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.

is

fingers, absent-mindedly twisting it. I drop it and still my hands

For god’s sake …

it has me on

Nice move, Emma.

teen Emma, always peeking at me from the recesses of my

presses

don’t get nervous, Mr.

many years perfecting the art of hiding it and for some reason, you bring it out

in his seat comfortably, an arm on the window ledge and looks

say that, Mr.

What would I say?

if I’m being honest. I don’t know how

his tone is steady and quizzical, a hint of playful and it’s

we really doing

you yet,” I answer, impressed with my diplomatic response under the pressure of his

me I’m intimidating

believe I actually said that,” I say.

“You didn’t say no.”

that’s how you perceived what I said.” I smile tightly, but he laughs that only further grates on me. He’s

met a woman who acts like you do around me!” he jests, pushing a foot against the door so he can

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

intentions clear, or just quiz the crap out of me.” He shrugs, un-phased by the statement he made

this was the case, the fact he expects it is a little repulsive. The fact he expected it of me, makes me

my honesty, watching me closely still, his body

must be nice.” I look out at the passing scenery, completely uncomfortable with the direction of

block to my apartment and I can get a reprieve from this crap. Why did I have to

heard yet.” He laughs at me again and I try to ignore it,

cast him a

tell you how gorgeous you are. Must be so hard to have been born

he says in afterthought, turning

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