Emery didn’t know what had gone through her head. Her body had moved before her mind caught up. And now, she was frozen.
She had seen him walk into the restaurant—tall, broad–shouldered, dressed in a dark suit that made him look even more put together than thest time, Her eyes had immediately locked onto him. There was something solid and steady in the way he moved, something that pulled her in without permission.
And more importantly, she remembered exactly who he was.
The man who had stepped between her and Samuel in the parking lot.
The man who didn’t flinch when Samuel got physical.
The man who punched him without hesitation.
6
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Mic For Finimpe
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That memory had triggered something. A split–second decision. If he could throw Samuel off once, he could do it again. Without thinking, she walked straight toward him, slid her arm around his, and imed him without warning.
Now, she stood there, stiff under his hold,pletely unsure of what to do next.
His arm had wrapped tightly around her waist, holding her
Her eyes widened.
ce. Then, without a word, he leaned in and kissed her.
She didn’t move. Couldn’t move<b>. </b>The contact was sudden, unexpected, and far too confident for someone she barely knew. Her hands stayed stiff at her sides, her brain still trying to make sense of what was happening.
Then it was over.
He pulled back, just slightly, his <b>face </b>still close to hers<b>. </b>
“How are you here?” he asked. “Didn’t I tell you <i>to </i>wait for me inside the VIP?<b>” </b>
Emery opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She blinked once, then closed it again. She had nothing. No exnation. No script. Just stunned silence.
His hand tightened around her waist and pulled her in closer. The shift broke whatever fog she <b>was </b>under. Her body tensed, and her expression adjusted.
She turned her head slightly and forced a smile. Samuel was still staring,pletely still, clearly trying to process what he had just seen. He hadn’t moved. Not even a blink.
“It was nice seeing you again, Mr. Dwight,” Emery said smoothly.
Her gaze shifted to Talia, who looked just as stunned. Emery’s <b>eyes </b>didn’t linger.
“And congrattions on your engagement,” she added, nodding toward her.
Without missing a beat, she turned her attention back to the man holding her. Her smile stayed <b>in </b>ce, but her fingers subtly pressed against his chest.
Please<b>, </b>she thought. Just go with it. And get me out of here<b>. </b>
As if he had heard her thoughts, the man beside Emery lifted his free hand and made <b>a </b>small gesture toward someone across the room.
Almost instantly, another man in a sharp ck <b>suit </b>appeared<b>. </b>He gave <b>a </b>shallow bow—not to her, but to him.
Emery’s brow furrowed.
She nced between them. The <b>new </b>man looked like staff. No, not just <b>staff</b>–management. His posture <b>was </b>too formal, his movements 100 polished. He had to be the <b>manager </b>of the restaurant. But <b>what </b>caught her attention more was how respectful he was acting toward the <b>man </b>beside her
Why?
She didn’t say anything, but her mind <b>was </b>already turning. Who exactly had she just clung to?
12:34 AM P P.
“We’ll need the VIP,” the man beside her said.
The manager nodded immediately, didn’t even ask for a reservation, and gestured for them to follow.
Emery blinked.
No questions. No hesitation.
She nced back toward Samuel and Talia onest time, then allowed herself to be guided through the restaurant, still locked in the stranger’s hold. She didn’t speak, didn’t protest, but her thoughts were loud now. Very loud.
What the hell did she just walk into?
Just as Emery shifted to follow the manager, Samuel moved.
“Wait,” he said, stepping forward. “Emery–just
stop.
She didn’t respond.
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He reached out. “Leave with me now, and I’ll forget this ever happened. I’ll forgive you this one time.”
That made her stop.
She turned her head slowly, her gaze falling to the hand he had extended toward her.
Then she let out <b>a </b>short snort.
“Forgive me?<b>” </b>she said, looking at him like he’d lost his mind.
She tilted her head, smirked, then turned her back to him without another word.
The man beside her didn’t flinch. He simply moved with her as they followed the manager across the room. Calm. Steady. Unbothered.
Each step away from Samuel felt heavier than it should have, but Emery didn’t let it show. She didn’t look back.
Not once.
Well, at least not until they reached the VIP room that the manager had led them to.
The moment the door clicked shut behind them, Emery practically jumped out of his arms like she’d touched a live wire. She didn’t even take in the polished interior or the expensiveyout of the room, Her eyes were fixed on him.
“Why did you kiss me?” she asked.
The man looked at her like it was obvious. <b>“</b>You threatened to call the cops on mest time. Then today, you jumped into my arms and introduced me as your boyfriend. I figured you were here to seduce me.”
Emery blinked.
Then blinked again.
“Excuse me?”
He shrugged. “You were looking at me like I was dessert, so I thought.. well, you’re kind of pretty,”
Her mouth opened slightly, then closed again. “You thought I what-? Never mind<b>.</b><b>” </b>She held up a hand. “Just thank you. For earlier” She gave a quick, awkward nod, then turned on her heel and made for the door.
She didn’t get <b>far</b>.
<b>The </b>moment <b>her </b>hand touched the handle<b>, </b>he appeared in front of her.
Blocking her path.
Too fast.
She almost stumbled back<b>, </b>but his hand reached out and <b>caught </b>her waist, steadying her <b>again</b>.
12:35 AM PP.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
Emery nced down at his hand on her waist, then back up at him. “I’m clearly in the way. I should probably go.” She was pretty certain he was not standing next to the door earlier. How was he this fast?
She shifted slightly, trying to put some distance between them.
Better to leave now–before he started mistaking her for his long–lost girlfriend or the mother of his child again, she thought.
“If it’s money you’re worried about,” she added quickly, “I’ll pay. I have a card. Or cash. Whatever you prefer.”
He let out a low chuckle, eyes never leaving hers. “You really think you can just throw some cash at me every time I save you?”
His hand stayed firm at her waist, his thumb brushing against her side.
“I’ve pulled you out of trouble–what, thrice now?” He stepped in just enough to shrink the space between them. “Don’t you think I deserve something a little more… worthwhile?”
His gaze dropped briefly to her lips, then back to her eyes. “Try again.”
<b>3/3 </b>