Page 85 of Blitzing Emily

“Is it always that good?”

A grin stole over his face, and his arms tightened around her once again. “We’d better do it again, just to make sure.”

It was so successful that Brandon and Emily couldn’t resist doing it once more before they fell asleep from sheer exhaustion. They finally managed to make love without roommates, teammates, Cub Scout troops, cell phones, or interruptions of any kind.

Sometime later, Brandon’s stirring awakened Emily. She watched him sleep in the darkened room. His lips curved into a faint smile. She wanted to kiss him again. Actually, she never wanted to stop kissing him. She never wanted the hot, breathless, heart pounding excitement she got every time he pulled her into his arms to end, either. Even though Emily wasn’t sure she wanted to be owned or conquered, she realized that she was done, in more ways than the obvious. Slowly but surely, she’d fallen in love with him.

THE NEXT MORNING,Emily awoke to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifting in from the kitchen, but that wasn’t the only thing tickling her nose. His chest hair rubbed against her face. She breathed in a lungful of his clean skin and the familiar wisp of his aftershave. She snuggled against his warmth. He still wore that faint smile as he slept, and he kicked off the blankets sometime during the night. The tan lines on his thighs and at his waist made her smile. Maybe she should just stay put and enjoy the view.

In the end, though, the coffee won out. Emily slid out from under the arm he flung around her during the night and slithered off the bed. After putting on one of his robes, she padded into the kitchen. She poured two mugs out of the programmable coffee pot, picked the newspaper off the front porch, and carted it all back to bed.

He’d claimed last night she’d worn him out. She wasn’t moving especially fast this morning, either.

Emily sat up against the headboard of Brandon’s bed, skimming the front page stories.

“Oh, no. Oh, my God.” She nudged him. “Wake up.”

Brandon rolled onto his back. “What’s the matter, sugar?” he said sleepily.

“The Scout leader gave an interview toThe Seattle Times.”

It took him a few seconds to rub his eyes and stretch. “You’re shi— you’re kidding me.” Brandon pulled himself up against the pillows. He kissed Emily’s cheek and wrapped one arm around her.

“He’s talking about going to the police and having you arrested for indecent exposure and lewd behavior. Plus, he claims to have cell phone photos of us.”

Brandon grabbed the paper, read the short article, and then threw it on the floor. He rubbed his face with one hand, but Emily saw the sadness in his eyes before he turned his face away from her.

“At least they didn’t recognize you,” he said, referring to the article’s “unidentified redhead.” It also said that Emily Hamilton “could not be reached for comment.”

He took a deep breath. “Coffee must be ready.”

She handed him a mug from the nightstand.

“You’ll need to stay overnight more often,” he said.

“This is the closest you’re getting to breakfast in bed, bruiser.”

He chuckled. “More cooking lessons? You know I’m up for it.” His lips grazed the back of her neck. God. She wanted him again.

The telephone rang. He grabbed it. “McKenna.” He listened for a moment and then said, “Hey, talk to my agent.” He hung up.

“Who was that?”

“ESPN. They know what’s going on in my life before I do.” He rolled his eyes. The phone rang again. Brandon picked up the receiver, said, “McKenna,” listened for a while, and frowned. “Listen, Coach, I apologize. I didn’t mean to embarrass the team. I’m surprised the commissioner’s up that early on a Sunday.” He was quiet for a few more minutes. He was making light of this, but it sounded like he was in trouble, and her stomach twisted in sympathy. “Okay. I’ll pay the fine. I understand why you’re doing it.” Emily heard the coach’s voice, some laughter, and Brandon said, “Thanks for being so understanding. I’m available whenever you’d like to set it up. Thanks again.” He hung up.

“They gave you a fine.” If that guy really had photos, both she and Brandon were in a lot more trouble than they knew how to get out of.

“It’s not a big deal. The commissioner’s having a shi— He’s a little upset.”

Emily slumped down in the bed. She tried to pull the blankets up over her face, but Brandon wouldn’t let her.

“I’ll bet you twenty dollars that guy is on the morning news today,” she said.

“I’m not taking that bet, sugar. Let’s have a look.” He clicked the television on with the remote.

They didn’t have to wait long before a news program came on. When it was time for the sports report, yesterday’s little escapade was first up.

“The Seattle Sharks are a bit red-faced this morning over the off-the-field antics of their Pro Bowl defensive end, Brandon McKenna,” the male sportscaster began. “It seems that McKenna was spotted yesterday by a group of Cub Scouts just off a hiking trail outside of Leavenworth with an unidentified redhead. The couple was involved in what a team spokesperson calls ‘a compromising situation.’ McKenna is engaged to opera diva Emily Hamilton. We couldn’t reach Miss Hamilton for comment. ESPN is reporting that McKenna has been fined $25,000 by the NFL commissioner for ‘conduct unbecoming a professional athlete.’”

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