Page 55 of Not Part of the Plan
“There are worse places,” Emma said, nibbling on his lower lip.
He growled darkly. “You deserve better, Emmaline. And I’m going to give it to you.”
She lost her breath again at that promise. “My house. Tomorrow night. Tonight,” she corrected looking up at the night sky. “Dinner. I’ll cook for you and then after—”
“I’ll make you very, very happy,” he promised. He pulled back slightly and stared up at the sky, swore. “Are you sure, Emma? I know you want to be friends, and I’ve got to admit, I’ve become pretty dependent on having you as a friend.”
“Niko, you’re driving an hour round-trip to buy a little boy you just met cereal that he had one time and loved. This after spending hours documenting the happiest day of my father’s life, all because I asked you to do it. You’re not just gorgeous on the outside. You’re beautiful on the inside, too, and I’d be an idiot to not take advantage of whatever time we have together.”
“Jesus, Emma. You gut me,” he said, resting his forehead on hers.
“Nikolai, you’re going to feel a lot more than gutted when I’m done with you.”
His erection flexed hard as steel against her belly at her words. “I’m worried I won’t survive you,” he admitted.
“There’s only one way to find out. Seven. Don’t be late. And you might want to catch a nap this afternoon so you’re rested up.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Emma congratulated herself on having had the foresight to take Monday off at the brewery. Originally, it had been in anticipation of a spectacular champagne and happiness hangover. But after a few hours of sleep, she’d woken hangover-free and excited. She was going to have sex with Nikolai Vulkov, and after that kiss last night—the one that had left her hot, breathless, and weak in the knees—she would need the day to prepare.
But first, she popped by McCafferty’s Farm Supply on the square. She had planned to pick up what was supposed to be just a few items of clothing for Reva and Caleb and somehow ended up with an entire wardrobe for them both.
She’d dropped them off at Jax and Joey’s and found Caleb snuggled on the couch with Waffles and a blanket.
“Hi!”
“Hey, Caleb. How’s it going?”
“Jax and Joey said I didn’t hafta go to school today since I was up so late last night. I had Marshmallow Munchies for breakfast, and they were the best ever!”
“That sounds like a really good day,” Emma agreed. “Is Jax or Joey here?” God, she hoped one of them was.
“Jax is in his office writin’ stuff. He made me grilled cheese for lunch!”
“Cool. Well, I’m going to go say hi to him. But first, I saw this and I thought you might like it.”
She pulled the stuffed pony out of one of the shopping bags and handed it over to him.
“For me?” he asked, incredulous. And her heart broke just a little bit for him.
“I thought you’d like it since you’re staying here with all the horses.”
“Wow! Thanks! What’s his name?” Caleb asked.
“You get to name him. He’s yours.”
“Hmm. Joe? No. Horsey? No.” His little face was serious as he examined the pony from ears to tail, trying on names for size. She left him to it and wandered around the staircase to Jax’s office.
He and Joey had added an addition to the cozy cabin that nearly doubled the square footage. The second floor now boasted four spacious bedrooms, while downstairs, Jax got a study for himself and Joey got a sunroom.
Emma knocked on the doorframe and watched Jax drag himself out of the story he was telling.
“Oh, hey,” he yawned, stretching his arms overhead. “Trouble at the brewery?”
“When have I ever brought you a problem I couldn’t handle?” Emma demanded, dumping the bags by the door.
“Good point. Are you clothing an army?” he asked, nodding at the bags.
