Page 18 of CEO's Baby Scandal
My comment drew a smile to her lips, but it faded quickly and she looked down at her hands, still wringing together in her lap. I got the feeling there was something more bothering her, but I knew she’d open up in her good time.
“Yes, well, sex isn’t enough for me. Okay? I need a future.”
“Then let’s start right now.” I slapped my knees and stood up, and her eyes followed my motion.
“What do you mean, right now?”
“I mean, let’s go have dinner. You and me. I’m starving. You’ve been working hard all day. I want to take my lady out for a delicious treat and enjoy her without the pressure of work weighing on us.”
A smile curved her lips. “You mean that?” she asked, rising to stand with me.
“Yes, I mean that. Whatever you have going on with all this paperwork can wait until tomorrow. I’m taking you to Amelio’s. It’s this amazing pizza joint, but it’s super classy. Picture the Godfather’s bar, but not bar food. And they make the most amazing Moscow Mule ever.”
“Uh, what’s that?” Emily took my hand and followed me toward the door. I already had my phone in hand, sending a message to my driver to come around and pick me up.
“It’s a Russian drink—beer and vodka with lime and something else… I can’t remember. But you’ll love it.”
Emily blanched and shook her head. “No, thanks. I don’t think I’m drinking.”
The announcement surprised me. I hadn’t really interacted with Emily outside of work, but I never took her for the purist type who didn’t drink. I respected anyone who could get through life without a beer on occasion but preferred a drinking companion.
“You sure? My treat. I can get you a mojito, or a margarita. Whatever you want. It’s dinner out. We’re not on the clock. Might be fun to cut loose.”
The more I coaxed her, the paler she got, and her hand cradled her stomach. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I have to work in the morning, and what if I end up with a hangover or something? I think no drinking is best for me.”
“Suit yourself. I hope you don’t’ mind if I have a drink?”
“Of course not. You can do as you please.” Her smile returned as I placed my hand in the small of her back and guided her toward the elevator. Olivia watched us walk past, then Grace stopped to gawk. Jill looked up, eyes wide as I escorted my date to the elevator. Every staffer we strolled past got a good view of me and Emily walking far too close to be professional.
Emily tucked into my side, a timid mouse frightened by the beasts that devoured her with their eyes. “They’re staring.”
“Well, let them stare. In fact, we could give them something to talk about.” I snickered, thinking about kissing her right there as we waited for the elevator doors to open, but she stepped away, pressing the call button a dozen times at least.
“I’d rather not be talked about right now.”
As we passed Michael’s office, I saw his death glare. He warned me to keep my distance, but I refused to be bullied by him. He stood and watched us walking, but he didn’t follow us. For that I was thankful. While I would, at any cost, defend my choice to date Emily, I prayed it never came to an outright argument or disagreement in the office. And I didn’t want to have that discussion in front of Emily, either. I’d hear about it tomorrow, but for tonight it was out of sight, out of mind.
Discouraged but not defeated, I kept my distance until we were in the car, at which point I pulled her against my body and kissed her hard. She seemed to hesitate for a moment but relaxed and let me deepen the kiss and grope her breast too. Shemoaned, but it sounded more like pain than pleasure, so I didn’t do it again.
“This means a lot to me, that you are taking us seriously.” Emily pulled away from me slightly, looking up into my eyes. Her hand remained resting on my chest.
“I told you I want to get to know you. We have some sort of chemistry going on that I’ve never had with anyone else, and I want to explore that.”
As I was speaking, Emily’s face grew bright with happiness. She looked past me out the window, and I turned to see what she was looking at. Cloud Gate had captured her attention, the giant bean-shaped artwork in the park, a huge tourist attraction. She stared and gawked for the thirty seconds it was in view, then sat back.
“Wow, there are so many things I haven’t seen in this town.”
“City,” I corrected.
“Huh?”
“Chicago is a city, a very large one.”
“Yeah, that’s what I said. Anyway, you can take me to see all the sights someday. I know so little about it.” She curled back into my side and rested her head on my shoulder.
Emily was a small-town girl, completely ignorant of city life. She probably saw more farms and tractors growing up than skyscrapers and taxis. It was something I’d have to get used to for sure, because I had zero interest in gallivanting around the city, showing her any sights. Chicago had lost the luster for me years ago. It was just a boring city to me now.
I wasn’t about to give up on her, though. No matter how different we were, I was going to make it work.