Hot Coffee (The Hollens Book 1)

Sweet and Sour

Emma's POV

I woke up to the chipping sound of birds and a blinding ray of sunlight on my eyelids. I rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom where I freshened up and dressed in something more comfortable. I was dreadfully hungry and Ethan was nowhere in sight. 

He must have gotten up earlier and went to the morgue.

I took my purse and headed to the restaurant for a bite, Anton and Brad following close behind. They were dressed in strictly black and wore black stylish eye glasses.  They, basically, resembled the main characters in the movie Men in Black.

As we walked, we got attention from many on-lookers. Some taking pictures while others were pointing, and others saying hello to us. I couldn't engage in conversation with anyone; they spoke Italian and I just couldn't understand.

Nevertheless, I ate peacefully— fish sticks and pancakes. Ethan had told me I should start eating healthier so I added a side of mixed vegetables.

After two hours, he came back with Luis.

"It is her," he said, and sat down looking very flushed, exhausted and pale. 

I almost didn't recognize him. The news about his mother's death had taken a total on him. She was mean but she was his mother. I hated her for what she did to me without even trying to get to know me. I loved her son and wouldn't do anything to hurt him, but she lashed out on me with Sharon's help. She had dragged me out of the mansion by my hair, stuck me in the back of a pickup truck, and instructed the driver to leave me for dead at a swamp in another state. How do you forgive someone for that?

I don't really know what it took, but I did forgive her. I wished she was more kind and understanding towards me. I wanted her to be apart of the twins' lives, to teach them things that Ethan and I couldn't, take them to different places all over the world, and spoil them—what grandmothers do. I really wanted that. And if she were alive I would have dropped all the charges against her and accepted her into my life and the lives of my children because I believed in second chances. I believed people could make a change for the better, and I believed there's a piece of good in everyone. Even the devil was once an angel, right?

"I'm so sorry," I told him as I rubbed his back to comfort and support him.

"I can't stay here any longer. I'll call Hexx. Emma, get ready. Guys, get ready."

He headed inside to the hotel room and I followed suit, running a bit to keep up with him. 

I packed without hesitation and sat on the bed, waiting to leave.

"Baby, I am sorry if I was harsh to you, and for hurrying us out of here. I can't stand being here knowing this is Sharon's country and she killed my mother here. I can't take this."

"I understand."

"Emma, I know you might be scared but I need you to be strong for the babies. Sharon can't come between us and, I promise you, once this mess is sorted out and she's behind bars where she belongs, I'm taking you and our babies on a sunny vacation."

A big smile crawled onto my lips and he gave me a sweet, slow passionate kiss. He tasted delicious as ever and I had a passion for him almost immediately from that kiss. I hung onto his neck and pulled him down onto me.

"Baby, we can't right now. We have to leave in a bit."

"But I want you now."

"Hmm." 

He kissed me and ran his hand down to the hem of my dress, lifting it up, and made his way to my joy spot. His lips left my mouth and he moved lower and lower until he was at home. He pleasured me with his tongue.