“Did he hurt you, Emily?”
My head snaps up at the anger in his tone and I see pure violence hardening his expression. “No, of course not. He just scared me is all.” I think about how upset both my parents were. “It doesn’t make any sense that he would be that mad over me getting hypnotherapy.” I guess he was already pissed about me going out with Ryder, but still.
“Unless there is a reason he doesn’t want you to remember what you saw.”
“What?” I ask, thinking I misunderstood him.
He shrugs. “It seems to me he might not want you to remember what you saw all those years ago.”
I think about that, my mind running at the possibility but I quickly reject the thought. “No, it’s not that. If he didn’t want me to remember he wouldn’t have had me try it when I was younger.”
“Are you certain he did?”
“Of course.”
“So you remember doing it.”
“I…” I close my mouth and think about it for a moment. “Actually, no I don’t, but I don’t remember a lot from back then.”
He grunts. “It’s something to consider, Emily. Why else would he get that angry about you potentially regaining your memory?”
I think about the quick flash of panic I saw in my father’s expression before his angry outburst. Could it be because he’s worried what I will remember? Is that why I have only ever seen Dr. Shepard? If so, what on earth could he be hiding? I try to think of different scenarios but none of them feel right. By the time we pull up in front of my apartment building I’m even more conflicted.
“What did you end up telling him?” Ryder asks as he puts the vehicle in park.
“I told him that I was going to be making whatever decision was right for myself, and if he couldn’t respect it then not to contact me again. Then I got the hell out of there before he could bring the wrath of hell down on me. I was pretty tough,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood, even though there is nothing funny about any of this. It’s worth it when I look over to see a smile on Ryder’s handsome face. Good god the man is seriously sexy.
His smile turns into a smirk as if he knows what I’m thinking. Grabbing my wrist, he pulls me across the seat until I’m straddling him. Then, cupping my face between his strong warm hands, he kisses me. Warmth explodes through my entire body in all the right places, especially my heavy heart.
The kiss is not desperate or frantic like last night. This one is slow and thorough, but just as intense. It steals my breath and eases some of the pain that was suffocating me just minutes ago. By the time he releases my lips we are both breathless. I feel him watch me but I keep my eyes closed, wanting to bask in this moment for as long as possible. My hands find his face, going back in time. I smile when he encircles my wrist and presses his usual kiss to my palm.
“What is something you’ve been wanting to do since getting your sight back?”
His question catches me off guard. Opening my eyes I see him watching me, his gaze hot and intent. “Hmmm,” I muse, thinking about it. “Going to the movies. I was supposed to go with Cece the other night, but instead we stayed in because I was feeling a little off-kilter by this sexy, bossy guy who had just barged back into my life.”
He smirks at my teasing. “Sexy, huh?”
I roll my eyes. “And you heard the word ‘bossy’ too, right?”
“Yeah, but I like the sexy part better.” He chuckles before leaning in and trailing his mouth down my throat. I moan and tilt my head to the side to give him better access. “I guess that means I owe you a movie date.” His husky voice vibrates against my sensitive skin, the same time his hands snake up under my dress to cup my bottom.
“Mmmm. Sorry, I can’t.”
“Why is that?”
“I’m washing my hair.” I giggle when I feel him falter, but my laughter dies abruptly and trails off into a gasp when I feel a sharp sting on my ass that was just delivered from his hand. My clit swells at the sharp contact, and before I can stop myself I grind down on his erection to seek relief.
He groans and thrusts up against my eager motions. “You liked that, Em?”
“Yes,” I pant breathlessly, not sounding like myself at all.
“If you liked that, baby, then just wait until I spank your pretty ass while my cock pounds into your sweet pussy.” I whimper at his dirty words, my panties growing insanely wet. My hips start moving frantically, creating a friction I desperately need. Unfortunately, he ceases my movements with a low growl. “Time to stop or I am not going to be able to control myself from slipping into you right here.”
“That’s okay with me,” I reply truthfully, and fight against his tight grip on my hips.
He chuckles then groans. “Soon, Em, I promise. First let me take you to the movies.”
I let out a frustrated breath when I realize this isn’t going any further. “Okay, when?”
He quirks a brow, surprised at how easily I agreed. After what he just did to me I’m willing to do almost anything he says at the moment, which is dangerous. “How about I come back around six? I have a few things I have to do first. We can grab supper after.”
I nod. “Okay.” He gives me one more delicious kiss before letting me out, and the moment he drives away I feel a sudden emptiness.
Chapter 13
Emily
“Well, girl, what do you think? Do you think Ryder will like it?” I ask Summer, who lays comfortably on my bed watching me get ready for my movie date. Her eyebrows raise, seeming to assess my outfit that Cece told me to wear. The faded jean skirt is short and flirty but not indecent, and the soft yellow lace tank hugs my body in all the right places. It shows just enough cleavage to tease but still remains classy. The outfit is dressy casual and perfect for the movies, Cece had said. I really had no other choice but to take her word for it.
Summer lifts her head and responds with a low howl of approval. Giggling, I sit next to her on the bed and run my fingers through her soft fur. “Thanks, girl, you always know the right thing to say, huh,” I croon as she licks my face with her sweet kisses. “You are the bestest friend a girl can have.”
Everyone thinks I’m odd for saying she is my best friend, but it’s the truth. Most people don’t understand that a dog will be the greatest friend you’ll ever have.
They are loyal, compassionate, and accept you for who you are – faults and all. They don’t discriminate or hold grudges, they don’t care what brand of clothes you wear or how much money you have. They will love you unconditionally until their last breath, and, to me, that is the true meaning of friendship.
The knock on my door interrupts our moment. Grabbing my cell phone I hit the button for the time, and hear Ryder is ten minutes early. “Wish me luck, girl. I’ll see you in a few hours.” I give Summer one last kiss on the head then grab my thin cardigan in case it gets cold in the theatre. As I make my way to the door my heart kicks up in anticipation, my body still remembering his love tap from earlier and his promise for later.
Doing a quick fluff of my hair, I open the door with a smile. “Hey, you’re early, I…” My words trail off and my stomach sinks when I see the person on the other side of the door isn’t Ryder, it’s Kyle. Shit!
His eyes sweep down my body. His predatory gaze doesn’t make me feel pretty like Ryder’s does, it makes me feel sick and exposed. I put my cardigan on over my tank top to cover myself as much as possible.
“Kyle, what are you doing here?” I keep my tone light but I’m not friendly by any means. I quickly take notice of the suit he wears then remember what my father said earlier at the country club.
“I’m here to pick you up for the charity dinner. I have to say, Emily, as much as I love your outfit it’s not really great attire for tonight’s occasion. But you can wear it for me another night.” He winks and gives me a charming smile, one so many girls find attractive.
I guess if you judged him by looks only you could say he was good looking. His clean-cut blonde hair, blue eyes and dazzling smile with perfect white teeth make most girls swoon. But I know what he looks like on the inside and there is nothing attractive about him.