“You’re moving fast. I’m getting tingles. Sure I can’t talk you out of this?”
“Nope. Emmy is going to marry me. You’re going to get your money, and everyone will be happy.”
There’s a silence on the phone.
“What?”
He groans. “I want you to be happy. You.”
“I will be as soon as football season starts, baby bro.”
Chapter 13
GRAHAM
The night air feels thick with anticipation as I open the door of the Range Rover for Emmy a couple of nights later. She’s waiting for me outside her apartment, and I inhale a sharp breath at how beautiful she is.
Fierce.
Sexy.
And very, very unavailable.
There’s no option where I let her in close.
I simply . . . can’t go there.
I invited Divina into my heart, gave her full access, and she destroyed it.
That wound hasn’t healed. It’s a scar that still burns.
I’m not allowing anyone to make a fresh one.
But, damn, I can appreciate her beauty and take care of her the way a husband should. Protection. A home. She’ll resist me helping her, but part of me wants to see Emmy happy. Can’t deny it. Can’t explain why, but I’m trusting my gut on this and going on instinct.
I open her door, and she steps carefully into the car, her long legs delicately grazing the leather seats.
“You look gorgeous.” My words are husky and deep as my eyes eat her up.
“Oh. Thanks. Jane did my hair.” A blush steals up her cheeks as I take in her red dress. It’s silky, with one shoulder, a Grecian style, the clingy material skimming her hips and thighs. Her hair is up in a fancy updo, and her green eyes pop with dark makeup.
I get in on the other side.
She nudges her head to a lamppost down the street. “There’s a man there. He snapped pics of me leaving for work this morning and was here when I came back. Should I be worried that he’s here?”
I squint at the middle-aged man who’s trying to look nonchalant. He keeps his head down but gazes up at us every few moments as he toys with a camera. “I imagine it’s one of Holden’s guys. The family law firm employs several private investigators. And the engagement announcement came out already.”
She frowns. “Holden’s checking up on us?”
“Unfortunately, yeah. To make sure we’re legit.”
“Why does he care so much?”
“Because if neither myself nor Brody marries by the time we’re forty, then he gets our inheritance. That’s twenty million in his pocket, plus him gloating over it when we’re at Christmas dinner.”
She winces. “Your family sounds . . .”
“Horrible?”
She laughs. “You aren’t so bad.”
She truly is sunshine—with a steely edge. I pretend an aggrieved look. “I guess we need to give him a show, yeah?”
The air thickens as I lean over the console to her.
“Another kiss?” she murmurs.
“Hmm.” I touch the curve of her cheek, tracing my fingers over the top of her dress, my eyes hungry, my cock hardening.
“No objections?” I ask.
“None,” she breathes, and I pull her close, my mouth seeking hers. The kiss is soft and slow, full of yearning. For me, it’s the innocence in her I ache for, her sweetness, even though I know she’s tough.
I like her.
The truth is, I lust.
For her.
But I’m gentle, my tongue tracing the contours and ridges of her lips, nipping delicately at her lips, every nuance amplified as I stroke my fingers over her dress, grazing her pebbled nipples.
Our lips together are pure sin, and as long as I keep my feelings locked away, this is cool, fine, I can do this, I can kiss her, I can take her in my arms, and I can fuck her— Nope.
That’s a dangerous path, one I don’t want to travel down.
Take the path! the lizard side of my brain yells.
She pulls away, her thick lashes fluttering as she touches her lips. “Was he looking?” she asks.
I don’t even glance that way. I’m too busy staring at her.
“I’m sure he took pics. Let’s get out of here.”
I keep my gaze on the road, but it doesn’t stop me from inhaling her sugary-sweet vanilla scent. Then I shove it away and think about football plays. I think about how being on the field this week for practice has been good. She plays with the hem of her dress, and I glance down at her legs.
This heat for her is damn inconvenient.
Don’t want it.