Unjustly Destroyed (Incapable Part Two) (6 page)

Grayson

“Michael here wanted a tour of the company, as well as a presentation, and since he was so gracious, I thought I would give him the opportunity.” Emmalin gave a half smile as she still stood near the door. She cleared her throat.

“Mr. Mandrake, do I need to be present for your presentation?” Before I could speak, Carson did.

“Ms. Ross, I would love it if you would stay. The more the merrier, right?” He looked at me and smiled. I looked at Emmalin who seemed to be fidgeting. Michael stood up and pulled out the chair next to him. Guest or no guest, no fucking way. Edith and Kevin took that moment to walk in. I watched as Emmalin walked around the table to the seat next to me. I gave her hand a squeeze under the table. She shot me a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. In fact, she looked completely different.

“Mr. Leaks, can we get you anything before we start?” Edith stood in front of the room, ready to begin, with her usual annoying, bouncy self. A few minutes into the presentation, I looked over to Carson and noticed he wasn’t even looking up front. He wasn’t looking up front at all, nor did he seem to have any interest as to what was going on. He was staring at Emmalin with a slight grin on his face. I looked at Emmalin, and her eyes were cast down. She was gently rocking herself back and forth and silently whispering something. I suddenly stood up. 

“Everyone out!” 

Edith stopped talking. “Mr. Mandrake?”

“I said, everyone out! Now! Edith, have Chace finish with Mr. Leaks.” As everyone filed out, I slowly turned Emmalin’s chair toward me. Her eyes were closed. Tears were falling. She was gripping the sides of the chair so tight her knuckles were white. I gently laid my hands on top of hers, kneading them. 

“Emmalin. Baby, look at me. Listen to my voice, okay?” She wasn’t moving.
Fuck
. I cupped the sides of her face, wiping away her tears. “Emmalin, I’m here. It’s just me. Only me. Follow my voice. You and me, remember? Stay with me, baby.” Her eyes started to flicker. I slowly smiled. “That’s it. It’s just me. Focus on me. Look at me, baby.” Her eyes fully opened as her breathing started to calm. I ran my hands down her arms to the death grip she still held on the arms of the chair. Suddenly her head snapped right, in the direction of the chair across the room. She then looked around, seeing that no one else was in the room. She looked back at me. “What happened?” I studied her closely. 

“You had another panic attack,” I whispered.

She looked down at her hands still gripped tight and loosened them. “I’m…I’m sorry, Grayson.” I shook my head and walked over and grabbed a bottle of water off the tray.

“This is the second time this week, Emmalin. You went from once a month, maybe, to two this week alone.” I slammed the water bottle down harder than I anticipated and she jumped. She slowly stood up. 

“I’m fine. Maybe I just need more sleep.” I slammed both hands down on the table, creating a loud boom. I walked over to her, grabbing her by the shoulders. “You had the same frightened look in your eyes from the last time. I think it’s about time you stopped lying to me.” 

“You’re hurting me.” I let go of her and took a step back. “Emmalin, you need to talk to me. We said no lies, remember?

She smirked before rolling her eyes. “Yeah, I remember. Took a lot to get that out of you, didn’t it, Grayson? Took me finding out you bought my apartment complex for you to finally agree to the whole no lying thing, and that was only because I found out.” I shut my eyes, remembering that day. We were still at Caliscades. 

“What is this?”

I looked down at the paper Emmalin just threw on my lap. Fuck. I sighed, looking up at her. Her arms were crossed and pure rage was blatant on her face. I’ll be damned, but my dick got hard. I cleared my throat. “Well, it’s something you clearly weren’t supposed to see.” She stared at me a moment longer before walking out of the room and heading up the stairs. I followed after her. “What are you doing?”

“I’m not doing this with you right now. You said you would change, but you clearly haven’t.” She began taking stuff out of the drawers.

I went on alert. “Emmalin, stop. This was before all of that.”

She faced me, arms crossed. “So what, Grayson, that makes it all better? When did you buy my apartment?”

I took a deep breath. Might as well jump in the fire. I held out my hand. “Can you sit with me?”’

“Grayson, just tell me.”

“Emmalin, please. Just sit with me.” She sighed before placing her hand in mine, and I led her to the bed. I was quiet for a minute. “Remember when you declined my first offer to move in with me, after our game of pool?” She slowly nodded. “That morning.” Her eyes grew wide as she covered her mouth with her free hand. “Why would you do that?”

