When the phone rang and I saw the New Jersey area code, I nearly jumped out of my pants. I’d been pulling my hair out since the day Emma had left, calling her dozens of times and sending her a few messages each day; all had gone without an answer. I’d ruined the one chance I’d had to be with her, and now, unshaved and stinking like a fucking wet dog – I was simply lost without her and couldn’t bring myself to do anything other than work and eat. Sleep only came when I passed out from exhaustion. And that was when I wasn’t at my parents, easing their worries and double checking the locks every night.

“Emma?” I asked, full of hope, my body shaking with pure need to hear her voice.

“No, it’s Julian.”

I pulled my fingers through my hair again, shutting my eyes. “What can I do for you, Julian?”

“You can tell me why my sister is upset, refuses to talk to us, and is drinking obsessively. Eric, she’s worse than when we hired you. What the fuck did you do to that girl?”

I sighed heavily, wondering whether honesty was the best policy. It had to be in this case. If her brothers wanted what was good for her, then they’d help me get to her, because I was it. I knew this deep in my heart. I couldn’t live without her, and I was sure she felt the same way about me – she had to.

“Emma and I became closer than I thought we would.”

The grunt on the other side of the line vibrated against my ear. Something smashed in the background. “Did you sleep with my sister?”

“With all due respect, that’s a bit private.”

“You fucking did! I swear to God, Eric, if you hurt her, I will personally castrate you.”

“I love her, Julian. All right? I fucking love her with all that I am, and I screwed it all up when I went behind her back and took this job. So if there’s anyone to blame for this, it’s you guys. If you hadn’t asked for my help, I would have met her at that strip club the way I was supposed to and started off on the right foot instead of with a bunch of lies.”

“As I recall, it was you who needed our help,” he replied.

“That was just a bonus. You know damn well I could have gone with any other agency. But I promised Hunter, and I am not someone to break a promise.”

“Wait, you met her where?”

“Look, it doesn’t matter. I didn’t know she was your sister. Is she all right?”

“I don’t think so. Right now I’m watching her drown her sorrows in tequila and grind against a guy I’m pretty sure is thinking he’s getting lucky tonight. Come to think of it, all the ladies are jealous that Emma’s stealing his attention. He’s quite into her, if you ask me. From what I know he’s quite the bachelor. A rich bachelor. I doubt there are many places of Emma’s skin left for him to discover because the way his fingers are skimming her curves – he’s definitely hoping to get lucky.”

“Get that fucker’s hands off her!” I barked.

“If you really feel that way about her, why don’t you do it yourself? The jet’s already waiting for you at the airport.”

I slammed the phone down without saying another word, grabbed a duffel bag and stuffed it with fresh clothes and toiletries, and within thirty minutes I was in the air, showering and shaving on a damn plane, getting ready to rip apart the bastard who had his hands on Emma.

That’s how I ended up in New York.

And now I was sitting on a chair in the corner of her room, watching her sleep, splayed out on her bed with her mouth wide open. She looked so peaceful, it took every ounce of strength I had not to scoop her into my arms, cuddle her against my body, and take away that massive headache I was sure she’d have.

I wondered whether she even remembered falling into my arms at the club. And thank God she had, otherwise my fists would have had no choice but to connect with the asshole who was touching her bottom, beautiful curves, and face. One look from me was all it took for him to walk away. When I tried to carry her out of the club, the bouncer stopped me, ready to tear me apart. Thank God Julian had stayed at the club and came over when I needed him. Either way, I wouldn’t have let Emma go.

“He’s good. He can take Emma home,” he confirmed, “But fucking update me on her condition when she wakes up without telling her.”

“Look, I’m done with the secrets. You may do your business that way, but I can’t do life that way. Emma’s gonna get the full truth from now on, because knowing her the way I do, I’m sure she’d prefer that.”

Julian’s jaw tightened. “Fine. But only because Hunter says you’re good.”

Poor Emma. Hurt by her brothers, betrayed by the first man she’d been with since her boyfriend passed, deceived by so many people who loved her when all she’d wanted was a little freedom, trust, and love.

Her breaths were deep. If I stared at her any longer I’d end up right beside her, right in that warm bed, sinking into her. When she finally moved at ten in the morning, my heart jumped. The sound of pain that came out of her mouth drove through me like shrapnel, breaking right in my chest.

“Emma, are you all right?”

“Eric? Please help me.” She was still half asleep, and I wondered whether she even realized what had happened last night. Still, that didn’t stop me from running to her bedside, wiping away the beads of sweat, and pulling back the hair that was falling into her eyes. Her eyes – they were so beautiful, even with all that smeared mascara underneath. Those dark circles under them would definitely remind her how much tequila she’d had for a few days, though.

“I’m here, baby. What do you need?”

At the sound of my voice, her eyes flew wide open. She froze, staring at me as if I were part of a dream that had manifested into reality. Her mouth opened a fraction, then closed again. She looked adorable, like a newly hatched fish taking its first breath of air.

“I’m gonna puke.”

