Twisted Arrangement 2

by Mora Early

  “I don’t know where she is. Like I said, if Carla doesn’t want to be found, this guy won’t find her. If you’ve never trusted me about anything before, trust me on that.” His bicep was rock solid beneath her hand. Glancing down, Emma realized Todd’s hand was clenched into a white-knuckled fist.

  She reached out and uncurled his fingers, stroking the half-moons his short nails had left in his palms. “Okay, T-rex. Let’s go price some mud.”

  Josh extended his hand across the large desk to Eugenie Markham. From the corner of his eye, he could see Emma shifting in her chair. She didn’t look as delighted as he felt. His cheeks hurt he’d been grinning so much throughout the meeting. “I hope you’re as pleased as I am with our agreement, Ms. Markham.”

  The older woman’s golden skin creased at the corners of her brown eyes as she clasped his hand in both of hers. “I admit, when Emma first contacted me, I was hesitant to even accept this meeting. As much as we could use the publicity of a connection to a name like yours, I was worried this was some sort of Hollywood stunt.”

  Josh squeezed her hand. “I understand your caution. You can’t take chances when it comes to your girls.”

  Eugenie stood and skirted her desk. “Exactly. But after talking with Maisie Ransler, and Emma here, of course, I felt confident in hearing you out. I’m glad I did. I think this is going to be a very productive partnership.” The tall woman looked him directly in the eye as she drew alongside him. Her gaze shifted to Emma, who had been silent for most of the meeting. Josh cut a look at the brunette as well, his own mouth curving upward.

  “Emma’s really the one responsible.” He inclined his head in her direction. “It was her idea.”

  A faint pink flush stained the creamy skin of Emma’s cheeks. “I only suggested that you do something with a women’s group. You chose the Foundation and you came up with the idea for the dormitories.”

  Eugenie’s black eyebrows rose, the lines in her forehead deepening. Josh brushed absently at his sleeve. “It was serendipitous, really. Higginson’s story is about a man trying to help people. I think he would approve. He was an early proponent of women’s rights.”

  “Did you know that when picked the project?” Eugenie opened her office door, ushering them into the hallway ahead of her.

  “Well...” Josh’s lips twitched. “No. I was mainly fascinated by his work as an abolitionist.”

  Eugenie chuckled. “Which is also commendable. I hadn’t heard of Thomas Higginson before Emma contacted me and mentioned your project.”

  “Most people haven’t,” Josh replied. Emma moved slightly ahead of them. His eyes dropped involuntarily to the curve of her backside in the knee-length black pencil skirt she wore. For a slender woman she had generous curves. Josh realized he was staring and jerked his gaze back up to Eugenie. “Which is why I wanted to do the picture. Something in the vein of Lincoln, only with a lesser known historical personage.”

  The head of the foundation bobbed her head. “Makes sense. And it makes a nice change from all these movies about vampires or things exploding all the time.”

  Emma snickered. “Josh makes those too.”

  He widened his eyes in mock astonishment. “Why Emma, I didn’t know you watched my movies.”

  “Everyone’s watched your movies. Tires & Turbo 6 made...” Emma pulled out her iPhone and tapped one of the apps. “$300 million dollars worldwide, as of last night.”

  Eugenie gave a low whistle. “That’s a nice chunk of change.”

  Josh blinked in genuine surprise. Emma was tracking his latest film’s gross? He knew she was thorough and efficient at her job, but that seemed above and beyond. He cleared his throat. “I hadn’t realized it was that much already.” The movie had only been out for a week. The truth was, once a movie was made, Josh paid little attention to it. He was happy when they did well and the people both behind and in front of the camera got the credit they deserved, but he didn’t do what he did for the money. As Emma had observed the other day, he already had quite a bit of it. “Thank you, Emma.”

