by Marie Skye
I took a deep breath and nodded. I’m totally stopping her.
“Words, Grayson. I need the words.”
I stepped forward getting into her space. “I understand.”
“Good. Now take me home, Grayson.”
“That was different, Emmalin, we’re talking about now, and you know it. I haven’t lied about anything. I’ve kept my promise. But I’m beginning to wonder about you.” Her head shot up at my accusation, and she quickly diverted her eyes. “Grayson, I’m handling it. That’s all I need for you to know right now.”
I shook my head. “That’s not good enough.” I reached for her. “Come on. I’m taking you home, and don’t start with me.” She rolled her eyes and started for the door. “I’m not fragile, Grayson.”
“I know you’re not. I’m just concerned.”
Chapter Four
Emmalin
I hated this. This was doing nothing but putting a strain on our relationship. The door buzzed and I ran to it. Grayson put his hand up and I stopped. “It’s just Isabella.” He looked at the feed and nodded, and I sighed. “I told you.” A few minutes later, the elevator buzzed and Isabella walked through with Hawkins, and I couldn’t hide my excitement at seeing her. It’s been awhile.
“Hey. What’s with the sexy escort?”
I peered over her shoulder. “That’s Hawkins.”
She looked back at him. “Well, he can escort me anytime.”
I rolled my eyes, grabbing her hand, and led her to the kitchen.
“What’s going on? What’s with all the extra beefed-up security?”
“Oh, you know how Grayson is. How are things with you? It’s been weeks since I’ve heard from you?” I took out four wine glasses and a plate of cheese and fruit. She eyed me skeptically.
“Are we expecting more guests?”
I looked at the wine glasses and shrugged. “Just in case, you never know. So about you. Go.” She took the wine from me.
“Nothing new, all the same. Bunch of rich people.” She looked around behind her. “Really liking these new digs, Emmalin.” She looked around the kitchen. “Although I’m a bit disappointed Grayson didn’t let me decorate.”
I laughed. “For the record, I didn’t even know he got this. He got rid of Caliscades when I said we needed some time apart, and got this one as a do over.”
Her eyes grew big. “Okay, you’re the one that needs to talk.”
I sighed. “I’m done talking about me. Let’s just drink.”
She held up her glass. “I’ll drink to that.” We both laughed as Grayson came rushing into the room followed by Chace. I sat up straight in my chair.
Chace held his phone up. “You asked me to come; you said Grayson was acting weird?”
I glanced between Chace and Grayson. “Did I say weird? I meant to say there’s wine.” I gave my best guilty smile. Chace rolled his eyes and then realized Isabella was in the room. I gestured toward the chair next to her. “Sit, have a drink with us.” No one moved. Finally, Chace spoke.
“I didn’t know you would be here, otherwise I wouldn’t have come.”
I looked at both of them. “What is going on with you guys?”
“Emmalin, leave it alone. It’s their business, not ours.” Grayson gave me a pointed stare, and as much as I wanted to argue, he was right.
I looked at Isabella. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize this would be awkward.”
She smiled. “It’s fine. And it’s not. It’s fine.” Then, to Chace she said, “Would you like some wine?”
He tentatively stepped forward. “Sure. Thanks.” He reached for the bottle, pouring them both some.
The next two hours were spent with idle chatter. Mostly with us in one big room with Isabella and I talking together and Chace and Grayson talking together. Of course, I couldn’t help but notice the glances Chace gave her. There was something there, and when the time was right, I was hoping Isabella would talk to me about it.
Grayson had just gotten into bed with me, pulling me closer. “What do you think is going on with them?” I asked.
He sighed. “I don’t know.”
“They would be good together, right?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did it start off bad?”
He turned me around. “Babe? Men don’t really talk about that stuff. Whatever their shit is, they’ll figure it out, and if they don’t, they don’t.” He shifted on top of me. “Just like I’m still trying to figure you out.” He rested his forehead against mine, and I traced the line of his face and sighed.
