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"Yeah, well the only way I haven't gained the same is I've been running every other day at least. You need to get out and run."
Emma listened to their good-natured ribbing with annoyance. "So why is it you guys get to talk about needing to lose weight and I don't?"
Jaxson's hand on her ass stilled her as he leaned in to whisper into her ear, "Because we aren't body shaming ourselves or each other like you do."
She didn't get a chance to reply before a loud screech was heard behind them.
"Oh my God, it really is them! I heard rumors they were hanging around campus, but I didn't believe it." A busty blonde and raunchy red-head pushed into their personal space to sidle up to Jaxson, despite him still holding Emma's ass in his hand possessively. "Jaxson Davidson! Can I get your picture and an autograph?"
He squeezed Emma's ass, his subtle message to her to remain calm as Chase stepped forward to push between the women and Jaxson.
"Hello ladies. Let's take it down a notch. I don't think they heard you across campus yet."
"Chase Cartwright, too! You are even hotter in person! I love your hair longer like this." Emma wanted to bitch-slap the ballsy blonde who had dared to reach out and run her fingers through Chase's hair as if she had every right to touch him.
Did women really act like this?
Chase handled her beautifully, pulling her hand from his space and returning it deliberately to her own side, yet she was oblivious to his hint because she dug into her purse and came out with a pen. Emma watched in awe as she pulled her skimpy tank top aside to bare the ample swell of breast while she pressed the pen into Chase's hand.
"I'm out of paper, but you can give me an autograph on my body. In fact, you can do whatever you want to me, anywhere you want, if you get my drift."
Emma was actually embarrassed for the brash woman currently making a fool of herself, but she was also alarmed because her loud voice had begun to attract a crowd. Jaxson's hand moved from her ass up to wind around her waist, pulling her closer to his body making it clear she was with him.
The redhead wasn't interested in Chase. She was pouting as she noticed Jaxson cozying up to Emma. The sour look on her face matched her poisonous words when she opened her big mouth. "A man like you… believe me, you can do a bit better in the hook up department. Take me for example. I'm available."
Emma felt her Dom's muscles tightening as he fought to control his temper. Their first foray into public was turning out to be just about as disastrous as she'd predicted. The crowd was growing. People had their cell phones out, some whispering and pointing, others pressing forward to try to get a better look.
Jaxson turned to Emma and hugged her to him, whispering in her ear, "I'm sorry, baby. I'm gonna deal with this and then we'll get out of here." He kissed her forehead tenderly before releasing her, nodding to Chase who moved to take his place with Emma while Jaxson stepped closer to the two women who had started the scene.
A look of victory lit up the makeup-caked face of the blonde as Jaxson stepped close, invading her personal space for a change. Her look of victory didn't last long. He spoke into her ear too softly for Emma to hear his words, but whatever he said replaced victory with anger. She opened her mouth to argue with him, but he put his index finger against her lips and warned her. "Not another word. Turn around and get the hell away from us now, before I call the police and report you for harassment."
The women stomped off, cussing Jaxson out loudly as they left.
"Sorry for the disruption everyone. You can all go back to your shopping now. There's nothing to see here."
A college co-ed that had been taping the event on her phone looked like she might attempt to ask for an autograph, but then thought better of it as she glanced at the two departing women.
Only after the dust settled did Emma realize she was shaking. She wasn't sure if it was the too-cold air-conditioning or the too-hot embarrassment of the scene that had just played out. Regardless, Chase and Jaxson sandwiched her as they often did, all linked intimately until she started to feel better.
"Well, that was fun." Chase said, a bit too cheery.
Emma bit her tongue to keep from saying 'I told you so.' This was exactly the kind of reception she'd known she'd get when going into public with the gorgeous men she was in love with and they hadn't left Madison, Wisconsin yet. What was it going to be like in London or Paris, or God-forbid in Washington DC the following week when they went to the fund-raiser with Jaxson's family?
"Can we go home now, please?" She asked quietly. She wasn't sure whose hand was caressing her back, but it was helping.
Jaxson took charge as usual. "We aren't going to let a few idiots ruin our day. Let's get going to checkout."
They piled the groceries into the back of the rental truck and then drove Emma around campus running errand after errand, checking things off her list. With each checkmark she made, she felt another weight being lifted off her shoulders. By the time Jaxson pulled into the large mall on the outskirts of town she was downright floating. Other than the embarrassing event in the grocery store, the day had been fun—perfect even.
But she was tired and more than anything, she needed to get home so she could get rid of the hitchhiker still lodged in her ass. It had now been there for twelve hours and was becoming more uncomfortable by the minute. It didn't help that they'd insisted she eat a late lunch with them.
She tried one more time to dissuade the men from their current mission; operation Emma makeover.
"Can't we please go home now? I'm really tired. I didn't sleep well last night. We can come back tomorrow."
"That's enough, Emma. We are going to be busy taking some of your stuff to your parents tomorrow. We won't stay long, but I do want to get started on that big 'ole list of yours." Jaxson was authoritative as always.
The mall was cool in the July heat. It looked like it was a popular destination for others trying to cool off.
