Page 5 of Emma
Lauren’s head snapped around to Emma. “You’re taking her side?”
“I’m not taking anyone’s side. But I won’t have you coming here guilt-tripping Vanessa into looking after Daisy because you can’t be arsed to do the cleaning today instead of tomorrow.”
Silence fell. It would be brief, but it spoke volumes already.
“Fine. I won’t ask again. Enjoy your walk.” Lauren strode towards the door, and before either of them could respond, she was gone.
Emma stared at the closed door, then turned her attention to the abandoned bacon sandwich. She pounced on it, enjoying the first mouthful, then looked up at Vanessa. “You okay, babe?”
As Vanessa emptied her coat pockets, she paused for a beat. Her brow rose, turning Emma into a puddle on the spot. “Me?” She set her phone and keys down as she smiled. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“You’re sure? Because that was a bit intense with Lauren.”
Vanessa let out a slow breath, her shoulders relaxing as she reached across the dining table to grab the other half of the sandwich from the plate. “I love her and Daisy to death, but I’m not giving up this week with you, Emma.” She shook her head, enjoying the bacon on toast she’d just stolen from Emma. “You know the last time we had a few uninterrupted days with one another was the first week of the summer holidays. Three months ago.”
Emma couldn’t believe just how long it had been. “Really?”
“Yes. Really,” Vanessa said as she brushed crumbs from her fingertips and moved towards the coffee machine. “And I know she struggles to get things done, but that’s something she needs to discuss with Rob. He’s a great dad, but he’s working too much and she’s suffering because of it.”
Emma leaned her hip against the counter, watching Vanessa as the coffee beans started to grind. She thought about Rob. He was charming and ambitious, but Vanessa was right. He was always on the move, and usually in a different country. “Do you think it’s something she’ll discuss with him?”
“Probably not,” Vanessa answered over the sound of the coffee machine. “I spent years in the very same situation with Richard. He worked longer hours so I could take more time off work to be a mother. I’m not complaining about that—it meant I could bond with Lauren far more than if I was working all hours of the day—but in the long run…it’s just not maintainable.”
Emma nodded. “Then you’re right. She needs to speak to Rob.”
As Emma finished the last bite of her sandwich, Vanessa turned towards her with an outstretched hand. She pulled Emma close, wrapping her arms around her waist with a gentleness that made Emma’s breath catch. “Right now, my marriage is my priority.”
“Babe, we’re fine.” Emma’s brows drew together slightly. She studied Vanessa’s face, wondering if that comment had a deeper meaning to it. “I hope you know that.”
“Idoknow that,” Vanessa said as she tucked Emma’s hair behind her ear. “But I still want to focus onusthis week. I know it’s only a walk around The Lakes, but the idea of us being alone, phones off and nothing to worry about…it’s all I’ve thought about all morning.”
Emma leaned into Vanessa, her fingers stroking the soft fabric of her blouse. “Then we should have a relaxing day today, do whatever we feel like, and head off early in the morning.”
Vanessa drew her in, her fingertips curling under Emma’s chin, that familiar tenderness in her smile that always made Emma’s heart pound. She kissed her slowly, and it was the kind of kiss that said, ‘this is home’. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else…withanyone else.”
Emma stoodby the chest of drawers as she slipped her hoodie over her head and tossed it into the laundry basket. She didn’t know why she felt tense, she was used to Lauren’s selfishness, but today it had really pissed her off. The way she’d spoken to Vanessa, the bitterness in her voice for her mumdaringto want to do something for herself…yeah, Emma was quietly seething with her best friend.
She heard the soft creak of the mattress behind her, and as Emma glanced over her shoulder, Vanessa was sitting on the edge of the bed wearing nothing but her robe. “Nice shower, babe?”
“Mm.” Vanessa smiled as she rested back on her hands. “You know, I’ve been fantasising about having you to myself all day.”
Emma turned, her top half bare. “Yeah?”
“God.” Vanessa gazed back at her and hummed her approval. “Look at you.”
That was all the invitation Emma needed.
She crossed the room slowly and lowered herself between Vanessa’s parted knees. With a soft nudge of her palms, she eased Vanessa back onto the mattress, and her wife gave in without resistance. She fell back on her elbows, her robeopening slightly at the thigh. “Let me take care of you,” Emma murmured as she lowered a kiss just above Vanessa’s knee. “No interruptions. Just us.”
Vanessa’s head lolled back with a sigh. “Finally.”
Emma reached up and pushed Vanessa’s robe further aside, trailing kisses inward, higher and higher, until her mouth hovered over the one thing she wouldalwaysdesire.
Vanessa let out a quiet groan when Emma’s breath teased her. “God, Emma…”
But Emma wasn’t in any rush. Not this afternoon. She nudged Vanessa’s legs wider apart, inhaling the scent of her before dipping lower, her tongue parting her slick lips with aching precision. She licked slowly, savouring every moan and every tremble beneath her mouth as she gripped Vanessa’s thighs and circled her tongue over her clit.
Vanessa’s hips rolled as her hands tangled in Emma’s hair.
