chasing demons. ***completed***

#12 welcome distraction

eating dinner was great. the conversation flowed easily and Dan was grateful having Mary and Kevin there to help keep the conversation going. her youngest brother Jonathan came out of nowhere asking about Paul. Dan's body tensed up. " so sis tell me what's going on with Paul? heard you broke his nose?"

" well Jonathan I guess if he didn't want his nose broke he shouldn't have grabbed me by my arms. got a bruise on both my arms from him trying to man handle me. my daddy raised me where a man can't handle me like that." she continued to eat her steak as Dan smiled at her. he knew if he ever did that to her she wouldn't hesitate to punch his ass ranger or not. " so what else did Paul say?"

" oh just that some guy got in the way of you two making your relationship official. "

Dan shifted uneasily in his seat. Emma looked up from her food and looked at her entire family and Mary and Kevin. " let me make this very clear. not once have I ever had a relationship with that man. I have told him no several times and he refuses to leave me alone. he's been watching me around town and even confronted me at the grocery store. I have made it clear on several occasions I only want to be friends. now I'm hoping he just gets the hint and backs the f**k off."

Dan looked at her. " why didn't you tell me he has been following you around town? the guy is becoming unhinged and it worries me."

" look all of you. I can handle myself when it comes to Paul. he just can't get it through his head I don't want him as my boyfriend. he will get the hint. can we finish eating?" Emma was clearly getting irritated by the conversation.

her brothers all looked at each other than at Dan. it was her father who spoke up first. " keep your eye out on him. I don't trust a man who can't keep himself in reality. he thinks you were in a relationship and he has been telling people around town about it. just be diligent with you and Xavier ok?"

" don't worry daddy. I will." Emma shut the conversation down after that. she couldn't help but wonder if she should be worried about Paul. she never thought of him as the type to try anything but she never thought he would grab her that way either. maybe she should be more diligent and watch her surroundings. after they were finished eating Emma and Mary started grabbing the dishes and bringing it inside to clean up. Dan took Xavier to play ball some more and keep him busy. " daddy is Xavier staying here still or is he coming home? I kind of miss the little guy but I know you have plans to watch the fireworks together."

" I'd like it if he stays. I can bring him in tomorrow so he can get ready for school on Monday and I think we are gonna squeeze in a morning ride. says he wants to be a cowboy like his papa."

" ok I won't try to take him. make sure you kiss him goodnight for me though. it's different not having him around." she turned back to doing the dishes with Mary. Kevin had gone off with Dan and Xavier. " just say it Mary. I know you are dying to say something. "

she looked over at her friend with the biggest grin on her face. " oh my gosh! from what Kevin says Dan saved his life over there. I can't imagine a better person for you. anyone who brings him back home to me is a good man in my books." then Mary started squealing as a thought crossed her mind. " Emma we can go on double dates!"

Emma couldn't hold back her laughter. "how long have you been waiting on that?"

"forever! I'm so excited!" Emma watched out the small kitchen window as Dan, Kevin and Xavier came walking back to the house. Dan bent down to Xavier and handed him his ball and she watched as Xavier threw his arms around him taking it from Dan. Emma and Mary watched stunned. Xavier has never warmed up to anyone not even Kevin like that. only his papa had ever received hugs like that. "please tell me Emma you saw that."

" he has never done that before. he barely trusts anyone."

"told ya, he is a good guy." Emma couldn't help but agree with Mary. if Xavier approved he really was a good guy. after about an hour it was time for Mary and Kevin to leave. Emma took this as a chance to exit as well.

"Xavier you still want to stay and go riding with papa in the morning?"

" yes momma. papa said he is teaching me to be a real cowboy like him! Dan?" Xavier looked up at Dan with the same chocolate brown eyes as Emma. " are you going to play more catch with me?"

Emma watched as Dan got down to his level. " if you get back into town tomorrow before dark. I would love to play again." Xavier threw his arms around his neck and hugged him deeply.

"thank you!" then he pulled back and went back to coloring at the table. everyone looked at each other than to Dan.

shock in everyone's face. Dan stood up confused. " did I say or do something wrong?"

her father looked at him then at Xavier in disbelief. " uhh no sir. it's just.... well Xavier...he is just usually not like that. as a matter of fact he has never warmed up to anyone before like that." Dan couldn't stop the grin from forming on his face.

" he's a good kid. he has great taste." he laughed as Emma punched his arm.

"Come on let's get going. love you guys!" Dan walked her to the truck and held open the driver's side for her to climb in. " well thank you very much." she looked up at the sky. "we better get you home fast. fireworks are going to start soon and I'm hoping to get inside before they start." he nodded his head acknowledging her statement. then drove silently hand in hand as she watched the sun sink down into the sky. "crap! the fireworks are about to start and we still have thirty minutes to go." she looked for a spot to safely pull over and once she did she parked the truck and turned off the engine but kept the radio playing.

" what's going on?"

" the fireworks are starting so I'm pulling over to distract you while they go off. the radio will help a little tp drown out some of the noise." she climbed over to him and straddled his legs.

" what kind of distraction are we thinking?" Dan smiled as Emma planted a kiss on his lips.

" whatever it takes." she ground herself on him causing his body to react quickly to her. he traced his tongue on the bottom of her lip tasting her and plunging his tongue into her mouth.

"I think I like this distraction. " Dan whispered into her mouth. his hands began exploring her body running up her shirt feeling her bare skin as sparks ignited over her body with just his touch. his hands and body became needier. he needed to feel her skin on his and he became aware of too many clothes separating them from that touch. he slowly lifted her shirt above her head taking in her lacey black bra. he sucked in a breath as he un clasped her bra sliding it off her shoulders. leaning in kissing her as his hands massaged her bare breasts. " damn it you are so sexy in every way. I can't get enough of you." his tongue was exploring her mouth as the fireworks began booming in the night sky. he flinched a little and she moved her body closer to him deepening their kiss. he needed to be inside her. to feel every part of her around him. he tugged at her Jean shorts trying to take them off. she leaned up pulling them off as he made quick work of his jeans and boxer briefs. he felt her come over him the tip of his erection at her warm wet entrance. she sank down on him just as another series of explosions lit up the sky. his head leaned back onto the head rest as she moved herself up and down taking him in further and further." holy f**k Emma!" he could feel her tighten up as he started thrusting himself up inside of her.

" Dan! yes! just like that!" Her breasts bounced up and down as she moved to the same rhythm as he was moving. faster and faster. his thrusts were becoming deeper as he felt himself climbing in pleasure. everything about her was driving his senses over the edge and then he felt her climax and explode on him causing him to leap into an explosive orgasm. his body went tense as he let himself go.

his head was on her chest as they both were panting and riding their waves of pleasure. the entire world had disappeared and all he could see was this woman in front of him. he didn't even realize he was speaking as he was breathing heavy holding her close to him. " I love you Emma." he felt her body tense up and his eyes grew wide as he realized the words that came out.

she grabbed the back of his head and looked straight into his eyes. his nerves suddenly took over and he began to panic." hey, hey, look at me." his eyes made it back to hers. he was trying to calm the war raging inside of him. " I love you too."

"you do?" she could see the shock in his face. she shook her head yes as he pulled her closer to him.

"yeah, I really do." he grabbed the back of her head and pulled her closer to him kissing her soft lips.

" you taste like cotton candy." they were so into the moment neither of them saw someone watching them from the tree line.