“You found them.”
“Yes. I heard her telling my uncle, and I saw her toss them into the trash. I got up after they went to bed and found them. I washed and hid them.” I shrugged, feeling self-conscious. “They were all I had of hers. I carry them with me everywhere.”
“She loved them, so of course, they meant something to you.”
“They still do.”
Her eyes met mine. “I understand.”
“Thank you.”
“She shouldn’t have thrown them out.”
“Keeping them would have been a sentimental act. That wasn’t in her nature.”
“Cold,” she murmured.
“Yes. Like me.”
She moved a little closer so her knees pressed to mine.
“You think you became like them.”
“I did become like them. I am reserved. Formal. Cold.”
“Formal, yes. I don’t find you cold. You’re incredibly kind, generous, and sweet.”
“You seem to bring that out in me, Emmy. No one else does. Not for a very long time.”
“I think Aiden and Maddox see a different side of you.”
“They do, to a point. It took me a while to relax with them, to allow myself to relax. The truth is, I will never be as easy with the world as other people are.”
“You don’t have to be.”
I leaned close, earnest. “I want to be for you. You have such a light, and when I’m with you I feel it. I feel different. You make me laugh. You make me want to be silly just to see you smile.”
“You do make me smile.” She cupped my face. “I like your old-fashioned ways, Bentley. I like how you are when we’re alone. You’re funny and passionate, and you make me feel as if I matter to you.”
I laid my hand on top of hers. “You do matter. That’s why I’m telling you. I am rigid, and formal. I am blunt and outspoken at times, and I have a temper. A bad one. It doesn’t come out often, but when it does it’s ugly.”
“I’ll have to try not to make you angry.”
I brought our clasped hands to my chest and kissed her. “I can’t imagine you doing so.”
She lifted one eyebrow. “Should I remind you of our first meeting?”
I chuckled. “That was annoyance, not anger. I was being my usual snotty self.”
“I don’t think you’re snotty.”
It was my turn to arch an eyebrow at her. “Everyone thinks I’m snotty. Yet, I feel differently with you. I don’t want to lose that.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Relief flooded my chest. “Good.”
“Are your aunt and uncle alive? Will I meet them?”
“No. My aunt passed away from a heart attack when I was nineteen. Six months later, my uncle choked on a piece of London Broil one night at his club.”
“Oh.”
“I inherited everything. Plus, I already had a trust fund from my parents.”
“So, you’re telling me you are even richer than I thought?”
“I don’t know how rich you thought I was, but perhaps.”
“Rich enough to buy five pounds of grapes at once. Enough for me to wonder if you’ll get bored with me.”
“The grapes are a treat for you—that’s another new thing for me. I enjoy spoiling you. As for getting bored . . . frankly, Emmy, I cannot even imagine that happening. I never know what you are going to say or do next. It’s part of your charm.”
“I don’t think anyone has ever thought I had charm until now.”
I traced my finger over her cheek, wrapping a wayward curl around my finger. I rubbed the silkiness of her hair on my skin, then watched as the curl unfurled, wild and soft against her face. “They weren’t looking hard enough.”
“Why aren’t you taken, Bentley?”
I cocked my head to the side. “I rather thought I was . . . now.”
Her eyes crinkled in merriment. “I meant before I waylaid you.”
“Caught me in your web?”
She nodded imperviously, lifting her chin. “Trapped you as per my devious plan.”
“Right.” I sucked in a deep lungful of air and blew it out. “You are not devious, Emmy. That I know for a fact.”
“Oh?” She studied me. “Did you know someone devious?”
“While we were in university, I met a girl. Lucy seemed . . . lovely. Great. A bit shy, and quiet. She lived off campus and she liked her privacy, the same way I did.” I snorted. “Or so she led me to believe.”
Emmy reached out, covering my hand. “What happened?”
“She told me her parents were extremely strict. They didn’t allow her to date. They kept her on a tight budget, and she worked in the admissions department to help make ends meet. We would meet for coffee or dinner in small places, off the beaten path. I liked her.” I met Emmy’s steady gaze. “I liked her a lot. She said all the right things, did all the right things.”
“But?”
“I never talked about money. Ever. My aunt and uncle drummed that into my head. It was private, something a person didn’t show off. It wasn’t right to boast about what I had, and we never discussed it. I always paid for coffee or dinner simply because that was how I was raised. A man should treat a woman like a lady. One day, she was upset because she had somehow lost her wallet and it had all her money for the next week in it. Without a thought, I handed her fifty dollars and bought her a new wallet. A few days later, she mentioned a CD she wanted and I bought it for her. Then, she showed me a dress she desperately wanted to buy so she’d ‘look good for me.’”
“You bought that, too?”
“Yes. Anything she asked for, I bought. Every time she was short of cash, I handed it over. She never asked outright, but I found myself giving her more and more. She had a way of demanding without even saying the words. It was expected.”
“You never questioned it? You never wondered how she knew you had the money to hand over?”
