Bound to Love by Emma Lyn Wild Read Free Book Online Page B

out of a tap. Troy was triumphant but gracious, insisting on thanking everyone. That was after he’d gone to the stage door, signed programs, talked to people and posed for dozens of selfies. Cameras flashed in our faces, because he wouldn’t let me leave his side. Now the world knew I was his girlfriend.
    The reviews blazed with triumph. All the doubtful media messages about how bad this play was going to be, what a disaster, had been forgotten, or derided because the people who attended the previews hadn’t noticed the splendor that they were working toward. “Shakespeare is all about emotional truth,” one of the critics said, “And Troy Cooper reached to it effortlessly.”
    We both laughed at that one. It had been anything but effortless.
    But Troy kept me with him. Either he was holding my hand or he had his arm around my shoulders, as if he was afraid I’d run away. People noticed, and exchanged glances, but nobody disapproved of our closeness. I wouldn’t care if they had. He was sharing his triumph with me and it felt good.
    Cindy was with the bodyguard. He came with us, and not to take care of Troy.
    Finally, at midnight Troy hauled me to my feet. “Home,” he declared. “I’ll catch the rest of the earlies later.” Although there was no need. The play was a triumph.
    When had it become so natural to call his place home? But it was. It was a beautiful apartment, and I’d miss it. My earnings would increase with my new job, but not nearly as much as I’d need to keep it once Troy moved back to LA. I had already decided I would tell him that when he left New York, we were over. Then I would have to be the actor, trying to hid my heartbreak and wave him off with a smile.
    The thought tainted my evening, even though I did my best to hide it.
    He kissed me in the back of the cab, like we were teenagers making out after Prom. But with oh, so much more skill! He touched me, stroked my skin and licked into my mouth in teasing forays, leaving no doubt what we’d be doing once we got home.
    We were laughing when we went into his building. He nodded to the concierge when the man congratulated him, and dragged me upstairs. He didn’t stop until we stood in his bedroom. Our bedroom. I had a couple of hangers in his walk-in closet now, and the bathroom was crammed with hair products and makeup.
    This time there was nothing flirtatious about his kiss. He took his time tasting and caressing me, and I touched him back, wondering when he’d ask me to stop. We’d made progress, but we weren’t there yet. I hadn’t had my legs around his waist yet.
    He undressed me, piece by piece, and I didn’t fuss about where my clothes landed. I was too busy slipping the buttons of his shirt undone, and touching his chest. We’d agreed that when he couldn’t stand it anymore, he’d tell me, but so far he had let me go farther than we had before. I slid the shirt off his shoulders, letting my fingers stroke the smooth shapes of his muscles, swelling under his skin. He watched me, kept his eyes on my face. Greatly daring, I spread my palms over his chest. He rested his hands on my waist and looked down at me. No trace of a smile curved his oh-so-kissable lips, and his eyes, that rich bright blue were solemn. “I love you,” he said.
    I couldn’t breathe. My mouth dropped open and I froze. “D-did you just say...?”
    “Uh-huh. And I’m going to make love to the woman I love most in all the world. That’s you, in case you weren’t listening.” He dropped a kiss on the end of my nose, so gentle I could hardly feel it.
    “I love you too,” I said, rushing the words because I was afraid I wouldn’t get them out. “I do, I really do. You, Troy, not Foxman, or Antony or anybody else.”
    “Shh,” he said, drawing me close and kissing my lips. His mouth pressed slowly, then harder, until he thrust his tongue into my mouth
    He didn’t mean it, he couldn’t. With a groan I slid my hand around his neck and thrust my