CHAPTER ONE ~ FALLING FOREVER
Chapter One
~EMERSON~
Walking up to my front porch, I feel tired, restless, angry and just deflated knowing Ashe is with Brinley. Most of all, I feel foolish for thinking he wanted me. I just want this night to be over.
I’m not the woman who sits around waiting for a man. I’m not the woman who doubts herself because of a man. I started to become that woman. Questioning myself. No more. I’m not the woman who makes her choices based on pleasing a man. Ashe made his choice. It’s not me. He’s probably fucking Brinley right now. I hope for his
sake, it’s good. I can’t deny or ignore the intense desire we share. The want we pique in each other. If Brinley is on the receiving end of what I only had a taste of, she may need some time off work. If Ashe
chooses her to unleash it on, so be it. He’s proven being co-workers is only an excuse. Now I know it’s all bullshit.
So long, Ashe Bennett.
“I had a nice evening, Killian. It was nice getting to know you over the last thirty-six hours. I’d like to keep in touch; I think we could be really good friends.”
“I’d like that too, Emerson. I enjoyed being able to talk to someone. You make opening up incredibly easy.” I don’t think anyone gives Killian a chance. Maybe he’s different with me since, from the moment we met, he knew he didn’t need to try to impress me. It was clear we would be friends. Nothing more. We had a great time yesterday having coffee and talking to each other about so
many things.
“You’re easy to talk to as well. Don’t be a stranger.” I’m looking forward to getting to know him better and I’m glad he feels the same way.
“I won’t be a stranger. Your street is part of the route I jog every morning. I’ll be sure to stop by for coffee.” He offers me a wink.
“You’re crazy running guy?” I look at him bewildered. He’s the guy I always see running in any temperature or weather conditions. I’ve never had an encounter with him.
“I don’t know, am I ‘crazy running guy?’” Bless his heart, he’s confused.
“Killian!” I laugh aloud at the oddity of the whole situation. “I’ve been ogling you since I’ve moved here from Ohio nearly a year ago. I always catch glimpses of crazy running guy and think he’s sexy and
wonder what he’s like. Here you are!”
Killian shares in my enthusiasm at the strange coincidence and is more than ready to wrap his arms around me as I fall into him, hastily placing my arms around his lean, muscular body, as if we’ve
known each other forever and haven’t seen one another in a long time.
“Who could have imagined that crazy running guy would turn out to be your new best friend?” Killian chuckles with delight.
Just as I’m about to agree, because we truly are becoming very good friends, a motorcycle coming down the street at a very slow pace revs up and shoots into the darkness with a deafening rumble
of thunder. Silencing me.
“Oh my God!” I raise my hand and grab my chest as I nearly jump out of my skin.
“Holy shit!” Killian whips his head in the direction of the ruckus. People don’t have any goddamned respect. This is a residential area and far too late to be showboating. Are you okay?” He caresses my
cheek with his thumb, his eyes intently searching mine for any signs of distress.
Killian is protective and I find it completely attractive. I wish I could see protectiveness in Ashe. I don’t. It’s just not there. He’s just a playboy. All he wants is a different piece of ass. I thought maybe
I could make him want more. I thought he wanted more from me. Boy, was I wrong.
“Emerson, are you okay?”
“Oh, Killian, yes. I’m okay. Forgive me. It’s late, I think I better turn in for the night. Thank you for a lovely evening.”
“The pleasure was all mine. I’m looking forward to seeing you again, Em. I like the friendship we’ve started.”
“Me too. Who knows, maybe I’ll join you for a run some morning. We’ll just need to sync up our schedules when we can.”
“That would be great; crazy running guy would love the company.” He extends his arms and smiles brightly. He makes me laugh; I like that about him.
Killian kisses my cheek and waits until I’m inside before walking to his sporty car parked on the street at the end of my sidewalk. After locking the doors, I immediately shed my heels and my gown.
The gala was fun and I enjoyed myself, but it’s time to put this day and everything in it behind me. I can barely reach the bottle of tequila on the shelf. But man, do I need it. I fetch a shot glass and get the cut limes from the fridge. One. Two. Three. What the hell… Five. Wait, four. That should help wash away Ashe and let me sleep without creating haunting images in my mind of the way his evening is unfolding with Brinley.
The heat of my bath water relaxes me; tequila helps with that too. I’m playing my Maroon 5 playlist and She Will Be Loved pleasantly drowns out the silence. I can’t take quiet now. I can take Adam Levine now. As the water drains, Harder to Breathe plays and
I rub coconut oil onto my damp skin and into my hair.
CRASH!
My heart pounds in my ears. What was that sound?
I quickly go to the small safe in my closet and load my Ruger .38 Special. I may be a hopeless romantic and good hearted, but I’m not a fucking damsel in distress.
The shadow casts across my living room and crosses my body as I stand motionless on the stairs. The trespasser is obviously male. His shoulders are broad and he’s tall, his head is near the top of the
window.
“206 Lexington Avenue. I’m fine. I have my eyes on him and I have my sight on him. I understand I have the right to protect myself if he enters my home. Yes, I’ll stay on the line. I’m putting the phone
down. I need both hands.”
Come on, you son of a bitch… Try me. My vision is momentarily taken by the piercing brilliance of a spotlight shining through the window. I don’t flinch.
“POLICE. Put your hands above your head. Now. Hands in the air.”
The amplified commands of the police have dogs barking all over this quiet Pittsburgh suburb.
I relax as I see the shadows of ten fingers being brought into restraint behind the trespasser’s back.
A gentle knock at the door, and finally I lower the draw of my pistol.
Only then, do my hands begin to shake.
“Ma’am. It’s Officer Riggins, Pittsburgh PD. You’re safe.”
