Bottle It Up: (A Between the Pines Novel) Read online

  I know he’s mine, and I’m his.

  Not sure how it’s possible, but it is.

  “You know, if I hadn’t signed that stupid contract, I would have never met you.”

  “Can I tell you a secret?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Because of the job, I had been looking at pictures of you with Josh for quite some time. Reeves has been assigned to Josh for years, and he’s one of our biggest clients. I’ve studied photos of you for years.”

  Gasping, realization hits me. “I’m on Josh’s list of approved people.”

  “You are. And besides Jace, Sibby, and the rest of his team, you’re with him more than anyone. I’ve watched you on red carpets with all of your many hair colors, and I have to say this is my favorite. You are beyond beautiful, Emmett.”

  Is it hot in here?

  I can’t imagine how many shades of red I am right now.

  “So, I’ve had a stalker all this time, and I didn’t even know it?” I joke.

  Jumping to his knees, he pulls on my legs, so I’m flat on my back. He’s hovering above me, his stare serious and direct. He wants to be sure I hear whatever he’s about to say.

  “I want to be clear that yes, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, but you were just a job, a job that I had been watching for years, a job that I couldn’t deny was captivating from afar, but that all changed the moment you walked into that room. I wasn’t there that day in any capacity other than to show Josh and his team we knew the threats were serious and that LPS was doing everything we could to keep you safe.”

  “What do you mean? That was the day Reeves added you to the team.”

  “No, I added myself.”

  “I’m so confused.”

  He sits up, and I mirror him. We sit with our legs crossed and our knees gently resting against each other. He pushes my hair behind my ear and looks at me with one side of his mouth slightly upturned, trying to fight a smile.

  “Emmett, I am LPS. Lotus Protection Services is my company. I haven’t worked in the field in years. Reeves, Smith, Cleveland...they’re all my employees. I was in the room that day because I wanted Josh to know he was a priority, and that my team and I were on top of things. But as soon as you walked in and sat down at the table, I knew I had to be the one protecting you. As I said, everything changed that day. Molly may never forgive me for leaving her and not taking her to work with me every day, but I’d say you were worth it.”

  Moments flash through my memory bank of all the small things I didn’t see for what they were. The fact that Reeves let Max take over at that first meeting. How every time I saw Max talk with the other guys, he was the one doing all the talking while they all nodded and remained quiet for the most part. And then there’s the hours spent at the kitchen island.

  “The laptop and files you’re always working on. You’re running your business.”

  His smile is small, but it says I’ve finally figured it out. “I hate leaving you every night too.”

  “I’m glad to hear it, I really am, but why didn’t you tell me about this?”

  “I wasn’t hiding it from you. I thought you knew. Josh knows, and I’ve known him for years. I figured he told you.”

  “That’s why he called you boss man that first day you were at the house when we were talking about how hot you were. I think I did know, but I was so distracted I didn’t piece it together.”

  “You think I’m hot?”

  “Well, originally, I thought you were hot but very intimidating.”

  “You still thought I was hot. Guess I still got it.” He smiles smugly.

  “Uh, I think you know you still got it. You can’t tell me you didn’t see the way the girls were drooling over you back home. You made quite the impression.”

  “Well, that’s nice, but the only person's opinion who matters is yours.”

  Putting his weight on his hands, he leans forward and gently kisses my lips.

  “Does this happen a lot?”

  “Does what happen a lot?”

  I point back and forth from him and to myself in the small space between this.

  “You mean have I ever fallen for a client before?”

  I nod, not really wanting to know the answer. The furrow of his scarred brow and the thin line his mouth has formed tell me he’s not happy with my question.

  “Absolutely not. What do you think this is? Just a perk of the job?”

  “I hope not.”

  In a flash, he’s off the bed, pacing back and forth, his hands rubbing the two days' growth on his face.

