I had to put her back into the far recesses of my mind, shut her in, and never open that door again.
Chapter 12
Emma
After running home at lunchtime to pack, I kissed Mom and Dad goodbye before they got into Dad’s company car; I got into mine, and we all headed off to our work weekends. To some, a weekend away for work may have sounded boring, but to us it sounded like fun.
I’d never gone on a trip alone before. Mom was a little worried about me, but I told her that I had my cell and that meant I had GPS, and they would know my whereabouts at all times. It eased her mind some. Dad said he’d already thought of that, and that’s why he’d felt comfortable with me making the trip.
I’d secretly rolled my eyes at that. While I never wanted to worry my parents unnecessarily, I was a working professional now; I would take work trips whether Dad felt comfortable about them or not.
When Mrs. Kramer came into my office with the packet she’d put together for my excursion, my bubble burst just a bit. I’d honestly thought Christopher might’ve had an agenda, sending my father and mother away. But I’d been wrong, it seemed. He had no plans for me at all—other than work plans, it seemed.
The brief interaction I’d had with him the day before had left me with enough of a glimpse of his skin and his body that my dreams were the sweetest ever: visions filled with the two of us lying on a beach, running our hands over each other’s bodies, kissing tenderly.
Sure, I didn’t know what any of that really felt like, since I’d never done any of it before, but it didn’t seem to matter in my little dream-world. Nothing mattered in my dream-world.
If by some miracle Christopher Taylor did want me the way I wanted him, there would be so many obstacles in our way. Somehow, I didn’t care. If it meant I got to be with Christopher, I could deal with anything. Not that I thought I would ever get that chance, but it was a pleasant fantasy, and it kept me going.
The thirty-minute drive to the Centennial Hotel passed in a flash. Walking up to the entrance, I admired the red brick structure that I’d read had been opened in 1876 as a home for elderly residents who didn’t have enough money to live on their own. Later it was transformed into a luxury hotel. And now I was getting to stay in it, thanks to my fabulous job.
Entering the lobby, I felt as if I’d stepped back in time, the building’s long history seeming to hang heavy in the air.
“Good afternoon, miss,” the receptionist greeted me with a smile. “How are you doing today?”
“Great, actually. I’m Emma Hancock. My company made a reservation for me.” I put my suitcase down only for a bellhop to appear out of nowhere to pick it up for me.
“I’ll escort you to your room, miss,” he told me.
I could handle my one suitcase on my own, but I let the young man do his job while the receptionist looked up the reservation.
“Oh, yes. You’re in one of our turret suites on the third floor. Jason will show you to it.” She handed me a keycard. “It’s the King Turret, Jason. Thank you for staying with us, Miss Hancock. If you’d like to dine in our restaurant, you can make reservations using the phone in your suite. Or you can order in, and we’ll have it brought to you.”
“Thank you. I’ll see what I feel like doing once I get settled in.” Following Jason to the stairs, I took in a deep breath. The air felt electric, like something special was about to happen.
Even though my plans were pretty mundane—I’d be touring the town and finding things our Chinese guests would hopefully find exciting and pleasing—I felt a charge that couldn’t be explained.
When we got up to the room, my jaw dropped as I looked around. “This is so beautiful.”
Jason put my suitcase just inside the door. “Glad you like it. If there’s anything you need, please call the front desk and we’ll bring it right up to you. We’ve got every toiletry you can imagine if you’ve forgotten anything.”
I reached into my purse, pulling out a five dollar bill. “Thank you so much, Jason. You’ve been very helpful. If I need anything, I will call.”
With a smile and a wave, he closed the door, leaving me alone. The first thing I did was look at the vast king-size bed. I kicked off my shoes and ran to flop down on it. “Oh, how soft!”
Running my hands over the bedspread, I nuzzled a thick, plush pillow and thought I might just take a little nap. A few minutes would be all I’d need.
Two hours later, I woke with a start. My cell was ringing, my mother’s name flashing on the screen. “Hi, Mom. I made it all right,” I croaked.
