Page 59 of Owning Emma

“I was always uncomfortable with you.” It was true, both the men were so incredibly hot that I always felt a bit awkward in their presence. But at least with Shaw, I had developed a bit of comfort with him being at my shop daily.

“Emma.” He leveled serious eyes on me. “You know what I mean.”

“Okay. Yes.” I knew exactly what he meant. “I am a bit . . . uncomfortable right now.”

“Why?” He leaned into me and I could smell the hint of coffee mixed with the mint of his toothpaste and it shouldn’t smell so damn alluring, but damn it, it made me want to step closer.

“Why? Because last night . . .“ I bit my lip, trying to decide if we should go further. “This morning . . .”

“Were both amazing,” he cut in and honestly, he wasn’t wrong. I’d never come so hard in my entire life. I never knew my body could handle so much pleasure. What they did to me, it was like nothing I could have ever imagined, far better than an orgasm I had ever given myself.

“They were,” I admitted, and a look of pure triumph sparkled in his eyes. “But, I’ve never done anything like that, anything so . . . so . . . “

“Spectacular.”

“Reckless.”

He took a step back, looking almost offended. “Are you saying you regret everything that happened between us?”

Regret? God, no. How could I regret an orgasm that had me orbiting space? “Regret is such a strong word. More like . . . reconsidering my actions.”

He leaned closer, his breath fanning my neck. “Why would you do such a thing as reconsider your actions if there was no regret?”

Umm, because I had sex with my boss. I had sex with two men. I might lose this job. I don’t know how to pay off my father’s debt now. But none of these words were spoken because with his body so near mine, I had a hard time talking. My brain was fogged. My body arched toward him even as I wanted to pull away. What was it about this man that caused all caution to fly in the wind?

“I . . .” Oh my, was that his cock against my thigh? Memories of just how good he was at using it had me swallowing hard. “I . . .”

His phone rang and he pulled back, a devilish look on his face as he pulled the device from his pocket and slowly brought it to his ear before answering it. He knew, he had to know. How could he not be aware of what his nearness did to me when just hours ago I was screaming his name like it was the only word I knew?

He winked as he took the call and strolled out of the room. I caught bits and pieces of the conversation, centering on last night’s drama. I breathed deep and willed my hands to stop shaking before I continued with the breakfast prep, trying to enjoy my bit of time alone before my kitchen . . . I mean . . . Roman’s kitchen filled with hungry people, desperate to fill their stomachs.

It wasanother hour before everyone filed into the kitchen, their noses leading them to the table to await the deliciousness of cinnamon rolls. Dot had come back a little after Roman left to refill her coffee and help squeeze some fresh orange juice, but thankfully, she didn’t speak another word about the night or morning activities.

I placed plates of cinnamon rolls and the fresh-squeezed orange juice on the table, then sliced some fruit into a bowl and placed it in the middle. Everyone found a seat and whereas I would usually wait to eat, making sure everyone was satisfied before I found a corner to consume my meal, this time was different.

Roman pulled out the seat next to him, nearly making me fall as he pushed me into it. He didn’t speak a word as he turned, continuing to listen to Royal and engaging in their conversation. My eyes found Shaw’s across the table, amusement dancing in his hazel eyes.

“We should apologize, about last night.” Shaw picked up a piece of cinnamon roll and bit into it, his long lashes fanning his cheek as he enjoyed the bite of ecstasy. When he was done swallowing he spoke again, “We should have called and let you girls know that we were okay, but we were preoccupied. Emma made sure to lay into us about how disrespectful it was to worry our guests.”

He gave me a wink and damn it, it didn’t matter if we were at a table full of people, I wanted him all over again.

“I was worried, but I’m thankful you boys are alright,” Bianca replied, then glanced to the bandage that covered Shaw’s arm. “Mostly.”

My eyes followed her gaze, taking in the gauze that covered his inflamed skin. Just a scratch he’d claimed, but it most definitely wasn’t a scratch I saw when he changed the bandages this morning. It could have been worse, so much worse, that I should be thankful all he got was an angry burn covering his forearm. But still, I hated any injury marring his gorgeous body. Especially when the damage was somehow linked to me.

I got up to remove a pan of cinnamon rolls from the oven as he looked down at his arm, a smile tugging the corner of his lips, and I knew he was about to try to feeding us a bullshit lie, “This? Hardly a scratch.”

Bianca sounded skeptical as she said, “Just a scratch, huh? Then why wear the bandage?”

I bent over the open stove and pulled out the pan of sweet pastries. His eyes found mine as I was taking out a second tray, holding them for a moment longer than necessary, “The chicks dig it.”

I couldn’t help but smile at him, his shaggy mused strands of hair and the boyish look on his face making my heart clench. I suddenly felt shy under his gaze, his eyes speaking to me when words couldn’t. I knew at some point we would need to talk, all of us. But just the thought of verbally bringing up last night made my face heat and my body shy away from his gaze.

The men at the table stood, ready to get the rest of their business underway now that their stomachs were full. They walked away, and I sighed in relief. Their presence was stifling. With them near, I could hardly breathe, and I wondered if it was because last night was too fresh or if it would always be this way. Would the memories of our bodies working together fade, or would it always be at the front of my mind, a constant reminder of what we shared?

Bianca stood, gathering the empty plates the men left on the table and depositing them in the sink. “I’m sorry my husband left his mess there, I thought I trained him better than that.”

I couldn’t hold back the snort. “I think they are all trained better than that, but they have a lot on their mind. It’s what I’m here for anyway.”

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