23. Emma
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
emma
I had a stupid grin on my face that just wouldn’t go away. It lasted all of Sunday, Monday, and now it was Tuesday and I’d been smiling so much, my cheeks were a little sore.
Ever since Hunter and I had sex, something between us shifted. It was starting to feel like less of a lie and more like a possibility, but maybe I was being too optimistic.
I stepped out onto my front porch and gathered my mail, going through the small stack as I went back to the kitchen. I leaned against the counter and hummed as I came to an unmarked envelope. Hadn’t I seen one like this before?
I glanced at the even larger stack next to the microwave. Admittedly, I was terrible about opening my mail. All of my bills were on auto-pay, and typically, I let the paper gather dust until it overflowed, then I would purge it all at once.
I went through the stack until I found a similar envelope.
And then a third one.
“What the fuck?” I mumbled.
All three of them had nothing on the front except my name. I stuck a nail under the envelope flap and peeled it back. Inside, there was a piece of paper. I pulled it out and spread it over the counter.
My heart skipped a beat.
Emma,
You don’t belong in Citrus Cove. Everyone wants you gone. If you don’t leave soon, there will be hell to pay.
Well, then. My heart pounded as I ripped open the second envelope, pulling out another piece of paper.
Emma,
How does it feel knowing that everyone around you hates you? You’re nothing but a whore, and I know it. Want to know how I know? I’ve been watching you.
A polaroid picture fluttered to the counter. My stomach lurched as I slowly flipped it over.
Oh god.
That was a picture of me. That was a picture of me in my house.
Sitting on my couch masturbating.
“Oh my god.” My vision started dotted as I took a step back. What was going on? Who were these from? I turned around and put my hands on my head, forcing myself to breathe.
Could this be from Josh? Or was it someone else? My head spun as I tried to make sense of it, but there were too many possibilities.
After the confusion came a wave of horror. I felt violated knowing someone was watching me like this.
I raked my nails through my tangled waves and reached for the third envelope. I tore it open and read over the most recent letter.
Emma,
Did him fucking you fix all your problems? You don’t deserve him. He should be with someone else.
I dumped several photos out of the envelope and spread them over the counter. The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I flipped through them, facing them up. Pictures of me in my car, at the store, in my yard.
A picture of me and Hunter.
Kissing me on my doorstep.
It was even more horrifying knowing they’d gotten a picture of our first kiss.
Did this mean it was coming from someone other than Josh? I hadn’t seen a camera on him.
But if it was from him…
“I can’t do this right now,” I whispered to myself.
I just couldn’t. I couldn’t think about someone watching me this closely or threatening me. It was giving me flashbacks to what Haley and Sarah went through. Nausea rolled through me as I thought about Haley’s destroyed apartment in Baltimore, and everything I’d seen written on the walls.
I can’t do this. I can’t right now.
My hands trembled as I gathered all the photos up and stacked the papers together. I crammed them back into one of the envelopes, tossed it onto the pile, and took a steadying breath.
Maybe it was someone just messing with me. I’d seen email scams like this. Someone saying they knew everything about you and if you didn’t give them money, they’d ruin your life or expose your secrets.
But those letters hadn’t asked for anything.
They’d just been ominous and creepy and ugh. A chill licked up my spine and I washed my hands to get rid of the gross feeling.
Logically, I knew I should take them to the police station.
But I just didn’t want that type of attention right now.
I glanced into the living room where Donnie lounged in a sliver of sunshine, tongue lolling.
“Lucky,” I sighed.
He got to lay on the floor, not a single worry about weird stalkers and sexy farmers.
I glanced at the clock. I needed to get ready. I’d agreed to work a shift at the winery tonight to cover for one of the newbies. Cam and Haley hired a few college kids to take a load off all of us. But occasionally, I enjoyed jumping in. Seeing the locals was nice, and well—it made me feel like a local myself. And I liked that a lot.
That’s what I needed right now. Just some regular bar time, chatting with people, and serving some good ciders.
I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and stared at the screen. I was tempted to text Hunter. We’d made a deal. But the deal had been about Josh, and well…
This was something else entirely.
I decided to wait to mention it for now. What he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him, right? And I didn’t want to add more to his plate. Not after all the problems with Josh.
The phone buzzed in my hand.
Dimples : what are you doing tonight?
My heart skipped a beat, but this time for a much better reason.
Me : working the bar
Dimples : Damn. Maybe I’ll swing by
I grinned.
Me : Do you think they’d be mad if we fucked in the office?
