She didn’t answer, but looked at him.
“Emma?” Nate asked, his expression that of big brother.
Luke tightened his grip just a little.
“It’s ok,” Emma said to Nate. “I’ll be fine.”
“How about if you two plan on dinner at my place next week? I have an incredible cook,” Luke suggested.
Celia smiled. “Dinner sounds lovely,” she said, looking from Luke to Emma. “Doesn’t it, Nate?”
Nate was still staring at Emma, obviously trying to read her expression, but she wasn’t giving anything away.
“I’ll call you with details in a few days.” Luke stepped around the table and gestured for Emma to walk ahead of him.
After an awkward goodbye, Emma settled in the passenger seat of Luke’s car and they drove away.
“Where are we going?”
“My house.”
“I thought you lived in Aspen.”
“Actually, Aspen is where I spend the least amount of time. I’m between Miami and London most of the year.”
“What do you do exactly?” she asked, turning to him.
“Just photography right now. I did well with some investments a few years back and I’m lucky enough that I can now do what I please. In fact,” he turned to her as they approached a red light, “I’ll be photographing you in a bit.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Yes, I will,” he said, stepping on the gas pedal when the light turned green. They drove off with a screech.
Emma’s insides churned for the entirety of the fifteen minutes until they reached his building. They didn’t speak as she followed him to the elevator and rode it all the way up to the penthouse.
“Louisa,” he called out when they walked inside, setting his keys down on the table by the door.
“Coming,” came a voice from somewhere inside the apartment.
Emma watched Louisa round the corner, wiping her hands on a towel. She was plump and seemed cheerful and when her eyes settled on Emma, her face broke into a warm, wide smile.
“Well,” she said, looking her over before turning to Luke. “It’s been a long time since you’ve had a guest here, Luke.”
Luke ignored Louisa’s obvious curiosity. “Is everything ready?”
“I just set the dishwasher so all you need to do is boil rice when you’re ready to eat. I’ve made enough for two.” She winked to Emma and extended a hand. “Hello, dear,” she said, giving Luke a look. She was the only person Emma knew who dared give him a look like that. “Luke’s manners leave a little to be desired at times. I’m Louisa, the housekeeper.”
“Uh, Emma,” Emma said, taking the woman’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Louisa. The curry smells great.”
Louisa’s smile widened. “This one may be a keeper,” she said to Luke. “It’s my own recipe,” she said when she turned back to Emma.
“Time to go, Louisa,” Luke answered. “I won’t need you back until Monday.”
“See what I mean about manners?” Louisa said to Emma as she gathered her things. “Have a nice night, dear. Don’t let him bully you too much. Believe it or not, there’s just a big softy underneath there.”
Emma laughed. “Thanks, Louisa. I’ll try not to.”
Luke only raised his eyebrows at her and let Louisa out. Once the door was closed, he turned his full attention to her, his eyes smoldering.
“Come,” he said, taking her hand and leading the way down the hallway.
She followed in silence as he opened a door and hit the light switches. She looked around. This was his studio. Her mouth fell open while she studied the pictures that hung in a row all along the walls. All black and white and similar in feel to the one she’d seen in his bedroom. They were, in a word, incredible.
She turned back to him to find him fiddling with his camera. When he pointed it to her and snapped, she quickly turned her face away and stepped back.
“I told you no pictures.”
“I told you you’re mine to do with as I please and what would please me now is you, naked and on your knees. Move.”
“Luke, I don’t…”
“Now,” he said, moving closer. “If you’d like me to help, I’d be happy to, but I can’t promise you’d feel the same.”
“Why are you doing this?” she asked.
“Because you made me,” he answered and she knew his answer was, quite simply, the truth.
“I don’t want pictures. Please,” she said.
“They’ll be just for me. I don’t plan on using them publically.”
“Why?”