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Why does she mean so much to me? What happened? What kind of man have I become? Emma is the best woman in the world. She’s a ray of sweet sunshine and she’s so incredibly special. I can’t believe she’s spent her entire life thinking less of herself because of her dirtbag parents.
I meant for all of this to just be a fling. When I first saw Emma’s curves emerging from the bushes, I could feel my blood run hot. My lust for her is so powerful that I don’t trust myself around her. And I thought it would ebb after taking her once.
But, no. Now, if anything, I just want her more than ever before. I want to feel her soft, plump body writhing underneath mine. I miss her loud cries of passion and her shrieking moans whenever I suck on her clit.
Goddamn. Now I’m lonely, horny, and fucking miserable.
This girl has wormed her way into my heart and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget her. There’s just something so unpretentious and kind about her. I love the way she thinks of me: even her stupid fixation on Doritos is enough to bring a smile to my face.
She’s too good. She’s simply too good, too pure, and too heavenly for an animal like me. She doesn’t deserve to get caught up in this shit between me and Jason Hadley. She’s an innocent girl, and we’re two old men who will beat each other to death if given the chance.
It’s definitely for the best that I sent her away.
God, if only she hadn’t turned on the waterworks. Some men can’t stand the sight of a woman’s tears. I knew plenty of men like that in my old life. Hell, I used to consider myself one of them.
But when I saw Emma cry, it was like something broke inside of me. Her sobs were so genuinely gut-wrenching that I was afraid she’d make herself sick. I’ve never seen anyone cry like that before. It ripped me raw inside.
Now that she’s gone, I can go back to focusing on what matters. Getting my appeal filed and watching as Jason Hadley crashes and burns.
There’s part of me that doesn’t even want to go forward with it now. I feel sick at the prospect of putting Emma’s father away, but the prospect of putting Jason Hadley away fills me with a twisted glee.
God. If only they weren’t the same man. If only my former partner was some childless bastard, then I wouldn’t feel guilty about ruining any more lives.
But he ruined my life, and karma is a goddamned bitch.
With a heavy heart, I pick up my satellite phone and dial Jed. The connection is shaky at best but it’s not long before a cheerful secretary answers and patches my call through.
“I was wondering when you’d decide to grow a pair and do the right thing.”
I groan. What the fuck is it with lawyers, anyway? Why are they all so awful?
“Yeah, well, it’s time to put that motherfucker behind bars,” I growl into the phone. “And I’m more than ready to see him rot in prison.”
“Good man,” Jed says jovially. “Now about your appeal. I have everything filed and ready to go before a judge on Monday. Are you ready to come out of the woods and face the music?”
I sigh heavily and put my face in my hands. As soon as I close my eyes, Emma’s angelic round face pops into my mind. God, she’s beautiful.
“Hello?” Jed snaps. “Dane, are you there?”
“Bad connection,” I lie.
“Well, when all of this is a distant memory, you can come out of the woods and live like a normal person again,” Jed says. “And that includes getting a better phone.”
“I doubt that,” I say drily. Somehow, the idea of putting Jason behind bars makes me want to retreat even further. Maybe I should put my cabin on the market and move far, far away.
Away from Emma and her sweet, beautiful soul. I never want to hurt her again.
“You’re not even listening to me,” Jed says. His sharp voice pops the bubble of Emma inside my head and I come crashing back down to reality.
“I’m right here,” I say in exasperation. “And yes, I’m ready.”
“Good,” Jed replies. “This is going to be the case of a lifetime and it’ll be all over the media. I want you to get a lot of rest, and shave off that beard. You’ve got to look every inch the executive once again if we have any hope of winning.”
“The evidence should speak for itself,” I grunt. “I don’t see why I should have to change.”
Jed snorts. “Just do it, mountain man,” he says. “I’ll see you soon.”
He hangs up before I can reply. Even though Jed is the best lawyer in the state, if not the country, he still wants me to change before we go to court with our case. Everyone always wanted something from me, and Jed is no exception. He wants my money … and he wants me to conform to his idea of how a successful client should look.
