by Hale, Beth
Emma held onto the mad. It felt better that the hollow pain she’d had before. Two more days, she thought. Only two more days till Jack was due back.
She knew she’d have to face him. Oh, she could cry off from being on the set with Norah, but she was tired of running away.
She’d face him and ride out whatever came next.
Chris offered to fly over, but Emma told him no. She didn’t want him to put his work or his fledgling relationship on hold just to hold her hand. And she was ninety percent certain that she’d convinced her mother nothing was wrong.
She had it under control.
Emma opened the door to get the paper and came face to face with James. “Oh, Jesus, not this again.”
“You’ve every right to be mad,” he said quickly. “I’m sorry.”
“Did he send you over here again?”
“No. I came to apologize. I wasn’t a good friend to you.” He said it so directly, so earnestly, that Emma felt her anger downgrade a notch.
“No, you weren’t. Well,” she gestured, “come on in.”
He flashed a grateful smile and closed the door behind him. “Elizabeth loved the sweater,” he offered as he sat on the sofa.
“I’m glad.” Emma eased onto the other end and tucked her feet under her. “I went back got two for myself,” she confessed with a grin. “The blue and the rust.”
“Women. Can’t stay away from the shops.”
Emma stuck out her tongue and made him laugh. “I know, I know. Great bargain, can’t live without it. So on and so forth.”
Emma hooted. “You’re right about that I guess; it’s in our nature.”
“It’s also in your nature to be impossibly annoying, mysterious creatures,” he replied, a frown creasing his forehead.
She lifted her eyebrows. “Woman trouble?”
“There’s a new accountant, a transfer from the states. Tennessee, I think she said. She’s damn prickly.”
“Can’t get her to agree to a date?”
“I haven’t asked. I offered to buy lunch since we’re stuck working on an account all day, she says not necessary and orders her own. Heaven help the man who wants to date her,” he grumbled.
Emma smothered a grin. “What’s her name?”
“Liv. Olivia Hughes.”
“Is she pretty?”
“Yes, actually. Red hair, beautiful blue eyes,” James replied.
“Not your usual type, huh? Beauty and brains. Don’t worry,” she leaned over, patted his knee. “I’m sure you’ll talk her into a date before long.”
“What? No. No. You’re right, not my type at all. I just want to know why she’s so…prickly.”
He was beginning to get twitchy and Emma took pity. Changing the subject, she asked “Have you had breakfast?” When he shook his head, she offered, “I can make you some scrambled eggs and bacon.”
“Bless you.” He stood to follow her and
grabbed her hand. “I just want to say this, Emma. I
am sorry. I do believe Jack and I am his friend. But I’m yours as well, and I’m sorry for what I did.”
Emma cocked her head and studied him. “I believe you are. And I forgive you. It’s over and done and we can act like it never happened.”
“Just like that?”
She nodded and they went into the kitchen. “You apologized. I forgave. It’s hard for me to hold a grudge over most things,” she admitted as she put a pan on the stove.
“I’m glad for that.”
“If Jack knew you told me the whole backstory of him and Sarah, would he be mad?”
“Not mad, not exactly. He wouldn’t be thrilled about it, though.”
“Then maybe I’ll find a way to let him know.” She felt James’s stare and said blandly, “I said I don’t hold grudges often; I didn’t say I’d let you off scott free.” She lay bacon to sizzle and began cracking eggs into a bowl. “Pour me some coffee, will you?”
James poured.
***
Norah started and Emma knew.
She steeled herself, pasted on a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, and turned around.
Jack was striding towards them, his eyes never leaving Emma’s face. He stopped in front of her and reached for her hand.
She quickly stepped back. “Hello, Jack,” she greeted him quietly. To her everlasting relief, her voice didn’t tremble.
“Emma. God, I’ve missed you. Can we go
somewhere? Talk?”
“No.”
“Please.” His desperate gaze flicked to Norah, who gave him a small smile of sympathy. “Ten minutes is all I ask.”
“All I ask for is the man I’m sleeping with to be faithful,” Emma responded sweetly.
“Oh, for Christ’s sake.” Exasperated, he raked his fingers through his hair and took a step closer. “Cut it out.”
Temper flared in her eyes. “Cut it—“she began and Norah lightly touched her arm.
“Don’t make a scene unless you want to be on another cover,” she said softly. “Almost everyone has a camera phone these days.”
With an effort, Emma managed to keep the bright smile on her face. “Why can’t you leave me alone? You had your fun, you got back at Sarah. Can’t you just be happy with that, instead of trying to hurt me again?”
Jack winced. There was a distance, coolness in her voice that scared him. Still, he had to make her believe him. He couldn’t lose her.
“Ten minutes,” he repeated. “That’s all I ask.” His eyes questioned her and she could see the honest plea in them.
She sighed. “Come by the house when we’re through here today. You can have your time, but then we’re done. Understand? I’m moving on.”
Jack nodded. “I’ll be there around nine, if we don’t run over.” He started to say more, but a make-up assistant walked up and announced he was needed in the chair.