Dimples : Only if they found out. Then again, that’s what my oversized truck is for.
I snorted.
Me : Oh, I see. It all makes sense now
Dimples : I’ll see you tonight ;)
Flirty Hunter was the kind of man I’d happily get on my knees for.
I was doomed.
A couple hours later, I parked my car behind the new Cowboy Ciders barn and got out. I recognized Sammy’s voice singing as music floated through the air, the sunset turning the sky violet and fuchsia. The soft strum of an acoustic guitar melted into the hum of cicadas. I spotted Cam and Colt’s truck as I grabbed my bag and headed for the back entrance.
The door slammed behind me and I hung my bag on one of the pegs. I was wearing jeans and a Cowboy Ciders T-shirt, the one with the logo I had designed. It had a simple cowboy hat with a western-styled font, and a rope twisting around it, and stars and trees in the background. Simple, recognizable, perfect for merchandise and their website.
I smiled as I pulled my hair back into a messy bun. I made my way to the bar, stepping out into the large space.
Music blended with the roar of voices. Different groups sat at tables or at the bar, chatting over drinks and food. I’d never seen the old barn in person, but I’d seen plenty of pictures. They’d modeled the interior design after it, but with more seating, extra space, and a bar placed more strategically. It featured vaulted ceilings with exposed beams, polished concrete floors that were easy to clean, and a perfect homespun southern vibe.
I slipped behind the bar, heading straight for Cam as he poured three glasses of wine.
“Hey stranger,” he said. He was wearing one of the same shirts and a backwards ball cap. “Or should I start calling you sister-in-law?”
“Absolutely not,” I snorted. “I came in a little bit early. Figured it would be busy.”
“It is for Tuesday,” he said. “Hal said we had a video trending online, which I think is pulling people in. Go ahead and jump in whenever you feel ready.”
I nodded and dove into the fray. Cam worked one part of the bar while Colt worked the other. He gave me a quick wave, but otherwise, we were all on autopilot. One of the new guys worked between the two of them. I took the opposite end, smiling as I took orders and poured ciders and wine.
This bar was a community place. During the week, it was mostly full of locals wanting to unwind with their family or friends. We had several regulars I recognized, knowing they were always here on Tuesdays.
This was the part about living in a small town that Josh would never understand. There was something very comforting about going to a bar and knowing exactly who would be there, because it was the day they always showed up. I was starting to recognize those patterns, and I loved it.
I took a tray of ciders over to a table, setting it in the middle. One of the guys obviously checked me out, his brow raising. He led out a low whistle, but I rolled my eyes, heading back to the bar.
Maybe I would have flirted with him any other time, but now that Hunter and I had sex… Things were different. And not even because of the fake engagement.
I looked around for Hunter, but he wasn’t here yet. My gaze landed on a woman sitting alone at a table, her gaze pinned on me, tracking my movements. I ignored her as I fell back into autopilot, only occasionally glancing at her.
God, she was really watching me. Glaring at me.
I shot her a dirty look back as I returned to the bar. What the fuck was her problem? I thought about confronting her, but then a broad hand settled on my hip.
“Hey, sparks.”
I jumped and turned, looking up at Hunter. He winked as he reached around me, grabbing a bar towel and slinging it over his shoulder. Then, he tipped my chin up and kissed me on the lips, earning a few whoops and a whistle from Cam.
I grinned. “Are you working too?”
He kissed my forehead and nodded. “Yeah. Seems like they need the help. I keep an extra Cowboy Ciders shirt in the truck.”
And it looked damn good on him too. Once again, I couldn’t stop smiling as we worked side by side, falling into a rhythm that kept the crowd manageable. He had the same stupid grin on his face too.
God, we were idiots for each other. He shouldn’t have been able to make me feel the way he did, but here I was.
Once again, I found myself wishing our fake engagement wasn’t fake at all.
By the time midnight rolled around, Hunter and I were done. Cam and Colt were going to close down and the last few customers were headed to their cars.
I followed Hunter to his truck.
“Who was that guy who kept checking you out?” Hunter asked.
“Which one?”
He chuckled as he pushed me against the door. “Touché.”
“Did it make you jealous?” I teased.
“Sure did. But then again, I’m the one who got to kiss you and touch you. And I’m the one standing here with you against my truck. Although I’m a little disappointed one of them didn’t hit on you. Then I could have taken them down.”
“Oh really?” I snorted. “What are you, an Avenger? I can take care of myself, you know.”
“I’m aware.”
