Running Scared, page 13
“For God’s sake, you lot,” Emma growled, “Stop clowning around.”
“But Em...”
“Clay, get over here,” she grumbled, “Pru needs you with her. Hold her hand or something!” She looked up to see all five men looking very guilty, but didn’t have time to ponder over why.
“Oh—my—God!” Pru screamed, at the same time almost crushing Clay’s hand with her grip.
“Twenty seconds!” Emma shouted. “Where’s that goddamned ambulance!” She looked up to see Gary smiling and couldn’t fathom why.
As he looked down at her, he knew he was smirking but just couldn’t help himself. She was so damned—what? Competent? Nah! Bossy? Yeah, a bit. Mostly though, she looked just, well, typical Em. Just doing what had to be done, and if that meant pushing the sleeves up on her wedding dress and delivering a baby, well, so be it!
“Well, don’t just stand there, husband!” she yelled at him, smiling slightly. “Get that goddamned lounger!”
Husband? Hell yeah! Jeez that sounds nice. Husband.
“Earth to Gary! Lounger needed urgently!”
“What?” He jumped as he heard his name. “Oh! Sorry, I was a million light years away!” He chuckled at his own mirth.
“Honestly Gary, this is not a laughing matter.”
Gary and Finn gently lifted Pru up onto the lounger, while Clay stood holding her hand, looking very concerned.
“Emma, I’m so sorry,” Pru told her.
“For what? Going into labor?” Emma ran her finger gently down Peru’s cheek. “Don’t you worry about a thing. Just concentrate on having this baby. Just...”
“Just what?” Pru interrupted.
Emma laughed. “Preferably not here!”
They all breathed a sigh of relief when they heard the ambulance siren coming down the drive.
*
Emma, still in her wedding dress, sat back in the recliner and sighed. Twisting her hands in her lap, she stared at the group assembled.
Looking across at her new husband, Emma’s eyes scorched him with her gaze. The second he saw her tongue skim across those beautiful lips, he knew the time of reckoning had arrived.
“So,” she said, as she slid forward on her seat yet again. “Who wants to tell me what’s going on?”
“Going on?” Gary asked as innocently as he could muster. “A wedding, that’s what’s going on—time to celebrate.” He leaned forward and began to push himself off his chair.
“Oh, no you don’t! Not this time!” Emma informed him. “I want—no—I demand to know what’s going on. David had a gun for God’s sake!” She pursed her lips in a way that left no one in any doubt that this certainly was not the end of the conversation.
Gary sighed, looked around the room, and decided there was just no way out. Bite the bullet, Bedford, he told himself solemnly. Time to reveal all.
“Em, I want you to meet a few people,” Gary told her, rising slowly to his feet. He quickly elaborated, noting her puzzled expression. “David Connelly, Detective Senior Sergeant and bodyguard extraordinaire, except when his assignment is as slippery as a snake!”
David stood and took a bow.
“I knew it. I just knew it!” Emma shouted with glee. “You’re the worst receptionist I’ve ever had. Er, sorry.”
“Detective Senior Sergeant Jacob ‘Jake’ Ramsay—friend and undercover cop,” Gary continued. Emma’s mouth dropped open. “Mind you, your sharp eyes picked him up staking out the clinic.”
“I was right! I was certain it was you, until David made me doubt myself.”
Gary watched as Emma’s lips formed a tight line. Boy, was she ever upset!
“Detective Sergeant Peter Carson—another friend, another undercover cop. Finn Bedford, former cop, now Private Investigator.”
Finn stood and took his cue. “Emma, sweetheart,” he said, taking her hands in his. “We were worried about you. This was the best way to protect you.” He sat down again looking very guilty indeed.
“Clay’s not here but...”
Emma’s eyes were wide with astonishment. “Clay?” She jumped up out of her seat. “Clay’s a cop too?” she screamed, barely under control.
“Nope, PI, same as Finn. Dad too, but he’s retired now. Family business,” Gary explained.
