No Expectations

Chapter Sixteen

Stephen

Every time Mia showed up on my phone, my heart rate sped out of control as this stupid smirk would spread across my face. This beautiful girl could have me wrapped around her finger if she wanted. I actually missed her even though it had only been two days. How could I miss someone I barely knew so much? I wanted to hear her laugh or look into those big pretty eyes. I missed those big soft lips, and the feel of her delicate hands on my skin.

My arms reached out for her when I opened my eyes Monday morning. She was gone. Well, not gone. She was sleeping next door. I wanted her here in bed with me, but I settled for the 'good morning' text she sent me with her signature smiley face. Before work, we met in the hallway, and she walked me to the elevators. We kissed right in front of them, almost daring for anyone to witness how crazy we were about each other.

My sister surprised me Sunday night by dropping in with her boyfriend for dinner and drinks. Wanting them to leave, so I could invite Emilia over, I hinted I needed to get to bed early. Karen didn't catch the hint. They didn't leave until I actually needed to get to bed. She kept going on and on about how awesome her friend was, and I needed to contact her again. I crossed my arms and avoided the subject like the plague.

Emilia's encouraging little texts spread throughout the day. As I checked my phone between meetings, I'd end up grinning at her random ramblings or support. She was sweet. She was beautiful and cute. She didn't play games with me. She was herself: simple, honest, and genuine. She inspired me, and I wanted her to know how much I was starting to care for her.

I called her on the drive home, too anxious to wait for a text back. She answered with a whisper, saying she was with her dad at Publix, buying food for the New Years party at her house. "Are we still on for midnight?" I asked, knowing the answer already.

"Hmm. What's going on at midnight again?" I could hear the smile in her voice.

I smirked as I signaled then got into the far right lane. "Just some light hand-holding."

"Ah. Not sure. Doesn't really sound worth my while."

I exited the highway. "What about some kissing?"

"A little warmer."

I was grinning as I turned right at the light. It was hard to hold back how bad I wanted her in my arms again. Midnight was too far away when I wanted her waiting in my bed now. "Maybe some heavy petting." She was quiet. "Maybe my mouth on that sexy little clit of yours. My cock in that tight wet pussy."

She gasped. Her voice was soft like she didn't want anyone around her to hear. "Those all sound... good."

"Just good?"

"No, fucking great. Probably exactly what I need. Maybe the answer to my prayers."

"Hmm. No pressure."

"None." I heard a man's voice calling out her name in the background. She sighed. "Gotta go. See you at midnight."

"I'll be waiting."

"Be waiting naked," she rushed out before hanging up on me.

I pulled into the parking lot, smiling to myself as I gathered my things and climbed out of the car. There was a skip in my step as I approached the building. When was the last time I was actually excited about a date with a woman? When was the last time I was even exclusive? Emilia was wiggling her way right into my damn heart, and I welcomed it.

My feet stopped moving the instant I saw Emilia's aunt standing near the elevators in the lobby. She stood with a taller woman who had similar features as her and Emilia. It must have been Emilia's mom. She still looked young and beautiful. I wondered how Emilia would look in her thirties then shuddered at the realization that I'd be in my fifties. That was not something I wanted to think about quite yet.

Her aunt noticed me before I could hide. Her smile was as bright as the goddamn sun. "Stephen! Funny seeing you here!" she shouted across the lobby like she didn't already know I lived here. She was older than Emilia, obviously, but acted much too young for me. Her desperate little eyes batted her lashes as I was slow on my progression through the lobby.

I tried to remember her name, but I realized I had no idea. Wow, I'm a jerk. It was something short like Mia's, but I couldn't put my damn finger on it. I settled for a generic, 'Hey, how are you?′ to which she beamed and gushed on about how excited she was that tonight was New Year's Eve. Emilia's mother caught to my disinterest almost immediately, glancing between us. Her eyebrow raised.

"Any plans for tonight?" the aunt asked, batting her eyelashes again. I felt uncomfortable, mostly because she looked so like her niece.

I held up my briefcase with a tight smile. "Not for me. Gotta get some last minute work done."

She had a coy smile. "Well, maybe you could come up just to watch the ball drop. My sister, Maria," she gestured to Emilia's mother, "is having some people over. We'll have wine and snacks. It'll be fun."

My eyes narrowed at hers. "I don't think the woman I'm seeing would appreciate-"

Her mouth dropped open in horror. "Oh, only as friends! Karen's invited too. She's bringing Zach."

One of my eyebrows rose. I had a bit of a dilemma. I wanted to agree because I could spend the whole night with Emilia. Another part of me wanted to say no because I didn't want her aunt getting any ideas about us. I chose to see Emilia. "Well, alright. Sure. I'll talk to my sister about it. See you. Nice to meet you, Maria."

Maria smiled a smile almost identical to her daughter's. "Nice to meet you too, Stephen. Amy'll settle down by tonight. I promise."

Amy. Her name was Amy. Right. I chuckled politely before brushing past them and jumping into the elevator.

"Surprised you wanna go," my sister commented as she pretended to look through a magazine. She and Zach showed up at my doorstep about ten minutes ago. I'd called her to include myself in her New Years plans. "Thought you didn't like Amy."

"I don't," I answered back cold, checking my watch for the time. "How long do you think Zach's gonna be in there?" I asked, pointing to the bathroom.

She shrugged. "I don't know. He poops like once a day, but it takes about half an hour. Super unhealthy. I'm trying to get him to stop eating so much red meat."

"Fuck off!" Zach shouted from the bathroom. I couldn't help but snort at that.

She shook her head as she rolled her eyes. "So if you're not interested in Amy then why are you going? She might get the wrong idea or something."

My turn to shrug. I tried to sound casual but ended up rambling instead. "I just wanted to have plans. You know I don't have any friends. Plus, she invited me herself down in the lobby and made a point to say 'friends only' with the invitation."

Karen was suspicious. "Well, she's just acting strong. You hurt her feelings last time." I didn't say anything else because there was nothing to say. I had hurt Amy's feelings, and now I was toying with them to get close to her family. Where had my morals gone? "Hurry up, Zach!" she shouted, getting antsy now. "We were supposed to be there thirty minutes ago!"

"Almost done!" he shouted back, making me laugh again. I think I really did like him.