Page 62 of Decoding Emma

Asher laughed.“I wondered how long it was going to take before you asked.”He chuckled and gave me the side-eye.“I would’ve grasped her hand and removed it, using just enough force to make her uncomfortable and that was necessary to make my point.”He squeezed my hand, then lifted it and dropped a kiss on the inside of my wrist.There were those crazy butterflies again.

It’s pretty warm in here…

Then came the cool-down.

“Your father is a real piece of work.I couldn’t believe he demanded you quit your job, and then thought you’d just walk out after signing a contract.”

“He expected obedience.Did you see his expression when I said no?”It had felt so right.

“He looked like he’d eaten something sour.”

I had to laugh.Now that I was away from them and had time to decompress, it really was kind of funny.“It got even worse when you pointed out that Fantasies, Inc.is an ethical, completely legit company.”

Asher’s demeanor took a serious turn.“Your father’s isn’t.”

“No.I’ve heard the rumors about his company, and I’ve witnessed him breaking contracts without a second thought about lawsuits or the impact on the contracted businesses.”

“I’m surprised people will still work with him.”

“He pays top dollar to those who will do what he says.”I sighed.“Thank you for standing up for me.”

“Meeting them validates what you told me.”

“I’m sorry it went down the way it did.I thought they might be on good behavior.I should have known better.”

“Well, they might have some explaining to do.”

“Why is that?”

“One of the very major players in the entire country was close enough to overhear our little get-together, and he didn’t look pleased at all.”

I sort of snort-giggled then slapped my free hand over my mouth.“My family wasn’t exactly being quiet.”

“It was more than that.In addition to being the CEO of one of the largest hedge funds in the U.S., Gerald Woodall is a friend of Fantasies, Inc.’s president.I met him once at the office.”

I straightened.“Are you talking abouttheGerald Woodall?”Whoa!That man had control of more money than God, never mind what he had personally.Looks like Dad stepped into some very deep sh…

“Yeah, I don’t think your family is going to be welcome in that grand circle again.”

“It’s going to be worse than that,” I said.A part of me felt vindicated, like Karma had finally taken care of business, and then came the guilt for feeling that way.“Remember, my father is in computer chip manufacturing and applied technologies.If word spreads…”

Asher’s laughter filled the car.“Serves him right.”

I moved our clasped hands into my lap and relaxed against the seat for the rest of the drive.I think I dozed off more than once.When we arrived at my cottage, Asher escorted me to the door.After I opened it and turned on the lights, he drew me into his arms.“Thank you for a fun night.”

“That was fun for you?”

“It was.”He leaned down and brushed his lips over mine.

I deepened the kiss.I didn’t want Asher to leave, but I didn’t know how to ask him to stay.Instead, we stood there in the doorway, making out like teenagers.Finally, Asher lifted his head and stroked my cheek.

“Go inside, my Cinderella.”

“What if I don’t want to?”I was tempting fate, and I didn’t care.

“Go.”He turned me around until my back was to him and I was facing my front doorway, then he swatted my butt.

Heat spread through my body from the spot where his hand landed.“Again,” I said softly.