HAPPY FOREVER AFTER

“Actually, I came to talk to you.” he said.

“About?”

“I think I would like to open the wine first. In fact, I think I would like to finish at least one glass before I begin.”

Emma went to the cupboard and pulled out two cut crystal wineglasses. “Pour away.” she said.

He found the opener on the first try, and removed the cork with the grace of a sommelier. Before she could truly start to panic, he poured them each a glass.

“To … possibilities,” he said, holding his up.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“All rightie then,” she said, finishing the toast with a clink of crystal. She took a sip. Her tongue did the happy dance, which led to the second and third sips.

“My God, this is fabulous.” she said.

“Yeah it is.”

She blinked at him. Wondering what he wanted to say.

“Don’t look at me that way.” he said.

“I’m not looking at you any way. Except curiously. Come take a seat”.

“After you.”

She led him the few steps to the couch, then she curled up in the corner. She wrapped her robe around her legs and tightened her belt. It was weird, being naked underneath the robe. Not that he hadn’t seen her naked, but still. It felt awkward.

She wanted to push him into talking, but held back. He sat in the middle of the couch. He turned to look at her, smiled, then leaned forward to brace his elbows on his knees. He held his glass with both hands. “I had this planned out, but now…”

Shit. This didn’t sound good. Her heart sank like a lead balloon as she watched him struggle to find the words. “Are you trying to tell me I’m fired?” Emma asked.

He jerked back on the couch. “No.”

“Just spit it out, Daniel, you are scaring me.”

“Okay,” he said, more to himself than her. “Here’s the thing.”

She leaned forward waiting. “Yes?”

“It’s like this…”. Daniel began.

Where was her wine? Emma thought. Evidently, this was going to be a long evening.

“Remember what I told you about my ex?”

“Yeah” Emma replied.

“Well, in order to avoid making mistakes like that in the future, I don’t really date, so I like to define every relationship I get into. I like to make things clear before anyone gets hurt. Just so we know where we stand”. He paused.

“I understand.” Emma nodded, sort of, maybe seeing where this was heading.

“So”, he continued. “My personal life isn’t that busy. Which is okay. I’m not complaining. I know I’ve got it made and all that. But there is something missing.”

“A documentary crew to follow you around?” Emma joked.

He sat back, looking at her crossly. “I’m being serious here, Emma.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

He raked a hand through his hair. “It’s okay. You can say whatever you want.”

“Go on. I won’t be a smart ass again. At least for the duration of this conversation.”

He nodded. “Okay, where was I?”

“Something was missing.”

“Right.” He took a big swig of wine, swallowed, then coughed for several seconds. When he’d gained his equilibrium, he scooted closer to her. “I had a good time the other night.”

“Me, too.” Emma replied.

“A really good time. And I’m not just talking about what happened in the car. I really enjoyed your company.”

Her heart beat so hard in her chest, she wondered if she was going to die, right here, in her robe. All wisecracks fled from her overexcited brain, and she forced herself to breathe.

“I don’t want it to end there. I would like us to continue seeing each other.”

“You would?”

He nodded slowly, meeting her gaze with his own. He wasn’t kidding. Not if his expression was to be believed.

Oh, God.

“But, I don’t want to put a name on this. I don’t think I’m ready for that. Honestly, I don’t know if I will ever be”. He nodded. Then added. “I know. It’s a lot to ask. It’s not fair, and I have a hell of a nerve even asking.”

“Well.” She tried to think. Of anything. “So, what, exactly would I be?” she asked.

He winced. “Uh… Friend with benefits?”

Oh.

Not exactly the fairy tale ending she had hoped for. At least he was being honest. Her ex hadn’t done that. He had led her to believe they had a future. With Daniel, she knew exactly what she was getting. The most interesting, incredible man she had ever met wanted her… on his terms.

It was everything she didn’t want offered by the man she wanted more than anything. She sighed. What a wicked sense of humor.

She felt a hand on her leg, and realized she had been staring for a long moment.

“I’m, uh, processing.” she said.

“You don’t have to make a decision right now, Emma. And believe me, if you decide you would like to at least try this, I will do everything in my power to make you happy. We both want each other and we shouldn’t let anything stop us from doing something that makes us happy.”

He met her gaze, and studied her as if seeing her for the first time. “I want to look forward to you. I want to know you are there, even when I’m not. I want to talk to you on the phone. I want to wake up and see you in my bed. You are the most fascinating woman I have met in a long time, and I want to learn everything about you.”

“I … I don’t know what to say.” Emma said.

He moved closer, leaning in. “Then don’t say anything.” His lips touched hers in the gentlest of kisses.

Her eyes fluttered shut as she abandoned the turmoil of her mind for the sensual delight of his mouth. His tongue ran over the crease of her lips, then slipped inside. She uncurled her legs to get nearer to him, to let his arm go around her back and pull her close.

The kiss deepened, and memories of their time together kicked off a chain reaction in her body. A moan escaped before she realized it, and she found herself returning the kiss with passion, parting her lips under Daniel’s.

This was too good; this was death by pleasure. How could she possibly say no to this on a semiregular basis? The thought made her break the kiss. “Uh, Daniel?”

He cleared his throat, tried to look as if he hadn’t just had his tongue down her throat. “Yes?”

“Would we have to hide?” she asked.

He shook his head. “No. Not at all. I wouldn’t do that.”

“So we can go out, to dinner. To a movie?” she asked.

He smiled, but it was kind of sad. “Yes. I’m not ashamed of this, Emma. Far from it. I think you are terrific, and I don’t give a damn who knows about it. This isn’t about anyone else, just the both of us”.