Page 59

Her hands twist together in front of her, the movement distracting. “So, are you interested in buying that company, then? You didn’t seem like it when I mentioned it before.”
I shrug, still undecided about the whole thing. “I don’t want to do business with Montague if I can help it. But he has something we could use that we’re having trouble developing ourselves.”
“So you wouldn’t buy it? Or you would?”
Why does she care? “I don’t know. I’d have to be convinced, I guess. But I need more background info first.”
“I, um… Do you really need the files?”
“It’d be helpful, yeah.”
Her face seems to pale further, body fidgety. What’s wrong with her?
“I don’t have them,” she whispers.
“What?”
“I—” Her bottom lip trembles and I automatically step closer, rounding her desk. As I touch her shoulder, I realize it’s shaking. “Here. Come on.”
I lead her to my office and into the seat in front of my desk, shutting the door behind us. I don’t want anyone seeing her like this. “What’s wrong? Did something happen to the files?”
“Yes,” she chokes out, leaving it at that.
“Okay, what happened?”
“I—” She looks down at her hands, pressing them together till the knuckles turn white. “I spilled water on them. That day I soaked my shirt. It got all over the papers too. And, well, I ruined them.”
Is that all? I thought something was seriously wrong. “Are there digital backups?”
She’s silent for a few moments, then shakes her head. “No. There’s nothing on the shared drives.” She looks up at me, sorrow all over her face. “I’m so sorry. That’s why I asked if you were interested in buying it. And when it seemed like you weren’t, I thought it wouldn’t matter about telling you. I was brand new and didn’t want you to fire me.”
“Emma, it’s fine. I’m not mad.” I crouch down next to her, rubbing soothing circles on her back until she stops shaking.
“It was such a stupid mistake,” she whispers. “I should have confessed.”
“It’s no big deal,” I assure her. “Really.”
She nods, finally giving me a small smile. “Thank you.” She wipes at her eyes carefully. “I probably look a mess now.”
I brush her hair back, tucking it behind her ears. “You look beautiful.”
She bites her bottom lip, gaze flicking over my face, and I suddenly realize how close we are, faces just inches apart. And where before I would have stepped away, I can’t quite bring myself to do it this time. Not after last night. Not after knowing finally what it’s like to touch her.
I’m not sure who moves first, but it doesn’t matter as our mouths meet, my hands tangling in her hair, cupping her closer.
“Did you think about things?” she murmurs against my lips, breath sweet.
“Yes. No. Sort of.” I can’t remember what I decided, if I decided anything at all when she’s sliding her hands under my jacket, encouraging me to take it off, her palms hot where they touch me.
“Don’t think about it right now. Let’s just have this.”
I nod, unable to deny her request when her lips and hands are on me.
My tongue slips in her mouth, her quiet moan revving me up, and I stand, bringing her up out of her chair, pressing her flush against me. My hand travels over her soft curves, palming her ass, squeezing, our tryst yesterday fresh in my mind. She pushes her hips into mine, rocking me back until I bump into the edge of my desk, knocking a little clarity in me.
We’re at work. It was bad enough at my hotel last night, but here in my office? Not a good idea.
I pull away from her, regret thick in my throat as I tell her, “Anyone could walk in.”