Mine to Hold

Chapter 6

There was nothing better than a good thin crust pizza with extra cheese and meat. Top that off with an ice-cold beer and a beautiful sky as the sun disappeared behind the bridge, creating a combination of blue, red, and orange colors, out on the pool deck, and well, Emmerson couldn’t think of a better way to spend his evening.

Except now he got to share that experience with Rumor.

He twisted open one of the beers and set it on the table in front of her before pulling out one of the chairs. “While we don’t actually get the sunset, you still can’t beat the view.”

“No, you can’t,” she said softly, lifting the cold beverage and taking a swig. “This is a completely inappropriate question and I’d understand if you didn’t answer. But how on earth do you afford this place on a cop’s salary?”

“That’s a valid question.” He opened the pizza box and served her a slice before digging in for himself. It wasn’t the first time someone questioned him on his purchase. Most believed his mother and Steve either gave him a loan or even bought it for him. Same with Jameson. Especially Jameson, since most people in town didn’t take into consideration that Jameson’s wife had a thriving business and Jameson was the town handyman.

Neither man corrected anyone. They didn’t give a shit what anyone thought.

“I’ve lived a humble life. Outside of a home I owned for two years with a woman I lived with ten years ago, I’ve always had small apartments that didn’t cost much. My brothers accused me of being a minimalist. I suppose I couldn’t deny that, but I’m too old to live in a garage apartment anymore.”

“The upkeep on this place has to cost a small fortune.” She waved her hand toward the waterfront. “And that boat. I can’t imagine the price tag for that.”

He laughed. “Miles and I own that sucker together. And as far as the rest of it. Well, it’s not so bad. I don’t go out much and I’ve saved over the years.” He stuffed his mouth full of the best pizza in town. Maybe the state. After he was done with his meal, he would have to call it a night. His mind was barely functioning from lack of sleep. Every muscle was sore and weak. As much as he wanted to sit and chat with Rumor for hours, even his bones demanded rest. “I imagine it’s been hard for you to save, moving from one town to the next. One job to the next.”

“It has, but I still wouldn’t trade it for all the money in the world.” She lifted her beer to her rosy, plump, kissable lips. She was like no other woman he’d ever met. She was an onion. Her layers needed to be peeled back one at a time. And like an onion, she had a strong and powerful presence, but she wasn’t for everyone.

That’s what he liked.

But the cloud hanging over her head that he knew was filled with a dark secret both intrigued him and made him take a step back. It wasn’t that he believed she could be involved negatively in this case.

Quite the contrary.

But it triggered something and he needed to peel those layers until he found it.

“I’m curious. Do you think you would ever find a place that would tame the wanderer in you? Have you ever given it a consideration?”

“When I first left California, my plan was to travel for a few years. See the country until I found the right spot,” she said, wiping her fingers on a napkin. Her nails were cut short, and even though she wore no nail polish, they were well manicured. This evening, she wore her long hair in a ponytail at the nape of her neck and he wanted to free the strands. “But the more I move around, the more I think there isn’t that perfect place for me, or I haven’t found it yet.”

“Lighthouse Cove is a nice place. I hope you’ll stay awhile.”

“I enjoy living in the moment, taking things one day at a time. It’s easier that way. Less stressful.”

“I would think it would cause more anxiety,” he said. “Not having solid roots would make me twitch. I like structure.”

“That’s an overrated concept and a crutch.” She tapped her beer against his.

“Maybe. But it’s stable. It allows for long-lasting friendships.” He stared at the hummingbird tattoo on her wrist. No color. Just black ink. But the three-inch tattoo was exquisite. He reached out and traced the tiny wings. “Is there a story behind this tattoo?” He pointed to her bare feet. “Or the other three on your ankles? They’re very interesting. I like them all.”

“Thank you.” She smiled. “The butterfly was the first one I got. It was about six months after I left California. It represents freedom and change from a past life. From being in foster care and not being seen or heard.” She twisted her leg, showing off another tattoo. “I’ve always loved dolphins and evenings. And dolphins are so calming.”

He wanted to comment that moving around as much as she did made her closed off, never forming true bonds with people.

But that would be rude.

“I take it you like to read and drink whiskey.” He leaned over and lifted her leg, resting it on his lap, tracing the image with his finger. Her soft skin ignited a fire deep in his gut. It wasn’t that he’d sworn off relationships. He hadn’t. But he had made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t jump into the deep end. That he would take his time getting to know any woman who turned his head.

“I developed a taste for bourbon when I spent a few months in New Orleans and when I was living in Nashville, I found other whiskeys to enjoy. Books have always been my jam.” She leaned back, taking another swig. “They gave me comfort when I was living in foster care and felt as though I had no one.”

“I’m sorry you had to experience that.”

