in Camila’s section. It’s nearly pitch black outside with snow covered roads and they both brush off a dusting as they remove thick winter coats and straighten out expensive business suits beneath.
“Your suitor just arrived.” Sophie says. I look at the twins confused, did everyone see the desire between us? But then Scott walks to my section as the twins leave for Camila’s, and I groan.
“Oh, that suitor.” I say and scoot behind Charlie to get Scott’s beer.
“Big plans for Christmas?” Scott asks. He leans back in his seat and crosses his arms, looking extra cocky tonight.
“Just normal holiday stuff.” I say politely. His hand stops mine as I put his beer down. I pause mid step, wondering how much trouble I would get in if I poured the beer over his crisp button up.
“You’re blushing.” His fingers caress the inside of my wrist. “That’s the reaction I’ve been looking for.”
I glance up to see David scowling at me. Scott is unarguably our biggest customer, and he pays and tips well. Jake peeks our way as well, and it boils my blood.
“Maybe it’s the holiday magic.” I reply and squeeze his hand. He grins and let me go take care of my other tables, but it’s no question that Scott believes I’m somehow attracted to him all of a sudden.
“You know,” Scott begins when I get him his dinner. “I can take care of you.” I frown, not fully understanding.
“Oh, you’re going to pay for my college and rent like a sugar daddy?” I try joking, but Scott nods.
“All that and more.” His arm snakes around my waist as I lift a serving tray over my head and I nearly topple over. “But there’s so many more things I can take care of.”
“Sweetie, I can take care of myself.” I say when it’s obvious he’s taking our flirtation a little too far. Jake’s eyes follow his every movement, grimacing when Scott’s arm tightens around me. I wiggle out of it and tell him I have to get back to work.
I dip into the stockroom near the kitchen to both catch my breath and refill a few salt and pepper shakers. The door behind me opens and close and I ask whoever it is what they need.
“I thought you already knew that.” Scott’s voice is close to my ear. He wraps his arms around my body and fondles my breasts. I try screaming but he covers my mouth. “Shush, Remy. Don’t pretend like you didn’t lead me here.”
I try elbowing him in the stomach but it seems to only excite him more. All I wanted was to make the twins jealous. All I wanted was for them to regret pushing me away. Scott’s hand pushes my skirt up my thigh and I bite his hand.
“Bitch!” He yells and raises it to smack me. I scream only for a moment before the door opens and Scott is thrown off of me.
“You want to call her that again?” Jake yells. He jumps on top of Scott and punches him in the jaw. “Let’s hear it, huh?”
“Jake!” I yell, but Emmet grabs my shoulders and pulls me away. “He’s going to kill him!” I scream when Scott pukes up a mouthful of blood. Emmet shows no remorse in his usually kind eyes when he speaks to me.
“And I’m going to help him.” He joins Jake when Scott lands a blow against his twin’s cheek. Emmet holds Scott’s arms above his head as Jake knees him in the stomach.
David turns the Christmas music louder to mask the agonizing screams of Scott, but the restaurant is already in a panic. Half of the customers yell and take pictures of the fight while the rest run around trying to get away, and the staff all stare in horror as Jake and Emmet team up against Scott.
Red and blue lights appear through the window and sirens mix with the music. Emmet notices them first and nudges Ja
ke, who whispers threateningly in Scott’s ear.
Surprisingly enough, when the cops enter and question a bloody mouthed Scott, he says that the fight was his fault and that the twins were only acting accordingly.
I stay huddled in the corner with Camila as David and the twins speak in hushed tones after the cops leave. Scott rushes out the door after them, refusing to even look in my direction. The rest of the staff ushers customers out with coupons good for half off their entire meal, and the kitchen staff wait for orders.
“Are you okay, chica?” Camila keeps her arms around my shoulders. I nod and watch as the twins leave without so much as a glance.
A broken table and chairs and several shattered glasses lie where the fight had been, and David complains about hiring a company to get the blood out of the carpet before it stains.
“We’re closing the rest of the night.” He yells at us, though he too doesn’t look at me. “Close up as normal and go home. But it’s coming out of your paid time off.” Everyone groans and starts cleaning their section.
“The Kennedys are leaving earlier than planned.” David tells Charlie as I clear my tables. “Of course this happens on the last night they’re here. God damn it, I could lose my job for this.”
“Dave, I don’t think they’re going to replace you because an ass assaulted one of your coworkers.” Charlie frowns at me. Him and Camila seem to be the only ones who fully understand how terrified I was. My hands shake as I stack plates on a tray, and Camila hurries with her tables to help with mine.
But Scott and his roaming hands are the last things on my mind. Jake and Emmet are leaving. I try to imagine my life without them but it seems bland and colorless. The first two guys who’s ever made me feel alive, made me feel anything, are going back home to the other side of the country.
I have to see them one more time.
I work an early shift the next day, counting down the minutes until it ends. David pulls me to the side during a lunch break and apologizes for his reaction last night. His peace offering is letting me leave an hour early and I gladly accept it before he has time to reconsider. I turn my section over to Sophie early and leave while it’s still light outside. I make the long journey to the shops downtown, battling bitter cold weather while holding my gloved hands to my face.