  She must have heard something in the tone of his voice, because Emma glanced back over her shoulder at him. Her long, dark lashes fluttered briefly over those luminous green eyes. Her mouth pursed in that slightly disapproving moue he found so adorable. “I was looking up information for the press release,” she explained, shrugging one shoulder dismissively.

  They reached the Foundation’s entryway. Eugenie shook Josh’s hand again briefly. “It was really great to meet you Mr. Owens. I’ll have our lawyer draw up the paperwork and send it over to you for review as soon as possible.”

  “That sounds fine. And please, call me Josh.” He gave the older woman a wide smile. Her brown eyes twinkled at him.

  “Josh. And you call me Eugenie.” She turned to Emma then, beaming, and clasped the tiny brunette’s hand. “Emma, it was a genuine pleasure. You’ll be in touch soon, I hope.”

  Emma’s lush lips curved upward. “I will. We can go over all the details of the party then.”

  “Hey, you’re not trying to steal her from me, are you? Because if so, the deal is off!” Josh grinned at Eugenie and feinted pushing Emma behind him protectively. Emma gave a short gasp, but Eugenie laughed.

  “Don’t you mean steal her from Picture Perfect? I won’t say I haven’t thought about it. I have no doubt Emma would be an asset here, even just from our brief acquaintance.”

  “I’ve already got plans to lure her away from them, so don’t even think about it.” Josh winked at Emma.

  Emma snorted softly. “Nobody is stealing me from anybody.” She inclined her head to Eugenie. “It was a pleasure meeting you. I’ll call soon.” She curved a sharp brown brow at Josh. “Shall we, Mr. Owens?”

  Josh gestured her ahead of him, flashing Eugenie another brief grin. The older woman waved as they stepped out into the foyer. Josh touched the small of Emma’s back. He could feel the heat of her through the eggplant silk of her blouse and resisted the urge to stroke a hand down the length of her spine.

  As time passed, his encounter with Madame Butterfly was slowly growing less vivid. He still wanted to confront her and take his watch back, but spending time in Emma’s presence again reminded him that there were women out there who didn’t wear masks or keep secrets. One in particular who had a sharp mind, a quiet sense of humor, and who understood what he did better than any other woman he’d known before.

  He’d enjoyed the mysterious Madame’s raucous charm and blatant sensuality, definitely. But a relationship had to be based on more than volcanic physical attraction. His and Emma’s personalities were much better matched. She was much like he had been as a teen and young adult, before he’d broken out of his shell. He understood her.

  Madame Butterfly seemed more like he was now; confident and comfortable in her own skin, but who knew what she was like from day-to-day? Based on what Ben had found out about Carla Fiorentino so far, she sounded like a lot of trouble. Madame Butterfly may be the kind of woman who lit up the silver screen, but Emma was the kind of woman you wanted in the seat next to you.

  “Well, that went well.” He reached for the door handle but paused before pulling it open. He looked down at Emma. She barely came to his shoulder in her low, sensible heels. “Was it your idea for her to call Maisie Ransler?”

  Emma blew a stray hair out of her eyes. “I thought it would be a good idea to give Eugenie the name of someone who wasn’t on your payroll to vouch for you. Having that person be Maisie Ransler works for you twofold. One, she’s well known in philanthropic circles in her own right, and two, Ransler’s sure to hear about your endeavor before the press release even hits the papers.”

  “But how did you know she’d vouch for me? I told you Ransler wasn’t a big fan.”

  Emma looked up at him, her green eyes glittering with laughter. Her mouth didn’t so much as twitch though. “You said William Ransler wasn’t a big fan. But Maisie is a different story. I happen to know she’s completely onboard
with William working with you.”

  “How do you...?” Josh trailed off as he pushed open the Foundation’s heavy front door and gazed out into the parking lot. The sky had been clear when they’d entered the building, but was low and dark now. Rain poured down in thick grey sheets. “Damn.”

  “Make a run for it?” Emma asked with a quirked brow and a grin.

