Loving My Best Friend

Ch 11 - The Kiss

She pushed at him with her hands but Oliver took both of her hands in hers and placed them above her head, making their bodies align with each other.

His lips moved over hers with deep and passionate strokes. She felt helpless against the desire that was rapidly flooding into her veins. Feeling herself losing to his touch, Emily moaned in resignation and submitted herself to him. Her breasts were pushed against his chest and their pelvises were aligned. It was not lost on Emily about how aroused Oliver was. She felt herself getting wet by the feeling of his arousal against hers.

One of his hands traveled under her flimsy top and she whimpered when his hand covered her breast.

Her body was on fire and she only wanted the ache between her thighs to be addressed. She arched against his body and Oliver trailed down kisses over her neck, her breasts and stopped when she moaned.

“Not here,” Oliver muttered huskily, and pulled Emily’s legs to wrap them around his waist.

“What are you—” Emily said and Oliver quickly kissed her on the mouth.

“I am taking you to my room,” he said and tugged her towards him, but Emily’s eyes were looking at the kitchen around them and she realized the gravity of the situation.

What was she doing losing herself to him like this? In a kitchen? She hadn’t distanced herself from him just to fall at his charms like a woman starved for s****l gratification. It was humiliating how she wasn’t able to resist him, knowing that he was a womanizer and would break her heart eventually. She knew she had feelings for him and if she slept with him, it would only mess up her mind even more.

Shaking her head, she pulled her hand from his. “I am sorry, I can’t.”

Oliver, who was panting like Emily, stared at her in bewilderment. “What do you mean? You want to continue in the kitchen?”

Emily steeled herself and sighed, running a hand through her hair. “No, I can’t do this any longer. I am sorry I got weak and kissed you.”

Oliver’s blue eyes narrowed as he realized what she was saying and Emily could see that he was coming out of the s****l haze as well.

“Don’t start that bullshit again. You know you want me,” Oliver said, moving closer and grasping her arm.

“Doesn’t mean I should. I can’t explain, okay. Just stay away from me,” Emily said, not meeting his accusing eyes, and ran out of the kitchen towards her room.

Oliver stood there stunned at the audacity of hers to deny her feelings blatantly. What was wrong with her? He wasn’t asking her hand in marriage. He was only asking for casual s*x. What was she afraid of?

~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day…

Emily was going towards the office located inside the mansion to start her day when she got a notification of a new email. She quickly opened it and stopped dead in her tracks.

It was an email from Rickard Hansen, asking for the Profit and Loss account 2021. Emily forwarded the email to Oliver and her secretary, who was back in New York. Oliver was in Vermont but Emily didn’t want to face him after last night’s event. She couldn’t deny that the memory itself was enough to light a fire inside her but she was determined to push it away.

Quickly, Emily ran to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee and something to eat. She saw Eleanor sitting on the stool in the kitchen, having breakfast.

“Morning, Eleanor,” Emily greeted, panting in a hurry.

“Good morning to you too. Are you okay?” Eleanor asked with concern.

Emily glanced at her and winced. “Rickard asked for a file and I am just fretting over it.”

Nodding, Eleanor said, “I will tell Mr. Hansen about it. Which file, by the way?”

“Profit and Loss account 2021.” Emily said. ”Thanks.”

Eleanor accompanied Emily as they proceeded towards their offices but halted when they heard an unfamiliar female voice.

“Rickard! Oliver! How are you?”

Both Emily and Eleanor turned together to see the owner of the voice. It was definitely some young woman pining for one of the Hansen brothers, Emily thought. Not a surprise for Emily, but yet the thought bothered her.

Emily saw a gorgeous woman dressed in a beautiful long blue dress that highlighted her figure. She was hugging Rickard and then took Oliver in a hug with a sweet smile on her face and Emily wondered how long she had known these brothers?

But then the woman’s eyes fell on Eleanor and she was surprised.

“Eleanor? You’re here too?” The woman asked, still blinking in shock. Emily was curious as to how she knew Eleanor as well. By the animosity she could tell that this woman was after Rickard.

“I didn’t expect you here as well. What a surprise,” Eleanor said with a fake smile which made Emily chuckle.

Noticing her chuckle, the woman turned to face Emily and glanced at her from head to toe as if she was evaluating the competition. “And you are?”

“Emily and you?” Emily asked, not liking the way she was being scanned.

“I am Crystal, Rickard and Oliver’s friend. Although, Oliver and I have a lot of catching up to do,” Crystal said, and directed a smile at Oliver, much to Emily’s distaste. Oliver smiled back at Crystal and waved her over.

“Why not I show you around?” Oliver offered and Crystal beamed at him.