She shrugged. “While it’s a part of who I am, I refuse to let it define me. In some ways, it helped shape me into an independent human, capable of taking care of myself.”

“It’s a good quality to be able to turn a bad experience into a positive.”

She leaned over, tugging at his shirt, boldly exposing his chest. “Tell me about this?” She traced her fingers over the bear tattoo on his right pec, sending a warm tingle through his system.

Sleep might not actually come if this continued.

“Me and my brothers all have one and my mom has a mama bear with seven cubs on her ankle. We got them after she and Jameson made peace with each other.”

“That’s nice.”

He opened his mouth but was cut off by the damn doorbell.

Rumor jerked. Her foot hit the pool deck with a thud.

Yanking his cell from his pocket, he checked the door app.

Fucking Edwina.

Aggressively, he set his cell face down on the table. “Un-freaking-believable,” he muttered. He shoved his plate aside, snagged his beverage, and chugged, but he didn’t budge.

“Aren’t you going to get that?”

“Nope,” he said. “She’ll go away.”

“She?”

He closed his eyes and concentrated on the hum of a motorboat buzzing by. The sound did nothing to settle the nasty pit that had formed in his stomach. Every time he’d run into Edwina, she’d find a way to touch his arm or shoulder. She’d let her fingers linger on his body. It made him want to crawl out of his skin. He honestly wished her well.

As long as she stayed away.

He could forgive.

But he couldn’t forget.

It wasn’t that his heart was broken. Not by her. Not anymore.

He blinked.

“Edwina.” There was no emotion attached to her name. Only apathy with maybe a little pity mixed in.

This town had a long memory and people still talked. As much as his mother had tried to protect her from the backlash, most had learned what had happened. It was in part the reason she left Lighthouse for greener pastures.

She’d tell it was because of some great opportunity and not because she’d been part of a sex scandal. Although, the news reports never quite made it clear what role she’d played in the sex trafficking ring.

“Do you mind me asking who exactly she is and why we’re ignoring her? I mean, I’ve sort of heard who she is, but it’s not only mean to blow her off, but a little childish.”

“She’s the first real girlfriend I ever had. We were in our early twenties. Young and stupid. She moved away after we broke up and just recently moved back to town. She doesn’t understand boundaries or the fact I have no interest in her or any residual feelings left.”

“You did not just say residual.”

He chuckled. “I absolutely did and she’s one big fucking royal pain in my ass.”

“Emmerson? Are you back… there you are.” Edwina pushed open the pool gate and strolled across the pool deck carrying a casserole dish. She wore a sundress with thin straps. The neckline plunged low, showing off her cleavage. Her breasts bounced up and down as her hips swayed back and forth. It was hard not to look. Even Emmerson had to admit she was sexy.

However, her personality and past grievances ruined it.

“Oh, I didn’t know you had company,” Edwina said, setting the dish on the table. She scowled, staring at the pizza box.

“The extra vehicle parked in the carport should have been the first clue,” he mumbled.

“I left you a message telling you that I’d bring you dinner.”

“I wanted pizza.” He guzzled his beer. Thank God he had an outdoor fridge because in about five minutes, he was going to need another. “And I also thought I made myself clear about stopping by when I texted you back.” He held Edwina’s gaze with an arched brow. “While I do appreciate the thought, I’m busy. I don’t mean to be rude, but it’s been a very long two days.”

Edwina pursed her lips and turned her attention to Rumor. “I don’t believe we’ve officially met and since Emmerson is feeling prickly, let me introduce myself. I’m Edwina. Don’t you work at Safe Harbor Café and the trinket shop?”

Rumor nodded. “It’s nice to meet you.” She stretched out her arm. “The name’s Rumor.”

“That’s a unique name. Is there a story behind it?”

“My parents were big Fleetwood Mac fans,” Rumor said.

“Interesting.” Edwina leaned over the table, pressing her hands on the ceramic top, pushing her breasts together. “So, do you live around here?”

“That’s none of your business,” Emmerson said. “Do you mind? We’re on a date.”

“A date? That’s a shocking revelation.” Edwina pursed her lips. “Is this some kind of joke?” Edwina asked.

“No. Thanks for dinner,” Emmerson said. “You shouldn’t have, and I mean that in the sense that I don’t want you to do it again.”

Edwina stiffened her spine, folding her arms and heaving her breasts upward.

If that was supposed to get his attention in a sexual way, it didn’t work. All it did was remind him that while he cared about Edwina at the base level, he had no emotional ties to her at all.

None.

Zero.

Zilch.

“Someone needs to take care of you because you won’t do it for yourself.” Edwina inched closer to Emmerson, placing her hand on his shoulder.

He shrugged it off. “I manage and I have Rumor here now.”

