“Yeah, we’re together.”
I shifted uncomfortably, cheeks burning.“But he’s your boss.”
She shrugged, unfazed.“Yeah, well, these things happen sometimes.We’re both adults.”
Were things really that simple?My eyes drifted across the empty conference room to Emmett’s vacated seat.Faint traces of his cologne still hung in the air like a whispered temptation.
Maggie watched me with a sly smile.“What, you’ve never thought about it?With Emmett, I mean?”
I sputtered a vehement denial, but she just laughed.
“Please, Cal.I’ve seen the way you two look at each other when you think no one’s paying attention.”
My face was on fire now.Had we been that obvious?Sure, there was no denying we had chemistry—indescribable chemistry that electrified the air anytime we were in the same room.But I’d fought so hard to keep things professional.
Marco’s mocking voice floated into my head.“You call making heart eyes at the guy across the conference ‘professional’?”
Dammit!I was going to kill him.With a frustrated sigh, I gathered my things, desperate to escape Maggie’s knowing look.Before I could bolt, she reached out a hand to stop me.“Callie, look…everyone loves you.You are brilliant and kind and funny.No one would think twice about anything happening between you and Emmett.”
I felt a trickle of relief, but she wasn’t finished.
“Just don’t pursue him for the wrong reasons.He’s been through a lot, and in case you haven’t noticed, he is pretty beloved around here.If you hurt him, you will find yourself surrounded by a mob of angry coworkers.”
Her warning rang in my ears as I headed back to my desk.The last thing I wanted was to compromise Emmett’s happiness or my standing at the company.But the more I tried to push aside my feelings, the more they took root.
I saw Emmett waiting by the elevators, hands shoved in his pockets, tie disheveled in that artfully casual way that never failed to make my pulse spike.When our eyes met, the corner of his mouth quirked up in that devastating half-smile.
Screwed.I am so screwed.
Maybe it was time to embrace it.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
EMMETT
As I steppedinto the club, the smell of alcohol and sweat hit me like a fucking brick wall.“Seriously, Wick?”I groaned, glancing around at the writhing mass of bodies.I wasn’t here to pick up women.I was thoroughly wrapped up in one woman: Callie.
Wick grinned and slapped me on the back.“Lighten up, man.You need to get laid.”
I eyed the crowd with disdain.None of these women could measure up to her.“Nah, I’m good.”
My thoughts turned to my birthday a few years back—a night that had shaped me in ways it was hard to analyze without the help of a professional.
"Come on, birthday boy," she purred, her hand sliding down my chest."Let's celebrate."
She was all long legs and seductive smiles.In my drunken haze, I let Brittany—Bethany?Brandy?—lead me to the dance floor.
Before I knew it, we were a tangle of limbs and lips as we tumbled out of the elevator and through my apartment door.I lost myself in her, pretending it was more than a quick fuck.
But in the harsh light of morning, reality came crashing down.I woke up to an empty bed and a tabloid headline splashed across my phone screen: "Price Industries Heir's Wild Night Out!"
Brittany-Bethany-Brandy had sold our private moments to the highest bidder.She used me for my name and my wealth.Just like all the others.
As we made our way to a table, I felt a twinge of disappointment.I’d rather be at home right now.Honestly, I’d rather be with Callie, but that wasn’t going to happen.We had agreed to keep things professional.
It was the right decision.
In the past couple of weeks, things had been less awkward between us.She had been avoiding me less and seemed more comfortable being alone with me.And I’d kept myself in check.It was harder than I imagined.The more time I spent with her, the more I fell for her.
