Chapter 17

Emma"s heartwas still full of the day"s warmth and camaraderie as Dan"s truck pulled up to her home. The contrast between the cozy, unpretentious trailer where they"d dined and her own elegant, yet often too quiet house, struck her more than ever. She wasn"t ready to let go of the evening"s companionship.

"Would you like to come in for a bit?" Emma asked, her voice tinged with a hope that Dan would say yes.

He hesitated, then nodded. "Sure, that"d be nice," he replied, his voice holding a note of surprise and something else she couldn't quite place.

Inside, Emma led the way to the kitchen, her home suddenly feeling more welcoming than it had in a long time. "I must admit, I don"t know what you drink, and I don"t have a lot of choices. But I do have this," she said, pulling out a bottle of expensive red wine from Napa Valley.

Dan chuckled softly, leaning against the kitchen counter with an ease that belied his words. "Red"s fine by me. I"m more of a scotch and beer guy, though," he admitted. "Which you might have guessed."

Emma paused, her hand on the corkscrew. "Why? Because of the trailer and the junkyard? Your background?" she asked, her tone gentle yet probing.

"Yeah, my... heritage," Dan said, almost scoffing at the word.

Emma frowned slightly, pouring the wine into two glasses. She handed one to Dan, her eyes meeting his. "Dan, why do you put yourself and your family down? We can"t all be lawyers and doctors. I don't look down on blue-collar workers. Why do you?"

Dan took the glass, his fingers brushing against hers. He opened his mouth to reply, then closed it, seemingly at a loss for words. He took a sip of the wine, buying time as he processed her question.

Emma watched him, sensing his internal struggle. It pained her to see him grapple with these self-imposed barriers, these shadows of doubt that lingered in his mind. She wanted him to see the worth she saw in him, the strength and the integrity that went far beyond any societal label.

Dan took a shuddering breath and stared at the ruby liquid in his glass. She could see his Adam's apple bob. She wanted to comfort him but leaned back against the kitchen counter. Deliberately she took a sip of the wine and waited.

When he finally lifted his gaze, brown, painfilled orbs sucked her in and she had to fight not to go to him. This was Dan's decision.

He shifted uncomfortably, his gaze fixed somewhere beyond the room, as if he were looking back through the years to a time and place that had defined him. His gaze returned to hers. "When I was growing up, being labeled "white trash" was just part of life," he began, his words slow and deliberate. "The kids at school, they didn"t let you forget it. And the junkyard... well, it might as well have been a scarlet letter."

He paused, his hands flexing unconsciously, as if grappling with the memories. "I struggled with reading, you know. Dyslexia, they call it now. Back then, you were just slow and stupid. It didn"t matter that I could out-calculate anyone in math or that I was the first picked for any sports team. Words... they just danced around, mocking me."

Emma watched him, her heart aching at the raw honesty in his voice. She remained silent, offering a presence that she hoped was comforting. She could see the younger Dan in his posture, the boy who had to fight twice as hard for half the recognition.

"I worked my ass off, studying with Jake. My brother is younger, but so damn smart." A small, wistful smile flickered across Dan"s face. "But then... then there was her. Michaela. Cheerleader. Beautiful. Maybe I was just a young, dumb kid, but I thought we had something real."

He swallowed hard, the next words seeming to stick in his throat. "Asking her to prom, that was supposed to be my moment, you know? Instead, she crushed me. Said it was fun to fuck a bad boy in secret, but she wouldn"t be caught dead with white trash like me. That... that was the day I realized no matter how hard I fought, some barriers just wouldn"t break."

Emma"s hand moved before she thought about it, reaching out to touch his arm, a wordless gesture of solidarity. "What a bitch," she murmured, her voice tight with indignation.

Dan"s eyes snapped to hers, surprise flickering across his features. The moment stretched out, charged with an intensity that was new, yet not unwelcome. "Yeah. Anyway. I dropped out of school."

Emma"s fingers tightened around the edge of the kitchen counter, willing herself to stay still. She noticed the way Dan"s hands, usually so steady and sure, fidgeted with the wine glass.

"I got into construction right after. Started at the bottom, you know, hauling materials, cleaning up sites," Dan continued, his gaze drifting past Emma as if he were seeing the past laid out before him. "But I wanted more. I was always fascinated by how things worked, especially electricity."

He paused, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "So, I signed up for an apprenticeship. It wasn"t easy. The theoretical part was a nightmare, but I had help. My brother, Jake, he"d sit with me every night, going over the manuals, helping me make sense of it all."

Emma leaned in, her heart swelling with a mix of admiration and empathy. She watched as Dan"s shoulders squared, the familiar confidence she knew from the gym returning.

"I worked through it, step by step. The apprenticeship, journeyman"s license, and then,"—he paused, lifting his gaze to meet Emma"s—"I got my Master Electrician license. It was one of the proudest days of my life. I never looked back."

The kitchen seemed to hold its breath, the only sound the soft ticking of the wall clock. Emma saw the journey in Dan"s eyes—the struggle, the determination, and the triumph. He was inviting her to understand the very essence of who he was.

Now she bridged the distance, by pushing off the counter and offering her hand showing empathy, and encouraging him to continue. "You"ve built an incredible life," she said softly. "It"s not where you start; it"s where you end up, and you"ve come so far."

Dan"s face softened, a look of gratitude flickering across his features. For a moment, they shared a connection deeper than words, an understanding of battles fought and won, of paths taken not because they were easy, but because they were right.

She gripped his hand and silently marveled at the size and strength. "You know, Dan," she said, her voice soft yet firm, "it sounds to me like you never stopped looking back."

Their eyes locked, and in that moment, Emma hoped he could see not just the pity or sympathy, but the admiration and respect she felt for the man who had faced his demons and still stood strong before her. "I want you."

