CHAPTER41
My shower is hot, steamy, and satisfying. I come out flushed and breathless, and think maybe I should have gone easy on the temperature gauge. My head is swimming a little, and I’m still feeling fragile.
I haul on my nightdress and robe, pad out into the empty suite, and instantly know that I’m alone. I had been in the bathroom an hour and know they must have left for dinner. It felt good to be able to chill out and have some alone time though. I’ve mulled over the call enough in the shower, and I’m tired of thinking about it. I’ll have to screen my calls from now on, or maybe change my number. I’ll need to call my mother as I have an inkling that she gave it to him, and it pisses me off immensely.
Always a sucker for a goddamn sob story. She needs to get a grip.
I have been in the social pages a lot over the last few weeks on Jake’s arm at various functions. I guess he figures I’ve hit a goldmine and wants to see what he can get out of me. I push the bile down in my throat bitterly as I think about the fact that all I am to him is a meal ticket. My heart aches with the reality of it.
He’s a prick. A money grabbing asshole.
He has never wanted to be a part of my life, except when he thought my mother could throw some cash his way, and now here he is again, sleazing his way out of his dark hole once more.
I’m not my mother; I’m not some sap who can be pulled around by a garbled confession, asking to get back in my life.
I pace to the bar in the corner and slam my hands on the counter, that old familiar rage in me creeping out, teen Emma’s rage. I hate him for that; hate him for making that part of me resurface, a part of me I try so hard to quell.
I reach out to a crystal decanter and pour myself a large brandy. I’m not one for hard liquor but I need to quell all these emotions funneling up my throat. I need to get back in control, relax a little.
I don’t know how many brandies I drink but the hotel floor gets really comfy and plush. It feels a little warm and I’m enjoying the soothing music coming from the surround sound. Jake’s playlist is on repeat; he has an eclectic taste in music but I like it. Every song makes me think of him, and I wish he was here on the floor beside me enjoying this feeling.
If I don’t move, my head doesn’t swim too much, but it feels kind of nice, like lying on a raft on the sea and drifting away into oblivion. I like the way my hair fans out, and I can stroke its silkiness mingled with fluffy carpet, my woozy senses heightened.
I never realized how soft my hair was before now. I should leave it loose more often.
The ceiling looks amazing from down here too, smooth like whipped cream that’s been spread out over an expensive cake.
I am distracted by a distant noise behind my head; as I tilt back to look upside down, two pairs of feet come into view. Tall black stilettos on gazelle-like legs standing next to a pair of black, expensive shoes and tailored pants. Even his shoes and legs are screwable!
They have returned!
I giggle naughtily at being caught in such a compromising way. I wonder what they will make of drunk Emma laying sprawled on the floor. I find it highly amusing in my current state and really have no cares about it at all.
It’s semi-dark with the lights on dim, and I can see they’re walking towards me; maybe they can’t see me. I chuckle again with mischief and pretend to be invisible.
If I close my eyes, I’m sure they will go right on by, maybe they might even walk over me.
“Emma?” His deep tone catches my attention.
“Jake,” I smile, opening my eyes again in a fluttery devilish way.
Oops, busted. He found me.
“Emma, are you drunk?” he says, sounding husky with amusement, and I laugh in answer as he moves towards me and stands over me looking down."
