Page 3 of Emma
Emma tilted her head slightly, her smile soft, but those eyes as enticing as ever. It had the hairs on Vanessa’s arms standing to attention. “I don’t think you realise how much you still take my breath away.”
Vanessa looked away, her cheeks heating. “You’re laying it on thick tonight.”
“It’s the cocktails,” Emma said, grinning as she nudged one of the glasses closer. “They make me sentimental.”
Vanessa reached for hers, the rim cool against her lips as she took a slow sip. It was sweet and tart, with a hint of something citrusy that tanged on her tongue. “We should drinksentimentalmore often.”
“We used to. We just never realised what was coming back then. You were still with…him. I was still secretly in love with you…” Emma laced their fingers together. “But regardless of our relationship status back then, you still look at me like you might eat me alive.”
Vanessa arched a brow. “That’s because I still might.”
Emma laughed a low, throaty sound that made Vanessa’s stomach flutter. It was that dirty laugh Vanessa adored. “Careful. I’ve hadjustenough to take that seriously.”
Vanessa leaned in close, her voice barely above a whisper against Emma’s ear. “Good.”
Emma turned her head, their noses brushing as she smiled into a kiss. When she drew back, Vanessa noted the look immediately. “I think you forget that I know what you’re capable of, babe. Eating me alive sounds just perfect to end this night.”
“I…think we should dance now. Before I start doing things in this booth that will get us kicked out.”
Emma squeezed Vanessa’s thigh and created a slight space between them. “No, wait. I’m not ready to dance yet. I wanted to speak to you about something.”
Vanessa watched Emma expectantly. “Okay…”
Emma lifted her cocktail, her eyes sparkling as she studied Vanessa. “Christmas.” Her voice shifted from that teasing tone Vanessa loved, now carrying a sense of urgency and excitement instead. “What plans do we have?”
Vanessa blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. “Well, since it’s only October…none.” Her mind started to race, but she was struggling to connect the dots. Why was Emma asking about Christmas now, of all times? It felt like Vanessa hadjusthad a conversation with Lauren about Daisy’s Halloween costume. “Why?”
“I want to be ahead of the game. I want to get plans in place as soon as we can so I can start to build that excitement. No time like the present, and let’s be honest, it’ll be here before we realise it.”
Vanessa understood immediately. She knew the joy Emma found in these things—the planning and the anticipation. The last few Christmases had been nothing short of magical, and Vanessa had to admit that it was all thanks to Emma’s perfect sense of timing and organisation. Schedules, playlists, hand-painted ornaments. God love her, she’d even organised matching pyjamas. “You’re not playing Santa again, are you? It took me a week to get the red glitter out of the living room carpet last time.” Vanessa laughed at the thought. And then her palms tingled when she reminded herself of how that night had ended. By the time bedtime came around, Emma had slipped into a far sexier Santa outfit…in the bedroom.
Emma grinned. She knew exactly where Vanessa’s mind had wandered to just then. “I haven’t decided what or who I’m dressing as yet.”
Vanessa shook her head, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. This was too much. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to fall in love and marry Emma all over again. “Right, enough of this. Get up, get on the dance floor, and show me what you’ve got.”
“Oh, come on, babe. YouknowI love Christmas.” Emma’s bottom lip jutted out in a pout. “And I’ve realised lately that it’s because Christmas with my parents was always crap. Then you lot came along, and it got better. Now that I have a wife and a home with that beautiful wife, I get to make it as fun and exciting as I want to.”
Vanessa rose to her feet and urged Emma up with her. As she pulled Emma close, their bodies pressed together, she gazed into her wife’s eyes…eyes that had seen her through everything. “You deserve any kind of Christmas you want, Emma.”
“Thanks, babe.” Emma kissed her slowly. “I just want it to always be as perfect as it can be.” Vanessa’s breath caught as Emma nipped at her bottom lip. “Since you and I got together, Christmas feels really special to me.”
“Me too. Even if I don’t show as much enthusiasm as you do.” Vanessa brushed her fingers gently against Emma’s cheek and secured an arm around her waist. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Emma whispered, peeling Vanessa’s hand from her back to intertwine their fingers. She led them both towards the dance floor, her grip never loosening. She was determined to let the world know that they were taken and always would be. “You know,” Emma said, her voice low as she dipped her head towards Vanessa’s ear. “Since last year and everything that happened, you just get sexier every day.”
If Emma was trying to ensure this night ended with a bang—literally—she was far too late. Vanessa already had a dozen filthy plans lined up for the moment they stepped through the frontdoor. But hearing Emma say the things that always reassured her, her pulse stuttered the way it always would.
She pressed her body closer, her hips swaying with Emma’s, and murmured against her lips, “Keep talking like that, and I’ll have you bent over my knee before your heels even hit the floor.”
CHAPTER TWO
Flippinga few pieces of bacon in the pan, Emma swayed to the smooth rhythm drifting from the radio, the autumnal morning light spilling across the kitchen tiles. For a moment, everything felt perfectly fine. She felt refreshed after her night out with Vanessa last night, and her shoulders were free of the usual weight she carried. Weight generally caused by too much work and not enough play. Honestly, she was buzzing with excitement for the week ahead. She had a very rare stretch of uninterrupted time with Vanessa.
They had made a pact last night to lay low, to…not see Lauren and Daisy unless it was necessary. A soft boundary. One that was needed if they had any hope of ending this week off together unscathed. Still, Lauren had somehow found her way inside the house this morning, already seated at the dining table like it was the most natural thing in the world. Because, usually, it was.
“Be the bestest friend and throw on a few extra slices for me, Em.”
Emma turned towards her with a smile. It was bright but mostly practiced whenever she was around Vanessa’s daughter lately. “I was surprised to see you at the front door.” Her eyes darted back to the pan. She didn’t have any extra slices left. Thathad been the last of it. But Lauren probably needed it more. Emma had only rolled out of their warm, safe bed thirty minutes ago, while Lauren had likely been up before sunrise, chasing after a toddler with boundless energy and no idea what sleep actually meant. “I didn’t know you were coming over today.”