“Were you sleeping, Emma?” she asked, sounding surprised.
“The first thing I did was fall on the bed—this is the comfiest bed I’ve ever laid down on, and this is the most magnificent room I’ve ever been in. It seems I did fall asleep. I guess I needed to catch up a bit.” I rubbed my eyes as I sat up. “What time is it?”
“Four,” she said. “Have you made reservations for dinner yet? Your father said that if you’re going to eat in the room, which is what he’d prefer, then you should make reservations at the hotel restaurant. He doesn’t want you out exploring an unfamiliar city after dark.”
Man, he really knows how to make me feel like a baby!
“I don’t want to go eat alone in some fancy restaurant, Mom. I’ll get room-service.” Wondering how long it would be until it got dark, I looked out the window to see where the sun was. “I’ve got things I need to do before it gets dark. I might just pick up something from a drive-thru and bring it back here to eat.”
Dad called out in the background, “You don’t need to eat crap, Emma. Get something healthy. And put it all on the company card. You don’t have to spend your own money on things like this.”
“I know, Dad. Mrs. Kramer told me that already. She’s told me everything I need to know.” I rolled my eyes even though no one could see me. Sometimes my parents could exasperate me. “I can handle this—and myself. How about we give each other some space this weekend? I’ll check in each night by text, and then we’ll see each other at home on Sunday evening.”
“Are you sure about that, sweetie?” Mom asked. “You’ve never been alone that long.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m perfectly safe here. No reason for anyone to worry about me, okay?” I reassured them as I went to the bathroom. “I’m going to freshen up then head out. I’ll text you tomorrow night.”
“No,” came Dad’s answer to that. “Tonight, too. Around nine or so. Not any later than ten. Got it?”
“Sure.” I couldn’t expect miracles. “Bye.” I ended the call then placed the phone on the vanity as I looked at my reflection. “Hmm, yup. You look like an adult. Why don’t they see you like one?”
After running the straightener through my hair, I washed my face then applied a little mascara, some pink lip gloss, and added a little blush to top it all off. I changed into a pink sundress and some tan flats, then left the room to go take a tour of the town.
Walking down the stairs, I felt that charge in the air again. The hotel must’ve seen some pretty amazing people in its time. At least that’s what I chalked the energy up to.
Just before I entered the lobby, I heard a deep voice that seemed familiar. And as I rounded the corner, I saw why. “Christopher,” I whispered.
His head turned as if he’d heard me. Then a smile pulled his chiseled lips up at each corner. “Emma, how’s it going?”
“Um. I…um,” I stammered, having no idea how it was going.
The bellhop was the same guy who’d helped me. He stood on the other side of Christopher, who turned to tell him, “Take my things up, please. I’ll be up later.” Then Christopher came toward me. “So, how do you like Concord so far, Emma?”
“I took a nap,” I blurted out like some kind of idiot.
“A nap?” He came to stand right in front of me. His expensive cologne tickled my nostrils. “This schedule is new to you. I’m sure you needed to catch up on your sleep.”
�
�What are you doing here?” I asked, my body tingling at the thought that we’d be spending the night under the same roof.
“Just a little getaway. My daughters went on some excursion with their mother, and I was home alone.” He shifted his weight then looked past me. “I wanted a change of scenery.”
“Wow.” My parents had told me that the scenery from his mansion was to die for. “I guess you don’t like to be alone much, do you?”
His eyes came back to mine. “It’s never bothered me. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be alone, I just wanted to do something a little different, that’s all.”
Then I realized that he probably wanted to be alone to enjoy his getaway, and I was getting in his way. “Well, I’ll get out of your way then and leave you to it.” I turned to walk away, but his hand on my shoulder stopped me.
“That’s okay. I actually came here so you wouldn’t feel so alone in this place. I’ve made dinner reservations at Granite, here in the hotel.” He ran his hand from my shoulder down my arm before pulling away, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. “I’d like for you to join me, if you can. The reservation is at eight.”
