Page 59 of Emergence and Ascendance

I know good and damn well she's not sleeping with her assistant…

"How would he know that? You spend a lot of late nights together?"

She glared at me then rolled her eyes, smiling. "Yes, we do, but I don't fuck him and call it late night strategy sessions if that's what you're assuming."

I relaxed.

"I wasn't."

"Mmhm…" she hummed and I smirked, glad she wasn't looking at me. I was jealous of her gotdamn assistant…

"We have a lot to coordinate since I'm now staying here instead of the hotel."

I nodded. "Werner sent over the contract last night. We can go over it after breakfast."

"I need this coffee to do its job before I even think about that."

"No rush."

She lifted her mug but was still looking at her phone.

"Not much of a morning person?"

"Some of us need a full caffeine rush before engaging in interaction that doesn't include murderous thoughts."

"You thinking about murdering me?"

She looked up from her phone and narrowed her eyes. "I need more coffee before I can handle this level of conversation."

"Help yourself."

"Thank you."

She refilled her mug and leaned back against the counter, finally giving me her full attention. "Is no clothing a regular expectation of breakfast here?"

"I like being comfortable, you should do the same while you're here."

Her eyes swept my body. "I'll remember to be fully dressed when I come to breakfast then."

I grinned and she rolled her eyes, but I caught the way she smiled right before the mug reached her lips. "Is there food or just coffee?"

"The staff usually prepares breakfast around seven but I told them to wait until I let them know we were ready today. I wasn't sure if you would sleep in. I'll let them know they can get started."

"Thank you." She watched me over the rim of her mug. "Your sister?"

"What?"

"On the phone. Was that your sister?"

"Yes."

"She knows about me?"

"Jhorie mentioned seeing us together at the BWB meeting."

Scotlyn frowned. "Is that going to be a problem? I don't want your family knowing about this."

"It won't be a problem. I made you a promise about how we handle this. I'll keep my word."

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