“No,” I stated with finality. “I suggest you leave and figure out what’s more important in your life: staying with John or protecting your baby.”
With that, I turned and walked back into the house. Donicko had his hands so deep in the pocket of my life it was fucking ridiculous, but I only had myself to blame. I kept that relationship going. I should have walked away, but I was being malicious. But actually, I couldn’t even call it that, because it caused no harm to John. In fact, he didn’t even care. So why did I keep it going? I’d told myself it was the satisfaction of knowing he couldn’t keep her happy, that she was always running to me. It didn’t make any sense. Maybe this was what John wanted. This was, in some way, keeping us connected in a sick, fucked-up way.
I sighed, frustrated with myself. The mood for the night had completely changed, but I still had Emma to entertain.
Closing the door, I headed back into my office to find Emma sitting on the couch with her legs curled up beside her, a law book in her hands.
“Is everything okay?” she asked with a look of concern on her face.
“Yes, of course,” I stated nonchalantly then pointed to the book. “Don’t you spend enough time studying about the law?” I smiled.
“Can you really ever study too much?” She laughed and closed the book.
“Actually, you can, and I highly recommend against it.”
I moved toward her to take a seat, but she stood up just as I was about to sit.
She walked to the corner of the room, placed the book back on its shelf and turned to look at me.
“I should go,” she stated as she jerked her thumb toward the front door. “Is there any way you could ask Carlos to pick me up, or I could call a cab?”
I could tell by her hand gestures and the way her eyes kept darting around that she was on edge. I was sure it had everything to do with someone showing up at my door.
I cursed to myself as I tried to figure out how to get her to stay. I didn’t want the night to end. This had been the first time in a very long time I’d felt normal. I was getting to know her in a different way than I’d ever done with any other woman. All except one.
I walked toward her and she dropped her gaze as I brushed my fingertips along her forehead, pushing some stray hairs out of her face.
“You don’t have to leave, princess. I’d actually prefer you didn’t,” I purred as I leaned down to her ear. “The night is still young.”
“Y-yes,” she stuttered. “But I do have to get up early for school.”
I pulled back and smirked at her as I raised a brow. “Your first class doesn’t start until ten. That’s not what I’d consider early.”
“No, but I need to get some reading in before bed. And I—”
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were trying to get away from me.”
I would never admit that the thought alone had me on edge. I needed to know what happened from the time the doorbell rang that made her demeanor change so drastically, but I’d never force it out of her. She’d either tell me willingly or not at all.
“What?” she exclaimed with a laugh. “No, not at all. Honestly, I’m just tired.”
We gazed at each other and I tried to read her emotions. Maybe there wasn’t anything wrong. Maybe she was just tired.
“Come on,” I persuaded as I grabbed her hand, dragging her with me. “Sit with me and have one last drink before you leave.”
I didn’t look at her as I pulled her along. I sensed no resistance as she followed along with me.
I stopped at the couch, letting her hand go. “Sit and I’ll get us a drink.”
Before doing anything, I pulled my cell out of my pocket and sent Carlos a quick text to be back in thirty minutes to take Emma home. Then I picked up the crystal decanter, beginning to pour when she spoke.
“Do you always get what you want?” she asked seductively.
I smiled slightly at her comment. I knew it was more of a statement since she already knew the answer.
I turned to see her sitting in the corner of the couch with her legs crossed. The dress she’d worn was long and covered every inch of her body, except her arms and her gorgeous neck. But I didn’t need to see her skin to know how fucking sexy she was underneath.
I walked toward her with two glasses of scotch and slowly sat down beside her, handing her the drink.
“I don’t want for much, Emma, but yes, I usually get what I want.”
I took a sip of my drink, dumbfounded by her laughter at my reply.
“Oh, God,” she stated, taking a breath. “I didn’t expect you to answer so honestly.”
I smiled. “I told you before that I always expect the truth. The same goes for me. I have no reason to be untruthful.”
“Not untruthful. Just vague.”
She took a sip of the scotch then stared at the glass in her lap. She was pulling away from me, and I didn’t like it. That was usually my MO.
I turned my body toward hers then leaned to place my drink on the table.
“You have one wild card you can use on me. Use it wisely.”
She looked at me in confusion. “What do you mean a wild card?”