“We’re not together.” I tell him quietly. “Not for now.”

“Good.” Emerson’s eyes flash. “Because if you think I’m letting him touch you, after this…”

I giggle.

His expression darkens. “What’s so funny?”

“You.” I grin, that amazing calm afterglow still flooding my system. “Think I could… that I would do this, with him, after…” I trail off, looking around. “Shit!” I exclaim, seeing the mess. “What did we do to this place?” The floor is covered with cans and packets of food we must have sent tumbling from the shelves as we slammed up against them.

Emerson grins. “Yeah, I had more important things on my mind.”

I laugh, and lean up to kiss him gently on the lips. Emerson captures my mouth, deep and slow, and brings his hand to cup my cheek, the rough pad of his thumb stroking my cheek as I sink into his kiss.

This, right here. It’s all I ever wanted. It’s everything.

There’s a noise. I break away and look up in time to see the door swing open. The storage room is flooded with light as someone steps inside. Brit. She’s got her hair pulled back and an apron over a cut-off T and mini-skirt.

“What the f**k?” She gapes at us, tangled half-naked on the floor.

I let out a yelp of embarrassment and scramble for my shirt.

“Get out!” Emerson yells out in anger. He leaps to his feet, grabbing to zip up his fly.

Brit backs out of the room, looking horrified. “Sorry!” She yelps, and slams the door shut again.

I tug my bikini and T-shirt back in place, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. Oh God, how much did she see?!

There’s tap on the door, and then Brit’s voice comes again, nervous. “Um, Em? There’s a bunch of guys waiting at the bar, and I’m not old enough to serve them beers…”

“Just keep them busy, I’ll be right out!” Emerson calls back. He turns to me, looking sheepish. “Uh, sorry about that. I forgot this door doesn’t lock.”

“You think?!” I exclaim. I make sure everything’s covered, and catch my breath.

“I better get out there before they start to riot.” He starts towards the door. I prepare to follow him.

“How do I look?” I ask. My cheeks are still burning when I think about Brit walking in like that. Hell, she’s probably told everyone in the bar by now!

“Like I’ve just been doing unspeakable things to you.” Emerson says with a wicked gleam in his eye.

“No!” I yelp, patting frantically at my hair – now tangled and messy.

He laughs. “Relax, you look great. Always.”

Emerson holds his hand out to me. I look at it for a split-second, amazed that after everything, I’ve wound up here. A week ago, I would have laughed at anyone saying I’d be back in Emerson’s arms—or on my knees in a storage closet. I would have said they were crazy, that I would never be so reckless and stupid and backwards. But here I am, and I don’t feel any of those things.

I feel free.

I take Emerson’s hand and follow him back out into the bar. I’m blushing, certain everyone will be able to tell what we were just doing, but nobody even turns in our direction.

“What time do you get off?” I ask, twisting Emerson’s fingers in mine. It’s crazy, I still can taste him in my mouth, but I already want him again—for real this time. All the way.

“You tell me.” Emerson grins, and I can tell from the dark flash in his eyes that he’s thinking the same thing. He leans in close, lips softly scratching my earlobe as he whispers in a low, seductive drawl. “I can have this place shut down in five minutes. Just say the word.”

I feel a shiver of excitement, but I know I need some breathing room. Time to process what just happened in there. I step back, lightly planting my hands on the broad planes of his chest. “No, finish up here. Come over when your shift’s done.”

“Yes ma’am.”

I start to walk away, but Emerson grabs my arm and yanks me back. Before I can think, he takes me in his arms and dips me low to the floor, capturing my mouth in a scorching kiss. I can hear the sound of whoops and whistling around us. Then Emerson lifts me up again, setting me back on my feet. I blink at him a moment, breathless and dizzy.

He winks at me. “See you later.”

I nod dumbly. I don’t know how I manage to turn and walk away, but somehow, I make it back out to the car. I open the door and slip into the driver’s seat, my head still reeling from that heart-stopping kiss.

God, but that man can kiss.

And do a whole lot more besides…

My mind flashes back to the storage closet, and his mouth closed over my nipple; his fingers driving me insane. I sink lower in my seat, flushing hot just at the thought of it—of what I did to him!

And what I want to do to him, tonight…

Later.

I shake it off and start the engine, but even as I crank the radio loud and drive back towards the beach house, I can’t stop the grin of pure satisfaction from spreading across my face, so wide my cheeks almost hurt. I feel like a kid the night before Christmas, full of nervous anticipation and excitement for what’s to come. Except Emerson isn’t just a Christmas present to unwrap, he’s birthdays, and holidays, and summer vacation all rolled up into one: every good thing to look forward to, waiting for me.

Tonight.

* * *