Emotions

Emma~

This meal is ready to go down as one of the most emotional events in my entire career. The food was a success and better still, the company was to die for.

There were a few moments where I thought Orion was ready to fly across the table to strangle my outspoken brother, but with a few carefully directed kicks in Owen’s direction, I was able to defuse the situation before it became too obvious. Besides, after the business they’ve lost he has somewhat of an excuse for the way he’s been behaving.

I can’t count how many looks my father and I must have exchanged while the two of them butted heads, but there was nothing I haven’t said before myself that was directed towards Orion. For once, it seems as though Owen is smart enough to know where the line is.

The clink of Orion’s glass directs everyone’s attention toward him as he rises to stand at the head of the table. I didn’t realize that there was to be another speech and these things are never after the meal is over, or at least not back home they’re not.

“I would like to take a moment to thank my fiancée for the delicious meal and congratulate her on the fantastic success. I think we can all agree that this was our best dinner to date.” He starts and there are a few agreements around the table chiming in to add to the fire burning up inside of my face.

“While I have you all here, I would also like to take this moment to extend a hand to her family that has been so kind as to visit. I would like to offer them a bigger role in our business, should they wish to be closer to us after the transfer is complete.”

Orion nods his head towards my brother and father as my jaw falls open. He’s practically just offered them a place in his family and this was one of the last things that I expected after Owen’s behavior. I mean, when committing crimes together you should at least like each other, right?

Which reminds me, I haven’t had the chance to confront them on that yet. I’ve been too excited with seeing them to get angry at all of the lying, and maybe at some level it’s still not sunk in that in a way they’re just as bad. It’s probably frustrated Orion, you know, seeing as I have no problem giving him a hard time, but at least my family hasn’t resorted to blackmailing me to get what they want.

Orion sits himself back down as the speech is clearly over, and people are once again allowed to talk amongst themselves. For a second, I don’t say anything, only stare at him in awe. Where did that come from? Was this his intention for the whole night?

But the silence amongst us on this end of the table is broken by my father clearing his throat. “Orion, thank you for your kind offer, which I hope includes permission to visit my daughter. Unfortunately, I have given my word to serve another business already when forced to make… changes, and it is not in my power to accept.” He bows his head, and I can’t help but hold my breath.

I don’t know why I’m disappointed. I should have realized the second the offer was made that he wouldn’t accept, but for a moment I was able to hope.

“The offer will stand as long as I am leader of this family and Emma is by my side. I take no offense to your refusal,” Orion replies with a calm voice, and there are so many different ways that this could have gone, few of them being my family walking out here in one piece.

If the stories were anything to go on, Orion isn’t one to be refused, and yet here he is taking it with grace… and I think he’s taking it for me.

I don’t know what makes me do it, my gratitude or maybe even my heart, as bruised as it is of late, but I reach out for his hand and squeeze it lightly before pulling away. I want him to know that I am thankful for tonight, and he’s made what I thought would be a rather painful experience into a memorable evening.

***

We walk back together rather than drive, as we gave the keys to my brother earlier in the night when it became apparent that my father was getting tired.

It turns out that we’re only a couple of miles away from the house and I insisted on being able to walk. We’ve both had a few drinks at this point anyway and I would like a moment or two alone with him after his big surprise.

The moon is out tonight and is like a guiding light for us as we walk along the path and through the trees. Neither of us has said much and I’m still deciding on how best to approach him.

This doesn’t excuse the ups and downs at the start of our relationship, but it shows that he really is trying and that he’s not the man I met the first night back at home.

I also notice quite quickly how long his legs are compared to mine, and with heels this big I quickly come to regret my insistence on walking. After the first mile, I decide to hell with this and stop for a second to take them off. It’s only mud, there’s no reason why I can’t finish this journey barefoot.

“Are you serious?” Orion asks while turning to look at me and I smile guiltily while holding up the heels in my left hand.

“You walk too fast,” I complain and scamper up next to him now that I have more flexibility with my feet.

“You could have said something, or would that ruin the silent treatment I’ve been getting?” He asks, not walking anymore but facing me with a serious expression.

“I’m not giving you the silent treatment…” I hesitate because if I didn’t know what to say before, I sure as hell don’t now. “I just don’t know what to say after all of that other than thank you… and I’ve said that like five times now.” I laugh awkwardly.

He looks at me as if trying to read my face and I’m just as interested in what he might find as he is. My thoughts are all over the place and I’m still on an emotional high from seeing my family.

“In that case, let’s go home.” He seems to have settled on something in his head and before I know it, he’s scooped me up and into his arms.

“What are you doing?” I yell while kicking out my legs to try and get free.

“Emma, do you really think I’m letting you walk all the way home with bare feet?” He gives me one of his looks and I realize that he sort of has a point. It would be nice to avoid covering my new dress in five inches of mud.

“Fine, but don’t get any ideas.” I point my finger toward his chest which is pressed firmly against my shoulder and feel the firmness of his muscles under the shirt.

It’s fair to say that the close proximity of his body to mine shuts me up for the rest of the way and I think from all of the blushing, I’ve burnt off what remains of my makeup. I’m just glad that he can’t see it while it’s so dark out or I’d have to explain myself in that case.

In what feels like a far too short amount of time he’s placing me carefully down onto the smooth marble of the entryway and I hastily straighten my dress before turning to him.

“Thank you,” I say for what is now the sixth time of the night.

“You can tell me that again in the morning,” he grins, proud of himself, and we make our way up the staircase side by side.

I may not be in his arms anymore, but I am still very much aware of his body. The tingling sensation hasn’t faded yet from the contact, and I have to keep fighting back my intrusive thoughts that are telling me to reach out to him.

We stop when it comes to my door, and he leans in for a second against the frame. For a moment, I think he’s going to kiss me, and what surprises me the most is that I wouldn’t be against it in the slightest.

But rather than push his luck, he rights himself up again and smiles shyly. “Goodnight, Princess,” he murmurs before leaving me alone with my scandalous thoughts.