The Genius and The Prince

Chapter 10 – Facing Him

Emily POV –

I woke up the next morning and I feel like I am wrapped in a cocoon. I look next to me on the bed and see Braxton laying on his back with his hands behind his head, softly snoring. I take my hand out and poke him in the side like I used to do my brother. He did exactly what Paxton would do. Let out a yelp and roll off the bed. I started laughing. Even more so when his head poked up from the side of the bed. I cover myself and prepare for what he may do.

“Yeah, you better slide yourself back into your burrito! I will remember that.” He says standing up. I poke my head out to see him standing there stretching and rubbing his eyes. “Hey, princess, you hungry?” I just nod. “Good. I am going to run home get changed and come back and we can go get coffee and croissants on the way to the office.” He says as he puts his vans back on and then walks out of the room. He acts like it was totally normal that he slept in my bed last night. As if it was no big deal. I look around wondering what world I am in at this point.

I unwrap myself from the comforter and sit on the edge of the bed and look down and see my shoes. He must have taken them off and covered me up. Seriously Moon Goddess why couldn’t you have made him my mate. ‘I know right?’ I hear Amira in my head. I just shake it off as I walk to the bathroom to do my morning routine.

As I step back into my room in just a towel, I look around to make sure Braxton isn’t hiding somewhere. With the room clear I pull my suitcase onto the bed and pull out my cream-colored sleeveless sheath dress. I find my underwear and start changing. I had just finished zipping up the back and was about to take the towel off my head when the doorbell rings. Now, he decided to use the doorbell. I make my way to the door and call out, “Now you’re using the doorbell? Would have been nice yesterday when you…” I stop because I opened the door and standing on the other side wasn’t Braxton, but my mate. I just stand there looking at him.

“Hi. I am Jackson.” He tells me. He has one hand in his suite pocket and the other reaching out for me to shake it. He is in a black suit with a light blue shirt, no tie and the top buttons open. I look at his hand and shake my head as my heart pounded. His scent invaded my space, and I felt like I was being pulled into him.

“I am busy, I have to get ready for work. Can we just talk later?” I say to him as I try to close the door.

“Wait!” He says as he stops the door with his hand. “Can we just get some coffee?” I can see a hopeful look in his eyes, and I am confused.

“I apologize, but I have plans and I have to finish getting ready for work.” I tell him and I see a look of disappointment. As I look past him, I see Braxton coming across the street. He is in a dark blue suit again with a lighter blue shirt and a matching tie. He follows my gaze and watches Braxton walk up my drive.

“Hey Jack. Emi you best get moving if you want something better than the coffee at the office.” I nod and go to shut the door again and Jackson stops it again.

“How about dinner?” He asks me again with the hopeful look in his eyes.

I just look at him and then Braxton who just shrugs his shoulders. “Are you still with someone?” I ask.

“I won’t be by dinner.” He smiles. And for some reason feeling second best just doesn’t sit well even though my heart hurts.

“Honestly, I have a lot of unpacking to do, and I should have done it yesterday. Maybe another time.” I tell him as I shut the door. I stand on the other side for just a minute and then hear Braxton.

“Emily, go get ready!” He shouts at the door. I walk back to my room and do my hair and put on a little bit of make-up and then grab my shoebag and pull out my tan Ferragamos. As I put them on, I hear the front door open. I know it is Braxton. I can smell him coming my way. I walk to the bench at the end of my bed and pick up my plum bag. I check and make sure everything is inside I need as I look up Braxton is leaning against the door frame. “You look great.”

“Thank you.” I say as I walk towards him. “Is he gone?”

“Yes, but so you know he is staying here for a while.” He looked at me and took my hand. “Let’s get some coffee and the best Croissant you have ever had.” He leads me to the front door and stops. “I told him to leave, but he is still out there, are you going to be okay, or do you want me to try and get rid of him?”

I shook my head. “No, I have to face this. He needs to know I don’t want to see him till he is completely unattached, and everyone knows he is no longer with her.” I tell him and he nods.

“Want me to go tell him that? Or do you want to?” He asks me.

