CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Emma

Back in my hotel room after dinner, I fumed. I fucking hated Tom. Hated him for telling Trevor about the tattoo incident. Even though I had a very different version of events, I hadn’t spoken up. Because the disappointment in Trevor’s eyes had given me what I’d needed.

A barrier.

A reason he would now keep his distance and view me differently. A cause to make him stay away from me. Within the last twenty-four hours, he’d taken care of me after the incident with Rufus and then gone out of his way to buy me new clothes. Despite all the warning bells, I could feel myself being pulled in past the point of friendship.

However, later that night as I lay in my bed, for the first time I wasn’t comforted by the loneliness. Instead, I cursed it.

By the next morning, I resolved to get back to the girl I used to be, the one in whom I felt comfortable. The girl who didn’t give a fuck about people, their opinions, or most of all, their affections. It had been too long since I’d been out to a club, danced my ass off, and come back with a one-night stand. So after a long day of scheduled meetings, I planned to go out and end up thinking Trevor who? by morning.

But first, I had to sit in a boardroom and watch him walk through the door in a crisp black suit, ready for his presentation to the owner. God, he was handsome. Also in attendance were Tom, Simon, and a couple of other suits I knew worked closely with Phillip.

The first thing I noticed was how unbelievably relaxed Trevor was in his skin. He didn’t appear nervous, and he seemed genuinely interested in meeting everyone in the room. Hell, Myrna, Phillip’s assistant, positively fawned over him after he’d asked her how her day was going. The grandmother practically beamed. I could see she was already making cookies for him in her mind, something she’d bring in tomorrow if we’d be around.

As soon as Phillip showed up, he greeted the room and sat back in his chair. Although the owner of the Stone Group was only in his mid-forties, he had the presence of someone who’d been in business much longer. He exuded power. He had jet black hair sprinkled with gray, a strong bone structure that screamed aristocracy, and a suit probably worth more than I made in a month. It was typical for him to appear laid-back despite being very much in control.

I found myself swallowing hard, a bit nervous for Trevor and hoping he did well. People typically fell into two categories with Phillip. His good side or the outside. The man certainly didn’t waver, and he definitely wasn’t much for the personal touch, which I could see Trevor inadvertently doing. He couldn’t help himself; he was such a people person.

But I was in for a surprise. As soon as the presentation came up on the screen, it was as if I was staring at a different version of Trevor, one I’d not yet seen. He was professional, polished, and took charge of his work. Thirty minutes later, it was clear Phillip was impressed, especially after he’d asked questions, and Trevor hadn’t hesitated in answering.

At the end of the meeting, I slipped out and went into a small office to get on with my busy day. As I was packing up around five o’clock and anticipating my night, Simon came in to thwart my plans.

“Hey. I told Trevor we could all go to Club Blue tonight.”

“I thought you had dinner with Phillip and Tom tonight.”

“We do, but I thought the three of us could go after. He’s only been to New York a couple of times; might be nice to show him one night out.”

The last thing I needed was Trevor there at a club while I trolled for guys who were nothing like him. “I have plans.”

Simon raised a brow. “Have them after you come out with us. We’re trying to include him and make him feel part of the team. One drink, Emma, and then you can go on with your night.”

It wasn’t as if I could lie and tell him I was meeting friends. Simon knew better. And I certainly didn’t want to tell him I was looking for someone to sleep with. Simon and I might be close, but not about things that personal. “Fine. But no Tom. I’m at max with him.”

“Agreed. I think after another dinner tonight, I’ll be at my max with him, too.”

Simon took me off guard with his next question. “Is there anything between you and Trevor I should know about?”

I sighed. “Nothing. Oddly, I think we are becoming friends.”

His gaze held mine. “He may be interested in more.”

“How can you tell?”

“He practically lights up when you become part of the conversation.”

“I’ll make sure he gets the message.” Perhaps Trevor could sense my internal struggle. Hell, it wasn’t as though I hadn’t been tempted.

“Go easy,” Simon cautioned.

I knew how much having Trevor on board meant to Simon, who then wouldn’t have to travel as much. The last thing I needed to do was jeopardize the team. “I will.”

I think we both hoped that was possible.

***

I ate a protein bar for dinner while getting my hair cut and blown out. It had been nice to go back to my New York hairdresser who didn’t ask a million personal questions. God, how I missed the city.

After my hair appointment, I returned to my hotel room to get glammed up for the evening. At least I hadn’t had to endure dinner with the suits. As much as Tom had acted the sexist pig to point out I hadn’t been invited, the thought of having to endure the boys’ club over dinner left me cold. I respected Phillip, but the man definitely didn’t open his eyes to the way some of his staff treated people. Namely Tom.

Shaking off all thoughts of that wanker, I donned my black leather skirt, high-heeled black boots, and off-the-shoulder white top. While this last put my assets on full display, it did require a strapless bra. Next, I left my hair straight down my back, feeling thankful it was shiny and shaped from my haircut. But it was my makeup on which I spent the most time, expertly doing up my eyes and finishing with blood-red lipstick.

