“Emmitt,” his mother called down the hall toward him when the girls had arrived and he hadn’t.
“Coming,” he shot back, shaking the frustration of his situation off. He’d sit down with his mother, sister, two nieces, and Evie and eat breakfast. The rest of the day, all the unknowns and trouble would be waiting on the other side of the bacon and eggs, no need to rush right into it.
Chapter 19
“I’m letting you off the hook,” Evie said gently as she stood in the doorway of his hotel room.
“What’s that mean?” he asked, furrowing his brow and folding his arms across his chest. He was standing there shirtless, his workout shorts hanging low on his hips. He’d locked himself away in his hotel room since they got back from his mother’s. He’d claimed he was doing some research on the Barrington security plan as well as his father’s whereabouts over the last six months. Emmitt was determined to prove to Harlan that their father was still gambling, still losing, and was only around for one thing. Money. But Emmitt couldn’t fool her. Evie knew damn well what hiding looked like; she was doing plenty of it herself lately.
“That thing you said last night about helping me with my mom. That’s not what I want. I appreciate the thought. Let’s just pretend we didn’t talk about it.”
“You’re talking to the king of ignoring the elephant in the room so if that’s really what you want I’ll go along with it. But if you need money to help your mom, it’s nothing for me to give you some.” His arms unfolded, his posture relaxing, and she knew she’d done the right thing. Emmitt had enough people depending on him, and he had his own idea of how to treat an addict. She was just muddying the water with her request.
“Thanks, but I’ll figure something out. You’ve got your hands full. I just wanted to pop in and tell you that.”
“That’s the only reason you came?” he asked, curling his lips into a playful smile. “You could have called up from your room. There must be another reason you’re here. Something that couldn’t be done quite as well over the phone.”
A tingling heat pulsed through her body. She could see his firmness growing under the thin shorts, and her eyes darted away quickly.
“Yeah,” he remarked, sliding the shorts down off of him, his excited dick springing up quickly. “There must be another reason you’re here. Your hair’s still damp. You just got out of the shower, didn’t you?”
Her cheeks blazed as though a deep dark secret had just been unearthed, but she still didn’t speak.
“You took a nice hot shower for me, baby?” he asked, but to her dismay he wasn’t moving any closer. She thought by now, he’d be closed in, bearing down on her. “I bet you smell like that purple soap.” He licked his lips and stared at her. “Are you coming over here?”
“Yes,” she whispered, her lips moving but the word practically too quiet to hear.
“I’ve been thinking about this almost every second since the last time I slid inside you. I’ve been waiting for the next time.”
“Me too,” she admitted as she inched closer to him.
“On the balcony,” he commanded, moving away before she could touch him. “I’m going to fuck you under the stars.”
“But people will see,” she protested, her heart beating in a terrified yet excited rhythm as she thought about the night air kissing their bodies.
“We’re the highest floor for any buildings on this block and facing east. There’s no one to see. I don’t want anyone to see you but me.” He clicked off the lock on the door and slid it open. The far-off noises of the city below crawled slowly inside the room as he stepped out, not waiting for her. Standing alone in the hotel room now she felt silly, turned on, and lonely. There was only one thing to do.
Evie crossed the room with intent and stepped out onto the balcony, assessing the space. A plush lounge chair and glass top table were the only things she saw, besides the long metallic railing that enclosed the space.
“Do you trust me?” he asked, and she lost her breath before she could answer. “I’m serious Evie, do you trust me?”
“Yes,” she said, forcing as much confidence as possible behind her words.
“I want to have you up there,” he said, pointing to the railing. “I want you on the edge of the world, looking out over the skyline.”
“On that?” she asked, pointing at the metal railing that was no more than four or five inches wide and the only thing that separated someone from plummeting twenty-six stories toward the ground.
“I’d never let you fall,” he asserted, putting one hand out to her, letting her close the space between them if she chose to.
The only thing that took the sheer terror out of the moment was trusting Emmitt enough to know she didn’t have to do it if she didn’t want to. He’d give her pleasure anywhere, anytime, and never fault her for saying no to something. But the skyline was magnificent, the stars, though dimmed by the city lights, were still twinkling. What would it be like to stare out over them while he plunged inside her?
Evie was in his arms and he was stripping her down before another word passed between them. When she stood in just her lace bra and thong, the night air blowing gently against her, he smiled.
“You can have anything out there Evie,” he said, gesturing toward the vastness of the city before them. He slid the chair over toward the railing and lifted her on to it. She had to balance her feet for a moment on the plush cushion but once she did, his hands on her hips made everything steady. He placed her hands on the railing and leaned her forward as he stood on the long lounge chair with her, his firm excitement brushing her ass as he bent her over. She stared down the twenty-six stories at the tiny lights and people below. It was like flying, the safety of his hands gripped to her hips all she needed.
“You can have anything Evie. You’re that type of woman,” he continued to talk as he slid himself inside her slick and anxious folds. She drew in a sharp breath at the pressure of him filling her. Every time he thrust forward her body would spill over the railing, and he’d pull her back as he readied for another strike.
