“I don’t think I could leave you if I tried.” I pressed my forehead against hers as I closed my eyes and released a heavy breath. Her fingers slid into my hair as I struggled against everything inside of me that had told me to run, but it was too late. My heart had finally found its rhythm again. Emma was the one person who could save me, if I didn’t kill myself trying to be who she needed me to be.

The further I fell for her, the more twisted my lies became. Sooner or later, this perfect world I had created would crumble and would expose men for the monster I truly was. What would become of her love for me then?

I closed my eyes as I tangled our bodies together, desperately trying to be as physically close to her as possible. We slept on the couch, entwined in each other’s arms. It almost felt normal, like we were just another couple in love. But then the sun rose.

Chapter Two

I loved waking up with Emma in my arms. I pulled her body tight against mine, my cock hard and ready against her thigh. I could never get enough of her.

“It’s hard to imagine I’m not dreaming.” I gave her a small kiss, but as my mouth touched hers, my thoughts turned to something much darker. There could never be anything innocent between us. At least not on my end.

“If we don’t get off the couch soon, we may die of starvation.”

I laughed, as even that sounded like an invitation.

“You’re right. I haven’t eaten in a while.” I narrowed my eyes as I slid down her body. I kissed her collarbone, trailing kisses down her breast until I reached her nipple. I pulled it between my teeth, and her hands fisted in my hair as she pushed against my mouth.

“William, we need to get ready for the day.” She giggled as my mouth continued down her stomach. I pushed her legs apart and placed a kiss on her inner thigh.

“Why?” I nuzzled into her, and she squirmed to get away from me as I tickled her. I was more than content spending the day seeing how many times I could make her come.

“I want you to meet my family.”

That was definitely not what I was expecting. I looked up at her, her gaze finding mine.

“I thought you didn’t want anyone to know about us?” This was bad. Very fucking bad. I was going to lose Emma all because of her loudmouthed whore of an aunt.

“I don’t think my aunt would tell anyone about us. Besides, she doesn’t have to know who your father is.”

I had to decide, now, how far I was going to go to keep her. There was no going back at this point. She was a part of me I couldn’t function without. I crawled back up the length of her body and ran the pad of my thumb over her cheek as I looked into her big, beautiful eyes.

“I will do anything it takes to be with you.” I meant that with every fiber of my being. I would do anything for Emma. Her arms looped around my neck to hug me. I tangled my fingers in her long, dark hair and held her to me, hoping that I would still be able to do this with her tomorrow.

I was drunk off her affection, and I knew wasn’t thinking rationally when I was with her, but I was no longer in control. Things kept coming at our relationship, no matter how hard I tried to protect what we had. As much as I loved Emma, control wasn’t something I could hand over.

“Take a nice hot shower. I’ll cook us some breakfast.” I placed a soft kiss on her forehead and tried my best to look sincere as I smiled down at her. I reluctantly pulled my body from hers and held out my hand to help her up. I pulled her to her feet. Her free arm looped over her naked chest, and I tried not to take it as an insult. I had exactly bared myself to her.

“Don’t hide yourself from me.” I pulled her arm from her chest, and she hesitated before dropping it to her side. I took in every inch of her body before titling her chin up with my fingers and forcing her to look me in the eye.

“You are perfect.” Her cheeks tinged pink under my gaze. I leaned in closer to her, ghosting my lips across her neck to her ear. She sighed as she leaned her head away from me so I could have whatever I wished from her. But now wasn’t about seducing Emma. Now I needed to form a plan and do whatever I could to keep her in my life for as long as possible.

“Go take your shower before I take you into the bedroom and we don’t get anything done today.” That was all I wanted to do. She nodded and turned toward the bathroom. I smacked her lightly across her perfect ass, loving the little yelp she gave as she looked over her shoulder with a wicked grin. I watched her until she was in the bathroom and I could hear the water begin to run. I grabbed my clothes and pulled them on, not bothering to secure my belt.

