Page 90 of Blitzing Emily

“It was incredible. He’s—Amy, he’s beautiful. All of him. His chest is just—I couldn’t stop touching him. He smells so good, he tastes so good, and he’s an amazing kisser. He’s funny and wonderful, and he’s really good at taking my clothes off. He made me forget my own name.” Emily grinned. “Lots of orgasms.Lots of them.”

Her sister’s mouth dropped open. “And you’re not home in bed with him now?”

“He had to go to his workout, and meet with his trainer. I missed my lesson today.” Emily wrapped her arms around her midsection. “It’s going to cost me.”

“Who gives a shit? I wouldn’t.” Amy shrugged. “Maybe I should date his brother.”

“Dylan isn’t an athlete. He’s a doctor.”

“I’m still not getting what the problem is here,” Amy said.

“Maybe he doesn’t love me back.” Emily said.

“If he’s not already in love, he’s been on his way for a long time now. Why do you think every guy you meet is another James?” Emily flinched, and Amy reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “I’m sorry. That was an awful thing to say, but Em, it’s true. You meet the greatest guy ever, and—well, that’s ridiculous.”

“The whole time I was with James, I kept thinking things were moving along. We were dating, we were sleeping together, Mom and Dad loved him, things seemed like they were falling into place. I thought he was the best I could do.” Emily fiddled with the paper sleeve on her coffee cup.

“You never felt about him the way you feel about Brandon.”

Emily shrugged.

“You’ve obviously forgotten whom you’re talking to,” Amy said. “I saw you post-James. I never saw you like this. Plus, I seem to remember that James had a few—shall we say,problemsin the bedroom.”

James had a low sex drive. He shrank from Emily when she tried to hold his hand. He wanted to be in control. He dictated every instance of physical affection between them. It was “inappropriate” to kiss him in public. A hand on the thigh when they sat together was deemed “too aggressive.” Emily spent the entire year she and James were together in a state of utter frustration. She loved touching and being touched in return. She longed for passion. She wanted to be with someone who valued what she wanted to share with him. Even Amy had no idea how extensive James’ problems were.

The few times James and Emily entered his bedroom, things went downhill fast. According to him, Emily was too noisy. She was too fat. Her boobs were not as “perky” as they should have been, and she shivered at the memory. She couldn’t imagine why she stayed with him, and even more, why she was still letting him inside her head. Somehow James had managed to penetrate into areas of her psyche nobody else had, and Emily’s job was to oust him. Permanently. She deserved better.

“Brandon’s the exact opposite,” Emily said. Just thinking about last night made her smile again. He had celebrated and cherished every inch of her—several times. “I understand why Anastasia went so sideways after they broke up. I’d miss it, too.”

“She said on that entertainment show his nickname should be ‘Tiny.’”

“Amy, she’s nuts. He’s definitely proportional.”

Her sister’s eyes lit up with glee again. Time for a subject change.

“Mom and Dad are still a little cautious around him,” Emily said.

“There’s nothing you can do. Just wait them out,” her sister advised. “They’ll get over it.”

“I don’t understand why they liked James and Dad is hesitant about Brandon. They had lunch, and Brandon said it went well. I thought Dad would warm up to him as a result, but it seems to be taking a little time.” Emily took a sip of her soda. “Brandon’s the better guy here. He makes me happy.”

“I think you’re worrying about this too much. Maybe you should talk to them.”

“I did. It was the same arguments. ‘He’ll ruin your career. Can’t you find someone at Seattle Opera to date? At least then he’d understand your schedule.’”

Emily rubbed her temples as Amy got to her feet. She knew her parents loved her, and they worried. She wondered how long it would take them to realize she’d made a good choice in Brandon.

“I have to do some stuff. You can help me,” Amy said. “Come on. You know you want to,” she teased. Amy dragged Emily into the refrigerated unit. A few minutes later, they were cleaning and preparing roses.

“Tell me what’s new with—Steve, isn’t it?”

“I dumped him. He was too clingy.” Amy pretended fascination with a thorn caught in her shears.

“There must be someone else you’d like to date.”

“Hell, no.” Amy brushed the debris into the garbage can below her worktable. “There was a guy at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. He’s a stockbroker. I don’t know what he was doing there.” She ran water in the sink to fill a bucket for the newly cleaned roses. “I heard he’s thinking about running for the City Council.”

“Eww, Amy. Not a politician.”

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