“Hey, honey. How are you?”
When I heard her voice, tears came to my eyes. I missed her.
“I’m okay, Mom. How are you?”
“I’m good. Is something wrong? You sound down.”
The lump in my throat was getting worse because I just wanted to break down to her, but I didn’t want her to worry.
“I’m fine. Kara and Molly left today, so I’m just feeling a little down.”
“Aw, sweetheart. Haven’t you made any new friends yet?”
“Yeah. I have. I’m just a little homesick.”
“How are the men in New York City? Have you met anyone special yet?”
“No. I really don’t have time for that right now with school.”
“You have to have some fun, Emma. When is Macy coming back?”
“Next week, I think.”
“That’s good. Then you won’t be so lonely. Listen, baby girl, I have to go. We’re just on our way out to dinner. I love you and I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Bye, Mom.”
As I poured another glass of wine, there was a knock at the door. The only person it could have been was Max and, frankly, I wasn’t in the mood to see him. I got up and looked out the peephole and was shocked when I saw Fiona standing there.
“Fiona, hi. What are you doing here?”
“I didn’t know where else to go and I can’t go home.”
She was totally wasted. She stumbled through the door and I grabbed her arm to prevent her from falling over.
“You’re drunk.”
“Very observant.” She smiled.
“Did something happen?”
“Life,” she slurred.
I took her over to the couch and made her sit down. I grabbed my wine glass from the table as I saw her reach for it.
“You’re so pretty, Emma. I really wish Max would marry you for real. Can I spend the night?”
“Of course you can, but why don’t you tell me what happened?”
“Carol and Bradshaw Hamilton. That’s what happened. I’m sick of them trying to control my life and pretending we’re the perfect little happy family while my father is out fucking women who are barely out of high school. I hate them, Emma. They’re such hypocrites.”
I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her as she cried.
“I’m going to be sick. Where’s the bathroom?”
“Around the corner. First door on your right.” I jumped up as she leaped off the couch with her hand over her mouth.
I heard my phone beep and there was a text message from Max.
“Fiona left home and I can’t find her anywhere. My parents are worried sick. You haven’t by chance heard from her, have you?”
“She’s at my place.”
“I’m on my way.”
“No, Max. I don’t think she wants to see anyone.”
“She’s my sister, Emma.”
I sighed and walked into the bathroom. “Max is on his way over.”
“You called him?” she cried.
“No. He just texted me and asked me if I heard from you because you left home and your parents are worried about you. Just talk to him. If anyone understands, he does. I promise you don’t have to leave with him. You can still stay here.”
Not too long after his text message, there was a knock on the door. I opened it and Max walked right in.
“Where is she?”
“In the bathroom, throwing up. She’s drunk.”
“Fuck!” He started to walk towards the bathroom.
I grabbed his arm and he looked at me in shock. “Don’t yell at her. She’s hurting right now and needs your support. I mean it, Max.”
He shook his head and went into the bathroom. I followed. He bent down and rubbed her back while I ran a washcloth under warm water and then headed to the kitchen to make some coffee. A few moments later, Max led his sister over to the couch and put his arm around her while they talked.
“I told Fiona that she could stay here tonight.”
“Thanks, Emma, but I’ll bring her home with me.”
“But I want to stay with Emma.”
I handed her a cup of coffee. “It’s fine, Max. Let her stay.”
“I’ll call my parents and let her know she’s safe here with you.”
“I’ll leave the two of you alone to talk. I’ll be in my room.”
About an hour later, Max walked into my room and sat down on the edge of the bed.
“Thanks for helping her out and letting her stay here.”
“No problem. How is she?”
“Passed out on the couch. I told her that I don’t condone her drinking like that at her age and she told me to fuck off.” He chuckled.
“We were seventeen once.”
He sighed. “We sure were. Did Molly and Kara get off okay?”
“Yep.”
“Is that all you can say?” His lips were dangerously close to mine.
“Uh huh.” His scent lured me in. As much as I tried to fight it, I couldn’t.
Our lips softly touched as he brought his hand up to my cheek. “I can’t stop thinking about last night.”
“Yep.”
He smiled as he brushed his lips against mine and gently took my bottom lip between his teeth. His hand latched onto my breast as our kiss became more passionate.
“I want to bury my cock deep inside you right now.”
I struggled for air because that was what he did to me. He somehow had a way of taking my breath away when he was near.
“I want to press my naked body against yours and feel the softness of your skin. All day, I’ve been thinking about how good it feels when your pussy is wrapped around my cock.”
He stood up, kicked off his shoes, and removed his shirt and pants. I lifted my t-shirt over my head and tossed it on the floor as he hooked his thumbs into the sides of my yoga pants and panties and pulled them off. Climbing under the covers, Max joined me in bed and turned on his side, running his hand down my body and latching onto my breast with his mouth as his fingers dipped inside me. I took in a sharp breath while my hands ran through his hair. I threw my head back as his tongue slid up the flesh of my neck and his fingers manipulated my insides, hitting all the right spots that geared my body up for the ultimate orgasm. My breathing was shallow and my body was on fire. He placed his thumb on my clit and mastered the small circular motion that drove me insane.
