I shrug. “Then I would have bought you a car. Something small and agile. A MINI Cooper, maybe?”
Her mouth pops open. “Seriously?”
“Seriously,” I reply, voice as deadpan as I can make it. “Princess, if it’s something you want, I’ll get it for you if I can. I’ll always get you what you need.”
Emmy searches my eyes, like she is trying to determine if what I’m saying is true. It is. Every word.
She lowers her eyes, and I wonder if I’ve said too much. Her silence plays havoc with my nerves, but I remain still, waiting.
I’m rewarded when she turns her arms over in my hands and her fingers wrap around my forearms, eyes turning back up to mine as she looks at me through her lashes.
“What if I’d asked to tie you up for a change?” The impish little flirt from that day in my office on campus, when she stripped down and bratted her way into my classroom, is back.
It’s my turn to smirk down at her, because two can play at this game. “Princess, if you want to tie me up and have your way with me, I’m one hundred percent here for that.”
Bubbles of happiness explode in my chest as I watch what are clearly dirty thoughts filtering through her mind. Her eyes become unfocused, and that beautiful lower lip disappears again before a shiver rolls down her spine and she comes back to the room.
“Ah, well, okay, then,” she murmurs, clearing her throat as she takes a step back and unlinks our arms.
A dull ache pulses through my center at the loss of contact, but it’s more than I’ve had in weeks. Baby steps.
“I’m just going to…” She trails off as she tosses a thumb over her shoulder, and I nod in reply, still working through the ache.
I’ve barely finished coiling the ropes when she reappears fully dressed and hair in a messy bun that’s already threatening to beat its hair tie.
Dropping the pink length onto the floor, I stride over to her, not really sure what my plan is, but knowing I don’t want this goodbye to be her running from me again. “Do you have all your things?”
Emmy nods. “Yeah, I’ve got the nude set as well. I’ll come dressed in them on Saturday.”
“Okay,” I reply, searching for anything to prolong our conversation. “You know, you can come back on other days, if you like.”
Emmy’s eyes light up, but a cautiousness soon follows. “Yeah?”
A buzz of excitement fills me at where this totally random idea is taking me, and I bounce on the balls of my feet. “Yeah, thereare two spaces downstairs that are currently vacant, and the studio next to mine will be free next month.”
The want that takes over her features is so strong and vivid that I’m completely shocked when her expression shutters, her desire melting away, and she shakes her head. “N-no, no. Thanks, but no. My art is just a hobby. I need to concentrate on getting my degree.”
“Emmy—” I start, but she cuts me off with a quick smile and a sidestep.
“Thanks, though. Anyway, my ride will be here in a minute, so I’m going to get going. See you on Saturday.”
Before I can stop her, she’s out the door and gone. As the door clicks shut behind her, I realize I never apologized. Although, she did fantasize about tying me up, so maybe she isn’t upset about it?
I’m still going to have to tell the others.
Dropping my head back, I stare at the ceiling. “Fuck.”
But then a smile creeps onto my face; she fantasized about tying me up.
She still wants me.
Chapter 78
Emery
The locked notebook flexes in my hand as I stand around the corner from Hudson’s office, a whole hive of bees trying to force their way out of my belly button.
Giving him my notebook that first time had been a spur-of-the-moment thing. I wasn’t even sure I would get it back. Giving it to him this time will be on purpose. All my entries before thislast one I wrote with no intention of anyone ever reading them, so I really went for it. This last entry, though…
