Unleashed

Chapter Twenty-One: Canvas

I was startled to suddenly feel Emma's  arms wrap around me. She kissed my cheek, and gently nuzzled my neck. I didn't understand why she was being so understanding, but I wasn't in a position to question it. I wrapped my arms around her, returning her hug.

I could feel tears building in my eyes and I bit down on my lip, willing them away. But the truth was, I hadn't realized just how much I needed her to be on my side until I thought she was about to say goodbye.

She gently ran her hand up and down my back in a calming motion, giving my face and neck more of her soft, gentle kisses. I began to realize, I couldn't remember the last time I had embraced a woman like this when it wasn't about sex. I also realized, I couldn't imagine being this close to anyone but her.

"We'll figure this out. Somehow, we will figure it all out. It's not the end of the world, okay? I'm here." She pulled out of our hug enough to look me in the face. Her eyes were filled with affection, and remorse. But her tone suddenly went from calm and peaceful to irritated and serious.

"That being said? if I ever hear you call yourself dumb again, I'm cutting off your penis and feeding it to the neighbor's dog. You are not dumb, you got it?" I was speechless, to say the least. Somewhere between touched and terrified. It was so sweet she was protective, and she was also really sexy when she got sassy.

But on the other hand, poor Ryker Junior. Although, he is kind of the one who got me in all this mess in the first place. He always was a dick. Hardy har har..see what I did there? Don't judge me, I'm a man at the end of his pitiful rope.

"I don't deserve you, Emma." I said honestly. She blushed, looking slightly embarrassed. "I'm serious. You can do better." She really could, though the thought of her with someone else made me want to throw myself through the windshield. Or better yet, throw him  through the windshield. Ooo, I like that idea better.

"I'm just fine right where I am, thank you very much." She winked at me, and something in her smile made me believe that somehow it would be okay. My eyes traveled down to her lips, as I found myself wanting to kiss her.

This seemed to make her nervous, and she broke the silence. "Let's worry about all that drama tomorrow, huh? We were in the middle of a date, weren't we?" She smiled at me, her face lighting up. I almost felt my heart melt at the fact she still wanted to be on a date with me. I was expecting her to demand I take her home and never talk to her again.

She looked out the window and at our surroundings, probably for the first time since we pulled up. She looked puzzled, but intrigued. "Where are we anyway? I don't think I've ever been here before." She asked as she looked out the window and at the sign on the building in front of us. "'The Palette?' What's that?"

I suddenly got very nervous. I had no idea if she'd be into this. But I thought after she found out about Sheila, this might be our first and only date. I wanted to do something special and creative. Something more intimate than taking her to a movie. The problem was, I had very little experience in this particular area.

"I was part of a project that filmed around this area once. During the time I got to know a lot of the business owners in the area, including this one. She's a nice lady, and let me rent out the place tonight so we could be alone." I said, sheepishly. I kept my eyes outside the window and to the building the entire time I talked. I was too nervous if I looked at her, I'd find her trying not to laugh at my pathetic attempt at a creative date.