Page 86 of That One Night
As soon as she heard the creak of her mom’s bedroom floorboards, followed by the groan of the springs in her mattress, Emery slid her feet into her sandals and checked herself in the mirror by the door.
She’d put on a dress and curled her hair while her mom had napped earlier. Her mom had said something about her always looking nice in a dress, but hadn’t asked her why she had one on.
The truth was, she wanted to look pretty. Wanted to dress up. She’d never felt more feminine than she did now that she’d finally taken control of her life. She felt powerful and attractive.
And stupidly hot at the thought of being in Hendrix’s arms again. The man made her ache from the inside out.
The chickens had put themselves to bed in the coop earlier, as tired of the heat as she was. They barely looked up when Emery peeked her head around the door to check on them. Opening the little boarded window above the door, so the nightair could provide some ventilation, she topped up their water with some ice cubes from the outdoor freezer, then locked the door closed behind her, turning her head to make sure her mom’s curtains were closed.
They were.
Frank didn’t even lift his head when she walked past him. So instead she reached down to ruffle his fur. “Hey cutie.”
He lifted an eyelid, then closed it again, like he was way more interested in sleeping than flirting with her tonight.
Anticipation raced through her as she lifted her hand and rapped her knuckles on his door. She’d barely pulled her hand away before the door was wrenched open and Hendrix scooped her into his arms, making her giggle as he carried her inside like he was some kind of Neanderthal.
“Is this how you greet all your visitors?” she asked him, loving the way his hard muscled arms held her tightly against his chest. Her sandals fell from her feet, clattering on his wooden floor.
He grinned at her. He was freshly shaved, in a pair of jeans and a clean t-shirt. Her stomach did a little twist at just how handsome this man was.
“I don’t get a lot of visitors,” he told her. “So no.”
“Your mom was here this morning,” she pointed out.
“And you know I didn’t pick her up like this.” He pressed his mouth against hers, like he couldn’t stop himself from kissing her. His happiness at seeing her was so plain on his face. “Do you know how much I hate you having to sneak over here?” he asked her, gently letting go of her so her feet were back on the ground.
“You want me to go home?” she teased, reaching up to muss his hair.
He shook his head. “I just want to be able to come over and pick you up. It doesn’t feel right that you have to make sure nobody sees you walking over.”
“You can do that next week,” she told him.
“Won’t your mom get suspicious?”
She took a deep breath. “I called Trenton today. Told him I’m sick of this. I’m telling Mom it’s over on Monday. And after that, I don’t care who finds out.”
He blinked, looking pleased. “How did he take that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. He didn’t answer so I left him a voicemail.” Her eyes met his. “But I don’t care, either.”
That was the truth. She couldn’t make everybody in the world happy. No matter how good she tried to be. All she could worry about were the people she allowed into her life.
People like her mom, who’d get over the upset. And Hendrix, who right now was reaching for her, pulling her into his arms and kissing her until her legs felt weak.
“And you’re okay with people knowing about us?” he asked her when they finally parted to get some air.
“I’m absolutely okay with it.” She jutted her chin out and a smile played at his lips.
“When did you get so damn brave?”
“I guess staying here has given me a lot of time to think. About what I want in life. About how I’m the only one who’s been holding me back.” Her eyes met his. “I know this thing between us is still at the beginning. And I know me going back to work next month will complicate things.”
“It won’t complicate things. Charleston isn’t that far away.”
“Far enough when you’re a farmer,” she murmured. She took a breath. “But if you want me…”
“Of course I want you.” His eyes were dark. “There’s no question about that.”
