Page 41 of Take It Offline

In short, she’s incredible.

“Sounds like a plan.” I tap my pen against my lips, and her attention drops there, shooting a thrill down my spine. “But if you really want this to work, you’ll need to convince a couple of key people. Ford in Ops, Samir in Projects, and Kamile and Jeremy Baxter across Engineering.”

Emma’s joy recedes. “You should be the one to talk to Baxter. He won’t listen to me.”

Funny, I didn’t take her for a quitter. “Giving up already?”

There’s a flash of fire in her eyes, and she straightens, pulling her shoulders back. Fuck, I love a woman in a power pose. “I’m not giving up. Baxter automatically vetoes every change I suggest. Has for years. I want to give us the best chance we have. And that’s you.”

That’s the kind of compliment that’ll make a man get down on one knee. And maybe I would if I didn’t think Emma would kick me while I was down there.

But then, I could be into that.

“I’ve worked with him for a while now,” I say. “And I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t convince him.”

She slow blinks, her lips parted, looking at me like I’m crazy. “Oh, really? Not one reason?”

If she gives me any more sass, I’m going to have to kiss her again. “Not the one you’re thinking of. Look, I know you get flack for your background, and Jeremy Baxter is a tough nut to crack, but he’s not the kind of guy who’ll give a shit about your last name. If you’re prepared to walk in there, explain why these changes will benefit him, and not take no for an answer, he’ll agree.”

She lowers her head. “I don’t think I can change his mind about this.”

“Why not? You’ve changed mine.” I lean forward, elbows on the table.

I’ve never seen anyone blush so beautifully.

“Oh,” I add. “We’ll need to get Emmanuel Fletcher on board.”

“Roberts’s boss? Do you really think he’ll care?”

Not yet, but… “We’ll make him care.”

And better yet, Roberts won’t be able to do a damn thing about it.

CHAPTER 15

PROS AND CONS

EMMA

Everyone has flaws.

One of mine is finding Charlie Walker attractive.

It’s the dimples that appear when he smiles.

The charm that oozes from him.

Those blue, blue eyes.

I don’t particularlylikethat he’s sexy, but I’m not blind to it. I almost wish I was. It would be easier.

Today he’s in a bespoke suit so distracting I’ve locked myself out of my laptop three times already. Standing out from the sea of gray and black, he looks resplendent in a three-piece overcheck brown tweed that melts my brain and most of my inhibitions every time he comes into view.

Yesterday was Loewe. The day before, Paul Smith. Then Boss.

His wardrobe is impressive, but it’s not simply the clothes that turn me on.

He moves with purpose. The man doesn’t walk; he strides. He doesn’t merely sit but presides. There’s power in every smile, wink, nod.

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