Emma and Norah walked towards the buffet
tables where the caterers had set up lunch. “You know,” Emma informed her, “I am going to move on.”
“What do you mean?”
“When we get home, I’m going to change and go out dancing.”
“But you told Jack—“
“I’m not going to listen to him. When he shows up you can tell him to go to hell for me.” There was an edge to her voice. “I’m goin’ to find someone to help me forget.”
“Emma.”
“You’re the one who said rebound sex is good,” she pointed out.
Norah paused. “You’ve got me there,” she admitted. When they reached the tables, she grabbed two plates and passed one to Emma. “I have to tell you, though, I believe him. I think it was a set up.”
“I know you do. I already know what I’m going to wear tonight.” Feeling energized and suddenly hungry, Emma loaded her plate with a ham sandwich on rye, potato salad, and a slab of carrot cake.
Chapter 31
Emma studied her reflection and nodded, satisfied with the result. The short, siren red dress she wore clung in all the right places and the matching heels did great things for her legs. She’d left her hair curling madly around her shoulders and redone her makeup, adding smoky eyes and lips to match the dress.
She grabbed a cropped jacket out of the closet and stopped at Norah’s open bedroom door before heading out. “Do you think this is sexy enough to get a man tonight?”
“If that doesn’t do it, nothing will. Are you sure this is what you want to do? This isn’t like you.”
“I’m doing it,” Emma replied flatly.
“Well, ok then. Just promise to be careful.”
With a nod, she went downstairs. She made sure she had the essentials in her small clutch and opened the door.
And found Jack on the other side. They stared at each other.
“It’s not nine yet,” she managed.
“I couldn’t wait any longer,” he replied. “Skipping out on our talk?”
She lifted her head. “I changed my mind. I’ve decided I
don’t want to talk.” She moved to walk around him and he blocked her path.
He advanced, forcing her to step back, until he was inside with the door closed. He reached out and took the jacket and clutch out of her hands.
“Hey!”
“We are going to talk, Emma.”
“No, we are not.”
“Fuck, Emma,” his temper flared, “quit being
so stubborn! If you would just listen to me, we could fix this!”
“I’m going out.”
“Not dressed like that, you’re not.”
Now Emma’s temper spiked. “You have no say-so over me! You’re not my daddy or my husband! I’m going out and I’m finding a man who’ll take me home with him!”
“Like hell you are!” Jack grabbed her arms and hauled her against him. His lips came down on hers in a punishing kiss.
Emma struggled against his hold and managed to break free. “How dare you put your hands on me!”
“I dare because you belong to me!” He moved quickly, pinning her against the wall. He caught her lips again, forcing them open and thrusting his tongue inside.
The feel of her, the taste of her was like a feast after a famine.
And he was starving. The need for her slammed into him and he pressed his body hard against hers.
Emma tried to struggle again, but his nearness overpowered her, and her body began to crave the touch she’d been so long without. Her hands tangled in his hair and she returned his kiss.
Jack growled low in his throat and cupped a breast. When she hummed her approval, he slipped it inside her dress and circled a nipple with his thumb. It hardened and Emma whimpered.
He removed his hand and went lower, shoving
it under the hem of her dress. He felt her, hot and wet,
under her panties. He palmed her and she arched into
him with a cry. He pushed the fabric aside and slid two
fingers into her. She moaned into his mouth and her
hips began to rock.
She came violently, crying out and bucking hard against his hand. She shuddered and would have slid to the floor if not for him holding onto her. Her dazed eyes met his and he pressed her hand against the erection straining the front of his jeans.
“I need you bad, Emma,” he muttered thickly.
The sound of his voice brought her to her senses and she snatched her hand away. “I’m sorry,” she gasped. “That shouldn’t have happened.”
“It should never have stopped.” He reached for her again and she shoved at his chest.
“I need some room.” When he stepped back, she ran trembling fingers through her hair and straightened her dress. “That shouldn’t have happened,” she repeated. “We were both angry and lost control. It happens.” She nodded, trying to convince herself. “I’m going upstairs and you need to leave. Please.”
She ducked around him and made it half way up the stairs before he recovered. “We still haven’t talked.”
She turned to face him. “I can’t right now, not after… Look, I’ll give you this. I promise I will talk to you.”
His heart leaped. “When?”
“I’m not sure. In a day or two. But not now, Jack. I need to think about what just happened.”
He nodded.
“I’ll call you, when I’ve thought it through,” she promised.
He nodded again and watched as she rounded
the corner at the top of the stairs. He pulled
himself together and went home to take a cold shower.
Chapter 32
“I take it the talk got postponed in favor of other activities?” Norah whispered the next morning as they were being driven to the set.
Emma stilled, her eyes darting to meet Norah’s. She turned bright red. “Oh, my God. You heard?”
“Kind of hard not to.”
“Oh. My. God.”
Norah chuckled. “I was hoping to hear more,” she teased. “I was beginning to get pretty excited myself.”
Emma dropped her head, mortified. “He—we—it—“
“Exactly. It sounded like a fun time was had by all. Why did you put an end to it?”
“Because sex isn’t the answer.”
“Yesterday, you were willing to have sex with a stranger to get over it.”
