Hometown Girl (Home Again) Read online

  Derrick stood. "Where are you staying tonight?"

  "Uh, I'm hoping to get a room at the Airport Lodge." She laughed nervously.

  "Me too." He smiled.

  Emma smiled even though on the inside she was burning alive. Being in the same hotel as Derrick was not a good idea—especially after those two kisses. Emma didn't know if she could trust herself around him. She sighed and nodded. "Shall we walk over together?"

  Chapter 3

  Emma sat in the armchair in the lobby of the Airport Lodge and waited for Derrick. He had insisted on paying for her room despite her constant objections. He claimed it was the least he could considering she had modeled for him and she was going to be selling some of his clothing in her boutique. Emma wasn't really comfortable letting him pay, but he was persistent and she was too exhausted to argue with him any longer.

  "Well, the good news is they're not completely booked. The bad news is they only have one room left," Derrick said, holding up one key.

  "Is this another one of your jokes?" she asked. "Because it's not very funny."

  Derrick shook his head. "No, I wish I was joking. There's only one room." He held the key out to her. "Here, you take the room. I'll go back to the airport and crash."

  Emma looked at the key, up at his face, then back at the key. She folded her arms over her chest. "Why can't we just share the room?"

  "I suppose we can if you want to, but I should warn you, there's only one bed." He grinned.

  "Oh." Emma looked away quickly. One bed? She couldn't sleep in a bed next to him all night. Derrick had been nothing but a gentleman all night and she had no concerns about him trying anything. It was her she didn't trust.

  Derrick nudged the key toward her. "Just take the room. I insist."

  "No. You paid for it. You take it." She grabbed the handle on her suitcase and headed toward the door, intent on returning to the airport for the night. Maybe if we hadn't spent so much time kissing at the restaurant we could've gotten here earlier and gotten two rooms, she mentally chastised herself. I'm so stupid. I knew the hotel would be packed. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She'd been so wrapped up in her own thoughts she didn't notice Derrick had rushed ahead of her and was blocking the door until he spoke.

  "Don't leave, Emma." He said it softly and with so much emotion she didn't know how to respond. "Please. You take the bed and I'll sleep on the floor, okay?"

  Sleeping on the floor was a slightly better alternative to sleeping at the airport. At least here he would have a pillow and blankets. And she was pretty sure it was warmer here than it would be inside that airport. "Okay, but no funny business," she said with a smile.

  "Scout's honor."

  "You were a Boy Scout?" she asked as they made their way toward the elevator and waited for it to arrive.

  "All my life," he said. "In fact, I volunteer as a troop leader for my nephew's troop. When I'm not traveling, that is."

  Emma smiled and stepped into the elevator. Derrick was a Boy Scout and a troop leader for his nephew? That was so awesome. Emma had dated a guy a few years ago, Jonah, who had been a Boy Scout. He was the sweetest guy she'd ever dated and she had hoped he was the one. But then her modeling career took off and he couldn't handle her being gone so much. So they'd ended their relationship. It was an amicable parting and Emma had no hard feelings toward him. She often thought about calling him to see what he was up to, to see if they could give things another chance now that she was giving up modeling. But then she heard from a friend that he'd gotten married. Emma had cried when she heard that.

  Derrick reminded Emma of her ex. Maybe that's why she felt such an instant attraction to him. The fact that he was drop dead sexy helped too. She loved the way he smiled. His eyes would sparkle and his dimples would deepen. It was the most vibrant smile she'd ever seen. It was one of those smiles that made it impossible not to smile back. Emma could definitely see herself dating Derrick. Too bad he lived clear across the country though. That was a deal breaker for her. She absolutely would not leave Dallas Springs and she knew it was selfish to ask him to leave his home and family. Good grief, what had gotten into her? She was thinking about a future with a man she'd known less than twenty four hours; a man who had shown zero interest in her. Except for when he'd kissed her. She felt her face flush with warmth at the memory.

  The elevator came to a stop and they exited it. Emma followed Derrick down the hall as she tried to calm her racing heart and push all the crazy thoughts she was having from her mind. And that's exactly what they were: crazy. There was no future for the two of them. There wasn't even the possibility of one. The sooner she got that through her head, the better.

  "Here we are," Derrick said, swinging open the door to their room.

  Emma stepped inside and looked around. A queen sized bed sat in the middle of the room with two tables on either side of it. A dresser with a television was against the wall, directly across from the foot of the bed. To the left of the bed was a door that led to the bathroom. "Looks like you don't have to sleep on the floor after all," she said nodding toward the couch near the window.

  "See? Everything worked out just fine." Derrick dropped his bag to the floor. "I'm going to grab a quick shower before turning in. You don't mind, do you?"

  She shook her head and busied herself with making up the couch into a bed for Derrick. When she finished she quickly changed into her nightshirt—which was long enough to cover her behind, but she would've preferred to have a pair of shorts to put on beneath it. Emma climbed into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. She yawned and closed her eyes as blissful sleep encompassed her.

