Enticing Emma (10 page)

Tucker waited patiently, willing her to continue. Somehow her parents had something to do with the problems they were currently having in their relationship.

“I realized that the whole thing between us was tainted by my memories of them. When you left the other night, I began to think about how their relationship had influenced me. Then there was lunch with my friends yesterday. I suddenly had the revelation that I’ve made far too many choices in my life based on the fact that I was afraid of being weak like my mother.”

Tucker’s stomach clenched as she revealed her thoughts to him. He needed her to spell everything out so there were no misunderstandings. “What does that have to do with us?”

“Don’t you see? I was afraid I was too much like my mother.” She hesitated and then forged on. “And I was afraid you were too much like my father—charming, good-looking and not to be trusted.”

Her words were like a knife in his heart. “You think I’m like
that
heartless son of a bitch?” That she would think so poorly of him made him sick to his stomach. “You honestly think I’m like that sleazy bastard?”

“I was afraid, Tucker.”

They were not the words he wanted to hear.

“But it seems as if the universe decided that it was time I dealt with these issues. They all seemed to come to a head in the last few days.” She dropped the shredded pieces of tissue onto her desk and played with the button on her jacket. “I haven’t seen that man since I was nine.”

Tucker knew that he should be more understanding. Emma had been through the emotional wringer in the last hour, but so had he. To learn that she thought so little of him— He couldn’t even finish the thought.

All he wanted to do was comfort her, but Tucker forced himself to step away from Emma. He didn’t know what she saw in his face as she looked at him, but her eyes got wider. “Tucker?”

He needed to have his say and he needed space in order to do it. “If you think that I’m like that man, then we have nothing to talk about. I won’t bother you again.”

She called out his name again, but he ignored her. He was done. She kept running hot and cold about their relationship and now he knew why. While he could understand why she had trust issues, he couldn’t be in a relationship where everything he did or said was being measured by what her asshole father had done years ago. It wasn’t fair to either of them.

Tucker carefully closed her office door behind him and kept walking. Callie called after him, but he kept going. He couldn’t talk right now. Not when he felt as though his heart had just been ripped out of his chest and handed back to him.

He shoved open the gallery door and stepped out into the oppressive heat and blinding sunshine, but somehow he still felt cold inside. He was through with playing games and waiting for Emma. It was time to move on with his life.

His heart pounded and his chest physically hurt at the thought of giving up on Emma. He’d been so sure she was the right woman for him, but obviously she wasn’t ready for a serious, committed relationship. And he had to face the fact that she might never be ready.

Given what he’d just seen and heard, he couldn’t really blame her. But he wasn’t fool enough to keep hanging on to a hope that didn’t seem to be there. Maybe it had never been there. Maybe it had all been in his mind.

No
. He wouldn’t believe that. Emma had feelings for him. He’d seen it in her eyes and in her actions. She wasn’t the type of woman who gave her body without giving at least part of her heart. It just didn’t seem to be enough, though, for her to risk everything to be with him.

By the time he reached his truck, his shirt was plastered to his skin. He slipped his sunglasses back on his face, trying to cut down on the relentless glare from the sun. He cursed the heat wave for the first time since it had begun. As he reached into his pocket for his keys, his fingers brushed the jeweled dangle. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against the side of the truck. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to let it go and haul out his keys instead.

He climbed inside, started the engine and drove away without looking back.

Chapter Eleven

Emma stared at Tucker’s back as he walked out of her office without a backward glance. She might be an emotional wreck, but she knew she didn’t want him to leave, didn’t want to lose him. After her conversation with Annabelle and Lily yesterday, and a lot of soul searching last night, she’d already made up her mind to contact him. She’d been thrilled when she’d seen him in the gallery.

Then everything had gone to hell.

She shivered and rubbed her hands up and down her arms. Even though she was wearing a jacket, she was cold. She knew the chill was coming from a place deep inside her. A place she’d been forced to examine the past few days. It hadn’t been a fun experience, but a necessary one. This morning had just been one more unpleasant thing she’d had to face.

It had been surreal to find her father standing in front of her after all these years. She remembered him as much bigger and stronger than he really was. In truth, he was handsome in a superficial way, average height with a trim build. She could see how women found him attractive, but there was weakness in his face as well as his character.

She had changed. That was the biggest factor. Now that she was no longer a child, she saw him through much different eyes. Where before he’d seemed smooth and charming, now he just seemed manipulative and sly.

How in the hell had she ever thought that Tucker was anything like her father?

It now seemed impossible, even obscene, to have even imagined that. Tucker was as solid and dependable as they came, and he could be counted on. He wouldn’t play games or try to manipulate her. From the beginning, he’d been straightforward and honest about what he wanted from her.

It was she who’d been less than honest, with herself and with him. She was the one who couldn’t be depended on to know her own mind when it came to their relationship. And as much as it pained her to admit it, she had manipulated Tucker, coming on hot and heavy at times and turning away from him after.

That was all about to change. After everything she’d said and done, she wanted a shot at a permanent relationship with Tucker. That is, if he still wanted anything to do with her after this morning.

