Chapter 133

“Ready?” He gazes at me as his car door is opened and holds out his hand. The Carrero building looms up in front of us and it feels like I haven’t been here in weeks. So much has changed in such a short time. He slides out of the car, pulling me with him and straightens up as Jefferson shuts the door behind us. Normally, Jake would use the underground car park, but Jefferson has errands to run for him today, so we are being dropped at the front door. This is all very public, right outside the main entrance to Carrero House in the morning rush. I take a deep, anxious breath, pushing down the onslaught of emotions and nod and try not to run away.

I tense as we enter the building, the urge to pull my hand out of his as heads turn at our arrival. Faces beaming our way, quiet whispers, and stifled grins as people pretend not to be staring. We are obviously the talk of the building and very much confirming rumors while walking hand in hand through the foyer.

Ughhh, this is embarrassing.

I was surprised to find my work clothes hanging in Jake’s wardrobe beside more of my outfits from my apartment this morning. Apparently, while we were away, Jefferson had Sarah pack me some essentials for our return at Jake’s bidding.

Nice to know my commandeering man still exists in there somewhere.

I’m in my familiar gray suit jacket and pencil skirt and my favorite Louboutin black stiletto heels, like old PA Emma except for the fact my boss is now casually walking with his fingers entwined in mine. Leading me to the elevator with a smug expression on his face of a guy who got a lot of sex before getting out of bed this morning. I shake my head at him, wishing he wouldn’t make it so obvious but that glint in his eye serves as a warning that he will be far worse if I protest. I wouldn’t put it past him to pick me up over his shoulder and drag me to the nearest elevator to make out.

He throws me a warning eyebrow lift when I try to slide my fingers out of his and I give up, he’s never been a guy who it’s wise to try to push. He has no qualms about making a scene and he doesn’t care what people think about him.

We get to the sixty-fifth floor without too much drama, or people making it obvious they are outright mesmerized. I know most of the building has non-stopped gossiped about our dance floor kiss at the Marie Curie ball and as this is the first time most can see for themselves that the rumor is true, people are nosing our way.

Was that really just over a week ago?

I can’t believe it’s only been days. I feel like Jake’s been with me for so much longer, that we spent a month on that yacht, so much has happened and things between us got so intense so quickly that I can’t even begin to dissect that it’s only been a week.

Luckily, the elevator is full, so Jake’s wandering hands can only skim my ass briefly, trying to be on his best behavior.

“Want to come christen my desk?” he whispers as he pulls me after him to my old familiar offices when we hit our floor.

“Jake!” I scold, my old PA mode kicking in. “When we’re at work then I’m going to be the Emma you paid for.” I let go of his hand haughtily and walk forward fast, toward my old desk, feet away. Jumping with a flinch as he smacks my ass loudly and about ten heads snap around to look as I hold myself in check from reacting.

“I swear to god …” I begin to grind slowly through gritted teeth, but he only smiles with a flick of his eyebrows before walking past into his own office and leaving the door wide open. I stand outside it and throw my bag on the desk, my face flaming with embarrassment, pushing down the urge to throw something at him through his door.

I swear, I may actually throttle him.

I note that Margo’s personal effects are gone already, she’s cleared this in anticipation of my return. I’m sad at the evidence, I would really have loved to see her again, a chance to just talk to her about coming back.

“Miss. Anderson … I’ve something that requires your immediate attention.” Jake’s voice floats through at me and already I regret coming to work for him. I push down that inner irritation knowing that this is going to be some sexual reference, except unlike old me, I can’t threaten to sue him to make him behave or brush off his advances anymore. I walk into his office, turn, and walk back out when I see him patting the new couch in his office suggestively, loosening his tie with a naughty look in his eye.

“Work! … Remember!” I yell back and stomp off to find a coffee, I’m going to need it today. We really need to set some ground rules about this working together or I’ll end up choking him with his own tie.

“I forgot what PA Emma was like.” He yells back, but there’s only amusement in his voice. “I’ve changed my mind … I might fire you after all.” I ignore him and instead begin pulling out all the files Margo has left for me, briefs getting me up to speed on things I’ve missed and other things in mid-flow. I’ve missed a huge amount of work in the last month, this will be a nightmare to get my head around and the last thing I need is Jake trying to get me naked in his office.

I glance up and spy Rosalie grinning at me from the outer office and smile back. She seems genuinely happy to see me, waving, she turns back to her desk and carries on working. It makes me feel a little bit warmer inside, a little less upset with my boyfriend, or boss’s, overly public displays of affection.

An hour later Jake comes strolling out to my desk where I’m wading through all the documents Margo has left for me, two empty coffee mugs and a lot of scrunched up notes in the bin. He’s lost his jacket and tie and is back in rolled up blue shirt with open collar, untucked at the waist, it’s devastating to me, like it always is. I’m a sucker for this look on him and without looking directly at him, my temperature soars along with my heart rate.

“I want to fuck you,” he utters quietly, leaning into my ear so only I can hear. My knee’s press together under the table; I put my pen down and look up at his serious face with indulgence

“Jake. First, will you stop calling it that … Second … No! We’re at work, to work … You get enough at home, and this morning,” I whisper looking around nervously in case anyone can hear us.

Maybe I should shut my office door from now on, Rosalie is within ear shot most of the time.

“Fine … Lets screw, copulate, make love, have sex … Whatever you want to call it. You’re literally ten feet away, wearing a tight skirt and stilettos and I’m supposed to not feel horny? bambino, please … I’ve a really convenient second room that locks, with a couch in there … Remember?” He looks at me in a way that sends my inner organs into a frenzy, my body clenching ecstatically, leaning in close enough to kiss without effort, his aftershave drawing me in.

I need to have more control than this.

I cast my mind back to the changing room type second door inside his office and the last time I saw that couch, months ago. Before he ever kissed me, before I even knew how I felt about him and I’m more than tempted.

“You can’t do this to me.” I pout. “It’s not fair.”

“You think this is a one-sided deal?” he laughs. “Baby, I’ve had to stop myself coming through here about eighteen times in the last hour, just ripping that skirt off and taking you on the desk … It’s not fair on me, you, looking like that and not being allowed to do anything about it.” He leans down planting a chaste kiss on my cheek. “I’m going for a cold shower before I do end up making good on that threat.” He walks off toward the outer office, toward Rosalie’s external desk, his ass looking particularly hot in his tailored gray pants.

“Jake, wait,” I blurt out impulsively. He turns slowly and looks me up and down, his face blank but his eyes heavy, his pupils dilated still from his obvious horny state.

Oh god, how sexy he looks standing there. Screw it.

“Yes, Miss. Anderson?” His voice is low and husky and full of hidden intent which makes my knees press together more firmly in response.

Jesus … what he does to me.