  Emma didn't know how long she'd been asleep before Derrick finally came out of the bathroom. She remained perfectly still until he was on the other side of the room and then she peeked at him. His hair was messy and his torso was still wet. The towel he had wrapped around his waist fell to the floor and Emma had to stifle a gasp. She should look away. It was wrong to be gawking at him like she was. But she couldn't bring herself to tear her gaze away. Derrick had the most fantastic backside! She continued to watch him as rummaged through his bag.

  "Enjoying the show?" Derrick asked without turning around.

  Emma squeezed her eyes shut and laid perfect still. Her heart thundered in her chest and ears. She couldn't believe he'd caught her staring at him. How mortifying!

  "I know you're not sleeping." She heard him walk across the room and get on the couch. The springs creaked beneath his weight. "It's okay," he said. "I don't mind having a beautiful woman stare at me."

  "I wasn't staring," she said pulling the covers over her head and rolling onto her side away from him. That was a lie. She was totally staring.

  "If you say so." Derrick laughed. "Good night, Emma."

  "Good night, Derrick," she mumbled. They fell silent for a long time. No matter how hard she tried, Emma couldn't get to sleep. It had nothing to do with sleeping in a strange bed and everything to do with the man sleeping on the couch a few feet away. The image of him, naked and wet, wouldn't leave her mind. It was frustrating.

  The whole room was deadly quiet, making the hum of the electric heater seem louder than it was. The wind picked up outside and rattled the window pane. Derrick sighed loudly and shifted on the couch, the springs once again creaking. That was like the seventh or eighth time she'd heard him do that. "Are you asleep?" she asked him.

  "No. You?"

  Emma laughed. "No. How's the couch?"

  "Uncomfortable. And it's cold being near the window," he grumbled.

  She considered offering him another blanket. Instead she pulled back the covers and scooted over to the opposite side of the bed. "Come on," she said.

  "What?"

  "I feel bad that you're so miserable over there. So, come on. We'll share the bed."

  "Is this some kind of joke to get even with me for the gay joke earlier?" he asked and stood, his pillow tucked under his arm.

  "No." She chuckled. "I'm just trying to be nice.
If you'd prefer to stay on the couch then…" Before she could finish speaking, Derrick was climbing into bed next to her and pulling the covers over him.

  "Thank you."

  "You're welcome." Emma rolled onto her back and rested her hands on her stomach. Beside her, Derrick was still; his breathing was rhythmic, but did nothing to calm her racing heart. She was suddenly rethinking her decision to invite him to share the bed with her. She didn't know how long she lay there before she found that peaceful spot of being almost asleep. But she did find it and as soon as she had, she felt Derrick move beside her and his ice cold feet on her leg. Emma squealed with surprise. "Ah! Your feet are freezing."

  Derrick laughed. "I told you it was cold by that window."

  Emma playfully jabbed him in the ribs and he yelped. "Oh, someone's ticklish." She reached over and squeezed him again.

  He jerked out of her reach and rolled over to face her. "Okay, this is war now." He put both of his feet on her legs. Each time she'd try to move away he'd move with her.

  "Derrick! Stop!" She laughed as she squirmed to get away.

  "Whoa," Derrick said.

  His arm caught her around the waist just as she was about to fall off the bed. He pulled her to him so that her body was firmly against his. It felt like a lover's embrace. Emma's heart rate spiked and her body became instantly warm. Derrick was wearing just a pair of boxer shorts and being pressed to him like she was left little to the imagination. "Uh, thanks," she said clearing her throat. Their gazes met and despite how dark the room was, she could see the lust in his eyes. It was intense.

  "Emma," he whispered and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. "You are so beautiful." Derrick leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

  Emma put her arms around his neck and she knew there was no going back after that. They spent the night thoroughly exploring one another's bodies, leaving no place untouched, until the very early morning hours when they both collapsed from exhaustion. By the time it was over, Emma was certain of two things. One, Derrick Dawson definitely was not gay. And two, she was falling for him.

  Chapter 4

  "Thanks for picking me up," Emma said to her sister, Olivia as they drove away from the airport.

  "No problem. It gives us a chance to talk about Danna's bachelorette party without her knowing." Olivia winked conspiratorially.

  Emma smiled and then yawned. She was physically, mentally, and emotionally drained. The last thing on her mind was Danna's bachelorette party. All Emma could think about was Derrick and the night they'd spent together. It had been hard saying goodbye to him at the airport earlier. She was proud of herself for not crying though. She'd done that on the plane. They'd exchanged numbers, but Emma had a sinking feeling she wouldn't hear from Derrick ever again. Why would she? He was a smart, sexy, successful man who worked with gorgeous models on a daily basis. Surely he'd find someone else and move on. Emma had to accept it for what it was: a one night stand.

  "Did you hear me?" Olivia said.

  "Huh? No, I'm sorry." Emma yawned again.

  "You look like hell, Em. Are you feeling okay?"