“God, I can’t wait to be inside of you and feel the warmth of your pussy. Come for me, baby. I won’t stop until you come.”
I moaned softly and pressed my lips against his as my body seized with the fiery orgasm that took over my entire body, making my toes curl.
“I love it when you come so fierce like that. You have no idea how much it turns me on.” He removed his fingers and flipped me over, spreading my legs as he thrust in and out of me while grabbing my ass and squeezing with such a grip that I was about to have another orgasm. His hands grasped my hips and pulled me up so I was on my hands and knees, taking me with long, deep strokes. He groaned as one hand reached around and firmly took hold of my breast, tugging at my hardened nipple, enhancing the sexual pleasure and sending me overboard as the wave was at its peak. I let out a low moan while saying his name as my legs tightened. His movements slowed as he pushed in deeper and moaned as he released himself inside of me. Once he finished, he brought his lips to my back and softly planted small, erotic kisses up and down it. I lowered my head in exhaustion as he pulled out of me and rolled on his back, trying to catch his breath.
“Come here.” He held out his arm, motioning for me to snuggle against his warm and muscular chest.
I lay there, wrapped in his arms, thinking about how soon this would all be over; the feeling of security and the feeling of being wanted and needed.
“Will you stay the night?” I asked.
“I really can’t, Emma. I have to be up and out early for a meeting tomorrow.” He kissed the side of my head, as if that would make me feel
better.
I wiggled out of this grip and climbed out of bed.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to take a shower. You can let yourself out.” I walked in the bathroom and locked the door from behind. Having sex with him was getting to be too much and, being a woman, my emotions were taking over. I turned on the shower so I couldn’t hear if he talked to me. Once I finished, I stepped out, wrapped a towel around me, opened the bathroom door, and he was gone. The only thing I saw were the rumpled sheets from where I just had the most incredible sex with a man that I was falling in love with. A man that couldn’t love me in return.
Chapter 16
Over the next week, I kept myself busy between school, projects, and apartment hunting for Kara and Molly. Max hadn’t bothered to call or text me all week and I didn’t really care. As I was on my home from the library, I received a phone call from Macy.
“Oh my God, Macy. How are you?”
“I’m good. Where are you? I’m home!”
Excitement ran through me as the cab pulled up in front of the apartment building. “I’m on my way up right now! I can’t wait to see you.”
“Hurry and get up here.”
As soon as I stepped off the elevator, Macy was standing in the doorway with the door open. We both squealed as I threw down my bag and hugged her.
“Welcome home. It’s so good to see you!”
“It’s good to see you too. Now get in here and tell me what’s been going on. I stopped on the way home and picked us up some grilled chicken salads and a bottle of wine. I hope you’re hungry.”
“I’m starving,” I replied.
Macy looked really good. She hadn’t changed a bit since I saw her last year back in Miami. Her blonde hair was still long and straight and she was as skinny as ever. We met three years ago when her mom started working at the diner with my mom. I was in there having lunch one day and she walked in and we got to talking and hit it off right away. She moved to New York a few months later to pursue her modeling career and we kept in touch almost every day. Our friendship grew and when I told her my plans to attend Parsons, she told me to come and stay at her place for as long as I wanted to.
“So, tell me what’s been going on in your life since I’ve been away.”
“Ugh. So much has happened you’re not even going to believe it. We have a mutual friend here in New York.”
“Really?” She smiled. “Who?”
“Max Hamilton.”
“How do you know Max? He tried hitting on me a few times when I had parties here.”
“I believe it. Anyway, I’m engaged to him.”
I felt bad for just blurting it out because she spit out her wine all over the table. Her eyes widened as she looked at me.
“WHAT?! How? Max Hamilton doesn’t settle. He’s one of New York’s most eligible playboys. He’s right up there with Collin Black.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Another fucking hottie. But, anyway, how the hell did you snag Max Hamilton?”
I explained to her the entire story and I knew she wouldn’t tell anyone. We had shared many secrets over the last three years and I knew things about her that would have made people’s head spin.
“I’m speechless, Emma. I don’t know what to say. But I do understand where both of you are coming from and I completely understand why you agreed to it. I’m just really sorry that Parsons did that to you.”
“Me too. My life would be completely different if they hadn’t taken back that loan.”
“Are you falling for him?” she asked.
I looked down.
“Aw, sweetie. You are.” She reached across the table and grabbed my hand. “There’s something I need to tell you. The modeling agency is moving me to Paris.”
“Oh my God! That’s wonderful. I’d love to live in Paris.”
“Thanks. I’m pretty excited about it. They want me to leave next week and they’re selling the apartment, so I’m afraid you’ll have to move.”
Panic settled in. Where was I going to go? I couldn’t afford an apartment on my own. I didn’t have a job yet. Shit.
“No problem. I’ve been looking at apartments for Kara and Molly anyway and I’ve seen a few that I liked. I’m so happy for you, but it sucks because you just got home and now you’re moving away in a week.”
