Page 171 of Sin With Me

“Of course. We have a bond no one can break.”

“Does he live in Ogden aswell?”

Fuck! Why so many questions, Emma? I don’t want to lie to you.I hated the feeling. Hadn’t Emma herself said that secrets could destroy people? But I couldn’t tell her the truth. I had to pay my debt and keep my end of the bargain. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything at all. Why did she have to be so beautiful and charming and witty? Why had the girl who was described to me as a spoiled brat turned out to be a smart woman I would give my lifefor?

“No, he doesn’t. But not toofar.”

An hour plane trip away, you couldsay.

“What part of the military did Reeve gointo?”

“Why? Do you think you’d prefer an army guy over a cowboy?”

“Don’t be jealous. You’ve been there too, so technically you’re an army cowboy.”

“I’m not jealous, Em. I’m just trying to figure out why so many questions.”

“I’m curious by nature. I know a lot of men who served the country, including my father. Besides, the more information the better.”

“You don’tsay.”

“Are you making fun ofme?”

“Yes. Will that get me in trouble with myPI?”

She yawned. “Yes, big trouble. In fact, trouble is my middlename.”

That I could believe.

“You’re tired.”

“It’s been a longday.”

It had been a long day, but it hadn’t changed how much I ached for Emma. I was drawn to her like a bear to a beehive and Emma was overflowing with sweetness – sweetness I would give anything to taste again. I shifted in myseat.

“I can’t believe you’ve gone through so much in your life. The shooting, your kidnapping. How did you get overit?”

“I don’t think I did. It’s with me every day. I don’t trust easily – almostever.”

She sat quietly for a moment before she spoke again. “Do you trustme?”

The car was rolling down my driveway, and when I shifted the gears in to park, I breathed out, “Yes. With mylife.”

“Why?” She cocked her head to theside.

“I don’t know, Em. Why do birds fly? Why is the sky blue? Why do you make me feel like a man not worthy ofyou?”

“I don’t tryto.”

“I know you don’t. It’s me, Em. Always feeling like I can’t be enough for anyone. And with you, I just know I can count on you, and I wish I could reciprocate, insteadof…”

…failing you, the way I failed Annabelle and Reeve.

“Instead of what, Eric?” she whispered.

With my arms braced against the steering wheel, I shook my head, saying, “To this day I have nightmares and fear for my sister’s safety. You know, because of her kidnapping.”

“You should go to San Francisco. Check up onher.”

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