Healing Hearts 6: To Love Again

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  Emma laughed, the sound addicting, as Justin did, too. She looked at Houston and caressed his arm. “She’s quite the character, Houston, and definitely has a thing for younger men like Justin.”

  “All you need to do is take me up on my idea, Emma, and I would be rid of her.” He winked.

  She blushed and shook her head. “I think you’ll survive like everyone else.” It was like there was a little secret between them, and it made Houston jealous.

  “Well, I need to catch up with my buddies. Want to come over and join us? The crew would love to see you out in this setting instead of at the hotel,” he said, flirting with her with Houston right there.

  “I don’t think so, but you enjoy the evening.”

  He winked then gave Houston the once-over and a confident nod, like Houston didn’t have a chance with her, and then he walked away. The cocky, young guy hadn’t a fucking clue. Houston could kick his ass blindfolded. He couldn’t believe how pissed off and jealous he felt.

  “Houston?” He heard Emma’s voice, and he must have got caught up in watching the guy to make sure he wasn’t coming back when he heard her voice. He stared down into her eyes.

  “What’s his idea to help get Margret off his back?” he asked her. She nibbled her bottom lip and then swallowed. She didn’t turn away though, so he felt like she wouldn’t lie, but what did he know? She was so gorgeous it was hard to concentrate.

  “It’s stupid.” She looked to the right as a group of their friends laughed loudly at something.

  He slid his hand along her waist and drew her closer. “I want to know. It’s obvious the guy is interested in you. What does he want to do? Make out with you and let Margret catch him so she leaves him alone?” he asked, and the thought fired him up.

  When her face went flush and her eyes widened, he shook his head, stroked her back with his palm, and let the tips of his fingers slide right above her ass. “Not happening, Emma. Not under my watch.” He began to lower down. He wanted to kiss her, to taste her lips, and she pressed her palms against his chest, closed her eyes, and exhaled.

  “I can’t, Houston.” He gave her a little squeeze on her hips. She opened her eyes and gazed up at him.

  “You’re not interested? Don’t feel the attraction? What?” He’d never reacted like this to a woman or was so blatant with his feelings and desires. “What is it? What could be the excuse now if there’s no boyfriend?”

  Her eyes looked emotional, and he felt like a dick. He exhaled.

  “It’s been a long time,” she whispered, eyes not fully looking at him, but he saw the emotion in them, the glossiness of tears. His gut clenched.

  “Long time?” He stroked her back and stared down into her eyes. “Since you let a man kiss you?” She nodded, and he hadn’t expected that. Instantly he was concerned. “Why is that?”

  “Hey, you two, are you going to join us or what? This is a celebration for you, too, Emma,” Melina said, and both of them snapped out of their private conversation and saw her friends ready to make a toast.

  Houston didn’t want to release her. He didn’t want this conversation to end. He wanted answers. What had happened in her life? Why hadn’t she let a man kiss her in a long time, and how long was a long time anyway? Did someone hurt her, break her heart, or what? He was getting angry, which was his normal reaction to anything that was out of his control or that he couldn’t resolve or find answers to, but it was no use. The conversation was over, and from there on out, they weren’t alone and he couldn’t ask her, so he waited to make plans to meet her again.

  * * * *

  “So, what’s going on with you and Houston?” Casey asked Emma.

  Emma looked over her shoulder to see Houston watching her. He had a beer in his hand and was standing by the corner of the bar with Roman and Ranger. He looked good. Really good in his button-down deep blue shirt and dark jeans. He was definitely a hottie and then some. In fact, she saw women looking at him, and one or two gave him wicked smiles as if they knew him.

  “What do you mean?”

  Casey gave her shoulder a nudge. “Come on, sweetie, you two can’t seem to take your eyes off one another.”

  Emma gasped and then shook her head at Casey as she chuckled. She leaned closer to Emma. “Hits ya out of nowhere and when you least expect it. I just can’t believe you two met before and at Gordon’s.”

  “Yeah, well, he blew me off, and I’m not looking for any relationships.”