Emma opened her mouth, and then closed it. “You know, I don’t wanna talk about it anymore.”
“Fine. But I want to know how your next ‘talk’ with Jack goes.”
When Emma glowered at her, Norah just grinned back and enjoyed the rest of the drive in silence.
***
The minute they arrived, Norah was whisked off to hair and makeup. Emma settled into her usual spot, away from the action but close enough to see the scenes being filmed and to be there quickly if summoned.
She booted up her laptop and began scanning over emails and the schedule for the next few days. She grimaced when she realized how busy it would be. Days full of long hours of shooting. A couple of press conferences blocks marked off for night shoots.
She read through an email from David outlining some pre-production setbacks on Jilted; work on that had been postponed. It looked like Norah would have some extra free time. She moved the email to a folder and made a note to print it later. She wished actively for coffee.
As if by magic, a steaming mug was placed under her nose. She inhaled the aroma, looked up and grinned widely when she saw Alison. “You’re back!”
“First day,” she confirmed. She sat beside Emma and sipped from her own mug. “And it’s so nice to be back in the thick of it again.”
“How happy is Jack?”
“Ecstatic. He claims he was totally lost without me. And when I saw how he fouled up the filing system, I was inclined to believe him.”
“Gah. I’m glad Norah’s pretty good at keeping up with work things.”
“I had such a good time with you two. Let’s do it again.”
“Love to. It’ll be a while, though. We’re pretty much booked right now.”
Alison wrinkled her nose. “Us, as well. I can’t believe it’s almost over; these past months have flown by.”
“I know. Three more weeks, if we stay on track.”
“And after? Will you be going back home?”
“For a few days, at least. To see Mama and wait
for Norah’s next project to start up.”
“You haven’t settled your differences with Jack yet?” Alison asked quietly.
Emma frowned. “No,” she admitted. “But I did promise to talk to him. And I will, as soon as I get enough time.” She pointed to the screen.
“Well. Looks like you’re even busier than us. Oh,” she focused on the scenes listed. “Isabella and Philippa have the show-down.”
“Yeah, that’s going to be a fun one to watch. And I think the show’s about to start.” She pointed to where Norah and Susan Ellis, portraying Philippa of Hainault were running lines.
Emma and Alison watched avidly as the cameras began rolling, both of them loving how the actresses slipped effortlessly into their roles.
“Why do you insist on not having me crowned? Were you not crowned as my lord’s father’s queen?”
“I was. I am still Queen of England, Philippa.”
“My lady—“
“Your Majesty,” Norah, as Isabella, snapped.
“Your Majesty. My child, the heir to the throne, is due to arrive in a scant three months.” Philippa placed her hands on her burgeoning belly. “Would that his mother be Queen of England upon his birth,” she pleaded prettily.
“Child, you overstep your bounds. If not for me—“Norah tripped on the hem of the peach velvet gown she wore and stumbled into a prop table. “Shit! Sorry!”
“That’s ok,” Thomas called out. “Back to place and begin again from ‘child’.”
She shuffled around and began again. “Child,
you overstep your bounds. If not for me, you would
not even be c
arrying the heir.”
“I will speak to Edward if I must. It has been two years since we were wed. I will be queen.”
Blue eyes narrowed, Isabella replied, “What does a silly little chit, not yet sixteen, know of being queen?”
“I presume just as much as a lady past her prime and hungry for power,” Philippa shot back. The two stared at each other, contempt on both their faces.
“Cut! Brilliant! Norah, I want to go over the dialogue from the next scene before we shoot it.” Thomas led her to the side and Susan walked over to Emma and Alison.
“Excuse me, do either of you know where the nearest restroom is?”
“That way,” Emma pointed, “third door on the left. You’re a terrific Philippa.”
“Thank you!” Susan glowed. “She’s a great character. Susan Ellis.” She held out a hand, Emma took it.
“Emma Payne.”
“Oh, you’re Emma! I’ve heard all about you; you were Jack’s favorite topic in Germany.”
Alison giggled. “I can imagine. I guess he didn’t forget about her. I’m Alison.”
“Ah, yes, his assistant with the new baby. I know he’s glad you’re back. And no, there was no forgetting. When I found out he was devoted to Emma here, why it fairly broke my heart.”
Emma couldn’t stop the snort. “Devoted,” she muttered.
“Guess I’d better hit the loo,” Susan told them,
“so I can get the pregnancy padding back on before we
go again. I really don’t see how pregnant women can
deal with it for months on end.”
She walked off, holding up the hem of her purple silk gown, and Alison turned to Emma. “She’s right on both counts. The pregnant belly is hard to lug around, and Jack is devoted to you.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “It’s a conspiracy,” she announced to the ceiling. “They’re all against me.”
“I’d like to be against you, love,” Marcus said from behind her. He dropped a heavy hand on her shoulder.
“Marcus,” she replied coolly.
“Ah, don’t punish me. I’m sorry for the other day.”
“Sure.”
“And I’ve news. I’ve had a third screen test and it’s been narrowed down between me and another fellow. I’ve all but signed the contract.”