Page 26 of Throw Away the Key
“Yeah, I'm here all the time. Joy knows I use her office sometimes to take calls or to hide when I don't want to deal with crowds.”
“I know that feeling well.” As much as Emma enjoyed people, she was often overwhelmed and would need time to recharge after being exposed to large groups.
“Really? I didn’t think you were such an introvert.”
“I would say that I'm right on the line,” Emma shrugged. “Maybe I'm an ambivert, I don't know, but there are definitely times when I enjoy my solitude and other times when I like to connect. But I would say I'm more of an introvert because the people that I connect with are people that I know and want to connect with, not just random strangers.”
Sadie nodded. “I feel the same way. Well, come on, let’s go talk. It’ll be nice and quiet there.” She reached out before pulling her hand back, as if she was having an internal argument with herself. “I’ve got to chill,” she muttered and grasped Emma's wrist, her hand sliding into Emma’s as their fingers interlocked. Sadie tugged her toward the office.
Once inside, Sadie shut the door. “I've been trying to work up the nerve to talk to you, get you alone.”
The office had colorful prints framed and neatly arranged on one wall across from a large wooden desk with a leather desk chair and large black filing cabinets. A small sofa off to the side was covered in cartons and art shipping boxes.
“Okay, well, I'm all ears. What do you want to say?” Emma leaned against the desk, facing her. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited for Sadie to let her down easy, knowing that any attempt to be kind would just shatter her even more.
“I… I just,” Sadie stammered, pacing as she searched for the words. “Oh, fuck it.” She pressed herself against Emma, cupping her face in her hands as she kissed her, catching her by surprise.
The kiss was soft and warm. Emma melted into it, angling her head for more as she opened her mouth, allowing Sadie's tongue entrance. As the kiss deepened, their embrace tightened, Emma's hand roaming Sadie's back, pulling her closer. Sadie nibbled at Emma's bottom lip.
“Sometimes I express myself better by showing,” she murmured.
Emma’s lips brushed against Sadie's gently. “Yeah, I get it. Good talk,” she nodded. “Though you know I’m going to need you to use your words too, right?”
Her shoulders slumped in response. “I know. And I owe you an explanation, believe me I know. I’ve been practicing in the mirror the things that I’ve wanted to say to you, starting with an apology.”
Emma’s lips quirked at the corners. “You practiced apologizing? To me?”
“Well yeah, I can’t imagine how you must have felt when I didn’t get back in touch with you after… you know.” Her hand cupped the side of Emma’s face. “It was shitty of me to leave you in the dark like that.”
Emma pulled back to stare into those deep brown eyes. “What happened?”
“I just froze up. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten close to anyone, and I wasn't sure exactly what I was ready for. I should have communicated with you rather than shutting you out. I really am sorry.”
Emma watched Sadie’s face, wondering if she could trust what Sadie had shared when Joy’s words replayed in her mind.She just needs time to open up…“I suppose I could forgive you.”
“I would be grateful for your forgiveness.” Sadie's mouth found Emma's jawline, her throat, the lobe of her ear. The sultry rasps of her whispers made Emma squeeze her eyes shut and shiver. “There are things that I want to do to you that we shouldn't do here. Joy wouldn't be mad about it, but at the same time, I just don't want to mess up her event.”
“Well, I'm sure we could do some live depictions of strength and resilience, but I don't think that's what she was going for,” Emma joked.
Sadie laughed, her face in Emma's hair, breathing in her nutty vanilla scent mixed with amber. “You smell so damn good. Let's go back to the apartment.” She grabbed Emma's hand again, kissing her fingertips and knuckles, the palm of her hand and the inside of her wrist. “I wanna be able to take my time.”
Shockwaves reverberated through Emma’s body, heat pooling at her core. “So are we going to your place or mine?”
“Yours. You always have food.” Sadie’s eyes were hooded with lust, but they crinkled at the corners as her lips curved.
Emma grinned and cackled. “Okay, good point, but we need to really have you work on that.”
“Deal.” Sadie sealed her promise with one more scorching kiss that left Emma breathless and dripping wet, squeezing her thighs together to prevent herself from laying back and spreading it wide on Joy’s perfectly organized desk. Sadiesqueezed her hand, a knowing look in her molten gaze as she tugged her through the door.
Back in the gallery, they rounded the corner and found Joy and Granny together, chatting like old friends, Granny giving her observations about the colors and the meaning behind different stances of the characters depicted in Joy’s art. Marion’s arm was looped in Joy’s, and Sheena bounced around the room to different friend groups, clearly the proud partner of the famous artist, her eyes full of love as they trained on the pair as they made their rounds.
Sadie still had a hold of Emma’s hand as they approached the two. “Hey Granny, I think we're going to leave.”
Ms. Marion nodded. “No problem, I'll walk out with y'all.” Joy nodded and led the way toward the front to retrieve their coats.
“Are you sure you’re ready to leave, Granny?” Emma asked worriedly.
“Yeah, this is good timing–I've got a ride coming,” she smiled knowingly, smoothing her hair and grabbing her lipstick to reapply.
