Page 97 of Take Hold of Me

“Emssssss,” I groan, yanking her body to mine. Holding her so tight it’s as if we are one. When our pants level out to mere gasps for air, I lift her off my lap and place her, gently, next to me. I help her put her jeans back on, stealing her panties for myself. When she’s redressed, I slip back into my own clothes.

“Wow.” She turns and wiggles onto my lap again. “That was amazing.”

I kiss her forehead. “You’re amazing, Angel.” We remain locked in our embrace for the remainder of the trip back to her house.

Once inside, we shower and I take her against the tile wall, wanting to cement us on her brain before we head out to the party. Wash away all thoughts of her former boyfriend on set today. And before.

Leaving her in her massive closet, I grab a pair of black trousers and a white button-down shirt, a slight twist on my standard attire for parties like these. While I wait for her to get changed and primped, I wander out to her pool.

Sitting down on a chaise, I pull out my phone and call David. “How’s everything going at Complete? How are you doing?”

David clears his throat. “I’m doing okay, honestly. Everyone here is so supportive and helping me clear my things out. They’re looking forward to you taking over.”

“I am too. It’s going to be a big change, for both of us.”

“So true, brother, so true. I spoke with my movers a little bit ago. I would be lying if I told you I’m not a little excited for the changes. This house hasn’t felt like home for a long time now.”

“I get that.” I track some birds flying overhead. Oh, their freedom.

“Are you feeling ready to take over? It must be nice to get to set the pace for once, instead of letting others dictate it?”

My stomach flips. I hadn’t considered this before. Am I? Am I ready to take control over my life instead of following others through theirs? I keep advising Ems to do this. “You know, I think I am.”

He chuckles. “Well, that’s good. You might as well be prepared to move into the gym because it has a way of taking over your life. I’ve spent one too many nights sleeping on the couch in my office, and not just to avoid an empty bed. It’s a lot of work, bro, but it’s all good.” Our conversation veers to less charged topics like databases and marketing plans before I click off.

Only eight days until I take over the reins at Complete. Then Ems will have a new bodyguard. My stomach tightens at the thought.

I check the notes on my phone for bodyguard referrals my former boss, Nolan Kates, sent. He pre-screened all three of the guys, so I feel confident in their abilities. As I’ve met the last guy on the list, I shoot him a text. If he’s interested, I’ll tell Price that he’ll be my replacement. He’s married with two kids.

My stomach plummets at the thought of Ems traveling without me. Who am I kidding? I’m more worried than anything that she’ll realize I’m not the hero of her dreams—and I never have been. Mocking words said by FPU and Rinaldo ring true.

Maybe this time will be different.

All my thoughts scatter when Ems appears at the French doors. Her hair’s up in some sort of funky twist that looks fucking hot. And that dress. The caveman in me wants to rip it off her and not let the world see what I see.

“I am ready,” she says, walking toward me.

My legs urge me to stand up, yet my heart keeps me rooted to the chair. Ems stops in front of me and stoops down, her dress riding up on her thighs as she balances on her high heels. I swallow.

“You look beautiful, like always.”

How does Lizzie’s fiancé deal with dating a supermodel?Fuck, so many guys jacked off to his soon-to-be-wife’s poster. Same for Emilie’s posters, I’m sure. What did he tell me? Be confident in love.

Yeah, like confidence is my strong suit—my demons having wrestled that to the ground years ago. Never mind love.

Her hands land on my knees for support. “Let us go now. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can get back here. And you can show me again and again how beautiful you think I am.” She giggles. “That is, if you have any showing left in the tank after your last performances.”

Then she says shit like that. My eyebrow raises. “Believe me, I’ll have a full tank by then.”

I lace her fingers with mine and together we walk through the house. My eyes scan the horizon. “I’m going to have to drive since it’s already starting to get dark.” The long summer days won’t extend long enough for her to have daylight for the entire trip.

“That is okay. I have a surprise planned for you for tomorrow, and I will drive us.”

“A surprise, huh?”

Her lips form a secretive smile, and her head bobs up and down. “Tomorrow.”

No one has surprised me in a very long time. I help her into my Jeep and plug in the location where we’re meeting up with Rinaldo, my mind still distracted by whatever she has planned. “You didn’t have to get me anything you know.”

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