Emerson
“I’ve had an amazing time over the last few days.” I avoid eye contact with Rodger because this is always the part of the many dad hookups I hate, the part where I have to tell them that I don’t feel the connection they do. In reality, the only link they feel is with the probability of one day being a part of my father’s fortune. But it’s always the same, that uncomfortable conversation of “it’s not you, you're a great guy, I’m just not looking for anything long-term right now.”
Lies, they were all lies, because I do want something long term. I want a forever, I just don’t want it with them.
“You’ve made this trip to Chicago memorable and fun.” Rodger walks around the side of my desk and my stomach tightens with discomfort. “But, I think the two of us can agree that we are much more suited to be friends.” I lift my head suddenly to look at him and he laughs. “And by the look on your face, I think it’s safe to say you thought I felt something else.”
“No, it’s that…” I pause, unable to decide what it is I truly want to say. Everything in my mind sounds so conceited and self-absorbed.
“Your father is a demanding man.” That’s putting it mildly. “But he is going about things with you all wrong. You are a beautiful woman, Emerson, and one day you’re going to find a man that cherishes you the way you deserve. He needs to stop trying to lead your future so much and let you live it on your terms.”
“Is it that obvious?” This man was a stranger to us only a few short days ago, yet here he saw the truth so easily.
“I heard about Hector Mansfield’s daughter who was perfect for me as part of the pitch to sell this location.” Again I hang my head only this time it’s out of embarrassment versus fear. “Don’t be embarrassed, Emerson, it’s your father that should feel the shame. He doesn’t realize what he's doing to the relationship you two could share if he’d see you as his daughter instead of a bonus for his lifelong dream of ruling the world.”
“Thank you.” I am not even sure it is the right thing to say.
“Stay in touch?”
“Of course,” I say as I stand up and he takes me into a hug. “Dinner when you come back to the city, only this time I get to choose the location.”
“Are you saying my choice of cuisine was something you didn’t enjoy?” I lean back and see him looking down at me with an arched brow. “What would you have preferred?”
“Burger and fries, and loaded nachos maybe,” I say with a smile, and he chuckles.
Then I see movement over his shoulder, and my heart practically lurches in my chest when I see Nic standing in the doorway of my office beside my assistant. The look on his face seems as though it is one of anger as he looks at the space where Rodger still stands, his arm circling my waist while the other hand rests upon my hip.
Rodger turns slightly to glance in the same direction, before slowly releasing his hold on me.
“Sorry Ms. Mansfield, I wasn’t aware you had someone in your office,” Kelly said, looking fearful that I’d be angry with her. The poor girl has been in my father’s presence far too many times and thought I would feel the same as him. She was a sweet girl and a fantastic assistant.
“It’s okay, Rodger was saying goodbye. He’s going back home today.” I try to ease the situation but Nic remains focused on Rodger, his eyes appearing hardened. “Mr. Vaughn is okay to stay.”
Talk about an uncomfortable situation.
“Rodger, I’d like you to meet Nicholas Vaughn.” My hand shakes nervously as I hold it out in his direction. I pull my arm back to my side quickly, attempting to hide it. “He’s a detective with Chicago PD.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Rodger says as he reaches out to shake Nic’s hand. I almost roll my eyes at the way he firmly grips Rodger’s hand as if he’s trying to make some statement. A power trip maybe, who knows.
“Well,” Rodger turns to face me once again with a grin on his face, “I better get going so I don’t miss my flight.” Rodger moves in quickly and hugs me once more, offering a friendly kiss to my cheek. “I’m gonna miss your smile, Emerson.”
When he steps back once more, he offers me a wink before picking up his briefcase and moving toward the door. Nic follows him and for a moment, I feel my heart race with the idea that he may be leaving too. The truth is, I don’t want him to go.
I watch in silence as he pushes my office door closed behind Rodger and then flips the lock on the handle, before turning around to face me once more. “Is that the guy you’ve been spending all your time with?”
“That’s the business associate that I’ve been working with, yes.” I cross my arms over my chest, trying to hide the nervous jitters this man gives me.
He nods, his lips pressed firmly together as he continues to stare at me with such an intense gaze. “Is that the kind of man you like?” His question surprises me as he begins to move toward me. With each step he takes I can feel myself trembling even more. “The stiff suit type, one that treats you more as if you’re an accessory than a treasure?”
