Chapter Fourteen
Emma savoured the wine in her mouth, relishing in the clean, crisp and expensive taste of it. This was her third glass, and she was feeling a little light headed.
Having walked into Bennett’s apartment for the first time since she left New York had been a whirlwind of emotions. Part of her, a huge part, wanted to walk in and never walk out. She wanted to belong here, she wanted to call this home, like she had once come so close to doing.
Bennett sat across from her, the oak dining table feeling as though it was some sort of barrier between them. She wanted him in her arms, holding her like he had in the car on the way here. She needed him, needed something.
The more she thought, the more her mind spun out of control. How could she fling herself into his arms and never let him go? How was Bennett going to make everything better? He was just a man, at the end of the day, and he did not have the power to cure her demons. Surely she could not be so dumb as to think he could?
The car ride home had helped her get herself back on track. He had held her the whole time, yet she still did not feel whole. She still felt broken inside, and it scared her. Deep inside she knew, had realised that he was not going to be her saving grace.
But tonight, he just might be.
“How was the chicken?” Bennett broke the silence, “You haven’t eaten much,”
Emma prodded the oven roasted chicken breast topped with swiss cheese and bacon with her fork. It had been quite delicious, the few bites she’d had. Mrs Hayne, Bennett’s housekeeper, was a fantastic cook. She always had been.
“It’s fine. I’m just not that hungry,” Emma lifted her glass, feeling Bennett’s eyes bore into her as she took a sip.
“Emma, are you sure you’re okay?” His voice was calm, yet stern.
Emma rolled her eyes. “I’m fine,”
“The food is fine, you’re fine, everything is fine, right?” Bennett’s tone suddenly grew a little stronger.
Emma could tell she had hit a nerve with him.
There was only one thing Emma was interested in at this point of the evening, and finishing her dinner was certainly not it. She smiled at him, trying to look convincing.
“I’m here with you, aren’t I? That means I am fine,”
Bennett frowned, clearing his throat. He did not seem convinced in the slightest.
Emma drank in the sight of him, still dressed in his work attire, a black suit and grey tie. He looked exquisite. How could she be the one sitting here with him? She was a mess, and she did not deserve to be there.
Before she could allow herself to fall deeper into her misery trap, Emma shut down all wayward thoughts.
She stood up and walked over to him, her fingers tracing the table top as she went. She moved slowly, sensually, her eyes fixed with his the entire time.
When she reached him, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her head coming to rest on one of them. Inhaling his smell, of expensive cologne and him, she closed her eyes.
His hand moved up and held her forearm, rubbing it gently.
“I missed you so much,” He whispered, and Emma’s heart melted at the sound of those words.
“Oh Bennett,” She replied, her voice soft and laden with desire.
She reached over and let herself take the lead, kissing him gently on his perfect, thick lips.
It felt amazing and real. The heartache of having thought she had lost him for good, of leaving him behind all surfaced with the touch of their lips. She felt tears fall down her cheeks as they moved together.
Breaking their embrace for only a second, Bennett stood up, and took her face in his hands. He deepened the kiss, their tongues caressing each others.
Emma felt weak at the knees for him, she let her hands guide her as she removed Bennett’s jacket and let it fall to the floor. She loosened his tie, and he slipped it off from around his neck.
“Are you sure you want to do this, it’s what you want Emma?” Bennett asked, breathlessly.
Emma nodded fiercely. “Yes,”
Bennett took her hands and led her to his bedroom.
Emma’s chest surged with love and with hope and she walked into his room, seeing it all unchanged as though waiting for her to return.
Moving behind her, Bennett unzipped her dress and let it fall to the floor, pooling around her feet. He helped her step out of it, before scooping her up in his arms and lying her down on the bed.
Emma moaned with the anticipation of what was about to happen, as desire took over her body and made her lose her train of thought.
She watched as Bennett stood over her, removing his clothing, piece by piece.
She felt as though she was the luckiest woman in the world, as though she had won the lottery.
He was beautiful, absolutely flawless. There was not a physical fault to him, nothing at all.
He was muscular from his shoulders to his legs, tanned skin and well endowed. His face sculptured to the point of perfection, everything in contour.
When he stood before her, naked, Emma held her arms up to him, inviting him down to be with her, to join her.
Smiling, he did just that.
Emma lay in his bed, exhausted, yet unable to sleep. With his arms wrapped around her she felt as though the worries of the world were fading away.
How could he possibly not be the perfect remedy to everything that was wrong with her? He was more than enough. Whatever doubts she’d had at dinner, about him not being able to help her, it was untrue.
At this moment in time, she believed he could fix her, and she needed it to be so.
She lifted her head up, and saw him looking up at the ceiling, deep in thought.
Emma wondered what it was that he was thinking. She wanted to know everything about him all over again, wanted to be with him all over again. Would he propose to her again? Would he take her away to The Hamptons this coming summer? Maybe she would enrol back into University, start fresh. She could do it all with him by her side, the possibilities were endless.
Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Emma drew in a deep breath.
“I love you Bennett,”
Watching him, to gauge his reaction, she was unsure of how to feel when she saw his eyes slowly close, and a pained expression take over his face, almost as though he was cringing at the sound of those words.