“Emmitt, don’t stop,” she begged as she parted her legs more and arched her back, trying to give him room to go deeper, as deep as he could. She knew the excitement of this, the sheer wild nature of what he was doing and where he was doing it would bring her to ecstasy quickly. “Harder,” she begged but so quietly she feared he didn’t hear. But a moment later she knew he had. He was thrusting hard against her as her hair cascaded over the balcony and danced into the darkness of the night.
“I’ll never let you go, Evie,” Emmitt assured as his pace grew frantic, and her panting turned to screams of pleasure. Maybe he was being literal. Maybe he truly just meant his grip would not loosen, and she was safe as she burst open with the fireworks of an orgasm. Or maybe he meant, after tonight, for as long as she wanted, he wouldn’t let her go.
Chapter 20
“I better go,” Evie said reluctantly, rolling off the bed and gathering up her clothes.
“Why?” Emmitt protested, sounding like a pouting child. “You have plans?”
“I do actually.” She smiled as she tugged her shirt back on. They’d rolled into bed after their fun on the balcony and slept through half of the next day, waking up occasionally to pleasure each other, practically like they were keeping score, neither wanting to lose.
“What plans do you have?” he asked, looking a little worried.
“I’m going to your niece’s recital.”
“What?” he asked, sitting up on one elbow. “Why would you do that? Did Harlan guilt you into it? You do not have to go.”
“I offered. I know I’m not family, but I don’t know anyone in town really and if your sister is looking for a cheering section, I can understand that. Every kid deserves one.”
“I’m busy,” he said brashly, now fully sitting up and looking like he’d been tricked. “So if you told her I would go too—”
“I didn’t. I figured you’d be working.
She didn’t expect you’d come.”
“Meaning, I’m such a jerk of course I wouldn’t come? I care a lot about my nieces. I make sure they are taken care of and safe. It’s why I can’t go tonight. I want some concrete evidence to show Harlan that our father is still gambling, and he’s just using her.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t sound so excited when you say it,” Evie suggested as she wiggled back into her jeans. “Even if you’re right, you should understand it’s going to crush Harlan to hear.”
“How do you think she’ll feel when she gives him money and doesn’t hear from him again? I’m trying to save her from the pain, not cause it.”
“I agree,” Evie said with a nod, “but how you tell her matters.”
“You’re really going to this thing tonight?” Emmitt asked, changing the subject without much finesse.
“I really am,” she said, pulling open the hotel room door and blowing him a kiss on her way out.
“I’ll come too,” he groaned. “Meet me out front at seven.”
“Oh,” she said with a knowing smile. “I didn’t expect that.” Her lie allowed the truth to be written all over her face.
“Sure you didn’t,” he huffed. “But you’re going to owe me after this, and I intend to collect. Let’s hope your body can take it.”
“Even if it can’t, do me a favor and promise you won’t stop,” she said, closing the door behind her, catching him make a primal and hungry noise.
Chapter 21
“Emmitt,” Harlan said with a giant smile as she crossed the parking lot with her daughters, holding tight to their hands. “You said you couldn’t make it. You were adamant. Mom couldn’t make it either. She’s not here, right?” The smile melted away as she looked over her shoulder nervously.
“Evie made me,” he lied, and Evie considered correcting him, but she wasn’t about to stick her nose any deeper into the Kalling family’s business. She’d gotten a front row seat the night before and realized she had enough of her own drama. No use piling on any that wasn’t hers.
“Come with me,” Harlan insisted, lifting her smallest daughter, Anna, and flopping her into Emmitt’s arms. “Help me get them ready. I need to talk to you about something. Don’t be mad.”
“What did you do?” Evie heard Emmitt groan as Harlan tugged him away.
“I’ll be in in a bit,” she called behind them, holding firm to her attempt to not butt in on their business. Instead she perched herself against one of the pillars and let the fading sun warm her face. It was impossible to clear her mind. You didn’t have that luxury when someone you love is fighting addiction. Worry was part of the equation.
She promised herself tomorrow she’d call home. She’d find out how her mother was doing, and she’d make a plan. How Emmitt might fit into that was still unknown. For every glint of humanity she saw in him, there were straight-up, glaring moments of jackassery that couldn’t be overlooked.
Her soul searching was cut short by the sound of a hushed voice on the other side of the large pillar she was leaning on.
“I just need a few more days, maybe a week,” a man said in a raspy tired voice. “I’m working an angle. But I can’t rush it. I’ll be at the Playpen in a little while though. I’m doing something I can’t get out of right now. Deal me in. I’m telling you, after this week I’ll be golden. She’ll pay.”
Feeling like she was accidently eavesdropping on this man’s personal conversation, she rounded the pillar just as he hung up and made her way to the door.
“Dad,” Evie heard Harlan call, Emmitt right behind her. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Like you said,” the man announced, clearing his throat and hastily burying his phone back into his pocket, “this is a great way for me to see the girls without having to do the big introductions yet. I know I haven’t earned that.”
“You haven’t earned this,” Emmitt said gruffly, putting himself between Harlan and their father. Evie felt wholly out of place now as she watched the tension grow.
