44. Chapter 42
Emery
I don’t want to move. I haven’t moved since I woke up from that floaty place. I know I’m in Darcy’s arms, in his lap. I know he moved us from the center of the room to the windows, with his back against the wall and the setting sun streaming in over us.
The ropes are gone and the session has been over for a while, but I can’t seem to make myself move. It’s not that my arms and legs feel heavy. It’s just that I don’t want to move. I don’t want to break this little bubble of comfort.
I want to freeze time. I want to stay in this moment forever, watching the sunset with my head against his chest. Where the before has no sway over the decisions I make right now.
Where I can be with him and not think about everything that has happened.
Where I can enjoy these next few minutes until something breaks us apart.
As if he can tell that I’m more than a little bit awake, Darcy’s arms tighten around me. “Let me take you to dinner,” he murmurs, lips so close to the top of my head I feel the warmth of his breath.
My stomach drops at the request, our quiet moment shattering way too soon.
“Please, princess. You’ve been floating for a while now, and I want to make sure you don’t get droppy.
We can eat in complete silence, and when you’re done, I’ll put you in a cab and send you home.
Just let me make sure you’re okay for now.
” The plea in his words twists the storm of butterflies in my stomach.
The warmth of the comfort battles against my common sense, and I find myself answering before I can remember why being alone with him in a non-work setting is a bad idea. “Okay.”
His arms tighten around me again, in more of a hug. “Thank you.” Darcy gets us both standing upright, then tips his head in the direction of the privacy screen. “Go and get changed, and I’ll book us a table. Call out if you need help or get—”
“Dizzy,” I cut in. “I remember. Any bad feelings and I ask for help.”
His lips twitch as he fights a smile. “Good.”
I drag my gaze away from his twinkling eyes and disappear behind the screen. This is a terrible idea. I should get changed, then go back out there and tell him I’m not going to dinner with him. I’ll book myself a rideshare and get the hell away from here.
Pulling my head through my off-the-shoulder caramel-colored knit shirt, I nod at my inner monologue. Yep, that’s what I’m going to do. Get dressed, then tell him no and leave.
Picking up my denim mini skirt, I pull it up over my hips and do up the buttons, slipping my feet into the slide-on sandals Hudson bought me during that last shopping trip. Gathering up my hair, I twist it into a messy bun on the top of my head and grab my backpack, ready to make my exit.
Darcy is already standing at the door, everything packed away, holding open the door with a small smile. “Ready to go?”
Tell him you’re not going. “Yeah.”
No. Take it back.
Darcy’s smile widens, and as I pass him out onto the mezzanine, he turns off the lights and pulls the door shut behind us, then he takes my hand without the brace and guides me toward the staircase.
Open your goddamn mouth and tell him you’re going home. Right now.
No one stops us on our way out, even though people make eye contact. Darcy just waves and keeps walking, not giving anyone the chance to engage him in conversation. We make it to the front door and step out into the dusky air, where he leads me toward his gleaming silver sports car.
Emery Nicholas, do not get in the car.
Even as I’m having that thought, I place my bag in the footwell of the passenger side, while Darcy holds the door open for me, before slipping into the seat. If I was even a little bit taller, I would have basically fallen in, what with the car being so low to the ground.
The door closes next to me, and I just stare at it. It’s not too late. I can totally get out of the car. We aren’t moving yet. All I have to do is reach for that handle and—
The driver’s door opens and Darcy slips in, turning the car on almost immediately. “Ready?”
Before I can answer, he gives the car a rev and pulls out onto the quiet industrial road, leaving the warehouse behind.
Fuck.
What the hell have I done?