“I think you’re forgetting someone.” Emma was livid, her face was flushed, and Gary thought she would explode.
“Hmmm?”
“What about Gary Bedford?” Emma demanded, her voice wavering on the point of anger. “I knew you were too damned good at searching things to be just plain old ordinary Gary Bedford the farmer,” she bit out at him.
“I never said I was, you assumed that!”
“But you let me, damn it!” Tears of anger were beginning to well in her eyes. “You let me,” she quietly added.
Emma suddenly turned and ran up the stairs, leaving everyone in her wake to stare after her.
“How many times did we ask you to tell her Bro?” Finn added, as Emma was out of sight.
“Jesus!” Gary pounded his fist into his hand. “Em!” he yelled, trailing behind her.
*
Emma had pulled the suitcase out of the cupboard, and had so far thrown in only a handful of essentials, like lacy bras and undies, when Gary stormed into the room.
He walked over and put his arms around Emma, trying to soothe her. She shoved him away, but he quickly embraced her again. Oh boy—was she ever furious!
She brushed an angry tear away as she twisted out of his grip once more.
Gary stood silently while Emma continued to throw her clothes in the suitcase. When she turned away, he pulled them out again.
Emma glanced over her shoulder. Silently, but determined, she bent down and threw her clothes back into the suitcase. Gary quickly removed them again.
“Go away, whoever you are!” she snapped at him. “Just, just, get out of my life!”
This wasn’t working, he decided, so tried another tack.
“Em,” he said softly, and began to run his fingers deftly along her spine. “We were trying to help.” He leaned forward and dropped a soft kiss on her bare neck.
“Really? And what do I call you?” she snapped.
Emma’s tone was off-putting, but Gary knew he had to push on. If she left, she’d probably never return.
“Detective Inspector.” He gave her a little salute and a sheepish smile.
“Please tell me you’re not undercover, too?” She looked worried.
“At your service!” he said, as he saluted again. Gary decided he was finally winning her over. If he just kept on running his fingers up and down her back...
Emma looked up at him and saw the glimmer of amusement in his eyes and gave him a hard, quick shove, trying to push him away. Gary stood his ground and grinned at her.
“This is not a joke...” she began angrily, and then slow tears trickled down her face.
Gary pulled Emma close and gently hugged her.
“We had to protect you, Em.” He tightened his grip on her. “It’s all my fault, I thought it was better this way.”
They stood entwined, as Emma cried against his chest, until she realized he had almost won her over. Forming her fists into tight little balls, she once again gave him a hard punch, this time to the stomach, and this time with much more impact.
“God, Emma,” Gary was taken off guard and a little breathless. “I wanted to help.”
Emma knew he was doing what he thought was best, but he was just so damned infuriating sometimes. Why couldn’t he just come out and tell her?
“Em?”
When she still didn’t answer, he began to drop light kisses across her shoulders. He lifted her chin, forcing Emma to look up at him.
“You’re hair looks good, Mrs. Bedford,” he whispered as he ran his fingers indulgently though her new blonde locks.
As much as she wanted to stay mad at him, she just couldn’t, and Emma’s arms soon slid up around Gary’s neck, and before long the argument was nearly forgotten.
Trouble was, they agreed, there was a room full of people waiting downstairs.
“Oh well, there’s always tonight,” Emma sighed.
“Can’t wait,” he whispered in her ear.
*
They were cutting the cake when Finn’s mobile rang.
“It’s a girl!” he called out. “Yeah, righto. Hey, Clay—congratulations, Dad!” he said, right before he signed off.
“What’s her name?” Missy asked.
“How big was she?” Naomi wanted to know.
Finn rubbed his chin. “Dunno to both questions. Forgot to ask.”
“Isn’t that just like a man?” Emma laughed.
*
Thinking over the discussion of earlier, Emma realized that Gary really was only thinking about her safety when he was keeping secrets from her.
“What about that call in the middle of the night?” she suddenly asked Gary when they were sitting at the bridal table.
