“So how was the reunion?” Claire asked. “Things must have been pretty anticlimactic after the airport incident.”
Emma fidgeted in her seat, trying to decide how best to answer when she noticed Suzy watching her with interest. “Maybe you’re a little off on your spelling, Claire. Instead of climactic, maybe it’s more climax.”
Ella chose that moment to return from the restroom. “Who had a climax?” she asked. Emma felt her face redden along with Ella’s when she realized how loudly she had spoken. “Oh crap,” she murmured as she slid into her seat. “I didn’t mean for that to come out like that.”
“I don’t think anyone heard you,” Beth offered.
“Oh totally.” Suzy smirked. “At least a few people in the kitchen missed it.” Turning back toward Emma, she said, “So-o-o . . .”
This was it, Emma thought. She either lied to her friends or admitted the truth. Ah, good grief, she had never been big on hiding things, so why start now? “I slept with Brant a few times while we were gone.” There, the Band-Aid was ripped cleanly off; the truth was out there.
“No shit,” Suzy drawled. “Well, it’s about time! There was so much foreplay going on in that office, I left there hot and bothered a few times. You two should have gotten it on ages ago.”
“Boy, is that the truth,” Claire agreed. “I don’t see how you made it this long. It was obvious you two had some major chemistry. I have never seen two people more opposite, but more perfect for each other.”
Emma looked around in surprise to see both Beth and Ella nodding their agreement. “Am I the only one at this table who didn’t think I was hot for Brant because I have to say, I just really didn’t see it. I mean, I realize now that I have been in some denial about being attracted to him, but it truthfully never hit home until this weekend.”
“So . . .” Beth said. “How was it?”
“Freaking amazing,” Emma sighed. “The first time was like a fast explosion, the second time, I kind of attacked him and the third time was a joint outdoor venture.”
Raising a brow, Suzy said, “So this wasn’t a one-ride kind of thing?”
Beside her, Claire giggled. “I’d say there was definitely more than one ride there, Suz.”
Emma felt her face flush. She really wasn’t used to having her sex life front and center. She did need their advice, though, and to get that, she needed to be honest about what had happened. “It was . . . wow, for someone so reserved, Brant is amazing in bed. He throws his whole textbook mentality out the window and just . . . feels. I didn’t think he could possibly be any better after the first time, but it just got hotter. He’s also so . . . well, tender and adventurous. It wasn’t just like a one-night stand kind of sex; he was really caring afterward. Like he couldn’t get enough of touching me, even in a small way.”
“Oh wow,” Ella sighed dreamily. “I just love that. It must run in the family because Declan is the same way. He can be wild during sex, but then so loving afterward. Sometimes it’s hard to believe one man can be so many things.”
“That’s Jason, too,” Claire added. “He’s so completely focused and intense during, but afterward he just can’t stop touching me in some way. I’ll be falling asleep and he will still be running his fingertips up and down my arm, my spine and anything he can reach. It’s very sensual.”
Nodding her head, Suzy agreed. “I have to admit, that used to freak me out about Gray in the beginning. His need to always have some kind of physical contact with me. I never really had that with anyone before. My ex-fiancé just turned over and went to sleep afterward. I thought that was the way it was for everyone. It was almost as if Gray was invading my personal space the first few times. I loved having him close, but at the same time I wasn’t truly comfortable being the focus of that much attention. Now, it centers me. I wouldn’t know what to do without it.”
Raising her hand as if they were in a schoolroom, Beth asked, “Does Nick passing out on top of me afterward count?” Everyone started laughing. “Nick is amazing in bed, but since Henry keeps us up half the night now, instead of the marathon sessions we used to have, we’re more into short, hot bursts and then collapsing for an hour before we have to get up again.”
Suzy groaned. “Please don’t tell me how wonderful Nick is in bed again. I have to look at the man over the dinner table at family gatherings. It’s bad enough that Gray’s mother never fails to mention what a stud Gray’s father is in the bedroom.” Laying her head in her hands, she added, “There are just some things you shouldn’t know about family . . . like ever.”
When their food arrived, Emma let everyone take a few bites before putting down her fork. “I do need some advice about Brant. I thought we were in a good place last night when he dropped me off, but this morning I walked into his office to find him hugging an attractive woman. He introduced her as a friend, but when Declan walked in, he asked Brant what his ex was doing there.”
Claire’s fork froze on the way to her mouth. “Was it Alexia Shaw?”
“Um . . . yes, I believe so. Why?” asked Emma.
“I . . . Jason mentioned Brant being engaged before to the daughter of a friend of his father’s. I was surprised at the time because I just couldn’t picture him getting married; he’s so . . . reserved. I think it was a while back, though, and I’m not sure what happened.”
Always the voice of practicality, Suzy said, “Well, honey, she’s old news. You’re the here and now. They didn’t have their tongues down each other’s throats, right?”
“Er . . . no, not when I walked in.”
“Did it look like they had at any point?” Suzy asked.
“How would she know that?” Beth asked curiously.
Before Suzy could answer, Claire spoke up. “Oh, you’d know. Men just have that crazy, ‘I’m so close to having sex look’ that they can’t hide, especially with little notice. I agree with Suzy; if he and Alexia had been doing anything other than sharing a platonic hug, you would know it.”
Surprisingly, Ella nodded her head in agreement. “Whenever we have unexpected visitors like my mother, she always knows when she’s interrupting something. The last time she actually said, ‘I’ll make this quick since Declan looks feverish.’ We all knew she didn’t think he was coming down with anything. It was just her way of pointing out that she knew what we had been up to. If my mother can spot something like that, you would have been able to as well.”