“I don’t know what’s going on with you, Emmalin. But it needs to stop. I see what it’s doing to you, and I don’t like it. You’re different.”
I cupped his face and whispered against his lips, “I’m still me, Grayson.”
His eyes darkened. “Stop lying to me. No, you’re not,” he said through gritted teeth. I stilled. I could feel his heartbeat beating wildly as he shut his eyes and tried to control his temper. I reached down and grabbed him between my fingers, and his eyes flew open as he grew hard in my hand.
“Focus on me, okay?”
He groaned as I moved my hand up and down. “Babe, your hand is on my dick. All my focus is going to be on you.” I smiled as he buried his head in my neck with a growl, nipping at my collar bone. I hissed as he bit down, then sucked hard at my neck. He was in a marking mood tonight.
“You still haven’t learned, have you?” he whispered in my ear. He eased up off of me. “Using sex as your weapon for a means of distraction.” He shifted back slightly. “And these.” I gasped as he ripped my panties off. Dammit. There goes another pair. He put his knee in between my legs as he moved back in place. “That’s two insubordinations tonight. Whatever shall your punishment be?” He thrust in to the hilt, and my eyes rolled back at the sensation. “Perhaps orgasm denial,” he whispered in my ear. My eyes shot open. He reached down and started rubbing my clit, as a wave of pleasure started to take over my body. He began thrusting faster, and right when I was about to fall over the edge, he stopped.
I whimpered as my orgasm that was right there fell back down the cliff. I was panting hard. “Grayson.”
He eased back slowly, his features hardening. “Hands above your head, on the headboard, and don’t you dare move them.” I quickly complied. His tone was hard and menacing. This was the same Grayson from Tesh. The domineering Grayson. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t fear him in that very moment. He slowly traveled down the rest of my body, never taking his eyes off me. His fingertips lightly grazed my pussy. “You’re wet.” He continued his light touches, as my breathing picked up. My grip tightened around the headboard. He lazily slipped a finger in my opening. Then another. “But, I like you soaked,” he spoke gruffly.
My back arched as he latched onto my clit, sucking hard. The release I didn’t have from before started to gather in my core. My muscles started to tighten, and right when I was about to fall over the edge again, Grayson’s entire body left mine, leaving me empty once more. My eyes shot open.
“No! What are you doing?” I reached my hand down to try to give myself some relief but he caught my wrist. My eyes started to water. Grayson sat back, face completely blank. It’s like he was a completely different person.
“I told you not to move your hands. If I have to tie you up, then I will.” I jerked my hand from his. His eyes darkened at my sudden unwillingness. He moved off the bed to the closet. I watched his every move as he came back with leather bindings. What the hell? He was serious?
“Unless you’re planning to safeword me, Emmalin, lay back down, hands above your head.” He spoke calmly, yet I heard the threatening undertone, almost as if he dared me to safeword him. I knew I had a choice, and while I’ve never safeworded him ever, I knew I had a choice. I briefly weighed my options. He wasn’t physically hurting me. I wasn’t in danger. I was just frustrated and annoyed. I took a deep breath and slowly laid back down, raising my arms above me.
He wa
lked over, lightly tracing my body. Even though I was pissed, I still craved his touch. I needed his touch. He climbed on top of me, molding his body into mine, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck. My skin was tingling as his hands massaged up and down my body. “You belong to me,” he whispered in my ear. Soft moans escaped my lips. He shifted slightly, dragging his cock to tease my clit several times before finally inching into my entrance. I gasped at the sudden fullness. He was moving achingly slow. I needed more to get me there. I was almost to the edge, but not quite. “Grayson. Please,” I whimpered.
He silently chuckled. “Almost there, baby. You wanna come?”
I nodded and tried rocking my hips into him, but he pinned me down firmly. “Who owns your pleasure?” By now, I was panting hard as Grayson growled his desires.
“You do!” I wanted him to touch me harder. I wanted to touch him. Anything to help me find my satisfaction. I could feel him starting to swell inside me.