“I can do it. And I am driving my car and will follow you. I have to go to the store after work.” I tell him as he starts to open the door and then shuts it again.

“What store and why?” He turns and looks at me.

“Just a*****e and don’t worry about it.” I am not about to tell him I need to go buy feminine products. I forgot them when I was packing, and I just want to go to a*****e and get away from here for a while. If he is staying, I need space.

“I know what you need, and I will get mom to get them.” He says as he opens the door.

“No, I will do it!” I stand my ground, and he just shakes his head.

“Fine, but I will go with you.” He walks out to my car I walk to the driver’s side as Jackson comes around to my door.

“Emily, can I just have a minute?” Jackson pleads.

“Listen Jackson. I think you need to back off. Until you are single, and everyone knows you're single, you need to keep your distance.” I tell him as I get into my car and Braxton gets in on the other side. I look at Braxton, “Why are you not in your car?” I shake my head and touch my chest that has a pinch of pain in it. “I told you; I have to go somewhere later.” I tell him.

“Where are you going?” Jackson asked. As I turn and look at him.

“None of your business,” I tell him, and turn and look at Braxton. “Get out of my car.” He puts his hands up in surrender. “Seriously you two, I need space.” I tell them both as Braxton gets out and Jackson backs up. I put the car in reverse and took off. I only got as far as around the corner to punch in the GPS but heard a horn honk and looked up to see Braxton’s car in front of mine as we waved out the window to follow him. I just rolled my eyes and nodded.

As we started down the road, I remembered I didn’t call my family last night and cursed myself. With my phone connected to my car I called my mom’s cell. She answers of course on the first ring.

“Emily!” She scolds.

“Hi Mom.” I sing out.

“Don’t you try to sweet talk me, I had to call Lemon last night to ask her if you made it there.” Ah ha! So, she does know Lemon and that is why the house looks like it does.

“So, you and Lemon are close?” I give a little laugh.

“I don’t know if we were close, but we did speak a few times.” She says weakly. “That is beside the point, you didn’t call!”

“I know, I am sorry Mom. I had a bit of a whirlwind when I got here. First the house, then a mini-tour, and then I…” I can’t tell her about Jackson. She doesn’t like him; she doesn’t like the fact he has a girlfriend. She taught us the importance of waiting for your mate and how important they are to your life. Before I realized it, tears were falling from my eyes.

“I know sweetie, Lemon told me how you were so tired from driving you went right to bed, without dinner even.” Her voice is dripping with sympathy. I sniff and she hears it. “Emily, are you crying?” I pull over and watch as Braxton keeps driving. I put the car in park along the side of the road and look down at my hands and let the tears fall.

“Mom.” Is all I get out.

“Emily, what is wrong? You’re scaring me.” She says with worry. I sit for a minute only to hear a knock on the window. I turn and see Jackson with his eyes on the verge of spilling tears. I open the door as he flings it open and wraps his arms around me.

“It’s okay. I promise you I will make this right.” He says pulling me back and cupping my face and wiping the tears away with his thumbs.

“Emily? Who is that? What is happening?” I hear my mom’s voice deep with worry as I stare at Jackson.

“Mom, I met my mate.” I say as I look into Jackson’s eyes, and he smiles.

“Uh, okay. Who is it? Should we come and meet him?” She asks as I close my eyes. I try to put my head down, but Jackson still has a hold on it. I keep my eyes closed and tell her.

“No, Mom. It will be alright.” I tell her fighting back a sob.

“Did he reject you?” She growls out and I open my eyes and look at Jackson. He is shaking his head no.

“Not yet.” I say to her, and he is stunned. He lets go of my face and just looks at me.

“I will never reject you!” he says as I hear my mother.

“Is that him?” She calls out. “Who is he?”

“Hello Mrs. Roth, this is Crown Prince Jackson King. Your daughters mate.” He says with authority. And it is silent. “Mrs. Roth?”

“Emily, call me later.” With that the call ended. He growled slightly then took a step back.

I put my head down looking at my fidgeting hands. “It probably wasn’t a good idea to tell her.” I simply stated.

