Chapter Eleven
EMMETT
“So, tell me,” I said. “What’s the deal with you and Marco?”
“We’re friends.”
“Looked like a little more than that from where I was standing.”
I had spotted them the moment they entered the event.
Meghan had outdone herself as usual. The once dull and empty space had undergone a remarkable transformation.
Velvet drapes cascaded from the high ceilings, twinkling fairy lights adorned every corner, and decadent desserts beckoned from gilded tables.
But amidst the opulence, Meghan had managed to infuse a touch of whimsy without it feeling tacky. It was a dream come true for any lover of romance novels—a grandiose Valentine’s Day event, perfect in every detail.
My mouth went dry at the sight of Callie in a crimson ball gown.
It clung to her like a second skin, accentuating every curve and dip of her figure before bursting out into a sea of tulle.
Her long, brown locks cascaded down her back in wild curls, framing her exquisite face.
But it was her lips that drew me in, painted the same shade of red as her dress.
They seemed to beckon to me, begging to be kissed.
As quickly as my mouth had gone dry, it began to water.
I imagined pressing my lips to hers, sliding my tongue along the seam, exploring the soft heat of her mouth with my tongue.
My feet propelled me towards her. When Marco leaned in and whispered in her ear, I didn’t miss the challenge in his eyes.
I picked up my pace. Callie’s head whipped around, eyes searching the crowd.
She found me in seconds, like she was just as drawn to me as I was to her.
What had Marco said to her? Did I mistake the look on his face?
I needed to get to her—to be near her. Something primal was urging me to claim her. As I closed the distance, I smiled at her, and she smiled back. That’s when I heard my mother’s voice.
“Emmett, dear, I want to introduce you to someone.”
I maintained eye contact with Callie for as long as I could before I was swarmed with a crowd of my mother’s friends. They spoke animatedly at me, prattling on about God knows what. I wasn’t listening; I was distracted by the siren in the red dress whom I had now lost sight of.
After what felt like an eternity, I extricated myself from my mother’s social circle and looked around, hoping to spot Callie again. Instead, I ran into Meghan.
“Meg, you should be so proud of yourself. Everything looks amazing.”
She beamed. “Thank you. It really did turn out great, didn’t it? Hopefully, we raise enough money for the renovations to the children’s wing. It desperately needs a makeover.”
“Well, my pledge has been made. I hope the sum pleases you.”
“From you, anything with less than five zeroes would be downright offensive.”
I shook my head and laughed before pulling her into a hug and kissing her temple. “Have you seen Callie?” I asked when I pulled away.
“Yeah, she and Marco are dancing. They’re cute together, I guess. I always thought they were just friends. I also thought she was still with Hugh, but...” She trailed off, shrugging.
“They are just friends,” I said. Hopefully. And who the hell is Hugh?
Meghan pointed across the room to the dance floor. “That hand placement looks less than innocent.”
I peered over my shoulder and saw Marco’s hand dangerously close to Callie’s ass. A low growl rose from my throat.
“Holy shit! You’re totally into her.”
“No, I’m not. I just don’t like seeing men taking advantage of women they claim to be friends with.”
“Sure thing, big guy,” Meghan said, patting my chest. “Whatever you need to tell yourself.”
She wandered off to talk to other guests while I stood at the edge of the dance floor watching Callie and Marco. They were holding each other close as they moved to the music, alternating between speaking in hushed voices and laughing loudly.
My stare could’ve burned holes in Marco’s back. To his credit, he didn’t protest when I cut in.
Now, here I was, dancing with my intern and willing my cock to ignore how closely were pressed together. I am well and truly fucked.
Callie chewed on her bottom lip, drawing my eyes to her mouth. “No, we really are just friends.”
“Are you sure he’s not looking for more? He’d be a fool not to.”
Her cheeks darkened, and I hoped she knew we weren’t talking about Marco anymore.
“Oh, I’m certain. He’s my person, but it’s not like that between us. Anything you saw is just…Marco being Marco.” She laughed, then continued more soberly. “I, um, actually was in a relationship for the last five years, so Marco has never been anything more than a friend.”
“And you’re not anymore? In a relationship, I mean.”
“No, I’m not. My ex is actually the reason your sister hated me so much,” she said with a chuckle.
“Oh, yeah? What’d she do?” Meghan still hadn’t told me. Maybe I could get it out of Callie.
“She told everyone in our dorm that I had an STD because Hugh liked me and not her.”
Jesus, Meghan.
“Did you?”
“Did I what?”
“Have an STD?”
“No! I was a virgin,” she hissed. “But he didn’t believe her, anyway. We started dating, and she forgot all about him the next week.”
“Yep, that sounds like Meghan. I’m sorry she did that to you.”
“It was a long time ago, and we were young. I was no saint, either.”
“So, does that mean you’ve only slept with one man? Or two?” I glanced at Marco before looking back at Callie. Her face had turned beet red. I chuckled and rubbed my thumb over her waist where I was holding onto her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
She released her grip on my neck and fanned a hand in front of her face. “It’s fine. I’m fine. Is it hot in here? I think I need some fresh air.”
God, I love it when she rambles.