“I know, sweetie. I’m sorry.”
I stood up and gave her a hug. “Don’t be sorry. This is an amazing opportunity for you.”
“Maybe you can stay with Max.” She smiled.
“Umm. No. That wouldn’t work out too well.” I laughed.
We cleaned up, talked some more, and then headed off to bed. She’d had a long flight and was jet lagged, and I needed to call Molly and Kara and figure out what to do.
****
The next day after class let out, I resumed my apartment hunt. I heard my phone ringing and I pulled it from my purse to see that Max was calling. I sighed.
“Hello.”
“Hey. What are you doing?”
“Apartment hunting.”
“Why?”
“One, for Kara and Molly, and two, because I have to move.”
“What do you mean? Wait. Explain to me over dinner. I’ll be by to pick you up at six o’clock.”
“No. I don’t want to go to dinner.”
“Sorry, Emma. You’re breaking up. I can’t hear you. Bad connection. See you at six.” Click.
Damn him! The last thing I needed today was to see him. He hadn’t called all week and now he decided he wanted to see me. Fuck him. When I got home, Macy had just walked through the door.
“Hey. How was school?”
“It was okay. I have to hurry and change. Max is coming to pick me up for dinner.”
“Oh. It’ll be nice to see him again. I think.” She laughed.
I went to my bedroom and changed my clothes. As I was freshening up my makeup and running the brush through my hair, I heard a knock at the door. Macy answered it.
“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Hamilton. Do come in,” I heard Macy say.
“Emma didn’t tell me that you had returned.”
“Maybe because you hadn’t bothered to call me all week.” I glared at his sexiness as I walked past him.
“I was out of town on business. Anyway, it’s good to see you again, Macy. Now, what’s this about you having to move?” he asked.
“The magazine I’m going to be doing exclusives with is in Paris. I’m moving next week, and my agency is selling the apartment. I feel really bad, but there’s nothing I can do.”
“I told you last night that it’s fine. I’ll find something. In fact, I saw a couple of apartments today I’m going to inquire about.”
I didn’t want to tell her or Max that I couldn’t afford it. If I had to, I’d use the money Max gave me for the next semester’s tuition and get a job right away. I was sure I’d have no problem finding a waitressing job at one of the upscale restaurants. Kara and Molly told me to move in with them, but trying to find a three-bedroom apartment at a reasonable price we all could afford was extremely difficult. Plus, the apartments were so small and the three of us would be too cramped.
“I can help you find a place, Emma,” Max said as he gave me a small smile.
“No. It’s fine. You’ve done enough and I can find one on my own. Now, let’s go to dinner. I need to get back. I have homework to do before tomorrow.”
I grabbed my purse, kissed Macy on the cheek, and told her I’d see her later. Max placed his hand on the small of my back, which sent shivers throughout my body. I would never get over his touch and how it made me feel. I climbed in the Rolls Royce and said hello to Darren. He gave me a smile and a wink. It had been a while since I’d seen him. He dropped us off at the curb of a restaurant called Eleven Madison Park, where the menu was $225 a person.
“Don’t you think this is a bit expensive?”
“No. Not at all. They have some of the best food here. Don’t worry abo
ut the price.”
“So where did you go on business this week?” I asked as I sipped my mojito.
“California. I needed to meet with Ian Braxton regarding some property I’m interested in that he owns in Chicago.”
“Chicago?”
“Yeah. I’m looking at a building for my company.”
He was confusing me. “What do you mean your company? What about your father’s company?”
“What about it? I’m branching out on my own as soon as my trust fund comes through. I’m building a software company. This is between you and me. Nobody knows about this.”
“And what is your father going to say about this?”
“It’s none of my father’s business. Maybe if he spent more time being a father, I wouldn’t feel the need to get out from under him. We got in an argument right before I left for California. I confronted him about his affairs and how it was affecting me and Fiona. I told him he was a hypocrite and the perfect Hamilton family was nothing but a joke. He told me to mind my own business and continue to act like the prodigal son. I swear I can’t stand that man. I want nothing to do with Hamilton Reality, Hamilton Development Group, or Hamilton Investments. I’m starting my own company and I’m building my own success out from underneath my father.”
As I sat there and listened to his rant, which was very uncontrolled for even Max, I felt sorry for him.
“Have you thought of talking to your mom?”
He laughed. “There’s no talking to her. He has full control over her. She would never think about stepping out of line and defying Mr. Bradshaw Hamilton. She agrees with everything he says. She always has.”
“Even if she found out about his affairs?”
“My mother appears to be a strong woman, but in reality, she’s very weak. I hate him, Emma. I really do.”
I reached across the table and took hold of his hand. “I’m sorry, Max.”
“It’s funny because people think that when you have money and a high-powered established name, all is glorious in the world. It’s so far from the truth. I just want my trust fund and to get out of his shadow. The day I turn twenty-six is the day that I throw a wrench in all their perfect plans.”
“Why Chicago? Why not stay in New York?”
“Because I want as far away from my parents as possible.”