“Don’t you fucking come! Control it!” Tears started to fall down my face, and I began to shake, doing everything I could to hold it. Grayson thrust three more times before he found his release, and then he collapsed. I laid there, tears streaming, feeling conflicted. My hands were still gripping the headboard. I don’t even know what this was. It wasn’t love. It was an emotional abuse fuck, and for the first time since we’ve been together, I hated him for making me feel used and dirty. And mostly, like a whore. He didn’t hurt me physically, but he hurt me emotionally. He slowly moved off of me and headed toward the bathroom. He came back with a warm towel and gently wiped me down. Even after what just happened, he was being intimate. Too kind.
He got in bed, and I turned the opposite way. I heard him sigh. “Emmalin, look at me.” For once he wasn’t demanding. If anything, he sounded almost remorseful, if not a bit sad. I didn’t know if I had the right to be mad at him. I didn’t safeword him. Hell, I didn’t even know what any of that was all about, but I knew one thing. This place had other rooms, and tonight, I would be in one of them. I slowly sat up, making sure not to look at him. He stood up, and I felt him watching my every move, as I grabbed my robe, made my way out of our master bedroom, and headed for the guest bedroom that was the furthest away. He was on my heels when I stopped and slammed the door, making sure to click the lock in place.
I expected him to demand I open the door, or even break it down. He didn’t. My heart cracked, and I clutched the side table as a wave of nausea came over me. The heavy tears started to fall as I made my way to the bed. I broke us. I knew he was pissed. He knew I was keeping something from him, so everything was justified, but I didn’t know it would be at this extent. I just needed him to let me handle things on my own. I didn’t want Carson to ruin what Grayson worked so hard to make for himself. I’ll find a way to stop him. That was my promise. I’ll stop him before I go.
No sleep. Of course. I think some part of me was either expecting to wake up with Grayson in bed with me, or find out he somehow got me back in the master bedroom. Truth was, even pissed at him, I craved his touch.
I quietly opened the door and almost gasped. Grayson sat against the adjoining wall, knees to his chest, head down. I inwardly smiled because I knew he must’ve stayed there all night. I wanted to reach out and touch him, and talk, and maybe even tell him everything. Instead, I sighed and tiptoed past him to grab a change of clothes, and headed to the office.
Chapter Five
Grayson
Her lavender scent hit me before she did. I knew she thought I was asleep. I had to force myself not to break the damn door down and wrap her in my arms. To look her in the eyes and make damn sure she understood that we do not sleep apart if we're under the same roof. I don't care how pissed we are at each other. Orgasm denial was her punishment for keeping so many things from me. Things she didn't think I would find out. She'd been a busy bee these past few weeks.
"I think you both have come a long way, Grayson. Give yourself some credit. It wasn't that long ago you were in here sweating bullets about losing her. And now you're practically inseparable. How about that?"
I smiled. That damn Dr. Klein. "How about that indeed." I looked over his shoulder at the bookcase, at the half finished boat. "I thought you two would've finished that by now?" He turned and looked at the model and shrugged.
"Me too. I haven't seen Emmalin this week." I froze at his words.
"She hasn't been coming here?"
He looked at me and shrugged on his sweater. "No. I assumed that was her decision. Tell her I would like to finish that boat, though, and it would be good to see her. I was hoping we would get it done this week. Give her my thoughts?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I’ll do that.”
I headed home, confused. Emmalin didn’t go see Dr. Klein this week. She urged me to see him by herself, and I agreed, yet obviously she didn’t go. Then what the fuck was doing this whole time? I got home just after nine, and she was already in bed. She’d been sleeping more lately. I watched her for a little bit before climbing in next to her. After a while, I began fingering the scarf and gently pulled on the knot, freeing it. I froze. The marks on her neck. I slowly sat up to get a better look. I lightly traced the marks with my hand. These marks weren’t faded like the rest. These marks were new. I fucking swear I could feel my blood boiling. I looked down at her, sleeping peacefully, yet she still had a troubled look on her face. I got off the bed, heading to my office and picked up my phone.