By the time I arrived via taxi at the club, Simon and Trevor were already there. I didn’t miss the way Trevor’s gaze appraised what I was wearing and let myself enjoy the attention when he slid over to me in the booth.

“A New York night out looks good on you.”

I sipped the martini which had already been ordered for me. “Thank you.” Because I wanted to ensure we stayed on neutral ground, I asked about dinner with Phillip.

“It went well. Evidently, we’ll be traveling next week to Houston to do the audit of the Fantasy Sports software company. Of course, that means Tom will be coming along, too.”

I tried not to cringe. With this being Trevor’s first deal, the last thing he needed was for me to lament about working with Tom. “At least he’s good with the numbers.”

We spent the next hour chatting with Simon, mostly over the differences between New York and Texas. Finally, Simon stood up. “All right, team. I’m calling it a night. I have a town car out front in case either of you wants a ride back to the hotel?”

I could sense Trevor’s eyes on me when I responded. “I, um, I’m staying out to meet some friends.”

Trevor shocked me by downing the remainder of his drink and standing up next to Simon. “I’ll head back and would appreciate the ride. You certain you’re okay here by yourself, Emma?”

“Yes, definitely.” I made the motion of looking at my phone. “I’m texting some people and will meet up with them soon.”

“You want me to wait?”

“Nope. But thanks for the offer.”

Trevor smiled tightly while Simon gave me a look like be careful before they both walked away.

I should’ve been relieved Trevor had left. Shouldn’t have been disappointed he hadn’t made an excuse to stay. But here I was, alone and now completely uninspired to do what I’d set out to do. Fifteen minutes later after nursing my drink, I was about to bag on the night when Trevor slid into the booth beside me.

“What are you doing back?”

He sighed. “I realize this will probably sound sexist, especially since you know the city better than I do, but leaving you here by yourself didn’t feel right. Call it a Texas quirk.”

He was a gentleman. Through and through. “It’s sweet, but unnecessary.”

He sighed. “There aren’t any friends coming by, are there?”

I decided not to bother lying. “No.”

“I meant what I said about us being friends.”

I leveled him with a look. “Did you?”

He shrugged. “Wasn’t my first choice, but I’m certainly not intent on making you feel uncomfortable or trapped in my company. I’ll go.”

He stood up, appearing ready to leave.

“Wait. You don’t have to. I could be your wing-woman. That blonde over there is certainly checking you out.”

He didn’t miss a beat or look disappointed that I was willing to set him up with someone else. “Yeah? Guess I must clean up pretty good.”

Indeed, he did. In his black slacks and white button-down shirt, he cleaned up really well. And he smelled divine, you know, if I was noticing that sort of thing. But it was the baby face which was seriously wreaking havoc on my girly parts. That was why I slid out of the booth, giving him my words with some measure of regret. “Sit here, and I’ll get her to come over.”

He shook his head, grabbing my wrist as I was about to walk away. “Thanks, but no. I’m a firm believer in making the first move. And no offense, but I don’t normally need help finding women.”

No, he wouldn’t.

“But if you’re trying to find another way of telling me we’re only friends, I get it. Loud and clear.”

He didn’t look irritated, simply resigned.

“And if what Tom says is true, I have to say I’m not sure I’d want to be your type.”

It would be an arsehole remark if he hadn’t said it in the obvious hope I’d provide an explanation. It was written all over his face that he was waiting for one.

But I wouldn’t give it to him. “Believe me when I say you’re better off.”

With that, I stood up and made my way towards the bar where I ordered and took a shot, giving a flirtatious wink to the cute bartender who served. Then I was off to the main floor. I loved to dance and get lost in the music. It took mere minutes before I was surrounded by hot and sweaty bodies. Whenever I searched the room for Trevor, a habit I told myself was only out of courtesy to ensure he was okay, his gaze would be on me. His lips curved up in a smile that conveyed he knew exactly what I was up to. But he couldn’t be aware how far I’d take things to make sure I was safe from a nice guy like him.

Finally, I spotted my target. He was heavily tattooed on his forearms, and I hoped the rest of his lean, yet muscular build looked similar. He also had a barbell through his eyebrow which I found attractive. I always found piercings sexy. But tattoos were my absolute trigger. Nothing was better than seeing ink on a well-muscled body.

All it took was a look, the one I imagined said if you play your cards right, I’ll go home with you, for the tattooed stranger to be up on me. Bumping and grinding and grabbing my hips with a possession I normally enjoyed. But tonight, I was uneasy. When my eyes found Trevor’s, and I saw the way he was gripping his beer with a hint of anger in his expression, self-loathing washed over me. Too bad self-preservation told it to shut the fuck up and took over. Because preservation was my protector from the greatest threat: rejection. She was the one ensuring I would never set myself up for it again. And tattoo guy? He couldn’t hurt me.

