The next two weeks dragged by at an agonizing pace, seemingly designed to torture me to the point of madness. My time with Emmett never seemed to be enough. Our secret trysts at the empty house were sadly short-lived. The house sold after only a week of us meeting there. I instantly disliked the couple who moved in. Not because they were bad people—I hadn't even met them. They just ruined the only alone time I got with Emmett, just as I had worked up the nerve to ask him if he wanted to move beyond kissing.

After my week of atonement ended, I was at least able to text him again. We spent hours every night exchanging messages until we fell asleep. A few days after this started, I grew bold and sent a shirtless selfie.

Is that what we're doing?

I regretted the decision.

Was that weird? I thought you'd like it. Sorry. I've never done anything like this before.

A moment later, I got a similar picture of Emmett. Though he had gone a step further and was only wearing his boxer-briefs. The effect on me was immediate. I felt a shiver all over and chewed on bottom lip.

Does that answer your question?

We switched from texts to DMs as we sent photos back and forth, each time escalating a bit until we had both seen all of each other.

God I wish I was there right now!!!

Why?

I could practically hear the flirty, teasing tone Emmett would have used to say that.

I think you know why.

Nope. You're going to have to tell me.

If I was there, I'd kiss you.

What else?

I'd touch you.

Be more specific.

The phrase "hot under the collar" popped into my mind to describe how I felt typing out all the things I wanted to do with Emmett. Although I was naked, so I didn't know if the phrase still applied. My heart raced as I read over Emmett's replies, his ideas. I didn't know it was possible to have a full body blush, but that's how I felt when Emmett told me what he was currently doing, thinking about me. It seemed only polite to let him know I was doing the same thing.

Needless to say, it was a very good night.

And now Emmett was free. My parents still hadn't budged on the idea of not returning my car, no matter how much I begged. It hurt to see it siting in the garage collecting dust. I assumed they'd give it to Rachel when she turned sixteen in April.

My heart pounded as I waited at Emmett's front door. I wiped my clammy palms on my jeans. It was like the first day I came here all over again. Only I didn't know how much I actually liked Emmett that day.

I heard footsteps coming down the stairs inside. The door opened on Mrs. Noble. "He's in his room."

"And I can go up?" I was hesitant because I hadn't been allowed beyond the living room in three weeks.

"Yes, Clay." Mrs. Noble stepped aside and raised her hand toward the stairs. "Will you tell him I'm going to the grocery store? And text me if he wants anything special."

"Sure." I grinned and ran past her, fleeing up the stairs before she decided Emmett needed another day of penance.

I twisted the doorknob as carefully as I could. I wanted to surprise Emmett.

As it turned out, it didn't matter. Emmett was wearing his noise-canceling headphones. He sat at his desk doing homework, his head bopping to the rhythm. Only Emmett would spend a Friday afternoon doing homework. His extreme nerdiness brought a smile to my face.

I closed the door and crept over to press my lips to Emmett's neck. He nearly fell out of his chair from shock. "What the fuck?" He spun in the chair to look at me, clutching at his chest. "Don't do that!"

I laughed and laid my hands on Emmett's shoulders to keep my balance as I straddled his lap. I removed his headphones, gently placing them on the desk. "I couldn't help myself. You're just so damn sexy."

Emmett rested his hands on my thighs. "How can I be mad then?"

I shook my head, slowly leaning in. "You really can't."

I kissed him, lifting my hands to hold his face as the kiss deepened. A desperate fire spread through my body. Kisses were great, but I craved more.

I pulled away to catch my breath. "We should go on a date."

Emmett raised his brows, his lips stretched into a grin. His green eyes sparkled with delight. "Are you asking me out?"

"If I did, would you say yes?"

"You have to ask me to find out," Emmett teased, bumping the end of his nose against mine.

"Emmett Noble, will you go out with me on a proper date?"

"I'd love to, Clay Lennox-Miller."

"Somewhere fancy. With like reservations and shit."

"You're such a romantic, baby," Emmett quipped sarcastically.

I rubbed Emmett's cheek. "I just want to see my baby all dressed up. I bet you're so hot." I leaned in to give him a quick peck on the lips.

"Am I not always hot?"

I hung my arms around Emmett's neck. "Of course you are. But I think I like a man in a suit."

Emmet cracked a smile. "Really? Have you been looking up some special videos?"

"No—well, yes, but not that." I shook my head, slightly jarred. "The day of the accident, when I saw you in your uniform for the first time, with your blazer and your tie, I got seriously turned on."

"That's not the first time you saw me in my uniform. Is it?"

I nodded. "The closest I ever get is like this." I tugged on the collar of Emmett's white button-down shirt. "You're always practically out of it before I see you."

"I mean, if it really turns you on, I could put my coat and tie back on right now."

I narrowed my eyes, rubbing Emmett's chest. "Don't tempt me. I might not be able to control myself."

Emmett's good arm slipped around my waist, yanking me higher on his lap. "I'm okay with that."

