“It makes no sense to me having you beside me at work, then you going home to Queens at night … I want you home with me, to kick back and unwind. Here, we’re starting to get back into our roles as boss and PA … I want my girlfriend when we’re not working.”

“Sarah’s going to try and talk me out of it” I sigh, watching him play with my fingers one by one, enjoying the sensation. “She’ll think we’re rushing things.” I look up at him and shake my head when he shrugs, his answer to everything. Infuriatingly so.

“I’m not going to force you, Emma … Go see her, collect what you need for this week anyway then let me know what you decide … I won’t be mad, but I want you to know that it will happen.” He moves forward, kissing me quickly before letting me get up to leave. I ruffle my fingers lightly through his hair for a moment, smiling at the way he looks up at me and our eyes instantly connect.

A face that could melt icebergs. And it’s all mine. Stubborn to a fault.

I turn and walk off, grabbing my bag as I pass my desk. I can sense his eyes on me, but I don’t look around. I like torturing him in subtle ways, it makes me feel good to know that I have a little power over him too. Probably more than I realize, besides, he can be so commandeering sometimes that he deserves it.

I want to move in with him, but I’m also terrified. It’s a huge step for me, to be dependent on someone else. His apartment, his things, he pays all the bills, his money, his furniture, his way!

I’ve always stood on my own two feet and what if it all goes to hell and we break up? I can’t go crawling back to Sarah if I’ve nowhere else to go.

My head goes into overdrive thinking this all through as I make my way down to the underground car park to find Jefferson and one of Jake’s four by fours, parked and waiting.

* * *

“Wow … Are you sure, Emma? … It’s really fast!” Sarah remarks, sitting opposite me on the couch, her eyes wide in disbelief.

as much as it scares

Come on, I can practically hear the hesitation.” She raises an eyebrow at me. I

I don’t even know why; I can’t begin to analyze it.” I slide my

your own boss. Keeping people at arm’s length so they didn’t hurt you. He’s asking you to just throw all in and put all your hopes and trust on your relationship after like a week … That’s crazy.” She waves a hand in

fast to him, he’s that kind of impulsive person. He wants, so he takes, he’s always had things his own

a male trait to be fair.” Sarah slides her mug down and mirrors my pose with her legs underneath her. She’s dressed in her chef whites ready for her shift this afternoon. “So, what

follow. Maybe this once I should just trust that he knows best.” I rub my cheeks with my palms,

staying over sometimes?” she asks hopefully, her eyes almost pleading. I know her too well, she’s offering me a way out of making a final decision, she’s offering me a backup plan. She’s being that girl who always helps me

always done.” I shrug, annoyed at myself for adopting his mannerism. “So technically I’ll have

option C … Not living solely with him or her but choosing to stay with him unless I

stability, should he decide the full-on committed relationship with someone so emotionally messed up

all the juicy gossip … What being in love with the Jake Carrero is like! How good is he in bed, really? I want all the dirty,

* * *

of the elevator a couple of hours later, Jefferson is taking most of my bags straight to Jake’s apartment and has dropped me back at Carrero House. I’m disappointed to see both Rosalie’s desk and Jake’s office are empty and check my watch. It’s only mid-afternoon, so I walk in and check my iPad on the desk, pulling up the schedule and see Rosalie has added in a meeting. Jake’s meeting with the legal team overseeing the Hunter-Carrero ship merger, things must be moving along with the

again, to feel his hands on me and kiss

* * *

in an email I’m typing I hear them finally return, it’s late in the day and I ended up eating lunch alone when

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