Knots Between Us

Chapter Eleven

"“I can't believe this is actually happening… Rask took our side,” Andrea whispered.

Emma didn’t reply, scanning the crowd until she found Sebastian, standing next to Detective Sean, hands casually in his pockets, deep in conversation.

“You know he’s like a coconut,” Rory murmured.

“A what?” Emma raised an eyebrow.

“Soft on the inside, hard on the outside,” Andrea said, still watching Sebastian. Emma shook her head with a small smile and hugged herself as the cold wind brushed her bare legs.

“Oh god… here he comes,” Andrea whispered shakily. Emma’s heart thumped; her knees felt weak.

“Ms. Blake,” Sebastian greeted her.

“I know it hasn't been easy these past couple of weeks, and I want to apologize for that,” he continued. Emma just stared at his handsome face, confused by the storm of emotions he stirred in her.

“I am in need of an assistant. If you want the position, it’s yours. If not, I’ll personally write you a reference letter,” he said.

“Sir, I’ll be more than happy to work as your assistant… after everything that’s happened… thank you, sir,” Andrea replied, teary-eyed. Sebastian nodded stoically.

“Very well. You can rejoin the office starting Monday. Check in with HR for your ID and passcodes. Jake will draw up a new contract. Welcome back, Ms. Blake.” Stoic as ever, Sebastian continued to surprise Emma—Rory had been right; he was a coconut.

“Ms. Rhodes, a word,” Sebastian said, turning to her.

Emma’s breath hitched, but she followed him toward his sleek black BMW parked by a row of pine trees. Once out of sight, he grabbed her upper arms and yanked her close. Emma gasped as she fell against him, heat and adrenaline surging through her. She stared into his stormy gray eyes.

“What the f**k were you thinking?” he demanded, gently shaking her.

Emma swallowed hard.

“Do you have any idea how wrong all of this could’ve gone? What if you didn’t have proof? Do you know what could’ve happened to my reputation? Worse, what if Yang had hurt you, HUH?” His grip tightened slightly.

“Don’t you ever, EVER do anything that stupid again, you hear me?”

“I’m sorry,” Emma whispered, teary-eyed. Sebastian’s hold softened, but he didn’t release her, and she didn’t step away either.

His gaze drifted to the soft pout of her lower lip, the unspoken invitation teasing him. A powerful urge surged through him. He leaned in, and Emma closed her eyes instinctively. Their lips hovered just inches apart when reality intruded—

“Emma!?”

Sebastian recoiled, as if burned. Emma stepped back, shivering in the cold. Connor emerged from behind the trees.

“There you are! I was looking all over for you,” he said, standing beside her.

“You okay, Em?” he asked, eyeing Sebastian with suspicion.

What was it with these two? Emma thought.

“I’m fine,” she answered, though both men continued their silent standoff. She placed a hand on Connor’s arm to redirect his attention.

“We called a cab—it’s waiting outside. Let’s go,” he said, grabbing her hand.

“I’ll meet you outside. I just need to grab my folder from inside,” Emma said, giving Sebastian one last glance before heading back into the house.

Connor waited until she was gone. “Thank you… for what you did tonight.”

Sebastian’s gaze narrowed. “What I don’t understand is how a man would let his woman put herself in danger like that.”

Connor frowned, realizing Sebastian’s implication. “We had it under control. I always protect what’s mine, Mr. Rask. You don’t need to worry about Emma; she has people who care for her,” he snapped.

A wave of hurt hit Sebastian—Connor had just called Emma his. The thought ignited a sharp pang of anger.

“Have a nice night, Mr. Rask.”

Sebastian watched him leave, then reached for his phone—only to realize he’d left it inside. Cursing softly, he strode back toward the house.

Emma returned, still dizzy from the near kiss. Standing in the center of Yang’s living room, she muttered, “Where did I put it?” and began searching for her folder.

“Looking for this?” Someone said behind her. Emma jumped, turning to see Laine holding the folder.

“Thanks—I thought someone might have taken it by mistake,” Emma said, stepping toward her.

Laine’s expression darkened as she tossed the folder into the fireplace. Flames hungrily consumed it.

“Why—?” Emma gasped.

“Because you dared to look at what is MINE,” Laine hissed. “Oh, enough with the innocent act. I saw you trying to seduce Sebastian just now. Girls like you? No way in hell I’ll let a slut like you get between our relationship of two years.”

Emma froze, stunned.

“Oh, here we go with the crocodile tears. Your mother taught you well, didn’t she? Practice makes perfect, right?” Laine sneered.

“You are right, Ms. Shelton,” Emma said, voice low but steady. “My mother taught me well. She taught me how to deal with people like you, and many valuable lessons—but the most important? How to respect myself.”

Laine rolled her eyes, crossing her arms.

“I haven’t even been in your life for more than two months, and you already feel threatened by a relationship of two years. That should tell you something, Ms. Shelton,” Emma continued, firm and unflinching.

Laine opened her mouth to speak, but Emma cut her off, hand raised.

“I can see that right now, I am your enemy—but let me make it clear: there is nothing between Mr. Rask and me. There never was, and there never will be. I am not interested in him.”

Emma felt a tug at her heart but ignored it. Laine’s stunned expression was proof enough that her words had landed.

Emma stepped around her to leave, but froze at the entrance—Sebastian was there, watching her with an unreadable expression. She gathered her courage and approached, shrugging off his blazer and handing it to him.

For a moment, their eyes met. Hurt flickered in his gray eyes. Without another word, Emma turned and walked out, leaving Sebastian to watch her go.