by C. A. Harms
I half expect his mother to look at me like I am nothing but a dirty girl who had corrupted her son. But instead I watch as she smiles from ear to ear and reaches out to hook her arm around her son's waist.
“Well of course she did.” She winks at me. Yes, I said she winked. “My son is handsome, smart and protective. She’d be a fool to let you go.”
I can’t agree more.
I’d forgotten that I remained standing before her clutching a towel to my chest. All I can see is the pride in her eyes as she looks up at her son with a smile. She is much shorter than him, and instead of the darker hair Nic has, hers is so blonde it is almost white. She has the most accepting eyes I have ever seen and even in my embarrassing situation, I feel at ease with just one look.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I say in a rush as I slip around the corner and hurry backward down the hall to the bedroom. It hits me the moment I enter his room that his mother will always remember the first time she met me. I’d be the naked girl who kept her son too busy to answer her calls.
I hang my head, feeling my cheeks heat with overwhelming embarrassment. I am so lost in mortification that I don’t hear the bedroom door open from behind me. I jump when Nic’s arms come around me from behind and his body presses into mine firmly.
“Giving me wood in the presence of my mother is not fair, Em.”
“Oh my God,” I say as I try to wiggle free. “She must think I’m a floozy.”
“She said nothing of the sort.”
“But I’m sure she was thinking it.” Among other things.
“She told me that you are beautiful and that you’d make her some gorgeous grandbabies.” I feel him chuckle, his chest shaking against my back. “I told her that she’d better leave us to it then, and she hurried off with a bright, eager smile.”
I spin around to face him. “You did not tell her that.” He only shrugs his shoulders and does nothing to reassure me. “Is she still here?” He shakes his head. “So she left knowing I am in here naked and that you were…” I stop as I close my eyes tightly. “I’ll never be able to look her straight in the eyes again.”
“Stop being so dramatic, babe, my mother isn’t a prude.”
“But she is still your mother and there are just some things that you don’t make known to your parents.”
“You mean I shouldn’t make it evident that you and I fu—”
I cover his mouth before he can finish.
“That is exactly what I’m saying.” I arch a brow at him in warning before carefully lowering my hand from his mouth. I can see the grin tugging at the corner of his mouth and I know he wants to say more, only he doesn’t.
That is until I step back and start toward the closet for a replacement t-shirt.
“She invited us over for dinner tomorrow night.” I tense at the thought of sitting across the table from her. “She said she’d insist on tonight but assumes you and I have other plans. You know, since you were already naked and all.” I look back over my shoulder and glare at him. “Hey, she was the one that said I shouldn’t let a willing lady wait.”
“Shoot me now,” I mumble. “Please. This is so embarrassing.”
Nicholas
I’ve been home now for more than four hours. I fully intended to tell her first thing about the events of the morning, but when I entered to find her in the kitchen with nothing but a towel that barely covered her body as my mother stood between us, that plan failed.
Now with each passing hour, I find it is even harder to bring it up. Her smile is bright, her mood playful, and I don’t want to ruin that. When she is like this, so relaxed, and at peace, I hate to be the reason it fades. She’s had enough shit in her life and the information I held would only add to that heaping pile.
I sit on the couch, pretending to watch what is on television but I have no idea. Instead, I watch her as she moves around my kitchen like it is her own. I love how comfortable she’s become over the last few days. As far as I am concerned, this is just as much her home as it is my own.
The scent of something cooking fills the air and faint sizzling sounds can be heard. She pauses just long enough to take a sip of her wine before once again getting back to the task at hand.
My knee bounces, my hand holds my beer just a little tighter, and just as I am about to stand up and go to her, the phone I had added to my own plan and gave her rings. She reaches back and swipes her finger across the screen as she pins the phone between her shoulder and cheek.
I can’t hear what she is saying but from the way her shoulders tense, and she turns around to face me as her phone slips from her shoulder just before falling to the floor, I understand that she already knows before I even get the chance to tell her.
I move quickly, clearing the coffee table with one swift move and am at her side within seconds.
“Is it true?”
I can already feel my palms sweating.
“Did my father do it?” Her chest rises and falls rapidly. “Gia said it’s on the news. Did he kill that woman?”
“Yes,” I confirm just as her body grows weak and I reach out to support her weight. I move her toward the table and help her sit in a chair as I kneel before her on the floor.
“How long have you known?”
I swallow hard. “This morning.” Hurt flares in her eyes. “I planned to tell you when I got home, but with my mom and then—”
“She’s been gone for over four hours, Nic, so what’s stopped you since then?”
I understand she is reflecting her anger onto me and I am fully prepared to accept it. She is right; I should have told her the second I entered the bedroom after saying goodbye to my mom.
“I was afraid,” I confess. “I had no idea how to tell you that your father was capable of something like this. I know he’s an ass, Emerson, and that he’s done a lot of wrong in his life, but he’s still your father. The last thing I wanted was to be telling you that he was responsible for something of this magnitude.”
