Page 96 of His Temptation

I stared at him, my anger dissolving as sadness took its place. My voice cracked as I said, “Ry.”

“Go home, Cason,” he said, stopping in the doorway but not looking at me. “I want you out of here by the time I get back.”

As I left the dormitory and walked toward my car, more tears welled in my eyes and I choked out a small sob. It was exactly as I’d feared. Ryan had rejected me. I wanted to call Emery, but my hands were shaking too much. I could barely even unlock my car door. Once inside the cab, I slammed the door and hung my head, finally letting the tears fall.

I hated crying, but I couldn’t hold it back. It felt like my heart had been ripped from my chest. Once pulling myself together, I drove out of the parking lot. It was eleven thirty, and I didn’t know if Emery was still out with Jay, but I drove to his house.

It was the only place I wanted to be right then.

Arriving, I parked in the driveway and called him.

“Hello?”

“Hey.” My voice was hoarse from all the crying. “Are you home?”

“Yes.” I heard shuffling on his end of the line. “Are you okay? You sound off.”

“I’m in your driveway right now. Can you open the garage?”

Moments later, the garage door opened and I drove inside. As it closed again, I got out of my car and went toward the door that led into the house. It swung open before I reached it, and then Emery was pulling me into his arms.

“What happened?” he asked, pressing his face against the side of my head.

“Just hold me.”

His arms tightened around me, and his lips pressed to my temple. I shut my eyes and leaned into him, taking every bit of comfort he offered. Eventually, he steered me inside and took me to his bedroom. Neither of us said a word as I kicked off my shoes, took off my shirt, and slid into bed.

Emery pulled me back into his arms, and I buried my face against his neck and breathed in his scent, a mix of spice and aftershave. He also smelled like cigars.

“Did you have fun with Jay?” I mumbled against his skin.

“I did. I got home around eleven.”

“Why so early?”

“Early? It’s late for me,” he said with a slight laugh in his voice. His lips touched my forehead, and they lingered there a moment before he asked, “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong? Did something happen with Ryan?”

“I came out to him,” I whispered, my eyes stinging with fresh tears.

Emery stilled, and his heart beat faster. “And?”

“And he didn’t take it well. As expected.”

“Did you tell him about us?”

“Of course not,” I said, irritated he’d even think that. “I wouldn’t tell him without talking to you first.”

“What did he say?” Emery ran his fingers through my hair.

“Not much. At first, he thought I was joking. Then when he realized it wasn’t a joke, he got quiet and looked pissed. His roommate invited him to party, and then Ryan told me to leave. So I did.”

Emery tilted my chin up and kissed me then, and I whimpered against his lips. He didn’t try to convince me everything would be okay, and I appreciated it. Because everything mightnotbe okay. Ryan was impulsive and unpredictable. I had no idea what he’d do or if he’d even want to see me again.

I didn’t need any bullshit positivity to give me hope.

“Stay with me tonight,” Emery said, shifting his weight to where he was on top of me. His blue eyes held so much kindness. And love. “Let me take care of you.”

“Take care of me? I don’t need a babysitter.”