Chapter 8
Brother?
Emma was stunned. She had read Killian Jones' background several times, granted it had been limited but it had not mentioned a brother.
"No need to look shocked Swan," Killian told her softly.
"I'm stunned. I didn't know you had a brother." Emma told him honestly.
Killian gave a small tight lipped smile.
"An older brother! Half brother if you want to get technical."
Half brother!
Emma's thoughts were racing. There was so much more to Killian Jones than what he presented to the public. Was the carefree, rich playboy just a facade he used to keep people from getting close to him?
Emma would have found it funny if she didn't do the same thing. The walls she had erected around herself were that high she didn't even know if she could scale them anymore.
"My father was less than discrete in his younger days..." Killian paused and seemed to hesitate. Emma knew that his father had been promiscuous without a care as to who knew. She reached a hand out and rubbed it on his forearm, ignoring the tingles shooting through her hand.
Her touch seemed to spur him on a little, "Liam worked for Corsair's aboard a shipping vessel. There was an accident...He died." Killian rushed to the end. Emma knew that he was leaving out some of the most crucial details but she wasn't sure if she should push him.
Leaning in towards him, she whispered, "And?"
Killian's eyes shimmered, his tongue darting out wet his lips.
"The bastard...I didn't know..." His words were choppy and he wasn't making much sense. Emma knew that for Killian to share any of this was difficult.
She watched the emotions play out on his usually arrogant face and she swayed forward a little bit more. Her interest in his brother was quickly fading into the background. Instead her eyes locked with his and her stomach clenched with need. His breath was fanning her face and..suddenly bright light was streaming into her eyes.
Emma pulled back swiftly, realising the light was in fact the car door being opened. She had been so lost in the moment she hadn't even realised they had stopped.
"Mr Jones, Welcome to the Oyster Box Hotel."
Emma had booked the Presidential Suite. It was the most expensive the hotel had to offer so she had snapped it up. Killian had requested '2 rooms' but had taken it all in his stride and had even murmured a quick thank you as they had been whisked to the private suite.
Emma could only call it 'over the top' as they were led inside. Spanning an impressive 2 levels the suite comprised of 2 bedrooms, his and hers bathrooms and views of the ocean that were simply breathtaking. Emma did feel slightly guilty for booking such an opulent room but what else would a rich CEO stay in? This fit the stereo type...right?
The suite was decorated in beautiful cream colours and all of the furniture looked to be boutique. Emma dumped her handbag on the floor and took off for a look.
Killian watched Emma flitter through the suite like a bird that had just been released from captivity. If he was honest he was glad for the little bit of space.
He tipped the concierge and walked out onto the terrace. Killian had to admit that though he was no stranger to luxurious hotels, his Swan had outdone herself on this one. The terrace was filled with beautiful plants and candles, and had direct views of the lighthouse and ocean. He loved to stay by the ocean; it was what his life revolved around and what he loved the most.
Killian felt eyes watching him and turned to stare up at the second floor. Emma stood framed by a large window...watching him. Her eyes felt like they were burning holes through his clothes and he moved closer to the terrace doors to get out of her sight. He was not usually a coward but the scene in the car had thrown him. Being in Durban always made him think of Liam and missed opportunities but never once had he felt the need to share his past.
Emma's prompting in the car had formed a crack in his defence that he needed to quickly seal. He wasn't sure if he had made much sense or given her too much information but if had learnt anything about Emma Swan it was that she would keep prodding until she got the answers she wanted.
Killian had been grateful that the valet had chosen that moment to open the doors. He was sure that moments later he would have had his tongue in Emma's mouth and his hands on her body. His reaction to her was unlike anything he had ever felt before and it scared him. There was something about her that kept getting under his skin...luring him in. Miranda wasn't around to help him relieve any tension and it seemed that he would be hitting the gym quite hard during their stay.
The bathroom blew Emma away! The bath was made of solid marble and sat in the middle of the room next to a beautiful glass window. She would definitely be making use of this before they left. The champagne next to it certainly wouldn't go astray either.
She had chosen the smaller of the 2 rooms. Killian was entitled to the master bedroom which was a complete overkill, with a king size bed and small sitting room.
Emma had caught a glimpse of Killian as she had been gazing at the Indian Ocean. He had opened up to her in the car and even though half of what he had said didn't make complete sense...it was a start. She wanted to barge on out to the terrace and demand he give her answers but she knew he was as closed off as she was.
Maybe if she offered up some of her own battered past he would open up?
Emma wasn't sure if she wanted to learn more about the 'real' Killian. The moment they'd had in the car had been a lapse in her judgment, something she was not willing to repeat no matter how much he seemed to draw her in. She needed to keep thinking of him as the heartless playboy or she would be in some serious trouble.
Muffled voices downstairs alerted Emma to the fact that they were not alone in the suite. Slowly making her way down the stairs she eyed the newcomer at the door with curiosity. The man was slightly shorter than Killian, with a solid physique and short brown hair. He had a similar accent to Killian and Emma observed as the two men spoke with familiarity.
She approached the men and waited for an introduction. The stranger's eyes shifted from Killian to scrutinize her, trailing from her head to her toe and lingering on her chest. A subtle cough from Killian was enough to grab the man's attention. His back straightened immediately and he muttered a quick apology.
Emma could feel Killian's orbs burning into her and she raised her eyebrows as if to urge him to reveal the strangers identity.
"Swan, this is Robin." He informed her, "Robin is..."
"Your head of security," Emma interrupted as the dots finally connected in her head. Robin gave a curt nod and resumed his rigid stance. She knew who Robin was but had never had the opportunity to meet the security expert. No doubt they would get along like a house on fire if she had the chance to reveal all of her security knowledge. Killian's security team was the best...they were efficient, constant and most importantly invisible.
"That will be all for now." Killian dismissed Robin who promptly left the suite. Emma watched as Killian approached the bar and pulled out two tumblers. He withheld the ice and proceeded to pour rum straight into the glasses. He grabbed his own and headed out between 2 doors facing the ocean, without uttering a single word.
It wasn't until she head the click of the doors that Emma realised she had not moved an inch. She wasn't sure if she was meant to follow? Was the drink an invitation? A courtesy? Emma found that reading Killian was difficult as he was a man of few words, preferring to keep things close to the chest. Yes he was a persistent flirt but the man that showed up at functions or in restaurants was not the same man she saw in the office every day. He had opened up to her in the car and though she was confused by most of what he had said, she wasn't one to shy away from asking him straight up.
Deciding to take the bull by the horns she scooped up her glass and followed him outside.
To Be Continued.