“You wanna get out of here?” he shouted across the noise.

“Yes, but it’ll have to be your place.”

There was no way I could take him back to my hotel and chance us seeing Trevor there. I was aware of the risks of going back to a stranger’s place, but tonight I couldn’t care. I was too far down the rabbit hole, desperate to get back to normal and give Trevor the message loud and clear.

“No problem. Let’s go.”

He pulled me through the dance floor. I was careful not to make eye contact with Trevor else I have second thoughts.

But Trevor had other ideas and must’ve moved quickly. He intercepted us before we got to the front door.

“Hey, Emma. You okay?” There was a heavy dose of concern in his tone as his gaze flicked over to my would-be one-night stand.

“Fine. We’re getting out of here. Have a good night.”

I didn’t miss the way his jaw tightened or the disappointment in his eyes. “Be safe.” Once again, his gaze focused on the man beside me with the implied threat he’d better make sure I was. And then he walked off.

I’d never felt worse.

“Emma, huh? Are you Australian?” the guy asked. I didn’t bother to ask his name.

“Yeah. From Sydney,” I auto-responded, sadly realizing I didn’t care to correct him. Easier to perpetuate a lie. After all, the last thing I wanted was for him to learn anything about me. Wasn’t that the point of this exercise?

“My hotel is a few blocks away. You want a taxi or walk it?”

“Cab.” I answered, letting him take my hand and lead me outside. Once we climbed into the backseat of the cab, he wasted no time shoving his tongue down my throat, tasting like booze and cigarettes. I let him. I’d successfully pushed Trevor away, and my body would get the release it so desperately needed while I protected my heart at all costs. This was what I wanted.

But the only thing was: I didn’t.

So when the cab stopped in front of his hotel, and my companion slid out, I didn’t follow. “I’m sorry. I changed my mind.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? Are you a cock tease? Do you get off making me pay for a taxi and leave the club to—?”

In my mind, I deserved everything he was hurling at me. But none of it was as horrible as the way I was feeling about myself. “I’ll pay for the cab. And I’m sorry.”

I shut the door and instructed the cab driver to proceed five more blocks to my hotel. I paid him in cash and added a generous tip. As if extra money would wash away my self-hatred about pushing away a decent guy like Trevor and taking such drastic measures to do so. While I took the lift up to my floor, I imagined him leaving with the blonde or any of a bevy of beauties who had been eye-fucking him all night.

The first thing I did when I entered my room was go and brush my teeth. Although I didn’t normally care if a man was a smoker, tonight I was completely repulsed by it. Or maybe the revulsion was simply a manifestation of how I felt about myself. I’d just rinsed my mouth when the knock came at the door.

When I peeked out the peephole and saw Trevor, my heart started beating double time. Before I could overthink it, I opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

“That’s my question for you. Your date—what was his name?”

I gritted my teeth. “I don’t know.”

He leaned against my door jamb, amusement in his eyes. “We’ll go with Operation Make Trevor Jealous, then.”

My temper riled. “I did not leave with him to make you jealous.”

“Shh,” he cautioned since my words had been loud. He came in, shutting the door. “Why did you leave with him, then?”

“None of your bloody business.”

“Why are you back so soon? Don’t tell me you blew him in the back of the cab, and he sent you packing?”

I physically winced. On another night, it wouldn’t have been unlike me to have done something exactly like that. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what? Try to guess what you’re doing here so soon? Try not to read into it?”

“I didn’t want you to read anything into tonight except we can’t possibly happen.” I punctuated each word.

He quirked a brow, and I realized I’d revealed too much. He stepped closer, reaching out to take a piece of my hair and slowly wrap it around his finger. His voice went down to a whisper. “Do you know what I think?”

I was absolutely rooted to the spot, halfway wanting him to guess the truth and the other half petrified. I finally shook my head.

“I think you went into tonight with the intention of going home with that guy or any other one fitting that type. I believe you changed your mind and came back here instead because you couldn’t stop thinking about me. But you’re scared.”

Auto-defense kicked in. “I’m not scared.”

“Then prove it. Let me kiss you, and if there is nothing there, no spark, we walk away. But if there is, then be brave enough to admit you’re feeling this connection between us, too.”

“Fine—” I hadn’t even finished the words before his lips descended. Hands firmly held my face while his tongue slid between my lips. Tasting, testing, and completely obliterating my senses, he took possession. It took only a moment before pent-up desire unleashed, and I returned the kiss fully, meeting his tongue and angling my head to allow him better access.

He finally pulled away from my face, putting his lips to my ear. “Jesus, Em. Tell me. Tell me you want this as much as I do.”

His hand was reaching under my skirt, his fingers inching their way towards where I wanted him most. But instead of diving in, his finger infuriatingly ghosted down the front of my panties. “I need the words, Emma. Because if we’re doing this, we’re doing it without regret.”

Because I could no longer deny him, consequences be damned, I finally replied. “Yes. Please don’t stop.”