I can sense she still wants to be angry at me, but I also see that anger slipping. It is almost a battle of rage and sadness taking place in her eyes, and she isn’t sure if she should cry or scream.
“That woman…” she finally says, more like cries the words, “…she didn’t deserve what he—”
I watch as her shoulders began to shift as she tries her best to hold back her sobs. “Oh my God!” She lunges forward, her arms wrapping around my shoulders as she buries her face in my chest.
“I’m so sorry baby.” I am. I hate her tears; they kill me. I have no idea how to console her or make this ache go away. Instead I hold her close as she falls apart.
“How did they retrieve the tapes?” Emerson asks as she looks up at me. She lies on her back, me on my side, my head propped up by my arm as I look down at her. Her nose is red, her eyes are swollen, and those gorgeous lips of hers are puffy. She’d fallen apart and grew angry once more for all the years her father had stolen from her. I’m sure that deep down part of her still loved that man.
He is a monster, I agree with her, but he is her father. She can forget him, choose to ignore that he is even alive, but the fact remains he is partly responsible for her being at my side.
“Peter Hogue was paid a million dollars to hide the evidence.” I shouldn’t be telling her the things I learned this morning, but I couldn’t stop myself. I want her to heal, and I’d do anything to help her do that, even if it means giving her every morbid detail. “Your father said he’d fired Peter for his inappropriate behavior, but the truth is that he had to create that story so letting go of the head of security didn’t seem out of place.”
Emerson looks up at me, her eyes glossy with unshed tears that once again begin to pool.
“Peter was supposed to destroy the tapes and take the money. But what your father didn’t take into account was that Peter understood how he could one day be considered a risk and end up just like the woman in the hotel. So he made copies, which he was starting to use as lev
erage to ensure his safety.”
“What do you mean?”
I reach out and push away the hair that covers her forehead as I press a kiss to her temple. My heart breaks for her and I want to heal her. I want to take all the pain and ugliness away and fill that space with nothing but happiness. I want to give her the life she deserves.
“He was bribing your father with threats to release the footage.”
Emerson’s eyes widen.
“But your father had no idea that the man he hired to replace Peter was an undercover cop.” I had known this was a possibility, but it was something that took place after I was removed from the case. “He intercepted an email that gave explicit information in regard to your father's involvement and that’s all it took. We found Peter holed up in some condo and arrested him. Once he was in handcuffs, he caved and handed over the footage.”
“Why did he do it?” A tear runs over her cheek as she quickly wipes it away. “Why did he kill that woman?”
“Em, I don’t think you should know everything, sweetheart.”
“But I need to,” she takes in a deep breath, “please.”
“The controlling man you knew, the one that insisted all things go his way all the time…” She nods, understanding the description I’d just given of her father. “It would seem that same behavior is also one he practiced behind closed doors. He took things too far, and after that, there was no going back for him.”
“So she was his mistress?”
“No.” It is my turn to take in a deep breath. “Silvia Quentes was a prostitute your father called on often. She, among a few other girls, were well aware of your father's demands.”
She closes her eyes tightly, her lips press in a tight line, and her nostrils flare.
“I want to say that him being unfaithful surprises me, but it doesn’t.” She opens her eyes and looks back at me. “I’ve witnessed the signs of his infidelity for years, and so has my mother but she never said a word. As long as the money kept coming and the parties flowed, she was happy. Now it would seem that she’ll have his riches and be free of him. All these years she put up with him, the mental abuse, that ongoing dismissal.” Em takes another deep breath. “I don’t know if that makes her smart or really stupid.”
We both remain silent for a few minutes, just taking it all in. In the beginning of the investigation, I somehow felt her father had something to do with it. But I always thought he was protecting someone, a friend or someone in a position of authority that he’d someday need a favor from. But I never thought, in the end, he would be the one behind bars for murder. I am torn between feeling pleased, knowing he’ll be out of our lives forever, and saddened because this is just another obstacle Emerson will be forced to face.
“What do you need from me, Em?” She turns her head back toward me and looks up. “Tell me what I can do, what I can say.”
“I just want it all to go away.” She keeps her eyes locked on mine. “Over the last few days, before this news, I’ve been happier than I can ever remember. I don’t want anything from her, or him, I only want you.” Emerson lifts her hand to cup my cheek, and I lean into her touch. “As far as I’m concerned, they don’t exist.”
“There’s only one trace of them left in your life.” I turn my face to kiss her palm. “And if I have it my way, that will be gone soon too."
When my eyes meet hers again, I can see the questioning look in them. “Emerson Vaughn has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?” Recognition dawns on her as her lips turn upward into a smile. “Soon, but for now, I think we should just state that you do live here with me.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah.” I lean in and press a kiss to her lips. “There is no way in hell I am ever letting you go. I knew from the start that you were gonna be mine."
“So cocky,” she says against my lips. “The truth is, I think I knew it too.”
