Crap.

I’m to do this while being stripped of all that makes me comfortable and confident.

“I see.” My insides turn icy cold and my face numbs.

“All you need to do is smile and look adoringly at me until we get into the suite where Daniel is staying.” Jake shrugs with one shoulder. He really sees no issue at all.

Yes, I’m sure that’s going to be easy.

“When are you leaving?” Margo presses, turning his hazy green eyes away from the scrutinizing he is doing over me.

“Now, if she needs to go home first … Where do you stay, Emma?” his eyes are back on mine, once again making me uneasy as he scans my attire.

I tell him where in West Sunnyside and he nods before moving off to call his driver. I hear him telling him to meet us at the rear of the underground parking garage as I try to pull myself back together.

“Take a notepad and pen in a handbag, anything else will look odd … It’s a preliminary meeting to thrash out the proposal, so take notes.” Margo soothes my nerves with a warm smile. Bringing my attention to her.

“Yes, Margo.” I answer blankly, head reeling with all of this and feeling overwhelmed suddenly.

“Emma?” She halts me with a gentle hand on my arm.

“Yes?” I pause at her sudden intense look.

“Try to relax around Jake … He’s actually very easy to hang out with.” She grins, but it does nothing to remove the tension building up inside of me.

I don’t want to hang out, I want to do my job.

* * *

Less than twenty minutes later, I’m in the back of a large SUV with tinted windows and I’m sitting mere inches away from him. My briefcase on my lap and a pen in one hand. I’m preoccupied, mulling over the weirdness of this request.

“That habit is at odds with how you present yourself, you know?”

I look up at his remark questioningly. The way he is regarding me, and half-smirking my way.

hell is

it.

For god’s sake …

the being unprepared, it has me on

Nice move, Emma.

at me from the recesses of my mind and smile tightly

habit?” he presses further,

get nervous, Mr. Carrero,” I

the art of hiding it and for some reason, you bring

his seat comfortably, an arm on the window ledge and looks effortlessly casual. Always

would not say that, Mr.

What would I say?

being honest. I don’t know how

tone is steady and quizzical, a hint of

we really doing

you well enough to feel at ease around you yet,” I answer, impressed with my diplomatic response

woman has ever told me I’m intimidating before.” His eyes twinkle

don’t believe I actually

“You didn’t say no.”

what I said.” I smile tightly, but he laughs that only further grates

you do around me!” he jests, pushing a foot against the door so

that supposed to mean? Because I don’t throw myself at you,

usually flirt … Make their intentions clear, or just quiz the crap out of me.” He shrugs, un-phased by the statement he made and oblivious to how much of an

ask pointedly. I already assumed this was the case, the fact he expects it is a little repulsive. The fact he expected it of me, makes

at my honesty, watching me closely still, his body turned toward me

direction of this conversation, finding him highly inappropriate and praying to just

I can get a reprieve from this crap. Why did I have to live

intimidating … That’s one I haven’t heard yet.” He laughs at me again and I

him a shady

at your feet every day and tell you how gorgeous you are. Must be so hard to have been born with a silver spoon in your mouth,

says in afterthought, turning his gaze

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