EMMA

One second we’re heavily coming onto each other, like he might tear my dress off right under these Hydrangea bushes, and the next...

My phone vibrates. Thought I turned that off. Digging it out I’m totally distracted as I stop walking and answer, “Dad? Everything okay?”

Mom is normally who calls me.

I jump as he barks, “Where are you!”

I slowly reply, “I’m showing a house.”

“To who?”

Suddenly I realize what’s happened. It was my dad who challenged him to a fight and Tanner just realized who I am, and their history stopped our flirtation. Staring at the ground I shrug, “Just a client.”

“Baby Love, are you with Tanner Hamilton? No – a better question – are you alone with that arrogant piece of shit bastard?”

Oh damn. He is really upset.

Not technically lying since Tanner is inside, I tell my overly protective father, “No, I’m alone. Why? What’s going on?”

Tell me why you punched each other.

And also tell me why, between you and my brothers, I’m surprised I’ve ever dated anyone.

I truly believe if I were here with Saint Michael himself, you would say he wasn’t good enough for me.

“You’re alone?!”

“Yes.”

He pauses, grumbles, “What the hell? Rachel called and told me you were with that asshole.”

I cut a quick glance to the house. My heart jerks in surprise. Tanner is watching me from the doorframe as he rubs his smoothly shaved chin. The glint in his eyes says he knows who’s on the phone, and he’s very interested in what happens next.

Our eyes are locked.

“I was showing him a property but now I’m heading back to the office.”

Dad demands, “Did he try anything?”

My heart might break my ribs as I struggle with these lies. “It was purely a buyer-seller meeting. All business, Dad…why?”

He clears his throat and mutters, “I have another call coming through.” No, he doesn’t. I’m not the only one lying here, am I? “Tell Cora I said she has to handle that prick from now on. You stay away from him, you hear me?”

“I hear you.”

“Good!”

“But what happened…?”

The phone goes dead.

Tanner pushes off the jamb, cheek ticking with frustration as he vanishes.

I must know why they fought.

Quick footsteps carry me inside the mansion to search for him and some answers. But it feels empty so I call out, “Mr. Hamilton?”

That’s all we’ve called each other—Emma, and Mr. Hamilton. Perhaps if he’d ever asked my whole name we wouldn’t be where we are now. But he keeps a distance, this man, probably from everyone and everything.

In regards to him, up until today so did I. But that’s a distance I no longer want.

I wait for a response that never comes.

He left?

As fast as I possibly can, trying to hold onto my dignity, I walk. Were he to see me running through this place he might misperceive it as desperation, not curiosity. But if I was forced to admit the truth it’s that I don’t want these days we’ve spent together to end like this.

I throw the front door open and find him strolling toward his silver Maserati.

“Unbelievable!” I grumble, and break into a run despite myself. My hair flies back as my heels click across the stones. He disappears inside the sleek vehicle.

“Mr. Hamilton!”

But I’m not a good shouter.

Most of my family would claim I’m too quiet. So maybe my voice didn’t reach him.

As he pulls away from the curb, I pick up speed and my sunglasses threaten to bob off my head. My quarterback brother isn’t the only one who can throw. I grab them and fling them at the car. They hit the trunk, and the tires skid to a stop. The Maserati just sits there, engine running as I catch up, out of breath and red-faced for too many reasons.

Tanner explodes out and towers over me. “Are you going to pay for those scratches?”

Defiant, I hold his glare. “Are you going to run away like a coward?”

Oh boy.

The ferociousness that crackles off him is so alarming I take an involuntary step back. “Little Emma Cocker,” he snarls like he can’t believe I’m Jake’s daughter.

“Don’t call me little! I want answers! What happened with you and my father?”

His head cocks. “You want more than that.”

“I don’t anymore!”

He takes a step closer. “You want me to fuck you, that’s what you want.”

I slap him. His eyes close briefly before turning into slits. “You might be able to fool Jake. I’m sure he has good reason to believe anything you say—his perfect little daughter. But don’t lie to me. If I had slid off this pretty dress, you would’ve helped me do it. And that hasn’t changed.”

I stare at him, speechless.

His sharp cheekbones tick twice. “I’m not leaving to save me. I’m leaving to save you.”

He heads for his car.

My voice cracks, “I don’t want saving!!!”

His knuckles go white on the door. I stand here, frozen between desire and fury. The distance between us vanishes. I gasp as his hand cups the back of my head, our lips colliding in a kiss so passionate it shocks every cell. My hands float up and just as I’m about to embrace him, he pulls back and gazes into my eyes, hand keeping me right here.

I’m breathless.

Inches from his moistened lips.

That kiss danced fire into my veins.

“Feel that?”

I can only nod.

“You wouldn’t survive if I made you my lover. You’ve never been with a man like me. I would crush you, and you’re like a rose in rain, too precious to be crushed.”

Tanner lets me go, strolls to his car and swoops inside.

I watch until his taillights disappear.