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“Slight?” I lean down toward her ear and whisper. “You know we’d be dynamite together, Daisy Girl.” Her shiver doesn’t go unnoticed.
With a smirk of my own, I step forward to reach for the window latch above her. She stills as my arms surround her, too close to the window. A small gasp arises from her as my breath hits her neck. Goosebumps paint her skin as my shirt brushes against her back.
“But if I have you, Emery. That’s it. I won’t be letting you run back to Aspen so easily this time around.” I don’t touch her, hovering my lips next to her ear. “I don’t know ifyou’reready for that. So maybe you should stop with the teasing, hmm?”
If there’s ever going to be a first move, it’ll be on her own terms, but playing by my rules.
I flick the lock of the window, needing the slight morning breeze to circulate through the cabin. The sound jolts her, and her coffee topples over the brim. Slowly, she turns around, cocking her head to the side. The hint of peach and coconut passes between us off her skin, drawing me in as my body reacts the way it always does around Emery. Full of incomparable adrenaline and need.
Back then, I fought like hell to ignore this when Emery and I were alone, but now, it’s more tempting, because we have every opportunity to act on it. My throat becomes thicker as I try to swallow.
Her hand rests on my chest, searing into me through my shirt. My jaw ticks as I restrain control to not take her right against this window while the pleasured sounds of the many orgasms I would give her mix with nature. Her gaze mimics mine as she pushes up on her toes. If she’s ready to give us an honest shot, I’m here for it. But if she’s toying with me, my dick is gonna ache. Her lips ghost the side of my cheek and I damn near snap.
“Don’t you think you should wipe up that mess?” Her snark is a seductive whisper. Before I can rebuttal with my hips against hers, she pushes me away. “Wouldn’t want to ruin your pretty floors.”
“I didn’t know unlocking a window would startle you that much.”
Her silence speaks volumes that she won’t admit to feeling something between us. Something more than only sex will satisfy.
“I guess I’m an easy target to cage against a window.” Her brow furrows. “Or a bathroom sink.” Unable to read her for once, I hold her gaze, trying to figure out if she’s being serious, or if it’s her façade.
Goddamnit, I’m an idiot. I run my hand over my jaw as I figure out how to apologize. Remorse fills me and suddenly bile turns in my stomach. That is, until her giggle fills the room.
“Stop. Your lost puppy face is makingmefeel bad now.” She walks past me with a huff of a laugh and sets her mug on the counter. “I’m fine about the other night. Unfortunately, it happens all the time to people.” She shrugs. “You didn’t trigger me, if that’s what you’re scared of.”
“Emery,I’mnot fine about what I saw the other night. There’s no way you can brush that off.”
“Just another mental wall. Forget the past and just be thankful to survive another day on earth.” Her nonchalant statement flows out as if it’s been memorized.
“Sounds like a fun way to go through life.”
“I do what I need to.” Grabbing the paper towel roll from the counter, she walks over to clean up the spilled coffee.
“Is yours coping, or stifling any possible emotions now a day? I know you’re scared to let people in.”
“Look at what happens when I do.” Her eyebrows raise, challenging me. “Besides, aren’t you seeing someone named Amanda? Word around town is you two were spotted at the fast-food place the other day, and once last week.” She tosses the paper towel in the trash and takes a long sip of her coffee. “I won’t be anyone’s girl. Let alone anybody else'sothergirl.” Her accusations fire through me.
I shake my head as an unsteady laugh thunders in my chest. Does she really think that low of me, or is she just trying to push my buttons?Word around town.She stands proud by the door with her arms crossed and hip popped to the side. For someone of five-one, she holds confidence like she could wrestle and win against any bull in a field. My fingertips dig into my palm, resisting to grip her chin and the temptation her new attitude brings out.
Blue eyes flick down to my hand, then back up to me. That damn glint in her gaze acknowledges she has the upper hand. She trusts me not to make a move, but she’s testing limits now. Her head rolls slowly, as if she’s stretching her neck. But the subliminal message is loud and clear. Nothing has changed between us. Communicating wordlessly. My hand urges me to grab her throat as I back her up against the wall. I want nothing more than to kiss her so roughly she’s branded for days.
“Amanda is our accountant.” I command her attention with a strong voice. “We’ve been meeting for lunch during the interview process. But it’s nice to know you’ve been asking people about me.” I nod to the door. “I’ll see around, Daisy Girl. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
Without another word, she leaves, and I head back to the table and drown in blueprints and paperwork before getting ready to go into the office. Though the feeling of her proximity stays with me the whole time. As I’m leaving, a phone dings, and I notice she lefts hers behind. I guess we’ll be seeing each other again, sooner than I expected.
* * *
I drive into the long driveway of maple trees, arriving at the large yellow farmhouse-style house with a big wraparound porch. This place has aged, but still has a homey feel, despite what has happened to the Davis family. I park my truck as Emery’s phone dings again. I’m curious about how popular she is back in Aspen, because the name Josie has been flashing across the screen quite a bit over the past few hours.
Making my way up the front steps, I pause at the tiny blue handprint vandalizing the front pillar. I smile, imagining a rambunctious little Emery. I also love that her parents didn’t bother painting over it. I knock twice, and I’m ready to leave, just before the door swings open.
“Didn’t we say we would see each other another day?” Her hand rests on her hip, bunching up her sundress she changed into after leaving my place.
“Drop the ice queen façade, Emery.” I lean forward to her eye level, placing my hand on top of the door. “You know it doesn’t work with me.” There’s a grudge or something I can’t seem to dig up, but I will. “I came to bring you this.” I hold out her phone.
“I didn’t realize it was missing.” Her teeth grip her bottom lip as she stares at the phone in my hand.
“You’re a little old to be lying.”
