Trusting Jack (9 page)

             
“Oh, Emma.  We’ve never been better.  Go to sleep now.”  Jack brushed a kiss over her forehead and quietly left.

Chapter 9

             
Emma awoke with a pounding headache.  She groaned and dragged a pillow over her face.  The thought of facing Jack made her cringe with embarrassment and she groaned again.  She hissed when the bedroom door flung open.

             
“Good morning,” Norah chirped as she walked into the room.  When Emma opened one eye and glared, she laughed.  “I brought you a peace offering,” she said and held out a cup of steaming chamomile tea.

             
“I can’t believe you’re gonna share,” Emma grumbled as she took the cup and sipped.  “After the fuss you made yesterday.”

             
“Yes, well.  I’m sorry about that.  I was tired and frustrated.  And that’s no excuse.”

             
Emma held out her hand.  “I’m sorry, too.  I shouldn’t have called you a camel.”

             
Norah laughed again and dropped two Tylenol into the outstretched palm.  “I’ve been called worse.”

             
“What time is it?”

             
“Almost ten.”

“You look…energetic.”  Emma swallowed the pills and prayed they’d stay down.

              “I’m surprised.  Richard kept me up practically all night and I had to be on set at five.  We filmed a bit this morning.”

             
“Well, shit.  Some damn fine assistant I am.  You should’ve came and got me.”

             
“I thought you’d be busy with Jack.”

             
Emma winced.  “I kind of threw my drunken self at him.  He was kind enough to turn me down.  But I’m glad you’ve rekindled your…whatever it is…with Richard.”

             
“Great sex.  That’s what it is, and now all my frustration is gone.  I’m going to take a nap.  There’s a couple of offers on the table.  I’d like you to look over them and give me your opinion.”

             
“I will,” Emma promised as a knock sounded.

             
Norah opened the door for Chris and waved him towards Emma’s room while she went into hers.

             
“How’s my favorite alcoholic this morning?”

             
“Ugh.  I cannot believe I let myself get that trashed.  I can’t believe you let me.”                           

             
“It’s good to indulge once in a while,” Chris told her.  “I saw Jack leave about ten minutes after he came in with you.”

             
“He tucked me into bed like a child.”

             
“I’m going to thank him for that.”

             
“Chris.”

             
He grinned.  “He didn’t take advantage of my drunk friend.  My feelings for him continue to escalate.”

             
Emma rolled her eyes.  “Mine, too,” she admitted.

             
Chris sat beside her on the bed and stared.  “Are you telling me you may have some strong feelings for him?”

             
“It’s way, way too soon for that.”  Emma felt a twinge of panic at the thought.  “I do care about him.  I enjoy being with him; I love feeling good again.”

             
He brushed her hair away from her face.  “As long as he makes you happy for now.  I have to leave today, this morning actually,” he told her.  “I came to say goodbye.”

             
Emma gave him a hug and clung for a moment.  “I’m sorry we didn’t have time for a real visit.”

             
“Next time,” he promised.  He gave her a final squeeze.  “We’ll meet up when y’all are through filming.”

             
“Deal.  Have a safe trip.  I’ll miss you.”

             
“Same goes.”  Chris dropped a light kiss on her lips and left.  Emma stood, grateful the Tylenol was taking effect.  She went into the bathroom to shower and brush the fur off her teeth.

             
Before he left, Chris sought out Jack.  He offered his hand.  “It was great meeting you.”

             
“Likewise.”  Jack clasped his hand.  “Emma has great taste in friends.”

             
“Since you brought up her name…I just want to thank you.  She’s acting more like the Emma I used to know.  I think you’re a big part of the reason.”

             
“She’s told me a little of her ex-husband.”

             
Chris’s eyes darkened.  “That son of a bitch conned her into marriage, talked her into believing she wasn’t good enough for him, and then cheated on her.  I hate him.”

             
“With good reason, it sounds like.  I can give you my word I won’t treat Emma that way.”

             
“I believe you, especially since I approve of the way you handled her last night.  And that’s not my business,” he laughed and held up a hand.  “My Emma’s a grown girl.  But I do want to say this,” he continued.  “Emma doesn’t give herself lightly.  I don’t want her hurt.”

             
“I care for her.  A great deal, actually.”

             
“Then we’re good.”  They shook hands again and Chris left for the airport.

             
A few hours later, Jack found Emma studying a sheaf of papers.  She looked up and scrambled to her feet.  She blushed.

             
“Ahh…I’m sorry about last night.”

             
Jack shook his head and cupped her cheek.  “I’m not,” he replied.

             
“I’m not in the habit of getting sloppy drunk and throwing myself at men.”

             
“I thank God for that, or else I’d have to go about defending your dubious honor.”

             
Emma finally smiled.  “Rumor says Norah will have a couple of weeks off while y’all shoot bloody battle scenes.”

             
“Yes, and Edward III will have Mortimer executed.  Crimes against the kingdom and what not.  I’ll miss you.”

             
“You’ll be too busy to miss me.”

“The premier for
Float Away
will be just after we’re finished with that.  I’d like you to come with me.”

             
Emma’s eyes grew wide.  “I’ve never been to a premier.”