Six months later
Emerson
“What about this?” I turn to look back over my shoulder just as Shannon holds up a lacy black negligee. “Or is it trashy?” Nic’s sister inquires.
“What part, the crotchless underwear or tassels on the boobs?” I try not to laugh at Gianna’s analysis but it is impossible the minute Shannon turns it around to face her, and her eyes grow wide.
“How did I miss that?” She begins twisting the piece from side to side just before wrinkling her nose in disgust and holding it out to Gia. “Here, this is more your style.”
I lose it, laughing my head off. Gianna takes it, shrugs, and tosses it into the small basket before her. “You’re right, Spence will love it. Easy access and all that.”
Shannon shakes her head as she goes back to scanning the racks for the perfect outfit. She’s been dating Detective Miller for close to four months. At first, big brother didn’t much care for the idea that his partner and friend was sleeping with his sister, but I ran interference until he learned to accept it.
Shannon has quickly become one of my best friends too, as well as Gianna. I adore her and her relationship with her brother. I’ve also grown quite close to Nic’s mother. She treats me as though I am her own, and I’ll admit I love having that mother figure in my life. I never had that motherly bond, but got that very thing from Nic's mom more in the last six months than the first twenty-four years of my life. For the first time in my life, I have a family, one that is so extended it feels never-ending.
“Okay,” Shannon says as she turns around once more to face me, now holding a light blue piece of lingerie. “This one has no tassels, the underwear is complete, and it seems more my speed.” She holds it out before her and I have to admit she is right. It is a babydoll nightie with matching panties. It is sheer, but only in the right places. A silk ribbon runs across the front just beneath the bodice and ties in the back.
“Very classy,” I tell her, and her smile widens.
“What about you?” she asks stepping toward me. “Have you found anything to bring my brother to his knees?”
I feel my cheeks heat as I try to hide the item I hold in my hand. I think I’m in the clear until Gianna reaches around me and snatches it from my hands. “Well, look what we have here.”
I blush another shade darker. I am sure my cheeks are the color of ripe tomatoes at this point.
“Hmm,” Shannon adds and I peek through my hair that has fallen around my face to find her looking over toward Gia. “I’ll admit, I didn’t think you had it in ya, but hey.”
“This one has it all,” Gianna includes as she continues to examine the piece she holds. “Crotchless, no tassels, but this little touch of leather sure adds a certain feel. And the garters—they scream ‘get over here and take me, you sexy detective’ for sure.”
“Give it to me.” I hold out my hand.
“What?” she challenges me. “I think Detective Vaughn has turned you into the wild child I was always trying to. I’m sorta proud of you right now."
“Now.” I ignore her as I wiggle my fingers out, indicating I want the garment.
“Shannon, you may want to cover your ears for just a second.”
“What, why?” she asks, stepping up behind me and looking over my shoulder at Gianna.
“Because I’m about to ask Emerson some filthy explicit things about your brother and I’m assuming there are some things you don’t want to know about him.”
“Yeah,” she steps back, “you’re right. Love ya Em, I do, but I’m out.”
I smile as she backs away with her hands held high in surrender. I turn back to face Gianna just as she holds out the sexy number I chose with a massive smile on her face. “I’m so glad you found Nic.” I expect her to ask me something dirty and intimate but instead she looks at me with glossy eyes and sincerity. “He loves you so much, and nothing makes me happier than to see you finally get the guy that I know without a doubt is going protect you forever.”
I feel my emotions rise within me.
“You too,” I tell her because she ha
d once lived with a man who took her for granted. Now here she was giving love a second chance, and in my opinion, she found a winner, too.
“We’re both pretty lucky, huh?” She wraps her arm over my shoulder as she turns me toward the register. “Let’s get outta here and get home to our men.”
“Babe?” The sound of Nic’s deep masculine voice echoes down the hall and into the bedroom. I am just inside, leaning up against the wall, fully decked out in my alluring outfit. My hands shake with both nervousness and excitement.
I am unsure if this is the right choice because let's face it, I am more of a t-shirt and boy shorts type of girl. Yes, I wore cute skimpy panties and matching bras, but I’ve never worn something like I’m wearing now.
But, I also never had a man to wear skimpy outfits for either.
I look up when I hear him say my name once more just as he steps into the open doorway of our room. He scans the room and the moment his eyes land on me, I see them widen just a fraction. He doesn’t move toward me, but instead crosses his arms over his chest and leans his shoulder to the doorframe at his side.
“Hi.” I push off the wall, feeling adrenaline course through me. “How was your day?” I take extra care to ensure I don’t stumble as I try my best to be alluring.
“It was okay.” I notice how his hands fist before slowly releasing. “But I’m thinking it’s about to get a whole lot better.”
“You like?” I ask as I pause and turn my body just enough to give him the full view from side to back and back to front again. “Just a little something I picked up today.” Looking at him through the hair that has fallen around my shoulders, I find him gripping the doorframe, almost like he is fighting the urge to charge forward.
