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After an extended lunch we headed back to my house; he was there. Pacing back and forth in front of the door with his phone to his ear. “Oh shit Simone, give me my phone.”
“Oops.” That wasn’t even a little bit convincing.
“Four missed calls, I’m so dead.” He was next to the car before I got my seatbelt off, pulling the door open.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Apparently he didn’t need an answer and I was shocked at his intensity when he pulled me into his arms and held me like I’d been lost at sea. His heart was beating out of time; racing, and I felt his fear.
“What happened, what’s wrong?” I ran my hands up and down his back in an automatic show of comfort.
“Nothing, shut up, let me hold you.” He pulled me back in roughly and I just held on.
“Where the hell have you been Emily? I’ve been calling you for hours.”
“I’m so sorry, Simone took my phone because I kept checking it to see if you’d called.” Which now that I think of it was dumb. I would’ve heard it ring if he had. He glared over my head at her and I felt his body relax finally.
JASON
I never want to live through the last two hours again. Maybe I was being irrational, so sue me. I’ve never been in love before, never known this gut wrenching fear when the woman you love just dropped off the radar like that. I’d called her as soon as my first meeting was over, dying for the sound of her voice. At first when she didn’t answer I thought maybe she was in the shower, or catching up on her sleep since I hadn’t let her get much over the weekend.
I’d even smiled at the thought. But the third time I called and got no answer my imagination went wild and I imagined all manner of things happening to her. I’d fielded a few phone calls from reporters wanting a scoop on our new relationship. I’d forgotten about the damn auction but apparently it was all over the airwaves. My first thought was for her and whether she too was being hounded by the jackals.
I’d sent my secretary out to pick up one of those stupid rags to see what all the fuss was about and there we were. Me climbing the stage and dragging her off. I didn’t need the headlines to spell it out; the picture really did say a thousand words. It was there for all the world to see; again.
Then when I couldn’t find her I thought she’d been nabbed, I thought… Well fuck, is this going to be my life from now on? It’s no secret that the wives and children of wealthy men are in jeopardy each time they walk out the door. There’s always someone looking for an easy score.
When I thought that she’d been taken from me I went through seven levels of hell. I never want to go there again. “That’s it, you’re coming home with me. And where’s your mother? Why isn’t she answering the door?”
“Um, I talked her into going to the salon today. I didn’t know she’d listened though.” We both looked and noticed for the first time that the car was gone. I was too blind with fear before to notice I guess. Simone came around to join us and I knew from the innocent look she gave me that her little trick with the phone had been deliberate.
“I see you don’t take instruction well.” I gave her a look, which she ignored.
“Who me? Whatever are you accusing me of now?” Lucky for her she’s one of those people you just can’t stay mad at. I just shook my head at her and turned back to the house. “Go upstairs and pack a bag. You can call your mom on the way and tell her where you’re staying.”
“Don’t you have work?”
“What I have is a security door that you can’t get through without the key, now go.”
“Girl didn’t I tell you?” I have no idea what Simone meant by that comment but I ignored her as I hustled Emily’s little ass through the door. I ignored all her arguments as to why this wasn’t a good idea.
“Are you going to pack or do you need me to do it for you?”
“Oh this is so good.” Simone took a seat on the bottom stair and grinned at us. I could see I was going to have trouble with her, a lifetime’s worth. Unless of course I got her on my side. “Why don’t you come over and help her get settled in? I’m supposed to be in a meeting ten minutes ago.”
