Page 51 of Riding the Curve

His boldness catches me off guard, just like all those years ago in my kitchen. Trembling with desire, I struggle to catch my breath. The intensity laced in each of his words is almost enough to make me come undone right there.

“Keep going, Hen. Before I climb in there and finish you off myself.”

A whimper slips free from the idea of his threat, making a deep rumble stir inside his chest. Though it would be amazing for him to follow through with said threat, we’re not there yet. I still don’t even know if I’m ready to let him in all the way yet.

As if he knows what I’m thinking, he answers.

“But you’re not ready for that and neither am I,” he says through gritted teeth. “Please, put me out of my misery. I’m barely hanging on here. Show me how you make yourself feel good, so when it’s time, I can do it the way you like.”

Holy hell.

Inhaling a deep breath, I resume.

Emerson’s lips part wide. His eyes track every moment with such intensity, it almost feels like it’s his own hands that are gliding over my body. Every muscle, every fiber of my being clenches under his gaze. I feel like I’m minutes away from melting under the heat.

“You’re doing so good, Trouble.”

His praise makes my toes curl, sending a lightning bolt of desire straight to my lower belly.

I’m so close. Sweat beads down my forehead as my hips begin to move at a faster pace. Chasing after the high that’s rapidly building.

“Take off the top,” he growls sternly. The force behind his words has me following his command in seconds.

Waves created by my movements cause my breasts to bob. His head drops and he groans toward the ground. “So fucking stunning. Jesus, Hen. . . you take my breath away.”

“Em—” I murmur. A haze of lust clouds my vision. My eyelids flutter close.

“That’s it, Henley. Let go for me.”

His words send me right over the edge and I plummet all the way down. Riding the wave all the way to the end.

“So damn perfect.” His faint whisper floats through the air, followed by a low groan.

I finally regain control over my limbs again and peel my eyes open to meet his. The lights of the spa reflect over his features. His jaw is taut, fingers still clutching the edge of the spa like his life depends on it. But his eyes? Long gone are the bright blue. They’ve been almost completely consumed by darkness, a heady dose of lust radiating out of them. When he wets his lips, my entire body shudders at the sight.

“Dammit,” he grumbles low, breaking eye contact and slowly stepping away from the spa. He runs a shaky hand through his locks as he speaks. “I-I need to go before I do something . . . I shouldn’t.”

The crunch of gravel echoes in my ears as he takes off toward his cabin. The slam of a door makes me jump. The lights in Emerson’s cabin come alive, but he quickly shuts the curtains.

Alone once more, I melt into the water, letting it cover me entirely.

I’m in so much trouble.

CHAPTER 20

Henley

“Oh, sweet Jesus,” Harper mumbles under her breath as I finish telling her what happened last night. Melody’s mouth hangs wide. Sinking back into her couch, I toss a pillow over my face to hide my embarrassment.

“I think I’m going to need something stronger than water for the rest of this conversation.” Harper heads to Mel’s kitchen and uncorks the bottle of wine we brought over.

When my alarm went off early this morning, I’d never been so thankful that Harper had asked me to open the bakery with her. That meant I didn’t have to run into Emerson.

As we worked, I told her I need a girls’ gathering again tonight. All day I’ve been on the edge of passing out, waiting to spill every detail about what happened. Which is exactly how we ended up in Mel’s apartment after we closed.

I lower the pillow from my face, hugging it against my chest. Mel sits cross-legged on her blue velvet armchair, giggling at my flustered expression. Harper hands her a full glass of wine, lifting her own to her upturned lips and taking a hearty sip.

“Now what are you going to do?” She snorts, plopping down beside me on the couch. She offers me her glass, but I shake my head. Alcohol was part of the trouble I got myself into last night.