Edwina glared. “Emmerson, walk me to my car. I’d like a moment alone to speak with you. It’s important and I’d prefer to do it in private, if you know what I mean.”

“Actually, I don’t. And you’ve crossed a million lines. Don’t cross another one,” Emmerson said.

“We need to talk.”

He laughed. “We have nothing to say to one another.”

“It will only take a few minutes,” Edwina said.

“We’re not doing this. I’ve asked you nicely to stop this. Don’t push me to make this a police matter. No one wants that. Not even me.”

Rumor rested her hand on his thigh. Immediately, a warm sensation flowed through his body.

She was an anger whisperer.

And a good one at that.

“It’s time for me to call it a night. Thanks for the beer and pizza,” Rumor said.

He grabbed her hand. “Edwina is the one who is leaving and we’re finishing our conversation.”

“It won’t hurt you to escort her to?—”

“She made it back here by herself. She can return to her vehicle the same way,” he said calmly. Emmerson threaded his fingers through Rumor’s, lifting her hand and kissing the back side. He shouldn’t have. It was a dangerous game he was playing with his emotions. But he’d do anything to get Edwina off his back and out of his life. He could handle running into her. He could even be nice. However, not when she behaved like a stalker.

Edwina jerked out her hip, planting her hand on it. “Well, I can take a hint. Enjoy the dinner I made you. The heating instructions are taped on the top, as you can see.” She, and her fancy heels, marched off toward the side path.

Rumor glanced over her shoulder. “You weren’t very kind,” she whispered. “And we’re not on a date.”

“She’s facing harassment charges as it is.”

“Are you kidding me?” Rumor snapped her gaze back to Emmerson’s. “For being neighborly and bringing you food. Talk about throwing the weight of your badge around. I’m shocked you’d be like that.” She ripped her hand away.

“You don’t know the whole story.” He stood and made a beeline for the outdoor fridge, snagging two beers. “That’s not the first time she’s shown up unannounced. And she’s been texting me. Relentlessly. I won’t even get into the things she says to me because if I did, I’d need to go take a shower with bleach.”

“Don’t shoot me, but could you have done something to give her the wrong impression?”

“Absolutely not.” He handed her a second beer. “In an attempt to ensure we could pass each other on the street and not cause a scene, I met her out for coffee when she first came back to town. It was a half hour conversation where I told her all was forgiven. It was then she started making advances and I put her off. What happened between us was a long time ago and she’s not a person I want to be involved with. Ever. I have made that crystal clear. She won’t stop.” Fuck. This was the last thing he wanted to talk about.

Fucking Edwina.

He couldn’t wait for Rumor to meet Tessa. Not.

At least Tessa didn’t want him back. No. She hated him and she had a good reason.

His cell buzzed.

He glanced at the screen.

Edwina: I didn’t deserve that in front of a stranger, especially when we had plans. I know it’s because you’re tired. Please call me tomorrow.

“For fuck’s sake,” he mumbled. “I’m sorry. I’m exhausted and I’m not firing on all cylinders.” He was going to have to file that restraining order first thing in the morning. This couldn’t continue. He didn’t want to use his position, but she left him with no choice. “I’d like to show you around town. Or maybe take you for a boat ride. I’ve got some work I need to do tomorrow morning with the case, but then my mom has given me a little time off. Unless something comes up. Do you have plans tomorrow evening?”

“I work in the gift shop in the morning, and then I’m covering lunch at the diner. I’m off at four.”

“How about we meet back here and I’ll take you for a boat ride.”

She glanced over her shoulder as if to consider the proposition.

“We might see a dolphin.”

“Now that’s something I’d love to experience.” She pushed back her chair and stood. “All right. I’ll see you then. Can I help you clean this up?”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.” She rested her hand on his biceps.

“I guess I can’t say no.” He smiled before folding the pizza box.

She collected Edwina’s dish, which he planned on tossing. “Do you want that? Because I’m not going to eat it.”

“Seriously?”

He pulled open the sliding glass doors that led into the white and gray kitchen that his sister-in-law, Brie, had helped design. It was gorgeous, but it didn’t belong in a bachelor pad. When he cooked, it was generally on the grill, or he used the microwave to reheat things he snagged from dinners with the family. He’d been a bachelor for so long, and making meals for one had become slightly depressing.

Not because he wanted a wife, but because he didn’t want to spend the time. The one thing he and Tessa did enjoy doing together was putting meals on the table. It had been fun. It was the only time they laughed.

Otherwise, they were always fighting.

“Damn. This place is gorgeous.” She set the dish on the island and ran her fingers over the dark-blue leather sofa. Another thing Brie had picked out when he bought the place. Who was he kidding? Brie and all his sisters-in-law had a hand in helping him decorate. If it had been left up to him, he’d have a folding table in the kitchen and a beanbag chair in the family room.