“You want me to join you?” I asked with surprise, shaking my head in disbelief.
“Yes, please.” He smiled at me again, and it made my heart skip a beat. “Or would you hate to be seen in the company of an old man like me?”
“Old man?” He was anything but that in my eyes. “I wouldn’t hate to be seen in your company at all. And I don’t think you’re an old man, either. I thought it might be embarrassing for you to be seen with me.”
His smile turned into a frown. “And why’s that, Emma?”
Shrugging, I didn’t know quite how to put it. “Just ’cause I’m a nobody kid, I guess.”
With a sigh, he looked me right in the eyes. “You’re not a kid, and you’re not a nobody.” He took me by the chin, his thumb rubbing my skin the slightest bit. “And I would be the envy of all the men in the restaurant if you would join me for dinner.”
“You would?” I couldn’t believe he’d said such a thing.
“I would,” he said, He moved his hand away from my face, and I felt its loss in every part of my body.
The thought of spending the evening with this man sent a bolt of sensation through me. My panties felt wet, my entire body vibrated, and something was happening in my nether regions that had never happened before.
“Is it a formal dress code?” I asked. I hadn’t brought anything formal.
“What you have on now is perfect, Emma.” He chuckled quietly, the sound deep and sexy. “Are you trying to make excuses to not join me?”
“No.” I wasn’t doing that at all. I just couldn’t rationalize why he’d want to eat dinner with me. “My father might not approve, Mr. Taylor.”
“What’s this Mr. Taylor stuff?” He took my chin in between his fingers again. “I thought we’d already discussed that. When we’re not at work, you’re Emma and I’m Christopher. And as far as your father’s approval goes, I don’t see him here, and you’re not a baby. So, will you join me for dinner or leave me to dine alone this evening?”
I didn’t know what to say, so I just nodded, to which he frowned. I could see that my way of answering wasn’t enough for him, so I said, “Okay, I’ll join you for dinner.”
And that was that—my first date. If that’s what it really was.
A girl could dream.
Chapter 13
Christopher
I didn’t recall ever being so—for lack of a better word—giddy. This wasn’t exactly a feeling I was used to.
Eight o’clock came around, and I left my room to meet Emma in the lobby as we’d planned. My heart raced with each step I took.
I’m really doing this!
Or was I?
This dinner could be orchestrated any way I wanted it. I could set the tone of a friendly meal with my friend’s daughter. Or I could make it a boss/employee kind of thing. But what I really wanted to do was put the ball in her court and see where things might lead.
Emma stood near the entrance to the restaurant, her head bowed as she looked at the screen of the cell phone in her hand. I cleared my throat to attract her attention. Looking up, she turned her head toward me and a smile transformed her pretty face.
“Hi.” She waved with one hand and slipped her phone into her purse with the other.
“Hi,” I said as I came to stand next to her.
A flowery scent drifted around her as she moved toward the restaurant. “The smells coming out of this place are making my tummy growl.”
The smell she gave off made my loins stir. I put my hand on the small of her back. “I’m glad you like it so far, Emma.” Even that brief contact was enough to make my palm tingle and my cock stir. Thankfully, the jacket of my suit covered that well.
The host greeted us, “Your reservation is for?”
“Taylor,” I said, then trailed my hand up Emma’s back to rest it on her shoulder. “For two.”
“Perfect,” the man said as he gathered some menus. “Right this way,” he led us to a small table near a window with a pleasant view. The only view I was interested in was that of my companion for the evening.
“May I get you something from the bar while you look over the menu?” the host asked as Emma and I took our seats next to each other.
With a quick glance at the cocktail menu, I made the order for us both, “We’ll have a couple of your Forbidden Sours, thank you.”
The host left us to put in our order with the bartender, and Emma leaned toward me, a small frown on her adorable face. “Christopher, you might have forgotten this,” she said in a whisper, “but I’m only twenty. Not old enough to drink yet.”
