Page 70 of Out to Find Freedom

“Say bye to Julian.”

She didn’t look away from me when she called, “Bye, Julian.”

“Take care of our dove,” he said.

I lifted my gaze, caught his, and nodded.

“Always,” I told him.

He smiled, giving two thumbs up. Shaking my head, I stepped out of the doorway, taking Emmie’s hand in mine. Julian moved forward to the door. I knew he’d take care of the place.

“You got everything you need?” I asked down to Emmie.

Her eyes widened. She turned back, and Julian was already holding out her purse. Her face heated as she pulled it onto her shoulder and faced me again. “Now I do,” she said, then reached out to take my hand. A thrill shot to my cock.

As I led her down the walkway, I took in her clothes. The night was warm. I wore jeans and a tee, but Emmie was covered. She had on a long skirt, a top that covered her up to her neck, and a cardigan.

When we stopped at my car, I turned her in to me. “You look gorgeous, always would to me, but you gotta be boilin’, baby doll.” I reached for her cardigan. She paled and stepped back.

My hands flew up flat in front of me. “All right. Not yet.”

Red blazed her cheeks, and her eyes shot to the ground. “I’m sorry, I….” She shook her head.

I got close and cupped the side of her neck. “Hey.”

She looked up at me. Christ, she was tiny. The top of her head reached my collarbone. She opened her mouth and I knew it was to apologise again, but I pressed a quick kiss to her lips.

“Don’t say sorry, baby doll.”

“But—”

“Nah, darlin’. Nothin’ about it. Let’s have a good night, yeah?”

“I’d like that.”

Stepping back, I opened her door and waited until she sat in and put her seat belt on before I closed it. I walked around the front, keeping an eye on her, thinking she looked damn good sitting in my car.

Christ, how’d I get so goddamn lucky that she wanted me?

I couldn’t understand it, but I was glad for it.

She smiled over at me as I got in. I returned it, which made her smile grow. Chuckling, I shook my head and started the car. As we drove, I asked, “How’s work?”

She spoke proudly of it. I listened to each word out of her mouth. She’d come out of that basement not really talking or looking at people, but now she gabbed like she wanted to and kept her gaze on me the whole time.

It was damn good to see.

“I think you need to tell this client to fuck off,” I told her as I pulled up out the front of the restaurant. She had a difficult customer who Talon had passed on to her. The dick kept changing his mind on things. I knew Talon wouldn’t give a shit if she wiped him clean. I wouldn’t either since the fucker was a guy.

She laughed. “I can’t do that. I like to finish what I start, even when they’re a pain. Plus, I told him I would be getting paid for all these changes. He didn’t argue with me. It’s bound to happen again and again in the business. Not everyone will be happy with what I produce first up.”

“They should be. You’ve got talent.”

She blushed. “Thank you.”

One day she’d get used to compliments without reacting or feeling like she needed to say thanks. I winked before I climbed out of the car. I narrowed my eyes at her playfully when I saw she’d already gotten out before I could get her door.

Tapping the end of her nose, I told her, “Next time, and all times from here on out, I get your door for you, darlin’.”

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