She shot off her bed and ran to the bathroom. I followed her as she knelt over the toilet and, scrunching her shoulders up, heaved into it, emptying her stomach. Dino joined us in the bathroom, and I gently removed him, shutting the door.

“Go away.” She waved her hand without turning toward me.

Instead I got down on my knees and helped her hold her hair back as she went at it again. Tears rolled down her cheeks from the exertion, and I passed her a towel to wipe her mouth. Once I knew she was all right, I stood up and turned on the shower. Steaming water sprinkled from the above rain faucet, and I adjusted the knob.

“What are you doing?”

“You need a shower.”

“I know what I need. You have no clue what I need.” She pushed at me.

I grasped her wrist. “Emma, we can hash us out later. You need my help now.”

“I could have you down on your shoulders in three seconds, Cowboy.”

Her voice was weak, and as strong as her words were, I could tell that her entire body was spent. Emma was in worse shape than I’d thought.

“As much as I’d like that, let’s wait until you’re showered, baby, and then you can show me.” I lifted her t-shirt by the hem and pulled it over her head, baring her. My cock twitched the moment I saw her perky breasts. I twisted my hips to the side, checking the water temperature.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Come on, Em, shower first, compliments later.”

“My head hurts.” She pressed her fingers to her temples, squeezing her eyes shut.

“I’ll get you something to help.” I lowered her panties to the floor. With my face so close to her bare flesh, my cock pulsed again at the inviting sight. “Shower. It will make you feel better.”

“There are some pills in the drawer.” She pointed. “I wanna go back to bed.”

I pulled the drawer open, finding way more than I wanted to. Cosmetics, tampons, and a dildo. I shook my head sideways, making a note to throw it in garbage later. There was no way she’d have a need for it with me around. I passed her two ibuprofens and a bottle of water that was on the counter. She popped the pills back and remained, standing naked in one spot. Boy, was she ever in bad shape, but still so gorgeous.

“Shower, Emma. Then we need to talk.” But she stood her ground. I grasped both her hands, stepped over the threshold, and pulled her inside.

“Are you crazy?” she said, as the water streamed down on us both.

“Yes, about you.”

“Your clothes are soaking.”

“I don’t care.”

I reached for her toothbrush and paste before sliding the glass door closed and passed them to her. “I’m sure you can do a better job at this than I can.”

She took the toothbrush but remained still, holding it awkwardly. I took the brush back from her, squeezed some paste onto it and handed it to her once again.

“Brush your teeth, Emma, or I’ll be forced to take your mouth the way it is now.”

She finally put the toothbrush inside her mouth, but her eyes never left mine. I watched her breasts shake from side to side as she moved the foaming paste along her teeth. She was so fucking sexy, I found it more difficult to concentrate every minute.

Emma tilted her head and opened her mouth, allowing water to stream inside, then spat the white foam out and repeated the rinse once more.

When she’d set the toothbrush aside on the nook shelf, I took one step toward her, cupped the beautiful face that I missed in my palms, and kissed her. Her hands flopped down to her sides at first, but then reached to my arms and held them there. I parted her lips with my tongue, meandering through her mouth as if I had to get to know her all over again. She moaned inside of me, accepting my need to taste her and feel her.

Finally pulling away from Emma, I reached for a sponge, lathered it, and began washing her shoulders. She leaned her head to the side, and I pulled along the crook of her neck. She gasped as I drew the suds over the top of her cleavage to the other side, and I couldn’t help but notice that her breasts were lifting and her nipples bunching up.

I smiled at the sight that I still had the same effect on her. Feeling myself harden, I pulled my soaped hand underneath her breast, washing around it before lowering it down to her belly. She just stood there, eyes closed, water cascading down her body as if she were washing off every ounce of worry and doubt she must have felt during the last week.

“Turn around,” I whispered.

She swiveled on her feet. I washed her back in long strokes. Her head lolled forward as she rested her frame on her hands against the wall, and I fought with everything I had not to just take her in my arms and hold her. I wanted to make her pain go away, but I didn’t know how to do that. Pulling the sponge over her perfectly tight ass, I remembered each time it tensed as I took her. I was completely hard by now, and all I could think about was thrusting deep inside her, burying myself there from tip to root.

Fuck! My cock strained underneath my soaked pants. When I drew my hand along her crack and down to between her legs, she let out an exasperated breath, arching her lower back and tilting her ass higher, offering herself for me.

I leaned into her ear, stepping closer, and whispered. “Did you miss me, Emma?” My voice was ragged.

“You’re not playing fair.” She objected with her words, but her body told me something completely different. I reached around her front, going over her mound with the sponge before I let it drop to the floor. My fingers parted her folds. Feeling her naked skin press against my wet clothes was too much. My other hand cupped her breast and I languorously rolled her nipple between my fingers, all the while gently washing her swelling pussy.

“I’m not playing at all. The question is simple. Did you miss me?”

“Yes.” Her reply was heavy and full of need. Emma circled her hips, her taut ass grinding against my erection as she pressed herself harder into my hand.

