Chapter Forty-Five
“Make sure you keep an eye on your sister. Hannah’s an angel with a streak of mischief.” Emma put her hand over Cain’s where it was resting on her abdomen. “She inherited that from your mother. She’s always been a little hard to control too.”
The soft laugh from behind her tickled her ear as Hayden replied to her from his end.
“When are you coming to get us? It’s fun up here, but I miss you.”
“I’m not sure what Cain’s timetable is, but it should be soon. We miss you just as much.”
That was true, but during the three weeks she’d spent with just Cain, the last of the doubts between them had faded and they’d reconnected so strongly Emma was still amazed.
“Nothing’s wrong, is it, Hayden?”
“We’re fine, Mama. Stop worrying. I just didn’t want you to forget about us.”
Months before, the statement would’ve sent Emma into tears, but now she heard the teasing in his voice.
“The Caseys are mischievous, son, but forgetful they’re not,” she said right back. “Stay warm, and I’ll see you soon. I love you, baby.”
“I love you too, Mama.”
That she had come so far in that relationship too choked Emma up, and she had to pass the handset to Cain, though she kept the speaker on.
“How’s it going, buddy?”
“Bet I can milk a cow better than you.”
The greeting made Cain laugh. “I bet you can too, so I think I’ll pass on losing any money to you.”
“Tonight’s the big night, huh?”
“Don’t worry. When you get back I’ll take you for a walk-through, and I’ll make sure one of the men takes some pictures tonight so you can see how beautiful your mama looks.”
“I wish I was old enough already.” He laughed, cutting off any advice from Cain. “I know, I know—don’t rush it.”
“Damn right. How about we make you a deal? When you turn twenty-one, we’ll open a new place and you can go with a pretty girl on your arm.” Emma laughed, and Cain kissed her forehead.
“I forgot to ask. How did Mama like her surprise?”
“He knew you’d named the club after me?” Emma asked, coming up from Cain’s side so she could look at her.
“I may have let it slip when you were in the shower last week, but he agreed that it was a good idea. What, you think you’re the only one sneaking in extra phone calls during the day?”
Trying to appear innocent, Cain ignored the laughter coming from their son. “Kiss your sister for me, and tell Mook to keep his eyes open.”
“How about you do the same?”
“Will do, buddy. I love you and we’ll see you soon.”
He said good-bye to both of them again before he put Hannah on for a minute, then let Maddie talk.
“That one’s going to be a heartbreaker, Emma.”
“You mean you think they both won’t be?” Emma sat up after taking the handset back and turning off the speaker so Cain could answer a call on her cell phone. She watched as Cain grabbed a pen to write something down. “Are you doing okay with a house full of people, Maddie?”
“The kids are great, and I have to remind myself every so often that the men Cain left behind aren’t field hands. Mook may carry a gun, but he’s wonderful with Hannah and Hayden, and he helps Jerry when he can. Just a minute, I hear something.”
“Is anything wrong?”
Cain stopped talking and glanced at her quizzically.
“It’s just a visitor, but I can’t make out who it is yet. Oh.” Maddie exhaled loudly. “It’s just your father.”
“What’s going on, Maddie? You don’t usually hold your breath when you hear someone up the road.”
“I didn’t want to worry you, but your mother’s started coming by and asking a lot of questions about you. Since I’d never tell her the kids are here, it makes for some scrambles at times.”
Emma shook her head at Cain and smiled. “They’re fine, love. My father just got there.”
“What kind of questions is she asking, Maddie?”
“Just stuff like how often I talk to you and when you’re coming home. Nothing real specific that raises any red flags, and you know I won’t put up with her talking bad about you or Cain.”
“Why the sudden interest, do you think?”
“I have no idea. Just finish what you’re doing and leave the rest to Jerry and me. The kids will be waiting just like you left them.”
“And I’m looking forward to seeing them and you, Maddie. Call if you need anything.”
“You and Cain will be my first call, you know that.”
“Problems?”
Emma stared at the nightstand a few moments longer before answering. “Problems?” she repeated. “I’m not really sure.” She told Cain what Maddie had said about her mother.
“Does she know what the sudden interest is?” Cain pulled her shirt off and draped it over the arm of the chair near the closet. When Emma finally shook off her daze, Cain was dressed in just her underwear.
“I don’t know what her sudden interest is, but can I tell you about mine?” For someone who’d been shot, Cain looked incredibly good.
The deep laugh chased a delicious shiver through Emma.
“What are you interested in, lass?”
“For one thing, I’m interested in expanding my wanton ways,” she said as she stood up and presented her back to Cain, who seemed to take a torturously long time opening her zipper. She just let the dress fall to the floor, waiting to see if Cain liked what she saw. “Then I’m interested in hearing you moan.”
“How, pray tell, do you plan to do that?”
Emma needed no further words as she guided Cain to sit, but not before her plain white boxers came off. Once Cain was sitting, Emma stood before her and released her bra. Cain’s eyes were riveted as Emma slowly peeled the straps down, exposing her chest a little at a time. The awkwardness of her inexperience had long vanished, and she now enjoyed seeing the raw hunger in Cain.
“How about these? This was my latest little gift from Kevin.” Emma put her fingers in the sides of her underwear and smiled.
“Nice, but take them off,” Cain replied, her voice husky. “I want to see all of you.”
The black panties came down her legs, and Emma stood naked, wanting the need in her partner to rise a bit more. The throbbing between her legs increased when Cain’s nipples grew hard just from looking at her. How easy it would be to rush and reach the pinnacle only Cain could bring her to, but tonight wasn’t about fast. Tonight was about giving Cain the pleasure she deserved and making it last as long as Emma could drag it out.
With that goal in mind she grasped Cain’s hands before she could derail her plans. She dropped to her knees and guided Cain’s hands to the arms of the chair. “Just remember one word before we begin.” Emma sat back on her feet and gazed up at Cain with desire.
“What’s that?”
“Patience, love.” Emma let Cain’s hands go, knowing they would stay where she’d put them. “I want you, and I want it to last.” She leaned over and bit down gently on an alert nipple. “Can you give me that?”
Cain put her feet flat on the floor. “I’ll give you anything you want.”
“Good.” Emma sat back again so she could watch her hands wander from Cain’s shoulders down her body. She smiled when she saw how tightly Cain was gripping the chair as Emma’s unrelenting fingers traced every muscle in Cain’s chest and abdomen. “Lean back and relax for me, baby.”
“Relax, she says. Good one.” Cain obeyed anyway, falling back farther into the chair.
Emma stopped roaming and rested her hands at the apex of Cain’s legs. Their eyes stayed locked as Emma slowly opened Cain’s sex and lowered her mouth. With a feather-light touch of her tongue she started at the base of the hard clitoris and worked her way up slowly.
“You’re killing me with all this teasing, darlin’.” Though Cain complained a bit, she never moved her hands, and Emma never stopped or changed her tactics.