  Josh studied the distance from the door to his Maybach. “I could ask if anyone here has an umbrella they could lend us.”

  But Emma grabbed his wrist in her small, warm hand and tugged him outside into the downpour. Josh’s muscles tensed in surprise, but the feel of her touch sparked a sweet heat beneath his skin despite the cold rain pelting his head and shoulders. Emma dropped his wrist to cover her head with her hands, but they were both soaked within two steps out the door.

  She laughed as she ran for the car, her black leather heels kicking up arcs of water. The rain plastered the silk of her blouse to her skin, revealing the small curves of her firm breasts and the tight nubs of her nipples. Josh barely even noticed the chilled water seeping into his own suit and trickling down his neck and chest. He felt a sudden, powerful bolt of lust strike him in the gut and wondered if he’d start steaming from the heat now broiling within him.

  They dove inside the car as soon as Josh unlocked the doors. Emma was still laughing, swiping rain from her face and trying desperately to redo her bedraggled hair. Josh squelched as he shifted in the driver’s seat. Emma’s laughter began to wind down and she glanced over at him, mouth still curving. Her eyes went wide then, drifting down his body before sliding to her own dripping form. The color drained from her rounded cheeks.

  “Oh, Josh,” she gasped. “Your car! I didn’t even think. I’m so used to my little Toyota and its so beat up a bit of rain water would hardly make a difference. But...” She ran a damp hand over the equally damp leather of the seat, trying to swipe the water away. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t worry about it. It won’t ruin the leather. The seats will be fine. It’s just a car.” If Ben could hear him, he’d probably choke on his astonishment. Josh loved this car. But it wasn’t as if it was irreplaceable or one-of-a-kind. The sight of Emma, laughing as she ran through the rain was. That was worth it, he thought. She was something else. Which reminded him of what he’d been about to ask when they’d discovered the storm. “How did you know I’d met Maisie Ransler? I don’t remember telling you that. And how do you know she wants William to take the part?”

  Emma fished in her purse, pulling out a bunch of napkins, the kind you got at the food court. She handed him half and began carefully blotting the water from herself and the car seat. “Martin told me you’d gone up to Big Bear to meet Ransler when I called him about the final paperwork for the charity ball. It wasn’t difficult to find out that William Ransler and his wife are at the Farmer’s Market every Wednesday, as I’m sure you know, since you tracked him down there.”

  “Okay, so you guessed that I met her when I met Ransler. But how do you know she’s on board with the project? You could have risked the whole deal with the Foundation if she hadn’t been.” He tugged his drenched suit jacket off and tossed it into the backseat, swabbing at the water on his face.

  “I didn’t just guess, Josh. I spoke with Rachel Suarez, one of our vendors. She also works the Farmer’s Market up there. She confirmed that you’d met Maisie. Apparently, Maisie mentioned the meeting to several people. So I touched base with her and made sure she’d be okay with me giving her name to Eugenie.” Emma stuffed the wadded, wet napkins back into her purse.

  Josh felt cold for the first time since he’d stepped into the rain. “You talked to Maisie Ransler?” If Emma had spoken with Maisie Ransler, he was already done for. There was no way Maisie wouldn’t mention that she’d talked to Emma to her husband. If Maisie knew Emma was only his party planner, then William did too.

  “Of course. I wouldn’t just give her name out without checking that it was okay first.” Emma stared at him as if he’d just suggested she take off all her clothes.

  “What exactly did you two talk about?” Dread twisted in Josh’s belly. If William Ransler found out he’d lied about being engaged, he was toast.

  Emma’s brows drew down. “I explained what we were trying to do in partnering with EMF and asked if she’d be alright if I gave Eugenie her name as a reference. She was very nice about everything.”

  “You explained...” Josh’s throat went dry.

