When she’d made the accidental ball pun in her office earlier, Levi had smiled. Making the same mistake was the first thing she thought of to distract him. She hadn’t considered what it implied.
That she was flirting too.
“I was just trying to knock you off your game so you’d stop intimidating our clients.”
He walked past her, brushing her shoulder lightly as he did. “It worked.”
Chapter 13
The last nightbefore Shin Electronics continued with their American tour, Emily stared at herself in the mirror and glanced at her sister, who stood behind her. “Well? What do you think?”
Shin Electronics had other options for West Coast resorts—Club Tahoe was only one of several on their list. That was why tonight had to be perfect.
Lisa nodded. “Hot.”
Originally, Emily had planned for the ball to be earlier in the week, but upon reflection, it made more sense to have it the last night so they could end the company’s stay on a high note.
“Hot, but am I classy?” Emily said. “I don’t want to draw the wrong attention.”
Lisa groaned. “Listen, I’ve held back when it comes to your clothes this week. Like,hard. I’m trying to keep things simple, but you’ve got to give me something. This gown is knockoff couture. It’s drool-worthy and you need to wear it.”
Emily petted the light gray fitted dress, which accented her eyes. Spaghetti straps held up the modest neckline, but the rest of her feminine goods were covered. One would think that made it modest, but the gown was tight, with a light shimmer, and draped all the way to the floor. “You’re right. I would have worn a simple black dress that probably didn’t fit well. This fits me…”
“Like a glove,” her sister said with a wicked smile.
Emily’s mouth twisted and she bit the inside of her lip. “I’m super grateful for your help, but you promise it’s not too much?”
Lisa slapped Emily’s ass. “No, now get out of here and knock ’em dead.”
“What about my makeup?” Emily reached for a tissue to dab off some of her lipstick.
Lisa swiped the tissue and shoved Emily toward the door, handing her keys and a wrap at the same time. “It looks perfect. Goodbye.”
Emily spun around outside, only to find the door shoved closed in her face. Damn her sister!
But Lisa was right. If Emily looked at herself in the mirror one more time, she might change her mind. And at this point, she was about to be late.
She rushed to her car and drove to Club Tahoe, pulling up to the entrance. She wasn’t wearing spiked heels this time—Emily managed to veto that one—but she wasn’t walking a quarter of a mile through a darkened parking lot in a formal gown, either.
She handed her keys to the valet, and the young guy skipped around the car to the driver’s side. He took off in her hybrid faster than she’d ever dared push the little car.
Facing the entrance with its massive glass-and-wrought-iron chandelier, Emily felt like a glamorous guest and not simply an employee. She let that sink in.
Her job was kind of amazing. But it couldn’t last. She had ambitions, and spending her life as an assistant wasn’t what she’d envisioned. She also didn’t want to forever be under Levi’s thumb. He’d never respect her. For some reason, that was important.
Emily hurried to the employee offices. The space was deserted, workers having either gone home for the evening or wearing their finest to help host Shin Electronics and its clients.
She draped her wrap over her desk chair. And froze.
Spinning in a circle, Emily glanced frantically, patting down her body. “Where’s my bag?” Her heart raced. “Shit!”
“Problem?”
She swung around. Levi stood in the doorway.When did he walk up?“Yes. I left my workbag at Lisa’s.” She pressed her fingers to her forehead, mentally cursing herself and the dress that had preoccupied her.
Levi checked the time on his phone. “Getting late. You can pick it up tomorrow. Won’t be needed tonight anyway.”
“It has my ID, my phone, and my tablet. My life and the life of Club Tahoe are on those two devices.” Sadly, she’d rather be without her ID than her phone.
