Chapter Thirty Nine

"I think we should leave now. I had a great time but it's really getting late" Emma said Ben Sanders stood up next to Emma and stretched to his full height. "Alright. Let's get you home. I wish we could stay longer though" he said "I know" Emma replied. "But you know we didn't bring a car, so we have to walk" "And who brought up such an amazing suggestion?" he asked "Stop" Emma said laughing. "I wanted to walk. Kinda helps clear my head" "Clear your head?" he asked. "Anything bothering you, Emma?" "No, not really... I guess it's just work stress" she replied She remembered her phone conversation with Daniel the previous night. It did not go well... At least for Daniel. She had agreed to go out with him but after seeing him with Monica, she had changed her mind. There were this nagging feeling that told her Monica wasn't just a business associate of his and she didn't want to get in the middle of anything. Besides that was just another proof that nothing good could come out of her relationship with Daniel except hurt and so she had to find a way to get him out of her mind. And going on a date with him certainly wasn't going to help her do that. He wasn't okay with her decision though. In fact he was super pissed. Probably even more angry after she hung up on him and switched off her phone. And now here she was... With Ben.. As a friend... She reminded herself. She didn't want to lead him on. "You're a really beautiful woman, Emma." Ben said. "In case I haven't told you that today" Emma smiled "Yes you have Ben. You told me the first time we met. You told me the first time we went out... You told me this evening when we walked down here and... Infact now that I think about it, you tell me everytime you see me." "That's because it's true" he said gazing appreciatively over the simple lines of her dress. "Well thanks anyways, Ben. You look great too" she said returning the compliment. Emma had selected the dress for a purpose. After a long bath it made her feel relaxed and feminine after a long day at work. The simple bodice tapered into a narrow waist. The gathered skirt clung to her hips and thighs. Ben eyed the bare, curved length of her calves and the medium high heels with tiny white straps. Emma shifted her legs under his perusal, and the tiny golden heart of her ankle bracelet caught the light. He smiled. "you know... I want someone special in my life. Want to apply for the job? Emma returned his smile, though she was aware of the seriousness behind the suggestion."I don't really know if I'm ready for something that serious right now. Stuff like that kinda scare me. And I think you and i would be much better as friends" "We could change that easily Emma" "I don't think so Ben" she answered lightly. " let's just keep walking " "if I keep trying would I be wasting my time? " She laughed "probably.... But I would really appreciate us being friends" He shrugged and grinned "Can't blame a guy for trying, Emma. Maybe fortune will smile on me someday, if I keep trying long enough. But for now let's get you home" "So gallant. Sir knight" Emma smiled The weather was cool. Emma enjoyed Ben's tales of his work and family as they walked to her apartment. When they got to Emma's place, Ben's fingers sought and found hers, and his expression settled. His head lowered towards hers but she moved away He stared at her a moment, then smiled ruefully. "It was worth a try, Emma" They heard footsteps and they both turned. Someone was coming down the stairs. Emma assumed it was one of her neighbors. "Hello" Daniel said as he emerged. Wearing a light Grey shirt, his hands thrust into the pockets of his pants, he walked slowly up to where Emma and Ben stood. Emma introduced them to each other. "It's a nice evening, isn't it?" Daniel said. The quiet rasp of his voice slid up to Emma's vertebrae to raise the hair on the back of her neck. "Very nice" Ben replied before looking uncertainly at Emma. He hesitated, cleared his throat and straightened. "I have a big day at work tomorrow so I better get going" he said. "I'll call you Emma... Good night". He turned "Nice to meet you Daniel" "Yeah nice to meet you too. Good night" the curt tone sounded like a dismissal. "Good night Ben" Emma called as he left. She watched his retreating figure, then rummaged through her purse for her keys. "Where have you been?" Daniel asked. "You may leave too Daniel" she said. "it's been a long day" "I can see that" He replied. "I called to tell you I was coming over but you didn't pick up" "Yeah... And when someone doesn't pick your call, It means I don't want to talk to you not please come over" she said. "I wanted to see you... I had to wait at Frank's place" "Well it's not my fault that you don't listen" The heat of his body grazed Emma's as he walked up the stairs with her and urged her into her apartment with the flat of his hand on her waist. His thumb touched the bare skin of her back and stroked it lightly. "You introduced him to me as he friend... The guy who just left...Tell me Emma, is this your usual attire for hanging out with friends? Or did you wear it especially for Ben? "That is absolutely none of your business " Emma rounded on him, her hands on her hips."I don't have to explain anything to you Daniel. Your authority ends when I leave the office. I can wear any dress I choose and walk home with whom I want" "That dress is revealing, honey. Daniel's chin jutted out."if you want to wear something this sexy, wear it with me. Or do you prefer Ben. He's your standard type.. Isn't he?. Does he adhere to your tight little moralities?" Emma gasped "tight little moralities? What the fuck is that even supposed to mean?" "You know exactly what I mean... Did Ben intend to come inside for a visit?" he asked. "I don't like your implication... This is my home. You may leave, Mr Rohan" "Mr Rohan," he repeated. "Hell, woman, do you know how close I came to decking him, just because he touched you?... And I'm not leaving just yet... I want to talk to you" he replied Emma sighed. "You may