* * *

Dan"s heart raced as he gazed into Emma"s eyes. He was at a loss for words, but maybe he didn't need them. The air between them crackled with unspoken words and untapped emotions. He felt drawn to her, an inexplicable pull that he no longer wanted to resist.

He reached out, his hand gently encircling her arm, guiding her closer. Their bodies were mere inches apart now, and he could feel the warmth radiating from her. His other hand gently cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing her skin softly.

The world seemed to pause as he leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that felt both tentative and certain. The taste of the red wine lingered, blending with the unique sweetness that was Emma. Her lips were soft, yielding to his with a tenderness that sent a thrill through him.

He deepened the kiss, his tongue tentatively exploring, intertwining with hers. The sensation was intoxicating, a mixture of desire and a profound connection that he hadn"t felt in a long time. Every touch, every taste of her, felt like discovering a hidden treasure that he had been unknowingly searching for.

Theirs was an emotional union, bridging the gap between their worlds, their pasts, and their uncertainties.

As they finally broke apart, breathless and with their foreheads touching, Dan looked into Emma"s gray-green eyes. He saw something shift within her, a surrender to the moment, to the feelings they were both experiencing. There was a vulnerability there, but also a strength, a willingness to explore the unknown terrain of their growing bond.

"Do you want me as a man or as a Dom?"

Emma blinked and licked her swollen lips. A shy but impish smile curled the corners of her mouth. "Can I have both?" She paused meaningfully, made deliberate eye contact, and added, "Sir."

Fuck me sideways. "Absolutely." He rewarded her with a long, lingering kiss and ended it with a nip to her bottom lip.

"I'm going to get you a limits list and we'll discuss more later but right now I want you too, and I need you naked." Dan"s heart raced as he slowly unbuttoned Emma"s blouse, his fingers trembling with anticipation.

Emma"s breath hitched as he gently pushed her shirt aside, revealing her naked skin to his hungry gaze. Her nipples were hard, pressing against the fabric, begging for his attention.

Dan couldn"t resist the temptation, his mouth finding her nipple through the lace. He teased it with his lips, breathing in the scent of her arousal, before taking it into his mouth and suckling gently.

Her moan filled the room, mingling with the soft sounds of pleasure escaping her lips. She arched her back, her movements urging Dan to continue.

With newfound confidence, Dan reached behind her and undid the clasp of her bra, freeing her breasts. He gently cupped them in his hands, kneading them softly, feeling the weight of them against his palms.

Her breathing became labored, her body trembling with desire. She reached down, undoing the buttons of Dan"s jeans, her eyes locked on his.

As his pants fell to the floor, he lifted Emma onto the reclaimed wood table, their bodies pressed together. He positioned her so that she was sitting on the edge, her thighs spread wide, revealing her vulnerability.

Dan shifted his chair and when he sank down on the seat, his eyes feasted on her, his desire burning. He leaned forward between her thighs, his eyes never leaving hers.

With gentle strokes, Dan parted her lips with his tongue, exploring the depths of her womanhood. Emma"s breath hitched, her head thrown back, her moans escalating with each touch.

Dan"s tongue delved deeper, finding the sweet spot that sent shivers down her spine. He licked and sucked, his fingers joining in, stroking and caressing her, driving her closer to the brink of ecstasy.

Under his touch, Emma"s body trembled. Her moans became louder, more urgent. Her nails dug into Dan"s back, urging him to continue, to feed her pleasure.

Finally, with one final flick of his tongue, Emma reached the pinnacle of her pleasure, her body spasming in ecstasy. Her screams echoed through the room, a sound of pure bliss.

Dan continued his ministrations, bringing her back down slowly, savoring every nuance of her pleasure. Their bodies entwined, their hearts beat as one, their lovemaking a testament to the depth of their emotions.

In the aftermath of their intense encounter, they lay together, still trembling.

Emma pushed herself up on her elbows and stared down her body before meeting his eyes. "T-thank you. That was amazing. But what about you?"

He gave her a crooked smile. "I"m not done yet." He leaned in and kissed her forehead, then her neck. "Don"t move."

He sauntered over to where his jeans lay. After getting a condom, Dan shed the rest of his clothes. When he walked back, Emma was still leaning on her elbows. Something flickered in her eyes as her gaze roamed his body.

He leaned over Emma and kissed her deeply, wrapping his hand around the root of his cock to position himself at her entrance. With a measured stroke of his hips, he plunged inside, savoring the warm, wet heat enveloping his dick. Emma cried out, and he stilled cradling her face with his hands and resting his forehead to hers. "You feel so good, Sparks. Your greedy little cunt is gripping my cock like a fist. Damn, you"re tight."

Emma sighed, and slowly her muscles relaxed.

Dan pulled back and pushed back in. His movements were slow and deliberate as he savored the moment. He felt himself getting closer to pleasure. His balls drew up and his spine began to tingle. But he wasn"t letting go without taking her over the edge with him. Changing his angle to make room for his hand, he found the tiny bundle of nerves at the top of her entrance and wiggled the hood. He knew she was sensitive, and his hands were big and strong. With careful fingers he explored, gathering some moisture from her slit, and applying more pressure to her clit. He studied her face and grinned when her eyes rolled back in pleasure.

Right fucking there!

He pulled back and plunged back in, simultaneously rubbing her clit with slow but sure strokes.

Emma let out a deep moan as her body trembled in ecstasy. Pleasure radiated through Dan"s veins, as her breathing became heavier with each passing moment. She was about to explode, and he could sense it.

With each thrust, their connection deepened, their bodies moving in perfect sync as they found pleasure in each other"s embrace. The room was filled with the sounds of their moans and the rhythmic slapping of their bodies, a symphony of passion and desire that echoed against the walls.