I slid my finger inside her wetness, and her warm walls seized my digit, tightening around it. “I missed you like hell, Emma. I missed your lips, your tits, and your perfect ass and legs so much.”

I thrust my hand harder between her legs, making her jump, hooking my finger slightly, massaging against that sensitive spot inside her before adding another finger.

“What are you doing here?” I wasn’t sure how she was able to form a coherent question, writhing so feverishly against me.

“Isn’t it obvious? I came to get what’s mine. I came to show you who you belong to so that no other fucking man ever lays his hand on you again.”

“I was just dancing.” She leaned her head back against my shoulder, resting her body completely on me. My face was right in the nook of her neck as I kissed her shoulder and watched her respond as I pulled on her pebbled nipple with my free hand.

“The guy was ready to flip you on your back.” I lifted my thumb higher, gently skimming over her clit, teasing her, wanting her to only have me in her thoughts. “Is that what you want, Emma? Some kid who doesn’t know what your body needs or someone who can nourish your” – I thrust my fingers harder into her – “every” – and did it again, pinching her nipple – “sense?”

“Ahh!” Pleasure flowed on her lips, yet she still found the strength to test me. “What if I wanted to be flipped?”

I could feel her mouth pull up in a smile against my cheek. She was toying with me, but I wouldn’t back down now. I had to make sure she understood how I felt about her being the object of affection for any other man. I had come to reclaim what was mine, and I wouldn’t leave unless Emma came with me.

I pulled my hand out from between her thighs and turned her around with force. Emma’s back hit the glass wall behind her.

She gasped.

I unbuckled my belt. Its clang echoed as it hit the glass door.

“What are you doing?” With her gaze resting on my erection, she licked her lips. They were so beautiful.

“Getting rid of my wet clothes.”

I removed my jeans, my boxers, socks, and shirt, pushing them along the marble floor to the corner of the shower with my foot. Emma hadn’t moved from between me and the wall, breathing heavily.

“And I’m going to show you that we’re meant for each other. That we’re a perfect fit in every way.”

Her face sobered and her eyes teared up.

I froze.

“You lied to me.”

I stepped forward, lowering my shoulders. “I’m sorry, baby. You have no idea how much I want to take that back.” I leaned my forehead against hers.

“You hurt me,” she whispered.

“And I never want to do that again.”

“Were you only nice because Hunter and my brothers asked you to be?”

“Emma, did you not just hear what I said to you? I. Want. You. Not because of Hunter or your brothers. I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you on that stage. Our connection was real. You have to know that. And believe me, I wanted nothing more than to tell you the truth the minute you walked into that conference room and I realized that you were the woman I was hired to take away – but I’d made a promise to a friend who had saved my life. I couldn’t go back on that promise. Every moment I spent with you on that farm was a blessing. It was real. All of it was real. I wanted to tell you the truth so many times, Emma. But I was afraid to lose you. I was too deeply in love with you.”

Her mouth fell open. “You were what?”

“I love you, Emma. I fucking love you with all that I am and all that I will ever be. I want you to be mine and only mine.”

I wiped the stray tear off her cheek, which mixed with the condensed water, and then leaned my forehead against hers again. “That is if you’ll still have me. Please, baby. Forgive me.”

She nodded, whispering, “I love you too, Cowboy.”

I covered her mouth with mine the moment those words left her lips, letting them fill my ears and travel right into my heart. Her lips were full and soft, allowing me in, wanting me to claim her. My body squeezed her against the glass, and my hands couldn’t find the right spot to touch because I wanted to feel her everywhere, all at once. She somehow managed to slide her hand between us and took a hold of me, stroking me back and forth. “I need you inside me,” she whispered.

I lifted her up by her waist, holding her body against the see-through wall. Her arms were now wrapped around my neck, grasping tightly as she slowly slid onto me, crying out.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes. I just need you.”

“How do you need me?”

“Hard, please. I need you hard.”

I jerked my hips up into her, holding my hands underneath her ass for support, her legs wrapped around my waist. Her body was glued to mine, and she now took my lips and kissed me feverishly. All I could think about was how good it felt to once again be inside her. Her walls wrapped around me like silk, contracting on my every push, bringing my orgasm to fruition more quickly than I wanted. Our rhythm wouldn’t let me hold on for long, and I braced one of my hands against the glass, listening to the slap of our skin, letting her mouth suck on my lower lip, gently biting. She weaved that tongue of hers so swiftly, I felt the beginning of my orgasm blossom at the bottom of my spine. She then whispered, “I’m yours and only yours, Cowboy.” And the surge of pressure shot from my lower back right into my balls as I stilled. Emma continued moving her hips around me, rolling them and squeezing tightly, milking my every last drop with her heated pussy.

I lowered her gently, sliding out of her, saying, “I should have never let you leave.”

“I’m glad you did. It gave me a chance to think things through.”

“And what did you come up with?”

“That I don’t think I can live without you.”

“Good. Because neither can I, Emma. Neither can I.”