leave". She repeated. "Hey!" the deep drawl contained amusement. "You're acting like you don't know me. You've spent some pretty intimate moments in my arms, lady. His palms slid down her ribs to circle her waist. She leaned away from him, eyes lowered to the cleft in his rugged chin. "Fine" she said. " I'm listening " "You've got circles under those fabulous eyes, honey." he drawled. "Not sleeping well.. Huh? Did you miss me?" he asked The rumbling baritone changed subtly, lightly skimming Emma's flesh. He stood with his hands on his hips in the center of the room. Emma was too tense to control her temper. "Is there any reason in particular why you ask me that? Why should I be losing sleep over you?" "That doesn't answer my question. I gave you time, Emma... And space... You have absolutely no idea how hard it was for me to stay away. But I thought that was what you wanted...after that night. And yet you still act this way. I want to understand you, Emma. Why do you choose to fight me? I'm not going to hurt you. He said. "You say that and yet here we are" she said. "everything was fine until you came along." He smiled. "That's because you keep fighting me" he said, and then he promised too quietly, "If you will cool down, my tender little wildcat, you will see that there is a lot going on between us?" His low, intimate tone brought Emma's chin up and tightened her fists. "between us? The only thing between us is a bad employee-boss relationship. You can leave now and take it with you. You know you can't just show up at my place whenever you want and act like you own me." Feather light, his finger swept her hot cheek. "There's definitely something here... Between us. You know it too but you insist on denying it." Passion smoldered from beneath his sooty lashes."Try those claws on me, sweetie. Good old Ben couldn't stand the strain " "you better leave Ben out of this. Get out!" He didn't move, but his black eyes were alive and hungry. They seemed to burn away her dress and sear her body, following the long, tanned curves of her legs revealed by the slit in her dress. Her breath stopped as his eyes coursed slowly upward. They warmed the pale column of her throat before resting on her full trembling mouth, then in a blaze melded with her eyes. The twist of his mouth told a sensuous story: Daniel liked what he saw. "Come here, honey" he repeated "test your claws on me. The place seemed to shrink as he stepped closer."don't fight me baby... I have waited weeks to feel you in my arms again. And I'm so tired of waiting. The siege is on again, love". He took another step closer Emma's body arched for his, but he was pushing too hard. She resented his control over her emotions. She felt cornered and defensive. The needs of her body almost outweighing her pride. "don't worry. I will be very careful with you tonight" She arched her neck to look at him. His height intimidated her even with the added inches of her dress heels. He touched the hollow of her throat with a fingertip. "You are so beautiful... So beautiful even with those circles beneath your eyes" then he whispered in her ear "you are aroused too. And that is more tantalizing to me than the excitement of the hunt" The warm finger pressed the soft flesh a moment longer, testing it beat of her pulse beneath it. "I wonder" he murmured "if you know how much power lies in that beautiful face when you look at me. In that soft, hungry body that fits into my arms just right. In those frantic little sounds you make in your throat when I'm deep inside you... I haven't stopped thinking about that night... You know" Emma acknowledged the lariat of desire that he drew tighter around her. She wanted to hold him, to have the softness of his voice soothe her, the warmth of his body beckon her. But on another plane, sanity returned that she was vulnerable, and Daniel knew how to make a woman ache for him. She slapped away the large hand hovering near her throat, but he caught her fingers and held them as his mouth dipped to press the hollow of her throat. Over their joined hands, he said "You are afraid of me. Of what you feel for me...You don't have to be, honey" Emma licked her lips "it is late Daniel... It is late and I have to rest" "That's the truth, my lady. It's too late for you. He pulled her roughly to him "damn" he cursed. I have never wanted to be with... Just any woman, the way I want to be with you. You make me feel like I'm walking a tightrope... One wrong step and I could lose you. " Emma found the hollow of his hips and lightly settled her hands there. Against her flesh he was breathing heavily. Pressed against the angular heat of his torso and thighs, Emma's softness fitted tightly into him "Let me go Daniel" Emma whispered even as her palm slid upward to his lean waist. "You know you want me honey" . He groaned "Let me in" Fighting the drugging attraction, Emma pushed her palms against the steel of his chest "You can't just walk in here and change my life" Dark and determined, Daniel's face rose over hers "I can't?" He drawled as his hands freed her "Now that is the kinda challenge I like." She shivered at the burning gaze and backed down the darkened hallway. "Keep going baby" he purred "You are headed in the right direction" "Daniel, you are pushing too hard" "Damn right, I am" he said. "I don't intend to be an outsider to you, not after the warmth you gave me the other night. I don't want some guy walking you home, Emma. You are mine. And you are going to remain mine" "That is just it, Daniel" she managed to say. "I'm not going to be manipulated and forced to bend to your wishes" "Manipulated?" he repeated. "Such a word for what is happening between us. It is a mutual thing. It's a sharing between us, one that grows each day. And I believe you know it too... Just that you insist on fighting it." Emma sighed. "Well... If you want to share something so bad with someone," she said. "Why don't you go to Michelle.... I'm sure you both have a lot to offer each other." He stopped and stared at her. Just where had that come from?