  “Josh.” She touched his wrist gently. “Relax, I didn’t give away your plan. I just told her you were looking to do some more charity work recently and needed help getting your foot in the door. Since she’s so active in those circles, she’s a natural choice. I mean, I’m sure she has suspicions due to your timing. She did seem like a shrewd woman. But I didn’t rat you out. She and I just had a nice chat.”

  Josh turned on the car, not meeting Emma’s gaze. He was afraid she’d see the sudden desperation he felt. “She was that forthcoming even after you said you worked for me?” He cranked up the heat, fingers tight on the knob.

  “Yes. Like I said, she’s definitely on board with William joining your project.”

  He cut her a quick look from the corner of his eye. “What, exactly, did you say when you called her?”

  Emma’s confused frown deepened. “Josh, is everything okay? You look a bit pale.”

  “Please, Emma. Just tell me.” He squeezed the bridge of his nose. He knew he was rousing Emma’s suspicions with his questions, but he couldn’t help it. He had to know if her call had sunk his plan before it even launched.

  “Well, I got my number to her through another party because I didn’t want to be intrusive and call her personal line. She called me. I told her my name and that I was calling about you and she said she knew who I was. And then we talked about EMF and the project. That’s it. Josh?” She chewed her lower lip. “I swear I didn’t talk out of school. I wouldn’t do that.”

  Relief rushed through him as sweet as wine. He grinned, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. “I know. I’m just amazed at what you managed to do in so short a time, that’s all. You might be better at ferreting out information than Ben!”

  “Oh?” She drew her hand quickly out of his grasp and began fiddling with her seatbelt. “Didn’t he have any luck with his trip to... was it New York?” Her voice was still a little wobbly. Josh felt bad. He’d clearly spooked her a bit with his panicking. He smiled, hoping it looked reassuring. Ben’s trip had actually been an almost total bust, aggravatingly enough, but he tried to keep that from his face.

  “Not as much as I would have hoped. But that’s alright, he’s bringing in the big gun now. Maybe I should put you on the case, once this EMF thing is over with. If he hasn’t gotten it figured by then, of course.” He was joking, but her answering ‘heh heh’ was weak. She was struggling with the seatbelt, which had become trapped beneath the seat’s headrest. “Here, let me.”

  Josh reached across her just as she twisted in his direction to attempt to untangle the belt with her left hand. They both froze as their equally sudden movements brought them face-to-face. He could feel the hard points of her nipples brushing against his chest with each of her shallow inhalations. Their eyes locked. Josh saw heat in her green gaze, and surprise, perhaps a little fear.

  His hand, which had remained suspended near her ear when he’d stilled, moved to cup her cheek. She’d been cautious and quiet from the moment he’d met her, bar those momentary glimpses of levity and sass, but she’d never been scared of him before. He didn’t want her to be afraid of him. Not ever. He stroked along her cheekbone with his thumb, amazed at the velvet smoothness of her skin. He could smell her. Beneath the scent of fresh rain was the light fragrance of lavender and chamomile.

  Emma’s lashes fluttered. Her warm, sweet breath puffed out, brushing over his lips. His gaze fell to her mouth as her tongue darted out to wet her plump lower lip. Desire slammed into his chest like a fist. Josh groaned,
dipping his head, intent on her mouth. Just a millimeter more and he’d be tasting that pillowy curve.

  She jerked back before his mouth touched hers, eyes going impossibly wide. “Josh.” Her voice trembled, thick with emotion. He couldn’t tell if it was fear or arousal. That made him draw back. Emma’s damp pink lips trembled. “I can’t.”

  There was such anguish in those two words that Josh immediately straightened in his seat, his hand dropping to his side. God, he was such an idiot! He’d fallen victim to his own hype. Just because Emma found him attractive didn’t mean she’d welcome his attention. Contrary to what all the tabloids said, he normally didn’t think of himself as God’s gift to women. But he’d just assumed Emma was as interested in him as he was in her. How could she not be? He was Joshua Owens, handsome big-shot Hollywood producer. His mouth twisted.