“Thanks.” He placed the leftover pizza in a container and shoved it in the fridge. “I wasn’t joking about whatever is in that thing.” He waved his hand over the island. “I’m not eating it out of principle. But you’re welcome to it.”

“Now I’m afraid she might have poisoned it.”

He tossed his head back and laughed. Hard. “That would be Tessa, not Edwina.”

“And who is she?”

“A woman I lived with for two years about ten years ago. It wasn’t a great relationship and it ended even worse. She has a pretty poor opinion of me.”

“Now I’m really intrigued. Why?” Rumor plopped her cute little ass on one of the stools and rested her chin in her palm.

“To make a very long story short, we started out strong until she wanted to move in together. I didn’t think we were ready. I wasn’t ready. I was still traumatized after Edwina, and Tessa knew it. I wanted to wait.” Emmerson leaned against the counter, taking another swig. He had no idea why he chose to share his ugly, sordid romantic past. It certainly didn’t make him look like good dating material with a woman he wanted to spend more time getting to know. But there he was, babbling on about it. “However, because I did care for Tessa and wanted her in my life, we started looking for houses. No sooner were we in than the talk of marriage crept into our daily conversations.”

“I take it you weren’t ready for that either, and she wanted a ring on her finger.”

“Like yesterday.” He laughed. “But to be fair, it wasn’t like I didn’t think about it. We were living together. I wouldn’t have done that if I didn’t believe we had a future.”

“So what was the problem?”

He raked his fingers through his hair. “I have some trust issues stemming from my relationship with Edwina.” He raised his hand when Rumor opened her mouth. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Alrighty.”

“Anyway. I didn’t see why we had to rush into anything. I figured we could enjoy living under the same roof for a year or two, but Tessa didn’t like that. All her friends were getting married and having these big elaborate weddings. And kids. Boy, did she want kids.”

“And you don’t?”

“I did back then,” he admitted. “But I wasn’t in a hurry for them. She was and it started to grate on me and I handled it by working double shifts.”

Rumor sat up taller. “Oh, I’m sure that didn’t go over well.”

“You’re right, it didn’t. As a matter of fact, I came home between shifts to find her in bed with someone I used to call friend.”

“Ouch.”

“Hence, I still have trust issues with women.”

“I don’t blame you. I would too if I were you.” She slid from the stool. “Which is why I value my lifestyle. I answer to no one but myself. I’m free to come and go whenever I choose and I don’t have to yell at anyone for not putting down the toilet seat.”

He burst out laughing. “My mother raised seven boys. That was her biggest pet peeve.”

“I can’t imagine one human coming out of this body, much less seven. Your mom’s a saint.”

“Not really.” He looped his arm around her waist. “I’ll walk you to the door.”

She jerked her head. “Seriously? I can’t imagine what could possibly happen to me in twenty paces.”

“You could fall in the pool and I can’t let that happen.”

She patted his chest. “You can watch me and make sure I get in safely.”

In that moment, he realized how much he didn’t want the night to end. He didn’t care how exhausted his body was or how desperately he needed sleep. He wanted more time with Rumor. It had been soured with Edwina’s presence and all this talk about his past love life.

Curling his fingers around her wrist, he pulled her tight.

She tilted her head and gazed into his eyes with a mischievous look. “What are you doing?”

“Kissing you goodnight,” he whispered right before landing his lips on her mouth. He kept it soft. Delicate. Teasing her before deepening the kiss, swirling his tongue around hers in an exotic dance. He couldn’t get enough, but he didn’t want to take too much. Or come on too strong.

Rumor was special.

Even with the dark cloud that hung over her like a storm at sea waiting to unleash. She had a past. Everyone did. Whatever she hid behind those sweet eyes, he was sure it couldn’t be some terrible secret.

But the reality was, it could be.

He broke off the kiss. “Walk home safely.”

“Should I text you when I get there?”

“Good idea.” He smiled.

She shook her head, stepping through the sliding glass doors. “See you tomorrow afternoon.” She waved her hand over her head.

Leaning against the doorjamb, he watched her hips sway back and forth. A woman who moved every year? Either she was running from something.

Or hiding from it.

His hackles should be standing at attention.

“Lock the doors,” he called.

“Do I need to be concerned about you sneaking in during the middle of the night?”

“Trust me. If I wasn’t so in need of a good eight hours, I might not be behaving so gentlemanly right now.”

She pulled open the door. “Something tells me that’s the only way you know how to behave.” She disappeared into the pool house. “But I hope you’ll shave by tomorrow, because that stuff on your face isn’t doing you any favors.”

He sighed, locking the slider. The moment his head hit the pillow, he’d be sound asleep.

Dreaming of his sexy tenant.