             
“Then say yes.  The premier will be held at the O2 arena, and the after party at a club nearby.  And afterwards, we can have our own private after party.”  Jack’s voice deepened with promise.  “And I can guarantee I’ll take complete advantage of you then.”

             
Emma felt a surge of desire at the thought.  “That sounds absolutely delightful.  I’d love to go to the premier with you.” 

***

“I’m so excited.”  Emma gave a little sigh.  I never thought I’d be going to a movie premiere.  I remember
Gala of Fools
.  I watched you walk the red carpet and thought how glamorous it all looked.”

Norah glanced up from packing an overnight bag.  “Do you want more than just being an assistant, Emma?  Do you want to act?”

“Oh, no!”  Emma laughed.  “I most definitely do not.  I love working for you, and that’s enough for me.”  She turned to Norah and continued, “But this is so much fun.  Wearing fabulous clothes and walking on the arm of a sexy man.”

Norah smiled.  “Jack is sexy,” she agreed.  “And you look beautiful.”

Emma turned a slow circle and studied her reflection again in the full length mirror.  She’d chosen a simple black silk floor length gown with cap sleeves.  The neckline was low, and her breasts rose temptingly over it.  Her dark brown hair was swept up and anchored by crystal studded hair pins.

She’d kept her make-up simple as well.  She slicked a final coat of ruby colored gloss over her full lips and smiled at ruby polish on her newly manicured hands.  Her eyes sparkled as she clasped a necklace around her neck.

“Thank you for letting me borrow your pearls.”

“It’s nothing.  You’ll have to tell me everything when I get back.  Since Richard’s part of filming is over, and I have a couple of days off, we’re going to stay locked in a hotel room having wild sex after we leave the premier.”  She’d never been shy about being seen with lovers.  “I imagine you and Jack will be doing that, as well.”  Norah waggled her eyebrows suggestively.  “You’ll have to tell me all about that, too.”

Emma giggled as the doorbell rang.  “You’re impossible,” she told her as they descended the stairs together.

Norah opened the door and found Jack outside.  “You look dashing. And I’m going to be late if I don’t get dressed.”  She turned and went back upstairs.

Jack stepped into the house and gazed at

Emma.  “You look absolutely stunning.”

“Thank you.  And you, sir, look…dangerous,” she decided,” and sexy with all that black on and your hair tied back.”  She smiled as he drew closer.  She pressed a kiss on his lips.  “You should wear suits more often.”

“I will for you.  But the hair has to go as soon as possible.  I only grew it out for the role.  It gets in my way.”  He smiled when Emma laughed.  “I’ve brought you a gift,” he told her.  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a flat black box.  He flicked it open, and Emma’s eyes widened.

“Oh, Jack,” she breathed.  “It’s beautiful.”

Jack lifted the white gold infinity necklace while Emma unclasped the pearls.  She turned and Jack slipped the necklace around her throat.  His fingers lingered on her soft skin as he fastened the clasp.  His breath was warm on her neck.

“I booked a suite for us…if you’re ready, Emma.”

She turned and looked into his eyes.  “I’m ready,” she told him.  “In fact,” she brushed her lips against his again, “I can hardly wait.”  She locked the door behind her when they left.

The limo pulled up to the O2 arena and Emma stared at the flashing camera lights and people walking the carpet.  There were fans lined up and down, snapping pictures and screaming for autographs.  She clutched Jack’s hand as the driver came around to open their door.

“Nervous?” he asked her.

“A bit,” she replied.  “I’ve seen it on TV, of course, but it looks so different in person.”

“It’s not so bad.  Or maybe I’ve grown accustomed to it.  Either way, just smile for the cameras and say you enjoyed the movie--even if it’s shit.”

Emma laughed as she stepped out.  She took Jack’s arm and they started towards the entrance.  Flash bulbs went off, TV cameras rolled, and people began crowding around them, asking questions.  Jack paused and answered several.

“Jack, we hear
She-Wolf
should be wrapping up on schedule.  Do you have any other projects lined up?”

“I’m considering some offers.”

“It’s your first time working with Thomas Cullam.  How do you feel about him?”

“Mr. Cullam is a very talented director; I’m enjoying working with him.”

Jack and Emma continued to smile and pose for pictures, and he signed a few autographs, until they reached the doors and slipped inside.

***

“Are you enjoying yourself?” Jack murmured as they sipped champagne at the after party.

“Immensely.”  Emma smiled up at him.  “I even enjoyed the movie.”

“So did I, but I’ll be glad when we can slip away.”

They mingled with the others, and Emma felt

herself glow with happiness.  She enjoyed working for

Norah, wouldn’t have traded it for stardom for herself,

but it was just so wonderful to be with the stars she saw

tonight.

She was keeping a running record in her mind, of whom she saw and who was wearing what, because she knew her mother and Chris would want a detailed report.  She gave Thomas a huge grin when they made their way to him. 

“It was wonderful,” she told him.  “You’re wonderful.”

“Thank you.”  He accepted her hug and beamed.  “I’m proud of it, think it’s my best one to date.”

“
She-Wolf
will be better,” Jack laughed as he pumped his hand.  “And we’ll all be here again.”

“From your lips to God’s ears.  I’m so glad you came tonight.  Emma, you look great.”