Page 92 of Resisting the Temptation
That’s when it hits me.
“You have this mountain range on a stamp on your left arm, right?”
Emma nods. “Yeah. Snow Canyon. I also have the Wasatch Mountains and the opening to Big Cottonwood Canyon on stamps.” She points to all three scattered on her left arm. “Even though my family is shitty, the state holds a lot of fond memories and importance. I wanted to be able to take a piece of it with me wherever I go.”
“That’s beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever asked what your tattoos mean. I assume the arrow and mountains on your shoulder with the dates is for Andy?”
Emma smiles. “Yeah. It was my first tattoo, along with his signature in white ink. I had an artist go over it in black a few years ago.” She holds her arm out and shows me a signature nestled between a pinecone and a snake. “I don’t have a lot of tattoos thatmeansomething. I just like having art on my body. Some pieces have a special meaning—like the stamps—but most don’t.”
“Which other ones mean something to you?”
“The hummingbird in my sleeve is for my grandparents. They had a bunch of feeders on their porch, and we’d spend hours watching them through the window. The butterfly above my knee is colored in the bisexual flag colors—and for me—represents a transformation. It was one of the first tattoos I got after I moved out of Utah and felt like I could truly be my authentic self.”
“That’s beautiful. Should I start calling youmariposa?” I tease.
Emma scrunches her nose. “Please don’t. Morgan calls Hannah ‘Butterfly,’ and I think it would be weird to have the same nickname.”
“All right.Dulzurait is.”
“You’ve never told me what it means.”
“It means ‘sweetness.’ I knew from the moment we met you’d be the sweetest submissive I’ve ever been with, and I was right.” I give her a wink and even though she rolls her eyes, her cheeks get a little pink.
Conversation dies off as we inch closer to her hometown, and the anxiety rolls off of her in waves. I hate seeing her like this. Coming back to the place she grew up should be joyful and exciting, not something that makes her nervous.
I wish I were better with words so I could comfort her better, but I’m not, so I do the only thing I can think of.
I reach across the console and gently grip her hand, intertwining our fingers together before bringing her hand up to my mouth to kiss the back of it. She doesn’t pull away, so I keep her hand in my lap.
I follow the map to the hotel, and when we get there, I begrudgingly let her hand go so I can go check in.
This time, Idoget a room with two beds—even if I really don’t want to.
Chapter 45
Emma
The next morning, after a fitful night of sleep I’m claiming is due to anxiety from having to see my mother—notbecause Ben and I didn’t share a bed—I’m getting ready to take Ben to one of my favorite coffee shops when my phone rings.
I groan seeing my mom’s name flash across my phone.
Speak of the devil, and she will appear.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Your cousins are meeting today at two to go over the musical number for the funeral on Friday.”
I roll my eyes.Yeah, I got here safely. No, I only planned to show Ben around today, so I can for sure make it. Thanks for letting me know in advance.
“Okay. At Grandpa’s church?”
“Yes. Are you sure you remember where it is? It’s been a long time since you stepped foot in there.”
“Unless they moved it in the last seven years, I remember.” I barely hold in the sigh that wants to escape.
“Good. Then after, you and your…friendcan meet us for dinner. We’re thinking Hughes. They just opened a location in Cottonwood Heights.”
Fantastic.
