“Yo, Celeste. Are you with me?” Emerson snaps his fingers in front of my face.
“School band.” I spit out the last few words I can recall him saying.
“You think the school band should do the music for prom?”
“Wait, no. That’s a terrible idea.” It’s a good thing he asked me to help with planning this prom.
“I know it is, but it’s clear you’re not paying attention.” He closes a couple of the folders in front of him.
“I’m sorry. I swear, I’m here.” I try to open the folders again.
“It’s fine. I’m only teasing you. Honestly, I just wanted a little alone time with you. I was worried.” Emerson stopped by a few times, but Apollo hovered the whole time.
“Emerson.” I reach out and put my hand on top of his. “I’m good, really. If anything I’m stronger. I lost time with Apollo because I ran away from him. Life’s too short for that.”
“I know Amber has her demons, but this I didn’t see coming.”
“Is it terrible I’m not mad at her for what she did to me?” I ask. I know this is something I could never say to Apollo. At least not at this point.
“No, I’m not surprised to hear you say that. You’re a soft-hearted person. People don’t need to know you to see that.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.” I squeeze his hand before I release it. “But I’m not all innocent. I have a lot of anger about it.”
“Let me guess,” he cuts me off. “Because of what this did to Apollo. Yeah, I noticed you said you weren't mad about what she did to you.”
“Caught that, did you?” I didn’t even catch it, and I said it. “You and my mom in a room together would be fun.”
“That woman has Rory Crew wrapped around her finger. I’ve got tons to learn from her.” I burst out laughing, which feels really good. “But listen, this lingering shit with Apollo is something you two have to fix. What Amber did is done. It’s what you allow her to keep doing to the two of you that counts.”
“Wow.” I don’t know how I got so lucky when I came to Craven Cove. Not only did I find the best boyfriend in the world, but I landed an amazing best friend too. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
“I’m always here to lay some truth on you.” He smirks. “Now tell your man to come get you and put you both out of your misery.”
I pull my phone out of my bag and send Apollo a text. He’s pulling into the parking lot by the time Emerson and I have paid the check and are walking out of the diner.
“Apollo!” I gasp when he gets out of the car to open my door for me.
“It’s nothing.”
“Nothing? How can you say it’s nothing? Your lip is busted.” It doesn't seem to be bleeding at the moment, but it must have at some point.
“It was just some stupid shit with Shy running his mouth.” He opens the car door for me, but I don’t get in. I pause as I realize I’d completely forgotten about him.
“Let me guess. You’re not going to tell me.” He hesitates for a long moment, but I wait him out.
“I’ll tell you,” he finally agrees, and I lean into him and press a kiss against his mouth before I get in.
When he gets into the car, I reach over and rest my hand on his thigh. I don’t miss the fact that he starts to get hard. His cock makes a noticeable outline in his jeans, and I squeeze my legs together. He won’t let me do anything about that.
Since the accident, I can barely get us past kissing and a little heavy petting. That only ever ends with me getting off. He can put his hands down my panties all he wants, but it doesn't go the other way anymore.
Neither of us say a word as he drives us back to the estate, and we go into the house. He takes me by the hand, and we go straight to his bedroom. He slowly strips me down and then himself before he turns on the shower to tug me in with him. I sigh, closing my eyes as his hands roam my body and he washes every inch of me.
I take the cloth from him and do the same to his body. He lets out a groan when I wrap my hand around his cock. “Celeste,” he warns, as if that will stop me. Not with what I see in his eyes right now.
“You need this,” I say against his mouth as I start to stroke him up and down. The head of his cock brushes against my stomach.
“I need you.” He presses his mouth against mine hard, but he doesn't stop me from stroking him.