by Sarah Grimm
No one moved. All conversation had stopped and, although she didn’t check, it felt as if all eyes had turned to her.
So let’s do this. Emma gave Marvin her sweetest smile. “Enlighten me, Marv. How am I using Joe?”
By his startled expression, her refusal to ignore the accusation took him by surprise, left him with no reply.
“I’ve never asked a thing of Joe.”
Marvin recovered quickly enough. He looked down his nose at her. “Free travel. You get to see the States.”
“Out the window of a bus that only seems to move in the dark of night?” She laughed. “I gave up an European tour to be here. Try again.”
“You said Scotland,” Joe said, his voice flat, strange.
“Followed by England, France, Germany and Italy.”
“A lie, most likely,” Marvin hissed.
Emma didn’t spare him a glance. She kept her focus on Joe. “The tickets are in my journal.”
Joe stared back at her, clearly shocked. “Why didn’t you go? Why come here?”
“For you,” she replied softly.
“For his money. You’re just after his money, like all the others.”
“Marv,” Gary warned.
Joe said nothing.
Emma’s throat went dry as dust. “Do you want to see a statement of my net worth? Would that make you happy?” She pulled her phone from her pocket. “I’ll call my accountant. Does Monday work for you?”
Marvin showed his teeth. “Like any good gold digger couldn’t print up a false statement.”
This couldn’t be happening. Marvin was coming after her with a vengeance while Joe just silently stood there, not even trying to deflect the attack. “You can’t believe what he’s saying, Joe. You know me better than this.”
His gaze skittered away and she had her answer.
Jesus. This whole scene was horrific.
“Maybe you’re just looking to hook him,” Marvin rushed on. “Have a baby.”
“Yeah, because all of this screams marriage and children and happily-ever-after,” she replied sarcastically.
“All it takes is one child and you’re set for life.”
Emma sighed, scrubbing her face with her hands. “I’m already set for life, thanks.”
Marv coughed a laugh.
She really wanted to hit the bastard, wipe that smug smile right off his face. His insinuations were making her ill. Her stomach clenched into a painful knot. “What, don’t I meet your idea of a woman with wealth? Let me guess. Because nothing about me screams money, I’m automatically a gold digger? How about if I have my lawyer draw up a contract stating that no pregnancy will occur and on the extremely rare possibility it does, I will not come after your client for support. Will that suffice?”
“It’s a start.”
“Fuck you!”
“Classy. You’re real classy.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Zach mumbled. “This isn’t funny anymore.”
“This has been fun for you?” Emma asked, incredulous. “Well, I’m so glad I could entertain you all.” Shit. She blinked and, for a terrifying moment, she thought she was going to cry.
“Joe.” He couldn’t possibly believe that she was anything like the women who hung out at the after parties. That she wanted—what had he called it?—bragging rights. She wasn’t a user and she sure as hell wasn’t a gold digger. As if she would ever be with him for any other reason than the fact that she cared for him. “I’ve never asked you to buy me anything.”
“Why not?”
“What?” Jesus, she couldn’t believe this. He actually looked as if he would’ve preferred it if she had. What was going on here? He’d shut himself down so tightly she couldn’t read him. Not at all. “Fine.” If this was how he wanted it. She held out her hand, palm up. “Give me your wallet.”
Without hesitation, he reached into his back pocket and handed it to her.
“Did you see that?” Marvin preened. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about.”
She’d seen it, all right, and it only confused her more. “You think I’m using you, so you hand me your wallet?”
“I need you, Em. I may not understand why you want to be with me, but I know you make me a better person.” His complete honestly surprised her, seeing as though they had an audience. “If keeping you with me means I buy you a little something every now and again, so be it.”
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” She could have laughed, if it wasn’t also the saddest thing ever. “You want to keep me so, if that means throwing money at me, you will?”
Joe shrugged. “I have more than enough.”
Damn idiot. “And if I want a Bugatti Veyron?” she asked, throwing out the most ridiculous thing she could think of. “Would you buy me one?”
He made a face. “Not the best looking car, but if that’s what you really want.”
“Are you fucking serious?” She shouted, and a shadow of doubt crossed his face for the first time. “A one point five million dollar supercar?” Jesus Christ, she was hyperventilating. What the hell? Did he think so little of her? “I’m not a prostitute. You can’t just buy my company.”
Marvin snorted.
“Shut the fuck up, Marv,” Gary snarled, his face lined with fury.
“I don’t think you’re a prostitute,” Joe said softly.
“No? Just a gold digger, then?” She looked at him and her heart broke a little. Pressing his wallet against the center of his chest, she released it, not caring if he caught it before it hit the floor. “Keep your money. If I want a supercar, I’ll buy it myself.”
“As if,” Marvin snarled.
“Joe,” Gary said sternly. “Stop this. You’re not going to like where it ends.”
Joe’s nostrils flared. “What do you know, Gare?”
“I know in thirty seconds you’re going to be the sorriest son of a bitch in this room.” His gaze bounced off Marvin. “And that’s saying something considering the company.”
Zach laughed softly.
Fury flashed in Marvin’s eyes. “Watch yourself, Gary. I can have you terminated.”
