that. But to call a family meeting mid-week…”
Julian led me
toward the dining room as he continued. “You’re flying out in less
than forty-eight hours, aren’t you? We couldn’t wait until the
weekend, and wanted to get to know the man you’ll be staying
with.”
“What are you
talking about?”
“Hello,
Emma.”
My head flew
up. Right there, at my parent’s house, was Eric. He stood up and
away from the table as soon as I crossed the threshold of the room.
Wearing a pair of darker jeans and a t-shirt, he was barely
recognizable without his cowboy hat. Eric looked as stunning as the
evening I’d met him. All tall and sexy as hell with his scarred
brow rising by a fraction, knowing so well what the sight of him
had done to my body in a split second. And a sleeve tattoo? My
mouth dropped open as I took in his right arm, beautifully inked. I
made a mental note to inspect the design when we were alone. If I’d
thought he looked hot yesterday, well today Mr. Cowboy was
scorching hot.
“What the hell
is this?”
“Emma!” my
mother scowled.
“I’m sorry,
Mom, but going behind my back and inviting my client to a family
dinner is where I draw the line.”
“May I have a
word with you?” Eric took three large steps and was standing in
front of me. He knew very well that at this moment there was no way
I could or would say no to having a moment alone with him. Maybe he could give me an honest answer.
He guided me
out of the house onto the back porch. The slight touch of his palm
at my lower back didn’t go unnoticed. In fact, it made me tingle
with uncomfortably delightful heat, which spread from that spot all
over my body.
We leaned
against the railing. The ocean waves hitting against the shore were
louder this evening, and I hoped they’d camouflage our conversation
enough that no one else could hear it. “I want you on this case. I
don’t think I can trust anyone else with it, and please don’t make
me retell my childhood story to your brothers. They just want to
know you’re not going away with some wacko you just met. So play
nice at dinner, answer their concerns, and Friday morning, we’ll be
on our way to Ogden, without anyone else to question your work,
authority, or research methods. Can you do that for me, Emma?”
“When did they
contact you?”
“Last night.
The message asked for utmost discretion. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell
you, Emma.” He brushed the side of my hand with his, carefully so
that no one would see it. I could already feel pairs of eyes
staring at us through the window. “But I couldn’t risk the chance
that they’d take you off the case. You still want me, don’t you? As
your client.”
Of course I
want you! Why was I so confused? It was a simple job. Why were
my brothers messing with my head so much?
“This will be
good for you and for me. I promise. I see you need this time away
from home as much as I need you to help me. Show them the mature
woman that you are. Prove yourself to them as the amazing
investigator that I know you are.” His whisper, so close to my
cheek, flew along my skin like a teasing ribbon of lust. I
instantly felt my breasts swell and the butterflies in my tummy
flutter with need.
“How do you
know?”
“Call it a gut
feeling, Emma. You were meant to come into my life to help me. I
know that to be true the same way I know the sun will always rise
in the East and set in the West.”
The tingles in
my hands and arms dissipated. This man had a way of easing my
anxiety and soothing my worries. He made me feel like I was
important and the only one in the world. Since David’s death, Eric
was the first one to make me feel like a woman.
“All right. If
they’re playing me, I can play them even better.”
“That’s my
girl.” He grinned and everything inside me melted. Could I really
concentrate on my job around him? I had to. I had to prove not only
to my brothers but also to myself and Eric just how good I was.
Most
Julian led me
toward the dining room as he continued. “You’re flying out in less
than forty-eight hours, aren’t you? We couldn’t wait until the
weekend, and wanted to get to know the man you’ll be staying
with.”
“What are you
talking about?”
“Hello,
Emma.”
My head flew
up. Right there, at my parent’s house, was Eric. He stood up and
away from the table as soon as I crossed the threshold of the room.
Wearing a pair of darker jeans and a t-shirt, he was barely
recognizable without his cowboy hat. Eric looked as stunning as the
evening I’d met him. All tall and sexy as hell with his scarred
brow rising by a fraction, knowing so well what the sight of him
had done to my body in a split second. And a sleeve tattoo? My
mouth dropped open as I took in his right arm, beautifully inked. I
made a mental note to inspect the design when we were alone. If I’d
thought he looked hot yesterday, well today Mr. Cowboy was
scorching hot.
“What the hell
is this?”
“Emma!” my
mother scowled.
“I’m sorry,
Mom, but going behind my back and inviting my client to a family
dinner is where I draw the line.”
“May I have a
word with you?” Eric took three large steps and was standing in
front of me. He knew very well that at this moment there was no way
I could or would say no to having a moment alone with him. Maybe he could give me an honest answer.
He guided me
out of the house onto the back porch. The slight touch of his palm
at my lower back didn’t go unnoticed. In fact, it made me tingle
with uncomfortably delightful heat, which spread from that spot all
over my body.
We leaned
against the railing. The ocean waves hitting against the shore were
louder this evening, and I hoped they’d camouflage our conversation
enough that no one else could hear it. “I want you on this case. I
don’t think I can trust anyone else with it, and please don’t make
me retell my childhood story to your brothers. They just want to
know you’re not going away with some wacko you just met. So play
nice at dinner, answer their concerns, and Friday morning, we’ll be
on our way to Ogden, without anyone else to question your work,
authority, or research methods. Can you do that for me, Emma?”
“When did they
contact you?”
“Last night.
The message asked for utmost discretion. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell
you, Emma.” He brushed the side of my hand with his, carefully so
that no one would see it. I could already feel pairs of eyes
staring at us through the window. “But I couldn’t risk the chance
that they’d take you off the case. You still want me, don’t you? As
your client.”
Of course I
want you! Why was I so confused? It was a simple job. Why were
my brothers messing with my head so much?
“This will be
good for you and for me. I promise. I see you need this time away
from home as much as I need you to help me. Show them the mature
woman that you are. Prove yourself to them as the amazing
investigator that I know you are.” His whisper, so close to my
cheek, flew along my skin like a teasing ribbon of lust. I
instantly felt my breasts swell and the butterflies in my tummy
flutter with need.
“How do you
know?”
“Call it a gut
feeling, Emma. You were meant to come into my life to help me. I
know that to be true the same way I know the sun will always rise
in the East and set in the West.”
The tingles in
my hands and arms dissipated. This man had a way of easing my
anxiety and soothing my worries. He made me feel like I was
important and the only one in the world. Since David’s death, Eric
was the first one to make me feel like a woman.
“All right. If
they’re playing me, I can play them even better.”
“That’s my
girl.” He grinned and everything inside me melted. Could I really
concentrate on my job around him? I had to. I had to prove not only
to my brothers but also to myself and Eric just how good I was.
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