Chapter Twenty-Two
Emma sat on the sofa in Devon’s home office and looked up from her book when the telephone on his desk rang. He had never asked her to answer it, so she went back to reading.
“Mr. Fowler, this is Roger Pratt from the Pratt Realty you called. I’m very anxious to get a look at the house in question. I’ve always been curious about the inside. I already know the house will go a hefty amount because of its great location on Maple Street and the size and condition. Give me a call back, and we’ll set up a time to meet there. Thank you.”
Emma’s heart felt like it was ready to burst, the pain was so bad. How could he make her feel like she was special and then plan to sell the house without telling her? Jeez, could he even do that when it didn’t belong to him? But it was the fact he wanted to sell, knowing how much she loved the place.
He just didn’t seem the type, but then he was the only man she’d been in a relationship with. She made a decision to get away from him until she could control her feelings.
She hurriedly stuffed a few pieces of clothing into a bag, grabbed her purse, and started for the elevator. Then she pushed the button and took one more look around. A wave of sadness washed over her, and it hurt so bad it about doubled her over.
Time was the only thing she knew would get her through this, but she could understand why some people were said to die from a broken heart. The pain was so intense it made it hard for her to breathe.
The door slid open, and she walked in, turned, and pushed the button for the lower level.
She stared up at the numbers as they slowly descended and wiped the tears that refused to stop.
The elevator jolted to a stop, and her heart sank when she realized she was on the third floor and not the ground one she expected.
The door slid open, and her first look was at Devon with his hands in his front pockets and a scowl on his face.
Her back bumped against the side of the elevator when he stepped in and pushed a button.
She watched in horror when he pressed the stop button between floors because she knew she was stuck until he was ready to let her go.
He turned to her and crossed his arms over his chest.
Emma swallowed and waited.
“I need to know one thing, pet. Are you trying to run from me again?”
She sniffed and wiped the tears that covered her cheeks.
“You better answer me, baby, because you’re already in deep and will be punished.”
“I … I don’t have to tell you anything,” she told him belligerently and raised her chin. All her courage fled, and she bit down on her lip when one of his eyebrows rose.
“I don’t know what gave you that idea, pet. Everything you do, say, and feel is my business.”
She shook her head. “Not anymore.”
She squeaked and dropped her bag when he took the steps to get to her. He flattened his hands on either side of her head and then drove his hard cock against her lower stomach.
“Would you like to think about it before you give me a better answer, pet?”
“I…” she murmured and pressed her hands against this chest. At first, it was to push him away, but the minute she felt the heat and firmness of his body, her resistance immediately dropped.
“Tell me where you think you’re going,” he demanded.
“Away.”
“Emma,” he said gruffly.
She could see his jaw clench and his eyes narrow with his intense focus on her, and her stomach tightened further. “Fine! I was running away.”
Both of his eyebrows rose at the anger she didn’t try to hide. She wanted him to see how pissed she was.
“I guessed that much. Do you mind telling me why?”
She fought to keep her eyes open when one of his hands slid up her waist and cupped her breast at the same time he slowly humped her with his rigid cock.
“You don’t respect me at all.” God, she knew she sounded pathetic, trying to act all tough and failing miserably. “And I know without that and trust, we can’t have a relationship.”
His brows snapped together. “How do I not respect you?”
“You’re making decisions for me without talking to me first. You think I’m stupid, and just because I’m a little doesn’t mean I’m ignorant.”
She hated how confused he looked.
“For one thing, pet, I’ve never thought you were stupid. In fact, I think you’re smarter than I am, so I don’t ever want to hear that shit come out of your mouth again. Give me an example of how I disrespect you.”
She wanted to scream in frustration. “The house.”
“Go on.”
“You’re selling it without talking to me. That house has been in my family for three generations, and the thought of selling it makes me sick to my stomach.”
His brows rose in disbelief. “Where the hell did you get that idea?”
She was beyond angry and wanted to scream, cry, and kick him all at the same time.
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
“Well, that’s too bad, pet.”
Her heartbeat spiked when he pressed the button to go back to his condo, lifted her, and threw her over his shoulder.
She hit his back with the flat of her hand. “Wait.”