He crosses his arms defensively as he asks me, “Why is that? You’re my mate.” He just doesn’t get it.

“You didn’t wait. My father didn’t find my mother till he was 30 and he waited. We believe and trust in the Moon Goddess. My parents have talked about you since you started dating Cassandra. They use you as an example of what NOT to do.” I tell him with all the strength I have. He in turn looks defeated. He turns and looks at the oncoming traffic as I see Braxton’s car pass slowly and then stop in front of me. I watch him get out of his car and come to my door. I am sitting in the car with Jackson standing with the door open in front of me and Braxton is on the other side of the door.

“Well, coffee is out.” He says, smiling at me. “Jackson, are you going to let the girl go to work or what?” He asks him as he leans on my car.

“Can we please talk later?” Jackson pleads with me. My wolf is shaking her head and whining about being with our mate. I don’t want anything till the other woman is out of the picture.

“That depends on Cassandra. I will not come between you two if you truly love and care about her. If you want to talk to me later to reject me, please just do it now since Braxton is here.” I tell him trying to keep the tears away.

“I already told you; I will not reject you.” He runs his hands through his short hair and then looks at me. “Cassandra and I are done; well, we will be done. If you don’t feel comfortable around just me, Brax can be there. We can come over and help you get settled tonight. I will bring the pizza.” He offers.

“Fine.” I cave. “Come over around 7, until then can you back off?” I ask as I make motions with my hands to say move so I can close the door. Braxton comes around and gets in my car as I look at him questioningly.

“I am having one of the guards pick it up, I will ride with you the rest of the way to make sure you get there this time!” He says putting on his seatbelt.

I look back over at Jackson; he steps aside and closes the door. “7 o’clock tonight. I will be there. Favorite type of pizza?” He asks with a huge grin.

“Meat lovers and extra red pepper flakes.” I say as I put the car in drive and then take off not waiting to hear a goodbye. I don’t even look in the rear-view mirror, I decide just to keep moving and pray Braxton doesn’t say a word. Which lasts all of 30 seconds.

“Do you want to tell me what happened, or should I ask Jackson later?” He asks.

“I was following you, then I wasn’t. Now you’re in my car.” I say flatly.

“Wow, that is fascinating.” He says in awe, and sarcasm. “Fine don’t tell me, I will call Jackson.” He started to reach for his phone.

“You have his number? I thought you guys got into a fight 3 years ago or so and are not friends anymore?” I ask as we pull into the underground parking of the building the firm is in. It is 5 stories and houses the law firm along with their construction company.

“I never said we weren’t friends. We may not have spoken, but I always kept an eye on him.” Braxton says as he opens his phone.

“So, what’s it going to be, you going to tell me what happened, or shall I call him?” He says waving the phone.

I roll my eyes, “fine, I was following you when I called my mom. She asked me how things were. I got upset and pulled over. I didn’t know he was following me.” I said as I parked the car and looked at my hands. “He came to my door and I told my mom I found my mate, I was upset.” I paused, hoping he would let me stop there.

“And?” He pressed.

I sighed, heavily. “He told my mom I was his mate.”

“Sounds like we have progress.” He said, smiling.

“No, my parents don’t like him, nor have any respect for him. As soon as he said he was my mate my mom told me to call her later and hung up.” I said as I fought back tears.

“Yikes, so, we took a few steps back.” I looked at him and he cringed.

“I wouldn’t doubt if my parents show up here either today or tomorrow.” I said with a shrug and grabbed my bag from the back seat and then turned to open my door. He was at my door before I could close it. I looked at him and shook my head. “Why? Why did I have to have him as a mate? Why couldn’t it have been…” I stop and it’s like he knew. He just reached out and grabbed me and brought me into his chest and held me.

“I know.” He ran his hand through my hair and then kissed the top of my head. “But on the bright side, I feel like I have this fantastic younger sister. I always wanted a sister.” I nod and let out a little laugh. He pulls me back and lets me go. Well, except for my hand. “Come on Baby Girl, let’s go to work.” I nod as we walk to the elevators.