Page 43 of Without Regret

CHAPTER TWENTY

Trevor

I kissed her shoulder before reluctantly getting out of the bed. I’d have preferred to spend the night instead of leaving shortly after sex, but I had to abide by Emma’s rules if I was to have any chance at winning her.

She rolled over to look at me. “You’re leaving?”

Emma was every fantasy come true. Sexy, funny, and beautiful. But her anxiousness at the restaurant had made it very clear the only way I’d be able to hold her, literally and figuratively, would be through sex. Not that most guys would complain—each and every time we were together, I couldn’t get enough. But there was something else I was after.

Her heart.

“Yeah, I should get back for Rufus. Big guy isn’t used to spending the night alone.”

“Right. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” She was chewing on her lip, her tell for feeling insecure or awkward.

It seemed silly that after a matter of days I found myself falling for her, but it was the truth. Maybe it was infatuation, but I didn’t think so. And if it had been all about the chase, I’d have been sated instead of more intrigued. The challenge was not freaking her the fuck out. One mention of feelings, and I knew she’d be gone. Yet I believed there was more here than just sex.

There had to be.

“Actually, I’m taking off early for Houston. Spend some time at home. But I’ll see you when you come in.”

“Oh.”

The disappointment on her face made me ask the next question without thinking.

“You want to drive with me tomorrow?” It would be Saturday, and so we’d have the weekend together.

“No, um, thanks. I’m flying in on Sunday to secure our temporary office space.”

I recalled Simon mentioning that fact. “In the same building as the prospective company?”

“Yes. There are two options. One small space on the eighth floor and one huge floor on the seventh. The software company has the second floor.”

“Do you mind if I meet you there? I’d love to get a sense for that part of the process.”

“No. I don’t mind. I have an appointment with the building manager on Sunday at two o’clock. We’ll meet in front.”

I dropped a quick kiss to her lips. “Sounds like a plan. Have a good weekend.”

“You, too.”

***

On Saturday morning, I took off for Houston with Rufus in my truck for the three-and-a-half-hour drive. Although I was disappointed Emma hadn’t wanted to spend the weekend with me, I reasoned it might be good to have a little separation. Perhaps she’d miss me by Sunday.

As I walked into my childhood home, I sighed. It was always bittersweet coming back here to the sprawling mansion. Memories of my mother here were so poignant I had to choke back emotions. Her brain cancer had hit out of the blue, and after a short battle, she’d succumbed. I’d been seventeen, and looking back, that year was a blur. As soon as I’d graduated high school, I’d gotten the hell out. My father had been much the same, throwing himself into his work and doubling his travel schedule. Guilt seeped in that my little sister Avery had been left on her own during such a difficult time.

But now she bounded down the stairs, all smiles. “Hey, you’re early.”

I engulfed her in a big hug. “I hoped to miss traffic.” The truth was I hadn’t wanted to be tempted into asking Emma again if she’d come with me. One rejection was enough.

“Are you staying here or in a hotel?”

“Here. Definitely.” As hard as it was, it was important to relive some of the memories and spend time with my sister.

“Awesome. So dinner tonight—maybe old movies?”

“Sounds good.”

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