  “Emmett, I don’t know how to make this clearer to you. When I say you changed everything, I mean you changed everything!” He’s not yelling, but he’s whispering very loudly and passionately, so the rest of the house doesn’t hear. “I haven’t been in a relationship in years. Last time, I ruined everything. I came back from my time in the military a different man. I couldn’t give her what she needed, and I was too caged up in my own shit to give any of myself to anyone. Hell, I barely come home to see my family because I know they miss the me I used to be. Nick is the only person who has gotten anything real from me in more years than I like to count. My son is my life, no matter how many days a week I see him, but damn if I don’t feel like I’m ready to share my life with someone besides just him.”

  When he stops at the foot of the bed, his chest is heaving, and I’m not sure if it’s from explaining all of this to me or if it’s his own self-realization. I stay quiet, letting him work through his emotions.

  “You make me laugh. And I haven’t laughed in years. Hell, I haven’t been excited to go to work for years. I haven’t wanted another person in any kind of real way in so long, and Emmett, I want you. I fucking crave you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  I nod. There’s no way I would dare speak and ruin the beautiful flow of his words.

  “Baby, you flipped the switch. You turned the lights back on for me. After years in the dark, things are bright again.”

  My tears start falling—nothing I can do about it. Getting up, I meet him next to the bed, wrap my arms around him, and bury my face in his chest.

  “You’re the reason I brought us here. We could have gone anywhere in the world to get away from Eastlyn, but something in me needed my family to meet you, so I brought you home for Thanksgiving. I’ve selfishly neglected them for far too long, and you reminded me how important the people I care about are to me. I’m glad you’re here with me.”

  “I’m glad I’m here too.”

  “That reminds me. Happy Thanksgiving, Emmett.”

  “Happy Thanksgiving.”

  “I want you to meet my friends.”

  “I’d love to.”

  “Word got out that I’m home, and I’ve gotten messages that the old gang is gonna get together tomorrow night like the old days. They can be a lot. You sure you’re game?”

  “Will you be there?”

  His chuckle vibrates against my ear. “I will.”

  “Then that’s where I’ll be.”

  Chapter 15

  “You ready?” He releases a big breath, his grip on my hand tightening almost to the point of painful. But I know we’ll have to let go as soon as the door opens, so he can squeeze it as tight as he wants.

  “I am. Are you?”

  “It’s been a long time.”

  I can’t help but wonder if his nerves were a part of the reason he didn’t go to the big football game yesterday morning. Instead, we hung back and helped his mom and sister-in-law prepare Thanksgiving dinner. I had thought it was to get some much-needed time with his mom. It was so sweet to watch him with her. Even with the distance, they still seem close. Now I’m wondering if there was more to it than that? Whatever his reason, I’m glad he got that time with his mom.

  “You got this.” I knock on the door. “Might as well rip the Band-Aid off, right?”

  Before he can answer, the door swings open, and he drops my hand. The man on
the other side of the door is tall and bald with a magnificent smile and a belly that says he’s enjoyed a beer or two in his day.

  “Max Hopper, as I live and breathe! Get in here, man!”

  “Hey, Nathan.”

  Nathan pulls open the door, and as soon as Max crosses the threshold, a chorus of his name stops him in his tracks.

  It’s clear he wasn’t expecting such a warm welcome.

  He finally continues into the house, and I follow behind him, giving Nathan a nod that he returns as I pass. Max is giving bro hugs to two other men when the one in a baseball cap notices me.

  “And who do we have here?”

  My stoic lumberjack lets a rare glimpse of emotion brighten his eyes for just a split second at the mention of my presence. So quickly, I’m sure nobody but myself noticed.

  “Uh, guys, this is Emmett. Emmett, this is the guys. You met Nathan at the door, and this short, dark, and handsome man is Taylor.” He pats the man to his left on the back and signals with his thumb to the man in a New York Jets hat to his right. “And this is Joel.”

  “Hi, nice to meet you.”

  “There’s no way you came with him. You look way too high class for this chump over here.”

  “Max!”

