Page 56 of All Tied Down

At night, I managed to pull Emerson away from her desk long enough to grab dinner and drinks with our bodyguards in tow. We traded Nico Samson for Ozzy and Jace at night—I’d met them while in Vegas for Tom and Kat’s wedding, the two of them acting like frat boys rather than elite security personnel.

But in Chicago, I saw none of the good-time guys while we were out, both of them locked in to keeping us safe without being intrusive. It was like a trial run for the events Theo and Des have scheduled in the next few months.

And even though I’ve been doing this for years now, it’s still strange that I can’t always do what I want. Being spontaneous was how I lived my life, but that all changed in the coffee shop the day I met Theo. Even now the memory sends a little tendril of panic coursing through my veins.

“I’m so happy to be back,” Emerson announces, falling onto the couch and stretching out like a cat before rolling onto her side and grinning. “Your couch is so much better than mine.”

It could be our couch if this wasn’t temporary.

The words are right there, my mouth opening to say what I’ve wanted to say since the moment we walked through the door.

“Oh good, you’re home,” Theo calls as he walks in like he owns the place and sets several bags onto the island.

“We’re going to have to work on you calling first,” I grumble as Emerson sits up and tucks her legs under her.

“Hey Theo, how’s it going?” she asks, draping her arm over the back of the couch and resting the side of her face on it. She looks so normal.

Relaxed.

The stress of the last few days left in Chicago.

Won’t she miss this?

“Mama made you dinner and dessert and said that she wants to have you and Garrett over to the house so she can cook for you.”

“That sounds nice,” she says without lifting her head.

“It does until she starts asking when you’re going to give her grandchildren.” When she chuffs out a laugh he adds, “Or a dog. She’s not picky at this point. Don’t laugh; I’m not kidding. She’s desperate. She’s trying to set the poor kid in the deli at the grocery store up on dates.”

“Speaking of dates,” Emerson says without acknowledging anything he just said, “when’s your date with Des?”

“Tonight because you two are going to Gin & Porter tomorrow and I need to be available if anything happens.”

“Your boss sounds terrible,” she replies and I shake my head, crossing the distance between the kitchen and living room to drop down on the couch next to her.

“Wanna say that again?” I growl but she only laughs, leaning back into me in a way that’s intimate and familiar.

Dammit, why does she have to feel so good?

“Can you guys keep it together for another five minutes, please?” Theo demands, as he puts the rest of the groceries away and turns toward us.

“He’s so grouchy today,” she mutters as Theo’s hands slam down on his hips and she giggles—actually giggles.

“He just wants a night with zero work-related issues and—” Theo starts.

“And he’s nervous,” I add helpfully more to Emerson but loud enough that Theo can hear. “That’s why he brought groceries. He’s trying to distract himself until his date and is using us as the reason he’s frazzled.”

“Frazzled,” she repeats, looking over her shoulder at me. “That’s a good word.”

“Right?”

“Stop being so nervous, Theo, it’s going to be fine,” she calls and I watch as he presses his lips into a thin line.

“I really want this to go well.”

“So go and be yourself. You guys can bitch about how needy your bosses are and⁠—”

“I, for one, am amazing to work for.” I pout as she shimmies back, grinding against my cock and forcing me to swallow the grunt that wants to escape.