Emily stared as the two left and she felt relieved and in distress at the same time. Relieved that she was right in not letting her follow her desires and in distress because of seeing Oliver with another woman who was clearly interested in him.

It was a battle that Emily had to fight alone and quietly.

~~~~~~~~~~~

In the evening when Emily got out of her office, she saw Eleanor standing in the corridor looking lost. Quickly, Emily asked her if she was okay and Eleanor burst into tears.

Even after asking several times, Eleanor continued to sob, so Emily took her inside her office and calmed her down. It turned out that Crystal was the cause of Eleanor’s trouble. Not only was Crystal after Rickard but she also left no chance to humiliate Eleanor.

“Emily’s right. Dad won’t let her insult you.” A voice sounded.

It was then Oliver came out of the shadows, shocking both women, and Emily realized he had sneaked into her office without her realizing it.

“Are you out of your mind, Oliver?” Emily asked, stomping upto him for scaring them.

“You two barged in and started your heart to heart discussion? What was I to do?” Oliver said, while Emily glared at him.

He took a step towards her and Emily wasted no time backing away. He then turned to Eleanor.

“You really think we will watch while she bullies you? I might be a player, but I am not an asshole,” Oliver said and Emily laughed sarcastically.

It was Oliver’s turn to direct a glare at her, but Emily was amused.

“Thank you, Oliver,” Eleanor said, interrupting their exchange.

Now wipe your tears and let’s go outside. Show him what he’s missing,” Oliver said, hinting at his brother. He knew from the start that Rickard’s interest in Eleanor was different. It wasn’t professional or casual. If it was anyone who could get a hold on his brother, it was Eleanor.

Eleanor shook her head and said, “I am done with him long ago. I don’t care what he thinks.”

Emily glanced at Oliver and he glanced back, knowing that the damage was done and they would have to do something about it.

“Let’s get you freshened up first. Then we will see what we are going to do with her?” Emily said, pulling Eleanor to her feet. She walked with Eleanor out of the office and on her back she stared at Oliver in alarm and mouthed the words “Get rid of her.”

Oliver frowned first and then his mouth fell open. How was he supposed to get rid of an alive woman? He only knew one method to handle women and he was going to apply that. He just wished Emily wouldn’t be upset about it.

~~~~~~~

Later that evening, Emily was sitting with Eleanor, Kate and Chloe in the garden enjoying their time. But she could see that Eleanor was still in distress as her gaze kept riveting towards Rickard. Emily turned around and looked at their table to see Crystal was seated between Oliver and Rickard and giggling like a teenage girl. She laughed at something Oliver said and her hand fell on his thigh.

Seeing that, Emily’s eyes widened. She could see that Crystal was flirting with both brothers at the same time, but Rickard was the least bit interested in her and it was evident in his face and posture, but Oliver, on the other hand, she couldn’t say the same for him.

He was laughing, touching and enjoying his time with Crystal. Emily felt an ache deep within her chest. Had she made a mistake asking Oliver to handle Crystal? If she thought clearly, Oliver could easily seduce Crystal and take her out of Rickard’s way.

Feeling bitter, Emily took a sip of juice and closed her eyes to calm herself.

“Assholes, aren’t they?” Chloe said, staring at the boys as they all had a great time with Crystal.

“Tell me something I don’t know already.” Emily said and passed Eleanor some cookies.

It was then Emily’s gaze fell on a new face and she asked, “Hey, who’s that?”

“That’s Crystal’s brother, Lucas Gerardo,” Chloe said with a smirk. “He’s handsome, isn’t he?”

“He certainly is.” Emily agreed. It was then an idea struck Emily and she looked at Eleanor. She took Eleanor and followed Chloe, who was going to introduce them to the new guest.

After their introduction, they found out that Lucas was an architect and was fascinated with the design of the mansion.

Bernard Hansen chuckled hearing that and said, “Do you girls mind showing him around?”

Eleanor was about to utter her refusal and excuse herself but Emily interrupted. “Oh, why not? We would be glad to.”

They walked towards the mansion together and it was then Emily put her plan into action. “I am sorry, Oliver’s calling. I hope you don’t mind Eleanor showing you around,” Emily said and excused herself before Eleanor could protest.

Emily ran away quickly and laughed, seeing Kate and Chloe staring at her with amusement.

“You are amazing, Emily,” Kate said with a giggle, and Emily smirked.

She turned her head to glance at Rickard and, to her satisfaction, he was looking at Eleanor and Lucas as they went. Emily smiled to herself and sat down. At least someone was going to be happy and she promised herself that she would do everything she could to make sure they got together. Because she could feel the love brewing between them and, unlike her, she couldn’t let them give up on love. Though she had her reasons, she couldn’t let them drift apart.