Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Noah looked at war with himself before he slid his arms around my waist, licked his lips and said, “God, I really hope I don’t get punched for this.” And then, his lips descended and he was kissing me.
I was so shocked by the move that I didn’t react.
As soon as it started, it ended, and when Noah let me go, he lifted his hand and gently wiped at my lip line. “You better be ready, Emmy.” He cupped my cheek and smiled tenderly. “He’s coming for you.”
I watched Noah walk away, wondering what he meant by his cryptic parting statement.
And I was soon to find out.
Chapter Thirty
Wild Horses.
Emmy
My ears prickled at the sound of a heated conversation happening in the front hall. Standing with a frown, I opened my bedroom door and listened intently.
“Go home.” This was Cherry.
“I can’t. Don’t you fucking understand? Not without talking to her.” I knew that voice.
My stomach turned.
I had a feeling he’d come.
“She’s finally getting on with her life, Connor. You can’t just show up whenever you like and fuck it up all over again.”
Connor was getting frustrated. “I just need a word with my fucking—” His voice rose. “—wife!”
“If she wanted to talk to you, she’d answer the phone. Take a hint.” The door slammed shut and Cherry sighed. “Jesus, Clash.”
My phone started to ring.
Connor Calling…
Cherry waltzed back into the living room and when she saw me looking down at my cell phone, she said, “Just ignore him and he’ll go away.”
“Yeah,” I muttered, not at all believing that.
Not a moment later, Connor started to call out, “Emmy!” and I felt worn thin. “Emmy, open up. I know you’re in there!”
My cell phone stopped vibrating before it chimed in my hand.
@ConnorClashOfficial: I just wanna talk, baby. Please.
“Emmy, please!”
Cherry was absolutely livid. “Oh, that is it. I’m calling the cops.”
Immediately, I held out a hand, and said, “No.”
@ConnorClashOfficial: PLEASE!
“What?” She looked pissed. “Are you kidding me?”
But my mind was already made up. “It’s okay. I’ll talk to him.”
My reasoning was pathetic.
I wasn’t sure Connor’s career could risk another hit to his name and getting arrested would be a public event. I didn’t want that for him. All I ever wanted was for Connor to be happy.
A slow, hard knocking, then a forlorn “Emmy” was all I could take.
Before I opened the door, my heart began to thump in my chest. I’d always been a sucker for this man. Now was no exception.
I just needed to be firm.
Easy.
My hand sat on the knob a while before I turned it. I only opened the door a few inches, just enough to converse and be done with it.
I saw him before he did me. My gut clenched at the amount of stress I saw etched on his face. “Emmy!”
Closing my eyes, I spoke out. “Here.”
He spun to face me and just like that, the strain I saw a moment ago disappeared. He smiled crookedly. “Hi, baby.”
Don’t call me that.
Connor stepped forward cautiously. “Can I come in?” He held up his hands in a pacifying gesture. “I just wanna talk, I promise. I won’t take too much of your time.”
I hated that he made it all seem so simple, that he sounded so rational. It wasn’t simple. None of this was simple.
If I refused him, I’d be the unreasonable one.
Ugh.
With an internal sigh, I slowly pushed open the door and his smile widened marginally. When he passed me, he made sure his fingers brushed mine and suddenly, I couldn’t breathe.
Averting my gaze, I shut the door and watched him walk into the house I shared with Cherry. I trailed behind him and fought a defeated smile at his ensemble.
Connor wore a pair of black jeans, a fitted black tee, and his black Vans.
Some things never changed.
When he entered the living room, he ordered, “Sit.” When he saw my scowl, he took in a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Sit, please.”
Yeah, you better use manners in my house.
I did as he asked and made sure to sit as far away as possible without actually exiting the room.
Connor sat on the arm of the sofa and watched me a while. He looked me deep in the eye and uttered a wounded, “You kissed Noah?”
I didn’t owe him an explanation.
But my mouth opened without permission. “Technically, he kissed me.” I said this quietly.
“It’s all over the papers. You guys a thing now?” Connor swallowed hard, looking like he might be sick.
It was torture.
Seeing him was torture.
Him being within walking distance… torture.
Sluggishly, I wrapped my arms around myself and shook my head.
“Okay.” His nod was thoughtful.
My skin itched to be close to him but my heart remained wrapped in barbed wire. His mere proximity was too much. I stood and breathed out, “Was that all?”
His brow narrowed. “No, that’s not all.” He blinked then stated a careful, “We’re married, Emmy.”