Chapter 18

Emma

You feel so fucking familiar to me.

S late’s words played over and over in my head while we kissed like teenagers right there in the living room. The truth was that he felt familiar to me too and it had almost nothing to do with the fact that I knew we weren’t strangers. It wasn’t his kisses or his body, though those were familiar too, that made him feel like home to me. It was his heart and his spirit, the way he made me feel.

I didn’t have a response for him so I kissed him again, poured my heart and my soul into the kiss, hoping that when he learned the truth he wouldn’t toss me out and run in the opposite direction. I sighed and tilted my head back when his fingers tangled in my hair, offering up more of my mouth for him to devour.

Vibrations started between us, which wasn’t unusual because I always felt a little buzzy when Slate was close to me. Being with him in the kitchen the other night was explosive, it was beautiful, it was everything I never thought I’d feel again.

“I think that’s you,” he murmured against my mouth.

I smiled and nibbled his bottom lip as the vibrations stopped and then started up again. Vibrations. Buzzy. “Oh.”

Slate laughed against me and took a step back though his fingers were still tangled in my hair. “Yep.”

My shoulders sagged with heavy disappointment that I wouldn’t get to finish that kiss and what came next. “Okay,” I said to myself to shake off the lust when the phone started buzzing again. I frowned and answered immediately. “Sara, what’s going on?”

“Oh my god, you are alive!” Her shouted words and anxious tone put me on edge immediately.

“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” I looked at Slate and frowned.

“Oh, gee, I don’t know, maybe because you haven’t been answering your damn phone and the douche-wagon’s brother showed up at my office!”

“Mark?”

Sara laughed and I realized how much I missed that sound, how much I missed my best friend. “Unless you know another douche-wagon, yeah. The fucking jerk was saying all kinds of shit, oh shit, oops is Ash listening?”

“Too late if she was,” I laughed at her sailor’s mouth. “Sorry about Mark and I’m sorry that I haven’t called sooner. I wanted to keep all of this away from you for, well because you’re my best friend and I don’t want you tangled up in this mess. But,” I sighed and looked at Slate once more. “Alex has gone missing. It’s been more than a week now. I’ve been questioned by the cops and now Mark is convinced I did something to him.”

“Holy. Shit.” She laughed wickedly and I even heard her clapping her hands. “I know you didn’t do anything because you didn’t call me to help you get rid of the body.”

A cold chill ran through me, and I tried to keep my tone light as I said, “Well please don’t say that to anyone else.”

“Jesus, I was just joking.” Sara was quiet for a long minute. “You know, you should have called me.”

“I know but I didn’t realize this was going to turn into such a mess. I wanted to protect you.” It sounded weak even to me.

“While I appreciate that, don’t do that shit again Em. Got it?” Before I answered she pushed forward. “You’re not at the house.” It wasn’t a question.

“No,” I hesitated. “I’ve been staying with a friend.”

I took a deep breath and explained the whole damn thing about Mark showing up and that I’d called on a friend to help and was staying with them. Sara listened in silence as I gave a very edited summary of the past week and a half ending with, “So, that’s pretty much everything.”

“Oh no, sister. That’s nowhere near a good enough answer. Who is this friend? How do you know them since we’re playing the pronoun game?”

“It’s a long story and I’ll tell you in person. Soon.” I couldn’t tell her with Slate listening because I hadn’t told him. Yet. I’m going to , I promised myself.

“Drop me a pin and I’ll be there in twenty minutes or less. Is Ash around?”

“She’s on a playdate right now,” I answered the easy part first. “I’ll come to you,” I insisted.

“Why?”

“Because my friend is an attractive man, and I don’t want you to embarrass me.” That was as close to the truth as I would admit. “I’ll see you soon.” I ended the call before Sara could convince me to tell her where I was and flashed a sad smile at Slate. “I should go because if I don’t, she’ll hunt us down and we’re already taking over your house.”

He smiled, nodding his understanding. “I don’t mind but I do understand. You want girl talk in private.”

“Yeah, and she’s not Alex’s biggest fan.”

“Plus you have to give her all the details of your handsome friend. ”

I rolled my eyes as he laughed. “I believe I said attractive.” Though insanely hot would be the most accurate response.

“It’s okay. We can pick this up later.” His grip tightened on the hair at the nape of my neck, and he pulled me close before planting a searing hot kiss against my lips. It was hot and hard and so fucking intense that it left me breathless.

My fingers wrapped around his shirt as if I was afraid he would vanish if I let go and I pushed onto my toes, hungry for more of him.

Slate’s hands gripped my ass and lifted me. My legs wrapped around him automatically and his cock was long and hard right where I wanted him. He moaned and then I moaned. “Emma,” he growled when he tore his lips from mine. “You have to go.”

“I do,” I answered with a disappointed sigh. “Later?”

He smiled. “Later.” It was a promise, one I could look forward to cashing in.