I made my way into the kitchen and leaned over the island, letting out a deep sigh as I tried to figure out what my next move would be. I hadn’t exactly been thinking clearly through all of this, but no one could have predicted Emma’s aunt would be someone who could pose a threat to our relationship. If anything, I had planned on her being a nuisance we would easily be rid of when I got Emma to move in with me. I ran my hand over my jaw before slamming my fist against the hard, cold countertop.

I needed to call Stephen and see if he had any ideas of how to handle this. I grabbed my cell and dialed his number, listening to the water running in the distance. I didn’t want Emma overhearing anything Stephen and I would be discussing.

I ran my hand nervously through my hair as I paced, my eyes fixed on the bathroom. Stephen answered after three rings.

“It’s early, William. Surely you haven’t gotten yourself in to trouble already today.” He laughed, and I squeezed my eyes closed, trying to bite back my frustration. I pulled open the fridge and grabbed batter to make some pancakes.

“I have something I have to deal with, and I don’t think I am in the best frame of mind to handle it alone.” I pulled a pan out from under the island cupboard and placed it on the stove.

“That’s what friends are for.” He sighed loudly. “So, your ex didn’t take the bait. Now we have a drugged-out bitch to deal with.”

“Not her.” I heard the water shut off, and the old pipes in the warehouse whined. “I’ll be over as soon as I can.” I hung up the phone without waiting for his response. I poured batter in the pan and watched it bubble and harden around the edges before flipping it over to finish cooking. I tried to focus on the task at hand and not the constant threat to my sanity.

I slid the food on a plate and began making the next, preparing for the bathroom door to open. I would have to seem unbothered and disappointed if I were going to keep Emma from getting upset over not meeting her aunt today. Emma. I was slowly removing everyone from her life, and all she would have left is me. That isn’t what I wanted. I didn’t want to destroy her; I just wanted her to be mine. It wasn’t that I cared about her family or friends, but I wanted her to choose to be with me, not be backed into a corner. I needed her to want it.

The door to the bathroom squeaked open, and my eyes met Emma’s. I was drawn to her, and I was never disappointed. She was still dripping wet and wrapped in an oversized white towel and a smile. She looked like a present that was just for me. My cock twitched, and I adjusted myself.

“I thought I was going to have to come in there after you.” I winked at her, and her cheeks heated pink. I loved having that effect on her. I preferred to turn her skin pink by my own hand, but seeing it change just from one look was also satisfying.

“I couldn’t help myself. It felt so good.” She crossed the room and took a seat on a stool against the island. I grabbed her plate of pancakes and slid it in front of her.

“You even make a shower sound sexy.” I took a seat next to her, drawn to her like a fucking magnet. She reached across the counter for the syrup, and I pushed it away with a smirk. She glared at me as she reached out again, and I couldn’t help but push it further.

“Careful. Remember what happened with the sugar.” I narrowed my eyes, causing her to giggle at the thought of being bent over the counter and fucked.

“I’ll have to remember that for later. We have too much to do today.”

“I’m sorry, Emma. I’m going to have to meet your aunt some other time.” I searched her face for any sort of doubt or anger. She sank back in her seat, placing her fork on her plate as her lower lip jutted out. I wanted to bite it. I shook the thought from my head. I tucked her dampened hair behind her ear while I traced the shell with my fingertip.

“I got a call from my lawyer while you were in the shower. He needs me to overlook the paperwork about the Abby incident. It shouldn’t take long, but I think it would be best if we rescheduled meeting your aunt for another day.” My eyes searched her face as she visibly relaxed. I placed my finger under her chin when she didn’t respond. I pulled her chin toward me, forcing her to look me in the eye.

“You’re not mad at me, are you?” I couldn’t handle any more stacked on top of me. I needed Emma to trust me so I could figure out how to right all of the wrongs I had caused.

She shook her head, her damp hair falling in her face as she smiled widely. “Of course I’m not. You take care of what you have to do, so we don’t have to worry about Abby anymore.”

I nodded and turned back to my food in front of me. She was being honest. She may be disappointed, but she wasn’t upset. I could work with that.

“Eat.” I took a bite of my food, feeling her eyes watching me as I ate. After a moment, she resumed eating, and not another word needed to be spoken.