“Bullshit. I don’t work for you, Marv, but good try.” A muscle ticked in Gary’s jaw. “Go ahead, Emma, show him. Lay your cards on the table.”
He meant literally.
“Damnit, it’s none of his business.”
“No, but your boyfriend here made it Marv’s business when he failed to step up and stop this before it even started. The asshole is on a roll now. He won’t stop unless you shut him down.”
Marvin’s back snapped straight. “Fuck you Gary. At least I’m looking out for Joe. Isn’t that supposed to be your job?”
Gary scowled. “Play your card, Em. Put him in his place before I have to. I’d rather not have to resort to violence.”
“Did she promise you a piece, too? Is that why you let her at Joe?”
“Jesus Christ, Marv!” Kirk exclaimed.
“She must be an amazing lay to keep Joe’s attention—”
His movements a blur, Gary grabbed Marvin by the throat. Gare didn’t even have to take his eyes off her to do it.
Marvin squeaked.
“STOP!” She couldn’t take it anymore. Marvin’s biting hatred, Gary’s ferocious anger and Joe, standing silent through it all. It was time to end it. Slipping her card wallet from her back pocket, Emma slapped her black American Express on the table.
The crack echoed in a room gone quiet.
“Are you satisfied,” she asked Joe. “Are we done now?”
Gary released Marvin with a light shove.
Joe stared at the card on the table.
Marvin cursed beneath his breath. “How the fuck? Who are you?”
“Hang on, I have to see this.” Zach was on his feet, rushing over. “Shit, Marv, even you don’t have one of these.” He snagged the card off the table and flashed it at Steve, Kirk and Bobby.
“Pisses him off, too. Look at his face,” Kirk snic
kered.
“Bloody hell,” Steve exclaimed. “Joe found himself a sugar momma.”
“You’re all fucking assholes.” She was looking at the biggest one.
“Sunshine—”
“Don’t you dare,” she whispered, snatching her card away from Zach. She shut her eyes tight, but a tear escaped anyway. “What have I ever done to deserve this from you? Tell me, Joe. You asked me backstage. You called me the first time. You told me where you were staying, essentially inviting me to join you. Now, because I did, I’m a gold digger? A user, just like everyone else you surround yourself with? Guess what? If you have nothing but users in your life, that’s on you. Make a change.” She turned for the door. “You can start with me.”
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Away from you.”
Bobby’s laughter followed her out the door. “Christ, I love your girl, Joe. If she’s done with you, can I keep her?”
Emma flipped him off and kept walking. Goddamn fucking rock stars.
To hell with them all.
“Is she back?” Joe looked past Gary, glanced around the backstage area but didn’t spot her. He didn’t have to define the “she” he spoke of. There was only one woman he wanted to see. The same one he’d driven away that morning in his dressing room by not calling off Marvin. She’d been gone for hours, longer than ever before, and he was beginning to fear she wasn’t coming back.
Gary tipped his head. “She showed up about twenty minutes ago.”
Relief filled him. Joe released a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, then stripped his shirt off and handed it to Beth. Eager to talk to Emma, he chugged water from the bottle Beth handed him, then bent at the waist and poured the rest over his head. He pushed his dripping hair back from his face and studied his friend.
“Why do you have that look on your face? Still want to knock me on my ass for hurting her this morning?” Friend or not, there was still a bloody good chance Gary would do it.
Beth handed him a towel. Joe dried himself then pulled on a clean shirt.
“You don’t have to worry about me, but if I were you, I’d brace myself. Pretty sure Emma’s planning to knock you on your ass.” Gary’s face warped into an all-out smile.
Shit. Joe had the good sense to be nervous. She’d been working out with Gary lately, which meant she wouldn’t miss. He rubbed his chin. “I should probably let her get a shot at me, huh?”
Gary laughed. “You’ll never see this one coming, mate.”
Seeing him in this mood stunned Joe for a second. Gary was always so serious at work. Not tonight. He was paying attention to what went on around him, but did so with a smile on his face. There was something about it which caused a kick of fear in Joe.
He wasn’t ashamed to admit it.
At least not to himself.
He followed Gary out of the stage area and down the hallway, stopping to sign a couple autographs on the way. Joe’s shoes echoed in the enclosed space. As usual, Gare didn’t make a sound. “Is she in my room?”
“No.”
Surprised, Joe slowed as they passed his dressing room and glanced inside. The room was empty. His surprise grew as they turned a corner and Gare tipped his head in the direction of the after party. It was no secret Emma hated them, did everything she could to avoid them, choosing instead to slip away and go for a walk. Usually outside, beneath the stars.
Joe crossed to the room. Centered in the doorway, he scanned for Emma, found her on the opposite side, standing with her back to him. At the sight of her, he damn near swallowed his tongue. “Fuck me dead.”
Gary patted him on the shoulder as if to say ‘nice knowing you’.
Joe blinked, then once more. It had to be her. He would know that ass anywhere. But…
Was she trying to kill him? She wore black leather. He had a thing for black leather. “Fuck me.”
Gary chuckled. “You said that already.”
