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“I’m sorry,” Emir says softly. “I don’t see a way around it. You are the face of this business. It has to be you.”

“Okay. Okay.” I say, my hand flying to my belly when I feel a kick, likely spurred on by my heightened blood pressure. “I’ll figure it out. It will be fine.”

“You’re sure?” He asks with genuine concern.

“Yeah. It has to be.” I say, my resolve solidifying.

“We should get back before people start asking questions,” Emir says, glancing around the room.

“Yes. Right.” I nod. “Just give me a minute, please.”

“Of course.” He replies, giving my shoulder a quick squeeze. “You look lovely, by the way. Absolutely luminescent. And I like your new man.”

“He’s quite a character.” I chuckle.

Emir gives me a small smile before going to retrieve his spouse, which leaves Marshall free to wander over to me with a concerned look on his face.

“Everything alright?” He asks when he’s only a step away.

He reaches for my hand, and I let him take it with a squeeze. The small gesture calms my racing heartbeat just a bit, but the panic of knowing my company is in jeopardy doesn’t dissipate.

With Marshall’s hand already in mine, I give him a slight tug and start walking out of the room we’re in.

I just need a minute alone. A minute to gather myself and think. A minute to find a solution to this new problem.

Marshall, thankfully, follows me along without protest.

We walk down a hallway, and I try doors as I go, searching for one that’s unlocked.

Finally, one of the handles gives, and I pull Marshall into the room. It opens into an empty coat room.

“Everything okay, Elsie?” Marshall asks, genuine concern in his voice.

“Yes.” I pause, catching myself. “No. I need...”

My mind is moving a million miles a minute. I need something, but I can’t tell what. Nothing makes sense.

“Elsie,” Marshall says, cupping my face in his hands to get me to look at him. “Tell me what you need.”

“I need... I don’t know what I need.” I say, exasperated. “I need....”

I look at the man before me, a man I want desperately, a man I know I can quickly lose myself in a moment of pleasure with.

“I need you.”

Chapter 26

Marshall

Her words echo through my skull and have my heart bursting out in song.

I need you.

I know from the bright flame in her eye that she means physically, but there’s a part of my heart that can’t help but dream she’s telling me more. That I matter to her more than just for how well I can fuck her.

Something has her distressed, and if I can help take some of that stress away, then I will.

“Tell me exactly what you need, princess.” I purr, dragging my thumbs across her cheeks.

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