Page 80 of Resisting the Temptation
Ouch.Her words feel like a fucking CAT 825 soil compacter rolling over my heart.
Oblivious to my internal wounds, she continues, “I just wanted to give you some insight into my relationship with them in case they say something. I need you to be prepared to just… brush it off and pretend it didn’t happen.”
Pretend it didn’t happen?“Why the fuck would I do that?”
“They don’t do confrontation well. It’s easier to just keep the peace and cry about it later.”
“I don’t like it, but I’ll do it for you.” I’d do anything for her, but I don’t tell her that yet. She still thinks this is temporary.
“Thank you, Ben.” She gives my hand another squeeze, then turns the music on, effectively ending the conversation.
That’s okay. We’re only about an hour from the hotel, and I still need to process the information Emma’s given me. I need to form a plan to show her I’m not like her family. I won’t abandon her in her lows, and I won’t give up on her when things are hard.
This road trip is the perfect first step.
An hour later, I pull into the loop in front of the Cosmopolitan and—against her protests—make Emma stay in the car while I get us checked in.
The woman at the front desk asks if I want a room with one bed or two, and I begrudgingly ask for two, even though I’m going to try my darndest to get Emma to stay in my bed.
“Is there any way I could get a room with a balcony overlooking the strip?” I ask while she looks at her availability.
“Yes. The Corner Tower suites offer a strip view with a balcony. Unfortunately, those rooms only have one bed.”
“That’s fine. I’ll take it.” I wonder how pissed Emma will be when I tell her. Hopefully, she’ll forgive me after she finds out what I have planned.
The lady takes my information and credit card and gives me the keys to our room on the forty-second floor, then I go back out to the car where Emma is talking on the phone.
“…told you Jordan couldn’t come. I’m just going to stay at a hotel with Ben so he doesn’t feel like I’ve abandoned him.” She pauses while the other person talks, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I’m not going to make a scene, Mom. Ben just didn’t want me to come alone.” Another pause. “Yes. I’ll see you Wednesday. Bye.”
When she hangs up, she lets out a long breath.
“What did your mom want?” I ask as I pull out of the front area and make my way to the parking garage.
“To make sure Jordan wasn’t staying at her house. When I told her I was bringing you instead, she wanted to make sure you weren’t staying at her house. Then, she threw a fit when I told herIwasn’t staying at her house. As if I’d just abandon you.” She shakes her head.
“I won’t feel abandoned if you want to stay with your parents,” I offer.
“No. That’s the last thing I want. I want to stay with you. I mean—you know what I mean.” I can’t see in the dim lighting of the garage, but I’m sure her cheeks are tinged pink.
“I know, honey. C’mon. I’m hungry. Let’s go order some room service, and you can take a nice relaxing bath in the big tub.”
“Room service? Big bathtub? What’s the occasion?”
I don’t answer her right away. I get out of the car, grab our bags and sling mine over my shoulder while Emma grabs her pillow.
Before we walk away from the car, I use my free hand to tip her chin so she’s forced to meet my eyes. “The occasion,Dulzura,is I get you all to myself for the night, and you can’t run away. There’s no one to distract or interrupt us. I want to spoil you and hopefully cheer you up at least a little. Let me do that, okay?”
Emma licks her lips. “Yes, Sir.”
“I’m not expecting anything from you other than a full belly and a good night’s rest,” I warn. “You’ve had a long day.”
“I know. But… I think I’d sleep better after a few orgasms.”
I search her face for some kind of sign she’s only saying this because she thinks I want her to, but I don’t find anything other than earnestness.
“If you’re a good girl and do what I say, we can play. I have something special I wanted to try tonight, but I wasn’t sure if you’d be up for it. Are you up for it?”
Emma nods eagerly, and I chuckle at her enthusiasm.