Black leather stilettos adorned her feet, the heels high enough he wondered how she didn’t lose her balance just standing in them. They had a strap across her toes, and two around her ankles that cinched with silver buckles. Shit, the shoes alone screamed sex and that was before he laid eyes on the pants.
They hugged her body, highlighting everything a man could want highlighted with the addition of silver zips in strategic locations. The way the leather cupped her ass was downright indecent. He broke out in a cold sweat.
A fitted jacket topped the look, also with silver zips. He had no idea what it was made of, just that it wasn’t leather. She’d buttoned it in front, but fat lot of good that did since whatever she wore underneath was cut low enough to show off a swatch of pale skin that extended from her neck to the silver key dangling between her breasts.
Christ, she was beautiful.
She’d cut her hair; a bit shorter on the sides and back with the length left in front. Her eyes were done up the way women did them—all smoky like—and she had painted her lips the color of raspberries. Joe loved raspberries about as much as he loved Emma’s smile. Too bad her smile was for the bloke who looked like he wanted to take a bite out of her.
She was trying to kill him. That much was obvious. He’d barely gotten his pulse settled from the show and she sent it right back into orbit. She was so fucking hot, his head almost blew off. The watch and silver bracelet on her right wrist, her nails painted a deeper, richer shade than what was on her lips. It was too much. Gary’s comment about her knocking him on his ass suddenly made sense.
Without a word, Joe started across the room, blind to everything but her. She glanced his way just before he got to her and her smile faded. He wondered if it was because of the predatory look he was certain he wore or the words they’d shared so many hours ago.
Stepping between her and the man she spoke with, Joe settled his right hand on her hip and kept walking, backing her against the wall. He rested his left forearm next to her head and leaned in.
Her hand on his chest stopped him.
“What are you doing in here?” he asked.
“Talking to your friends.”
“Those aren’t my friends.”
That brought the hint of a smile to her lips. Not as bright as the one she’d flashed that tool who’d been hanging on her every word. He felt a kick of jealousy, something he’d never experienced before. He didn’t like it.
“You need a shower,” she said softly.
“I thought you loved the way I smell after a show. Earthy, wasn’t it?” Her heels brought them damn near eye to eye. Joe leaned a little closer. “Tell me you’re wearing something beneath that jacket.”
Her smile broadened.
Joe swore softly.
“Uh, Emma?” A man’s voice. Most likely the one she had been speaking with.
Emma ignored him.
“What does your friend want?” Joe asked.
“To fuck you.”
Jesus. His body bucked as if she’d slapped him. He was pretty sure that’s what she’d wanted.
“He’s hoping you swing both ways. Do you? I didn’t know the answer to that question.”
“Fuck, no,” he growled.
Her smile grew wider, brighter than the one she’d flashed the man still trying to get her attention. It stole Joe’s breath.
The hand on her hip flexed. He used his hold to ease her closer and, when her mouth dropped open, he knew he had her. He pressed his lips to hers softly, and she sighed.
“I missed you at sound check, Emma.” Since she’d been a part of his life, sound check had become one of his favorite times of the day, if only to see what kind of crazy stunt she came up with next. From dancing in the aisles with one of the crew to acquiring one of the arena security’s golf carts and holding drag races, there was always something that made him smile.
“Did you?” She dragged her thumb across his lips.
He nipped her.
“Stop that. You’re wearing my lipstick.”
“I don
’t care. I need to talk to you.” The lapels of her jacket shifted as he fisted his hand at her side, stretched across her breasts, causing more and more skin to peek out from beneath.
“Yeah?” She placed her finger under his chin and urged his head up. “My eyes are up here. It helps to look at them when we talk.”
“Who the hell wants to talk?” Christ, he could barely breathe and his jeans were damn near strangling his cock.
“You just said you did.”
Her sexy clothes combined with that smile just about did him in. “You’re killing me with this outfit, Em.”
“Mm, I love the way the leather feels against my skin.” His gaze tracked her hands as she smoothed them over the globes of her ass. His breathing shifted. Actually, he wasn’t sure he was breathing at all. “And my butt looks spectacular in them.” Yes, yes it did. “But I wonder, does it show my wealth? I wouldn’t want you to mistake me for a gold digger.”
Shit. She knew how to throw a punch. He’d give her that. It hit with unerring accuracy. He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. “I know you aren’t a gold digger.”
“Really?” She stepped to the side, just out of his reach. “What did you think I was after then? Do tell.”
Instead of giving him a chance to respond, she walked away, crossing the room in those impossibly high heels, her sexy hips swaying. He wasn’t the only who noticed, either. More than one set of eyes tracked her as she walked out the door.
“Fuck.” If her plan was to torture him, drive him out of his bleedin’ mind and pay him back for being an asshole this morning, it was working. Not giving a shit who gave witness, Joe cupped a palm over his groin and adjusted his erection. He flashed a smile at anyone who happened to notice, then followed Emma out of the room.
Her scent filled the hall, something light, fresh, and completely new. She didn’t normally wear perfume. Joe drank it in along with the rare beauty of her ass shrouded in leather. His head swam. Blood roared through his veins. As she disappeared into his dressing room, he paused, right hand on the wall for support.
