Pretty Bitches (31 page)

I cleared my throat and I watched the chair swivel around. His face was screwed up in a nasty scowl. He scanned me from head to toe and slowly smirked, standing to offer his hand.

Yep, this was going to be all kinds of fucking awkward. On more than a dozen occasions his hands had dropped below the access point on my ass and his eyes lingered about eight inches down from mine during any conversation.

“Ah, Emberly dear. You are looking stunning as always. Please come in.” His eyes drifted to my legs as I walked, his gaze became dark and hungry. He had yet to acknowledge Cailen and that just made it more awkward.

I pulled Cailen by the hand and closed the distance. When I reached his desk he held out his arms for an embrace, but I simply stuck out my hand for a shake. His face fell. That’s when his scowl appeared and he glared at Cailen.

I glanced over and Cailen was rigid. His eyes were tense and his nostrils were flared.

Fuck.

This was spiraling quickly. I attempted to diffuse the situation. “I hope that call had nothing to do with my floor.” I laughed shakily.

Slowly he turned back to me. “No dear. That was just Alex. Nothing for you to be concerned about.”

My eyes popped. “Alex, your son?” I asked incredulously.

“Yes.” He answered passively.

Damn. If he talked to his kid that way then I was getting ready to be flayed alive.

The silence was awkward. I gathered my balls and spoke. “Phil, I would like you to meet Cailen Carmichael.” I gestured to him and smiled. “My husband.”

Phil appeared to have swallowed his tongue. His head whipped between our faces. Then his beady eyes speared me across the desk.

His hands tented in front of him. “I see. I guess that is where you have been flitting around on my dollar, then.” He accused.

I swallowed hard. “Well, sort of, but I had quite a bit of vacation and I needed a little downtime.” I said my voice rising.

“Regardless, your behavior is nothing short of reckless and selfish. I expect you to be back at your desk by eight AM, no excuses.” His tone was curt and final.

I peeked at Cailen, his fists were flexing and his knuckles were white. I looked back at Phil. “Well actually, that’s what I am here to talk to you about, Phil.” My throat was dry and I could hardly get the words out. “I’m turning in my notice, effective immediately.” His eyes became murderous, which had me offer quickly, “But of course I will be available for any training with my replacement and I can handle any project that is current under my watch.”

“Unaccepted.”

“Excuse me?” I sputtered.

“Your resignation. Unaccepted. Now get your ass back downstairs and don’t you dare make an ass out of me. You will do as you are told or else.”

The next second Cailen was on his feet leaning forward into the desk. My heart broke into a sprint and I watched as Phil lazily stood from his chair, smirking and said, “Aw, isn’t that endearing. Your own little prince charming here to come to your aid.” He eyed Cailen with a smug smile then turned back to me. “If you don’t get that fine ass back in your chair I will make your life miserable and you will never see the inside of a publication office again.” He warned.

My heart sank. I may not want to continue my employment with Vogue but the thought of never having the option to branch out and spread my wings again had me panicking.

I willed them away but the tears welled up. “Please Phil, I don’t want to burn any bridges. I want to do what’s best here. Please don’t do this.” I begged as my voice broke and the tears streaked my cheeks.

He sneered at me. “You heard me. You have two choices, Emberly. I don’t give a fuck about those silly fucking tears. You are either with me or against me and let me tell you, being against me would be the worst mistake of your life.” He spat.

I began panting. My breath was catching. Cailen reached over to grab my arm just as I was about to collapse. He hooked his arm around my waist then sat me in the chair.

Then he stepped around the desk. “I think to start with you owe Emberly an apology for being a fucking shameless dick. Then you are going to accept any terms she stipulates for her exit. Then you are going to wish her well in her future endeavors and speak glowingly about her to anyone that may ever call on her behalf. Is that understood?” His tone had me cowering.

Phil snorted. “Who the hell do you think you are? You can’t speak to me that way. Go fuck yourself and take your whore with you.”

It happened so fast I barely caught it with my eyes. Cailen blurred around the desk and had Phil by the throat pinned against the back wall. Phil was startled and his eyes wide as Cailen hissed something in his ear. Moments later he released him and dropped him back to the ground. Phil stood paralyzed unable to speak.

Cailen walked over to me and took my hand. “I think it’s time we go, Gemma.” His voice was strained.

I glanced at Phil whom was still frozen in place. Cailen pulled my hand and led me from the room. The journey was a blur until we got into the car and panic smothered my chest.

Cailen pulled my head into his chest and stroked my hair. I wailed for several minutes before I jerked my head back. “What. The. Fuck. Was. That!” I screamed.

He gripped my hands firmly to his chest. “I will never let anyone speak to you that way, Emberly. That motherfucker is lucky he’s still breathing.” He seethed.

My eyes were blurry from the tears and I sputtered. “I just don’t understand.”

He cupped my face. “I had no idea you dealt with such a volatile environment. I can promise you that you will never be subjected to that horseshit ever again, love. It took all the strength I have to not tear his fucking fat head from his shoulders.”

His breathing was heavy and not a spark of blue remained in his eyes. I just stared in disbelief.

The remainder of the ride was silent. Cailen held me close and never eased his grip. When we stopped in front of the house I didn’t realize the door was open until Elliott touched my arm to pull me out.

