Page 43 of Decoding Emma

“I’m not exactly dainty.”

Fuck.Who messed with her self-esteem?“You’re perfect.”I raised my other arm and curved it around her waist.She finally lowered herself completely.

“You feel delicious against me.”

“I’m not too heavy?”

“You’re not.I don’t know who told you that, but they were a fool.”I applied very gentle pressure to her neck, and she lowered her head.

Our lips met again, and I relaxed.She wasn’t running.She’d kissed me back and accepted what I said.Good.One step at a time.My body wanted more.Hell, my dick had already reacted, but it would have to wait.It was more important that Emma felt comfortable with me.

She broke the kiss, breathing hard, then she buried her face in my chest.“What are we doing?”Her words were muffled.

“Kissing.”I stroked the back of her head, enjoying the feel of her silky hair.

I felt the vibrations of her giggle against my chest.“I know that, silly.But we barely know each other.”

“I think we know more about each other than you think.”I continued to stroke her hair and kissed the top of her head.“I know you’re a hard worker, enjoy your job, must have coffee in the morning, and snack a lot.”

Emma turned her head so that her cheek now rested on my shoulder.My heart warmed.“Food fuels my brain.”

I chuckled.“All those cookies and chips.”

She stiffened against me.“Are you laughing at me?”

“No.I’m laughingwithyou because I do the same thing.There is something about junk food that fuels us when we’re in the zone.”

Emma relaxed against me once again.

“I think we have a lot in common.”

“Maybe.”Her breath warmed my neck.

“I like having you in my arms.”I kept my tone soft.She was quiet for a minute.

“I like being in your arms.It’s been a long time since I’ve been held like this.”

“That’s a shame.”She deserved to be held and taken care of.I closed my eyes.My protective tendency emerged.I couldn’t help it.I’d watched how my father treated my mother, supportive, encouraging her to do whatever made her happy.I wanted that for Emma.I wanted her to be happy.

“Why haven’t you had someone to hold you?”The direction of this conversation had made Emma uncomfortable.I could feel the tension in her body.I stroked her back as she rested on my chest to try and soothe her.

Tread carefully, Asher.This is one of those make or break moments.

I felt her deep breath.“I have terrible taste in men,” she whispered.

That definitely didn’t fit the image I had of her.“Oh?What makes you say that?”

“Because all the men I’ve been out with were party guys, and I’d rather have a nice dinner and spend the night watching a movie while cuddling.”

“That’s my kind of date.”

“Don’t you all from Fantasies, Inc.meet up every Friday night?”

“We try to.It was something we started doing right after we joined the company, and over the years, it’s become a regular thing.”

“What about Cassie?”

“She usually declined.Mainly, it was just the guys.”