“What?” He was taken off guard and it took a minute for the penny to drop. “Oh! That was Pete. I needed him to do some digging for me.”
“And did he come up with a bone?” Emma asked seriously.
“Yeah. I’ll tell you some other time.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. “This is neither the time nor the place.” He reached over and laid his arm across Emma’s shoulders, pulling her protectively to him.
“I’m going to be busy later tonight,” she promised. “Maybe tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” he sheepishly agreed, “Maybe tomorrow.”
*
“Put me down!” Emma demanded, as Gary scooped her up.
They stood on the veranda, watching the last of their wedding guests disappear down the driveway.
“And deprive me of the opportunity to carry my bride across the threshold?”
Emma reached out and cupped his cheeks with her soft hands, then kissed him on the lips. Gary deepened the kiss, and Emma’s arms slid around his neck.
“Hadn’t we better go inside?” he heard her whisper above his quickened breathing. As their eyes met, the flame of mutual desire flickered between them.
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” Emma told him as he locked the door behind them.
“And I’ve got one for you, too.” He set Emma back on her feet and grabbing her by the hand, pulled her toward the stairs.
“Wait!”
Gary lingered impatiently, as Emma leaned down and pulled off her high-heeled shoes.
“Here, let me help,” he offered, not unselfishly, and began to undo the buttons cascading down the back of Emma’s wedding dress.
She started to protest, but Gary lifted a finger to her lips. He stood behind her, unfastening the tiny buttons, and as his fingers played along the sensual material, he felt his control begin to waiver.
“What are you wearing under here?” he asked huskily.
“That little white lacy see-though bra you love, the one with the velvety patches,” she whispered. “And the matching knickers.”
“Oh God!” he groaned. Only halfway done with the buttons, Gary was growing steadily impatient and tried to slide his hands underneath the dress.
Emma reached up and playfully slapped his fingers. “Maybe I should ring Finn and get him to bring Sally back,” she mockingly suggested.
“No way, Mrs. Bedford.” He momentarily lifted his lips from her bare shoulder, his nimble fingers attempting to once again open the fastenings. “I’ve been tortured all day waiting for this.” He spun her around and let the dress slide to the floor. Gary groaned as he saw the flimsy petticoat covering her body.
“Let’s get rid of this,” he suggested, and dragged it up over her head. His eyes roamed lazily over Emma’s scantily covered body. As she settled her hands on Gary’s shirtfront, Emma licked her lips. Gary’s hands swiftly covered Emma’s, and he lifted them slowly to his lips.
“Let’s go upstairs.” His voice was deep and husky as again their eyes met. Emma slowly nodded her agreement.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Emma began to run ahead. “I’ll, uh, just be a minute.”
She disappeared into the bathroom leaving Gary to surmise he was to stay put, and was impatiently tapping his foot when Emma returned. He followed her into the bedroom, and Emma added Frankincense, Ylang Ylang and Bergamot essential oils to a burner.
She lit the candle under the oils, and Gary’s arms slid around her body. Emma leaned back against him and breathed deeply; absorbing the fragrance she had just mixed.
As she turned to face her husband, Emma again breathed deeply, this time inhaling a totally different fragrance. This was blatantly male. Blatantly Gary. Blatantly sexy.
“What are you up to now?” he queried, as the water ran in the spa, and Gary lightly brushed his lips across Emma’s.
“I’m filling the spa, the rest you’ll find out later,” she promised, and envisaged his imagination going wild at the mere suggestion.
He lifted her hand and held it against his cheek. He let it slide to his lips and kissed her fingers one by one, finally taking one of Emma’s fingers into his mouth and gently sucking.
“Oh—my—God!” she shakily whispered. Her control flew out the window as she pressed against him with her half-naked body as close as she possibly could and felt his arousal push against her.
Her other hand came up and began to undo the buttons of Gary’s silk shirt.
“This shirt is very... Mmmm, sexy.” She moved forward, running her tongue lingeringly over the now exposed parts of his chest.