  An adorable brunette enters the room with two other women chatting behind her. Her mouth falls open, and her big brown eyes are full of delighted surprise at seeing him. So delighted, she runs across the room and throws herself in his arms. He lifts her off her feet just as happy to see her.

  “Surprise!” Nathan yells from across the room.

  “I can’t believe you’re here!” she says, stepping back to get a better glance at him. Looking around him, she takes appraisal of my presence, the wrinkle in her brow and tightening of her gaze nowhere near as welcoming as the men I just met. “Who’d you bring with you, Max?”

  “Kristina, this is my friend, Emmett.”

  Well, that was a punch to the gut. I don’t want to be his friend. I want the world to know that he’s mine.

  I still can’t believe he’s mine. A few days ago, he was calling me ma’am and speaking to me in one-word sentences, and now he’s mine. It’s the best kind of whiplash I could ask for, but still a pretty serious case.

  “I know you aren’t from P-burg, are you from Easton? You look so familiar.”

  “Uh, no. I’m actually from Oregon.”

  “Really?”

  “Last time I checked.”

  She shakes her head as though it’s an Etch A Sketch, and she’s trying to clear her screen. “Sorry, you just look so familiar.”

  “No worries. I think I just have one of those faces.”

  Please don’t recognize me from the tabloids. Please. Please. Please.

  “Well, I’m Kristina, and any friend of Max’s is a friend of ours.” She shakes my hand. Stepping back, she wraps her arms around her friends. “This is Deanna, and this is Jenn. The handsome bald guy over there belongs to me. Welcome to our humble abode.”

  “Thanks for having me. You have a beautiful home.”

  “Okay, enough of the niceties,” Nathan cuts in. “Let’s drink. We’ve got a DD, so we might as well preflight.”

  “Who drew the short stick?” Max asks the group as we all congregate around the kitchen island.

  Kristina raises her hand. “That would be me.” Dropping her raised hand to her stomach.

  “No.” Max’s eyebrows shoot up; his eyes widen with excitement.

  “Yes.”

  “Nathan, you did it again. You’re gonna have three kids. You know this, right?”

  “More like oops, I did it again, but I’m glad to see your math skills are still as sharp as ever.”

  “Congratulations, you two! That’s great news. Crazy, but great.” He hugs them both, not letting go of Nathan. Instead, he leaves his big arm around his neck.

  He’s happy.

  It’s nice to see.

  “Crazy is right. I’m gonna be forty this spring.”

  Kristina doesn’t look a day over thirty. She’s glowing and has one of those faces that you just know looks even more beautiful without makeup.

  “Uh, pretty sure you guys know what causes the whole pregnancy thing, right?”

  “We sure do, but your idiot friend over there never went in for his vasectomy like we planned, and here we are.”

  Taylor fills seven shot glasses with tequila and one with water. “Everyone, take a glass and let’s toast to the lucky little baby who will get to call these two mom and dad.”

  Glasses in hand, “Cheers!” is shouted by all followed by the slamming of the shot glasses back down on the kitchen counter.

  “Shit, I haven’t had Jose in years. Tonight should be interesting.”

  “What? They don’t have tequila in LA?” Joel asks.

  “I’m sure they do, but I’m always working or with Nick on the weekends. Don’t really get a chance to partake too often.”

  “Well, it’s nice you were able to get away for the holiday. I’m sure your parents were thrilled. Maybe Nick can come with you next time,” the shorter blonde with long hair named Jenn says. “At least these days you can just assign your jobs to your employees. You must be relieved you don’t have to give every second of your life with your clients anymore. I really don’t know how you used to do it. Spending all that time with the rich and famous.”

  I’m feeling a little queasy, and it’s not the tequila. Not only will everyone in the room hate me if they find out who I really am but also knowing Max has given up so much of his own personal life by assigning himself as my personal protection. For a moment, I feel guilty, but then I hear him telling me how I’ve turned the lights back on for him.