“No. I was stupid, young, and for the first time, imagined myself in love. I never questioned the secrecy or the constant requests. Maddox and Aiden didn’t like her. They thought she was odd. Untrustworthy. I ignored it, thinking they were jealous I found someone and they were still playing the field. We became even more secretive. When Maddox found out about the money I was giving her, he almost lost it. We had a huge fight and I stormed out, all indignant and self-righteous, defending the woman I loved.”
“He was right though?”
I swallowed the last of my wine. “He certainly was. I marched over to her place—unannounced—something I never did, since she always told me her parents might be around, but I wanted to see her and tell her what had happened. Instead of finding her alone and studying the way she told me she did, I walked in to a party. A big one, with her real friends, and her boyfriend. She had been scamming me. I guess she accessed my financial records through the university database. She had arranged our first meeting. She knew exactly what to do and say.” I shook my head. “I was such an idiot. Uptight, reserved Bentley who fell for the biggest con artist on the campus. She was anything but shy or quiet. Her friends had a good laugh at my expense.”
“I’m sorry.”
I shrugged. “It was bound to happen. We had a huge blowout fight and she said plenty of nasty things once she realized there was no way out for her. I went home, and got trashed.” I shuddered. “Really trashed. That was the last time I lost control or allowed someone to get close. It was also the last time I didn’t listen to Maddox and Aiden.”
“What did they do?”
“They showed me their loyalty. They got drunk with me, and made sure I was okay the next day. And, of course, stated they told me so, and made a lot of noise so I suffered much of the next day, too. Bastards.”
She bit back her grin. “Of course.”
I filled up my wineglass and studied her over the rim. “That is how I know you’re not devious, Emmy. I’ve met devious. I was stupid enough to believe devious.”
“A
nd you haven’t found anyone you felt something for since then? That’s a long time to be alone.”
“I like my work. I’ve put forth a great deal of effort to get where I am today. I haven’t made time for relationships, nor particularly wanted one. The last woman I had what you would call a relationship with walked away. She said I was too self-absorbed and boring, and she hated the fact I worked so much.”
“I wouldn’t call you boring. I don’t think she knew you very well.”
“I think perhaps she wasn’t the right one for me. I preferred working to her company, so I guess that should have been my biggest clue. I have met other women, dated a few, and ah . . . enjoyed their company . . .” My voice trailed off and I cleared my throat.
Emmy lifted her eyebrow slowly with a grin. “Enjoyed their company? So proper. Hardly news, Rigid. It’s pretty obvious from your moves, you’re not a monk.”
“My ‘moves’?”
She met my gaze directly. “You’re an amazing lover. Giving. Passionate.” She huffed out a breath, the air lifting her bangs. “Hot as fuck, actually. I didn’t think you got that way through osmosis.”
I laughed at her words. “Not even a little bit jealous, Freddy? I think you’ve wounded my pride.”
“Oh, I’m jealous all right. But I’m the one sitting in your kitchen, wearing your shirt.”
“Yes, you are.” I leaned forward, wrapping my hand around the back of her neck. “You’re also the one I want to have a relationship with. The only one.”
“Ditto.”
Her gaze lowered, then she met my eyes. “I’m on birth control. I haven’t been with anyone for a very long time, and I’ve been tested clean.”
I knew what she was saying. I had told her the six condoms were all I had and I would have to get more. Lots more.
“It’s been a while for me,” I confessed. “As much as you think I’ve been with a lot of women, I need you to know, I am always monogamous, and always safe.”
“When you’re ready, you don’t have to buy more condoms.”
Merely the thought of being inside her, of being able to feel all of her, made me hard. I wanted that with her, more than I had ever wanted it with another woman.
I stood, taking her with me. “Let’s go see what else I’ve learned through osmosis.”
She laughed against my mouth. “Okay, Rigid.”
Chapter 11
Bentley
I heard my name yelled, and I turned to see Emmy racing across the street. I paused at the door to Greg’s building wondering why she wasn’t in school. Glancing at my watch, I noted it was past nine. Since school started back, she was always in class at this time of the day.
“Oh, shit,” Aiden muttered. “Brace yourself.”
I barely had time to throw him a glance when Emmy was in front of me, hands on her hips, and a scowl on her face. I tried not to notice how sexy she looked this morning. She was wearing some sort of lacy dress that fluttered around her knees, and was cinched in at her waist with my blue tie. Tights covered her toned legs and she had the blue shawl I had given her wrapped around her shoulders. Despite her anger, she was gorgeous.
“Hey, Emmy,” I greeted her cautiously. Casting a glare toward Aiden, who started to pull open the door and disappear, I bent to brush a kiss on Emmy’s cheek.
She stepped back avoiding my caress, and addressed her voice to Aiden. “Not so fast, Tree Trunk.”
He turned, flashing her a smirk. “What’s up, Emmy?”
“What do the two of you know about the sudden construction going on at Al’s?”
Judging from the frown on Emmy’s face, deflection was the word of the day.
I crossed my arms, trying to appear casual. “How would we know what your boss is up to regarding his property?”
She snorted. “Al is so tight, he squeaks. He never spends a penny unless he absolutely has to do so. Today he tells me I need to find a place to stay for a few days while they install new doors and locks on the apartments, new steps, and he has security lighting going up out back. This smacks of you, Rigid.”
