HAPPY FOREVER AFTER

“I feel like a zoo animal in a cage,” Emma muttered, lifting a glass of white wine to her lips. “They could at least be subtler about the staring.”

The way people had been staring at them from the moment they arrived was making her uncomfortable and after three hours, she was ready to leave.

Daniel arched an eyebrow, scanning the large formal room. Several pairs of eyes met, then slid away from his, caught ogling the newest couple in their midst. Satisfaction whispered through him. He didn’t know why, but it did. He was glad she was with him. He didn’t care about the gossip that would be circulating around.

“They are wondering why you are with the beast,” he said grinning.

“Probably.” Emma said.

He snorted at her quick agreement, earning a dazzling smile from her. When she lifted her hands and settled them at his waist under his jacket, her fingernails digging into his skin through his shirt, he didn’t hold back his low rumble of hunger.

“I think you are intending to punish me, lady,” he growled above her mouth, pinching her chin with his free hand and tilting her head back. “But I don’t mind a bit of pain with pleasure. Would you sink those claws deeper if I asked nicely?”

He expected her to wrench away from him; his muscles tightened in anticipation of controlling the reaction he purposefully coaxed from her.

But she sank her nails harder into his flesh, and the stings were a precursor of how she would scratch and grip him when they were bed. He tried to swallow his groan, but some sound escaped against his will.

She had played him. Turned the tables so completely he ground his teeth together, imprisoning the words that would reveal she had knocked him on his ass. Those words being more, harder, please…

“Daniel,” she whispered.

“Well, don’t you two look cozy,” a new familiar voice drawled from behind them.

Daniel released Emma, shifting to her side and slipping an arm around her waist. He faced Michelle.

“Hello, Daniel,” she said.

“Hi, Michelle”

“You two look very…. Happy. It’s nice to see you again dear…. Emily…. Is it?” she said.

“It’s Emma,” Daniel corrected.

Emma wasn’t in the mood for this. She wasn’t going to get into some argument and embarrass herself over a man… That wasn’t even hers. So she excused herself, leaving Daniel with Michelle.

“Seems like she scares easily” Emma heard Michelle say as she walked away.

————–

Emma breathed deeply as she washed her hands in the bathroom. This moment alone, without the narrow eyed glares from both Michelle and the other guests, was a mercy.

She hated being the subject of all that speculation. She began to regret coming with Daniel.

They had reminded her of vultures, waiting to see who would get their pick of carrion. Daniel seemed unfazed. But all those sidelong, greedy glances and not so quiet whispers… They had crawled over her like ants attacking a picnic. At least she was free here. She thought. If only for a few moments.

“Can’t stay here forever,” she said to her reflection.

That was the first sign of losing it, right? Talking to oneself. She smiled, shaking her head as she headed toward the restroom door. Her mother used to do the same, mumble to herself as she puttered around the kitchen after her Dad left. God, Emma missed her. Missed her hugs, her quiet assurances, her confidence in her.

Well, one thing her mother would have reprimanded her about was hiding like a coward in the bathroom during a dinner party. Emma thought. Snorting lightly, Emma exited the powder room…and nearly collided with Michelle.

Damn.

“Hi, Michelle.” She greeted her with a smile.

“I’m sorry if you had to wait. The bath-room’s all yours.”

She shifted to the side, prepared to walk around the other woman, but the futile hope of avoiding a confrontation died a quick death when Michelle stepped to the side as well, blocking Emma’s escape.

Michelle smiled in turn, but it didn’t reach her chilly eyes.

“No hurry, Emma. I was hoping to catch you alone for a few moments,” she purred. “We have so much to catch up on, seeing as we apparently have more in common than I thought.”

“I’m assuming you are referring to Daniel,” Emma said, resigning herself to this conversation.

“You are a cool one, aren’t you, Emma?” Michelle asked, slowly shaking her head. “Very dedicated, tell me, what do you hope to get from your…. From getting involved with Daniel? ”

Anger flickered to life, crackling like dry wood set ablaze. “I am not sure about discussing my private life with you,” Emma said. “it’s none of your business”

Several silent moments passed, and a fury filled tension thickened between them.

“When we met, I thought you looked smart,” Michelle said softly. “Turns out, when it comes to men, you are so naive.”

Her expression softened with false sympathy. “Why exactly would Daniel be with you? You are just his play thing. Someone to pass the time with.” She chuckled, the sound taunting. “It’s so pathetic. He is using you, Emma. I just spent a few minutes with him now and it’s obvious he wants me, and you are caught up in his little plan to make me jealous.”

Pain, serrated and ugly, slashed at her. Why did it hurt? She had gone into this charade knowing she could get hurt. Was that why Daniel didn’t want them to be in a real relationship? But reason had no place when humiliation and pain pumped out of her with every heartbeat.

Forcing her lips to move and her arm to lift, she waved away Michelle’s claims as if they were petty annoyances. “I don’t see how any of this is your business, Michelle.” she said.” What is between Daniel and me is just that. Between us. Now if you will excuse me…”

She moved forward again. If Michelle chose to get in the way, this time she would find her ass meeting the floor. Thankfully, Michelle didn’t try to block her, and Emma headed toward the dining room with a smothered sigh of relief.

“He hasn’t let go of me. If I wanted him back, Emma , he would be mine.” Michelle’s parting shot struck true. By sheer force of will, Emma kept walking.

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