Page 78 of Take Hold of Me

Wills

It’sdark outside when I startle awake, a naked Angel at my side. Her breathing remains even, so at least I didn’t intrude on her sleep this time. Easing my arm out from under her, I pull on a pair of shorts, wipe the sweat from my brow and head for the kitchen where I do a healthy pour of whiskey. After taking a fortifying swallow, savoring the burn as it slides down my throat, I pad onto the balcony.

Below, the pool is lit but the other apartments are dark. Shunting the nightmare into a dark corner, my mind wanders back to the party last night. Everyone at Complete was trying so hard. It was just—trying. So many people, all of whom shared their stories about Three. I know they wanted to connect with me through her, but it was too much. By the time I got back to the apartment, I had shut down. And then there was Emilie.

My light.

She always looks on the bright side.

The eternal optimist to my reclusive side.

I probably shouldn’t have been so dominant with her, but I had to reassert some sort of control after that fucked-up party. My mouth quirks, remembering the way her accent became more pronounced when she begged me for release, and I take another hit of the whiskey. She’s an amazing woman who tames the worst in me.

I shouldn’t have called her my girlfriend even though I know the term made her night. My nightmare proves to me, again, that I don’t deserve her. But I can’t let her go.

I finish off my whiskey and return to the kitchen for a refill. When it’s gone, the warmth eases my chest like when I’m playing with the pups at Vets for Military Dogs, so it should be okay to go back to sleep. I’ve been so caught up in Emilie’s schedule that I haven’t had time to volunteer lately. Maybe that’s why the demons have returned with such vengeance? In any event, the whiskey should hold off the nightmares for another night.

The ringingof a cell phone pulls me out of my slumber. It isn’t mine. Next to me, Ems jumps out of bed and rushes to her purse, fumbling with her phone. I rest my head on my hands, enjoying the view.

“Bonjour,MonsieurPrice.”

Adrenaline races through my body. There’s something off about this guy. Her tone of voice confirms my suspicions.

“Tonight?” Emilie looks at me, then to the floor. “No. I cannot.” A beat later, she says, “I have plans. I told you this when we had our meeting the other day.”

So he wants to send her out on another appearance tonight? Good excuse for me to miss FPU’s anniversary party.

She sighs. “I know that Geonna—”

I push off the headboard and sit up. My protective side wants to rip the phone away from her and fight her battle. But it’s just that—her battle. Whatever she decides will be fine with me. I encourage her with a smile.

As she listens to her boss, her eyes flick from me to the ceiling. Her back gets straighter. She could be a warrior princess, given how she’s carrying herself. Is she even aware she’s naked? My cock sure is.

“I appreciate that. But my answer is still no. Brandan will have to find someone else to go with. Yes, Sunday through Wednesday are fine. And I have been running my lines for the Thursday movie filming.”

She disconnects the call and tosses her phone back into her purse. I flip the sheet down. “Your standing up to your boss was fucking hot, Ems.”

Ems lets out a huff and then levels me with a smirk. “I was pretty kickass, no?”

I chuckle. “Oui, you sure were.”

She struts to the bed. “Oh, I got a French word out of you, Wills.”

Christ. The way she says my name makes my cock stand to painful attention. She licks her lips and walks toward the bed. Her hand closes around my erection, causing me to suck in my breath. “I’m proud of how you handled him,” I manage to get out.

She bends to within an inch of my cock, which jumps in his eagerness. “Let me see if I can make you even more proud.”

And she does.

Emilie handsme the keys to lock up her house. She insisted on dropping by to change into something more “appropriate” for an anniversary party despite having brought three outfits to my apartment. She stands on her front stoop in a sleeveless pink dress and hair piled on top of her head. Instead of my favorite stilettos, she’s wearing low heels that have a strap around the back of her heels. Still sexy.

“You look beautiful.” Handing her the house keys, which she gracefully deposits into her purse while holding a wrapped gift, we return to my Jeep. “Are you sure you want to go? There’s still time to change your mind.”

She laughs. “I am honored to be your date. I have missed so many of my own family parties.”

Shit.I can’t deny her anything, especially when she couches it like that. I’m too wired to let her drive and since she doesn’t ask, I guide her to the passenger side and devour her lips for sustenance. Not able to delay any longer, I force myself into the driver’s side and start the trek to my parents’ house.

She prattles on about how excited she is to meet my parents. “Ems, don’t be surprised if they treat you like a prize to be shown off to their friends.”

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