I don’t move from my spot, keeping my eyes on her the whole time. I don’t like the idea of her being out without someone on her. Married to her, it’s my responsibility, and knowing the asshole who birthed her all but sold her to get an alliance with the Devore family I don’t want to take any chances.
Though what that man doesn’t know is that he doesn’t have the alliance he thinks he does. He won’t be getting anything of the sort. I intend to find out exactly what he’s playing at with this whole ordeal.
Once Emerie is back, I stay standing at the back of the cars until she gets in the driver’s seat. Only then do I move to my own car door. I wait for her to take off before following after her out of the parking lot onto the street.
Emerie takes a left, goes three blocks down, and makes a right, then pulls into the parking lot for Marcos, surprising me. It’s a restaurant that the Devore family is silent partners in.
When she parks and gets out, her eyes slash in my direction as she cocks a hip, hand planting on either side.
Fuck, I wanna fuck the hell out of her.
I park next to her and get out.
“You like Marcos?” I ask.
“I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t. They have the best seafood Alfredo.”
“The seafood Alfredo is good, but I’m partial to their lasagna and pizzas.” Anything Italian food-wise, I could eat and enjoy.
Emerie gives me a slight smile before rolling her eyes.
The way she keeps rolling her eyes is going to get her pretty ass in trouble if she keeps it up. It’s bad enough I’ve kept my hands to myself regarding her after spending days with her. All I want to do is shove her against the side of the damn SUV and fuck her, but I’m trying to do the gentlemanly thing by her at the same time.
six
EMERIE
Taking a step back from the outside decorations, I smile at the progress I’ve made. I can’t wait to see them light up the night with their brightness.
Last night, after the unexpected dinner with Calder, I came home and went to bed. I could’ve started decorating then, but I’d been worked up from being so close to him. I ended up using my fingers to relieve some of the ache between my thighs, granted it didn’t do much.
I wanted Calder and was refusing to allow myself to have him.
At some point after I’d fallen asleep, Calder had joined me in bed. I knew this because he’d been wrapped around me when I woke up. The feel of him there felt so right. I wanted to roll over and plant my lips against his. Only I didn’t. I eased out of the bed, escaping him like a scared puppy.
I haven’t even seen him since. He left while I’d been in the shower and hiding from him. I don’t know what all he does, but I’d hoped he’d have stopped me before leaving, at least to say he was going.
It didn’t matter, though. Not really.
Our marriage was one of convenience as it were. For all I know, he’s got a lover already, and he’s gone to be in her arms.
The thought causes my stomach to roll at the very idea of Calder being with anyone else.
I never wanted that type of marriage. My parents had it, and it’s what ended up killing my mom. However, my father would say differently. He claims the Devore family was behind it. I don’t believe that and never have. What I think is that my father didn’t like the friendship she had with Grant Devore’s father and put a stop to it the only way he knew how by being his evil self.
I sigh and shake the negative thoughts away. Without talking to Calder about it, I don’t know if he is with someone or not, and I don’t want to assume something if there’s a chance it’s not what he’s doing. I need to talk to him about it, let him know where my head is at.
But I can’t do anything if I can’t find him. I’ll have to wait until he’s back to do so.
Until then, I suppose I can explore the house. Figure out where I want things.
First things first, I want to get myself some warm hot chocolate. It’s gotten a lot colder out in the past several hours. I know on the news this morning, they said a cold front was sweeping through with the possibility of snow. I won’t hold my breath on the chance of seeing white thick flakes. If anything, it might be the wet stuff that simply makes people crazy and causes accidents on the road.
Inside, I find exactly what I’m looking for in the kitchen. Once I have the rich chocolatey goodness ready, I take a sip and moan at how good it tastes. So good.
With my mug in hand, I start walking around the house, starting with the rooms downstairs.
In the living room, I have boxes and bags situated with decorations I intend to do this evening, hopefully with Calder. I didn’t care if he was going to be grumpy about it or not. I wanted him here with me because it’s supposed to represent our first Christmas together.