She’d made a huge error in trying to explain it all to him without instantly reassuring him. The first thing she should have done is tell him she didn’t think he was anything like her father. The explanation could have come later.

She’d hurt him badly. And not only this morning. There was still the incident from the other evening as well. She had a lot of explaining and making up to do with Tucker. But she was no quitter. No matter how long it took, if there was even a remote chance for them, then she would keep fighting.

Tucker was worth it.

He hadn’t quit on her. In his own quiet way, he’d stayed in her life and let her take the lead. Well, it was past time for her to step up and do what needed to be done. No more waffling or playing head games with either of them.

Emma reached into her jacket pocket and withdrew the pretty jeweled dangle. It had become a talisman of sorts, a reminder that he’d cared enough to buy these for her and carry them around in his pocket for weeks with no true expectation of ever being able to give them to her.

She carefully tucked the jewelry back in her pocket. A discreet knock on the door made her heart jump. Maybe he’d come back. “Come in,” she called, even as she hurried toward the door.

She caught her breath as it opened and then felt her stomach drop when Callie poked her head inside. The disappointment on her face must have shown because Callie looked at her and shook her head. “He’s gone. Sorry.”

“No, I’m the one who is sorry. Sorry you had to witness that.”

The younger woman offered her a smile. “Hey, it’s not so bad. You should see my family at Thanksgiving.”

Emma could only stare at Callie’s humorous assessment of the situation. Then she started to laugh. “I can always count on you to make me laugh and help me gain perspective.” What Callie was saying was true. Every family had its problems and hers were no different. It had just taken a little longer for all the problems to come out into the open.

Now that they were, she could deal with them. And having them aired in such a public way made her realize they weren’t such a big deal after all. Not as long as she faced them and didn’t allow them to rule her life choices from this day forward.

Callie saluted her. “I aim to serve.” Her saucy grin faded from her face, replaced by concern. “Seriously though, maybe you should take the rest of the day off and go home.” She hesitated for the briefest moment. “Maybe talk to Tucker.”

“You’re absolutely right.” Emma strode back to her desk and shut down her computer. She shuffled the papers back into the file she’d been working on and tossed it into her in-basket. Grabbing her purse, she turned to see Callie still standing in the doorway with her mouth hanging open in surprise.

Emma laughed. “You didn’t expect me to give in so easily, did you?”

Callie shook her head. “Honestly, no, I didn’t.”

Emma walked across her office and closed the door securely behind her, testing it to make sure it was locked.

Callie continued as they walked across the gallery together. “I figured I’d have to talk you into it. And that’s assuming I could get you to leave.”

“Well, how’s this for a change? Put a sign on the door that says we’re closed for the rest of the day, lock up and go home. After this morning, we could both use some time off.”

“Really?” Callie was already rubbing her hands together with glee as she headed toward the front counter. Obviously, her assistant wasn’t going to try to talk her out of it.

“Yes, really. I’m the damned boss and if I say we close, then we close.”

“All right.” The younger woman had her phone whipped open and was already contacting someone as Emma walked out into the stifling heat.

Pausing, she rummaged around in her purse for her sunglasses and put them on. The sound of the door being locked behind her made her turn. Callie gave her a wave as she placed the closed sign on the door.

Callie hadn’t wasted any time. Emma needed to follow her example. She’d squandered far too many hours letting her past control her.

She only hoped that Tucker came home to his apartment tonight. Emma straightened her shoulders as she strode down the sidewalk. Well, if he wasn’t home tonight, she’d wait until tomorrow night or the night after that. But sooner or later, she would catch him there and then she would put her plan into action.

In the meantime, there was something she could do.

• • •

Tucker was not in a good mood. Everyone around him knew it and they were keeping their distance. He knew all the guys on the job, having worked with them many times before, but he was in no mood for idle chitchat or joking around today.

He paused and took a deep breath. It didn’t help. He couldn’t stop replaying the scene in Emma’s office. How could she think he was anything like her old man?

“Problem?” Mike Sloan watched him from a distance. Probably afraid to get too close.

It wasn’t fair of him to take his bad mood out on the people he worked with. He shook his head. “No, I’m good.” The knot in his stomach and the ache in his soul told another story. Tucker knew he wasn’t fit company, but he’d rather work than go home and wallow. Besides, he’d signed a contract to do the electrical work for this new custom home being built by Mike’s company.

Before Mike could question him further, their attention was diverted by a delivery van pulling up outside. It was hard to miss the van through the large picture window, especially with the giant bouquet of roses painted on the side. Tucker recognized the business name—Lily’s Blossoms.

“Hey, did someone buy me flowers?” Mike yelled out to the guys.

“You’re not my type,” one of his crew shouted back. The rest laughed. Even Tucker found himself smiling.

Everyone paused in what they were doing. They all watched as the driver got out and started up the gravel driveway with a large crystal vase filled with flowers held securely in his hands.

“Guy must have the wrong address.” Mike left and went out to meet the driver.

