Emmeline looked up at him, and he wanted to drown in her kajal-lined eyes. Her gaze dropped to his mouth, her lips parting. He still couldn’t believe this was happening, but who was he to complain? Anticipation fizzled through him. He drew closer to her.
Just as her lips skimmed his, he felt cold air across him.
Confused, Luke blinked and realized two things at once: Emmeline was smiling triumphantly a foot away from him, and the file was gone from his hands. Instead, it was in her grasp.
She had distracted him to get it.
“You didn’t actually think I’d give you the satisfaction, did you?” she asked, gloating. He wanted to steal a kiss—surely that would put an end to her gloating—but he couldn’t take such a liberty without knowing she wanted that, too.
She had played him, but he wasn’t angry. His heart was still beating much too fast, and he knew she was affected,too. He could see a blush high on her cheeks, noticed the way her hands were slightly trembling despite her confident tone.
They were micro-changes, but with her, he was always paying attention.
Luke walked past her, stopping just behind her. Emmeline paused, turning her cheek toward him. He brushed aside her hair, baring her ear.
“Trust me,” he said, voice low. “The satisfaction is all mine.”
She touched a hand to her cheek, all her gloating gone.
Chapter 12
Working with Luke was insufferable, but Emmeline had no other option.
Most of the week had passed without any hitches, but she was still thinking of his little stunt with the file the next day: the way he’d locked an arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. He’d had the audacity to ask for a kiss—the memory made her blood hot. With anger, of course, and with something more.
Something that was getting more and more difficult to deny.
At least her plans for the coffee shop were coming along, though she wasn’t being nearly as efficient as she should have been. She didn’t know what was wrong with her, but she suspected Luke’s presence wasn’t helping, and nor was the mischievous baby dragon she had to take care of. Motu was a handful; in the evenings, she could sometimes leave him with Torch for a few hours and it was fine, but then when she got home, he wanted all of her attention.
He was in Torch’s paw now as they flew down to see Millie and the baby. Emmeline wished she had more time to visit or even to stay over for a few days, but she already felt like she was being pulled in a hundred directions. She had just dropped off a care package for Saphira with some mommy-to-be self-care items. She had been meaning to do that all week, ever since Saphira told them the news, but she just hadn’t had the time.
Now, as she flew down south to her sister’s, she had two hours in the sky, and the wind rushing against her face was a welcome feeling to quiet all else. Though she couldn’t quiet Luke’s words from the night before.
He was right in that she was very privileged. She’d never shied away from that; she didn’t know why she got so defensive when he said it in the bookshop’s office.
He wasalsoright in that he didn’t copy her idea. She remembered now; they had both had the idea at the same time.
Emmeline had only made such a misstep because she had tried so hard to block out that time they had spent together, but she couldn’t block it out any longer.
That evening at Tales & Tails, spending hours together before sharing their first kiss squeezed between the stacks. He had been so hungry for her, hands pulling her closer, and she’d surprised herself with how hungry she had been in return.
After Minh had basically kicked them out, she had invited him over to her place, where they slept together. It was a necessary part of the plan, though she couldn’t pretend she didn’t enjoy it. A part of her had even wished it was real,that come morning she wouldn’t have to do what she had planned to.
It was why when he’d offered to make coffee, she had said yes without realizing. She just wanted it to last a little longer. Then, after they had spent the morning together, it was all getting too real, and she needed to make him leave right then or she was afraid she never would.
So she broke his heart and blocked out the memories—until now. He had been hurt that she didn’t remember; it had been evident on his face. Guilt knifed through her at the memory, but she shook her head.
“There’s no need to feel bad,” she muttered to herself. “Not after his little stunt with the file.”
When he’d asked for a kiss, a part of her had been thrilled at the thought of giving in—but she knew she’d be able to distract him and get the file. Her triumph had been short-lived. He had hardly looked bothered—he’dsmirkedat her.
At least she’d got the file, but she soon found it wasn’t even that useful. He had been putting on a show to make her want it, to purposefully vex her, and it had worked. He was driving her insane. She didn’t understand his games, his emotions, or what he was playing at.
Emmeline let out a groan, and Torch turned her head back, slowing her flight speed.
“It’s fine, girl,” Emmeline said, stroking her scales. Torch faced forward again, but Emmeline continued to stew.
Luke was making her lose focus. The realization made her pause. What if that was what he wanted? To get in her head so she would lose Anh’s investment?