  I may have turned the lights on for him, but what he doesn’t realize is that he’s blinding with the bright beams of a spotlight. I can’t see anything but him.

  “It’s no wonder you were single for so long.” Deanna’s eye’s open wide, and she gasps. “Oh, my goodness! I just figured out why Kristina thought you looked familiar! You aren’t just Max’s friend; you’re his client!”

  “Wait, what did I miss?”

  Deanna ignores Kristina, still staring at me like I have three heads. “You’re Emmett Ford, aren’t you?”

  “Emmett Ford? As in Josh West’s fiancée?” Jenn asks before covering her mouth with her hand.

  “No way?” Kristina says, disbelieving. “So you aren’t Max’s date. You're his client.”

  Oh Kristina, I sure do wish it was the other way around.

  “Guys, let’s all just calm down.” Max finally steps in and places himself in front of me like they’re paparazzi or something. “Emmett is a client, but she’s also a friend. So how about we treat her like we would anyone else? Sound like a plan?”

  I move away from Max to the other side of the kitchen under the pretense of putting my shot glass next to the sink. It’s impossible to be that close to him and not touch him. Especially when I’m feeling insecure, and my natural instinct is to grab his hand for stability.

  “Well, I guess those rumors about him weren’t true, after all.” Taylor’s comment slices through my heart but serves as another example of why I’m doing this. “I mean, who really gives a shit if they’re true or not. But I sure hope they aren’t because you guys are gonna make some pretty babies one day.”

  Okay, I like Taylor. If only everyone felt the way he does about all the rumors.

  Except there won’t be any babies.

  Nope.

  That’s never gonna happen.

  Blech, just the thought of what it would take to make a baby with Josh makes my tequila want to come back up.

  “I knew there was no way she was your date,” Nathan kids with a wink in my direction.

  Max’s friends remind me of The Crew back home. It’s a shame he’s kept himself away from them all this time. Hopefully, he’ll make more of an effort to stay in touch after tonight.

  Kristina wraps her arm around Max’s waist.
“Don’t listen to him. One day, you’re gonna meet the right girl, and when you do, she’ll be damn lucky you did.”

  Ain’t that the truth, Kristina, I think to myself as Max watches me from across the room. His stare is intense, reminding me to think back to the past three days together. His confession under the stars. Sleeping in his arms every night.

  I could be that lucky woman if the world didn’t think I was engaged to Josh.

  Afraid someone will notice our stare, I look away, and when I do, I’m met with Deanna’s knowing gaze. Shit. This was a bad idea.

  She must see the fear in my eyes because she gives me a smile that says I got this. “So, are we gonna sit around here all night, or are we gonna take Emmett out and show her a good time?”

  “Yep. Let me just go grab my purse. Be right back.” Jenn runs back down the hall.

  “You ready, babe?” Nathan asks Kristina, rubbing her barely-there baby belly.

  “I am. Are you?”

  “Let’s see...clean T-shirt?” He looks down at himself. “Check. Shot of cologne?” He lifts his shirt to his nose. “Check. Folding money? Check,” he says, patting his wallet in his back pocket. “Smokin’ hot date? Check.” He kisses Kristina on the side of her head while she rolls her eyes.

  They’re so sweet. Max told me on the way here that they’ve been together since their senior year of high school. It’s really cool to see they still have it. She may have rolled her eyes at his antics, but the sparkle in those same eyes said she loved his silly compliment.

  “To the minivan!”

  “Minivan? Nathan, tell me it’s not true?” Max says with his hand on his chest over his heart.

  “Oh, it is true, but it’s mine,” Kristina says, putting her purse over her shoulder. “You wait until you have two kids in sports and tell me you don’t see why a minivan isn’t a necessity. Besides, it seats eight, so we only need to take one car. You’re gonna love it, Max!”

  We all turn to head to the front door when Joel stops us, standing between the group and the door so nobody can leave. “So are we all going to pretend we don’t want to know why Max brought a celebrity client home for Thanksgiving?”