“I won’t tell if you won’t,” I teased her.
She sat back, a blush staining her cheeks. “I’ve had a little bit of wine with my mom and dad. I guess this will be okay too. But promise me you won’t tell my father, please. He’d definitely have something to say about it.”
There were so many things I would never tell her father, so that promise would be easy to keep. “Sure thing, Emma. This will be our little secret.”
She looked over the menu with wide eyes. “Oh, these prices are out of this world. I can’t even look at the dishes because my eyes keep getting stuck on how much they cost.”
“Order whatever you want, Emma. This is on the company, remember?” I asked as I grinned at her.
“But, I just can’t make myself do it,” she said then put the menu down. “Would you mind ordering for me?”
My cock grew a little more at her request. There was nothing sexier than the thought of her putting herself in my hands, trusting me. “Alright, Emma. Do you like beef, chicken, or seafood?”
“Seafood,” came her quick reply. “In order of preference, I like seafood, any kind at all, then chicken, and then beef. And if you’re going for a steak, then it has to be fully cooked, no pink.”
“I see.” I put the menu down, as I already knew what I wanted. “I’ll have to make you a steak at my place sometime. Rare is the only way to truly enjoy steaks. And I make a mean one on my outdoor grill. I’ll bet if you had a properly cooked steak, you’d like it.”
“I don’t know,” she said as she wrinkled her nose and made a funny face. “Bloody meat is kind of…well, gross.”
“You’ll see. Maybe Sunday you can come over, and I’ll make dinner for you before your parents get back.” I knew setting up another time for us to be alone might be pushing it, but I had to try.
She eyed me warily, making me a little nervous. “Christopher, I’m still not ready to meet your daughters if that’s what you’re up to.”
Relief washed over me. “Oh, I’m not trying to do that, Emma. Not at all. They won’t be home until late Sunday evening, or maybe even Monday sometime. It would just be you and I.” Then I got nervous that would scare her off.
She seemed to consider her answer as she looked up at the chandelier hovering
over our table. “Well then, that sounds like fun.” Her eyes came to rest on mine. “But don’t be upset if I don’t like the steak, okay?”
I had another date with her; nothing would make me upset. “I promise not to get upset with you, Emma.”
Our waiter came to us with our drinks. “Good evening, Mr. Taylor. I’m Raphael, and I’ll be your server this evening.” He placed Emma’s drink in front her as he smiled at her. “And what may I call you this evening, miss?”
“Emma,” she said with a shy smile.
“Well, Emma, it’s a pleasure to serve you this evening.” He bowed, and I could see from the grin on his face that he liked the looks of my dinner companion. And he must’ve thought I was her father or something and not any kind of competition, because he slid my drink to me without so much as glancing my way. I had to admit, that bothered me a hell of a lot.
“We’d like to start things off with the artisanal cheese plate, followed by the New England clam chowder, then for the main course we’ll both have the seared scallops with smoked ham.” My words came out sharper than I meant.
He finally pulled his dark eyes off Emma to look at me. “I’ll put that order in right away.” He took the menus, leaving behind the dessert menu. “And I’ll leave that for you, sir.”
“Thank you.” I slid the menu to Emma. “I think you can decide on a desert.”
As the boy left us, I wondered if Emma thought he was as cute as he thought she was. But I didn’t say a word as she looked over the menu.
“These all looks so delicious.” She put the menu down. “But I hardly ever eat sweets. My parents don’t keep much sugar in the house, and it’s probably for the best.” She ran her fingertips over her cheek. “As you can see, I have trouble with my weight.”
“Are you kidding?” I had to ask. Then it just popped out, “You’re perfect. Round in all the right places.” Then I clamped my mouth shut tightly.
That’s not something you’re supposed to say on a first date, you idiot!
The way her eyes went soft made my entire body stiffen. “Do you really think that? Or are you just being nice, Christopher?”
His Secret Virgin: A Forbidden Romance (The Sons of Sin Book 3) Page 8