“Emmalin, you know how I felt about that place. How unsafe it was.” She tried removing her hand from mine but I held on tighter. “Emmalin, look at me. It’s still yours.”

“Grayson, you don’t get it. That place was mine. It was all I had. By you buying it, you took the one thing I had. Because you had to stake your claim. You had to stake your ownership. You can’t just decide something is yours by pissing all over it, Grayson. That’s what you did. You pissed all over what was mine and took it.” She stood up and headed back to the dresser. 

“I’m sorry.”

She continued to pack, not saying anything. “Are you leaving me?”

She finally stopped and looked up at me. “No.” She barely got the word out, and I walked over to her pulling her into me tightly.

“I love you, Emmalin.”

“I love you too, Grayson,” she whispered back. “I’m not leaving you, but I think a night or two apart would be good for us. I think we need it.” That was the last fucking thing I wanted. I sighed. “This isn’t up for discussion, Mandrake.” I took a step back to prevent myself from saying anything as I finished watching her pack a small bag. So, like the dumbass I was, I shouted out the only thing I could to prevent her from leaving, even if only for a day or two. 

“Marry me.”

She paused. I held my breath, as she slowly turned toward me. “What did you say?”

I stepped toward her. “Marry me?”

She narrowed her eyes, and slowly walked the rest of the way toward me. “Are you kidding me? You’re using a marriage proposal to get me to stay, because I said a little time apart would do us some good? Did you even listen to anything I just said, Grayson?”

“Making you my wife was always in the cards, Emmalin. You just had to say yes.”

She looked down at her hands. “This isn’t the time to talk about this, when we’re both feeling out of sorts right now.” She zipped up her bag, and headed downstairs. 

“I asked Alistair to take me to the apartment. I’ll see you in a few days.” She closed the door, and I refrained from punching the wall. 

She said a few days. I waited. But it wasn’t a few days. It turned into two weeks. Two fucking weeks. If she was trying to teach me a lesson, she was definitely mastering it. By then, I had already gotten rid of Caliscades and was ready to show her the new place. She just hadn’t come home yet.

She had just come in to tell me goodnight like she did every night before she left the office, and I finally had it. I locked the office door the moment she walked in. She gave me a questioning look at the sound of the click. I stalked toward her, ready for a fight.

“You said a few days. It’s been a little over two weeks. Two weeks! How much longer?” I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. “I can wait. However long you need me to. I can. I miss you. I don’t see enough of you, and quite frankly this is bullshit. But, like I said, I can wait.” She looked at me, trying to suppress a smile. I narrowed my eyes at her. “This isn’t funny, Emmalin.”

“I don’t like what you did. I don’t need you doing shit like that anymore; do you understand? I don’t need that from you. I can take care of myself without you swooping in just because you can. No more lying to me, or hiding things from me, because if you do it again, I will leave. Do you understand? I will leave, and you’re not going to stop me.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. I’m totally stopping her.

“Words, Grayson. I need the words.”

I stepped forward getting into her space. “I understand.”

“Good. Now take me home, Grayson.”

“That was different, Emmalin, we’re talking about now, and you know it. I haven’t lied about anything. I’ve kept my promise. But I’m beginning to wonder about you.” Her head shot up at my accusation, and she quickly diverted her eyes. “Grayson, I’m handling it. That’s all I need for you to know right now.” 

I shook my head. “That’s not good enough.” I reached for her. “Come on. I’m taking you home, and don’t start with me.” She rolled her eyes and started for the door. “I’m not fragile, Grayson.”

“I know you’re not. I’m just concerned.”

Chapter Four

Emmalin

I hated this. This was doing nothing but putting a strain on our relationship. The door buzzed and I ran to it. Grayson put his hand up and I stopped. “It’s just Isabella.” He looked at the feed and nodded, and I sighed. “I told you.” A few minutes later, the elevator buzzed and Isabella walked through with Hawkins, and I couldn’t hide my excitement at seeing her. It’s been awhile. 

“Hey. What’s with the sexy escort?”

I peered over her shoulder. “That’s Hawkins.”

She looked back at him. “Well, he can escort me anytime.”

I rolled my eyes, grabbing her hand, and led her to the kitchen. 

“What’s going on? What’s with all the extra beefed-up security?”