“My God, Em.” His words were forced.
She lifted her eyes to look up into his face. Gary’s were closed, the muscles of his cheeks tensed as he fought to regain control over his emotions.
Emma tried in vain to continue unfastening his buttons, but her fingers were now so shaky she just couldn’t do it. Gary’s fingers covered hers, and he finished what she had found so difficult.
He quickly removed his shirt and belt, and braced himself when he felt her fingers move to his zipper. She slowly slid it downward, and he groaned loudly.
Emma started to pull away, but his arm slipped around her waist and pulled her back.
“I have to go—just for a minute,” she said, and he relaxed his grip.
Emma returned shortly, taking Gary by the hand and pulling him after her.
Gary looked around the darkened bathroom as he entered. Emma had several oil burners alight—the reflection of dancing flames created an added air of romance. He breathed deeply, and tried to define the scents surrounding him.
It had taken some time to become accustomed to the aromatic oils Emma used, but now Gary was happy to have them in his life—especially the more erotic ones. And he had a sneaking suspicion these could be just that. Not that he needed them tonight.
Emma was suddenly standing before him, shadows flickering across her blonde hair. He reached out and brushed it behind her ears as he gazed into her face. She looked more relaxed than before, the fine lines on her face seemed to have disappeared, and her eyes were wide with anticipation. Her tiny nose suited her face perfectly, and Emma’s lips were full and beautiful.
Gary moved forward and ran his tongue along her ear, then unhurriedly, let it dance down her neck. His hands slid smoothly up her back, deftly unclipped her tantalizing lace bra which he removed with practiced precision, and dropped it to the floor.
His mouth continued its downward trail, finding solace in the tight little buds of her well-formed breasts. Gently suckling, he lightly gripped the waistband of her tiny knickers, and gradually slid them to the floor as he continued his sensual exploration.
Emma reciprocated by tugging at Gary’s hip-high briefs, which bulged with his arousal. As they stepped out of their underwear almost in unison, they silently walked toward the spa hand in hand and stepped into the water.
They sat in comfortable silence, Emma simply contemplating him and her life, until Gary’s hand slid up her leg. She quickly came up on her knees, and by the look on his face—to his disdain, kissed Gary on the lips for a split second only.
She grinned at him, then reached down into the water, and watched momentarily as it slowly disappeared, swirling before her eyes like a mini-tornado. Then she picked up two thick, fluffy towels, handed one to Gary and wrapped herself in the other.
Pulling his towel around his waist, Gary began to slowly dry Emma until she squirmed under his touch. They sauntered into the darkened bedroom, the little light they had provided by the oil burners.
She unrolled her meditation mat and spread it across the floor, kneeling down, and indicating he do the same. As he knelt, Emma held his hands, and they sat in silence in their nakedness, only their eyes and hands intertwined. As skeptical as he was, Gary felt himself being drawn into Emma’s thoughts and her love.
Reluctant to break the spell—his eyes still locked with hers, and Gary began a slow trail of exploration with his hands, lifting them up into Emma’s short hair, and letting his fingers swim in the softness he found there. He gently massaged Emma’s scalp and watched contented, as she closed her eyes, enjoying the pleasure she received from his easy actions.
Gary’s thumbs slid around to her forehead, and with understated sensuality, began tiny circular movements, which he gradually moved down her cheeks, and finally came to rest on Emma’s slim neck. Gary continued his downward exploration until Emma could take no more.
She reached up and delicately covered his hands with her own. “Enough!”
Grinning, Gary released his hands from Emma’s grip and placed them around her waist.
“Lay down,” she softly commanded. “I’m going to massage you.” Emma began to pour specially selected essential oils mixed in a base of sweet almond oil, into the palm of her hand. After warming the oil between both her hands, she applied it to Gary’s back and began a gentle massage across his upper torso.
“Oh God,” he groaned, lifting his head slightly. “I can’t take much more of this.”
“I certainly hope you can,” Emma returned. “I’ve only just started. Now lay back down!”
