Blasphemous (Torn #3)(23)

“Alright, geez. I was just teasing—a little.” Emma let out a sound of surrender, moving as she did so. She kissed my chest before curling up like a puppy in my arms. “Dream sweet, babe.”

I didn’t need to because she was already in my arms.

B

We only had a few more days left until we wrapped up and left the island. It was bittersweet since I’d come to love this place, but at the same time, I knew it was time to get back to our lives. I didn’t want to lose Emma, but if she runs back to Carter, then there wasn’t a thing I could do about that.

I loved her. She knew that and that’s all that matters.

We were at the villa having dinner with everyone when she excused herself to get a call. Watching her from afar, I could tell whoever called her got her upset. The urge to go and soothe her was strong, but I remained seated, waiting for her to get back and tell me herself.

We had so much to work on still.

Trust was a big issue and one I had yet to build it again.

Funny how a man’s beliefs and virtues get shifted when it comes to the person we care about. I never thought I would be a man who would be so smitten to a woman who I didn’t trust, but here I was, willing and trying.

“Everything okay?” I asked Emma, noticing the big frown on her face.

“No,” she whispered, shaking her head as she slowly lifted her eyes to mine. “Lindsey thinks I hooked up with Dimitris in Paris. I didn’t know she had him on Google alerts. She’s acting crazy! Like as if I would do that to her, but she wouldn’t hear any of it.”

Lindsey was jealous? “I thought she ditched him because he was a momma’s boy?”

“Hell, this is Lindsey, babe. I don’t get how she does things sometimes.”

“She’ll eventually hear you out when you see her.” I reached out and brushed her cheek. “You guys are best friends. Lindsey just needs to cool off.” I tried to reassure her, but Emma was too worried to hear me.

“How about I give you a massage when we get home, hmm? That should help you relax. I don’t like seeing you so worked up.” I suggested and noticed how her eyes lit up after I mentioned the word massage.

“That’s nice… but you don’t have to. I know you’re tired, Bass.”

“I know I don’t, but I want to.” I’d do anything to keep a smile on her face—apart from the very obvious thing that she wanted from me that is. “There’s also another thing I want to discuss with you when we get home.”

That got her attention. “Is it bad news?”

“No, not really. Well, I don’t know.”

“I don’t like the sound of that, Bass. Why can’t you just tell me now?”

“Do I need to drag us back to the cottage straight away?”

“Sorry, it’s just Lindsey and now… this…”

Getting up, I gave her hand another squeeze before releasing it. “Let me speak to Martin for a moment and then we can leave.”

Emma gave a small nod before I left the table.

“Papà,” I greeted Martin as I approached his table. He usually dined alone since he liked to catch up with news and emails as he did so.

He looked up, smiling as he gestured for me to a seat across him. “You’re looking happy tonight, son. You guys finally fixed things?”

He was referring to my relationship with Emma. Let’s just say that I was rather difficult to work with during those weeks after we broke up—that’s just putting it mildly.

“Am I that obvious, huh?”

“You are. I’m glad you two worked it out,” he murmured as he placed his phone down next to his iPad. “We’re wrapping up a day early. Do you want to fly back with me or do you want to make arrangements on your own? You’re more than welcome to bring Emma with you.”

“It’s fine. I’ll make arrangements to have a jet waiting for us in Athens. Paparazzi and LAX would be too much for us right now.”

“I can imagine. Hollywood playboy finally in love, I can just see you guys being hounded. As long as you protect her from all that madness, that’s all that counts.” Martin cleared his throat and took a gulp of his cognac. “Can you save me a dinner date with you and Emma a few days after we get back in town? Miranda wants to get to know Emma more.”

I’m sure she did. Miranda was more of a mother to me than my biological one. She liked Emma, but now that we’re dating, Miranda wouldn’t hold back welcoming Emma into the family. “Of course we could. I’ll call you a day after we land. Emma heads back to school the following Monday.”

“Splendid! I’ll go ahead and let Miranda know when I call her later.”

“Alright. Sounds good. I have to get back to Emma before she leaves without me. Goodnight, Papà,” I said, getting up from the table.

“Son, one more thing.”

I halted absentmindedly, looking back at Martin. “Yeah?”

Without much preamble, he spoke without hesitation. “Your parents called earlier. They want to speak to you.”

Ahhh, my parents. They were still alive, how unfortunate. “What for?”

“They’re your parents. They miss you is all.”

I snorted in disgust. “Right. I’m sure they do.”