Page 25 of Bound to the EMT

CHAPTER 10

BRANSON

I look over at Emmeline’s tear-stained face as anger bubbles deep in my gut. Normally, I love seeing an omega with mascara smearing down their cheeks, but not like this. Her mother has something to do with this. I know it in my gut.

With one hand on the wheel, I slide my other over to grasp hers in a warm embrace. However, the instant my fingers brush against her skin, she flinches. This won’t do. I need to break the ice somehow, to show her I’m not a threat. At least not in the way she thinks.

“Where did you get the butt plug from?”

“Pardon?” Her voice leaps from her throat, thin, fragile, startled.

A deep chuckle rumbles in my chest as I note her wide-eyed stare. “You know, the one I managed to pull from your ass. Where did you get it?”

“Must we talk about this? Can’t we just forget it happened?”

“Oh no, my little bride. I can’t and won’t. Do you realize how the vision of you face down ass up tormented my dreams ever since I saw you?”

“Oh.” She looks away, a slight blush fanning across her cheeks in the most adorable manner.

“You can’t tell me you didn’t think of me at all. Not even a little?” Though a hint of distress wafts about her body, I continue to push forward, forcing her out of this shell she’s erecting around herself.

“I did.” Her voice is so small I almost don’t hear her.

“And?”

“And what?”

“And did you like what you thought about?”

Emmeline’s lips thin as she turns further away from me and stares out the window. More unease continues to drip from her body, filling the car until it’s almost thick with the stench of her unhappiness.

“Talk to me, Emmeline. What has you so distraught?”

She finally turns to face me, her eyes wide and wet with unshed tears. Gritting my teeth, I scan the area, looking for a place I can pull over so we can talk. Once we’re in place, I turn in my seat and drape my arm over the back of her chair, effectively caging her in.

“Come on, sweet girl. Out with it. I’m your husband now. You can tell me anything.”

“Only for six months,” she blurts before slapping her hand across her mouth.

“I see. So you’re planning on, what, not actually trying?” When she remains silent, I nod. “Got it. It’s because of my job, isn’t it? Poor little princess doesn’t think she can handle slumming it with a commoner.”

“No, no. You got it all wrong!” Hysteria laces her tone as looks up at me with those glittering emerald eyes of hers.

“Do I? Where exactly do I have it wrong? Enlighten me. Convince me.”

Her hands flop helplessly onto her lap. “I don’t think I can. You’re not wrong, but you’re not right either. I don’t care what you do. I’m not like that. I don’t judge a person on their vocation or income. Besides, all money does is make things worse.”

“Then what is it? If you don’t care, why won’t you try? I sure as hell plan to do my best to make this work.”

“Oh, right,” she snaps. “It’s so easy for you. Well, don’t plan on getting anything out of my parents just because you think you can make this work. You won’t see a dime.”

“Listen here, Princess. I don’t give a shit about their money. I make my own. I’ve always made my own since I was old enough to leave the house and get a job. As far as I’m concerned, this marriage is between you and me. Your parents can go fuck themselves.”

Her face pinkens again as she turns away from me. “You really ought to watch your language in front of a lady, you know.”

“Oh, poor thing. Is my rough, debased tongue causing you to feel uncomfortable? Let your icy walls down for me, and I’ll show you what else this tongue can do.”

The rapid blinking is hysterical. There’s no way this omega can be that innocent. Then again, she was convinced a porn star was an actual doctor. But then, what do I know? Maybe he is. Maybe he just does this for fun on the side. Unlikely, but plausible.