“Perhaps, he is simply doing what is best for the upkeep of his building. If he upgrades the building, the property value will go up.”
At least, that was what Aiden told Al, when he offered to have the upgrades done—at no cost. We even covered new doors for the coffee shop since I knew Emmy worked in there alone in the early morning hours. Al couldn’t sign the paperwork fast enough, but obviously, his cover story didn’t work.
I stepped forward. “I, for one, am glad he is looking at making the entranceway to your place safer. You’re welcome to stay at the house while the work is being done, if that is what concerns you.”
“What concerns me is the fact you’re making a mountain out of a molehill again. The entranceway was fine.”
This time I couldn’t help the snort. “The stairs were rickety at best. A child could pick your lock, and there wasn’t adequate lighting out back at all.”
She poked a finger into my chest. “A-ha! So you admit it!”
I threw up my hands. “Yes! I admit it. I’m an awful person for being worried you might trip on the uneven stairs, get mugged at night, or have your home invaded! Sue me.”
“Sue you? For what? More wasted money?”
“It’s not wasted! Yell at me, then. Stop giving me scones. It’s still going to happen.”
Aiden spoke up. “The stairs were in bad shape, Emmy. I showed Al the report I had, and we offered to help him out.”
“You had a report? Oh my God! I can’t believe you people.”
Aiden smirked. “You people? That’s what you think of Bentley? He’s just people?”
“Don’t change the subject. What exactly did you get in exchange for this help?”
I blinked. “Nothing. I expect nothing, and want nothing. Only to know I made you a bit safer.”
Her anger deflated, and her shoulders slumped. “What am I going to do with you, Rigid?”
I caught her around the waist, and tugged her close. Dropping my head to her neck, I rained kisses on her skin, swirling my tongue behind her ear on the spot she found so sensitive.
“I had to do it, Emmy.”
She studied my face, and shook her head. “You overstepped.”
“I’m aware,” I admitted. “I did it because I care.”
“It’s still overboard.”
“Let it go.”
“You are such a pain in my ass.”
I bit down on her tender earlobe. “We haven’t explored your ass yet, but if you insist . . .”
She pulled back fighting a smile, slapping my chest. “Dream on. I’m still mad at you.”
“Why?” I asked softly. “Al is thrilled. Your place will be safer, and no one is hurt. Why are you so upset?”
“Because, once again, I can’t compete.”
I tightened my arms. “It’s not a competition. Even if it were, I am still way behind.”
“How can you say such a thing?”
“Because I get you. That is worth more than any amount of money.”
She leaned up and pressed a hard kiss to my lips. “I give up.”
“Good. So, you’ll come to my place tonight? The work should be done by the end of the weekend.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m not talking to you, though.”
“That’s fine.” I winked at her. “We can think of other things for your mouth to do.”
Shaking her head, she turned away, pausing at the curb. “You are such a wimp, Aiden,” she called out. “Such a big, bad security guy letting Bentley take all the shit.”
“I was allowing you privacy.”
“Whatever.”
“You could have brought some scones with you!” he yelled in return.
She flipped him the bird and raced across the street. I gaped as I watched her cross the road. The sway of her hips in the dress she wore was mesmerizing. I wanted to follow her, trap her in a corner and really apologize—with my cock.
/>
Not that I was sorry.
Aiden groaned. “Well, that went better than I expected.”
I pushed past him. “Emmy’s right—you are a wimp. I think my girlfriend actually scared you.”
He chuckled as he followed me. “Your little girlfriend is fierce.”
I pushed the button for the elevator. “That she is.”
And she’s all mine.
**
I looked over the numbers, frowning in concentration. I handed the documents to Aiden to look at and met Greg’s steady gaze.
“Is it enough?”
He drummed his fingers on the desk. “It’s way over the estimate. It’s enough.”
“I want it.”
“I know that, Bentley.”
“It’s the last piece. I need it to have the project work.”
“Then sign it and I’ll submit the bid. We’ll know next week.”
Aiden handed the documents back with a nod of his head. I scratched out my signature, and handed the documents to Greg. He presented me with a stack of paperwork.
“I need your signature on these, as well.”
I sat back and glanced over the various forms. They were all things he was working on; a few other land deals, a building I had my eye on—nothing major, but they were all lucrative. As usual, all completed to my specifications, and done with his precise attention to detail. As I was signing, he gave me back the first set.
“You missed a couple places.”
“Really?”
He nodded, already looking at the stack I gave him back. “Updated forms—more places to sign.” He smirked. “The city loves new paperwork. More signatures mean more money.”
“Sounds like lawyers,” Aiden quipped.
I snickered as I added my signature where Greg indicated.
He reached for a folder. “I came across a few interesting land parcels. I had Mrs. Johnson print them for you.”
I glanced through the papers, then watched as he added his signature to the bid, affixed the seal, and slid it into the envelope.
“I’ll have it couriered this afternoon.”
“Great. Hopefully next week, we’ll celebrate.”
He regarded me, appearing amused. “Looks to me as though you’ve already been celebrating.”
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