I could feel just how okay he was. It was impossible to ignore while sitting on his lap. I chewed on my lip, contemplating trying something.

Emmett loosened his grip, leaving me disappointed. "We haven't really talked about this yet. Maybe now's the time."

"You mean sex, right?"

Emmett nodded.

"I'm not a virgin, Em. You know that. And I know you're not."

"But you've never been with a guy before."

"I know the basics," I said, massaging Emmett's shoulders. "I've actually been kinda studying since we got together. For when it happens. I figured I should know what appeals to me and what doesn't." I leaned in, brushing my lips across his as I spoke softly, trying to be seductive. "And you can let me know what you like, and I'll definitely try it. I have a list."

"You have a list?" Emmett asked, chuckling.

I pulled back, feeling awkward now. "I mean I didn't write it down or anything." I threw my head back, groaning. "God, can you imagine if my parents stumbled across something like that?" I shuddered at the thought.

"Well, we don't have to do anything you're not ready for."

I leaned my forehead against his. "And if I said I am ready, what would you think about that?"

"I'd be pleased," he said.

I reached up to unbutton the top of Emmett's shirt. "Oops." I undid a few more. "I'm just so clumsy."

Emmett pressed his lips tightly, trying to hide a smile. "How tragic?"

I slid my hand into the open space in Emmett's shirt, rubbing the skin underneath, getting quite excited myself. I slid my hand up to his shoulder, pushing the cloth aside to press my lips against his collarbone. Meanwhile, I twisted my hips against Emmett.

"Are we actually doing this right now?" Emmett asked.

I brushed my lips across his cheek and along his jawline. "Not everything. Not yet."

"My mom is downstairs."

"No, she's not." I relayed Mrs. Noble's message while nuzzling his neck.

"It usually takes her at least an hour."

"Good." I stared into Emmett's eyes. My hand slid down Emmett's abdomen, drifting down between his legs. "Is this okay?"

"Yeah."

Emmett's lips parted as I palmed the front of his pants. Emmett started panting as I massaged him through the material. I pressed my lips to his, giving him deep, sloppy kisses. A few minutes later, his whole body began trembling.

I smiled against Emmett's lips as his fingers dug deep into my thigh. His breath came out as sharp gusts through his nose. He turned his head away from mine. He grabbed me by the back of neck with his good hand, pulling me close to bury his face in the crook of my neck as he finished.

I stood up and kissed him. "How was that?"

Emmett was still breathing hard. "For someone who's never done anything with a guy, you did that very well."

"Maybe next time we can try it without the clothes."

Emmett hooked his index finger in the waistband of my shorts, drawing me closer. He started rubbing the font of my shorts, though I was already raring to go from what I'd just done.

Emmett unbuttoned my shorts and looked up at me. "Do you want me to keep going?"

I nodded without a word. I had never wanted anything more.

When Emmett unzipped my shorts, they fell to my feet with the weight of my wallet, keys, and phone. My chest heaved as Emmett pushed up my shirt to kiss the spot between my bellybutton and the waistband of my boxers. Emmett's lips followed the thin trail of dark hair down until he reached the fabric. He pulled it down, looking up into my eyes as I was exposed in front of him. He seemed to be checking in on me, possibly to make sure I was alright. When I didn't speak, he continued.

I let out a loud gasp. It's not like it was the first time I'd gotten a blowjob, but the fact that it was Emmett made it a million times better. I twisted my fingers into his thick, black hair. I accidentally yanked a bit too hard and Emmett pulled back. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Keep going."

Emmett smiled, keeping eye contact as he continued.

I gripped Emmett's shoulders tight as my abdomen seized up. "Emmett!"

He must have realized how close I was, because he removed his mouth and stood up to kiss me, wrapping his injured arm around my back to hold me close as he finished the job with his hand.

I wrapped my arms around Emmett, kissing him deeply.

When we parted, Emmett smiled at me. A genuine, wide smile. "I can't tell you how long I've been waiting to do that."

I leaned my forehead against his, both of us breathing heavily. "Probably about as long as I've wanted you to."

"I really need a shower now. You kinda ruined my pants. Twice."

I looked down to see the result of Emmett's handiwork. "I'll take full credit for the first time. The second one is your fault. You shouldn't have held me up against you."

"Better my pants than my rug."

I laughed, pulling my clothes up. "True."

"Do you want to join me in the shower?" He bit his lip, quirking his brow.

I shook my head. "As tempting as that sounds. I have to go. I've got lots of plans to make for tonight."

"You're leaving already? You just got here."

I hooked my arms around Emmett's neck and kissed him again. "Like I said, I got plans to make, baby. I gotta make sure everything's perfect for you."

Emmett grabbed my neck, pulling me into an intense kiss for a moment. "I love you."

"I love you, too." I gave him one last peck on the lips. "Until tonight."

"I can't wait." Emmett said before I swept out of the room.

I couldn't believe that just happened. It gave me an incredible rush, like adrenaline on steroids. That felt more intimate and intense than anything I had ever done with a girl. And I couldn't wait to do it all again.