Page 78 of Blitzing Emily

His comments were greeted by a chorus of responses.

“Cops came. We had to leave.”

“That’s all the beer you’ve got? We’d better send a rook to get some more. Hey, Matthews, hope you’ve got your wallet.”

“Nice outfit, sexy. You know I love your legs.”

Emily could hear more commotion in the hallway outside of Brandon’s bedroom door. She tiptoed over and locked it. She tried to comb her wet hair with her fingers, which was always a good look. She had no clean clothes. Maybe it would be a good time to raid Brandon’s dresser for something to put on. Plus, her underwear was trashed. She’d have to go commando. She pulled on a pair of his shorts and a t-shirt that fell almost to her knees.

“Hey, McKenna, we heard some screaming. You sure there’s not a dead body somewhere?”

An indeterminate number of men fell silent. She couldn’t see what was happening, but she heard Brandon again.

“Nice to know you’ve never made a woman scream before.” She heard his chuckle. “That’s too bad. Maybe you need to put a little more effort into it.”

She didn’t hear anything for a few more seconds, and then she heard them interrupting each other.

“Emily’s here? Shit.”

“We’d better leave.”

“We fucked up. Later, guy.”

Emily heard the front door slam and Brandon’s voice again.

“You’re not driving anywhere. I’m calling you ladies some cabs. Grab a seat.” She heard the footfalls of overly large men moving into the living room. A few seconds later, someone tapped on his bedroom door.

“Who is it?”

“Sugar, I need my phone.”

She opened the door enough to admit him. He shut it behind himself. “Don’t you look cute in my clothes?”

“It was that or go naked.”

She saw his mouth curve into a smile. “You know which I’d prefer.”

He reached into his dresser to grab some underwear and clothing for himself, pulling them on as he spoke. She got a great look at his gorgeous butt as he pulled up his boxer briefs.

“Do you need my help at all?” she said. “What happened?”

“They got out of Damian’s before they got arrested.” He nodded toward the window. There were ten squad cars parked around Damian’s house, red and blue lights still swirling. The sound system was off, or significantly turned down. Things appeared quiet. “You’re sweet to offer, but things are under control. They shouldn’t be driving. I’ll make sure they’re on their way home safely, and we can spend some more time together afterward.” He reached out to stroke her cheek. “I’ll be changing the locks in the morning. Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll bring you something to eat or drink if you’d like.”

“Thank you, but I’m fine. Thanks for checking on me.”

“Anytime.” His lips twitched into a smile. He reached out to grab his wallet and smart phone off the bedside table, shoving both into his pocket. “Maybe you should rest up. I intend to make sure you’re exhausted later.”

“I’ll look forward to that,” she managed to say. That voice. It should be illegal.

She wrapped her arms around his waist. He kissed the side of her neck and the sensitive spot behind her earlobe, then let himself out of the room again.

She heard conversation from the living room, a few bursts of laughter, and Brandon giving the address and cross-street to his house. Emily pulled the blankets on his bed back, and wiggled between the sheets. A little nap wouldn’t hurt. The bed smelled like him, too.

She glimpsed a flotilla of cabs arriving in front of his house through Brandon’s bedroom window. Several of the neighbors came out of their houses and stood on the sidewalk, watching men they saw sixteen Sundays each year stuff themselves into the cabs. A few minutes later, the cops joined in on the impromptu block party.

Chapter Fifteen

EMILY HEARDBRANDON’Svoice in her ear much too early the next morning. “Sugar. Wake up. It’s gorgeous outside. Let’s go to Icicle Creek today.”

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