Page 51 of Emma's Element

“We are all doing what we can to keep an eye out. She’s only ever let us help with the pervs. But even with those, it took one of them propositioning her at a rescue for her to break down and confess. She never told us about the letters. All this time, she’d been dealing with that shit alone. We could have done so much to protect her. Maybe even prevented the destruction of her apartment. We all would have been more vigilant. But as you said yourself, she’s stubborn and won’t accept our help. Doesn’t want any of us to get hurt.”

“How much do you know about the end of her Coast Guard career?” Marcus asked Graham. He knew exactly why Emma wouldn’t accept help from her friends. She was afraid of losing them like she had Paul and her other teammates. She’d try to protect them from the threats spilling over into their lives, afraid they’d get hurt because of her. She probably feared losing her new friends just as she had her teammates.

“If you’re talking about the accident and the aftermath, I know everything. We had a long talk about it after I hired her. That shit she went through was absurd. I don’t think any of the other Nighthawks truly know what happened since she never talks about it. Aside from Jolene, she doesn’t let anyone get too close. I believe you are the first one to break through some of those walls she’s erected.”

“She didn’t tell me about the accident until the night of the gala. Knowing her story now, I can see why she doesn’t let anyone too close. She had to watch her friends disappear, die, and she was helpless to do anything. And the people who should have been there for her turned on her in the most vicious way possible. She’d let people in close to her and lost everything.”

“Yes, I had that same thought,” Graham uttered.

“It’s hard to trust after that type of hurt and betrayal.” He should know after the many betrayals he’d experienced over the years. Emma had been different. She was the first one in a long time to break through his defenses and had begun to teach him to trust again. He was determined to do the same for her.

Graham sent him a sharp look. “The Nighthawks would never do such a thing . . . to anyone. We are a family and would move heaven and earth to protect that family. Every. Single. Member.” Graham enunciated each word, giving Marcus a pointed glare. Message received, he struggled to swallow the lump in his throat.

Marcus nodded, blinking back the sting of emotion. “One more question.” He stopped, a little choked up. When he could speak again, he asked, “Why did nobody clean up the mess at her place?”

Graham sighed. “She wouldn’t let us. We all volunteered to go over. Promised her we’d handle everything. She refused. For now, we’ve been respecting her wishes.”

“Can I see her now?”

Graham smiled. “She’s staying at my cabin by the river.”

Marcus held his hand out to his friend. “Thank you.”

“Just treat her right,” Graham replied.

“Spoken like a true big brother,” teased Marcus.

Chapter eighteen

Emma’slaptopsatonher knees, her fingers flying over the keyboard. The birdsong surrounding her went unnoticed as she sat on the deck of Graham’s cabin, entirely focused on finding the bitch who’d destroyed her apartment. Meeting another dead end, she slammed her fists on the arms of the chair in frustration. Movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention, and her pulse sped up. She knew he’d come. Jolene had texted to warn her. Apparently, her friend couldn’t keep her mouth shut. But now that he was here, she didn’t know how she felt. Part of her was glad it was all finally out in the open. But another part of her didn’t want to involve anyone else in her problems. Especially Marcus, who had enough on his plate, she didn’t want to burden him with more problems.

She set her laptop aside and stood, watching his approach. He looked angry, worried, and a little hurt. She couldn’t do much about the first. She was angry herself. But the other two, she felt bad about. The sun was beginning to set behind him, a glorious array of colors as a backdrop for his march towards her. She almost smiled at the symbolism.

Marcus stalked up the steps to the deck and grabbed her to him. His mouth crushed hers before she could say anything. He devoured her mouth, and she let him. He kissed her with all the anger, worry, and hurt that was in him. And she tried to soothe him with each stroke of her tongue.

His kiss told her everything she wanted to know. Everything she needed to know. The iron band that had wrapped itself around her heart since the moment he’d walked out her door loosened, allowing joy to pour over her. Relishing the sensations that erupted inside her, she was thrilled he still desired her.

Emma wrapped her arms around his neck as he kissed her, pressing herself closer to his hard body. He moaned into her mouth and slid his own hands from her upper arms where he had grabbed her down to her ass, lifting her slightly to fit against him.Kitty whiskers,she wanted him. Had never stopped wanting him, even with the nagging doubt that pricked her brain that she ruthlessly pushed down.

As his tongue dueled with hers, she found herself not caring about all the reasons why it was a mistake to want him so ridiculously much. She just wanted this moment. She intended to feel. To grab hold of something good . . . for herself.

He broke the kiss and stared down at her, his gaze reflecting her own desire. “I’ve been dying to get to you all day,” he confessed.

“And now you’re here,” she replied breathlessly.

He raised a hand and stroked her cheek with the backs of his fingers, sighing heavily, eyebrows gathered in a pained expression. “Emma,” he started.

“No,” she said. She didn’t want to hear apologies. She didn’t want to hear regrets. She just wanted to enjoy whatever time she had with him. When he tried to speak again, she shook her head and kissed him. Then she took his hand and led him inside and down the hall to the bedroom she was using. Closing the door behind him, she went eagerly into his arms again, trembling with need. His lips were on hers again. His hands held her tight as he plundered her mouth. He explored the deepest recesses with such a passion that she was left breathless.

“You’ll stay with me this time?” she asked when their kiss broke again.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he vowed. “Ever.”

“Good,” she said, running her hands up under his shirt. The hard muscles made her fingers tingle for more. Emma tore his shirt off over his head, and then that glorious body was on display for her hungry gaze. She ran her hands over every ridge and plane. Over pecs and abs. Her mouth followed the track her hands made, from the pulse point on his throat to his smooth chest. His hands on her hips pulled her closer as she moved her lips up his neck.

He met her mouth with his own. She pushed past the barrier of his lips with her tongue; it was her turn to explore his inner recesses, and she did so wantonly. Tearing her mouth briefly from his, she reached down and grabbed the hem of her shirt, pulling it up and over her head. She was now skin to skin with him. Want flourished low in her belly and flowed down to grip her core. Desire to be one with the man who’d opened her heart to new sensations surged through her veins, heating her blood.

She reached back to unclasp her bra, but his hands were already there. She let the garment fall to the floor as his mouth descended on her throat, tracing a line down to the swell of her breast.

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