Page 98 of Take Hold of Me

“I know.” She turns her head to look out the side window. The small smile plays around her lips tell me she’s excited.

We arrive at the rendezvous point sooner than I wanted. Now I have to turn her over to Rinaldo, who’s standing outside a red Mercedes convertible. He just broke the scale from douche to uber douche.

I pull up next to him and look at Ems. She launches herself at me, kissing me like we’re never going to see each other again. Because I want this, I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight, my tongue exploring her mouth as if it was our first time.

Get a grip, man.Stop being a pussy, as Zak would say.

My hands slide from her waist to her shoulders, and I pry my lips from hers. Leaving my forehead against hers, I say, “Go on. I’ll be right behind you the whole way. I’ll find you inside and keep you safe.”

“Promise?” Her index finger lands on my chest, right above my heart.

“Always, Angel.”

“Wait here, I’ll get your door.”

“Such a gentleman.” She runs her hand over her lips. “Until I’m under you.”

I chuckle. “You got that right.” I hit the unlock button and hop out, walking around the front to get Emilie’s door. I refuse to look at her “date” for the evening.

When she stands next to me, her hand finds mine and together we turn. Tonight is about Emilie’s success as an actress, even if it meant she had to kiss her soccer player ex on set. She was acting, I remind myself and steal another kiss. A real one. One that she doesn’t have to turn her cheek to accept.

Time to face the music for tonight, named “Rinaldo in D Minor.” A smirk crosses my lips. I guess Cole rubbed off on me after all.

Uber douche pushes away from his convertible, eyes squarely on Emilie. “Emmie. You look fantastic. The papps are going to eat you up.”

Her hand clamps down on mine for a split second, her face a beautiful mask. In response, I squeeze her hand and whisper, “I’ll be with you the whole time.”

“Bon noite,Rinaldo.” She inhales a deep breath and walks toward him.

He reaches out to do the European double-cheek kiss greeting, which she reciprocates. It means nothing, Wills. They’re just being polite, European-style.

“Nice car. Wills is teaching me how to drive.”

The fact that she can bring me into the conversation so effortlessly fills me with pride. See, soccer boy. She’s withmenow.

“Hey,” I say, extending my hand. Might as well act civilized.

“Hola,” he responds, shaking my hand with a death grip.

Uber douche. I break the contact. “Emilie is a natural driver.”

“I bet she is. Like she’s a natural actor. But I suppose when it comes to certain emotions and how we express them, acting isn’t necessary.” He turns to her, arm outstretched. “Here, let me help you into my car.”

While he’s being overly solicitous, I check out his wheels—which cost more than I made last year. Gross.

Rinaldo reappears in front of me. He points to the twenty-foot two-seater. “Picked this up for a steal. Can’t believe how cheap things are over here.” He punches me in the arm. “You got it good.”

Having nothing to say, I raise my chin.

“So, don’t be worried about this party, dude. I got Emmie all covered. The papps will get their photos of us on the way in, to get their tongues wagging. But don’t worry, I won’t give them a show like the one you just gave me.”

My chest rises on my inhale as I try to keep my temper in check. “Get her in the door. I’ll take over from there.”

He waves his hand as if my words were of no consequence. “Of course, we’ll make it look real for the cameras. After all, we need to keep everyone happy.” He punches me again. “Ain’t that right, William. Wills.”

Enough of his shit. “Drive carefully.”

“Yeah. Always do.” He jumps over the driver’s side door, his ass landing squarely in the driver’s seat. The engine roars to life.

Ems dons a scarf to protect her hair from the wind the convertible’s going to generate. She blows me a kiss and they take off like a bat out of hell.

And just like that, I’m left alone to trail behind. As usual.

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