I stepped out of the back to open the door for her, and she practically glowed when she saw me.
“A limo?” she asked.
“A bit much?”
“Or just enough,” she countered.
“You seem like you’re in a better mood than when I left you.”
“Well, I got all that nasty business resolved, and now, I’m with you again.”
I slid my arm around her waist and placed a deep kiss on her lips. She leaned into me, both of us forgetting all about her red lipstick. She laughed when she leaned back and smudged a spot off my mouth.
“Come on, Jensen,” Abigail called from the door.
“We have to talk,” I whispered into Emery’s ear as she moved to pass me into the limo. Her eyes shot to mine in confusion. “I just have to…tell you some things. Ignore Marc.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ll explain.”
Emery slid into the limo, and I cursed, wishing I’d had more time to clarify everything. I hoped Marc could keep a lid on his anger for a whole dinner without ruining it for everyone.
Emery was already introducing herself to Abigail and Marc as I hopped back into the limo, and it zoomed away.
“Ah,” Marc said, looking Emery up and down, “you don’t seem the type.”
Emery’s lips pursed. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing,” Abigail interjected. “Ignore my brother. He’s in a foul mood.”
I knew that Emery was frustrated when her eyes slid to me. I hated that look. She was wary and had her guard up again. I didn’t want to blindside her, but I had to say something about Marc.
“I just mean that you’re the girl of the weekend, right?” Marc asked. His eyes were mirthless. He seemed happy to taunt her, even before we made it to the restaurant.
“Marc!” Abigail cried.
“Just let it be, Marc,” I growled.
“What exactly does that mean?” Emery asked.
He chose to respond only to her, “You know…the fling he has when he’s out of town. You must realize that you’re it.”
“I’ll have you know,” she spat, “I know all about his reputation, and I don’t appreciate your insinuation that I’m that kind of girl. Jensen and I are together. This isn’t a one-time thing. And who the hell are you to even say something like that to me?”
I nearly choked on my own laughter at Marc’s bewildered face.
“Just an old family friend,” Marc said. “Tell me everything about yourself. How did you manage to catch Jensen’s eye and keep it? I thought only one person was capable of that.”
Emery frowned as she mulled over what Marc had said, and I realized it was an absolutely horrid idea to have brought her along. Marc was a snake, and I had released her into the viper’s den.
“Blow jobs,” she said quite calmly.
Marc sputtered and then started laughing. “You surprise me.”
I couldn’t help myself; I laughed with him. Man, this girl. She is…perfect.
“Also, I’m completely irresistible,” Emery continued.
“I have no doubt,” Marc agreed. His eyes swept up her bare legs and then back to her face. “No doubt at all.”
I possessively wrapped an arm around her tense shoulders and leaned her back into me. As far away from Marc as possible. He shot me a look full of questions that I was all too aware of. I just wanted to enjoy this night, and somehow, I’d been left with this.
We all piled out of the limousine when it pulled up to the restaurant entrance. Abigail dragged Marc inside for their table, but Emery drew me aside before we entered the room.
“What the hell is going on?” she demanded.
I sighed and ran my hand back through my hair. “A lot.”
“I can see that, Jensen. Who are these people? Why did you tell me to ignore Marc?”
“Marc is an old family friend. Sort of. He and Abigail are Tarmans, who, up until a few minutes ago, were the Wrights’ biggest rivals.”
“You were friends with your rivals?”
“Money talks to money,” I explained.
“Okay,” she said uncertainly. “But all of that other stuff?”
“I have a reputation.”
“I know that much.”
I hated that she knew. I hated that she seemed to fear my reputation. I could see it in her eyes. I could see it in the set of her shoulders and the stiffness of her body. I wanted to make it go away.
“But I’m not doing that anymore. That’s why I brought you. That’s why I asked you to be my girlfriend.”
“So…you wouldn’t be tempted to shop around?” she asked as quiet as a mouse. “God, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that.”