  “The man is super good-looking, and his brothers? Oh boy, watch out. I think Miller is like a millionaire or close to it, and Eagan, Special Forces. He was there and aided in locating me and rescuing me.”

  “I think you did pretty damn good on your own, too. How’s the counseling going?”

  “It’s definitely a little tough. I didn’t think that shooting someone would affect me in such a way, and really, I was just so scared, and it was do or die, my life or his, and I pulled the trigger.”

  Emma caressed Casey’s arm. “You did so good, Casey. You’re strong, and you’ll get through this.”

  “With my men I suppose I will.” She glanced at Ice and gave a smile. He winked in return.

  “So, what’s going on over here?” Faith asked, and she and Brook joined their conversation.

  “Nothing.” Emma took another sip of her drink.

  “Talking about her and Houston and, well, his brothers,” Casey said, and the girls fanned themselves and made a lot of noise.

  Emma’s cheeks flushed, and she didn’t dare look in Houston’s direction. “Nothing is going on.”

  “Yet.” Melina winked.

  “Playing hard to get? It’s been years since you moved here, and I know you don’t date. Never had an interest, so what’s wrong?” Brook asked.

  “I’m just trying to get things back to normal right now.”

  “You can retire your vibrator with that piece of eye candy right there, lucky lady,” Brook said, and the girls began to laugh.

  Then the conversation got raunchy, and they were hysterical until the men approached. That was when she spotted Houston looking angry, and then she felt the tap to her shoulder. She turned around, and Justin was there.

  “How about that drink?” he asked her, and he sounded a little drunk.

  “Oh, I’m with my friends, Justin. Where are the guys you were with?”

  “They want to meet you. Spotted you from across the room. What do you say?” He went to touch her arm, and she stepped back, and Brook smiled.

  “We are in the middle of a private gathering, honey, plus, she’s pretty much taken.”

  Emma was shocked, but Justin raised one of his eyebrows at her, and then his eyes went behind her and he looked annoyed.

  “We’ll catch up another time.” Justin teetered slightly but walked away. Brook was in law enforcement, and she was tough as nails.

  “Everything good over here, ladies?” Houston asked, coming over with Roman and Ranger.

  She stared up into his eyes, and he followed Justin with his. She took his hand, and he looked at her. “It was fine, Houston.”

  “Not from where we were standing. That guy doesn’t get a hint, does he?” Houston asked in a tone that made it quite obvious to everyone that he was angry.

  “Is he a problem for you, Emma?” Ranger asked.

  “No, he works at the hotel. He’s harmless.”

  Houston, Ranger, and Roman made funny noises like they didn’t believe that.

  “Well. He should stay clear of you now. Let’s get another round,” Roman said, and they moved closer to the bar.

  Houston had his arm around her waist and then remained holding her as they conversed with friends. She was nervous at first, but then she just got used to him keeping her close. Used to his palm on her belly, the way he stroked her skin, whispered into her ear, and pressed his large body against hers. She was nervous, practically shaking, and hoping he didn’t feel it as she realized how attracted to him she was and also how it felt in his arm
s. It was overwhelming, and she needed to put on the brakes as that simmering of desire began to form in her belly for the very first time in years.

  Chapter 2

  Miller Gordon looked at the numbers on the contract. This was a nice deal that not only would bring in jobs to the community but also money into his pockets. More than he expected when he originally looked at this potential project as some kind of goodwill deal where he would make peanuts. It had turned into so much more. He felt good as he signed the contract and then handed it over to Bailey, his personal assistant.

  She smiled. “It’s a wonderful deal, Mr. Miller,” the blonde told him. He gave a nod but didn’t smile.

  He rarely showed emotion, and that game face won deals and destroyed enemies trying to break him down during negotiations. “What’s next?” he asked her, and she handed over the next folder in the small pile.

  “This is that restaurant in Milan you were interested in. The owner gave up the percentage you asked, and so your requests have been accepted. You’ll be a silent partner and hold seventy percent of the restaurant.”

