Page 56 of Stolen Moments

Seems straightforward enough, but with Eli, it’s never that simple. But…

“Deal.”

I’ll worry about the consequences later. Right now, all I want to do is surprise my girl. Maybe this gesture will show her how serious I am about us.

My simmering irritation makes me itchy as my chance to find Emery ends with the dimming lights. It took me longer than expected to get the ticket from Eli and drive through L.A. traffic, and now I’m stuck with taking a seat in the back row of the theater.

I place the small bouquet of burgundy dahlias under my seat, hoping they don’t get crushed, as the program director introduces the various films being shown. I tune him out as a hundred questions and doubts flit through my mind.

Was this the right move? Why did I listen to Cam?

My palms sweat, and I can’t stop fidgeting. I told her we were more than casual, but showing up at her brother’s event without an invitation is different. This makes our relationship serious, right? Am I ready for us to be serious?

Yes, my brain whispers.

We text daily. When we aren’t texting, we’re talking on the phone or video calls, all of which have progressively gotten hotter. I love watching Emery touch herself and get off on the sound of my voice. I want more of those moments with her. I want them all.

I don’t know where she’s at, and it’s confusing. Sometimes, she will pull back and put up her guard with me, and then other times, she lets her walls down and we really connect.

I bounce my knee while I continue to analyze my relationship, causing the hipster sitting next to me to give me some major side-eye. He can fuck right off. The only person I am here for is Emery, and I want nothing more than to make us official.

Fuck.

Realization slams into me, and my nerves slip away. I let the peace of my decision wash over me. I am ready. I’ve been ready since the moment I saw her reflection in the mirror at the airport. I want her to be mine and no one else’s. I know being long-distance isn’t easy, but maybe I can travel to see her more. I can make more of an effort for her.

The credits roll, and the lights turn on. Voices in the theater rise as everyone starts to stand and make their way through the aisles, filing out of the room.

I follow their lead, picking up the bouquet I brought, and scan the room, searching for her honey-brown locks. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end, and my heart beats wildly in my chest. Damn, seeing her on video calls pales in comparison to seeing her in real life.

My girl is fucking stunning. She’s wearing skin-tight black jeans and a burgundy top that hangs off her shoulders, showing off her elegant neck and the tops of her breasts. Her clothes hug every curve of her body with perfection, and my cock takes notice, jumping at the vision of her mere feet away from me. Her mouth is painted to match the deep red fabric of her blouse, and all I can imagine is kissing those big, pouty lips.

I watch as she strides up the aisle of the theater, her arm linked with her brother. She looks young and carefree as she animatedly talks, waving her hand wildly in the air. Her brother says something that has her throwing her head back with a laugh.

As if she knows someone is watching, her head snaps my way and her eyes land on mine. All doubt disappears as we stare at each other from across the room. Emery’s lips turn up into a smile so bright it takes my breath away.

She releases the arm she’s holding and serpentines through the crowd towards me. My feet move just as quickly as we make our way to each other. I’m about to scoop her up when she leaps into my arms and wraps her legs around my waist. Without a care in the world, I wrap my free hand around the back of her neck and bring her lips to mine in a searing kiss that ignites every nerve in my body on fire.

As I hold Emery in my arms, the lonely ache in my chest—that’s taken residence in the cavity when she drove away from me—fades away. My tongue delves past her lips as I deepen our kiss and explore her mouth. She tastes even better than I remember, and I can’t help but grunt as my dick grows hard at the heat of her core resting on my lower abs.

A throat clears, and a voice pops our bubble. “Holy fuck, it’s a live sex show.”

Emery breaks our kiss and the spell she had me under, and shouts, “Chris, seriously!”

I bark a laugh. Hugging her tight, I kiss her neck as she drops her head to my shoulder and her legs from around my hips. Placing her on her feet, I bury my face in her hair and inhale her sweet scent, like the addict I am.

I turn around and come face to face with the most mischievous grin I have ever seen.

Chris bounces his eyebrows at me and crosses his arms. He is basically the male version of Emery, with the same honey-brown hair and topaz eyes. Where his sister’s eyes are more serious, his are more playful. It’s obvious he is the more carefree sibling while Emery looks like she carries the weight of the world on her shoulders.

“Well, well, well. Looks like my sister has been holding out on me.” His gaze flashes to Emery’s, and her cheeks pinken.

Trying to divert the conversation, I stick out my hand and introduce myself, “Mason.”

“Oh, I know who you are.”

I smile at his snark. She either told him about me, or he remembers me from the airport.

“What I don’t know is how long this has been going on.” He moves his finger between me and Emery. “Or how you got into the theater without an invite.”

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