“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.

dates and going slow. It’s what he wants and as much as it scares me, I want it too. It just feels like this is how it should be.” I answer a little stiltedly. I rehearsed this

can practically hear the hesitation.” She raises an eyebrow at me. I sigh and sink back on

me is running for the hills screaming right now. I don’t even know why; I can’t begin to analyze it.” I slide

they didn’t hurt you. He’s asking you to just throw all in and put all your

longer. I can see why this isn’t fast to him, he’s that kind of impulsive person. He wants, so

that’s just 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 are you going to tell

been right in the past when I’ve been scared to follow. Maybe this once I should just trust that

have it ready for 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.

to pay for anything, so I can still contribute here, like I’ve always done.” I shrug, annoyed at myself for adopting his mannerism. “So technically I’ll have moved out, but I’ll still have the option of coming back? Maybe I could spend the odd night here to catch up.”

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

messed up isn’t so great after all. The thought makes my stomach sink with a

in love with the Jake Carrero is like! How good is he in bed, really? I want all the dirty, minute details.” She giggles cheekily, and I sigh, I knew this

* * *

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

desk to collect some letters and make myself busy. All the answer machines are on, the office is deathly quiet and even the other secretaries on this floor seem to have disappeared. I miss him already and it makes me smile. I’ve only been gone a couple of hours and already I’m impatient to see him again, to feel his hands on me and kiss me the way he does. I keep telling myself that it’s only been a week, that I shouldn’t be this dependent on him so soon or even at all. I’m falling too far and too deep, yet something inside of

* * *

late in the day and I ended

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