  “Fantastic. I knew Corlini would come around. The deal is sweet and ‘our’ restaurant will be thriving again in a matter of ninety days or less.” He looked over the document, confirmed the numbers and deal, then signed it. “Have Carmine and the crew prepare for the changes. He’s ready to go and let Corlini know that things will start this week.”

  “Excellent, sir. This is the information on that deal with O’Connor and the events center on the pier. Everything is in order. The accountant put together the final numbers for guaranteed and potential profit and agrees with the numbers you got. It was definitely a wise investment a year ago, and Mr. Caldwell is thrilled.”

  “He should be. So what’s the last file?” he asked her, and she gave him a soft smile as she handed it over to him.

  “The Royal Sunset. All the information you wanted on the financials, the owner Mr. Mather, and it seems your concerns are justified. Numbers have been down, and the main complaint seems to be the old décor.”

  “Hmm.” He leaned back in his chair, held the file, scanning the information he requested, and then rubbed his chin.

  “You know, Mr. Gordon, there’s always the traditional way of winning a woman’s heart by asking her out on a date.”

  With anyone else, he would be pissed off and probably bite off her head, but this was Bailey. She had been his PA for six years. He trusted her, and she knew him well.

  “It’s more than that.”

  “I’ve never seen you so concerned for a woman before. It was instant, and if your brothers were on board with that attraction, then she could be the one you’ve waited for. Perhaps it would be wiser to not get involved with the hotel she works for?”

  “Your advice is well taken, Bailey. However, I’ve spoken with Mather before, and he’s asked for my advice. He’s a friend of my father’s, and this was a discussion months before meeting Emma.”

  “She works there, in a decent position for him. I would make sure that you let her know how you know the owner, or this could turn into a situation.”

  “Bailey, I’m in charge. I decide who knows and who doesn’t know my business. I don’t date, and I don’t court women. Miss Grace will learn to understand and accept that if I were to pursue her.”

  “Oh boy.” Bailey stood up. She gathered her things and gave a smile. “Is there anything else, Mr. Gordon?”

  He squinted at her. “What’s wrong with you?” he asked.

  “I tried. Please just keep this in the back of your head. Miss Grace appears to be quite special. Also, a very beautiful young woman on her own who has recently gone through quite a tragic ordeal. The last thing she will accept is an aggressive man giving her orders, investigating her financials and personal life.”

  “I have not looked at those financials of her personal debt or past.”

  She raised one of her eyebrows at him.

  “Okay, so maybe glanced at her financials, but I didn’t stalk them.”

  She snickered. “If you don’t screw this up, it will be a miracle.” She walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.

  He leaned back, felt the scowl on his face, and thought about what Bailey had said. He wasn’t trying to take control. He hardly knew Emma. He wanted to get to know her as his brothers did, but she’d said she had a boyfriend, and then she admitted that she didn’t. His interest should have stopped there, but it didn’t. He became more interested, and here he was, thinking about her a lot and contemplating ways to bump into her, to see her again without directly contacting her. Why couldn’t he contact her though? He always did what he wanted, acted on his own ideas, his wants and desires, and this should not be any different. Emma should not be any different or make him act differently. There was always that concern that Emma could be like other women, and after money. He felt badly thinking that about her, so he dismissed it as a possibility.

  He was annoyed and untrusting and wondered if she were playing some kind of game. That she just let them believe the doctor when he said her boyfriend had called and she hadn’t corrected him because Miller and his brothers intimidated her. Well, she should be intimidated. Individually they were quite powerful, demanding and commanding, but together they were a force not to be resisted. She was feminine, sexy, and so damn attractive that he felt instantly possessive. It was almost as if he might have a hard time sharing her with his brothers, and that was crazy to feel so much. He hadn’t even kissed her, never mind fucked her. Holy shit, his heart raced at the thought, and he felt overheated, aroused, and, goddamn it, horny. Fuck, this was insane, and he hadn’t seen her in a week. A whole week.