“Oh, you know how Grayson is. How are things with you? It’s been weeks since I’ve heard from you?” I took out four wine glasses and a plate of cheese and fruit. She eyed me skeptically. 

“Are we expecting more guests?”

I looked at the wine glasses and shrugged. “Just in case, you never know. So about you. Go.” She took the wine from me. 

“Nothing new, all the same. Bunch of rich people.” She looked around behind her. “Really liking these new digs, Emmalin.” She looked around the kitchen. “Although I’m a bit disappointed Grayson didn’t let me decorate.”

I laughed. “For the record, I didn’t even know he got this. He got rid of Caliscades when I said we needed some time apart, and got this one as a do over.”

Her eyes grew big. “Okay, you’re the one that needs to talk.”

I sighed. “I’m done talking about me. Let’s just drink.”

She held up her glass. “I’ll drink to that.” We both laughed as Grayson came rushing into the room followed by Chace. I sat up straight in my chair.

Chace held his phone up. “You asked me to come; you said Grayson was acting weird?”

I glanced between Chace and Grayson. “Did I say weird? I meant to say there’s wine.” I gave my best guilty smile. Chace rolled his eyes and then realized Isabella was in the room. I gestured toward the chair next to her. “Sit, have a drink with us.” No one moved. Finally, Chace spoke.

“I didn’t know you would be here, otherwise I wouldn’t have come.”

I looked at both of them. “What is going on with you guys?”

“Emmalin, leave it alone. It’s their business, not ours.” Grayson gave me a pointed stare, and as much as I wanted to argue, he was right.

I looked at Isabella. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize this would be awkward.”

She smiled. “It’s fine. And it’s not. It’s fine.” Then, to Chace she said, “Would you like some wine?”

He tentatively stepped forward. “Sure. Thanks.” He reached for the bottle, pouring them both some.

The next two hours were spent with idle chatter. Mostly with us in one big room with Isabella and I talking together and Chace and Grayson talking together. Of course, I couldn’t help but notice the glances Chace gave her. There was something there, and when the time was right, I was hoping Isabella would talk to me about it.

Grayson had just gotten into bed with me, pulling me closer. “What do you think is going on with them?” I asked.

He sighed. “I don’t know.”

“They would be good together, right?”

“I don’t know.”

“Did it start off bad?”

He turned me around. “Babe? Men don’t really talk about that stuff. Whatever their shit is, they’ll figure it out, and if they don’t, they don’t.” He shifted on top of me. “Just like I’m still trying to figure you out.” He rested his forehead against mine, and I traced the line of his face and sighed. 

“I don’t know what’s going on with you, Emmalin. But it needs to stop. I see what it’s doing to you, and I don’t like it. You’re different.”

I cupped his face and whispered against his lips, “I’m still me, Grayson.”

His eyes darkened. “Stop lying to me. No, you’re not,” he said through gritted teeth. I stilled. I could feel his heartbeat beating wildly as he shut his eyes and tried to control his temper. I reached down and grabbed him between my fingers, and his eyes flew open as he grew hard in my hand.

“Focus on me, okay?”

He groaned as I moved my hand up and down. “Babe, your hand is on my dick. All my focus is going to be on you.” I smiled as he buried his head in my neck with a growl, nipping at my collar bone. I hissed as he bit down, then sucked hard at my neck. He was in a marking mood tonight. 

“You still haven’t learned, have you?” he whispered in my ear. He eased up off of me. “Using sex as your weapon for a means of distraction.” He shifted back slightly. “And these.” I gasped as he ripped my panties off.
Dammit. There goes another pair.
He put his knee in between my legs as he moved back in place. “That’s two insubordinations tonight. Whatever shall your punishment be?” He thrust in to the hilt, and my eyes rolled back at the sensation. “Perhaps orgasm denial,” he whispered in my ear. My eyes shot open. He reached down and started rubbing my clit, as a wave of pleasure started to take over my body. He began thrusting faster, and right when I was about to fall over the edge, he stopped.

I whimpered as my orgasm that was right there fell back down the cliff. I was panting hard. “Grayson.”

He eased back slowly, his features hardening. “Hands above your head, on the headboard, and don’t you dare move them.” I quickly complied. His tone was hard and menacing. This was the same Grayson from Tesh. The domineering Grayson. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t fear him in that very moment. He slowly traveled down the rest of my body, never taking his eyes off me. His fingertips lightly grazed my pussy. “You’re wet.” He continued his light touches, as my breathing picked up. My grip tightened around the headboard. He lazily slipped a finger in my opening. Then another. “But, I like you soaked,” he spoke gruffly.