All of them were still gathered around the large window, too curious to go back to work until they found out what was going on. When Mike started to laugh and motioned the deliveryman inside, they all knew something was up.

The guy had a huge smile on his face when he walked up to Tucker and shoved the vase at him. “These are for you.”

Tucker automatically took the bouquet. It was a great big bunch of wildflowers. He recognized the white and yellow daisies, but that was about it. He knew most of the rest of them by sight but not by name.

The men around him started to hoot and holler. Tucker carefully placed the vase on the floor and reached into his pocket for a tip. The driver shook his head. “The tip has been taken care of. Have a nice day.”

The delivery guy was almost out the door before Tucker finally found his voice. “Who are they from?”

“There’s a card attached.”

Tucker stood there like an idiot staring at the flowers, almost afraid to touch them.

“You gonna read the card or are you just gonna admire them for the rest of the afternoon?” Mike had come up beside him and was looking at the flowers with interest.

Tucker snagged the card tucked inside the arrangement and walked over by the window for some privacy before opening it. It simply said one word. “Emma.”

He closed his eyes, unable to look at her name. Why had she sent him flowers after he’d walked out on her this morning? It didn’t make any sense.

A glimmer of hope sprang up inside him, but he ruthlessly squashed it. He couldn’t allow himself to get excited. He’d had his hopes dashed one too many times. The flowers didn’t necessarily mean a damn thing. They could easily mean good-bye or thanks for the great sex. He wouldn’t read anything into them.

Everyone else had drifted off back to work, leaving him alone. He tucked the card into his back pocket and picked up his screwdriver. He had more light fixtures to install before his day was done.

“Everything okay?” Mike asked. Tucker shrugged. He was not about to talk about him and Emma. Mike smacked him on the shoulder. “If you need to leave early, it’s no problem.”

“I’m good.” He went back to work, but his gaze kept being drawn back to the flowers.

All the guys ribbed him whenever they walked by, teasing him about his secret admirer. But he noticed that many of them had envy in their eyes. They even helped him find a box and some newspapers to stuff around the flowers so he could transport the arrangement home without damaging it.

All the way on the drive home, his eyes were drawn back to the bright blossoms time and again. When he arrived home, he carefully carried them up to his apartment and placed them in the center of his kitchen table. He stood there for a long time, staring at them, and knew he’d keep them there until they were wilted and dead.

He swore under his breath and cursed himself for a fool.

He needed a shower in the worst way. It had been another bitching hot day. He went to the bedroom and stripped out of his dirty clothes. Before he dumped them in the hamper, he dug the card and the nipple ornament out of his pockets, placing both on the nightstand by the bed. He tossed his keys and wallet on the dresser.

Naked, he went into the bathroom and started the shower, letting the water cool his heated body. He washed quickly, trying not to think about his earlier confrontation with Emma.

He wrapped a towel around his waist as he stepped out of the shower. It felt good to wash away the dirt, grime and sweat of the workday. If only he could take care of all his other problems so easily, he’d be happy.

He grabbed another towel and briskly rubbed it over his head before slinging it over the shower rod to dry. He swiped at the condensation on the mirror with the side of his hand, clearing a small patch, and stared at his reflection. His hair stuck up in short black spikes and his jaw was dark with stubble, but he couldn’t be bothered to shave.

Sighing, he raked his fingers through his damp hair and rubbed his hand over his face before turning away from his reflection. He looked tired. He hadn’t gotten much sleep last night. This whole thing with Emma had him tied up in knots.

He padded barefoot down the hallway to the kitchen, went straight to the refrigerator and pulled out a beer. The cool air felt good on his skin. He opened the can and took a large swig. The cold beverage slid easily down his throat. He shut the door and wandered over to the kitchen table to stare at the elaborate centerpiece.

Taking another sip from the can, he felt a reluctant smile tug at his lips. She’d bought him flowers.

He took another sip of his beer and wandered into the living room. He dropped down on the sofa, propped his feet up on the coffee table and tried to relax. He knew he should get dressed, but he wasn’t planning on going out, so he probably wouldn’t bother. There was most likely something in the kitchen cupboards or the freezer that he could interest himself in for supper.

For now, he just wanted to sit in peace and unwind from the day. He wasn’t ready to talk with Emma. Not yet. At any rate, she needed to come to him. He was tired of being the one to make the effort while she held back. The flowers were nice, but they didn’t count. He needed her to actually commit to their relationship.

Tipping his head back against the cushions, he closed his eyes and allowed his mind to drift. Suddenly everything went quiet. The hum of the air conditioner and the refrigerator were silenced. Another blackout.

He couldn’t say he really minded. They hadn’t lasted more than an hour or so each time, and at least now he had an excuse not to bother with supper. If it kept up, he might call around and try to find a pizza joint that had power and order a large deluxe.

The knock was so quiet he almost didn’t hear it. He really didn’t want to get up from the sofa, but with the power gone, one of his neighbors could need help. Besides Mr. Meyers, there were also a few older ladies on this floor.