Unbreakable(25)

They taste like Emmy.

Christ, that kiss rocked me to the core. But I can’t tell her that—I’ll sound like a lovesick *. Which clearly, I am.

Anyway, none of this means as much to her as it does to me.

Emmy’s teeth begin to chatter, and I usher her over to the door that leads into the kitchen.

“You’re drenched, Em. I’ll get us something to drink while you go change, okay?”

She gives me a shy smile. “Sounds like a good plan. I’ll be right back.”

I dig two wine glasses out of the cupboard and pour us each a healthy serving of red before heading upstairs to change. Emmy’s hair dryer is running, so I assume she’ll be a while.

Stripping down to my birthday suit, I towel off and slide into a dry pair of jeans and a t-shirt before going back downstairs.

I can’t stop playing that kiss over and over in my mind. It was so f*cking hot that I’d moaned into her mouth. When she was finally in my arms, I’d let myself go and chased after the feelings I’d been running from forever.

It made me feel completely out of control, and that’s not something I’m used to. I was worried not only that I’d surprised her, but also that I’d scared her with my intensity. The tiny little gasp she’d made when our lips met had been like pouring gasoline on fire. It lit me up and burned me down.

Afterward, something inside of me eased. Like a rope tied around my chest for years had finally come loose.

Emmy hurries down the stairs and into the kitchen. She radiates nervous energy, but her smile is bright. Her long brown hair is straight and loose around her shoulders, and she’s changed into a short white skirt and a blue hoodie. Her face is bare of makeup, except for a fresh coat of cherry gloss on her lips.

I know she loves her makeup, but she doesn’t need it. She’s perfect the way she is.

“Feel better?” I ask.

She walks over to where I’m sitting at the island. “Much.”

I smile and place a hand on her waist when she stops in front of me. “Have some wine, Sunshine. It’ll warm you up.”

I slide the glass across to her, and she takes a huge swallow.

“I’d rather have you warm me up.”

Her cheeks turn pink, and she peers up at me. “Is that okay to say? Or is that totally weird? God, I’m so nervous. I don’t know how to act now that we’ve decided to… you know.”

Christ, she’s so f*cking adorable. I pull her close to me. “It’s more than okay.”

Emmy takes another big gulp of wine and nods. “Okay, good.”

“Slow down. You don’t want to get drunk.”

Emmy places her hand on my thigh and gives a shaky laugh. “But it’s liquid courage. I need it.”

“Em, it’s just me,” I say gently, putting down my wine glass and wrapping my arms around her.

“But I don’t know this side of you.”

I touch my forehead to hers. “You will, I promise. You’ll know it well.”

Her sweet breath mingles with mine as we study each other. The scent of her cherry lip gloss lingers in the air, and I lean in for another kiss.

Just before our lips touch, her cell phone rings.

Emmy closes her eyes and lets out a sigh. “You’ve got to be kidding. Who’s calling me now?”

We don’t have to wait long for an answer. Sully’s name flashes across the screen, and my heart sinks. Of course it’s him. He’s got f*cking radar when it comes to his sister.

“Go on. Answer it.” I nod at the phone.

She gives me an anxious glance. “Are you sure?”

The last thing I need is him calling me next. “He’ll worry if you don’t answer.”

“Hello?” she says, picking up the phone.

Sully’s voice booms from the other end of the line. “Baby Sis! What’s going on in cottage country?”

Speaking of liquid courage, I drain my wine glass and get up for a refill. I’d say this situation calls for whiskey, but beggars can’t be choosers.

“Hey, Sully. I’m just hanging out with Will.”

“Cool. Press the speaker button so I can talk to him, too.”

Emmy doesn’t even need to use the hands-free option, because I can hear Sully loud and clear. My mom always used to remind me to “use my inside voice” when we were in the house, but Sully has no concept of what that means. He’s always been loud.

Emmy shrugs and clicks the button. “Okay. You’re on, Sully.”

“Mav! What’s up, man? How are things going up there?”

I swallow down my guilt and focus on keeping my voice even. “Hey, Sully. Everything’s fine. It’s raining, so we’re staying in tonight.”

“That f*cking sucks. What the hell are you going to do? Em, don’t let him drag you into one of his all-night video game marathons. You’ll lose. He’s a master at those f*cking things.”

I run a hand down over my face. If Sully knew what we were going to be doing all night, I’d get a slapshot straight to my nuts.

“Emmy’s probably better competition than you are, Sully. You f*cking suck at every game.”

Sully laughs. “Probably. Watch out, Mav. She might just give you a run for your money. My baby sister always gets what she wants. Remember that.”