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I extricated myself from his arms. “I’m sorry.” It was all I could do not to break into a run as I hurried across the yard and back into the house.
CHAPTER11
Jake
Iwatched Emma go. Watched her scurry across the yard into the house. What the fuck had just happened? And why hadn’t I stopped it? I should not have done that. Definitely not. We’d only just found a tenuous reconnection we could, apparently, both live with. And now I’d gone and knocked the house of cards right back down.
Obviously, it hadn’t escaped my notice that she had actually wanted to kiss me. She’d practically thrown herself at me. Still, I shouldnothave caught her. Or held her so tight. I should have put my hands on her shoulders and pushed her firmly away.
How was I supposed to finish the yard work now? There was days’ worth of work left. I definitely couldn’t trust myself to be here alone with Emma, though. I was thirty years old and needed a fucking chaperone. Who knew!
I doused the bonfire, taking a moment to reflect on the metaphor of what I was doing.All the way, asshole. Don’t leave so much as a single spark burning.Once that was done, I packed up the tools and left, without saying goodbye.
The minute I was home, I texted Gabe and said I’d need a hand finishing up at Emma’s dad’s, if he was free. He wrote back straight away, telling me to name the time. That almost made me smile. No questions, just an immediate offer of help.
* * *
“Hi, Em.”
“Gabe, hi. I wasn’t expecting you, was I?”
I didn’t look at Emma as I unloaded the tools from the truck, but I imagined I could feel her eyes burning into my back.
“No, you weren’t. But Jake said that the area right by the house is in a pretty bad way. We thought it would be good to get it cleared sooner rather than later, so your dad can spend a bit of time out here before the weather turns really cold.”
A long silence followed, so drawn out that I almost turned around. Had she twigged to what I’d done? What did she think about it? Two grown-ass adults, needing a fucking babysitter. I couldn’t speak for Emma, or how she’d felt about that kiss, but the three days since it had happened had left me hotter for her than ever. Nope, I didn’t trust myself. Plain and simple.
“I see. Well, that’s really nice of you. Thank you. I was just heading out to pick up a shift at work. Dad’s having a nap, so if you could hold off on using the weed whacker until he’s awake, that would be great. I’ll message him to text you when he’s up.”
“No problem.”
“Did you want a coffee or anything before I leave?”
“No, we’re fine. I’m just gonna head out back and see what we’re dealing with.” Jeez, some fucking chaperone, Gabe. Thanks so much. Now he was gone, leaving me and Emma standing ten feet apart, her on the veranda, me next to the truck. Way too close for comfort.
She jiggled her keys in her hands.
“You’ll need me to move the truck, I guess.”
“Yes please.”
I didn’t move, willing her to look at me. When she finally did, I cleared my throat. “So, remember how I said when I was up and about again, that I’d have everyone over for a barbecue?”
“Yes.”
“It’s on. This weekend.”
“I see.” She was giving me nothing.
“Will you come?”
Her eyes widened and she blushed.Jesus Christ, Em! “To the barbecue. Will you come to the barbecue? Since it’s to thank everyone for helping me, it wouldn’t be right if you weren’t there.” It seemed like she was about to say no, so I said, “Please.”
She huffed out a breath. “I’ll be there.”
“Great, thanks.”
I moved the truck, watched her get in her car and back out of the drive. After she’d gone, I stayed in the truck, trying to get myself under control. Christ, I wanted Emma Carter with every cell in my body. Craved her. Just a few minutes in her presence had my dick jumping and my heart hammering.
