HAPPY FOREVER AFTER

She stopped when she realized she wasn’t the only one who had that idea…

There he was. Almost like she had summoned him by just thinking about him. He turned around and saw her.

“Sorry I didn’t know anyone was out here” she said as she turned to go.

“It’s alright. You don’t have to leave Emma” he said.

“Oh alright… Hi” she said.

“Hello Emma” he replied.

“I was kinda tired of being in there so I decided to wander around a bit” she said.

“Yeah me too”. He said. “It’s really beautiful here don’t you think?” he added.

“Yeah it is”.

“So how have you been?” Emma asked because the silence and the intense way he was staring at her made her really uncomfortable.

“I’m okay” came the reply.

“I’m sure you’re okay. She said.” I mean you look okay. Not that I have been watching you or stalking you. I’m just saying because I saw you at the wedding and we’re talking right now and you look fine so I’m just saying.

She stopped and sighed. “Sorry I’m rambling. I do that a lot when I’m nervous.”

He grinned. “Am I making you nervous?”he asked.

“Yes.. ” she said quickly “I mean no.. You are not… I think I drank a lot of wine earlier at the reception or something. Maybe I should head back”

“No, don’t,” he said. “Stay, please”

Emma nodded slowly.

“You look beautiful, Emma,” he said. “I wanted to ask you to dance but I wasn’t sure if it would have been a good idea ”

“Why?” she asked breathlessly.

He laughed. “You seem to say no to everything. I don’t know if you do that with every one or just me”

“Oh” Emma said, not knowing what else to say.

“Would you like to dance with me right now?” he asked.

“But there’s no music”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Doesn’t matter”. He said “Come here”

Without a word, he pulled her gently into his arms and began to move to the distant strains of music. She shivered. He gathered her close and she tucked her head beneath his chin, leaning into him as they swayed in time with the soft melody lilting through the air. Closer and closer they melted together until they were barely moving at all. She was tucked securely against his body, a perfect fit. He laid his cheek atop her head and turned slowly, his feet guiding their rhythm.

Finally they stopped moving at all and stood locked together. He ran his fingers through her hair and kissed the top of her head. She tilted back so that she looked into his eyes and she saw need and desire, but she also saw hope. She felt so safe there, like nothing could hurt her.

“I’m sorry Daniel”. She said suddenly. “I’m sorry that I have been really hard on you. I understand that I might have hurt you but that wasn’t my intention. I was protecting myself. I have been through some stuff. I don’t want to go into details right now though. I like having control over my life -over my emotions, but you came around, asking me to give that up and I just couldn’t handle it.”

He said nothing. And for a second she thought he wouldn’t say anything.

“I’m sorry too”. he finally said “I guess I came on a bit too strong. I was rushing you into this and I shouldn’t have.”

“I want you Emma.” he continued. “I want you to be mine. I know it sounds selfish but I don’t care. I want you to be only mine. I want to hold you and make love to you. I know we would have a great time together”

That was the one thing she wasn’t sure of. He obviously didn’t want a relationship.. Or he would have said so. A great time… So he said. What happens when he got tired?

She pulled away from him.

“I have to go,” she said. She didn’t let him stop her. She went back to the hall.

————–

She went to the restroom.

When a stall opened up, she locked herself inside, then sat down on the commode.

If she was going to be with Daniel and give him a chance she had to stop worrying. She told herself.

He was a man not to do.

Operative word “not.” But what had she done? Did him. And it was amazing. Perfect.

He wanted her because she was one step above complete boredom. She knew that. She had to forget about him before he destroyed her.

Okay, then. No more trusting her instincts. Ever. And no more Daniel Rohan.

That settled, she finished up her business, ran a quick hand through her hair, and walked out to face life on new terms.

Only, as she walked back into the hall, she saw Daniel was back. The band was playing and most people were dancing with their dates.

She watched a group of women fawning over him, laughing at whatever witty thing he had said, she sighed.

God, he was too gorgeous for words. And she knew what he looked like without the tux. The memory slowed her down, and she grabbed onto the nearest chair to steady herself.

She had made love with Daniel Rohan. She had. She knew, because she had been there. For the rest of her life, she would remember it whenever she wanted to. Even when she didn’t want to. It had been a perfect night. She thought about what Karen had said -stop worrying.

Screw it. She thought. If it was a mistake, so be it. All that thinking was driving her insane. She couldn’t seem to make a decision. So she was going to do the one thing she wanted. She was going to let go. She wasn’t going to diminish this experience. It was once in a lifetime. She could live with that.

She headed for him, calmer, even as her heart beat faster. When he caught sight of her, he smiled in such a way that it took her very breath.

He must have excused himself, because the women stepped back, giving him space to walk away.

And walk away he did.

Right smack dab in front of Emma. Close enough for his arms to go around her waist. Close enough to press his body against hers.

Close enough for a kiss so sweet, so thorough, so bone-melting, that she knew, beyond all shadow of a doubt, that she was a goner.