Falling Forever
~EMERSON~
Walking up to my front porch, I feel tired, restless, angry and just deflated knowing Ashe is with Brinley. Most of all, I feel foolish for thinking he wanted me. I just want this night to be over.
I’m not the woman who sits around waiting for a man. I’m not the woman who doubts herself because of a man. I started to become that woman. Questioning myself. No more. I’m not the woman who makes her choices based on pleasing a man. Ashe made his choice. It’s not me. He’s probably fucking Brinley right now. I hope for his
sake, it’s good. I can’t deny or ignore the intense desire we share. The want we pique in each other. If Brinley is on the receiving end of what I only had a taste of, she may need some time off work. If Ashe
chooses her to unleash it on, so be it. He’s proven being co-workers is only an excuse. Now I know it’s all bullshit.
So long, Ashe Bennett.
“I had a nice evening, Killian. It was nice getting to know you over the last thirty-six hours. I’d like to keep in touch; I think we could be really good friends.”
“I’d like that too, Emerson. I enjoyed being able to talk to someone. You make opening up incredibly easy.” I don’t think anyone gives Killian a chance. Maybe he’s different with me since, from the moment we met, he knew he didn’t need to try to impress me. It was clear we would be friends. Nothing more. We had a great time yesterday having coffee and talking to each other about so
many things.
“You’re easy to talk to as well. Don’t be a stranger.” I’m looking forward to getting to know him better and I’m glad he feels the same way.
“I won’t be a stranger. Your street is part of the route I jog every morning. I’ll be sure to stop by for coffee.” He offers me a wink.
“You’re crazy running guy?” I look at him bewildered. He’s the guy I always see running in any temperature or weather conditions. I’ve never had an encounter with him.
“I don’t know, am I ‘crazy running guy?’” Bless his heart, he’s confused.
“Killian!” I laugh aloud at the oddity of the whole situation. “I’ve been ogling you since I’ve moved here from Ohio nearly a year ago. I always catch glimpses of crazy running guy and think he’s sexy and
wonder what he’s like. Here you are!”
Killian shares in my enthusiasm at the strange coincidence and is more than ready to wrap his arms around me as I fall into him, hastily placing my arms around his lean, muscular body, as if we’ve
known each other forever and haven’t seen one another in a long time.
“Who could have imagined that crazy running guy would turn out to be your new best friend?” Killian chuckles with delight.
Just as I’m about to agree, because we truly are becoming very good friends, a motorcycle coming down the street at a very slow pace revs up and shoots into the darkness with a deafening rumble
of thunder. Silencing me.
“Oh my God!” I raise my hand and grab my chest as I nearly jump out of my skin.
“Holy shit!” Killian whips his head in the direction of the ruckus. People don’t have any goddamned respect. This is a residential area and far too late to be showboating. Are you okay?” He caresses my
cheek with his thumb, his eyes intently searching mine for any signs of distress.
Killian is protective and I find it completely attractive. I wish I could see protectiveness in Ashe. I don’t. It’s just not there. He’s just a playboy. All he wants is a different piece of ass. I thought maybe
I could make him want more. I thought he wanted more from me. Boy, was I wrong.
“Emerson, are you okay?”
“Oh, Killian, yes. I’m okay. Forgive me. It’s late, I think I better turn in for the night. Thank you for a lovely evening.”
“The pleasure was all mine. I’m looking forward to seeing you again, Em. I like the friendship we’ve started.”
“Me too. Who knows, maybe I’ll join you for a run some morning. We’ll just need to sync up our schedules when we can.”
“That would be great; crazy running guy would love the company.” He extends his arms and smiles brightly. He makes me laugh; I like that about him.
Killian kisses my cheek and waits until I’m inside before walking to his sporty car parked on the street at the end of my sidewalk. After locking the doors, I immediately shed my heels and my gown.
The gala was fun and I enjoyed myself, but it’s time to put this day and everything in it behind me. I can barely reach the bottle of tequila on the shelf. But man, do I need it. I fetch a shot glass and get the cut limes from the fridge. One. Two. Three. What the hell… Five. Wait, four. That should help wash away Ashe and let me sleep without creating haunting images in my mind of the way his evening is unfolding with Brinley.
The heat of my bath water relaxes me; tequila helps with that too. I’m playing my Maroon 5 playlist and She Will Be Loved pleasantly drowns out the silence. I can’t take quiet now. I can take Adam Levine now. As the water drains, Harder to Breathe plays and
I rub coconut oil onto my damp skin and into my hair.
CRASH!
My heart pounds in my ears. What was that sound?
I quickly go to the small safe in my closet and load my Ruger .38 Special. I may be a hopeless romantic and good hearted, but I’m not a fucking damsel in distress.
The shadow casts across my living room and crosses my body as I stand motionless on the stairs. The trespasser is obviously male. His shoulders are broad and he’s tall, his head is near the top of the
window.
“206 Lexington Avenue. I’m fine. I have my eyes on him and I have my sight on him. I understand I have the right to protect myself if he enters my home. Yes, I’ll stay on the line. I’m putting the phone
down. I need both hands.”
Come on, you son of a bitch… Try me. My vision is momentarily taken by the piercing brilliance of a spotlight shining through the window. I don’t flinch.
“POLICE. Put your hands above your head. Now. Hands in the air.”
The amplified commands of the police have dogs barking all over this quiet Pittsburgh suburb.
I relax as I see the shadows of ten fingers being brought into restraint behind the trespasser’s back.
A gentle knock at the door, and finally I lower the draw of my pistol.
Only then, do my hands begin to shake.
“Ma’am. It’s Officer Riggins, Pittsburgh PD. You’re safe.”
Falling Forever
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