Page 53 of Bright Lights and Summer Nights

I fight the urge to make a nasty comment. Instead, all I do is stare daggers in Emma’s direction, wondering why she’s even giving this guy the time of day.

“That’s still very impressive,” Emma comments. She places her hand over her eyes to shield them from the sun. The smile on her face never slips, only fueling my jealousy. At least Davis, the bartender from yesterday, isn’t here to comment on how I’m acting.

I’m contemplating how mad she’d be with me if I pulled her away and cut her conversation with Eric short. But I find myself not caring, so I clear my throat. “Emma.” Her name comes out forced as I take a step closer to her.

She turns to look at me, the smile slipping slightly. “Yes?”

“Maybe we should go congratulate the winners?” I offer, holding my hand out for her to take.

“We probably should. Good talking to you, Eric.”

I let out a breath of relief when she takes my hand and lets me lead her away from him.

Peyton and Jackson have a circle of people surrounding them, forcing us to wait on the outskirts of the group until someone moves. I use the opportunity to turn and place my body in front of Emma’s, blocking her view of anyone else.

“Do I need to kiss you right now?”

Her pink lips part as her eyes dart to look around us. “No. Why?”

“So Derrick knows he can’t have you.”

She stares at me incredulously. “You’re joking.”

“I’m not known to be funny.”

Emma shakes her head at me. “You’re ridiculous. His name is Eric, not Derrick, and I was just trying to be friendly.”

A flash of anger runs through me at the way she says his name. Why do I hate it coming from her mouth so much? “Friendly, huh?”

She nods. “Yes. Just being friendly with him. You have nothing to worry about, sugar muffin.” The pet name is said sarcastically. She knows exactly how to ruffle my feathers. I have no doubt she knows how jealous that encounter made me and she’s loving it.

Emma starts to walk to Peyton, but I grab her by the waist and pull her to me. Her back is flush to my chest as I lean down and talk right next to her ear. “Are you teasing me, rebel?”

The muscles of her stomach tighten when my hands find the curve of her hips. “Maybe a little,” she admits, her voice breathless.

I’m well aware that there are tons of eyes on us at the moment, but I don’t care. All I want to do is make sure Emma knows the only man here who can take care of her is me. “I don’t like being jealous. I’ve always gotten everything I’ve ever wanted; the feeling isn’t something I’m used to. I don’t want to feel it again.”

My fingertips slip slightly into the waistband of her tennis skirt. I want to keep moving them down until I’m met with her pussy, which I’m dying to get a taste of again, but we unfortunately have an audience. Luckily, everyone is focused on Peyton and Jackson to notice us off to the side.

“Then don’t be jealous,” Emma offers.

“Wish it was that easy, rebel. You look at another man, and I become jealous. It’s a problem.”

Emma turns to face me. The movement forces my hands from her waistband, making me frown. I already miss the feel of her skin against mine. “Well, that sounds like a you problem.” She glides her finger across my chest before stepping back and winking. “Now, let’s go congratulate the winners.”

She shoulders through two of P’s bridesmaids—including Marsha—and pulls Peyton in for a hug. “Congratulations,” she says excitedly. “Not only are you the hottest bride but a hot tennis star too.”

Peyton scoffs, squeezing Emma closer to her body. “I swore we were going to lose. You and Preston were good.”

“Not as good as you.”

Peyton rolls her eyes. “Enough working out for the day. Now that we won, I’m ready for the spa.”

Emma’s eyes light up as she looks from Peyton to me. “Spa?”

Peyton narrows her eyes on me. “Pres, did you not tell Emma we had the spa rented out for the day?”

“He seemed to have forgotten to mention that to me,” Emma answers with a tight smile.

---