Page 78 of Reputation (Tempt)

“You planned this, didn’t you?” Emerson hissed.

I barked out a laugh. “Trust me. I’m just as surprised as you are.”

And sharing a bed with Emerson was the last thing I needed if I was trying to respect her desire to keep our relationship business only.

Her shoulders slumped, the fight going out of her as the reality of our situation sank in. “What are we going to do?”

“We’ll figure it out,” I said, turning my eyes to the scenery as I feigned nonchalance.

“Figure what out, Dad?” Brooklyn asked, appearing as if from nowhere.Shit.Emerson and I were going to have to be more discreet.

I straightened. Brightened. “What we want to do first.”

Brooklyn was bouncing on her toes. “Can we go swimming?”

“That sounds nice,” I said, looking to Emerson. “What do you think?”

“I’d love to, but I should probably do a workout.”

“Why don’t you go get changed,” I said to Brooklyn, wanting to speak with Emerson alone. Brooklyn skipped off to her room.

I reached out as if to touch Emerson then stopped myself. “You’re supposed to be taking it easy.”

“Aww. You do care about me,” she teased.

How did she not realize that by now? Or perhaps she did, but she wasn’t interested.

She returned her attention to the view, as if dismissing me. She lifted her chin in a way that made her seem regal and had me watching the column of her throat. “I’ll be fine,” she said. When I said nothing, she added, “Iwill. Just a light workout.”

I barked out a laugh. “Based on our workout the other day, I’m not sure you know what a ‘light workout’ is.”

She rolled her eyes. “Okay. So maybe I got a little carried away.”

“A little?” I chuckled, but then sobered. “Please just…be careful.”

“Nate,” she sighed. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m done talking about this.”

“Fine,” I said, sensing I wouldn’t make any more headway at the moment. My only consolation was that she hadn’t shown any signs of another reaction, and I had the resort’s doctor on call. “But I have something to show you first.” I held out my hand. “Something that might take the sting out of having to share a bed with me,” I joked, trying to get a read on the situation.

“So much for rule number two, eh?” she teased.

I couldn’t help myself, I laughed. “I’m never going to hear the end of those rules, am I?”

“Nope.” She placed her hand in mine.

“Quit stalling and close your eyes.”

She hesitated then did as I asked. I took a minute to study her—the way her lashes fanned out. The pout of her lips. And then, realizing I’d paused long enough, I took her hand in mine and led her into the bathroom then through to the closet.

“Okay,” I said. “Open.”

She peered around the space, wide-eyed. “Wh-what is all this?”

“My stylist Jay sent over some clothes for you.”

“Holy…shit. Seriously?” Her eyes were wild with excitement. “Is this why you told me to only pack workout clothes?” I nodded. She released my hand and immediately went over to the rack, flipping through the options. “Oh my god. These are incredible.”

“They’re all yours,” I said.

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