Enticing Emma by N. J. Walters

not like that.” She sat up in bed and reached out to him. She realized she’d wanted him to reassure her, to cuddle her, and tell her how he really felt about her. Instead, her insecurities were driving him away.
    He looked at her hand and then at her face. The bleakness in his eyes shocked her. When he made no move to take it, she reluctantly lowered her hand.
    Without another word, he grabbed his keys off the dresser and walked out of the room. She stared at the open door, willing him to come back, but unable to make herself call out to him. Too many memories of her mother pleading with her father to stay filled her brain. She buried her face in her hands, trying to shut out the painful thoughts.
    The sound of the front door closing echoed in the silence. It was the finality of it that shook her out of her stupor and made her move. She grabbed the sheet from the bed and wrapped it around herself as she hurried down the hallway. Maybe she could catch him and they could talk.
    She opened the door just in time to hear the ding of the elevator, signaling its arrival to this floor. She yanked open the door and stuck her head out just in time to see the elevator closing. Tucker stood in the center with his arms crossed, staring straight at her.
    Then he was gone.
    The sense of loss was devastating. Emma stumbled back into his apartment, but it no longer felt welcoming without him here. She dropped the sheet and fumbled for her clothing, which was strewn around the living room. She yanked on her shorts and top and grabbed her panties, wanting to make a quick escape.
    Her only thought was to get home and try to sort out what had just happened. One minute they had been curled up in Tucker’s big bed, happy and contented. The next, they had been fighting.
    Men weren’t worth the effort, she told herself as she balled the sheet up in her arms. She swiped at the tears on her cheeks as she looked down the hallway. There was no way she could face his bed. It would be mussed and warm and smell like him.
    Burying her face in the sheet, she inhaled and was surrounded by the mingled scents of their lovemaking. She dropped the sheet and backed away from it. She had to leave. As she turned, a sparkle from the living room carpet caught her eye. Knowing what it was, she still walked toward it, bent down and closed her hand around it.
    She didn’t look at the tiny piece of jewelry, but stuffed it in her pocket on the way to the door. The apartment seemed to surge to life as the power suddenly came back on. Closing her eyes, she leaned against the wall, knowing that Tucker had just flipped the switches in the utility room in the basement.
    The fact that the power was back on in her apartment gave her no pleasure as she shut the door to Tucker’s place, crossed the hall, and entered her own empty home.

Chapter Nine
     
    Emma sat in the cool interior of the restaurant and waited for her friends to arrive. She was glad to be inside and away from the oppressive heat still blanketing the town. Her right hand was tucked in her pants pocket, her fingers toying with the nipple ornament that Tucker had given her. She’d tossed it on her dresser last night, but had been unable to leave it behind this morning. It was practically burning a hole in her pocket, she was so very aware of it. All morning long, she’d been touching it, rubbing it like a talisman, as if somehow it could help her figure out what to do. She’d hardly slept at all last night and was tired and totally out of sorts.
    When she’d gotten home yesterday, she’d taken a quick shower before curling up on her sofa to listen for the sound of Tucker coming home. It had been late when she’d finally heard his footsteps in the hallway. When he’d hesitated in front of her door, she held her breath, willing him to knock. Disappointment hit her hard when she’d heard the sound of his door closing.
    She rubbed her eyes. It was a good thing she’d decided not to wear any makeup today,