Page 28 of Ruining Her (McKinley Ranch Duet 1)

Emily

Josh pulls me slightly behind him as we enter the lobby, or yet another museum-lookalike building. He stops in front of two hulking men in suits. My first thought is maybe they’ve found me—they’re probably detectives. Then Josh shakes the hand of one.

“Sam, what the fuck are you doing here?” he asks.

The guy Sam looks directly at me behind Josh and smiles. “First, I wanted to make sure you weren’t conjuring up the dead. Now that that’s settled, I have some documents that need your signature.” He waves a briefcase in the air.

The other guy stares at me, and not in a friendly way. It creeps me out. I step further behind Josh, trying to escape the man’s gaze.

“It couldn’t have waited until tomorrow?” Josh asks as he starts heading towards the elevator, pulling me along with him. The two men follow close behind.

“No, it couldn’t. It’s the Casey merger. It needs to be finalised today,” Sam says as we all enter the lift.

Josh steps behind me, wraps an arm around my waist and pulls my back against his chest. As the doors shut, he buries his head in the crook of my neck. I hear him inhale before he whispers in my ear, “Emmy, I really need you to hold my hand right now.”

My eyes go wide. I look up, staring at our reflection on the metal doors. I place both of my hands in his. One hand curls over the fingers holding my hip, while the other grabs the hand hanging down at his side. I squeeze tight.

I can feel his hands trembling. What the fuck happened out there that’s got him this messed up? It can’t be the fact that he has to sign papers. Surely that’s the kind of thing he does all the time.

I watch the numbers as the elevator travels up. I know we’re heading to the penthouse by the PH button that Sam pressed. My thumbs rub tiny circles on Josh’s hand. I’m not sure what to do to help him. I do know that I want to help him. I shouldn’t want to, but I do.

I really need to find a way to get away from him. The longer I’m around, the further I slip into the Josh fog. That place where I can pretend that everything is normal, that we have a chance at a future together. I’m constantly reminding myself that we don’t, that I can’t have that.

It’s better for everyone if I disappear… sooner rather than later. Even as I tell myself this, my heart is hurting. Josh was right. There was a reason that I came to him. That when I finally got free, the first place I thought to go was that damn cabin. The first person that I wanted to see was Josh. Not that I can ever admit any of this to him.

The elevator finally stops, and the doors open. I release the breath I didn’t even know I was holding. Stepping out of the lift, I don’t let go of Josh’s hand. He leads me further into the room. It’s elegance at its finest. It’s McKinley-level elegance. The foyer where we are standing is white, white, and more white. White marble floors, pristine white walls. We’re standing under a huge sparkling crystal chandelier; the thing looks bigger than me.

Past the foyer, the floor steps down into a living room. White leather couches face each other with a grey marble coffee table between them. Beyond the couches are floor-to-ceiling windows—the view currently being obstructed by sheer (yep, you guessed it) white curtains.

All the white and light is such a contrast to how I would have imagined Josh’s place. I feel so out of sorts here, like I’m going to mess something up or break something I can’t afford.

Yeah, like I’ve been able to afford anything for the past three years. I met Trent four years ago—the first year was perfect. He had me completely fooled. The last three years were utter hell. I wasn’t allowed out of the apartment, unless I was with him. I wasn’t allowed to have access to money. I didn’t even own a purse. The thought of not being able to afford something is laughable. I can’t even afford a damn happy meal at this point.

The little amount of money I took from our apartment didn’t go far. I think I have around five dollars left and tucked into the lining of my backpack, which has been shoved into the corner of Josh’s closet.

“Emmy, the kitchen is just through there. Go get yourself a drink, or whatever you want.” Josh lets go of me and points towards an entryway off to the left of the room.

I nod my head. I wouldn’t mind a moment alone anyway—some time to get out of the Josh fog. As I’m about to walk in the direction that Josh pointed, Sam steps in front of me. I have to tilt my head up to meet his eyes.

“Since this asshole doesn’t have any fucking manners, I’ll introduce myself. I’m Sam, Josh’s friend.” He holds his hand out to me in greeting, a hand which I have no intention of shaking.

Instead, I put my hands in my pockets. Who the fuck does he think he is, calling Josh an asshole and talking about his lack of social skills? It makes me want to knee him in the nuts.

“I’m Emily. But you already know that, I’m sure. I would advise you though, if you ever want the chance to father children in the future, I’d refrain from calling Josh an asshole or making comments on his social skills. If he wanted me to meet you, he would have introduced us.”

I’m not sure where my sudden courage to speak to anyone like this has come from. Maybe Josh is rubbing off on me more than I thought. Deep down, I do know I’m safe if Josh is around. Maybe that’s why I feel like I can say what’s on my mind.

As I go to walk around the jerk, I’m pulled back by Josh, who spins me around so fast I lose my footing. His arm goes around my waist, steadying me while also pulling me tight against his chest.

My first thought is that I’ve made a mistake. I’ve made him mad. I should have kept my mouth shut and been polite to his friend. All those thoughts get blown out of my head when his lips descend onto mine, his tongue hungrily diving into my mouth.

I don’t know if it’s relief I feel or just my pure wanton need for the man, which makes me pull him closer, desperately trying to climb into his skin as I return his kiss tenfold. A little groan leaves his mouth as he pulls away from me.

Josh smiles down at me. “Want me to turn him into pig feed?” he asks, as he nods his head to Sam.

I look over my shoulder at Sam and consider Josh’s offer, or at least pretend to consider it. “Tough call, but you should probably keep him around. I’m going to see what I can find in the kitchen. I’m suddenly starved,” I say, as I walk past Sam and the weird guy who’s creeping me out by just standing in the background and staring. Even as I walk away, I can feel his beady eyes pinned to my back.

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