  "Yeah, I'm just tired. I never sleep well in a strange bed," Emma said. She was glad to be home though; to see the familiar Georgia mountains she loved so much and to talk with her sister. Olivia was the oldest of the three of them. Having been raised by a single mother, the three girls learned to help out and take care of each other, but Olivia always seemed to be the one to take care of Emma and Danna when their mother wasn't around. When Danna left to go to college, it had been difficult on all of them, especially Emma because she'd always been close to Danna. It was great having Danna back and to be working with her at the boutique, but Emma still felt closer to Olivia. They'd formed a bond after Danna had left and Emma was grateful to have Olivia in her life.

  "So, how was New York?"

  "Good. The show went well. The weather sucked though." Emma laughed. "It was a great way to end my modeling career."

  "What?" Olivia inadvertently jerked the steering when she snapped her head in Emma's direction. She corrected the car. "You're giving up modeling? Why? You love it."

  Emma hadn't told anyone about her decision—until just now. She shrugged. "I do love it. I love the people and the clothes, but I'm tired of traveling so much, Liv. And last night is a good reason why." She chuckled. "Seriously though, I want to focus on my boutique. Maybe open up another location or two."

  "Does this have anything to do with Jonah and all the stuff he said about no man wanting to settle down with you because of all the traveling you do?"

  That was the problem with Olivia—she had a mind like a steel trap, never forgetting a single thing. That was probably why she'd been a straight A student all through high school and college. Emma sighed. "That was a few years ago, Olivia."

  "I know. I also know that you really loved him and thought he was the one. You can't tell me the stuff he said hasn't affected you."

  "Okay, maybe a little. Seeing Danna and Jack together…it made me realize just how much I want to settle down. It's time to get serious about my life."

  Olivia laughed with disbelief. "Get serious? Jeez, Emma, you're a twenty-six year old successful business woman. Not to mention you're beautiful. Getting serious is the last thing you need to do. You should be out there enjoying life."

  Emma sighed and rested her head on the window. Emma had been working hard her whole life; first to break into modeling and then for the past few years getting her boutique up and running. Maybe Olivia was right. Maybe what Emma really needed was to just cut loose and have some fun. Lord knows she'd never find a man if all her time was spent working in her boutique.

  "Where am I taking you, anyway?" Olivia asked.

  "Home. I need to get some sleep." Emma yawned once again. Olivia nodded. Emma closed her eyes. It was a two hour drive from the airport to Emma's apartment just outside of Dallas Springs. "Sorry I'm not better company."

  "It's okay. You can just listen." Olivia smiled with satisfaction. That was another thing about Olivia—she loved to talk. "You remember Bettie from school, right? Bettie Sanderson?"

  "Yeah, her parents own the only bar in town right?"

  Olivia shook her head. "Not anymore. Bettie took it over and she's offered to let us have Danna's bachelorette party there."

  "That's great, Liv."

  "It gets better. She's going to open the bar for us, free of charge as her present to Danna. And she's going to get her aunt Mauve to supply the food."

  Aunt Mauve owned the town's only bakery/café. Her specialty was sinfully delicious chocolate filled croissants. They were to die for. But she also made the best homemade soups and sandwiches.

  "Don't worry, I made sure to ask for her croissants," Olivia rambled on. "Mauve is also going to make a cake. So, all we really have left to do is buy the decorations, finalize the guest list, and hire a stripper."

  Emma laughed and sat up straight. "A stripper? Danna will freak if you get her a stripper. You know that."

  "Yeah, I know." Olivia grinned. "The stripper really isn't for her anyway. It's for us and all of her single friends."

  Emma shook her head and smiled. Dallas Springs was a very small town and when news of Danna and Jack's wedding got out the town was abuzz with gossip. No one ever really understood why Danna had left Jack like she did, and now that they were back together, the town couldn't be happier. Everyone was volunteering their time and services to help with the wedding.

  The sense of community that Dallas Springs offered was one of the reasons Emma loved it there so much. It's why she'd never left for any long period of time. Nor did she ever plan to. Emma Evans was a hometown girl through and through. And despite what Olivia said, Emma would find a man who felt the same way, a man who would be willing to live in a town that had only two stoplights, a town where everyone knew everyone else. It was the life she desired—the life she was determined to have no matter what.

  *****

  Emma awoke to a
banging on her front door. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and glanced at the clock. It was almost seven o'clock. After Olivia had dropped her off, Emma had gone straight to bed. She hadn't meant to sleep so long, but she did feel a little better. Emma slid her feet into her slippers and shuffled to the door expecting to see one of her sisters. "Mom?"

  "Emmy," she said giving Emma a hug.

  Emma hugged her mother and rolled her eyes. Emmy was the name her mother used to call her when she was a child. Emma hated it, but her mother refused to quit using it. "What're you doing here, Mom?"

  "Olivia told me that you're giving up modeling. Is that true?"

  Emma groaned and made a mental note to thank her sister for running her mouth to Mom. "Yes."

  "Oh, Emmy." Mom took Emma's hands into hers and shook her head. "Why? Did something happen in New York?"