Heart of Stone Emery and Jackson, Chiquita Dennie [top 10 non fiction books of all time txt] 📗

“MR. PIERCE, YOU HAVE a call from Brent Townsend on line three,” My secretary said.

“Thanks, put him through.”

“Man, you need to do something about Jessica. She’s all over the blogs talking about you guys getting married and how she made a mistake,” Brent said in a rush.

“Everyone knows Jessica’s a liar. You give her too much attention then she runs with it. Ignore her, and she’ll give up eventually. Emery is my only concern right now.”

“How are things going with her after all this broke in the media?”

“She ignored my calls after we had breakfast the other morning. I spent the night with her and the next morning she dodged me.”

I ran a hand down my face in frustration at the mess my PR was having to clean up over a girl I haven’t dated in over a year or two.

“Give her some time, I saw her briefly and then she made up some excuse of not feeling well and went home sick.”

I leaned up in my chair at the mention of Emery being sick. “Brent let me ask you a question and be honest with me.”

“Of course, we’re friends. I have no reason to lie.”

“Is Emery sick or have you known her to be sick in the past?”

“No, why do you ask?” Brent inquired

“Not sure, just seems like whenever she’s in my presence, she seems to fall ill.”

“Maybe she’s just sick and tired of you,” Brent joked.

“Says the guy that dated the same girl on and off for over five years and never got a commitment,” I replied jokingly.

“Whatever. Emery, as far as I know, is fine, probably her period or something.”

“Yeah, you may be right. Anyway, let me get back to work, and I’ll call you later this week to set up a follow-up meeting about our campaign. Are you guys coming out to the opening races?”

“Yep and it would look nice if you and Dominique can get along and maybe take some photos together.”

“I’m fine; it’s your girl that’s always throwing herself at me. You’d think after I turned her down, she’d get the memo, which I’m not interested.”

“I’ll talk with Dominique and tell her to keep it respectful, just be nice and we won’t have any problems,” Brent told me and hung up.

Feeling annoyed at Emery avoiding me all morning and yesterday, I decided it’s time we come to an agreement about what we’re doing.  I buzz my secretary to let her know I’m leaving for the day.

“Yes, Mr. Pierce?”

“Hold all my calls unless it’s an emergency, also reschedule my meetings. I’m leaving for the day and won’t be back until tomorrow.” 

“Yes, Mr. Pierce.” 

The growl of my stomach had me parking in front of Sybil’s. Not hearing back from Emery and dealing with the bullshit from Jessica and the media, I was falling off my game. For many years I made sure my company, employees and myself were always away from the gossip. Now facing an onslaught of questions and photos that Jessica released without my consent had me fuming.

...

For the next few days, I’ve decided to try and lay low if possible, I walk inside and greet the hostess.

“How many in your party Mr. Pierce?”

“Just me Linda, is Sybil here tonight?”

She picked up one menu and motioned for me to follow behind her. Hearing a laugh in the room that sounded so familiar, I looked and couldn’t believe my eyes. Emery was sitting with a client that I was still thinking of signing a deal with Anthony Davis. From our first meeting, he came across as slimy, cocky, and underhanded. I didn’t care what her reasoning for sitting with his ass was. Emery wasn’t going to be another notch on his belt.

Emery must have felt me watching because we made eye contact and if I had my gun, her date would be one dead self-centered, jackass. Storming over, I yanked her out of the seat and placed her behind me. Then I proceeded to punch Anthony.

“Jackson!” Emery shrieked out.

“Stay away from her!” I shouted and tried to wrap my hand around Emery’s wrist, but she was already gone.

Chapter 19 Emery

I PACED THE LIVING floor trying to decide the next step in my conflict to tell Jackson about my health update. I didn’t expect him to show up at the restaurant tonight though.I can imagine the hurt he must have felt with seeing Anthony and I sitting together over dinner. What he didn’t know is that I needed closure. What Anthony and Teresa did hurt me to my core.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Open this door Emery before I break it down!”

Maybe I can turn the lights off and pretend to be asleep.

“The longer you wait, the worst it’ll be!”

“Go away, Jackson! You said enough tonight at dinner.”

“Sweetness, please open the door. I was wrong to treat you like that, and I apologize.”

“Just go home and sleep it off.”

“No!”

Bang! Bang! Bang! Hearing him kick my door, I rush to open it and let him inside.

“Are you crazy, you’re going to wake the entire neighborhood!”

Jackson stalked inside and held me against the wall. Shit, I need to calm down before I rip his clothes off, I remind myself. I worked to tame my breathing with his body heat up close and keep my juices from flowing at seeing him be all alpha and possessive tonight. His soft hands tenderly caress along my jaw. Fuck it, meeting him halfway for a kiss, I tighten my grip around his neck as he lowers his hands on top of his favorite place, my ass.

“No Jackson, I can’t do this with you. You hurt me tonight.”

After giving up the fight and falling into his arms, he finally put me on my feet, and I walk to the kitchen. I opened the fridge to grab a bottle of water for us both.

––––––––

“SWEETNESS, I REFUSE to let you walk out of my life. I apologize for acting out of character with you at the restaurant, but you shouldn’t have lied to me.”

He removed his jacket and placed it on the couch. I noticed a dark round mark on his neck. Moving in closer, I gripped his chin to turn his head toward me. He jerked away from my touch.

“Nice hickey.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Tell your little girlfriend to ease up next time or my shoe might leave a permanent mark.”

I stomp off to the bedroom leaving him to mumble behind my back and follow. He grips my elbow gently and pulled me close to his chest.

“Let me go.”

“Baby, she didn’t mean anything to me.”

“I could care less, and we’re not in a relationship. Remember this was a long one-night stand.”

I jerked away and walked into the bedroom to grab my things for bed.

“Emery don’t walk away like this. Besides I’ve played by your rules for the last few days, and now you’re going to talk to me.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said we have unfinished business to talk about.”

Jackson came around and walked in closer, taking my nightgown and robe out of my hands. He placed them back on the dresser and stood to lean across from me with his arms folded.

“You can’t fix this with sex, Jackson.”

“I’m not trying to Sweetness.”

“Ohhh...”

Trailing his hands down to the edge of my skirt. He runs his hand along the hem and inserts one finger into my pussy.

“What are you doing?”

“I need you, Sweetness.”

Shaking off his seduction I pull away and head toward the bathroom. “I can’t be what you need. It wouldn’t be fair to either one of us."

I could hear his frustration from the harsh breath he blew as I turned and checked the water temperature in the shower.

“Emery I’m not him. I wouldn’t do that