Soon enough, I’ll meet him, too, since she’s the only one who has made him stir. I’m not even sure how ferocious this beast inside me is…or what shape he’ll take. I’m poised right on the edge of self-discovery and it’s all because of this extraordinary girl. Her inner strength shines from within her so brightly, it’s impossible to be anything but optimistic when I’m around her. The trust she shows me…it has reminded me I need to trust myself more. Follow my instincts when it comes to business. That conviction has been lacking of late and she’s given it back to me, simply by being herself.
Despite all of this, I can’t shake the odd sense I’m missing something. Tomorrow will be soon enough to learn everything there is to know about Emery—and I will be learning everything. I want to know where she was born, what movies she favors, her favorite meal. What makes her giggle, what makes her cry (so I can destroy it), and…hell, I want to know what she’s thinking every fucking minute of the day. I want to hear every thought in her gorgeous head as it occurs and I’m going to find a way to accomplish it. Even if it means sitting her on my lap all day, every day, and making the same demand over and over.
Tell me what you’re thinking, angel.
Tell me again.
And now?
I put a hand against my forehead and squeeze tight, trying to gather some semblance of control. It’s a futile mission, though. Emery has turned me inside fucking out and there’s no going back. As if I’d ever want to.
We’re approaching my bedroom now and I hold my breath, waiting for the moment I’ll see her in front of my king-sized, four-poster bed—but I’m not prepared for the primal surge inside me when it happens. Her feet are sunk into the plush carpet, her hands wringing at her waist. The bed so high, she’ll probably have to jump onto the edge and climb in. Or I’ll have to give her a boost, which I’m already striding forward to do…because I can’t wait any longer to make her mine. If my cock doesn’t rip through her cherry soon, I’m going to lose my mind.
Emery turns to me and murmurs my name softly. “Clarke?”
I catch her around the waist and swing her up onto the bed. “Yes, angel?”
She blushes when I slip off her shoes, letting them thud onto the ground. “Why did you look so frustrated and sad when I walked into your office today?”
Trying to think back to a time before Emery is a challenge, but I try. “I think I was on a phone call. Publicity people.” Reaching up to loosen the crown of braids on her head, I sigh. “They think pictures of me are more appealing than the technology.” I wink at her. “And I tend to be just a little disagreeable about that.”
Her mouth ticks up in a teasing smile. “Just a tad?”
I hum, enjoying the act of unbraiding her hair, marveling over the golden waves left behind. “I’m nice to you, angel. That’s all you need to worry about.”
“There you go again, telling me when I should and shouldn’t worry.” Lips pressed together, she reaches up hesitantly, then starts to unravel the knot of my tie. “You deserve to have someone worry about you.”
“Yeah?” My heart climbs up into my mouth. “You want to worry about me, angel?”
“Yes,” she says breathlessly, before her nose wrinkles into a frown and she gives an authoritative nod, like the world’s cutest boss. “And they should be shouting from the rooftops about your new method for naturally producing hydrogen…”
To say I’m stunned is an understatement. “You know a lot about the company.”
Her shrug is jerky. “I-I work there.”
“Until today, you were in the file room.”
I’m poised to question her further, because damn, she was already too good to be true. Now she has an interest in renewable energy? I want to know how she came by the information. In a newspaper? On television? But she speaks first. “About that whole assistant thing. Are you sure you want me in your office all day?” She exhales a laugh. “Won’t you get sick of me?”
“No.”
She’s obviously waiting for me to expand. When I don’t, she smiles so gorgeously, I have to grind my back teeth together to keep from tackling her onto the bed. “Oh.”
“Emery, I…” I brush her hair back, watching the soft strands filter through my fingers. “It’s been a long time since I had someone inspire me.”
Sadness sweeps into her eyes. “Your business partner, Gary?”
I nod. “Yeah, I forgot what it was like to be excited about what I do. Everything has gone so stale. And then you walk in…” I swallow the sudden mass in my throat. “You walk in and the world is suddenly bright with color and I remember what it’s like to reach for the things I want. You woke me up from a dead sleep, angel. So yes, I want you in my office. I want you in my bed. I want you all around me. Now. Tomorrow. Every day that comes after.”