Page 52 of Without Regret

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

Emma

I half expected him to pull into a motel down the road. Before Trevor, that would’ve worked for me; for example, if I’d picked up a guy in a bar. But now I was relieved when he didn’t. My relief was replaced by panic fifteen minutes later when we pulled up to a huge gate flanked by trees on either side.

“Where are we?”

“My home, but don’t worry. We won’t go up to the main house.”

I gulped because what a main house it was. Holy shit. The mansion was massive, but we drove around it towards the back.

“Where are we going?” I whispered, feeling like we were sneaking around.

“Pool house. Come on.” He stopped the truck and came around to my side to help me down. The gentlemanly gesture was appreciated.

Taking my hand, he led me down a small driveway and then through a back gate, where he punched in a code. Despite the dark, I could make out the massive pool to the left of us.

“Won’t they wonder why you pulled in and didn’t come into the house?”

A few steps later, he was unlocking the door to what looked to be a little, cottage-type house. He soon pulled me inside. “My father is traveling until Thursday. And my sister is probably asleep, sneaking Rufus into the house since my father is gone so he can sleep in bed with her. She’s not expecting me in any event.”

“Oh.” It was the only word I could manage before I was scooped up and carried through the darkened room to another room. Clearly, he knew the layout. His lips on mine erased any idea I should care where we went so long as he didn’t stop.

***

“I have to go,” I whispered in the dark, still naked and sprawled on top of him in the large bed.

“Yeah. Okay. I’ll drive you.”

“No, no. I’ll get an Uber. Just point the way towards the front gate.”

Although I couldn’t see his face in the dark, I could feel him tense up. “Not happening, sugar. I’ll take one of the other cars so my truck isn’t seen, but I’m not letting you get in an Uber near midnight. Chances are Tom and Simon are no longer up anyway.”

He probably wasn’t wrong; they probably were both asleep, but I was worried about the risk. Simon would be disappointed that I was jeopardizing the long-term chances of our newest team member. Tom would use any opportunity to cause trouble.

“Okay. You can drop me off at the back of the hotel.” I felt around for my clothes and finally managed to don the wrinkled suit and shoes.

“Fine. But I watch you go in.”

It felt strange to have someone worry about my safety. Simon would upon occasion, but I tried not to give him the opportunity. After living independently my entire life without anyone caring, I couldn’t say it was altogether unpleasant. Just weird.

We drove mostly in silence, but with Trevor’s hand over mine on the center console, his thumb rubbing circles on my wrist. Luckily, it was a short drive back. Once we arrived, I unbuckled quickly and slid over to get out before he could help me.

“Good night.”

“’Night, Emma.”

He was true to his word, watching as I scanned my key card into the back door of the hotel and went inside. I gave him a little wave and took the stairs up to my room. Once there, I let out the breath I’d been halfway holding, now confident no one had seen us.

***

By Wednesday, I could start to see the toll on Trevor as we made a list of employees and realized we’d be giving them all two weeks’ severance. No more, no less. And even then, Peter wasn’t happy. If he had his way, they’d all get a pink slip and not one pence.

We hadn’t had another night together since Monday, but Trevor looked tired and had lost some of the enthusiasm I’d come to expect from him.

Hope lingered that I’d find something or the audit of the company would turn up a problem to cancel the sale. But no luck so far.

By Thursday, I made up my mind to talk to Simon. Since he met me in the hotel lobby each morning to drive us over to the office, it wasn’t hard to get some private time. I started the conversation once we were seated in the rental car.

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