“I want you here now!” I paced the office, willing myself not to punch a hole in the wall. Ten minutes later, the door buzzed. I waited as Heather and Hawkins made their way up, followed by Benny.
“Report from this week.”
Hawkins stepped forward. “Nothing out of the ordinary. Ms. Ross was taken Monday afternoon to Lincoln Park during the luncheon hour. She sat at the park bench for a few minutes, then walked around a bit, before stopping at a nearby fountain.”
“She was acting a bit odd beforehand, sir.” Heather stepped forward.
I looked at Heather. “In what way?”
“I had to stop her from leaving the building. It seemed as if she was trying to be evasive. I called out to her several times, and she just kept going. After I ensured her that either myself or Hawkins had to be present at all times, she looked to be ill, as if she would’ve passed out. I said I would call you, and she said not to concern you.”
I looked to Benny. “From now on, you should always concern me, about anything concerning her; I don’t care what it is. If she breaks her fucking heel, I want to know about it. Her safety comes first.” They both nodded.
“What about her appointment that night?”
“Sir, we secured the building before entry. Alistair waited with her in the lobby while I checked each floor. The only person in the building was Dr. Klein.” I ran my hand through my hair. This didn’t add up. Where the fuck did those marks come from? Could she have just not gone in?
Benny spoke up. “What’s going on, Grayson?”
I took several deep breaths, trying to control my rage. “Dr. Klein says he hasn’t seen her since the last time I was with her. Get Jack here now. I need to know if he’s found anything.” Benny nodded, taking out his phone. I was just about to dismiss Heather and Hawkins when I stopped. “Wait, you said she went to the park during lunch?”
“Yes, sir.”
“By herself?”
“Yes, sir.”
I nodded.
I took out my phone, dialing Tyler’s number. After three rings, he finally picked up.
“You have impeccable timing, Mandrake.” I rolled my eyes.
“Did you see Emmalin the day she got back to work, when we returned from Florida?”
“Yeah.”
He didn’t say anything after that. “And?”
“And what?”
This is where I had to remind myself that I couldn’t strangle the fucker. “And what happened?”
“Nothing, I was seeing how she was doing after being at
tacked. Asked her to lunch, she said she was having lunch with you, and that was that.”
“Around what time was that?”
“Fuck, Grayson, I barely remember what I wore the day before.” He paused. “I guess about noon. Why?”
I sighed. “I’ll call you back later.” I hung up before he could finish talking. I sat at my desk staring at the clock, listening to the ticking noise it made. All I wanted to do was take that fucking clock and throw it out the damn window.
“Did anyone approach her at the park?” Hawkins pulled out the pictures that were taken. Emmalin on the bench. Emmalin at the fountain. Emmalin talking to…Dale. The fuck? I looked up at Hawkins. “This guy here. He approached her?”
Heather stepped forward.
“He looked to be talking to her as she stood near the fountain. She started to look uncomfortable, and I approached as he started to stand closer. She appeared to be under stress as she kept backing away. I found it my duty to intervene at that point.”
I could feel the blood boiling in my veins. Tick. Tick. Tick. I finally looked up at the sound of someone clearing their throat. Jack.
“Do you have anything for me?” He sighed, taking the chair in front of me. “I wish I did, Grayson. So far we haven’t gotten anything.” I looked back at the clock.
“She knows something. I know she does.”
Jack leaned back in his chair. “Do you want me to talk to her? I have ways of making people talk. You know that.”
“And I’ll fucking kill you.” I reached for the pictures from the park. “Add these to your collection. Maybe you can find something.” He stood up and headed for the door. After he left, I downed a bourbon or four. Enough to get my mind buzzing. Emmalin was still sleep as I got into bed and pulled her close to me. Yet she’s never seemed so far from me.
I changed and got to work. I knew she had a morning meeting, so I wanted to be the first person she saw when she walked into her office. I sat at her desk, making myself comfortable, and thought about last night. She begged. She cried, and I still denied her.
