by Hale, Beth
Emma looked at him and chewed slowly. “That was unexpected. But, no, he preferred to eat out and be seen. I actually cook more for Norah than I ever did for him.”
Jack nodded, sat his empty plate and cup back on the tray. “The question just slipped out; I’m sorry. Let’s move on. Have you ever been to Rome?”
“No.” She wrapped her hands around her cup and her green eyes went wistful. “I’ve wanted to, though. Rome and Florence. Ireland and Madrid. I’ve always wanted to travel.”
“Emma.” Jack leaned forward and took her cup. After he sat it aside, he took both her hands. “After She-Wolf wraps, I’ll have six weeks free. Let me take you to Rome or Ireland, to anywhere you like.”
“I can’t.” Emma sighed, squeezed his hands.
“That’s an awesome offer and I really, really want to,
but I can’t. Norah has committed to her next role and we have to be in Detroit two weeks after we leave here.”
“But, surely, for those two weeks we can—“He frowned when Emma shook her head.
“I’ll have to go home, see my mama. Spend time with her, hear about the cruise she’s about to take. I can’t, won’t neglect her.” She closed her eyes. She would have to sit down with him and have a serious conversation once he was back from Germany. Their time together was slipping away.
Jack saw the sudden tension in her shoulders. He ran his hands up her arms. “All right,” he said as much to sooth himself as well as her. “We’ll work something out.” But what, he wondered.
Emma pulled away, determined not to let sad thoughts ruin the night she’d planned. She stood and pointed at Jack. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Really?” He glanced around the room. “What?”
“I’ll have to go get it from the bedroom. Why don’t you carry this,” she indicated the tray, “into the kitchen and then wait right here.”
When he left the room, she dashed into the bedroom to change. She cracked the door a bit and saw him staring expectantly. “Turn around,” she called.
“Why?”
“Cause it’s too big to put a bow on. Turn around.” He obliged.
Emma opened the door and walked to stand just behind him. She let out her breath and whispered. “Now.”
He turned, he looked. And his mouth went dry.
She stood in front of him wearing a frothy
concoction of black lace and fuck-me heels. Her hair
was curling madly about her shoulders. She’d painted those full lips siren red and darkened her eyes. He goggled and she smiled.
“You like?”
“God, yes. Emma,” he reached out, ran a finger along one of those tiny straps at her shoulder, “you’re so fucking sexy.” He started to pull her closer but she danced back.
“Unh-uh. First, I want to…” She moved in, finished loosening the tie he wore. She pulled his head to hers for a quick, searing kiss. She whipped the tie off and threw it into the chair behind her.
She tugged his shirt free from his trousers while he toed off his shoes. Slowly, she slid the buttons open, kissing his flesh as it was bared to her. He shrugged it off and went stock-still when her fingers went to his belt.
“Emma,” he breathed as she pulled it off, threw it aside. Then her hands were unzipping, reaching in to find him hard and throbbing. His breath hissed as he stepped clear of the clothing.
She flicked her eyes at him, sent him a wicked grin. She went to her knees.
He groaned when her mouth clamped down. His breath wheezed and he felt his eyes cross as she took him deeper. His hands fisted in her hair, encouraging her, and his body went weak.
Jack could feel his self-control slip. “Enough,” he growled and jerked Emma to her feet. He bowed her over his arm and plundered her mouth. His hand slid under the lace and felt hot, wet woman. She whimpered.
He stood her upright and jerked the nightie
over her head. He tossed it behind him and it landed in a puddle beside the door. His hot blue eyes slid over her and Emma trembled.
Her legs locked around his waist when he picked her up and started towards his bed. She bounced once when he threw her down and joined her. She’d lit candles there, as well, and he worshiped her body by their light.
He trailed hot, wet kisses down her throat, over her breasts. He lingered there before returning again and again to her mouth. His fingers found her, speared her, and she arched with a moan. Her breath became as ragged as his.
