Taming Emma(23)

“I can take care of myself.”

“I’m not sure I agree with you on that one.” When she opened her mouth, he put up his hand. “But I’m also not sure I agree with what your brother thinks is best.”

That worked as he wanted it to. She remained silent, listening.

“I understand a little better your behavior now that I know this,” he said. “And I think I can help you.”

“I don’t need your help, Luke.”

“I think you do,” he said. “You were raped and you got pregnant, Emma. That was hardly your fault.”

She knew that part, almost believed it. But what happened afterwards was, without a doubt, one-hundred percent her fault.

“I also think you’ve been punishing yourself ever since.”

She scanned the room.

“I know you’ve been using drugs and I understand why, given everything you’ve been through since the accident. I’m not judging you, Emma.”

“I need to get a taxi,” she said.

“I own you for the weekend.”

“I think this nullifies the contract.”

“I’m sorry, Emma, you’re in no shape to go anywhere alone. Besides, it started snowing a little bit ago.”

“I need to use the ladies’ room,” she said, but waited for his nod before standing.

He could see she was losing the battle to keep her emotions buried. They needed to come to the surface, to be dealt with and let go, but that didn’t need to happen here.

“Take your time,” he said.







She walked through the restaurant and down the corridor to the ladies’ room. But instead of stopping there, she slipped out the door and, hugging her arms to herself, walked the few blocks to the hotel where Damien had brought her the first night, wishing now she had rented a car and driven herself. She asked the valet for a taxi. He must have known not to ask questions as he whistled for a waiting cab and opened the door to let her in.

“Airport, please,” she said.







Five minutes passed. Then ten. Luke asked for the bill and paid, checking his watch one last time before standing. His mouth was set in a thin line as he traced Emma’s steps to the bathroom. He knocked once before opening the door and calling for her. But he didn’t need to do that. He knew she was gone, didn’t he? She’d run.

“Damn it, Emma!” he muttered, his fists clenched at his sides as he stormed out of the restaurant.







The first snow had begun to fall over Aspen. It was gorgeous, but Emma couldn’t appreciate its beauty just now. She sat twisting her hands in her lap, her eyes wide on the road but seeing nothing. Why had he called Nate and why had Nate told him? She loved her brother and she knew he loved her, but sometimes, she couldn’t understand him. She could take care of herself. It had been two years since the rape; she was a different person now.

She’d been at a party and high as a kite. She’d been doing some heavy drugs at that point and, to be honest, she didn’t know herself how bad things had gotten, how far she’d gone. She remembered the night as well as the face of the man who’d raped her. They’d been partying together, she knew him; well, that wasn’t really true. She’d seen him at other parties, maybe even flirted a little bit. But she’d said no, she was sure of that. And even if she hadn’t, there was no way she’d been in any shape to say yes. Unless the limp body of a girl too high to talk was a green light to him. When she’d found out she was pregnant, Nate had wanted her to abort the baby. But that was one thing she just couldn’t do.

But she may as well have done what he’d said because she’d been unable to stop with the drugs. As hard as she’d tried, she was addicted. When she was almost three months along, she’d lost the baby and had nearly bled to death in the process. At least that had been enough to scare her straight. She’d been punishing herself ever since, guilty over everything, especially the little life she’d ended before it had even taken its first breath.

The onslaught of tears began at that thought. It always did. At least she could cry in silence these days, even while tears ravaged her face.

“You all right?” the driver asked, glancing in the rear-view mirror.

She nodded. “I…I’m ok,” she lied.

“We’ll be there in a little bit, ma’am. The snow’s slowing us down just a little.”

“Are flights still going out?”

“Just brought someone in before I picked you up. You might get lucky. Where are you off to?”

“Miami,” she said, deciding the moment he’d asked. She’d have to deal with her brother, but at least Celia would be there. She was tired. She’d stupidly hoped Luke would be able to offer her a safe place to rest, but turned out she couldn’t trust him either. “Do you know if it’s snowing in Denver?” She didn’t want to get stuck there and knew she’d have to connect.