"Where are we going?" Emma asks in a loud whisper.
"I'm taking you home." My voice is strained even to my own ears, and she furrows her brow again.
"Yes, you've said that. But I don't live in Uptown, Asher."
My gaze drops to her bare legs for a split second, before I force my eyes forward. I've instructed Henry to drive to my place, and I have no idea how to explain this to Emma without admitting that I've essentially kidnapped her. I choose to remain silent instead.
When we arrive, I open the door and climb out, stepping aside to give Emma room to join me as I hold my hand out to her.
"Asher –," Emma starts, but Henry interrupts whatever nonsense is about to come out of her mouth about needing to go home.
"Will you need anything else this evening, Sir?"
"No, thank you, Henry. What is Carla making tonight?"
"You think I'm going to have her cook on Valentine's Day? There's a reason we've made it twenty-seven years, Mr. Rockwell." Henry grins and I chuckle, everything in me envious of a man who has found the love of his life and had her choose him back.
"Um, well," Emma glances at Henry hesitantly, and then sighs, probably realizing his allegiance lies with me. When she places her hand in mine, a warmth spreads throughout my body, and Iam not sure how I will ever let her go again. Emma allows me to help her from the car but quickly pulls her hand away when she gets to the sidewalk.
"Good night, Sir. Good night, Ma'am."
"Good night. And it's just Emma," she calls back before I shut the door.
Henry pulls away from the curb, and I gesture for Emma to lead the way as I steer her toward my building.
We ride up in the private penthouse elevator with Samuel, my head of security, in silence. Emma actively avoids looking at me in the mirrored doors. It's for the best. One glance at my reflection and I realize I'm not exactly hiding my desire for her. I look like the broody vampire from the movies my sisters made me watch on repeat from breaks home from college.
"Are you in for the evening, Mr. Rockwell?" Samuel asks, holding the door for us as we step into my foyer. Emma glances at me and shakes her head quickly.
"Yes, thank you, Sam."
"Good night, Sir."
Emma chews her bottom lip, shifting from foot to foot, while I key in the code for the front door.
"I can't stay here, Asher," Emma finally spits out, her eyes wide with panic when I hold the front door open for her.
"Why not?"
"Because you're Donovan's friend."
A derisive snort is my only response.
She shakes her head at me in confusion, but she follows me inside, so I count it as a win. I was half afraid she might insist on sleeping in the hallway.
"I need to go home.Myhome."
Am I actually jealous of an apartment?
I narrow my eyes and turn quickly, crowding her against my door as I stare down into her eyes. She gasps, startled by my quick reaction.
"Getting to your place would take hours tonight and Henry needed to get home."
Emma's chest heaves as she stares at my mouth. We're close enough I can smell the sweet fruitiness of her drink on her breath, and there can be no mistaking what is pressed against her stomach right now. However, touching her without her explicit consent takes this kidnapping up a notch, so I force myself to take a step back and remove my coat. I hang it neatly in the front closet and reach for a second hanger. I hold my hand out for her coat, but she tightens it around her body like a shield.
"Then you should have let me take the subway."
"No."
