"I'm selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of controls and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." —Marilyn Monroe
Even if the last resort was—heavens forbid—shopping in this maze of a city, the distraction was necessary. He did not wish to dwell on the fact that his paintings, his work was to be sold. Double-edged sword he was no fan of. But, she appeared proud of him. Distracted, anxious, and his kiss traveled to her shoulder for a brief touch, but proud. His brows lifted briefly with the mentioning of mugging, but more with her reaction; she frowned and he did not like that. “There is no rush, my love. When we settle, we do.” Was that.. that was a pretzel stand. Huh. “You are still quite bossy. I shall never tire of this.”
“Just please, don’t use the Metro. It’s not only unhygienic but it also has a very poor service. Let’s stick to our drivers.” Ember almost pleaded with her eyes. She truly hated public transportation and it had nothing to do with the people that took it but because it was frustrating and ineffective most of the times. Also, it wasn’t exactly safe. Her eyes traveled with his towards the pretzel stand. “Street food is delicious, I’ll give them that much. But it’s often overpriced and not all too fresh. Do you want to try it?” Sure, why not. She had to understand that her home was entirely new to him and much too different than what he’s used to. Still, she rolled her eyes at him, starting towards the pretzel stand. “I have to be. I will not fall into the boring category simply because we’re sharing a home. You have no idea what you signed up for, Jared. I tried warning you. You were too stubborn to listen.”
Perhaps he should feel guilty for insulting her home, but it was crowded and noisy. Not entirely of his forte. “You will show me around, yes?” His thick French accent seemed only moreso among the clipped tone of locals. An accent which drew a gaze or two and they were ignored, just as her attention to her phone was as well. He knew her tendencies towards it and did not mind. “With you, I find myself considerably open-minded,” he confessed in her ear, kissing the shell softly. Just before he nipped her phone and tucked it into his pocket. Fast, nimble hands. The use of ‘our’ had not gone unnoticed and he smiled faintly. “Mon couer, we are living together. Saying it is our home is expected.”
Showing him around, sure. Ember pursed her lips because she wasn’t fond of visiting sights, not with all the obnoxious New York tourists all over them. But she nodded in agreement either way. There was more to New York City than Time Square and the Brooklyn Bridge. She almost protested the phone being taken off her hands, the detachment already making her anxious, but he was distracting her with kisses and the use of french endearing word she didn’t seem to grow tired of. “As soon as we settle, we’ll go out and I’ll show you all the good parts of the city, and the parts you don’t want to go unless you want to get mugged.” That immediately made her frown, knowing his… past occupations. “You’ll love the apartment, really. It has a great view of the Park. We’ll take Chip on walks at night. It’s not so heavily crowded there. Tourists follow the lights like moths to a flame. They won’t bother us. I promise you’ll like it here.”
“So,” Jasper began as they walked the streets. He carried her bags, of course, though a chauffer lingered behind with cases. “You were raised in this monstrosity?” Her hair gleamed in the light and it was skill and a bit of luck that his lips gently touched her jaw as they walked the streets of New York City, heading to her—their—home.
“Actually, I was raised in this very fancy boarding school in Massachusetts but this monstrosity as you call it… is the only place I ever felt like home.” Ember kept flipping in between windows on her phone, arranging meetings to follow and having her mother bug her about one thing or another, until she finally turned it off at the touch of his lips. “It’ll grow on you. If it doesn’t then, the moment I finish school we can scout another city with designer stores and art galleries all at a walking distance from our home." Our home? "I mean… you know, a house. Where we can live. Together. Oh, you know what I mean.”
Wait - Jasper’s been training him? Am I missing something? You should be worried, I have been very lonely ever since Lucas took off to god knows where and left me here alone. A dog would be perfect company. Yes, you wouldn’t be. No going back then.
Yes and no. Ugh. —buries her face in her hands— See, even the most perfect of humans, I’m talking about me by the way, make stupid decisions every now and then. Where is your brother, anyhow? I think mine will turn into a human popsicle, considering he’s at Harvard and suffering yet another catastrophic snow storm. No going back, just make sure you have the rum with you.
Oh it definitely is. Hell, your spirit is brighter then the sun. How has Chip been doing? You should bring him by sometime, I actually miss his barking. Realistic, yes, very. You have a very good point. Don’t be so dramatic. I’ll bring the rum.
Jasper’s been training him lately, so he’s actually behaving a bit better. I will, I’m just worried you’ll dognap him or something. And you cannot ask me that, Eleanor. I would be nothing if I’m not dramatic. Perfect, we have a deal.
Then we’re on the same page. These eBooks were especially downloaded for my trip. It was either my Kindle or paying for an extra bag filled with novels, exceeding the weight limit. Your perspective is negative. You know what? The next time I decide to book a last minute plane ticket, I’m booking you a ticket as well. Maybe a few days from dull ol’ England will brighten your spirit. I’m in! No going back now.
My spirit is as bright as the sun, I’ll have you know. Ask Chip if you have any doubts. He’ll tell you. I’m quite a chirpy person, not negative but merely realistic. It’s just that the truth is something a lot of people don’t like hearing. Fine. Fine. I think I just dug my own grave, or it surely feels like it. I’ll get us coffee.
[His lips curved even as he ignored her protests, remained so as he listened, contemplated a joke.] As it happens, the price was most worthwhile. [A whisper against her lips, indulging in another stolen kiss, laughing with her protests, a palm sliding up to cup her cheek.] Oh, how I love you, Ember Black. [And again, he kisses her, lingering, enjoying.]
[A shift, a hand light on the center of her back, stepping closer.] I want to meet them because they are your parents and it is proper. [Teeth gently caught her bottom lip before another kiss.] You are perfection for being so insufferable. [That hand on her back trailing down her arm, her side.] Please, Ember? Please, let me meet them.
[His whispers, the touch of his hands, the proximity between them so close now they barely stood apart, the kisses. It was hard trying to put her thoughts together when he kept distracting her so. Her resistance slowly wavering with each breath and she was sure she wouldn’t be able to deny him were he to continue this seduction. It was as delightful as it was infuriating, to have someone have such a strong hold on her.]
Sure it’s proper but I don’t want them to put any pressure on you. You don’t get it, Jasper. My mother, she can be quite harsh. And she’s really demanding. And my father, well, he just doesn’t like any boy I’ve ever liked, even less dated. And he has great influence in some very scary people… I just, I don’t want to drag you into it all. [Pushes him slightly, enough so that she could meet his eyes.] Wait- why are you so intent on meeting my parents all of a sudden?
