She had a brilliant way of thinking, circling around the broad strokes, then doubling back for the tiniest details.
My tight control was already slipping. My locked down focus was dissolving. For the first time ever, I cared less about my work, and only wanted to hear every word from this pretty girl’s sweet mouth.
When Sandra came in with lunch, and noticed my jacket thrown over the back of the sofa, her shock was comical. I made a point of thanking her for her wonderful food choices, and was rewarded with warm smiles from both her and Emily.
We chatted brightly all through our
meal, and I deferred every appointment and call for the rest of the day. After Sandra returned to clear the table and shut the door behind her, Emily turned to me with a strange expression.
“Now we have to put everything you’ve learned into practice,” she said. “It’s the only way to lock things in, according to these experts.” Emily jumped up, walking to the center of the room. “Come on.”
I followed her, well over a foot taller as I turned to face her.
She began to sway. “I won’t make you actually dance,” she smiled up at me. “Just do this.”
She stepped side to side, like every awkward teenager when they’re first learning how to dance. I followed suit, feeling like a complete fool. Strangely, the sensation wasn’t nearly as painful as I would have expected, since Emily’s grin encouraged me to keep going.
“Quick – don’t think,” she said, swinging her arms along to her steps. “Tell me how to be engaging the second you meet a client.”
Before I even realized I was doing it, I began reciting her notes. “Confident but open body language. Smile while looking into their eyes. Think about warmth when shaking their hand.”
“How do you make them like you in seconds?” she asked.
“Use their name. Connect them to people in the room by their expertise. Be impressed by their accomplishments. Give them my full attention. Be on the same team, shooting for one common goal.”
I was always a quick study, but for some reason, half dancing badly truly locked the information into my brain.
That saucy look of determination as she challenged me was the last straw. “How do we make sure we don’t fall into old habits?”
My feet stopped. Leaning closer, my hand covered her face, as my thumb trailed along the very bottom of her lower lip as she stepped toward me.
“We break old patterns,” I murmured, looking deeply into her gorgeous eyes. “Should I do something that up until yesterday I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing in a million years?”
Her face tipped up to mine as she breathed, “Yes.”
My lips brushed against hers in a delicate kiss. Tracing her cheek with my thumb, I settled my mouth against hers, breathing her in as her hand slipped up my arm, grasping my bicep.
She tasted like a dream. The faint scent of lemon and sugar surrounded her. I could get lost in her kiss for days. Emily’s soft moan against my lips nearly made my knees buckle.
My arms gripped her too tightly as I pulled her entire body against me, which reminded me how tiny and delicate she was.
“Is this all right, angel?” I murmured.
“Yes, but…”
Immediately I stepped back.
That light, airy laugh filled my senses. “Maybe we shouldn’t do this in your office,” she whispered.
“You’re absolutely right. I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”
“It’s okay,” she said, walking her fingers up my shoulder to give my ear a little tug. “Maybe we should try that again later.”
My phone rang, and I turned to grab it as Emily sat back on the sofa. “Mr. McHenry, the Westwell Group have just arrived in the boardroom.”
“We’ll be right there.”
“What coffee would you like, sir?” Sandra asked.