Page 19 of On the Fly
Emma glanced over her shoulder, directly at him this time. “We’ve taken too long already. They’re going to be mad when I finally get there.” She stopped for a moment, then shook her head and headed toward the staircase. “I’ll figure it out as I go.”
“My offer stands,” he said, trailing after her, already mentally readjusting his weekend plans to be here more often. “My room is on the other end of the house. It would make sense you would sleep there. It’s private.”
Emma abruptly stopped, spun around, outrage pouring from her expression as she stomped several steps toward him. She flung her hands out in a show of disgust before she poked him in the chest. “I’mnotsleeping with you.”
Ander smiled. Oh yeah, sex was eventually going to happen between them. Chemistry like that couldn’t be denied, even by the prickly Emma. He grabbed her poking fingers in his hand.
“I won’t be here. I’m heading back. That’s why this arrangement works, if you would just go with it.”
She snatched her fingers out of his grip and whirled toward the stairs. He followed again, purposefully keeping his voice low.
“I’m not going to be around much this weekend. I’ve introduced myself and I’m out. I’ve got a weekend full of meetings with various departments that can’t be rearranged.”
Her steps slowed, and with her hand on the rail, she came to a stop before once again turning more fully to him. He saw the light bulb moment as she finally understood his suggestion. The tension between them eased instantly. She moved toward him, and he met her halfway.
She spoke as quietly as he had. “You won’t be using the room?”
“No. And even if I did, there are two other rooms available for my family’s use. It would make sense that you would be in my room. Right?”
She nodded slowly. Tucking her lip between her teeth, she gnawed on the tender flesh. An atomic explosion couldn’t have drawn his gaze from that lip, from thinking about all the things he could easily slip between the parted flesh.
“Why are you doing this?” She narrowed her eyes at him.
Wasn’t that the ten-million-dollar question? “I have no idea. But don’t look a gift horse in the mouth and all that.”
That brought a grin. “Well, you are a fine-looking horse, before you open your mouth.” She patted his chest, the amusement in her tone and the twinkle in her eye showed she was teasing him.
He snorted. Even insulting him, she lightened his heart in ways he didn’t want to investigate too closely.
After staring into his eyes another moment, she asked, “What about your mom?”
“I’ll take care of her. Don’t worry. She’ll understand.” He had no idea why it had taken him so long to see the obvious standing right in front of him. He’d been attracted to her from her first annoying introduction when she’d stepped on his foot—and he was fairly certain she’d done that on purpose too. Between those sharp nails digging in his skin as panic had consumed her on the plane, to her annoying sassy mouth, even her teasing him moments ago…there was something about this woman that drew him to her.
As much as he worried about the fact that she would be his employee, he would deeply regret not getting closer to her. For many reasons, the most obvious of which was surely prominently outlined in his slacks. Clearly, his rock-hard dick had plans for this girl.
Ander pivoted on his heel, jogged back up the few steps to the top, and said, “Let’s get your stuff.”
She caught up with him and placed a hand on his arm, giving him a side-eye. “I feel like there’s an ulterior motive I’m missing.”
He managed a laugh. “You aren’t one of those women who believes everyone wants them, are you?’
She let out a disgusted sigh and left him trailing after her as she brushed past him on her way back to her room. He smirked. His gaze again glued to her hips. She was so easy to rile.
~~~
By the time they’d moved her suitcase and gotten her settled into her new room, she’d missed dinner. Ander walked to the outside dining area and kissed her cheek before pulling out the chair next to her sister for her to sit. He told her family he had to leave for an early business meeting and to enjoy themselves. She’d never been so conflicted. On the one hand, good riddance. On the other, she’d prefer him sitting next to her as a buffer with her family. Her emotions about him were all over the place. She needed to remind herself that above all else, he was going to be her boss, not her friend…and most definitely not anything more.
The scowl Patty sent her way after Ander left almost made her groan, but she’d avoided that conversation by engaging Julia in a chat while dessert was served. Now the entire family was ensconced on the back porch for an evening of karaoke.
Mrs. Jorgensen had come down after dinner and linked arms with Emma before dragging her off to the kitchen. She’d pointed her to a seat at the kitchen island, where Emma dutifully sat, before leaving her in Gina’s capable hands.
“It looks delicious,” Emma said with probably her first genuine smile since she had arrived pulling at the corners of her lips. She stared down at the hot dinner plate Gina had made especially for her.
“Your family sure does know how to party,” Gina said, and Emma looked up as she reached for her fork. No lie there. It was almost midnight, and they were still going strong. Off pitch and making up words to songs, but still going strong.
“They’re not usually this rowdy. They’re excited to be together like this.” She took a bite, savoring the delicious food. “Or it could be because of this good food. It’s amazing.”
“Glass of wine?” Mrs. Jorgensen asked. The few precious moments of calm vanished instantly as Ander’s mother stepped back into the kitchen. She’d hoped to avoid Mrs. Jorgensen but had allowed herself to be wrangled into the kitchen. Emma nodded. She would need lots of wine to get through this weekend.
