Page 60 of Engulfing Emma

She sighs. “Oh, good. I thought I messed up. Between you and me, feel free to let me know how I can help. That woman is awful.”

“Really? What did she say to you?” I ask.

“Nothing tonight, but she comes in a lot. The waitstaff hate her.”

Brett joins our quiet conversation. “She comes in a lot? Which one, the blonde or the brunette?”

“The blonde.”

Brett looks like he’s about to blow a gasket. “Do you recall the last time she was here?”

“I can tell you exactly when it was because she got my boyfriend fired. It was last Saturday. She sent her food back three times. He got fed up and read her the riot act.”

“Last Saturday,” Brett says, gazing at Amanda across the room as if he’s going to kill her. He takes a step in her direction, but I hold him back.

“Nothing you say to her will make a bit of difference. But I know for a fact that what youdomight just drive her crazy.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s his ex-wife,” I say to the hostess. “If you really want to help, seat us where she can have a clear view, then give us the VIP treatment. We’ll give her an Oscar-worthy show that will have her throwing a temper tantrum for sure.”

The hostess laughs. “Gladly. Give me a few minutes to set it up.”

Brett looks at me thoughtfully. “Emma, not to freak you out or anything, but we’re on the twenty-first floor.”

My stomach rolls for a moment as his words sink in. I’d forgotten why we’re even here. I cross to the windows and look at the street below, then locate all the exits in the room. I look at Brett and know he’ll protect me at all costs. After all, he already has.

An hour and a half later, while we’re killing the last of the expensive bottle of champagne the hostess sent over, I find myself getting too much into the part I’m playing. For the last ninety minutes, Brett and I have been flirting incessantly to make his ex jealous. And he’sverygood at it.

He touches me when he talks. Sometimes it’s my hand or my arm. He leans across the table and caresses my face. He removes a dab of sauce from my lips—licking his finger after.

I find myself squirming in my chair. We’re doing this for Amanda’s benefit, but I’ve never been so turned on.

After our dessert comes, he moves his chair closer to mine so we can share the chocolate delight. He goes all out, spooning bites into my mouth. I go all out, exclaiming at the decadence before I kiss him.

I kiss him right here in the middle of the restaurant. When I accidentally brush his lap, I feel what this night is doing to him. He’s as turned on as I am.

“Is she looking?” I ask, when I pull my lips away from his.

“Who cares?” he says, gazing into my eyes.

“Brett,” I say with a sigh. I pull back, realizing what a bad idea this was.

“Emma, don’t push me away. Not because she’s watching, but because you know we are great together.”

“That doesn’t matter,” I say, with less conviction than I meant.

His hand finds its way under the hem of my dress, and he caresses my thigh. I don’t push him away because I’m still playing a part. Or am I?

He leans close. “I want to make you come,” he whispers. “I’ve seen your face when you do. When my tongue circles your clit, you claw at my hair because you love it so much. When I suck on your nipples, you arch your back into me because you want me. When you hold my cock in your hands, it takes everything I have not to explode. And when I’m inside you, Jesus, it’s perfection.”

He’s still ten inches away from touching methere, but I’m ready to detonate from his words alone. I close my eyes in defeat. “Not to sound cliché or anything, but …check please.”

He laughs, his hot breath flowing over my ear.

And for the rest of the evening, I’m pretty sure neither of us can even recall his ex’s name.

Chapter Nineteen

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