But as Emmett watched her disappear behind the sliding, metal doors, he had the instinctual feeling that wasn’t always the case. Something in his gut said the enticing brunette made a habit of walking right into trouble.
And this time, she wanted to take him and the rest of Echo Team with her.
CHAPTER THREE
The next morning . . .
Janie stood alone in Echo Team’s conference room, taking in the breathtaking view. Most people she’d seen walking around the historic city did so with their faces buried in their phones. But looking at the D.C. skyline with the morning sun shining over the imposing structure of the Washington Monument, she couldn’t imagine ever tiring of such an incredible sight.
“The others are almost here.”
Her lungs froze at the sound of the deep, rumbly voice. Janie had to work to keep from outwardly reacting. It wouldn’t help her cause to reveal how insanely attracted she was to the leader of the team. For all she knew, Emmett Shaw was married with six kids.
You’d know everything about him if you’d given Devon a call.
“I don’t know how you and your teamwill ever get any work done in here.” Janie ignored the annoying voice in her head. “I think I could stand here like this all day and never get bored.”
Emmett rounded the table’s edge. Coming to a stop next to where she stood, he slid his hands into the pockets of his black dress slacks with a slow exhale.
“That’s because you didn’t grow up here.” He looked through the pristine glass in front of them.
Janie glanced over at him as he stared out over the city. Emmett Shaw was seriously the sexiest man she’d ever met. All tall, dark, and deliciously handsome.
That stoic demeanor of his was a bonus.
For some odd reason, she found his broody temperament appealing. And he looked as good in dress pants as he had in his jeans.
Yeah, there’s no way a guy like him is single.
She cleared the sudden dryness from her throat. “I take it you did?”
“Right over there.” Emmett’s handsome head motioned toward the landscape to their left. “Just east of the river.”
“So you probably don’t even notice all of this anymore.”
“Not as much as I should.”
The admission took her by surprise, though she wasn’t exactly sure why.
“In case I forget to say it, thank you, again,” Janie offered. “For last night and for agreeing to let me come back today to plead my case to your team.”
“This isn’t about you pleading your case.” His intense stare turned her way.
Janie’s heart thumped hard against the inside of her ribs when their gazes became locked.
“If not for that, then why am I here?” She frowned.
“I thought my team would get a clearer picture of the situation if they heard everything from you, first-hand.”
She considered this before responding with an unheated, “You think I have a better chance of your team agreeing to take me on as a client because I’m a woman who’s desperate for help.”
Surprise flashed across Emmett’s otherwise sullen gaze. “It wasn’t intended to be an insult.”
“It’s okay.” Janie’s lips curved into an upward turn. “No offense taken. You’re going for the sympathy vote.” A slight shrug. “It’s smart. And probably what I would have done, if I were in your shoes.”
Those dark brows of his turned inward with an almost confused—and definitely adorable— expression. “I thought I’d made you mad.”
“Mad that you’re using my perceived vulnerability to help me get what I want?” She huffed out a breath. “No, Emmett. I’m not mad. You want to paint me as the emotional female to get your team on board? Fine. I’ll say whatever it is you think they need to hear. Because this isn’t about me, Emmett. It’s about Amy Weaver.”