“Now,” she panted. She reached for him, stoked him with soft, eager hands. “I need you now. Hard, fast. Now.”
He moved and she opened for him. One hard thrust had them both gasping. He hooked an arm under her leg and raised it to her chest as he hammered into her.
“Oh God oh God,” Emma moaned as she went higher and higher. Her hands dug into the sheets as her hips rocked with his. Jack heard her sob his name, saw her eyes go blind. And he fell as she did, bucking as he poured into her.
Chapter 21
Emma woke slowly to the sun slanting through the blinds. She turned her head and saw Jack propped up on one elbow, smiling at her.
“What?”
“You’re cute when you sleep, all curled up in a little ball.”
She smiled sleepily back and stretched. Jack was on her in a flash and she gasped. He grabbed her wrists, lifted them above her head. He lightly nibbled at her neck. Her giggle ended in a breathless moan when he slid into her.
“Good morning,” he whispered.
“Mornin’,” she managed. Her breath snagged and she instinctively tugged her arms. He held them tighter and shook his head.
“I’m going to take you,” he whispered, “slow and easy this time.”
His voice, his words, only heightened her arousal. She whimpered and pushed her hips up to meet his. He lowered his head and caught a breast in his mouth. He tugged gently and swirled his tongue around her nipple.
She gasped and knew she was close. Jack knew it, too, and stilled. Emma made a pleading sound in her throat. He chuckled softly and took her mouth in a heated kiss, his tongue dancing with hers as he began to move again.
Emma’s breath grew labored and her hands flexed in his. He moved with a slow, steady pace and she met his every thrust. Her eyes closed as pleasure swirled. He released her hands and she grasped his shoulders, her nail biting into his skin.
He cupped her breasts, his thumbs teasing her as the tremors began. She tightened around him and he groaned as he felt himself let go.
Jack moved to lie beside her, a satisfied smile on his face. “That should hold me till I get back,” he teased.
Emma poked him in the side. “It better.”
“Would you be jealous, darling?”
“I’d scratch her eyes out,” she replied with a grin, but worry began gnawing around her heart. Was he beginning to tire of her?
The alarm she’d set on her phone sounded and she quickly turned it off. Jack frowned. “It’s awful early for you to be leaving.”
“I know, but Norah has an interview. I told her I’d be back before then, so…duty calls.”
“Well, damn. There goes my fantasy of keeping you naked in bed all day.”
“The thought of not fulfilling that fantasy truly saddens me. But I still have to go.” She started to get out of bed, paused, and looked at him again. “Maybe we can work that in as a welcome home present?”
“I look forward to it.”
Emma took her bag into the bathroom to get ready for the day. Jack jerked a pair of pajama bottoms over his hips and went into the living room.
He grinned when he saw the scattered clothing. His Emma had surprised him last night.
He’d be eternally grateful.
He gathered the clothing and dumped it in the laundry room on his way to make Emma her morning fix of caffeine. He didn’t notice the lace by the door.
Emma lingered under the water longer than
she’s meant to. She was scurrying when she came out
“Bless you,” she said when Jack handed her a to-go cup. The scent of coffee wafted up and she inhaled greedily. “Just what I needed.”
“I’ll be visiting Glenda this afternoon since I can’t be with you,” he told her.
She gave him a guilty smile. “I’m sorry,” she began but he shook his head.
“You have work, and it’s been a while since I’ve dropped in to visit. My plane leaves at two tomorrow. I’ll come by and see you on my way to the airport.”
“OK. I’ll miss you.”
“And I’ll miss you.” He gave her a lingering kiss, then she opened the door and rushed to the cab he’d called for her. Her discarded nightie never crossed her mind.
Chapter 22
Sarah let herself in and softly closed the door behind her. She glanced around and saw that nothing had really changed. It still looked like a bachelor pad; he had never let her put her personal touch on it. She heard the shower running and smiled. She’d just wait for him to come out and surprise him.
