One More Time

“Nothing,” I said, my voice short.

“Obviously, it’s something.” Emily laughed softly.

“It’s none of your business.” My voice was cold and hard.

Emily’s smile fell from her lips, and she just stayed quiet while I turned around.

I marched down the hall to my study. Once inside, I sat down at my desk and ran my hands over my face. Emily was the most infuriating woman I’d ever dealt with. Not only was she always tempting me with that tight fucking body, but she wouldn’t leave me alone. She kept pushing and pushing, trying to get inside my mind. It was enough to drive me insane.

Deep down, I knew it wasn’t Emily’s fault. She was gorgeous and smart, kind and loving. The way she handled Sarah’s breakdown at dinner last night was enough proof that she knew what she was doing. Everything she did exuded caring, but I didn’t want her to care, not about me anyway.

As I sat there, unpacking my notebooks and pens, I thought about how it would feel to let Emily in. After two seconds, I knew it was impossible. Even a sexual relationship with no emotional ties felt insane. No matter how much I wanted Emily’s body or how badly she wanted to know the real me, I couldn’t give in to either desire.

Without thinking, I picked up a pen and started writing. I didn’t even realize what I was putting on the page until I was finished. I’d filled almost ten pages without pause. In all my life, I’d never written that much in a single sitting. With a frown, I leaned back in my chair and read over my words. They were all about Emily. Every single one.

CHAPTER TWELVE - EMILY

Yet another night passed, and I didn’t get more than a wink of sleep. As the sun rose Wednesday morning, I pushed myself out of bed and quickly got dressed. I pulled my long curls back in a ponytail and grabbed my purse. Tommy and Sarah wouldn’t be up for close to an hour so I had some time. After enduring Sean’s coldness for days now, I needed a break, just a minute to myself. I hurried downstairs and disappeared out the front door, walking hurriedly into town.

I picked up some donuts and chocolate milk for the kids, then some coffee for Sean and me. Despite his impolite behavior, it would have been rude for me to exclude him in breakfast.

I sighed as I walked slowly back to the house. I didn’t want to face him yet, not after the way he snapped at me last night, but I knew I didn’t have a choice. The kids would be up soon, and I needed to be there when they awoke.

J

ust as I walked through the front door, Sarah and Tommy came running down the stairs.

“Donuts?” Sarah asked, gazing wide-eyed at the bag in my hand.

“Yup.” I grinned. “You want some?”

“Yeah!” Sarah and Tommy cheered together.

They both ran over to the table, and I followed them, shaking my head with laughter. Sometimes, it was so easy to please children. A little attention and sugar was all they really wanted. I put a donut on each of their plates and poured them both a tall glass of chocolate milk. They devoured their breakfast in record time, finishing before Sean even stepped foot out of his room.

When he finally did appear, his eyes met mine, and I pointed to the coffee on the kitchen counter. He nodded and moved to grab his cup.

“Thanks,” he said, his eyes focused downward.

I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to the kids.

“Go on,” I said. “Get changed. We can go to the park this morning, but then I want you both to do some reading this afternoon. You’ve been slacking lately.”

“Nuh-uh!” Tommy said. “I read all the time.”

“Not in the last couple days,” I said sternly.

“Okay.” He sighed. “Fine”

I smiled while he stalked upstairs behind his sister. Like always, Sean demanded my attention without even trying. It was as if my eyes were magnetically drawn to him. He glanced at me but quickly looked away. He didn’t speak until the kids came back down.

In those few minutes, I considering quitting. I didn’t know how much longer I could take the tension between Sean and me. He didn’t make it easy to do my job. He was cold and harsh, always ignoring me or snapping at me. It wasn’t right or fair. Still, I knew I couldn’t leave. Both Tommy and Sarah depended on me too much already.

“To the park?” I asked once the kids were ready.

“Daddy, are you coming?” Sarah asked hopefully.

“Sure,” Sean said.