“Sir.” She nods to Ethan. I can tell she’s fighting a smile.
“Emily, this is Amelia. Amelia, this is Emily. She runs things around here.”
I hold my hand out, taking hers.
“It’s lovely to meet you.” She gives me a genuine smile that meets her eyes.
“It’s nice to meet you, too.”
She lets go of my hand as she steps onto the elevator. Ethan ushers us off.
“I’ll text Brandon that you’re here and to send in your coffee.” She reaches out, stopping the elevator doors from closing. “Can I have him bring you anything, Amelia?”
“Call me Mel,” I tell her. “And I’m fine.” I’m not sure I’m allowed to have coffee so I pass on it. I think there are all these rules when you're knocked up. I haven’t been to the doctor so I don’t know the do’s and don'ts yet.
“Send her in a hot chocolate at least in case she changes her mind,” Ethan says.
“Will do.” She gives a firm nod. Her gaze goes back to Ethan and her smile drops. “I have to deal with Janet in accounting. I’ll be back in a few.” She lets the door go. I know from the look on her face that I wouldn't want to be Janet right now. That’s for sure.
“My office.” He motions toward the end of the hall. His hand is still holding mine as he leads me down the hallway. Everyone looks our way with their eyes wide.
“I can tell them to get the fuck back to work,” he offers. “Or you can.”
“It’s fine,” I rush to say, not wanting him to bark at everyone. I work in an office, I know better than anyone about being curious. I’ve stood in the break room with Mia more than a few times gossiping. Especially when someone new enters the workspace. It’s not exactly gossip but curiosity. That’s what Mia and I have convinced ourselves it is.
“Maybe we should give them something to talk about.” I stop walking and pull on his hand. He turns as I push myself into him. There is no hesitation on his part as I wrap my other hand around his neck, pull him down and kiss him right in front of everyone. That should give them something to talk about for a bit.
When he wraps his arms around me and starts to lift me from my feet, I pull back, hissing his name. He carries me into his office, letting the door fall closed behind us.
“I didn't want to give them that much to talk about.” I tap his cheek even though I started the whole thing. “We’ll be on page five.”
“Not that I care if we are, but I pay them well. My staff knows how to keep their mouths shut. The non-disclosure agreement they sign upon employment also helps with that.” He places me on my feet.
“Is that why there’s never anything about you in the gossip magazines?” It’s all starting to make sense now. Maybe he’s not some saint, he just has everything hidden well. He makes sure all the loose ends are tied up. I don’t know why but that leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Thinking about him being with other women tends to do that to me. I try to pull away from him but he only tightens his hold on me.
“I’m rather boring,” he admits. “This is where I spend most of my time. My brother thrives in the limelight.” That makes me feel a bit better. I have no reason to be jealous but I find I don’t like the idea of him with others.
I look around his giant office that is bigger than my apartment. Everything is clean and in its place. It reminds me a little of my place but not as fancy. There is no flare to it. It is what an office should be.
“It’s bigger than my place. No wonder you live here.” I step away from him to openly snoop around his office. He doesn't stop me. I end at his desk, plopping down in his chair.
“No pictures.” His desk is almost bare except for the three monitors on it. I let out a small gasp when my hand hits the computer mouse, waking them up. My face appears on all of them. My eyes are closed as I lie in the hotel bed. I must have been asleep. My cheeks are a rosy red and my lips are swollen from our kissing. I look happy.
“You were saying?”
I pull my eyes from the screen to look at him. He’s sitting down in one of the chairs in front of his own desk.
“I look—” I can’t think of a word.
“Happy? Peaceful? Sexy as fuck?” he offers. I nod my head. I fight the sting of tears in my eyes. I don’t remember dozing off that night but I must have for a moment. He stole my picture without me knowing. Hell, he stole my heart that night, too.