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Although it had come with some initial hesitation, it was good to have Frank in his corner. One thing about that man was he had a dog-eared determination.
“You care to share?” Emmanuel asked.
“No, not now.” Frank stood. “Well, I am going back to work. My boss decided to be a hardass today.”
It wasn’t a laugh, but Emmanuel got something out that resembled one. After Frank’s departure, the slice of cake caught his attention. Even though he’d been an ass, she had gone out of her way to drop it off. Emmanuel took it as a sign that they’d get through this mess.
It hadn’t been his intention, but Emmanuel’s day ran longer than he expected. This new product launch had more speed bumps than a school zone. Normally, he could shake it off, but coupled with the nightmare of his personal life, Emmanuel wanted to have a drink. He wouldn’t, though. Even in his teens, he had felt the need to resist turning to alcohol and drugs. As if he ever gave in to that temptation, it would lead him down a dark road. To ensure his success, he put strict rules in place. No drugs. Ever. A drink was allowed on holidays or social gatherings, but only one. Never in response to emotions running high. So, no. He wouldn’t have a drink, but he wanted one.
Exhaustion won the battle over hunger. Thanks to a half-eaten wrap Emmanuel had grabbed earlier in the evening before heading home, he was able to go straight to his bedroom. Ivy was already in bed, her head in a journal.
“Hey Manny,” she greeted sleepily. In his exhausted state, he couldn’t take the possible rejection of her not wanting his affection. So rather than walk over and greet her with a kiss the way he normally would, he answered her greeting as he walked to the washroom.
“Hey Doc, I am jumping in the shower.”
The shower was quick. Emmanuel’s lids were heavy with sleep as he made his way to bed. Ivy had fallen asleep still holding the journal. He carefully slipped it from her hands and placed it on the bedside. Ivy truly was beautiful. It was nice to be able to look at her without seeing the worry and confusion etched on her features. He couldn’t resist the urge to press a kiss to her temple. Her sigh of contentment was a balm to a crappy day. The moment his head hit the pillow, he began to drift off, but before he completely lost consciousness, she snuggled into his side.
As soon as Emmanuel opened his eyes, his body sensed Ivy's lush, round ass pressing into his morning hardness. He pulled her closer and nuzzled the spot on her neck that never failed to elicit a response. She ground into him as one arm encircled her waist. While the other cupped her breast and his thumb strummed her already erect nipple through the lace of her sleep top. She moaned softly as his fingers toyed with the hardened tip.
All was forgotten as they got lost in the sensual rhythm that they both thrived on. Emmanuel’s hand found its way onto her panty-covered mound. Then slipped beneath the lace. He groaned in pleasure, finding that she was already slick for him. The slickness aided his finger in gliding into her entrance with ease. Her walls welcomed him with a squeeze, as she moaned, “Manny.”
God, he loved the way she called his name. He hardened further against her ass. His other thumb found her swollen clit. Both thumbs mirrored each other as they teased her, heightening her arousal. Ivy’s breathing hitched, then increased as he drove her to the brink of her release.
“Come for me,” Emmanuel commanded.
Ivy gifted him with her compliance as she tightened, then flooded his finger.
“Manny.”
His name escaped her lips in a pleasured whisper. Bringing her pleasure always gave him a high and heightened his own. His finger remained in her warmth until the spasms subsided, then he slipped it from her core. As was his habit, he placed his finger into his mouth, savouring the taste of her release. His groan of enjoyment filled the air.
“I need you,” Emmanuel murmured as he gently slid her panties down and off her. She turned in his arms, and he kissed her. The kiss was fervent. He’d missed her. Their bodies worked in synch as he positioned her onto her back. Then, just as he situated himself between her waiting thighs, she broke their kiss.
Doused. His passion was doused with five words. “Wait, let me grab protection.”
Emmanuel rolled over to the side as he tried to digest her words. The request shouldn’t have been a surprise. He knew she had purchased the condoms. Yet, he still hadn’t prepared himself for this moment. Ivy had jumped off the bed in search of them. Even laying down, it felt like the room was spinning. It wasn’t logical, but he sat up and swung his legs off the side. It was no help. So, he leaned forward with arms resting on his thighs. The blood rushed to his head. His mind tried to make sense of what had just happened, but fell short.
“Manny,” Ivy called. Perhaps she had done it more than once because when he looked up, she stood in front of him. She reached to place her hand on his shoulder, but he moved out of her way. Her eyes widened in shock.
“Excuse me,” Emmanuel requested as he stood. His own voice sounded foreign even to him. He was angry. “I’m going to shower, then I have to head off to work.”
“Manny,” Ivy called.
“No, not now.” Emmanuel moved quickly and didn’t stop until he was in the shower. The morning kept bearing the fruit of surprise. When he left the bathroom, instead of finding the bedroom empty. Ivy was sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes trained on the bathroom.
“Emmanuel, we need to talk about this.” The plea in her voice did little to ease his angst.
“Go ahead then, talk.”
Ivy physically reacted to the bark in his tone. Emmanuel felt like his life was unravelling and he wasn’t feeling very magnanimous. Maybe he had been willfully blind, but he thought this lie wouldn’t come between them. The sudden realisation that not only was it growing between them, but just maybe the divide might tarnish the beauty they’d cultivated over the years, was almost too much to bear.
“I know you are upset with me, but… it makes little sense for us both to take a test and continue on like we didn’t take it.”
As she spoke, he pulled on his boxers. Probably too much care in selecting the socks, but he couldn’t look at her. Couldn’t acknowledge the logic of what she said.
“Emmanuel? Are you listening?”
“To every last word. We are waiting on the results of the STI test to find out if I put your health, my health, at risk.” He spun around then and took in the bewildered look on her face.
