Page 75 of Emma
Emma shrugged. “I’m scared it could. I don’t want to make her a priority at the cost of what we have. And I don’t want you to resent me if I start pouring time and energy into her.”
“Listen to meverycarefully.” Vanessa reached for Emma, curling her fingers under her chin as she gazed into her eyes. “I’mnotgoing to resent you for loving your sister. You’ve spent your entire life without her. Of course you want to make up forthat. I’m not going to stand in your way, and I’m certainly not going to give you rules about how much you’re allowed.”
Emma’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “You make it sound like I’m asking for a permission slip.”
“Well, I’m not signing anything,” Vanessa said as she held up her hands and smiled. “You don’t need my permission to show up for her. All you need to do is keep talking to me about how you’re feeling, and trust that I’ll tell you if I ever feel pushed out. Which I know is never going to happen.”
“You’re really okay with all of this?”
“I’m okay if you’re okay.” Vanessa trailed her hand from Emma’s chin down to her neck, her thumb brushing against her jaw. “And right now, you’re clearly not okay. So my priority isyou.”
Emma gave her a look that was equal parts grateful and guilty. “I don’t deserve you.”
Vanessa smiled slowly. “But you’ve got me.” She leaned forward, pressing her lips to Emma’s in a kiss that was meant to reassure, but which deepened the second Emma fisted her hand in Vanessa’s jumper. Perhaps they would discuss where the hell her line of questioning had come from at some point—Vanessa didn’t particularly like knowing her wife was worried about bringing Freya into their life together—but right now, she just wanted a quiet night in, loving Emma. Vanessa shifted closer, one hand sliding to Emma’s thigh, palming it in a silent promise.
“Babe,” Emma murmured, “I really love you, you know that, don’t you?”
“I do.” Vanessa brushed her lips against the corner of Emma’s mouth. “And I’m about to remind you how much I love you, too.”
The way Emma’s eyes darkened at that made Vanessa’s pulse quicken. She set her mug aside and eased closer again, closing the slight distance between them.
The conversation could wait. Theworldcould wait.
Right now, she was going to make sure Emma knew beyond all doubt that nothing, and no one, could take away what they had.
Even though every part of Vanessa was screaming to strip her wife bare and take what she wanted, she let her fingertips wander instead, tracing the familiar slope of Emma’s thigh through the fabric of her joggers, her nails catching lightly on the seam.
Emma’s eyes followed her hand, her breath already shifting to that slow, uneven rhythm Vanessa knew so well.
“You’re so easy to read.” Vanessa dragged her knuckles higher until her fingers found the dip of her hip.
Emma’s lips parted as she whimpered. “Then stop reading and start doing.”
Vanessa smiled and leaned in, brushing her lips up the outside of Emma’s ear. “So needy.” She nipped gently at her earlobe before catching Emma’s mouth in a kiss that was all tongues and heat, the kind that left them both breathless far too quickly. “Don’t test me, Emma. Youneverwin.”
Emma gripped Vanessa’s jumper and pulled her down until their chests were pressed together. Vanessa drifted fully into the moment, and then she shifted quickly, sliding Emma’s joggers and underwear down her legs.
The first brush of her fingers over bare skin had Emma’s hips lifting from the couch. “B-babe.”
“Shh.” Vanessa kissed Emma, her fingertips circling lazily over her swollen clit. “I’ve got you.”
Emma’s head tipped back against the cushions, her breath catching when Vanessa’s fingers slipped lower. She was already soaking wet, so wet that Vanessa could feel it coating her fingertips before she’d even really touched her. That familiarrush of wanting to devour her wife whole hit hard, and Vanessa’s own breathing grew ragged.
“You can’t help yourself, can you?” Vanessa murmured as she eased two fingers inside Emma. “You’re this wet already?”
Emma gasped and bucked against Vanessa’s fingers. “It’s your own fault. You shouldn’t be as hot as you are.”
“Oh, I think you deserve a little more for that.” Vanessa curled her fingers, and Emma’s thighs trembled around her. Her other hand slid beneath Emma’s hoodie, splayed across her stomach, holding her still. “Mm. Maybe I’ll make you comerealhard tonight.”
The little sounds Emma made—the breathy whimpers and moans—hit Vanessa low in her gut. She worked her fingers deeper, brought her other hand up Emma’s thigh, and pressed in teasing circles against Emma’s throbbing clit.
Emma’s hips rocked in a rhythm that was almost desperate, her hands gripping at Vanessa’s arms. “Vanessa, I’m?—”
“Not yet.” Vanessa slowed, her fingers dragging deliberately over that spot inside her that made Emma’s whole body jolt. “I want to really feel you come apart for me.”
Emma let out something between a groan and a plea, her eyes locking on Vanessa’s with a heat that almost made her lose her own control. But she wouldn’t. She’d mastered her control around Emma.
“Look at me,” Vanessa said as she picked up her pace again. “Don’t look away. I want to watch you fall apart.”
