EMMA

"Okay, what else?" I mumble, holding my phone between my ear and my shoulder as I fumble with the luggage lock I picked up after work. "What am I missing?" Shoot, I really need to start writing lists.

Ah-ha! The lock pops open with the new code I've set and a bit of my worry lessens. I might hyperventilate on the plane, but at least my luggage won't be rummaged through.

"Toothbrush, deodorant, sunscreen," Nadine chuckles at the last item. She sounds distracted, like she's watching TV as she cleans up at the coffee shop. Still, she never fails to make fun of me for my easy-to-burn complexion.

"Check, check," I roll my eyes as I run into my bathroom and grab the SPF-50 I keep on hand. "And check. Why do I think I'm forgetting something?"

Tossing the sunblock in with my motion sickness medicine, I chew the corner of my lip as I scan my bedroom. I'm overthinking this, I'm just so nervous to see Beau again.

That, and I'm terrified to travel alone. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, reminding myself that once I'm in the air, it'll all be fine. Until I have to come back down, my stomach tightens with the thought.

The past couple of weeks have been long and dreadful - each day seemingly lasting hours longer than it should have. Even Adam couldn't distract me at work, his normal goofy humor unable to fully occupy my mind and his coveted rom-com manuscripts not entertaining enough to entice me. Unfortunately, that left even more time for me to daydream of seeing Beau again - thoughts floating off in that direction at least once every couple of hours or so. At night, I fell asleep to Beau's voice on the phone or to numbing reality cooking shows on the television, dreams painting a million happy versions of Beau and I's reunion.

"Condoms?" Nadine laughs at her own joke as my jaw drops.

"Nadine! What's gotten into you?"

"I'm just saying, Miss Emma. I don't care what the boys tell you. You can never be too safe-"

"Oh, God." I groan but silently feel warmth in my chest. My mom never got to have the talk with me, and Nadine is the closest I have to a big sister. It just seems a bit late in the game for such advice. "Beau's got us covered, but thank you."

"Yeah, yeah," I hear the jingle of the doorbell in the background. "Speaking of men - mine is here to bring me out to dinner. Call me when you land?"

I promise to do just that as a deep voice greets her on the other end. My smile widens. "So he's your man now? When will I get a name?"

"Oh hush," I can practically see Nadine waving me off in my mind. "Don't you go getting any ideas. You know I can't say no to some lobster,"

I let out a laugh but hang up without forcing anything more from her. She can hide it all she wants, but there's no denying that Nadine must like this new man. For starters, he's the only one she's dated in years. But more than that, she, like Gemma, doesn't usually see anyone more than once.

Reluctantly resuming my focus on packing, I glare at my stack of clean underwear on my bed. How many pairs is too many? And which pairs?

I let out a groan and flop into my fluffy comforter, wondering when I got so nervous about myself around Beau. Lingerie, pajamas, full makeup or barefaced - my appearance has never seemed to affect his attraction towards me before.

Maybe it's because we haven't seen each other in so long: I want him to want me as much as when he left - when things between us were still new. Is it crazy to think that he won't? The nagging feeling that he and Rey look ... cute together in the paparazzi pictures hasn't let up, although I've been better at ignoring it.

She just seems like she'd be his type.

Shaking the thought from my mind with a final sigh, I dump the entire pile of underwear into my suitcase, settling the matter once and for all.

***

I groan as I roll over in the silky sheets, pulling a plush pillow over my eyes. In my exhaustion, I'd forgotten to close the blinds all the way the night before. The flight to Boston was awful. Without Beau there to hold my hand, my knuckles grew sore from gripping the arm rests tightly during take off and landing. Each little bump in the air sent my stomach into my shoes and my heart nearly out of my chest. Never mind the fact that flying in a private jet is quite different from flying in economy. The man next to me hated flying even more than I do - I shudder at the memory of his face nearly turning green when we hit turbulence.

But alas, I'm finally here - I stifle a yawn as I turn off the alarm clock issued by the hotel.

Rays of morning light stream through the thick curtains and birds begin to chirp their wake up calls outside the window. I inhale the common scent that accompanies hotel rooms and flick on the lights to reveal a simple suite. I'd planned ahead - showering last night and keeping my hair in loose braids to create bouncy waves this morning.

Slipping out of bed, I blush as I unpack the lacey, black lingerie I'd bought special for this trip. Biting my lip, I change into the bra and underwear, imagining Beau's expression when he sees me. He thinks I'll be landing in time for his show tomorrow, but I wanted to surprise him - the first unofficial birthday surprise of the weekend - the moment that he got in.

