Page 48 of Emma & Edmund

She had always known he was strong, but the unflinching hold he had on her took her breath away. That and the plush softness of his lips, and how incredible the pressure felt. The fire that it sent through her fueled her burning core.

His tongue swiped an experimental taste across her lips, lulling Emma into granting access.

She knew what came next, had the knowledge brought to her after meeting Edmund. Prior, there would be no chance she would understand the hardness pressing into her hip, or how dangerously delicious it'll be when he finally sheds her of her oppressive clothes. As if he could read her mind, while he explored with his lips and tongue, Edmund's hands found the hem of her shirt.

And this time, it would all bereal.

Reason dawned on her like a punch in the gut. Just moments ago, she was told the one holding her close wasn't human, not even a chance of it, and while she had intended to comfort him, this was far from friendly comfort. There was even a small rip as Edmund clutched her hips with too much enthusiasm.

"No!" Emma ripped her face away, pushing Edmund off her, stumbling away without his support. Distantly, she realized that he could have easily foiled her without much struggle, but as she caught her breath, Emma watched in real-time as Edmund remembered himself as well.

"Emma, I am so-"

"No, no," Emma stopped him, backing against the kitchen counter as he took a step towards her, "don't come any closer. I need to think."

Edmund paused mid-step, brow low and chest rapidly expanding and contracting, but stopped, nonetheless. Splaying his hands emphatically, he implored, "Please just let me apologize."

But poor Emma, staring at Edmund's splayed arms, desperately trying not to look at his still-obvious excitement, could only think of how much she wanted to throw herself into his embrace. If nothing more than to see if it is anything like her dreams. If only to sedate this still-burning desire ripping through her.

With the final shred of her dignity, Emma spun around and dashed out the still-open door. She needed air, she needed reality.

The moon’s glow beating down on her was real, the calling of bats and skittering of the critters was grounding, and only when the misty air hit did her heated skin finally find relief.

"Emma! Please let me apologize!"

"It's all right, you don't need to-"

"Yes, I do!" He interrupted forcefully, stopping her with a grasp to her elbow, catching up easily. "I took advantage of your good nature and was about to-"

"Edmund, it's-"

"If you hadn't stopped me, I would have-"

"It's not-"

"I even considered not stopping. Emma, if I had-"

"It wouldn't be the first time!"

The words shocked them both, Emma clamping both hands over her treacherous mouth as Edmund gaped at her, moonlight dancing off his furrowed brow, heavy with confusion.

"I would hope I'd remember a previous transgression."

With just the gentle prodding, the floodgates of truth burst open.

"You havehauntedmy dreams for weeks! I've kissed you, I've held you. But not the actual, flesh and blood you. Until now. And now it's all so familiar and so much better yet so much worse..."

Emma threw her face into her palms, wanting to cry but the tears never came, wanting to scream but the sound never bubbled. A blush burned her cheeks, knowing she had shouted nearly every word. She wanted nothing more than the Earth to open up and swallow her whole, taking her embarrassing existence with her.

Until she was, for the second time that day, wrapped in two unnaturally strong arms. Edmund's heartbeat rang loudly in her ears, her face cradled in his chest. A wave of his scent filled her nose.

"Emma." His voice was smooth as butter, low as a hum.

"Mm," she groaned, shaking her head into his shirt, refusing to lift her head even as she unwittingly relaxed in his hold.

"Emma, look at me." Edmund slipped two fingers under her chin and Emma didn't resist him.

When she finally managed to gather the courage to open her eyes, her vision was filled with him. Edmund's kind eyes, his inky loose hair, his broad face. Every bit of him that she had come to know. "Please tell me what you mean."

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