Twisted Arrangement 2 (7 page)

He’d enjoyed the mysterious Madame’s raucous charm and blatant sensuality, definitely. But a relationship had to be based on more than volcanic physical attraction. His and Emma’s personalities were much better matched. She was much like he had been as a teen and young adult, before he’d broken out of his shell. He understood her.

Madame Butterfly seemed more like he was now; confident and comfortable in her own skin, but who knew what she was like from day-to-day? Based on what Ben had found out about Carla Fiorentino so far, she sounded like a lot of trouble. Madame Butterfly may be the kind of woman who lit up the silver screen, but Emma was the kind of woman you wanted in the seat next to you.

“Well, that went well.” He reached for the door handle but paused before pulling it open. He looked down at Emma. She barely came to his shoulder in her low, sensible heels. “Was it your idea for her to call Maisie Ransler?”

Emma blew a stray hair out of her eyes. “I thought it would be a good idea to give Eugenie the name of someone who wasn’t on your payroll to vouch for you. Having that person be Maisie Ransler works for you twofold. One, she’s well known in philanthropic circles in her own right, and two, Ransler’s sure to hear about your endeavor before the press release even hits the papers.”

“But how did you know she’d vouch for me? I told you Ransler wasn’t a big fan.”

Emma looked up at him, her green eyes glittering with laughter. Her mouth didn’t so much as twitch though. “You said
William
Ransler wasn’t a big fan. But Maisie is a different story. I happen to know she’s completely onboard with William working with you.”

“How do you...?” Josh trailed off as he pushed open the Foundation’s heavy front door and gazed out into the parking lot. The sky had been clear when they’d entered the building, but was low and dark now. Rain poured down in thick grey sheets. “Damn.”

“Make a run for it?” Emma asked with a quirked brow and a grin.

Josh studied the distance from the door to his Maybach. “I could ask if anyone here has an umbrella they could lend us.”

But Emma grabbed his wrist in her small, warm hand and tugged him outside into the downpour. Josh’s muscles tensed in surprise, but the feel of her touch sparked a sweet heat beneath his skin despite the cold rain pelting his head and shoulders. Emma dropped his wrist to cover her head with her hands, but they were both soaked within two steps out the door.

She laughed as she ran for the car, her black leather heels kicking up arcs of water. The rain plastered the silk of her blouse to her skin, revealing the small curves of her firm breasts and the tight nubs of her nipples. Josh barely even noticed the chilled water seeping into his own suit and trickling down his neck and chest. He felt a sudden, powerful bolt of lust strike him in the gut and wondered if he’d start steaming from the heat now broiling within him.

They dove inside the car as soon as Josh unlocked the doors. Emma was still laughing, swiping rain from her face and trying desperately to redo her bedraggled hair. Josh squelched as he shifted in the driver’s seat. Emma’s laughter began to wind down and she glanced over at him, mouth still curving. Her eyes went wide then, drifting down his body before sliding to her own dripping form. The color drained from her rounded cheeks.

“Oh, Josh,” she gasped. “Your car! I didn’t even think. I’m so used to my little Toyota and  its so beat up a bit of rain water would hardly make a difference. But...” She ran a damp hand over the equally damp leather of the seat, trying to swipe the water away. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. It won’t ruin the leather. The seats will be fine. It’s just a car.” If Ben could hear him, he’d probably choke on his astonishment. Josh loved this car. But it wasn’t as if it was irreplaceable or one-of-a-kind. The sight of Emma, laughing as she ran through the rain was. That was worth it, he thought. She was something else. Which reminded him of what he’d been about to ask when they’d discovered the storm. “How did you know I’d met Maisie Ransler? I don’t remember telling you that. And how do you know she wants William to take the part?”

Emma fished in her purse, pulling out a bunch of napkins, the kind you got at the food court. She handed him half and began carefully blotting the water from herself and the car seat. “Martin told me you’d gone up to Big Bear to meet Ransler when I called him about the final paperwork for the charity ball. It wasn’t difficult to find out that William Ransler and his wife are at the Farmer’s Market every Wednesday, as I’m sure you know, since you tracked him down there.”

“Okay, so you guessed that I met her when I met Ransler. But how do you know she’s on board with the project? You could have risked the whole deal with the Foundation if she hadn’t been.” He tugged his drenched suit jacket off and tossed it into the backseat, swabbing at the water on his face.

“I didn’t just guess, Josh. I spoke with Rachel Suarez, one of our vendors. She also works the Farmer’s Market up there. She confirmed that you’d met Maisie. Apparently, Maisie mentioned the meeting to several people. So I touched base with her and made sure she’d be okay with me giving her name to Eugenie.” Emma stuffed the wadded, wet napkins back into her purse.

Josh felt cold for the first time since he’d stepped into the rain. “You talked to Maisie Ransler?” If Emma had spoken with Maisie Ransler, he was already done for. There was no way Maisie wouldn’t mention that she’d talked to Emma to her husband. If Maisie knew Emma was only his party planner, then William did too.

“Of course. I wouldn’t just give her name out without checking that it was okay first.” Emma stared at him as if he’d just suggested she take off all her clothes.

“What exactly did you two talk about?” Dread twisted in Josh’s belly. If William Ransler found out he’d lied about being engaged, he was toast.

Emma’s brows drew down. “I explained what we were trying to do in partnering with EMF and asked if she’d be alright if I gave Eugenie her name as a reference. She was very nice about everything.”

“You explained...” Josh’s throat went dry.

“Josh.” She touched his wrist gently. “Relax, I didn’t give away your plan. I just told her you were looking to do some more charity work recently and needed help getting your foot in the door. Since she’s so active in those circles, she’s a natural choice. I mean, I’m sure she has suspicions due to your timing. She did seem like a shrewd woman. But I didn’t rat you out. She and I just had a nice chat.”