She was tired of waiting for Jack to realize he’d made a mistake when he’d thrown her out. So, she mused, she would just hurry things up a bit. She had dressed carefully, in a short dress the color of poppies. It showed off her tanned skin and honey hair to perfection, she knew.
It revealed her every curve and made her brown eyes look soft. She was confident that he would fall at her feet.
Imagine, he’d pretended to replace her with that nobody assistant. He’d succeeded in making her jealous, she admitted. Sarah checked her reflection in the mirror behind her and slicked another coat of tawny pink on her lips.
Sarah’s gaze landed on a puddle of lace on the floor. She picked it up and her lips tightened. So, the upstart slut thought she could bind him to her with sex.
Two could play at that game.
And, she thought, she’d just go a step further and make sure the little bitch knew who was queen. Sarah dropped the nightie in her purse and slithered out of the white thongs she wore. She used her heel and pushed them slightly under the couch. She heard Jack moving around in the bedroom, and smiled with anticipation.
With a sigh, Jack realized the pants he wanted
were still in the dryer. With the towel still slung around his hips, he walked out of the bedroom. He stopped mid-step and stared.
“What the hell are you doing here? How the hell did you get in?”
She held up a key. “I held on to this, darling. Aren’t you happy I’m home?”
“This isn’t your home. Not anymore.” With two strides, he stood before her. He jerked the key out of her hand. “Get out.”
She laughed softly. “Oh, Jack. You can stop pretending to be angry with me. We both know you’re ready for me to come back.” She licked her lips. He looked good standing there with a towel across those hips and a dark scowl on his face. His blue eyes were hot with anger and it roused her.
“No, Sarah. I told you, we’re finished. Catching you in my bed with Andrew was the last straw.”
She pouted and her voice trembled. “I’ve apologized for that. One mistake—“
“One?” He laughed harshly. “Andrew made the fourth ‘mistake’ I knew about. God knows how many other men you fucked behind my back.”
“Darling.” She moved closer to him and tried to twine her arms around his neck.
He stepped back. “Just don’t.”
Her eyes flashed with annoyance, the brown going a shade darker. “Come on, Jack. We both know it’s me you want. You’re just using that silly little assistant to make me mad with jealousy.”
“Her name is Emma,” he said, his voice hard and cold. “And I’ve never tried to make you jealous. I don’t care that much.”
“You used to. You used to not be able to keep your hands off me.”
“I’ve been cured of that, too. You need to leave. Now.”
Sarah’s body flushed with excitement. He was so angry, so unyielding. Forceful. She wanted him.
Fast as lightening, she pressed her lush body against his, her breasts soft against his chest. She brought his head down and fused her mouth to his and her other hand slid under the edge of the towel. She stroked and teased him with skillful fingers.
Shocked, he froze for a moment and felt himself harden under her manipulative hand. She felt it, too, and gave a feral hum of approval.
“You want me, Jack.” Her voice quaked with her mounting desire and she kept her hand on his hard length. “You want me as much as I want you.”
Before he could think, his hips bucked towards her and his eyes unfocused. The bedroom door was ajar behind her, revealing a rumpled bed that seemed to beckon. It would be so easy…
Jack suddenly shook his head, angry and ashamed at his reaction. He wouldn’t, couldn’t betray Emma. “Leave.” His breath was ragged.
She looked at him and laughed.
He grabbed her shoulders hard enough to leave bruises and shoved her away. “Listen to me, you vicious bitch. I don’t want you. Not today, not ever again. Do you understand? I love Emma. I love her.”
“Love,” Sarah spat, angry. “You can’t possible love some mealy mouthed—“
“Shut up. And get out. I’ve wasted enough of my day on you. Don’t bother coming back.” He stalked past her and flung open the door.
Sarah snatched her purse up and paused beside
him. Her eyes glittered with fury. “You’ll come begging and I’ll be waiting.”
“Not likely.” He pushed her the rest of the way out of the door and slammed it shut. He relocked it, set the deadbolt and the security system.
