Page 83 of Deceit

“We need to talk.”

Emmy’s face scrunches. “You couldn’t just call me?”

“Why, so you could hang up on me?” My own focus narrows on her because she would—has, and I’m not trying to strangle her today.

“I did thatonce.” She rolls her eyes and stands on her own, free of bedding and the shock of my being here. “And you need to let shit go.”

I remove myself from her peach-scented sheets that smell just like I remembered and slide off the bed.

Emmy takes a few steps back as I round her furniture, raising her chin to be able to look me in the eye.

She’s right to the middle of my chest without heels, and when she’s in my arms, short legs wrapped around my middle, she’s fucking perfect.

“We need to talk,” I repeat, helping myself to soak her all in.

She’s in a light blue tank top with no bra and short shorts. Fuck me, besides her naked, this was my favorite outfit of Emmy’s.

Casual.

Hair a mess.

No makeup.

Creamy skin and stunning brown eyes.

“Then talk,” she drawls, crossing her arms along her chest. “I’m listening.”

Good, because I think I’m only going to be able to say this once.

“I need you on this mission.”

“You didn’twantmy help, remember?”

“I changed my mind.”Fuck, she smells amazing. “I need you.”

“Bishop.” Her voice is harsh, and I know I crossed a line by sneaking into her room, but I had to see her. I wasn’t going to pour my feelings out over the phone, but at least I could maybe make a point here.

“Mhm?”

“Why are you in my house?” She rubs at her right temple with her lavender-painted fingers. “The hell is wrong with you?”

“I want this done and over with. I need to be able to move on. I’ll go to the Hamptons with you.”

She shakes her head. “I can’t go.”

“Why?”

“I’m going to New York in a few days and—“

“With Alexander.” Her face flinches at his name before recognition dawns.

She’s not stupid by any means. And right now, she doesn’t know how to react because she’s unsure where I’m going with this.

“How?”

“Mills has a big mouth,” I quip with a lift of my shoulders. “You need a better friend.”

Emmy wags a finger at me. “If you’re here to bitch at me…”

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