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Kissing her, damn, it’d never been like that before. Yes, after my father died from a heart attack, I’d coped by going out and screwing as many women as possible.
But none of them, not even my wife, compared to how Emmy’s kiss made me burn, turned my cock to stone, and left me both wanting more and scared shitless about doing it again. Because her kiss setting me on fire was only part of it—I wanted to help her find happiness again too.
Not in a friendly way either. I wanted to be the man at her side, the one she could lean on when needed. The one who could take her to bed, eat her pussy for hours, and make her forget about any shitty memories or nightmares.
No, no, no.That had to be my dick talking. I’d thought I had something with a woman once before, and it had gone horribly wrong. And Andrea may have had problems, but she’d never thought herself guilty of murder.
I ran a hand through my hair and stared out over the lake. My first thought was that Emmy wouldn’t get her sunset photo to add to her office wall.
Then I reminded myself that I shouldn’t even think about taking one myself and giving it to her. I wasn’t her boyfriend or anything.
But, fuck, what was I going to do? I wouldn’t kick her out of the room, no way. I didn’t know if anything could happen between us, but I wouldn’t give her any reason to think I hated her and thought her guilty.
As I gathered up my shit and headed down the trail, I realized Abby had to know about Emmy’s guilt and the reason behind it. She and Emmy lived together and had been best friends nearly their entire lives. Would Abby have any suggestions to help?
Could I bring myself to ask?
When grief over my dad’s death had made me flee Starry Hills, one of my biggest regrets had been leaving my family behind, especially my younger siblings. Abby had been nine, and the twins, Zach and Zane, had been eleven. They’d pretty much grown up without me.
Then I remembered something Aunt Lori had said to me several times since returning to Starry Hills:“They’ll forgive you, West, if they haven’t already. But they’ll never feel like family if you keep your walls up.”
Sighing, I picked my way down the last part of the trail and made a decision. Well, two of them.
One, I was going to talk to my sister and ask for her help.
And two, I would kiss Emmy again, no matter what it took.
I couldn’t think beyond that, however. I was fucked up from my first marriage, and I was wary of having a relationship again, especially if it went to hell and ended up hurting my kids.
But something about Emmy drew me. Not just because I kept dreaming of her naked and under me, either.
No, Emmy needed someone on her side, someone to make her smile and laugh. I’d done it already, and I burned to do it again.
Apart from my kids, I’d never wanted so badly to make someone else happy.
And even when we argued, it was different from my first marriage. I doubted I ever would have to fight because she’d made my children upset or scared. Emmy loved my kids, and had even showed them more attention and care than their own mother had.
Plus, it was nice not being the silent, grumpy guy persona I always carried to protect myself. She’d cried in my arms, for fuck’s sake. I could risk showing a little of myself.
Maybe.
The gravel parking area came into view. Emmy leaned against the car, her head back and her eyes closed, looking as if she were truly alone and miserable. The sight erased my doubts. I didn’t like Emilia Mendoza looking sad.
I would find a way to make her happy.
Because I might not know if she was my forever or not, but for now, she was my woman to hold, protect, and take care of.
She just didn’t realize it yet.
* * *
The atmosphere on the drive back to the city was the opposite of the ride to the lake. Emmy was silent, staring out the window, and would only give one-word answers to questions. I didn’t push, or be too annoying, and gave up for a while. But as we got closer and closer to Reno, I knew we needed to settle a few things before we reached the hotel.
So at one of the last rest areas before reaching the city, I pulled in, parked the car, and turned it off.
Never looking from the window, Emmy said, “I don’t need to use the bathroom. I’ll wait here.”
“I didn’t pull over to take a piss, Emmy. As your friend, I have a few things to say.”
