Page 49 of First Touch

“I’ll let you know when I find anything new. And don’t call me. I don’t trust that your new friend isn’t watching your phone. I’ll have a burner couriered to you here tomorrow that we can use for future communication.” He stood and started to walk away.

After only a few steps, he called back to me. “Hey, Emily, if you got lost, I’d come looking for you too.”

I was still reeling from everything else he’d told me. I didn’t have room for this as well.

Thankfully, he didn’t wait for a response, and he left as abruptly as he’d arrived.

The next several days passed without hearing from Reeve, giving time for Joe’s revelations to become a played-out soundtrack in my mind. The new information scared me, yes. For Amber. But it didn’t change my curiosity about Reeve. I’d already accepted my draw to him and it was with the terms of “no matter what.” He could be the worst thing I ever imagined, and I’d still be pulled to him. And until it was proven that he was actually a bad guy and not just a rumored one, I didn’t plan on fighting it.

I wasn’t sure I could fight it even then.

By Saturday, I was desperate to hear from him again. So far he’d proven himself a weekend lover, so if he was going to call, I knew it would be today. Or maybe I just hoped it would be today because it was that dreaded February holiday. The one that saw chocolates and wine overstocked in all the stores. At least those items were as appropriate for self-soothing as they were for gift giving.

I was pouring my second glass of wine when the phone rang, and it was only a little past noon. Maybe that’s why my chest felt funny when I saw the caller ID, but probably not.

“I didn’t expect you to be the leaving type,” Reeve said, skipping a greeting yet again.

“I was eager to take my new car for a ride.” I curled my feet up under me on the couch and delivered my excuses with enough sugar to hopefully hide the truth. “And I had an interview scheduled the next morning. Besides, I figured you for the type to want your space.” None of it was a lie, but mostly I didn’t want him to know that I’d actually panicked and run.

“I appreciate that. But I don’t mind you staying the night. It’s nice to have someone to wake up and fuck on occasion.”

Then he had wanted me to stay. Or he wanted me to in the future. It was sort of charming that he couldn’t say it outright.

“Just no cuddling,” I teased.

“Cuddling allowed on my terms.”

Jesus, how did a reference to cuddling make me so wet? “I’ll stay next time then.”

“Tonight. You’ll stay tonight.”

My heart possibly somersaulted in my chest. “Okay.”

“I have an event I have to attend first. A Valentine’s Ball thing.”

“Yes.” Was he inviting me? He had to be. Who else would he go with and why mention it if he wasn’t going to take me?

Still, Reeve was unpredictable. I held my breath, waiting.

“I can either pick you up on my way home or you can meet me at the house.”

I wasn’t sure whether he meant home from where he was now or if he meant something else. “Pick me up?”

“Yes. It starts at seven so I should be able to leave by eleven. I’d be by your house around eleven-thirty.”

I let out a slow breath, surprised at how let down I was to be the after party instead of the main event. “Uh, I’ll meet you. At your place.”

“Are you sure? You’ll be on my way.”

“I’m sure.” Could he hear the disappointment in my voice? “I have a beautiful car. Shame not to drive it.”

He didn’t have any obligation to me, romantic holiday or not.

Even though Reeve hadn’t claimed me as his date for the night, I dressed up for him. I figured he’d be wearing a tux and it was a holiday. Or maybe I just wanted him to see what he’d missed out on. Either way, a low-cut black sheath cocktail dress seemed appropriate.

It was almost midnight when I arrived and both the gate and the front door opened for me automatically. The employee who greeted me at the house, someone new this time, sent me in then went out the front door behind me.

There was no one in the living area when I walked back, and, except for the light coming from the dining room, the rest of the house was dark. On the table was a coil of rope and a black velvet box. Even several feet away, I knew what kind of box it was. And that made me beyond curious.