Page 45 of Saving His Heart
“I think even you know that’s bullshit, Ems. I admit I don’t know this group of billionaires like the rest of my family, but I do know they are the most genuine, kind people I have ever come across. The worry, the fear I saw written all over Preston’s face was out of love. Pure and simple. Whatever is going on between the two of you, I think you should trust that the man out there will always have your back,” she says solemnly.
“He made me breakfast,” I let slip stupidly.
“Oh-kay. Is that a bad thing?” Lexi asks through a grin.
“It’s just that no one has ever cooked for me before. I’m not used to people doing things for me. I don’t know what to do with stuff like that,” I tell her honestly.
“Emory, the thing I am learning about this particular type of fucked up family we have found ourselves in is that they do anything and everything they can for you. Whether you want it or not,” she adds a little cryptically.
“I don’t fit in with this family,” I mumble.
“None of us do, girly. I think talking with Lanie would do you a world of good, though. For now, let’s get you packed up before Preston rips my head off for not having you ready to go.”
Standing on auto-pilot, I grab things left and right, handing them to Lexi to put in the bag. When I realize she is no longer reaching for the items I’m giving her, I turn and feel my stomach plummet. In her hand is my badge from the hospital. It must have been in the bag from our last trip.
“Someday, you are going to have one hell of a story to tell me,” is all she says as she tucks the badge back into the bag and returns to folding the clothes I have piled up.
“Lexi—”
“I said someday, Emory. I get the feeling your story doesn’t have the right ending yet. When it does, you’ll tell me.”
Choking back the emotion, I simply nod.
* * *
True to his word,twenty minutes later, we are on the rooftop of his building with the air spinning all around us. The helicopter blades are swirling the air so roughly, I have a hard time walking against the wind. Before I have any time to ask a question, Preston has my hand in his, and he is dragging me towards a navy blue helicopter with the gold Westbrook Enterprises crest on the side.
Reaching the door, he turns to lift me and places me on my feet inside of the helicopter. Seconds later, he has boarded as well, and I’m not sure what the hell I’m supposed to do. The noise is picking up, and I’m getting dizzy.
Placing a hand on the small of my back, Preston leads me to a bucket seat. With light pressure on my shoulders, he guides me to sit, and in the blink of an eye, he has lowered himself to harness me in. I feel like an idiot, but I am at a loss for words. Once he’s happy I’m strapped in, he raises his face, and it sucks all the air from my lungs. His sparkling blue eyes bore into mine. A slight nod of his head, followed by a squeeze to my knee, and I feel my anxiety loosen its hold.
There is something about this man. He can wash away fears and instill confidence in the most broken of souls. For that reason alone, I vow to lock down my heart. Unless I can save his, mine cannot feel his warmth without the threat of being buried right alongside him. Donning my doctor’s façade once again, I stare out the window and wonder what kind of nightmare I’m about to walk in on.
* * *
Preston layshis hand on my thigh, so I turn to look at him and wish I hadn’t. The concern I witness in his handsome features is too much.
“Emory? We’ll be arriving in three minutes.”
Nodding, I try to formulate a reason he can’t come with me before I speak.
“Whatever you’re thinking in that beautiful head of yours, you can forget about it. I’m not letting you go anywhere without me.” His chest puffs out a little as he speaks.
“Preston,” I sigh. “This isn’t your battle. Honestly, I don’t even know what I’ll be walking into.”
“It is my battle now, sweetheart, so get used to it. Do you want to tell me why you don’t want me to go with you?”
Do I? It’s not like I’m embarrassed by where I grew up. Not exactly, anyway. But how do you bring someone like Preston into a world they very clearly have never experienced? Insecurities I haven’t felt since my freshman year of college surface again, and I hate it.You are more than what you come from,I repeat in my head. Dr. Terry drilled that into me during my first year of medical school.You are more than what you come from.
The helicopter drops, and my hands fly to each side like they’re looking for something to hang onto. I hear Preston laugh through the headset, and I turn my gaze to his. Following his line of sight, I’m horrified to find my hand gripping his belt, right above a rather large package twitching for attention.
It takes a second to register, and when my brain works again, I rip my hands back into my own space and hold my head in them. “Geez, what are you doing? What are you doing, Emory? You’re not a little girl. You don’t get to have childish fantasies anymore. Too many people are counting on you,” I scold myself quietly.
“Emory?” I hear through my headset.
Shit.
Raising my head just enough to see a smirking Preston, I say, “Yes?”
