Withstanding the Enemy

Seventeen

Emma…

I hear voices coming from the kitchen as I walk down the back stairway. Entering the kitchen, I see Rick, Ms. May, and a younger woman—approximately my age—all standing around the island in deep conversation and completely unaware of my presence.

“I don't like someone handling my kitchen,” Ms. May says to Rick.

“You know that with what we have going—you need her here to help when your gone.” Rick smiles down at the red-faced Ms. May.

“NO I don't! I can prepare all the meals and Emma can heat them up when I'm gone,” she snaps.

My stomach squeezes. I have never heard someone talk back to Rick.

Rick walks around the island and pulls Ms. May to his side in a gentle embrace. “You know you won’t win with me. I have made up my mind. She is not to take over for you, just to help you and learn—that is all,” he says in a soothing tone.

Taking advantage of the opportunity that they are completely oblivious to my presence, I observe them. I watch as Rick continues to comfort Ms. May with his arm over her shoulder; he crests and rubs her shoulder like a loving son. How did I not see the bond between these two before now? I look over to the other woman; she too, drinks in the scene between Rick and Ms. May making me wonder who she is. I watch as her eyes lock onto Rick and then soften with affection. Something foreign builds in my chest and an overwhelming desire to knock her eyes off of him courses through me. Who the hell is she?

Ms. May huffs and shakes a finger at the other woman—snapping her to attention. “Fine, but I plan all the meals.”

“Yes, chef,” she replies sounding like a soldier at boot camp.

“Good, Ms. May. In time you will enjoy having the help. Now, promise me you will behave and not kick her out of the kitchen again,” Rick says with a chuckle as he squeezes her shoulders.

In Ms. May’s ornery style, she wiggles her hips. “No promises,” she says as she looks over her shoulder and away from the island—catching me eavesdropping. Her whole face lights up. “Now, there’s someone,” she says as she strides in my direction, “I can promise not to kick out of MY kitchen.”

Rick looks over to me and our eyes lock, causing goosebumps across my skin and heat to my cheeks. I look back to Ms. May as she opens her arms and gives me a hug, breaking the intensity of his gaze.

She guides me back to the island to join them. “Darling, we have a lot to catch-up on. I hear you and Rick are getting married,” she says as she pats me on the back. “Congratulations, you two! I didn’t know that you two… Well, it doesn’t matter…” Ms. May continues on as she looks to the new chef. “It's so exciting … isn't it?”

“Yes, Chef,” she says quietly and avoiding my eyes.

Oh, I wasn’t misjudging her. That b***h wants Rick. I put a smile on my face and force out my hand to introduce myself. “I don’t think we have met, I'm Emma. RICK’s fiancée.”

“I'm Molly Wright,” she says still not looking in my direction. Her eyes transfix on Rick—again. Breathe before you slap the s**t out of her. I look to Rick for a distraction from the anger that is building up in me. His bright smile greets me, and his eyes flame their brilliant green as if he can read my mind.

“Come on, My Love. We need to get going,” he says picking up my hand, and lacing our fingers together. He turns us to the door.

Just before we reach the main doorway, Molly hurriedly asks, “You don't want breakfast this morning … Mr. … Rick?” The way she said his name brings back thoughts of slapping her. Instead, of reacting to her, I tighten my grip on Rick’s hand.

Rick looks down to me before answering her. “It’s Master and no. Ms. May will be training you all day. This morning I have to take My Love to pick out the ring of her dreams,” he says kissing my temple before we exit the kitchen.

It isn't until we finally enter the elevator that I feel myself relax. The door to the elevator shuts and Rick leans back against the wall and stares at me. “Jealousy is flattering on you.”

“What!” I snap. “I wasn't jealous,” I say rolling my eyes.

“My Love, I will let the eye roll go—this time. But you were jealous of the attention that woman was giving me.”

“I wasn't jealous.” My voice raises up an octave.

“Emma, Emma, Emma, what to do with you now?” He hits the stop button on the elevator and a cold chill runs down my spine. s**t, I pissed him off—the OLD Rick. Never before have I had an outburst and talked back to Rick. I quickly look down. “I'm sorry, Rick.”

In one step, he picks me up by my waist and pins me against the icy wall; my feet dangling as his flaming eyes bore into mine.

“I don't want you to be sorry.”

What! Why isn’t he punishing me…?

“Love, it turns me on when you show possessiveness over what is yours. And I AM YOURS. It's even sexier that you don’t recognize your jealous. I have so much to teach you.”

“Wait…I didn't…”

He crashes his lips on mine with a brutal force as he hungrily devours my lips. Piercing his tongue into my mouth, he collides our tongues together with force. I moan into his mouth with the pure passion as it rips open a piece of my heart. He pulls back just as quickly and drops me to my feet.

Taking a step back, he pushes his back against the opposite wall. Taking deep breaths, he looks away from me. “I made you a promise. I will not break it. I … promised…” He repeats as if to remind himself more than to tell me.

My heart pounds wildly in my chest as my eyes run over him. His usual neatly combed hair looks disheveled as he runs his hand through it again. With the top few buttons of his wrinkled grey shirt open, I watch the flexing of his tone muscles with every intake of his labored breathing as he regains his control. Did I make Rick lose control?

Oh holy hell … he is sexy like this. Sexy… Shouldn’t I be scared? But that kiss… My heart slams from the raw passion of his kiss. No, I’m not scared of this Rick. The realization that I control this Rick makes my mind spin. I have always known that he wants me, but I never knew that Rick WANTS ME…

I step closer to him and reach out, thinking—Just how much control do I have over him?

Rick reaches over and flips the button bringing the elevator back to life before he holds out his arms, keeping me at arms distance. “Not now, Love. I need a minute.”

Yes, I have control of Rick.