Chapter 90
Emma’s phone buzzed as she navigated the crowded streets on her way home. She answered quickly, her personal assistant’s voice filling the car.
“Ma’am, I’ve found an apartment that meets your requirements the assistant said, her tone hesitant.
Emma’s spirits lifted momentarily. A secure apartment close to the hospital was exactly what she needed. “That’s Where is it?”
great
Her assistant hesitated a moment, then replied. “The apartments in a secured complex not far from the hospital, but. there’s a complication.”
Emma’s stomach tightened. “What kind of complication?”
“The property owner is Alexander Black.
The name hit Emma like a freight train. Of all people, it had to be him. She clutched the wheel a bit firmer while her chest tugged the ache of frustration. Of all things in the world, the last she would like to do is depend on Alexander for just about anything–let alone a roof over her head.
“Are you
you positive there’s no other option?” She strained her voice
I have inquired as much as possible, ma’am, her assistant said with much courtesy. “The empty apartments around the hospital happen to be Mr. Black’s as well.” Emma let a heavy sigh out, situations she could barely control weighing in “Thanks; that goes to consideration.
on
her.
She hung up and grasped the steering wheel as her mind went into a cycle. Everything that seemed a stepping forward was restraint toward it all, since the approval for an apartment would simply see her slipping into Alexander’s orbit–something she had struggled so diligently to avoid all these
years.
She was at the wheel, speeding her way to reach home as fast as possible when her phone rang again. She looked at the screen, and her heart skipped a beat–the caller ID read Jaden.
She answered quickly, her tone soft. “Hello, Jaden.”
“Can we talk?” His tone was curt; he had no time for pleasantries/
Emma sat up a little straight. “Of course. Where?
He gave her the address of some quiet, inconspicuous bar. She noted the address mentally and replied. “Tll be there in a little while.”
Emma drove straight to the location, her pulse growing quicker with every mile passing. She pulled into the garage of the bar, looked around for any lurking paparazzi, and found that the coast was clear. Yeah, right, she thought
She parked, fixed her coat, and took a deep breath before stepping out. It was cold outside that night, the air nibbled at her skin, but she hardly felt it. Emma walked toward the door, each ep heavier than the last,
She reached the door, slowed, and took a shaking breath. Her hands still shook a little as she braced herself against the cold metal handle. A friendly hostess greeted her and led her through to a somewhat secluded corner table. Dimmed lights cast long shades across the room; murmurs of conversations everywhere. Emma twirled her fingers around each other, getting increasingly nervous with each second that passed.
When Jaden finally materialized, her breath hitched in her thro His suit was wrinkled, his tie undone, and his hair mússed, yet he looked impossibly handsome. He came to the table unsteadily, a faint smell of alcohol on him.
He collapsed into the chair across from her, fixing his bloodshot eyes on hers. “You could have told me, he said, his voice
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Chapter 90
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Emma’s heart sank. She didn’t need to ask what he was referring to; she already knew. “I know. I’m sorry, Jaden,” she replied softly, her voice trembling.
Jaden snorted, leaning back in his chair as a bitter laugh escaped his lips. “Sorry? That’s all you have to say?” His gaze slipped away from Emma, anguished. “I thought we trusted each other, Emma. I sat there, like an idiot almost dying to meet her, and you just. let me.
she
Emma winced with each word he said, as if every word was a dagger struck deep into her heart. “I know I hurt you,” sh whispered. “I had my reasons.”
He turned to face her then, his eyes narrowing. “Reasons? And you believed I’d stand in your way? That I wouldn’t have your back?
“No, Jaden,” she hurried to assure, shaking her head. “That’s not it I was wrong, I know. I should have told you the truth, but 1. I couldn’t. I was scared.”
Jaden ordered two whiskeys without breaking his eyes off hers and from his expression, he betrayed nothing. The drinks came pronto, and he stretched his hand to the first glass, which became intercepted by Emma.
Before he could get a word out, she had thrown her head back and was downing the glass in one swallow, the burning liquid. sliding down her throat. She winced but didn’t falter.
“What the hell, Emma?” Jaden exclaimed in shock.
She raised her hand to silence him and snatched up the second glass. “If anyone needs this, it’s me,’ she grumbled before. tossing it back as well.
Jaden stared at her, his mouth agape, but Emma ignored him. The alcohol burned through her, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the fear, and the overwhelming ache in her chest. Tbe right back,” she said, standing abruptly and walking toward the restroom.
She went in and flung cold water onto her face, trying to collect her composure. But once she was in the hall again, a firm hand latched onto her wrist and dragged her into the shadows.
“Wh-“she started, but died in her throat as cold wall slammed into her body.
Her heart racing, she looked up, her lips parting in surprise as her gaze fell upon the figure that had pushed her against the
wall
It was Alexander.
His eyes, tempestuous, locked with hers, and before she did anything, his lips crashed onto hers in an intensity that stole her breath. His hands framed her face, and he pressed his body to hers, his kiss deepening to claim her with such ferocity that took her by surprise.
She gasped against his lips as he nipped at her lower lip, tugged before his tongue slid into her mouth. A raw desperate and consuming kiss that left her head reeling.
I don’t think I can keep living without you, Emma,” he growled ainst her mouth low and husky, laced with a perilous need. His hands slid down to her waist, tugging her closer until there was not an inch of space between them.
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