“I have a black belt in karate.”
“Yeah. You couldn’t take me down though.”
I couldn’t tell if he was being serious. “I absolutely could.”
He shook his head. “Sorry, sparks, but there’s no way you could take me down. I know martial arts too.”
I laughed. He was wrong. He was so, so wrong. “Okay. But do you have a black belt?”
“Well, no, but?—”
“I’ve taken down men way bigger than you,” I argued, my temper flaring. “I could do it easily. So easily.”
“Never,” he said.
“Do I need to take your ego down a peg?”
“I’m just saying…”
“Mhmm.” I raised a brow at him. I was ready to put him in his place. In the bedroom, I might be getting on my knees for him, but outside of it? I wanted to rub his smug words back in his face. “I’ll make a bet with you.”
He arched a brow. “A bet?”
“Yep.” I stabbed my finger at his muscled chest. “If I take you down, then you’ll send me a ten-minute voice message of you whimpering.”
“ What? ”
“You heard me.” I tipped my chin up. “I said what I said.”
“Why… what? Why would you…” He couldn’t even finish his words until finally he got a whole question out. “Why the fuck would you want ten minutes of me whimpering ?”
“Explaining why isn’t part of the bet, but no one else would ever hear it. For my ears only.”
He stared at me like I’d lost his mind. Surely, he’d say no. Right? There was no way he’d send me ten minutes of him whimpering.
I really wanted him to, though. I loved those audios online, they were hot as fuck. And maybe, secretly, the idea of him moaning my name the same way he had the other day was a huge turn on.
He crossed his arms, studying me. His eyes lit up with amusement. Big mistake. I didn’t make a bet unless I knew I’d win.
“Fine,” he said. “And if I win, then you send me ten minutes of you begging and whimpering.”
“Deal.”
Before he could react, I grabbed hold of his arm, kicked out his leg, and twisted him around, taking him to the gravel. He hit the ground with a heavy thud, fighting against me as I slid my arm around his neck. The moon shone high above us, the stars twinkling with the same amusement I’d seen in his pretty brown eyes as I put him in a chokehold.
“Fuck,” he croaked. “Goddammit, woman. What the fuck?”
I tightened my grip as he tried to flip me over, holding onto him with the grip of an anaconda.
His hand slapped the gravel and I released him, feeling victorious. I rose up as he turned over on his back and then straddled his hips, grinning. I glanced up at the barn, but he’d parked far enough out that I didn’t think anyone could see us if they were going to their cars.
“See,” I said. “Told you I could.”
“You cheated,” he growled, his hands settling on my hips.
“A bet is a bet,” I said. “Ten minutes, sir. Whimpering, moaning.”
“Do you want me to beg you too?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I want you begging for me to give my pussy to you.”
His eyes darkened, gaze sliding down to the position we were in. I rocked my hips, feeling his erection between my legs.
Suddenly I couldn’t even remember my name.
“Promise me,” he said seriously. “My whimpers are for your ears only.”
“I promise,” I said. “For my ears only.”
He nodded and his lips slowly tugged into a grin. “So that’s what does it for you, huh? Me moaning your name? And plumbers. Can’t forget about the hot, sexy plumbers.”
I shoved his chest with a scoff, my cheeks flaming. “Oh, fuck you.”
“Do you want to right now?”
“No,” I said. “I want you to go home and record those ten minutes for me. Then we’ll see if I’ll bless you with my presence.”
I got up and stood over him in a power stance for a moment.
“Mm. Alright,” he said. “I’ll get you those ten minutes, ma’am.”
“Good,” I said. I held out my hand and helped pull him to standing.
He backed me against the truck again and leaned in. “I don’t actually know self defense,” he whispered. “Just how to brawl with drunks.”
“So you knew I’d take you down?”
“Sure did.”
My lips parted in surprise. “You scoundrel.”
He laughed and slid his hand behind my neck, rubbing the muscles. My eyes nearly rolled back in my head. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll be good for you.”
Fuck. “The power will go to my head.”
“Mmhmm. And knowing that, I’ll savor your submission all the more.”
His damn mouth. My eyes widened.
“Goodnight, sparks.”
He planted a kiss on me and winked, turning me around and giving me a gentle push towards my car. I shot him a look over my shoulder, shaking my head as I went to my car.
“Goodnight,” I said, waving at him.
Hunter smiled and waved. He waited until I got in before he got in his truck. I sat there for a moment and giggled.
He was something else.
I was looking forward to hearing him whimper.