“There’s a courtyard through those doors,” I said, motioning behind her with my head. “Why don’t I meet you out there with a glass of champagne?”
“Sure, I’d like that,” she said with a soft smile.
I reluctantly let her go and watched as she retreated to the courtyard. While I waited for our drinks, I spotted Meghan and Marco sneaking off down a hallway.
Wonder what that’s all about.
Champagne in hand, I made my way toward the courtyard.
Meghan had decorated this space as well.
It was like something out of a fairytale, with twinkling string lights dangling from the trees.
The foliage created a natural canopy overhead, and the leaves rustled in the evening breeze.
Callie was standing near the marble fountain, her silhouette backlit by the soft glow of fairy lights.
Her dark, flowing hair brushed her waist as she tilted her head back to look at the stars.
“Nice spot, isn’t it?” I said, handing her a flute of champagne.
“Yes. It’s beautiful out here.” She took a sip and continued to gaze at the sky.
“I never took you for a stargazer.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” She turned to look at me with those deep green eyes. Her lips were slightly parted as if she wanted to say something more. Instead, she took another sip of her drink.
I moved closer. Noticing her shiver, I pulled off my jacket and draped it over her shoulders. “I’d like to learn more about you, if you’d let me.”
She gripped the lapels of my jacket with her free hand. “Thank you,” she said. “It’s chilly out here.”
I nodded a few times. Now what?
It was Valentine’s Day. I was standing under the stars with a brilliant and beautiful woman who seemed utterly genuine—unlike so many from my past.
In that moment, it didn’t matter that I was her boss, that she was six years younger than me, that she had just gotten out of a long-term relationship, or that my sister had treated her terribly. None of it mattered.
Tilting her head to meet my gaze, she bit her lip. “What do you want to know?”
Emboldened by this unexpected invitation, I closed the distance between us and gripped her hip. A few seconds ticked by while I gave her the chance to push my hand away. When she didn’t move from my touch, I stroked her hip bone with my thumb.
“Tell me what happened with your ex.”
She tensed. “It actually happened the night I was offered this job,” she said. “I wanted to go out and celebrate. He didn’t, so I went with Marco instead.”
My jaw tightened. “So, you and Marco then—”
“Ohmygod, no!” she said hastily. “I told you, we’re just friends. We’ve never crossed that line.”
I had questioned her enough on the topic. I needed to let it go. No matter what I thought I saw, I trusted her to be honest with me.
“Hugh and I had been fighting more and more. He stopped paying attention to me or showing me any kind of affection, so I just sort of gave up.”
Ah, so that’s Hugh.
“I know I made the right decision, but it’s still hard, you know?”
She peered up at me, her eyes had turned glassy.
This was painful for her. I both hated her pain and relished that she was sharing it with me.
She let out a quiet sob. The sound nearly broke me.
“Come here,” I said, pulling her into my arms. It was a little awkward because we were still holding our drinks, but I needed to hold her, to comfort her.
“I’m sorry,” she said, leaning back to look at me.
“It must be the champagne. It’s making me weepy.
” The tip of her nose was red, and her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
I took her glass and set them both on the edge of the marble fountain.
When I turned back to her, she was blinking back her tears, attempting to master herself.
I could give this sharp, beautiful woman the attention and affection she deserved.
It would be effortless. My body was so keyed up from a few simple touches that I knew I could give her what she craved.
The angel on my shoulder warned me that I was taking advantage.
She had been drinking. She was emotional. She was my intern.
But the devil didn’t care.
I brushed back a tendril of hair that had fallen into her eyes. The touch was featherlight, but she leaned into it. That subtle movement was enough to convince me. She wanted this, too.
She reached up, but instead of brushing my hair back, she trailed her fingers along my jawline.
The moment her delicate fingers touched the rough stubble, a shockwave ran through me.
I slid my hand into hers. She toyed with my fingers, tracing patterns on my skin that turned my legs to jelly.
“Thanks,” she whispered. “It seems like you’re rescuing me a lot these days. ”
Fuck—I’d rescue this woman from the pits of hell if it meant one more minute of her hand in mine. I would make her see that she deserved all the love in the world.
I’ll make her see it, and then I’ll give it to her.
I gripped her chin with my thumb and forefinger and tilted her head so our eyes met.
Her skin was like velvet against my fingers.
I stared at her mouth for a moment, giving her time to object.
Instead, she sucked in a breath. It was all the permission I needed.
Bending my head, I closed the distance between our mouths.
Her lips were pillowy soft and tasted of strawberries and champagne.
She squeezed my hand. I wasn’t sure if it was shock or desire.
My unspoken question was answered when her free hand shot up to grip my wrist and her body arched into mine.
I deepened the kiss and our tongues tangled.
She moaned softly into my mouth and my stiffening cock turned rock hard.
I released her hand and wrapped my arm around her, holding her against me.
I wanted her to feel what she did to me.
When she gasped and pulled away, I knew I had fucked up. Her hand flew to her mouth, and she shook her head. “Emmett,” she said, eyes welling with tears. “I can’t.” She took off toward the door. I went after her, but the crowd at the fundraiser had swallowed her whole.
She was gone.