“What do you mean?”
“The contract, Emma. I mean the contract.”
Was that all he wanted? “You said you wouldn’t hold me to it.” It was the only thing she could think to say.
“I changed my mind,” he said.
“Well, I’m not sure I have,” she said, tugging her arm away, or at least trying to. If all he wanted was sex, he was going to be disappointed.
“Not up to you, not anymore. We need to talk and if I have to hold you to your contract to do it, then I will. Let’s go, we’re being rude,” he said and started to walk toward the house Nate and Celia had disappeared into.
“Just a minute,” she said, pulling back until he had to stop.
He turned to her and raised an eyebrow. She could see it took all he had not to let loose on her here and now and she dreaded the moment they’d be alone.
“Yes?” he finally asked when she didn’t speak.
“What are you going to do?” she asked.
“Haven’t decided yet,” he answered.
“I’m sorry I ran away. I just didn’t know what else to do, Luke. I’m sorry.”
“Glad to hear it,” he answered, his tone flat. He led the way into the house. His expression told her the conversation was over for now.
Although nervous about his potential plans, the only word to describe what she felt about his coming was happy. Don’t be a fool, her voice told her. He didn’t come after you for any reason other than what he said: he wanted to get what he’d paid for. He could have any woman he wanted and he’d paid a lot of money for her submission. He was probably just not used to a woman running out on him. A certain thrill filled her. She wouldn’t fight him over the contract. She’d take what she could get, even though she knew that at the end of their time together, she’d have to walk away. Alone.
They walked through the house to the back garden where Nate and Celia sat waiting, sipping on homemade iced tea.
“Beer?” Nate asked them.
Emma nodded.
Luke wondered if it was hard for Nate to offer them alcohol and keep off it himself. He knew there had been a time when he’d been addicted to the stuff. Luke could see he’d come a long way and imagined Celia had been integral to his healing. Now it was Emma’s turn. He looked over at her to find her studying him, her expression unreadable.
“Sure,” Luke said, pulling a chair out for Emma. He sat her down before taking a seat next to her. Nate and Celia didn’t make much effort to hide their curiosity, but Luke wasn’t in the mood for explanations. He had one thing on his mind: getting Emma alone. He wanted to talk, but he also wanted to do other things. He was pissed at her for disappearing like she had and had worried about something happening, especially with the bad weather in Aspen. Rather than waiting for flights to go from there, he’d driven down to Denver early in the morning, the drive taking almost twice as long as it should have because of the road conditions. No woman had ever gotten under his skin like Emma managed to. He’d take his day and night and figure out what the hell that all meant. But he had a feeling that this time, things would be different. He wouldn’t be able to walk away like he usually did.
“So when is the baby due?” Luke asked.
“Eight weeks,” Celia answered.
“Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?”
“Boy,” Nate said, patting Celia’s belly. “Nate Jr.”
“That has not been decided, my friend,” Celia interjected.
Luke and Emma watched the exchange between them. They loved each other; anyone could see it.
Emma remained silent, drinking her beer while the conversation went on, everyone talking about the baby even though she knew Nate and Celia were dying to ask about her and Luke.
“How are your brothers doing?” Nate asked.
“Fine. Good, actually. Alec got married last year. Their first is due in a little over half a year. Jake’s still…Jake.”
Nate sort of smiled at that. Luke had introduced them when Jake had been in town and they’d hit it off well. The three had had some wild nights, but that was a long time ago.
Luke checked his watch, not wanting to be rude but wanting to leave, to get Emma alone.
“I’m sorry to make this a short visit, but Emma and I have some unfinished business to take care of. You ready to go, Emma?” Luke asked if only for the sake of formality.
She looked at him as he got to his feet. He held out his hand and she placed hers inside it. When he added a little pressure, she stood. That was good. He didn’t want to make a scene with Nate, but he wanted what he wanted and wasn’t accustomed to not getting his way.