Which should be any moment, I eye the clock furiously as I run my fingers through my hair. Leaning closer to the mirror above the small writing desk, I swipe liner around my eyes and coat my lashes in dark mascara. Scrunching my nose at my reflection, I decide to leave my freckles on display today. For Beau, I blush, knowing he'll appreciate them.

I back up finally to see my full height in the mirror and blush an even deeper shade of red. My long legs are accentuated by the lace garter and black pumps, my breasts full in my new bra. I've never seen myself like this.

Just have fun with it, Gemma's words ring loudly in my ear as I tie my jacket belt tightly around my waist, concealing my dirty outfit underneath.

With a deep breath, I check my phone and make my way to the elevator. Beau had sent me his rooming details for when I checked in after him, in case he happened to be away from the hotel. Double checking the reservation, I press the button for the top floor and feel my belly come alive with butterflies.

When housekeeping hops on at the next floor, I can barely suppress my giggles. How would the little old woman react, if she knew what I wore beneath my coat? I roll my eyes at myself as the elevator slowly pings upwards.

Finally, we reach the top floor and I steady myself before entering the hall. Cautious that there's no one else in the corridor, I find Beau's room and gently knock on the door.

Inside, he grumbles loudly enough that I can hear him through the door and I struggle to keep my expression serious.

Always so grumpy.

"Housekeeping," I make my voice extra high so that he won't recognize it, sensing his impatience at the intrusion.

"Already?" He grunts. He sounds so tired. I wish he'd just answer so I could see his face - those pretty green eyes and that half-smirk. "I just got here,"

Heavy footsteps approach anyways and I brace myself, breath quickening as every hair on my neck stands on end.

I gently tap the door again, more impatiently than before even though I know Beau hates being rushed.

"Ah, fuck. I'm coming,"

The door swings open, a wave of cool air sending my hair flying over my shoulders as it does. Beau's expression flits from exhausted to confused before finally setting into a huge grin. My heart nearly bursts at his smile, a breath of fresh air in my world, despite the yellowing bruise around his eye.

"Emma, what're you doing here?" He cocks his head to the side, his bed head lopsided and more grown in than when he left. Before I can reply, he pulls me close to him, nearly crushing my lungs in the process.

I let him, my sexy plan already in the back of my mind. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I gently kiss the soft, tattooed skin there and rest my forehead against his shoulder, feeling at home with his arms around my waist.

Oh, I've missed you - I miss you even when you're right here in front of me. I almost feel my heart sigh in contentment. Nothing else matters right now - not the bruises or Jace, not Rey or anything else. Because Beau was right - when we're together, everything makes sense.

"I wanted to surprise you," I finally tell him, backing up a couple of steps. Keeping my voice low as to not wake any one, I peer down the hall to make sure we're still alone. It's still too early to be awake, but I don't care. He's here.

"Consider me surprised," His green eyes look tired as he leans his head against the door frame. He extends a hand to pull me inside but I shake my head, chewing my lip nervously.

"Wait," I feel my cheeks warm as I fiddle with the belt of my coat. Beau watches me, brows furrowed, slightly amused expression on his face. With a deep breath, I untie my jacket and hold it open, posing slightly and slowly meeting his eyes.

Bottom lip between his teeth, Beau smirks that sexy Cheshire Cat smile as his eyes twinkle deviously. Looking me up and down lazily, he makes an appreciative sound at the back of his throat before finally pushing off of the doorframe.

Looping a long finger in the front of my underwear, Beau sends shivers up my spine as he pulls me forward, forcing my body against his chest.

"Very surprised," He mutters, resting a hand at the base of my neck as he crushes his mouth to mine.

Gasping, I welcome his kiss eagerly, knotting my fingers in his long hair as he slams the door closed. Fighting against the material of his shirt, I push Beau onto the bed and climb into his lap, my mouth barely leaving his.

Moments later, breathless but hungry for more, I pull back and stare at Beau as he flips me onto my back and hovers over me. His eyes meet mine briefly and I don't need words to know what he's thinking. Things might not be perfect between us but right now, but I just need him - his smell, his taste, his hands on my skin.

I place a hand in his hair and pull him towards me again, letting out a whimper as he plants kisses up and down my neck. His long fingers work at the button on his jeans and I let go then, allowing myself to be carried away by the bliss that is being with Beau.

Hi loves! Let me know what you thought of the chapter. Finally some real action Bemma content!
What will Boston have in store?