by Brenna Zinn
“Both you and your brain need to rest, especially for the next few days. The paramedics couldn’t stress enough how important it is for you to relax for a while. No work, no TV, no computer. Zip, zilch, nada. I’m even going to call your crazy department secretary and get things with the college squared away. What’s that woman’s name? Sheila?”
Emma snorted. “Stephanie. And if she’s any kind of psychic at all, she already knows what happened and that I won’t be in.”
“That may be true. If she does, maybe we should consult with her about the Illinois state lotto numbers.” He grinned. “I want you to keep in mind that those very knowledgeable, highly trained EMTs entrusted you and your care to me. Until you’re completely better, I plan on making damned sure you do what you’re supposed to.” Chet pressed his lips to her forehead and planted a kiss, then lifted her chin. “Understood?”
Like melting ice cream, her sore body continued to soften under his warm safeguard. How could she ever have doubted him?
She bowed her head, ashamed at her lack of faith in him and her unwillingness even to listen to his side of the story earlier that afternoon. “I’m so sorry, Chet, for not believing you today. When I drove up and saw Trish naked and on her knees before you, and you with your—” Emma paused and swallowed. Her stomach twisted as the horrible memory replayed in her mind.
Chet placed his finger over her lip. “Let’s not go there. Not ever. We were both set up. Unfortunately, not just by Trish.” He sighed and his gaze drifted over the living room. “It’s going to be pretty quiet around this place without Scott and Charlie here. We had some pretty good times.”
Emma scanned the living room, dining room and kitchen. Nothing had changed. Not a single piece of furniture or picture on the wall had been altered. “I guess none of this stuff was theirs?”
“No. None of it. Not even the bedroom furniture. The only things they owned in this apartment were their clothes and their toothbrushes.” His expression turned contemplative. “Which made packing a breeze. They both had moved out and left their keys on the table before I got home.”
“Good riddance.”
“Yes, but their actions showed me I can’t trust either one of them. That’s why I’ve got one of Mason’s men watching the apartment tonight. I’ll feel better when I get the locks changed and an alarm system installed. Which reminds me,” he blew out a long breath and leaned back. Sadness filled his baby-blue eyes. “I’m very sorry, baby, but I need to give you some bad news. Mason also said your house is a total loss. The fire spread so fast and burned so hot, the fire chief ordered his men to let it burn. They’re going to stay to keep it from spreading until it burns itself out.”
Dazed, Emma sat frozen, trying to fully absorb the enormity of her situation.
My house is gone?
My furniture and clothes, all gone?
Everything is gone?
Emma went limp and her lips trembled. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. The world she’d worked so long and hard to rebuild since her disastrous marriage and divorce had been ripped away in a matter of hours.
“What am I going to do? Other than my car and the clothes I’m wearing, I have nothing. I’ve lost it all. Everything,” she said on a sob.
Chet wiped away her tears. “It’s okay. It’s okay. We’ll figure this out together.” He pulled her back into his warm embrace. “You have insurance, don’t you? And a policy for your things, as well as your house?”
She hiccupped, then nodded. “I had to have insurance to get the loan.” A humorless laugh escaped. “My agent talked me into getting a homeowner’s policy that I thought was way too big for what I needed. ‘Just in case’.”
“Good. That’s a good start.”
For a long moment they sat there together as Chet held her tight. Then he released her and stood before dropping to one knee.
Fear and surprise mixed as her heart stopped beating. The sight of her big Dom before her was both thrilling and terrifying. “What are you doing?”
He reached under the blanket she had burrowed into and pulled out her hand, then held it in his. “Emma, I’ve already told you I love you. I hope my every action reflects that and confirms for you what I feel is genuine.” Chet cleared his throat and licked his dry lips. “I want you to move in with me. I have two empty bedrooms now. You can use one as an office and sleep in the other.”
Relief tinged with a hint of disappointment rushed through her. He hadn’t asked her to marry him.
Thank goodness, because I’m not ready for marriage.
Right?
Or am I?
“Yes, I’ll stay. Thank you.” She took a deep breath and let it out, but the tinge of disappointment seemed to be growing.
What’s wrong with me? I’m perfectly happy with his offer to live with him. Nice and slow. Exactly the way I like our relationship.
Emma forced a smile. “I promise I won’t be a burden. I’ll even do all the cooking.”
He raised his gaze to hers. The intensity of his stare and the earnest look on his face was enough to make her want to weep all over again.
“But,” he continued, “I hope, when you’re ready, you’ll sleep with me, because I am ready. And I’m ready for a lot more.” He tightened the hold on her hand. “Emma, I want to marry you. I want children with you. I want to grow old with you. I simply can’t imagine a life without you.”
“Chet, I—” she sputtered, reeling.
“Give me a second. Let me finish.” He nodded to his bedroom. “In the top shelf of my dresser, I have a ring for you. It’s my grandmother’s wedding ring. Before she passed on, she gave it to me and told me to give it to the woman I plan on spending the rest of my life with. After my last visit home, I brought it back with me because I know you are that woman. I’m not going to rush you into making a decision. I think by now you know I’ve got patience. I can wait. But when you’re ready, really ready, you put that ring on and I’ll know.”
He’d done what she thought was the impossible. He had proposed and yet, as always, he’d given her time and enough room to let her think. Allow her to get comfortable before taking a step. He knew her so very well.
She sat quiet as the time they’d been together replayed in her mind, especially the last few days. Dependable and trustworthy, he had always been there for her, taking better care of her than she took of herself. Even when she had given up on him, he hadn’t given up on her. Tonight he had saved her life.
They had already withstood a double cross by Trish and Scott, a house haunted by dead women and an evil Dom, and almost being killed.
If our relationship can make it past all that, what can life throw at us that we can’t handle?
Plus I really do love him, the big lug.
Hand still in his, Emma stood. She dropped the blanket and started walking across the living room.
“What’s wrong? Where are we going?” Chet asked, his voice filled with concern.
Without bothering to stop, she peered over her shoulder. “To find my ring.”
About Brenna Zinn
Equally at home camping in the mountains of Montana or shopping on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, Brenna Zinn's journey through life has taken her all over the United States, as well as many places throughout the world. Using her travel experience as a guide and peppering in interesting characters she's met along the way, Brenna loves nothing better than artfully weaving erotic tales of romance and leaving readers yearning for adventures of their own.
The author welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Rise of the Dom
ISBN 9781419941252
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Rise of the Dom Copyright © 2012 Brenna Zinn
Edited by Jillian Bell
Cover design by Perry
Photo: Shane Willis
Electronic book publication October 2012
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