“Emmitt,” Harlan warned and pleaded all at once. “The girls are going on in a minute. Let’s just all get our seats.”
“I’ve got to go,” Emmitt said, brushing by his father. “Evie, stay if you want to, but I’ve got some work to do.”
“I’ll come,” Evie said, throwing Harlan an apologetic smile. “Tell the girls I said good luck.”
Evie followed as closely behind Emmitt as she could, but he was in a near run as he hustled toward his car.
“Wait up,” Evie pleaded breathlessly, tugging at his arm when she got close enough.
“I don’t need the lecture right now about how shitty of an uncle and brother I am. She won’t listen. She won’t take my word for it, so I’m going to go get proof.”
“Good,” Evie said stepping between him and his car door. “I’m glad because you’re right. I heard him on the phone before you guys came back out. He told whoever he was talking to he needed more time, but he was working an angle that would pay off big. I think Harlan is that angle. He’s going to be at some place called the Playpen tonight. Maybe catch him in the act and Harlan will believe you.”
Emmitt stared at her dumbstruck. Though she was certain he’d never admit it, if there were a tiny grain of hope in the whole shore of Emmitt’s doubt about his father, it had just been washed away. “That bastard,” he barked, making a move to head back to the recital hall.
“Don’t,” Evie begged. “Harlan and the girls don’t deserve that kind of embarrassment.”
“I don’t care,” Emmitt barked, yanking free of her grip.
“Exactly,” she shouted loud enough to turn any heads in the parking lot their way. “That’s the whole point. You don’t think about how your actions will affect other people. You just do what you think is right in the moment. But how does that end up making you look?”
“How I look isn’t as important to me as Harlan,” he argued, glaring at her as though she were being ridiculous.
“But you’re the bad guy. The next time you want to warn her about something, or help her, all she’ll see is the moment you burst into the little kids’ dance recital and pulled your father out by the throat. That’s all you’re ever going to be to people if you don’t stop this.”
“That’s her problem,” Emmitt said, charging away from Evie.
“You’re better than this, Emmitt,” Evie said, racing behind him. “You are. I don’t know who told you all this time that the only thing you could be was the guy who blows up every situation. You are more than that. Just catch him in the act, get some proof, and talk to Harlan about it in a way that doesn’t confuse who the real asshole is.”
“If she doesn’t know by now she can trust me—” he snapped, slamming his fist down into his palm.
“Trust isn’t just about being right,” Evie said gently. “Trust is knowing she can count on you when things go wrong. Not everyone is going to take your advice. People have to make their own mistakes. But you can still be by her side.”
“This is a huge mistake. A dangerous mistake,” he emphasized fiercely. “She has no idea what she’s getting mixed up with.”
“But she will. When you and I figure out the right way to expose him, she’ll see it. And then you’ll be right there to help her pick up the pieces.”
“This is stupid,” he said, but didn’t make an attempt to open the door to the recital hall. “Why is this even necessary? I can end all of it right now.”
“Normal people have these pesky little things called feelings,” Evie said earnestly.
“And if they didn’t, the world would be a simpler place. It’s like a plague, and I’m glad I’m not inflicted with that nonsense,” he asserted, then dropped his head in defeat.
“I’m going to let you pretend you didn’t mean that because you’re having a hard day.” She looped her arm into his and tugged him toward the car. “Let’s go make a plan, and while we wait for him we can go over any of the Lance Barrington stuff you want t
o. I know your plate is full. I’ll help where I can.”
“Why?” he asked skeptically as they rounded the car. “You gave me a pass this morning. You said your problems were yours, and you’d work them out.”
“I did.” Evie nodded.
“Then why would you want to help me?”
“Because I am one of the unlucky people inflicted with the feelings plague. I want things to work out for you and your family. I might disagree on whether or not your father can be helped—”
“He can’t,” Emmitt bit out quickly.
“We disagree, that’s fine. I like to believe no one is too far gone. But that doesn’t mean he should be allowed to use your sister and then ask her for money.”
“That’s the thing,” Emmitt said, leaning against the car, but still staring back toward the recital hall. “She won’t give it to him. He’ll ask, and it will break her heart, but she also is too smart to give him any. He should know that. So what’s he trying to get at?”
“Addicts don’t apply or understand logic all that well. If they did they’d be able to work themselves out of things. They live in a different reality than we do. Don’t bother trying to figure it out.”
“Well, thanks,” Emmitt said, pulling the car door open and sinking in.
“You’re welcome.” She nodded, not wanting to bring too much attention to his out-of-character gratitude. “Where do we start?”
“The first thing we need to know is who he owes and how much. That’ll help me figure out how desperate he is.”
“How desperate has he been in the past?” Evie asked, not sure she wanted to know that answer.
“He scammed my mother out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Let’s just say if we weren’t lucky enough to be born into a very wealthy family we’d have been on the street, starving to death. But with my mother’s family money, and the things Mathew has done over the years, we’ve managed fine. But if he had the chance, if it came down to putting us on the street or placing that next bet, he wouldn’t hesitate for a second. I wouldn’t put anything past him.”
Crazy Nights (The Barrington Billionaires Book 3) Page 11