Ethan's POV
I woke up to the sound of footsteps on the floor outside my bedroom. I looked at the wall clock; it was only 5:30 am. Was Emma up already? I glanced over at Sharon. She was fast asleep, exhausted and jet lagged. I put on a T-shirt and a sweat pants and went to the second floor. I peered over the banister and saw Emma was already up, mopping the floors of the rooms downstairs. Her eyes caught mine as she mopped.
I headed to my office to forward over a fax for Linda that she had been messaging me about in the Bahamas.
The phone buzzed and I picked up.
"Good morning Mr. Hollen. Your coffee is ready."
"I'll be right down."
I must say I was impressed. I'd never been so happy for coffee in my entire life. I missed her coffee and I missed her too. What was I saying?
Emma stood beside the kitchen counter looking like an angel-- so peaceful, happy and perfect. I took the coffee from her hands. She headed towards the living roo
Emma's POVHalley had broken down into a fit. I cuddled her with a hug and told her that everything would be okay. Something was wrong with her, apart from being drugged.Matt must have mortified her.Detective Sam and the others looked on, unsettled."Halley, please tell them what happened. You have to talk about it," I whispered calmly, making sure I didn't sound mean or harsh to upset her more."I don't want to. I can't," she cried.What on earth happened to her?"Halley, I know you're scared. I know you want to put this behind you but we need your statement on what happened when Matt pulled you into the house," Detective Sam pressed."I can't talk about it. I don't want to," she cried again and hugged me tighter.Mr. Hollen looked like he was about to explode."Where's the driver? Maybe he could describe what he saw when he fetched Halley," Sam said to Mr. Hollen who began
Ethan's POVWhy couldn't I just keep my hands off her?I'd rushed after her as she ran out of the kitchen, looking sad and scared. I'd followed her directly to her bedroom, forgetting about everyone else. When I kissed her she'd stopped me before it escalated any further.What she said made sense. I was engaged to another woman and there were police officers in the house conducting an investigation. Any of them could request my presence at any moment. And there she was, laying on the bed with me hovering over her like my prey.I got up, straightened my clothes and left her room. I had to put that to the back of my mind, for now, but I was becoming crazy about her, having dreams and fantasies about her. God, I wanted her. To have and to hold.___________One week later, Halley was in much better health and had recovered wonderfully. The NYPD, along with Detective Sam, tracked down the two culprits and had already stuck them behind ba
Emma's POVSharon came and turned the entire house upside down within one week.It was Wednesday afternoon, the last Wednesday in June. I had just finished wiping the tables in the living room and mopping the floors. Today was scheduled to be my half day. I wanted to visit the library and get some new books. I had already taken my bath and was on my way out. When I got to the living room area I almost had a heart attack. Sharon had her two four year-old twin nieces over and they were making a huge mess on the floor I had just cleaned. Snacks, juices, chocolates and sodas were everywhere."Aren't you going to clean that up?" she asked with a smirk on her face, peering down from the banister.I wanted to say no but I knew Mr. Hollen wouldn't be too pleased about my attitude if I did. So I went back to my room, frustrated, changed into a rag and cleaned up the mess as she took the children outside by the pool."You two did such a good job
Emma's POVThe Miami weekend was just one day away. Halley and I decided to take our half day together to do a quick shopping before leaving. Luis drove us to the mall where we bought clothing, including a formal dress to wear to the auction fundraiser event, and Halley insisted on getting our hair done.When we got home late that afternoon we packed. I was extremely excited to be going on this trip with the two people I was getting accustomed to. I had never been on a trip before. I had never even stepped foot out of New York, so going to Miami was like a dream come true. I was overjoyed!I went to the chambers when I was through packing and sat on Halley's bed. I watched her scan the room, putting things she thought she'd need in Miami."My toothbrush, dress, hairdryer..." she went on, moving like she was trying to prevent herself from forgetting something important.I laughed just watching at her. It wasn't her first time in Miami; it was
Emma's POV"Ah, Emma is that you?" Agnes asked when she stopped what she was doing to take me in. "Wow, my child. I always knew you were very beautiful," she added as she wrapped her arms around me.I wiped a tear of happiness from my eye. I had missed her. I felt kind of guilty for forgetting about her, but Halley had become nice to me and we were bonding nicely."I've missed you at the house. What are you doing here?" I asked breaking from our hug."Mr. Hollen called me a few days ago and invited me here to cook while you all are here. Now, get out of my kitchen. I've got everything under control. Go and enjoy the beach or the front yard.""I came here because I was hungry."She opened the oven and took out several large trays. She prepared a plate of pineapple chicken, rice and peas, potato salad, macaroni pie and a slice of lasagna.My mouth watered."Eat dear," she said as she handed me the plat
Emma's POV"The last place I saw him was down at the beach," I answered, knowing damn well that the last place I saw him was with his mouth all over me in the bathroom.She glanced around my room. "Nice room," she remarked, moving towards my body mirror which was one footstep away from the bathroom door.Don't go in the bathroom! Don't go in the bathroom!I was panicking on the inside as her feet got closer and closer to the bathroom door.She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She started straightening her clothes and smoothing her hair with her hands. She turned towards me. She took one more look at the room and walked out the door. I heard her heels descending on the stairs. I locked the door and ran back to the bathroom."What is she doing here?" I asked with anger and fright."I don't know. She's supposed to be in Italy.""Maybe the fashion show was cancelled. Oh my gosh, you have to get ou
Ethan's POVI couldn't believe Sharon was here. I had crept out of Emma's room and tiptoed over to mine. I closed the door softly and hopped in the shower. I heard the door open and closed and the sound of heels hitting on the floor as I soaped my body."Baby, are you in here?""Yeah, I'm in the shower," I answered.She entered the bathroom. "Where were you? I've been looking everywhere for you, Ethan.""Just came from the beach. I didn't know you were coming," I answered, the water running over me."I'll wait in the bedroom. I need a favor from you."When I got out of the shower she was sitting on my bed, bouncing her heels over the floor with her long, crossed legs. "Hi, sweetie." I gave her a quick kiss. "What's going on? You're supposed to be out of the country.""I know, I know. I was but I had to fly back because I didn't have enough money for a clothing line I plan to take over in the f
Emma's POVI avoided him for the entire morning and afternoon until it was time get ready for the auction. I was nervous.Please don't embarrass him. Please don't embarrass yourself.I came from the bathroom and it was time to dress. I took my dress out of the closet and laid it on the bed. Black. I'd been in love with the color black since I was five years old. Black described my life; it was dark. Black like the sky at night when my parents dropped me on the doorsteps of a foster home. Black like the basement I had to sleep in.I gently applied lotion to my caramel skin and put on my lace underwear. I slipped into my dress next. It was a long-sleeved lace dress that reached just above my knees. I hoped it was appropriate for the function. I stood in front the full-length mirror as I combed my hair and applied my body fragrance. I put my shoes on and took a final look, making sure everything was perfect. I smiled at myself, I looked so beautiful.