It’s after midnight when I’m woken by the buzz of my cell sliding across my nightstand. I reach out to it, fuzzy from fatigue and blurry eyed, disorientated.

“Emma Anderson.” I breathe huskily without opening my eyes. I’m on auto pilot.

“Where are you?” That bark has me sit up with a start.

Crap. Jake!

He sounds pissed and I’m too frazzled with sleep for this, shocked awake with his surprise contact.

“New York,” I gulp, suddenly reeling by the fact he’s finally calling me.

Is he back on the boat?

I get a tinge of regret at leaving.

“You’re at your apartment?” he’s grumpy and coldly distant.

“Yes.” Is the only reply I can give; I sound so vulnerable and young it annoys me. There’s a silence and a tension crackling on the line. I rub my eyes in a bid to feel less zombie like, pinch my cheek to waken me up more, hands trembling.

“You cut your vacation short?” he starts, his voice softer, but still tinged with irritation.

“Yes … I wasn’t in the mood for any more surf and sun, Mr. Carrero.” I hope he hears the sarcasm in my voice. Did he really think I would stay out there without him and hang out with his friends for a full two weeks? Again, another agonizing silence.

“Good, because we need to be back at it … The Hunter merger has encountered issues. I need you at the office tomorrow.” He’s in business Carrero mode, all affection and humor devoid.

“Will you be there?” I’m trying to sound as cool as him, but that rising warmth of hope lift its head and I scold it back down.

Get a grip, Emma, stop being pathetic.

“No … I’m still elsewhere … You can handle things for a couple of days.” A curt response and I want to cry.

me off guard. I’m half asleep and crumbling at the way he’s being, still aching for some of my normal Jake to shine

I miss my Jake. It’s obvious that whatever he left for, is still in his head, that despite the distance, he isn’t going to talk about it. He’s making it clear that now

a haughty head and pushes feeble out of the

you very much, Mr. Cold and Moody, Yes, sure, I shall jump, because you’ve

press sarcastically, knowing that will only piss him

raspy and almost threatening, but it has the desired effect and I’m glad he hangs up before the sob surfaces. The wound in my chest turning

hate

the room,

want to work for

Chapter 26

me warmly and compliments my hair, tan, and natural highlights. She gushes a little too much

and could have been handled by anyone involved, there is no need for me to be here at all. The lawyers have handled mostly everything, and the minor details are rectified in half a morning. I walk through to Jake’s office and dump the files on his desk,

and toss his pen on top. It’s fair to say I’m still as

rather say it to his face.

waiting to discuss some points with Jake and assure them that at Mr. Carrero’s earliest convenience, he will arrange another meeting. I smooth over the fine particulars and swell with satisfaction that I’m more than capable of doing his job for him when he’s

anyway? To pander to his ego and swat away sexual innuendos all

booming voice rips me from my reverie at my desk, as I snap up

Hell.

Jake’s worst traits, amplified tenfold, and stuck in a far moodier exterior. Less

on Friday.” I smile brightly and smooth down my

on business.” He balks at me, and I grimace tightly. The urge to stick

the urge to fidget is strong in his presence,

my calls.” He

I’m not the only one. He was ignoring Leila too apparently,

him I want to hear

be hard

I sulk inwardly.

I answer,

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