2. Emerson
EMERSON
Isnuck Garrett out of my office using the private elevator that’s disguised as a closet and goes directly to the floor that houses my apartment. Isla’s old one has been redone across the hall, the two living quarters taking up the entirety of this level.
Garrett’s boots are barely audible as he follows me, completely unaware of the way his presence has rattled me, shattering the peace and confidence I have when I’m in my office.
Entering the code, I push open the apartment door and hold it for Garrett as he steps inside behind me.
“You’re mad,” he remarks, his chest barely brushing against my back, the proximity making me want to crawl out of my skin.
“Yup.”
“I know something that will make us both feel better…”
“Garrett.” His name is a growl because I do not have time for the fuckery that followed him the second he waltzed into my office. “I have to make phone calls and pack and—”
“It can wait.”
“Can it? Because you—”
“It can wait for me to get on my knees for you, for you to use me for your pleasure.” His tone is a sensual scrape that has a shiver running down my spine. “Whatever you need to get off, Miss Andrews, I will gladly give you.”
“You can’t just bribe me with sex every time you want to get your way,” I hiss, spinning on him and grabbing his dick through his jeans. He grunts and grits his teeth, the desire in his eyes unmistakable.
“Why not? Seems to be working so far.”
“You really get off on this, don’t you?” I taunt, loving the way his cock jumps as I squeeze. “Show me.”
“Fuck, yes,” he breathes, his fingers threading through my hair as his mouth crashes over mine. There’s a million reasons why we shouldn’t be doing this, but I can’t remember a single one as he strokes his tongue against mine, swearing as he pulls away and drops to the floor.
It’s a heady sight, this stunningly delicious man at my feet, reaching up under my skirt—both of us anticipating what’s about to happen when he drags my panties down my legs. There’s a level of trust with Garrett that I can’t think too hard about.
He gets off on pleasing me, and I’m wet just thinking about how much I like bossing him around. Commanding him.
I get to be myself with him—act on my desires and let myself be completely involved in the moment. It feels too good to be true.
Ring, ring, ring.
“Ignore it,” he murmurs, pushing my hem up as he presses hot, open-mouth kisses to my inner thigh.
Ring, ring, ring.
“Son of a bitch,” I huff, swiping my phone from the counter and stepping back from Garrett as I yank down my skirt. “Dad.”
“Why did I just get a memo from the security office that a crowd has formed outside the building because Garrett North is here?”
“I’m handling it.”
“He just showed up unannounced?” My father’s voice is incredulous.
“Can we talk about this later? I’m trying to get him out of the building. And I know right now isn’t the best time, but I’ll be working remotely for a few days.”
“Emerson.”
“Dad.”
“Why…” His voice trails off and silence fills the line as I wait for him to put the pieces together. Somehow that seems like a better option than admitting the mess I’ve found myself in right now. “What could have happened that he’d show up here…”
“We can talk about this later.”
“You wouldn’t do anything so ridiculous as to get married when we were in Vegas for Tom’s wedding, would you?” When I don’t answer, he adds, “Please tell me that my only daughter did not get married in Vegas.”
“I…can’t tell you that,” I admit, smoothing down my hair even though he can’t see me.
“Dammit, Emerson. What were you thinking?” It’s not often that I disappoint my father, and even now in my thirties, it doesn’t get any easier.
“I was thinking that Garrett and I have been seeing each other privately and that we got a little carried away in Vegas but we’re happy and hoped to have a little more time before we had to deal with the media circus.”
“The circus is outside our lobby.”
“I know.”
“Emerson, we don’t do this. We’ve built—”
“I know,” I fire back, soul-deep regret when Garrett slowly gets up, the moment completely ruined by the bucket of cold water my father dumped on me.
“Garrett is with me. I’m packing and we’re going to his house in Ironwood.
I’m going to call Tom and Roan. I’ve already briefed Des, and the rest I’ll deal with as it comes. ”
There’s a pause followed by the squeak of my father’s desk chair and then by a heavy sigh. “I didn’t even get to walk you down the aisle.”
Clearing my throat, I turn my back on Garrett as I blink away the tears, the onslaught of emotion unwelcome as I try to steady my voice. “It wasn’t planned. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Just”—he coughs—“consider a redo, even at the courthouse.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Let me know when you get to Ironwood.”
“I will. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Silence fills the apartment as I disconnect the call, my heart hammering in my chest as I fight to regain my composure.
“Emerson…”
“Don’t.”
“Fuck.”
Spinning on him, I throw my arms wide. “I hope you’re happy, because when all is said and done, I have to break my father’s heart because none of this is real.”
“We don’t—”
“You said six months,” I snap, “and not a day more.”
“I’m a man of my word,” he says like the Boy Scout he most likely is not, but I can’t even smile because I can feel the panic creeping in.
“No songs.”
“What?”
“You’re not writing me into any songs. I don’t want to be your breakup song or have anyone chasing me down asking about your inspiration for some big hit I won’t be listening to.”
“So you admit it would—”
“Garrett!”
“Sorry, sorry.” His expression is more sincere as he holds up his hands, palms facing me. “No songs. What else?”
“This is temporary. A vacation. We treat it like Vegas. No feelings and no messy divorce. Our lives overlap too much to have it be any other way.”
“We’re going to have to convince people we’re in love.”
“And I need you to be able to do that without actually being in love.”
“Just me?”
“Garrett, I’m serious,” I huff, noting my panties are all but forgotten on the floor. Snatching them up, I hastily put them back on and watch as he frowns. “Focus.”
“Fine. No being in love. No songs. What else?”
“I’ll let you know when we get to Ironwood. What about you?”
“Honestly, I just need this to work, so whatever you want, I want.”
“That’s incredibly naive.”
“Maybe it is. But I trust you. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.” Damn him.
Scrolling through my contacts, I put the phone to my ear. “Hey Em,” Kat says as I try to rein myself in. “Tom’s here; you’re on speaker.”
“Hey guys!” My voice is too high—unnatural, but I can’t seem to stop. “So, funny story…”
“Is everything all right?” she asks as I press my lips together and meet Garrett’s smoky brown eyes.
“So you know how they say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? Well, that’s not entirely true and…” Pausing to gather myself, I do the one thing I hate above all else. “Tom, I need your help.”