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“I do,” she agreed. “But you weren’t acting like this until I mentioned going home.”
“I was helping you out of your dress as a friend would. I was keeping a respectful distance as a friend would. I was keeping to my promise. Isn’t that what you want?”
“I…” She hesitated. “Yes. Rick—”
“You don’t belong here, Em. That’s clear to both of us.”
Hurt lashed at his hard, matter-of-fact delivery. The argument died a swift death inside her, leaving her numb.
“Yes,” she found herself saying. “I don’t belong here.”
His mouth tightened and his shoulders tensed, but they were gone and he was giving her an apologetic look.
“I’m—”
“Don’t apologize,” she cut in. “I’m the one being a pain in the ass tonight.”
“You’re not a pain,” was all he said. “Are we good?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Rick.”
He was unaffected, perhaps even relieved that no arguing ensued and they could leave the topic alone. He sounded like her staying or leaving didn’t matter to him at all, not in the least, and the hurt that bloomed in her chest had no right being there. She should be happy that she had her gemstone and could return to finish her mission soon. She should be ecstatic that she and Rick were on civil terms—friends, even, who had helped each other out when they needed it the most. Not lovers. Not two people longing for each other, because she didn’t long for his touch, or his mouth, or his—
A sound strangled her throat and her body quaked with arousal. The resistance she had been hanging on to for so long crumbled into frustration. She missed the flirty, easygoing Rick. She missed the man who didn’t care what people thought and acted with a driven focus, which made people think he was reckless when he wasn’t. Heavens, she missed his crudeness and his blatant honesty, even if all it ever did was tempt her to do all the wrong things.
Emerald took a step toward the bed, then spun and yanked the door open instead. She had every intention of marching out and hunting him down, revved for a confrontation. Instead, she nearly slammed into him when she found him still where he was earlier.
“Rick.”
He didn’t speak, didn’t look at her. His hands were fisted, one lowering to his side until it dawned that he had been on the verge of knocking. When he finally looked up, she was unprepared for the searing longing and desire in his eyes to hit her in the gut.
“I wasn’t busy,” he admitted, voice short but wracked with his inner battle. “I mean, yes, I was, but not too busy to not have time for you. It’s just that…”
“You were avoiding me.”
“If I didn’t, I might break promises. I don’t want to break promises to you, Em.”
Fire licked her belly, then traveled in between her legs.
“Rick—”
“I respect you so much, Em, and I admire your decisive mind and independent streak. It’s hot as hell, but it’s also driving me insane. But I’m not going to do anything about it.”
This was Rick, her Rick—the Rick she cared for and lusted over with every part of her being. The man might be easygoing, but he would do everything in his power to cherish a friendship and keep a promise, even if it killed him. The knowledge that someone like him wanted her so much that it drove him insane was enough to fan the fire until she was burning inside out.
And yet, he would rather suffer than disrespect her.
“Rick—”
“I’m going to honor my promise if it’s the last thing I do,” he said fervently. “So, close the door—”
“Yes.”
“—and let’s not…” A stunning realization came over him, morphing his face as he stared at her. “What?”