Josh turned on the car, not meeting Emma’s gaze. He was afraid she’d see the sudden desperation he felt. “She was that forthcoming even after you said you worked for me?” He cranked up the heat, fingers tight on the knob.

“Yes. Like I said, she’s definitely on board with William joining your project.”

He cut her a quick look from the corner of his eye. “What,
exactly
, did you say when you called her?”

Emma’s confused frown deepened. “Josh, is everything okay? You look a bit pale.”

“Please, Emma. Just tell me.” He squeezed the bridge of his nose. He knew he was rousing Emma’s suspicions with his questions, but he couldn’t help it. He had to know if her call had sunk his plan before it even launched.

“Well, I got my number to her through another party because I didn’t want to be intrusive and call her personal line. She called me. I told her my name and that I was calling about you and she said she knew who I was. And then we talked about EMF and the project. That’s it. Josh?” She chewed her lower lip. “I swear I didn’t talk out of school. I wouldn’t do that.”

Relief rushed through him as sweet as wine. He grinned, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. “I know. I’m just amazed at what you managed to do in so short a time, that’s all. You might be better at ferreting out information than Ben!”

“Oh?” She drew her hand quickly out of his grasp and began fiddling with her seatbelt. “Didn’t he have any luck with his trip to... was it New York?” Her voice was still a little wobbly. Josh felt bad. He’d clearly spooked her a bit with his panicking. He smiled, hoping it looked reassuring. Ben’s trip had actually been an almost total bust, aggravatingly enough, but he tried to keep that from his face.

“Not as much as I would have hoped. But that’s alright, he’s bringing in the big gun now. Maybe I should put you on the case, once this EMF thing is over with. If he hasn’t gotten it figured by then, of course.” He was joking, but her answering ‘heh heh’ was weak. She was struggling with the seatbelt, which had become trapped beneath the seat’s headrest.  “Here, let me.”

Josh reached across her just as she twisted in his direction to attempt to untangle the belt with her left hand. They both froze as their equally sudden movements brought them face-to-face. He could feel the hard points of her nipples brushing against his chest with each of her shallow inhalations. Their eyes locked. Josh saw heat in her green gaze, and surprise, perhaps a little fear.

His hand, which had remained suspended near her ear when he’d stilled, moved to cup her cheek. She’d been cautious and quiet from the moment he’d met her, bar those momentary glimpses of levity and sass, but she’d never been scared of him before. He didn’t want her to be afraid of him. Not ever. He stroked along her cheekbone with his thumb, amazed at the velvet smoothness of her skin. He could smell her. Beneath the scent of fresh rain was the light fragrance of lavender and chamomile.

Emma’s lashes fluttered. Her warm, sweet breath puffed out, brushing over his lips. His gaze fell to her mouth as her tongue darted out to wet her plump lower lip. Desire slammed into his chest like a fist. Josh groaned, dipping his head, intent on her mouth. Just a millimeter more and he’d be tasting that pillowy curve.

She jerked back before his mouth touched hers, eyes going impossibly wide. “Josh.” Her voice trembled, thick with emotion. He couldn’t tell if it was fear or arousal. That made him draw back. Emma’s damp pink lips trembled. “I can’t.”

There was such anguish in those two words that Josh immediately straightened in his seat, his hand dropping to his side. God, he was such an idiot! He’d fallen victim to his own hype. Just because Emma found him attractive didn’t mean she’d welcome his attention. Contrary to what all the tabloids said, he normally didn’t think of himself as God’s gift to women. But he’d just assumed Emma was as interested in him as he was in her. How could she not be? He was Joshua Owens, handsome big-shot Hollywood producer. His mouth twisted.

Geez, maybe Ransler was right about him. Josh blew out a long breath and shoved a hand through his wet hair. “I’m sorry, Emma. Really. That was... inappropriate of me, and I apologize. I value our professional relationship and I respect you. I hope I haven’t made you too uncomfortable. It won’t happen again, I assure you.”

“It’s...” She swallowed audibly. “It’s fine. Really.” She’d turned her face toward the rain speckled passenger window. In the vague reflection there, Josh could see that her eyes were closed.

His shoulders tensed. “I’ll take you back to work.” The deluge had tapered off to a light misting rain as they’d sat in the parking lot, but Josh kept his eyes trained on the road as if his life depended on it. The silence grew heavy between them as he drove.

When he pulled to a stop in front of Picture Perfect, he flicked only the briefest glance her way from the corner of his eye, afraid to make her even more uncomfortable. The heater had dried her blouse somewhat, though she still looked a bit waterlogged. Even with straggling hair and wan cheeks though, Emma was beautiful.

She turned to look at him then and her eyes were huge and luminous in her pale face. “It really is okay, Josh. I know it was just a heat of the moment, proximity thing. Don’t worry about it.” She gave him a trembling smile. “You say it won’t happen again, and I believe you.”

“It won’t,” he croaked. “I promise.”

She unlocked her door and pushed it open, giving him a short nod. “Good. I’ll talk to you tomorrow then.”

“Tomorrow.” He gave her a brief wave as she shut the car door. She stood for a minute on the sidewalk, rain misting in her dark brown hair. It looked almost black when it was wet, he realized. Her slender hand rose in a return wave and then she spun and hurried into the building.

Josh pulled away from Picture Perfect and turned the car toward home. His chest felt as if it were full of frost-covered rocks, rolling around his ribcage and pressing on his lungs. He’d made a deal with Eugenie Markham to help build a dormitory that would provide housing for a lot of women in need. He was one step closer to getting what he wanted, Ransler’s name on the dotted line, with the help of Ransler’s own wife, thanks to Emma. He’d even managed not to alienate Emma, despite his asinine assumption that she’d welcome his advances.