“Jensen, come on. I insist. We’ve known each other too long for it to all end this way.”
My eyes cut to Marc’s. “I have my…girlfriend with me.”
Marc seemed to perk up with both shock and confusion at that statement. “Girlfriend? That’s a new one.”
“Marcus,” Abigail snapped. “Your girlfriend is welcome to come, Jensen. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“All right. Let me let her know. She’s at the hotel.”
“Why don’t we pick her up on the way?” Abigail suggested.
Marc looked like it was quite literally the last thing he wanted to do. I couldn’t agree more. But, if it made Marc uncomfortable, then I was in for it.
I took out my phone and clicked over to Messages, only to realize I’d missed two in the midst of the negotiations. I gritted my teeth.
Vanessa. Goddamn woman had the worst fucking timing.
Don’t do this.
You don’t have to sign that paperwork today. Your father wouldn’t have wanted this.
I clenched my jaw, willing myself not to show any emotions in front of the Tarmans. They fed on it. Vanessa bringing up my father was a low blow, and she knew it.
I responded shortly.
Signed, sealed, delivered.
Then, I erased her messages and pulled up Emery’s number, letting her know that I would be picking her up at the hotel for dinner with the Tarmans.
We’re going to dinner with the people who owned the company you just purchased? What should I wear?
Something sexy as hell. See you in fifteen.
I retreated to the lobby with Marc and Abigail. Marc was on his phone in deep conversation with someone who he probably cared very little about. Any excuse not to have to talk to me any longer. And I was grateful.
Abigail could field the tension like a professional.
“Who is the new girl, Jensen?” she asked.
“She’s recently moved to town. Was a PhD student here at UT before coming back to Lubbock.”
Abigail’s eyebrows rose. She knew my policy as well as anyone. “An in-town girl? Why, you never fail to surprise me.”
I shrugged. “She’s worth it.”
“And does she know?”
My eyes shot to her hazel ones. They were searching and curious. Abigail knew too much about me and my family. I suddenly had a bad feeling about bringing Emery to this dinner.
“She doesn’t,” Abigail said as a matter of fact. “God help you with Marc here.”
I ignored Abigail’s comment and slid into the limousine that the Tarmans had waiting. It was a bit ostentatious for the circumstances, but I had just paid them a small fortune for the company. They could afford it for now.
We pulled up in front of the hotel a short while later, and Emery was standing there, dressed to kill. I didn’t know how she had managed it in the short time I’d given her, but she was in a stunning red cocktail dress and pumps. Her hair was swept off her face, and she had on cherry-red lipstick. A color that had me thinking a million dirty thoughts at once. Like what that color would taste like. And how nice it would look around my dick.
I stepped out of the back to open the door for her, and she practically glowed when she saw me.
“A limo?” she asked.
“A bit much?”
“Or just enough,” she countered.
“You seem like you’re in a better mood than when I left you.”
“Well, I got all that nasty business resolved, and now, I’m with you again.”
I slid my arm around her waist and placed a deep kiss on her lips. She leaned into me, both of us forgetting all about her red lipstick. She laughed when she leaned back and smudged a spot off my mouth.
“Come on, Jensen,” Abigail called from the door.
“We have to talk,” I whispered into Emery’s ear as she moved to pass me into the limo. Her eyes shot to mine in confusion. “I just have to…tell you some things. Ignore Marc.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ll explain.”
Emery slid into the limo, and I cursed, wishing I’d had more time to clarify everything. I hoped Marc could keep a lid on his anger for a whole dinner without ruining it for everyone.
Emery was already introducing herself to Abigail and Marc as I hopped back into the limo, and it zoomed away.
“Ah,” Marc said, looking Emery up and down, “you don’t seem the type.”
Emery’s lips pursed. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing,” Abigail interjected. “Ignore my brother. He’s in a foul mood.”
I knew that Emery was frustrated when her eyes slid to me. I hated that look. She was wary and had her guard up again. I didn’t want to blindside her, but I had to say something about Marc.
“I just mean that you’re the girl of the weekend, right?” Marc asked. His eyes were mirthless. He seemed happy to taunt her, even before we made it to the restaurant.
“Marc!” Abigail cried.
“Just let it be, Marc,” I growled.
“What exactly does that mean?” Emery asked.
He chose to respond only to her, “You know…the fling he has when he’s out of town. You must realize that you’re it.”
“I’ll have you know,” she spat, “I know all about his reputation, and I don’t appreciate your insinuation that I’m that kind of girl. Jensen and I are together. This isn’t a one-time thing. And who the hell are you to even say something like that to me?”
I nearly choked on my own laughter at Marc’s bewildered face.
“Just an old family friend,” Marc said. “Tell me everything about yourself. How did you manage to catch Jensen’s eye and keep it? I thought only one person was capable of that.”
Emery frowned as she mulled over what Marc had said, and I realized it was an absolutely horrid idea to have brought her along. Marc was a snake, and I had released her into the viper’s den.
“Blow jobs,” she said quite calmly.
Marc sputtered and then started laughing. “You surprise me.”
I couldn’t help myself; I laughed with him. Man, this girl. She is…perfect.
“Also, I’m completely irresistible,” Emery continued.