I climbed out on shaky legs and Cailen supported me up the steps into the house. He immediately led me to the bar and poured two tall glasses of amber liquid. I didn’t hesitate I gulped half the contents in one draw.

His body was trembling. I finally looked over to find his eyes trained on my face intently. I took a moment to steady myself. “I-I… I don’t know what to say.” My eyes found his. “Thank you.” I whispered.

He placed his drink on the bar. “You have nothing to thank me for, Emberly. I will always take care of you and I can promise that you will never walk alone again.”

Those words had me torn up. It was that moment that I realized I’d never known how much I needed someone until that moment. I finally had someone that would fight for me and I didn’t need to carry that load alone anymore.

I pulled his lips to mine and desperately sought the comfort that only he could give me. He locked his fingers in my hair and kissed me hungrily.

My hands found the skin underneath his shirt and I moaned at the muscled surface. He gripped my face and shoved me deeper into his mouth. I could sense the anxiety in his touch. He was forceful and commanding. We bumped hard against the doors and walls as we moved to undress.

When I was able to open his shirt I let out a gasp at the sight of his muscles tensed and ready. My mouth was eager and I worked against his lips violently, which he returned with the same enthusiasm.

Suddenly he ripped my dress completely from my body and his touch hurt. He gripped my bra and began pulling until it rubbed the sensitive skin around my breast. I yelped but that drove him harder and with another tug it caught on my nipple ring and pulled with such force I screamed as it snapped and yanked the ring out while blood trickled down my torso.

He stumbled back watching the blood trail and his face contorted in horror and he buried it in his hands. I fell against the wall trying to figure out what had just happened.

He looked up with a terrified expression and almost ran from the room. Just as he reached the door I found my voice. “Cailen! Stop!” I begged but he was gone.

I stood there shaking. My legs were buckling and I slid down the wall landing hard against the marble floor. My world had just exploded around me. First my career then Cailen left me. I’d always heard there was only so much a person could take but I’d always considered myself invincible. Until that day.

I curled up behind the bar praying that the pain would stop. I just couldn’t pinpoint the time where I had fucked up so epically to cause this turn of events.

My mind raced thinking through everything that had happened. Being alone for so long made it almost impossible to give myself over completely but I did, with Cailen. I gave it all, scared of what he would do with it. And now he was the one to run away from me. Deep down I knew there was something to Cailen but I thought that he would open up and give it all. As bad as I hurt the first time I left him this was a million times worse. Just when I found the real me—because of Cailen—she was being stripped again. And I don’t think that I could find that hard shell to put back up. I’d found true happiness and settling for anything less was crushing to think about.

I shut my eyes hard and let the two tears roll down my cheeks. Eventually I fell asleep against the cold marble of the floor behind the bar.

I felt a pair of arms pull me tight and then I was moving.

He placed me on the bed and frantically stroked my face. “God, Emberly. I was so fucking scared. I looked everywhere for you. I’ve been all over this fucking city. My mind has been racing thinking of all the terrible things that could have happened to you. I couldn’t find you!” He yelled.

I just had nothing left to fight with but I pulled the words from my hollow chest. “You left me…” I choked.

He pulled me to his chest. “I’m am so sorry, Gemma. Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to hurt you, I didn’t mean to leave. I just… I just, fucking panicked. I felt like I was losing control with you and I can never do that. I can never hurt you, Emberly. I love you so much it scares me to death.”

Call me an idiot but I couldn’t wrap my head around what the holy fuck had happened. One minute we were getting ready to make love the next he was ripping my clothes off and running out the door. I just stared at him.

“Cailen.” I tried to focus my eyes but I was still so jumbled I couldn’t. “What’s happening to us?”

Several expressions flashed in his eyes but the scariest one was terror. He gripped my face. “Emberly, I only want to love you and protect you. Forever. I’m sorry that I lost control at your office and I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am for forcing myself on you an hurting you. That makes me sick to my very core.” He ran his hands through his hair roughly pulling. “I have a problem with my rage sometimes. When I saw him talk to you that way I wanted to kill him. I wanted to make him suffer for causing the tears that flowed from your eyes. It was blinding, my rage. I’ve never felt that way before. And then when we were here together I knew I still didn’t have a handle on it and,” he winced. “I fucking hurt you. It makes me want to hurt myself. I would never, ever do anything to intentionally hurt you, Emberly. Please know that.” He pleaded.

“I know what kind of man you are, Cailen that is why I vowed forever. I know you would never hurt me as I would never hurt you. I actually felt extreme gratitude today for being lucky enough to have you in my life and being by my side. But when you ran away from me when I needed you the most it absolutely crushed me. I felt like half of me was ripped away. I can’t fucking take that Cailen. I’m learning so much about you and I feel like you don’t trust me enough to let me in. I’ve trusted you with everything I have to offer.” I gestured to my heart. “You can’t just crush it and walk away. I can’t take that.” I cried.

He took a step closer and gently wrapped my hand. “I know, love and I am so sorry I’ve fucked up this badly. I’m learning. I’ve never had anyone that counted on me before. I let the demons take over and I lost my perspective. God. Emberly, please say you forgive me. I’m so sorry.” He dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around my waist.