My back arched as he latched onto my clit, sucking hard. The release I didn’t have from before started to gather in my core. My muscles started to tighten, and right when I was about to fall over the edge again, Grayson’s entire body left mine, leaving me empty once more. My eyes shot open.

“No! What are you doing?” I reached my hand down to try to give myself some relief but he caught my wrist. My eyes started to water. Grayson sat back, face completely blank. It’s like he was a completely different person.

“I told you not to move your hands. If I have to tie you up, then I will.” I jerked my hand from his. His eyes darkened at my sudden unwillingness. He moved off the bed to the closet. I watched his every move as he came back with leather bindings.
What the hell? He was serious?

“Unless you’re planning to safeword me, Emmalin, lay back down, hands above your head.” He spoke calmly, yet I heard the threatening undertone, almost as if he dared me to safeword him. I knew I had a choice, and while I’ve never safeworded him ever, I knew I had a choice. I briefly weighed my options. He wasn’t physically hurting me. I wasn’t in danger. I was just frustrated and annoyed. I took a deep breath and slowly laid back down, raising my arms above me.

He walked over, lightly tracing my body. Even though I was pissed, I still craved his touch. I needed his touch. He climbed on top of me, molding his body into mine, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck. My skin was tingling as his hands massaged up and down my body. “You belong to me,” he whispered in my ear. Soft moans escaped my lips. He shifted slightly, dragging his cock to tease my clit several times before finally inching into my entrance. I gasped at the sudden fullness. He was moving achingly slow. I needed more to get me there. I was almost to the edge, but not quite. “Grayson. Please,” I whimpered.

He silently chuckled. “Almost there, baby. You wanna come?”

I nodded and tried rocking my hips into him, but he pinned me down firmly. “Who owns your pleasure?” By now, I was panting hard as Grayson growled his desires.

“You do!” I wanted him to touch me harder. I wanted to touch him. Anything to help me find my satisfaction. I could feel him starting to swell inside me.

“Don’t you fucking come! Control it!” Tears started to fall down my face, and I began to shake, doing everything I could to hold it. Grayson thrust three more times before he found his release, and then he collapsed. I laid there, tears streaming, feeling conflicted. My hands were still gripping the headboard. I don’t even know what this was. It wasn’t love. It was an emotional abuse fuck, and for the first time since we’ve been together, I hated him for making me feel used and dirty. And mostly, like a whore. He didn’t hurt me physically, but he hurt me emotionally. He slowly moved off of me and headed toward the bathroom. He came back with a warm towel and gently wiped me down. Even after what just happened, he was being intimate. Too kind.

He got in bed, and I turned the opposite way. I heard him sigh. “Emmalin, look at me.” For once he wasn’t demanding. If anything, he sounded almost remorseful, if not a bit sad. I didn’t know if I had the right to be mad at him. I didn’t safeword him. Hell, I didn’t even know what any of that was all about, but I knew one thing. This place had other rooms, and tonight, I would be in one of them. I slowly sat up, making sure not to look at him. He stood up, and I felt him watching my every move, as I grabbed my robe, made my way out of our master bedroom, and headed for the guest bedroom that was the furthest away. He was on my heels when I stopped and slammed the door, making sure to click the lock in place.

I expected him to demand I open the door, or even break it down. He didn’t. My heart cracked, and I clutched the side table as a wave of nausea came over me. The heavy tears started to fall as I made my way to the bed. I broke us. I knew he was pissed. He knew I was keeping something from him, so everything was justified, but I didn’t know it would be at this extent. I just needed him to let me handle things on my own. I didn’t want Carson to ruin what Grayson worked so hard to make for himself. I’ll find a way to stop him. That was my promise. I’ll stop him before I go.

No sleep. Of course. I think some part of me was either expecting to wake up with Grayson in bed with me, or find out he somehow got me back in the master bedroom. Truth was, even pissed at him, I craved his touch.

I quietly opened the door and almost gasped. Grayson sat against the adjoining wall, knees to his chest, head down. I inwardly smiled because I knew he must’ve stayed there all night. I wanted to reach out and touch him, and talk, and maybe even tell him everything. Instead, I sighed and tiptoed past him to grab a change of clothes, and headed to the office.