Wrestling Desire by Michelle Cary Page B

hand, turned it over and placed a soft kiss directly in her palm.  “I swear, mum’s the word.”
    Electricity zinged up her arm and she swallowed audibly.  He arched a brow and she couldn’t help but wonder if he’d heard her.  He straightened his spine so that he once again towered over her five foot seven inch frame, then lifted a hand and brushed a knuckle along her cheek.  “Have dinner with me, Emma.” 
    In the blink of an eye the air around her grew heavy with desire and she barely resisted the urge to turn into his touch.  She stared up at him, noting the passion and sincerity in his gaze.  Her heart screamed for her to say yes, to go for what she wanted and damn the consequence.  Nervous energy filtered through her body and she gave him an amused laugh as she struggled to maintain control.  “You don’t give up do you?”
    His grin returned and he allowed his hand to fall away, coming to rest at his side. “Never.”
    “And you know I can’t.”
    “No,” he corrected. “I know you won’t, but that’s okay.  Tomorrow is another day.”  He turned and walked away, leaving his subtle warning lingering over her head.  He had no plans of stopping his pursuit of her anytime soon.  Why did that knowledge send a giddy thrill zinging through her system?
    “I don’t understand why you continually tell him no.”  Jill’s voice came from behind her and Emma turned to face her friend.  “The sexual tension between you two is off the freaking charts.”
    “It is not,” Emma tried to argue.
    “Yes it is.  My God, Emma, it’s obvious to everyone who has seen you two together that you’re attracted to each other.  So what’s the problem?”
    Emma glanced over her shoulder to see Holt disappear around the corner.  “Okay, maybe I do like him, but the problem is Derek.”  She turned back to face Jill.
    “What does your brother have to do with this?”
    “He hates Holt and everything he stands for.   Getting involved with Holt would complicate my life in ways you can’t begin to imagine.”
    “Well.” Jill shrugged.  “Personally I think if you like somebody enough then it’s worth risking the complications to find out where it may lead.”
    “I can’t go against Derek’s wishes,” Emma argued.  Derek wasn’t just her older brother.  He was her protector, h er hero , and his approval of her meant everything.  She could just imagine the fall out that would come from such an act. 
    “Well, Derek is wrong for asking you to, Em.  What if Holt’s the one?”
    Emma frowned.  “The one what?”
    Jill cocked her head to the side and shot Emma an exasperated look.  “What if he’s the one you’re meant to be with?  What if he’s your soul mate?   And what if because of some misguided loyalty to your brother you miss the opportunity to find true love?”
    * * *
    Uncomfortable, Holt shifted in his seat for the tenth time and glanced up at the still lit seatbelt light.  Sore and stiff from his previous night’s match , he couldn’t find any real relief from the discomfort.  Combined with his desire to see Emma he’d been antsy from the moment he’d sat down. 
    Garrett pulled the headphones off his head and looked over at him.  “You’ve been restless since we climbed on board. What’s your deal?”
    Holt shook his head.  “My shoulder still hurts, and I’m uncomfortable and that damn light needs to go out.”
    Garrett’s face slid from concern into a mischievous grin.  “You’re going to pull a switcheroo again, aren’t you?”
    “If the light ever goes out.  Besides-” Holt arched a brow.  “You don’t seem to mind sitting next to Jill.”
    Garrett shook his head.  “Not at all.  She’s a sweet girl and all she does when she’s up here is stretch out, put on the headphones and take a nap.  Actually-” he chuckled.  “She’s a better seatmate than you most of the time.”
    Holt sneered at him.  “Ha ha…Remind me why I’m friends