Jack ran his fingers through his damp hair and sighed. He’d look up a locksmith before visiting Glenda.
***
It was almost eleven o’clock and Emma couldn’t sleep. Since Norah was out with friends, she decided to do a little cleaning. It always helped to settle her mind when she was nervous about something.
She pulled her hair up in a high pony tail and tossed on her oldest jeans and a faded Maroon 5 t-shirt. She slid thick socks on her feet and got out the bucket of cleaning supplies. She’d just finished polishing the tables, the scent of lemons hanging faintly in the air, when there was a knock on the door. She tucked the rag into her front pocket and went to answer it.
She was so stunned to see Sarah Reed at her door that she just stood there as Sarah walked past her into the house.
“Good evening,” Sarah said with a friendly smile. She dropped her purse on the freshly polished side table. “I was on my way home and saw your lights on. Thought I’d drop in for a little chat.” She’d gone back home after leaving Jack’s, to lick her wounds and revise her plan. She’d come up with a good one.
Emma closed the door. “A chat?” she echoed.
“Yes. I wanted to ask if you’ve been enjoying
your time with Jack.”
“Umm. Not to be rude, but I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
Sarah let out a tinkling laugh. “He hasn’t told you, then.”
“Told me what?”
“That it’s over between you two. I’m back.”
“I—I don’t understand.” But she was suddenly afraid she did.
“Come on, now.” She sent Emma a lazy smile. “Surely you had to know he was just…amusing himself until we worked everything out.” She shook back her hair and looked at the side table then at Emma’s appearance. “Charming. It appears I’ve caught you cleaning; my apologies.”
“I don’t believe you,” Emma said bravely.
“You should. I’ve just come from there. Left him in bed, more than satisfied.”
“I don’t believe you,” she said again. Her voice shook slightly.
“Really? Maybe this will convince you.” Sarah opened her purse and pulled out the nightie. She saw Emma tense and her smile widened. “You left this behind. I have to say thank you.” She ran the lace through her fingers. “Jack loved it when I put this on, said how much be
tter it looked on me.”
She looked up, and locked her eyes with Emma’s. “After that, he couldn’t get it off me fast enough.”
Emma paled and her hands began to tremble. She’d been right, she thought. He was tired of her; it had all been an act.
“It was so wonderful,” Sarah purred and
shrugged her white sweater off her shoulders. The
bruises stood out, the fingerprints visible on her skin.
“He was so masterful, so demanding. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.”
Emma was beginning to feel sick. Her stomach churned and her breaths came in shallow pants. “Is that all?” she managed. “Are you done?”
Sarah’s smile turned gloating when she saw the devastation on Emma’s face, the tears in her eyes. She pulled her sweater back up. “I believe so.”
She threw the nightie on the table as she walked to the door. With her hand on the knob, she gave a last look over her shoulder.
“Did you really think Jack would have more than a passing interest in someone like you? A nobody who dresses in rags and smells of furniture polish? You were a diversion, Emma. Why would he want someone like you when he could have me?”
She heard Emma’s sharp breath. She couldn’t stop the satisfied smirk as she walked out. Her work here was done, she thought. It was time to polish her plan to reclaim Jack’s attention. She closed the door quietly behind her.
Emma’s whole body began to shake. She’d let herself believe too much, care too much. Again. It hurt. God, it hurt so bad.
She made it to the stairs before tears blurred her vision. She dropped to the bottom step and wrapped her arms around her knees. And wept.
Chapter 23
Emma managed a scant hour’s sleep. She’d lain awake, staring out the window into the darkened street below, wondering what she should do.
Finally, at seven, she’d decided she wasn’t going to be so meek about it this time. She was going to confront Jack.
She looked in the mirror and winced. She looked like death warmed over, she thought, but there was no help for it. She was ghost-pale; no amount of makeup would help. Her eyes had deep purple shadows under them and were red from weeping. Her hair was a frizzed mess because she was just too tired to fool with it.
