Page 21 of Attorney Privilege
I wait for the sound of him rejoining the dinner before I turn my attention back to Emerson. “That’s the man you’re going to marry?”
“I didn’t know.” She’s defensive as she tries to push at my chest, but I’m not letting her go.
My shoulders sag because I’m not mad at her. I’m mad that he’s got a claim to her that I don’t. “I’m sorry.” Her body goes soft too, and I rest my forehead against hers. “Come to my room after this is over.”
“I’ll try.” She looks into my eyes, and I see the indecision.
I reach in my pocket and take out the extra key. Instead of giving it to her, I grab the edge of her panties and tuck the room key there. “Promise me.”
She bites her bottom lip but then nods. “I promise.”
When I put her back on her feet, her legs are shaky, but she squares her shoulders and walks back to the dining room.
I want to tell her not to go, to run away with me, but this has to be her choice. I can’t force her to choose me, but I can make it really fucking hard for her not to.
Chapter Thirteen
EMERSON
The beautiful wedding gown I’m supposed to wear is hanging on a hook in my suite. Everything is laid out and ready for tomorrow. I love the dress but hate what it means for my future. I wish there was a way out, but I don’t see one.
I can’t put all my faith into Gideon. He doesn’t owe it to me to step in as some white knight. To make promises to me that he might not be able to live up to. Worse, that he would live up to them even if he didn't want to. I have no right to even ask.
It would be me making him do the same thing that is being done to me, and I won't do that to another person. I never get choices, but right now I have one. Tonight, I’m choosing to enjoy myself.
I pull out the key Gideon gave me. Throughout the rest of the evening, the key was my lifeline. I kept a tight hold on it, reminding myself that Gideon was close.
He was especially in my thoughts during the speech Conner's mother made. Someone on the outside would have assumed that she and I were inseparable. She even shed a few tears. The woman and I have only ever exchanged a few words, but she put on the performance of a lifetime. I was told her speech was a tradition, but it all felt like a lie.
Thankfully, my eyes teared up right along with her. Not because I was filled with joy, but because I knew it was a glimpse into my future. Nothing about my life would ever be real; instead, it will be all for show. That’s why tonight I'm choosing Gideon. He’s the only thing that feels real right now, and I want to cling to him.
Checking the time, I debate how long I should wait in my room before going to him. I’m worried about running into someone in the hallway. I check the peephole to see if the coast is clear, and my stomach drops when I see Conner. Is he coming here? I still can’t believe I watched him do drugs. I might be naïve, but I’m not that naïve. He was using cocaine at our rehearsal dinner.
Through the peephole, I see Conner come closer, but then I spot a woman with him. She stumbles toward him, and he half catches her as they both almost fall to the floor. When they don’t, they break into laughter, and she kisses him. She looks familiar, and I realize she was at the rehearsal dinner tonight.
After they make it to their suite, I wait a few more moments just to be sure. At least with him being drunk and doing whatever drugs he’s on, he’s not going to notice me slipping from my room. Why can’t he marry that girl instead?
Hurrying down the hallway, I still look over my shoulder the whole time. Gideon's room is only one floor down, so I take the stairs. When I find his room, I don’t get the chance to use the key before the door swings open and he’s pulling me inside. His mouth comes down onto mine as the door closes behind us and he presses me against it.
My legs wrap around his waist, and I grab him, trying to get closer. I didn’t know this kind of passion was real, but that’s all I feel when he’s near me. It’s in the way Gideon kisses me and how his touches are filled with possessiveness. It makes me feel wanted for who I am and not for any other reason. Being with me doesn’t benefit his social status or merge businesses. He chose me in spite of all of that, and I’ve never felt more special.
"Missed you," Gideon says when his mouth begins to move down my neck.
"I missed you too.” I gasp when he nips at the tender skin. "But it was only an hour."
He lifts his head, his eyes meeting mine. “I miss you when you’re not close enough for me to touch.”
“You’re so freaking sweet. You know that?” He lets out a chuckle that rolls through his body into mine. I didn’t know a laugh could be sexy, but everything about Gideon is.
"No one has ever called me that before."
"I find that hard to believe." I lift my hand to stroke his cheek. His lips are a touch redder than normal from our kisses, and I brush my thumb over them. I can't imagine kissing anyone else but him, and I don’t want to.
"Maybe it's only for you." He turns his head to kiss my palm, and the touch is tender.
I love the idea that there is a part of Gideon that only belongs to me. God knows my heart will always belong to him. Maybe having something of his won’t make being apart so painful.
"Now what?" I wiggle in his hold, my sex rubbing against his hard cock.