“He was never more than an associate.” I find myself repeating my earlier clarification instead of answering his question.
The moment he rounds the corner of my desk, I find myself stepping back. Not because I fear him, but because he looks like he is about to devour me and this isn’t the place or the time. “That’s not what I asked, Emerson.” I swallow hard, and his eyes shift toward the motion in my neck. A grin tugs at the corner of his mouth; that smugness ensures me he understands the hold he has on me. “Is Rodger the kind of man you're attracted to?”
“Why?” I swear to god my heart feels like it is going to beat right out of my chest.
Nic sits on the corner of my desk and crosses his arms over his chest. That movement alone makes his muscles flex beneath the shirt he is wearing and only manages to make my pulse quicken even further.
I’m going to have a heart attack right here in my office, I swear to it.
“I just need to understand what I’m up against.” I tilt my head to the side, just slightly confused by his statement. Then he uncrosses his arms and reaches out for me, pulling my arms free from my body. “I didn’t much care for him holding you close the way he was.”
Again I’m a bit floored by his words.
Instead of pulling my body into his he reaches up and links the fingers of both of my hands with his own. “I just want you to be honest with me, and tell me if you and I together is only something that is gonna end in disaster.”
“Disaster?” I say with a smile.
“Yeah.” He tugs me closer, yet keeps his fingers linked with mine. “Me, never being able to be enough for a woman like you.” There was a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “I don’t drink wine or go to plays. I fucking hate opera music with a passion because that shit confuses me.” His eyes widen to emphasize that as a definite “no” which makes me laugh. “I prefer a bar that serves beer or a restaurant that cooks up a mean plate of something greasy. I like watching sports and sometimes, I even eat my dinner in my boxers while I sit on my couch and watch a movie. I’m a rebel.”
“What’s so wrong with all that?” I ask him, and he shrugs most sweetly. It’s a side to him I haven’t seen before. Almost playful and I rarely get the chance to feel this relaxed in the presence of any man.
“Absolutely nothing, there’s only one thing that could make all that better.”
“What’s that?” I ask as he slowly stands from my desk and takes a step toward me, finally closing the last bit of distance that remains between us.
“You,” he whispers as he dips his head to kiss me softly. “I’ll never be rich,” he says against my lips, “but I will always put you first.”
My chest tightens as I close my eyes.
“From what I’ve heard, I know your father will never approve, but I only need you.” He moves our joined hands behind me and crisscrosses them behind my back. “I want the chance to see where this can go. I know your body, Emerson, but now I want to know your heart.”
That’s when I cave, my body sagging against his, my lips still pressing against Nic’s and he accepts my kiss. I have no idea where this will lead us, but being with Nic feels too good not to at least try.
I lean back from our kiss and find him looking at me with that same happy gleam in his eyes. “Let’s make a deal though.” I arch my brow and wait for him to continue. “When people that don’t already know ask us how we met, let’s just leave out the part where you bought me at an auction.”
I can’t help it, I start to laugh as I allow my forehead to rest against his shoulder. “I plan to tell everyone I know and those that I don’t that you are worth every penny spent.”
“I’m glad it was you that won,” he confesses, and I lift my head so that I can see his eyes once more.
“Me too.”
“How long do you have to stick around here today?”
“Technically I’m off work,” I say with a shrug. “I just don’t have anything else better to do than to come in.”
“Now you do,” he says as he takes my hand in his once more and begins dragging me toward the door. “You’re gonna spend the rest of your day with me.”
“And what if I say no?”
Nic looks back at me, wearing a cocky smile. “You won’t,” he states as he unlocks my door.
“Why is it you locked my door anyway?”
“Just in case I had to use my body to convince you that I was the better choice.” He wags his eyebrows suggestively, and it makes me smile. “I’m not too proud to admit that I was willing to try just about anything.”
Once the door is open and we step out of my office, I allow him to lead me toward the elevator. As we stand side by side, my hand still in his, I lean in closer to him. “Just so you know, it was never a contest,” I confess. “You’ve been the only guy I’ve seen each time I close my eyes at night from the moment you left me outside my apartment door that first night.”
“Is that so?”
I nod, not looking up at him but smiling because I can’t seem to stop myself. Nic makes me feel carefree, and I know eventually there will be consequences. I’ll face those obstacles when they come. For now, I want to enjoy this ride.