“Yeah. Don’t take it too seriously. It’s just part of the phrase.” I winked.

“Have you ever thought about running your own restaurant?”

“That would mean settling in one place,” I spoke as I sliced the onions.

“So. At least you’d be doing what you love.”

I didn’t want to talk about it anymore. Why was everyone so hell bent on getting me to settle in one place? I changed the subject and finished making the quiche. When it was ready, Alex and I sat down and had breakfast together.

“This is delicious, Emerson. I think I might have to keep you as my personal chef.” He winked.

I ignored his comment and asked him to tell me about this charity event we were attending tonight.

“Tell me what this charity event is for.”

“It’s to help fund an art program for underprivileged kids. Kids who are either homeless, abused, or neglected.”

“Good cause.” I smiled.

Alex finished his breakfast and got up from the table.

“I’m going into the office for a while. I’ll be home later.”

“But it’s Saturday,” I spoke. “What happened to cutting back?”

“I cut back last night and I have a few things I want done before Monday.”

“You can’t do it at home?”

“No. The files I need are at the office. Are you going to miss me or something?” He smirked.

I frowned. “No. I have my own things to do today. Toodles, Mr. Parker.”

“Toodles? Really, Emerson? And what things do you have to do?”

“Just things. Girl things. You wouldn’t understand because you’re not a girl.”

“Okay, then. Go do your girl things and I’ll see you later.”

He walked out and I cleaned up the breakfast dishes. I couldn’t believe he asked me if I was going to miss him. Like, why would I? Just because we had sex didn’t mean anything. I had sex with a lot of guys. But it was amazing sex. The best sex I’d ever had in my life. He was a real man in that department. The other men I’d had sex with were boys in men’s bodies. They didn’t know how to do half the things Alex did and it really sucked that my body craved his touch way too often. It was going to be hard to leave sex with him behind when I left California.

****

Alex

When I arrived at the office, my phone rang. As I pulled it from my pocket, I sighed when I saw Adam’s name.

“Hey, Adam. How’s Tennessee?”

“Tennessee is fine. I’m going to be blunt here, Alex. Is something going on between you and Emerson?”

“No. Why would you ask that?”

“You’re not sleeping with her?”

I cleared my throat. This wasn’t a conversation that should be had over the phone.

“No. I’m not.”

“She’s my sister, man.”

“I know that, Adam. What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing. I know how you are with women and I don’t want my sister to be a part of that.”

What the hell was he talking about?

“You know how I am? Do you know how your sister is? How many hearts she’s broken all over the world? I nicknamed her ‘heartbreaker’ until she threatened to break my balls.”

He chuckled. “Oh God. Did she really? Sounds like Emerson.”

“Yes, she did. I’m going to warn you. Your sister has no plans to stick around.”

“Has she talked about where she wants to settle yet?”

“No, and I don’t think she’s going to settle.”

“We’ll see about that. Listen, I’m sorry for asking what I did, but I had to make sure.”

“I understand. You’re her big brother and her protector.”

“Yeah. She’s all I have left.”

“I know.”

“How do you know that?”

“She told me about the accident.”

“Why? If she told you, then the two of you must be talking a lot.”

I sighed.

“I had a health issue and she took me to the hospital. When we were there, she freaked out and had a panic attack. It was after that when she told me.”

“Are you okay?”

“I have high blood pressure. Nothing I’m not managing. I’ll be fine.”

“Sucks, man. I’m sorry to hear that. Is Emerson okay?”

“She’s fine.”

“Okay. Thanks again for taking her in, even if she’s a pain in the ass. I’ll talk to you soon, Alex.”

“Bye, Adam.” Click.

I let out a deep breath. If and when he found out I’d been sleeping with his sister, shit was going to hit the fan real hard.

I finished up my work at the office and headed home to shower and get ready for the charity event. As I walked through the door, I looked around for Emerson. I knew she was home because Adam’s car was in the driveway. I went to her room and knocked on the door.

“Emerson, are you in there?”

“Yes, but you can’t come in. I’m getting ready.”

“Okay. I’m going upstairs to shower and get dressed. I’ll meet you in the foyer in an hour.”

“I’ll be ready,” she yelled.

Once I was dressed, I walked down the stairs and stopped midway when I saw Emerson standing in the foyer. When she turned and looked at me, she took my breath away. She looked so stunning that I was speechless.

“What’s wrong with you?” She smiled with her red lips.

“Nothing. You look beautiful.” I made my way down the stairs.

“Thank you, Parker. You look very handsome in that tuxedo.” She reached for my bowtie.

The black Christian Dior dress she wore was captivating, as was the way she wore her hair pinned up with a few strands of curls hanging down. Her face was painted with makeup to perfection and she was by far the most beautiful and elegant woman that I’d ever laid eyes on.

Chapter 18

Emerson

We climbed in the back of the Bentley and headed to the charity event. Alex reached over and took hold of my hand.

“There’s something I need to tell you, but I don’t want you to get mad.”

“You sound serious.”

“Adam called me today and demanded to know if we are sleeping together.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him no.”

“Did he believe you?”

“I think so. He can’t find out what we did.”

“It’s none of his damn business. But don’t worry, I’m not telling him anything. Why are you so afraid of him?”

“I’m not. It’s a friend code sort of thing.”

“Ah, I see.” I smirked. “Some friend he is that he couldn’t even tell you about his family or even mention that he had a sister who was alive.”

The fact that my brother was so concerned about who I was sleeping with irked me. I shrugged it off. He was going to be a lot to deal with when he came back. We climbed out of the Bentley and Alex held out his arm to me.

****

As I stepped inside the ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel, I was enthralled by the beauty of it. The light-filled space was decorated beautifully with silver tablecloths that covered each table with illuminated floral centerpieces that easily became the focal point of the entire room.

“There are very influential people here tonight, so can I trust that you’ll be on your best behavior?”

“I’m always on my best behavior.” I frowned.

“As long as you don’t open your mouth, we should be good.”

I lightly took my heel and discreetly kicked him.

“Ouch. What was that for?”

“Your rudeness.” I put on a fake smile as a distinguished-looking man walked towards us.

“Good to see you, Alex.” He smiled as they shook hands.

“Good to see you, Edward.”

Edward looked me up and down before taking hold of my hand and bringing it up to his lips.

“And who, may I ask, is this beautiful woman on your arm?”

“Edward this is my friend, Emerson James. Emerson, please meet Edward Hollings.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Edward.”

“Believe me when I say the pleasure is all mine, Emerson. You are a very stunning woman.”

“Thank you.” I smiled.

After their light conversation, Alex and I went to the bar for a drink.

“Glass of wine?” he asked.

“Yes, please. Pinot would be great.”