Page 27 of Bound to the EMT

“That’s your get out of jail free card,” I tease, running my thumbs down her cheeks to wipe away her tears. “After this, if you tell me to fuck myself, I might just have to punish that gorgeous ass of yours.”

In an instant, she sobers. “You wouldn’t.”

“Oh, yes, I would. And I’m pretty sure you’ll like it too.”

“Probably not,” she grumbles, crossing her arms.

“You can keep sassing me if you want to find out. I’m very accommodating that way.”

“But you just said-”

“I know what I said. I invite all of it. But just as long as you remember, all actions have consequences.”

“Well then, what’s the point?”

“The point, my little brat in training, is that not all consequences are bad. It’s just a natural order of events. You do A and B happens.”

She crosses her arms and huffs for a moment before sticking her lower lip out. “Fuck you,” she mutters under her breath, so low she probably thinks I can’t hear it.

Chuckling, I put my seatbelt back on and motion to hers. “Buckle up. Don’t want the officers around here taking away my fun.”

As we pullup to my small apartment, I watch Emmeline closely. I know she said she didn’t care about money, but I’m definitely in the camp of I’ll believe it when I see it. Being raised by parents like hers has such a high chance of turning her into the snot-nosed trust fund kids who made my life miserable.

I want her to be different. I need her to be different. But I can’t let my heart get too attached until I know for sure. Walking over to her side of the car, I open the door and extend my hand. She looks over the apartments, her eyes drifting over the various residences.

So far, she doesn’t seem too shocked. Maybe if she’s truly this ambivalent about money, I can show her the houses I was looking at this morning. With a large grin, I extend my hand.

“Well, Princess. Home sweet home.” I stand there, my breath catching in my throat as I judge her reactions.

“I have to say, I’m quite surprised.”

“Let me guess. A lot smaller than what you were hoping for.”

“The complete opposite. It’s massive. I didn’t realize emergency personnel could amass property this large. Mother will be thrilled.” She turns to me, eyes wide and sparkling with joy and perhaps a hint of hope. “You must be doing rather well to have such a property.”

“What part do you think is your new home?”

She motions to the entire complex. “Well, all of it. Is it not? Or are you planning on confining me to a specific area as my punishment?”

Unbidden, a laugh erupts from my lips. Judging by her expression, the poor, sheltered omega must be thinking I’m laughing at her. But I’m not. Not exactly.

“No, Princess. I would never punish you by confining you somewhere. That’s not my kink. Come. Let me show you your actual home.”

For a moment, she falters as I grab her hand and drag her along. “I don’t understand. It’s not this whole place?”

“Not even close.”

As we step up to my door, she keeps her emotions shuttered where I can’t tell what she’s thinking or feeling. At least it’s better than her throwing a rich girl tantrum on my doorstep for all to see. She remains silent as I open the door and motion for her to come inside.

Thankfully, I took the suggestions of my sister and actually cleaned the place. As it is, it only takes a handful of minutes for her to go from the kitchen with the eat-in dining room to the living room to my bedroom and bathroom. All the while, not a word drops from her lips.

I long to know what she’s thinking, to know exactly how disappointed she is with her new space. But still, even as she comes back and sits on the couch, she doesn’t say a word. Taking the chair across from her, I spread my thighs and place my elbows on my knees as I lean forward.

“Penny for your thoughts.”

Instead of answering, she bursts into tears. Just as I thought. Poor little rich girl can’t hack it in the real world. Disappointment floods my veins as I sigh and stand up in front of her. And here I thought she had a sense of adventure, a soul longing to break free from the confines of wealth and stature.

I guess I was wrong.

“I’ll find you somewhere else to live until the six months are up.”

“You don’t understand,” she wails, her tear-stained eyes boring into my soul. “I couldn’t care less where you live. I don’t care at all that it’s about the size of my bedroom and ensuite. I just... For a moment there, I had hope.”

“Hope?” I grumble, not understanding what she’s babbling on about.

“Hope that I can actually convince my mother to let me try.”