  He pulled out his cell phone and hit the number. His anger pooled in his belly, and he was forceful when the sweet, soft feminine voice filtered through from the other end.

  “Hello.”

  “How are you? I haven’t heard from you at all and was concerned.” She was silent.

  “Miller?” she asked, as if she wasn’t sure it was him. Like maybe several hundred men had called her with concerns because they wanted her in their bed. His stomach hurt. Holy shit.

  “Of course. Who else would it be?”

  She chuckled. “I—”

  “Anyway, how are you feeling?”

  “A little tired, but I’ll be okay. Mondays are tough to begin with and add in the little headache and—“

  “Headache still? Perhaps we need to call Dr. McAndrews. I can have my PA get him on the line—“

  “No. Oh God, Miller, really? Jesus, I’m sorry I even said anything. Listen, I need to get back to work. I’m swamped, and there aren’t going to be enough hours in the day to complete what I need to do.”

  He was shocked. She was dismissing him. Him?

  “Wait, I’m sorry. I’m just concerned, Emma. I want what’s best for you. Don’t you know that?” he asked her, and she was silent for a moment.

  “That is greatly appreciated, Miller.”

  “How about we get together for dinner this evening? Nothing too fancy, maybe Cartwright’s?”

  “Cartwright’s is pretty darn fancy, Miller. I don’t think I can or will be up to it. It’s going to be a tough week getting back into the swing of things.”

  “Exactly, which is why it’s important that you eat and don’t skip any meals.”

  “I was going to grab something at the salad bar on the corner and bring it home, so I’ll be fine.”

  “Okay, you be sure to text me or call me if you need anything.”

  “Okay. Thank you and have a great day,” she said so sweetly.

  “Thank you, Miss Grace, and you, as well.” He ended the call. He leaned back and squinted, feeling confused.

  Most women threw themselves at him, but not Emma. She resisted, yet she seemed attracted to him, as well. Perhaps it was the ménage thing, or perhaps she was still feeling scared from the abduction and what those men had done to scare her? He wasn’t used to walking on eggshe
lls. Aggression came natural to him, and when he commanded, people complied. This was so different. Bailey’s advice came into his head, and he wouldn’t accept them. Emma was a woman. She was young, beautiful, and perfect. So different than other women he bedded or bothered with. It was almost like Emma didn’t care about his social status and wealth at all and was unimpressed. How could that be?

  Damn was this different, and he was becoming more and more irritated because she did this to him. Emma got under his skin. Bailey’s words got to him, too. Since when did he allow anyone or anything to weaken his resolve, his desires and wants? Never. He always got what he set his mind on, and as he thought that and thought of Emma, he felt like shit. She was special. Holy fuck was she special. Maybe he was trying to control things because he feared her power over him? He feared being vulnerable to anyone or anything. If Emma was the one for him, Houston, and Eagan, then he would indeed be pretty vulnerable after all because she would be their woman and he would do everything and anything to protect her and keep her as only their woman forever.

  Holy shit.

  * * * *

  Emma felt the blush on her chest and cheeks as she ended the call with Miller. He was so darn commanding and bossy, plus a bit arrogant. It must have something to do with his money and his supposed power in the business world or something. Casey had told her a little bit, and then, of course, Faith knew who he was and she added some information. Emma didn’t know how to handle such aggression. It was like he expected immediate obedience in anyone he dealt with. That kind of aggravated, yet aroused her. He dressed designer. She’d looked him up on the internet last night when she couldn’t sleep and had found so many pictures of Miller. He was always decked out in some fancy suit or designer dress pants and button-down shirts looking like a model. He also had a woman or two or three on his arms or around him, as well, and that made her jealous and angry. She wasn’t going to be some bimbo drooling over the rich stud. Nor would she fall for such charms, only to be used. This was so complicated because she liked him and was attracted to him like she was to Houston. Oh God, Houston had been so possessive of her the other night at Corporal’s. He’d only released her when she had to use the lady’s room, and damn it, she’d felt the loss of his arm around her when she went.