Page 23 of Embrace Me Forever

“Blake? At a business dinner?” I laugh. “That’s way past his bedtime.”

Anne doubles over laughing. “Oh, stop it. He can’t be that old.”

“I suppose he’ll be there,” I mention casually, though inside, fairies are throwing a party. “He’s not old enough to be my father—orourfather, for that matter—but he’s certainly beyond the days of youthful trends. Conservative is more his style.”

“Huh!” she mocks. “Age has got nothing to do with fashion taste. I’ll go shopping tomorrow, and trust me. You’ll be the darling of the dinner, commanding numbers those men can’t ignore. And who knows, you may become the darling of Blake’s bed, too.”

I swat her shoulder, and she bursts into giggles, immune to my attempts to sidestep the Blake topic.

8

BLAKE

Georgia-May isn’t just a rogue academic or low-profile programmer; she’s the linchpin in a gambit aimed at Hartley Marine. The hooded man, her sudden departure from her job at the University, and her following disappearance all point to a conspiracy greater than her lone ambitions. Yet, everything remains a hypothesis as concrete evidence proves elusive. But with the immense value of Hartley Marine on the line—a prize worth billions—caution eclipses complacency. In this high-stakes game, it’s guilty until proven innocent.

Now she’s back. Perhaps the allure of dining with billionaires and the prospect of a substantial payoff proved irresistible, or she has been directed to proceed with the next step. I didn’t get the chance to drive her from the airport, but now I find myself on standby, lingering outside the restaurant. From my vantage point, I only catch glimpses of her among the patrons. But I see red, both literally and metaphorically.

My failure to track her in Denver stung, still does. My sniffer dog instincts, usually so reliable, had flopped into a wet noodle. It wasn’t clouded judgment. Hell, Iwantedto find her! She leads her life in an unconventional rhythm—or perhaps no rhythm atall. She could almost be compared to a hermit. However, her cave isn’t her apartment. It’s somewhere else entirely, a place I couldn’t manage to uncover.

Worse still, the defeat triggered a twisted alchemy of emotions. My brain stretches to its breaking point, my ego inflates like a damn puffer fish, and my body—God, my body reacts like it’s been poisoned every time I admit just how fucking irresistible she is.

Inside the restaurant, the group’s body language is shifting from business to casual farewells. I straighten up and prepare, positioning myself in front of the entrance. My job tonight is to make sure Georgia-May gets to her hotel.

As the door swings open, my breath catches. Georgia-May steps out, and for a moment, everything else fades away. After all these weeks of trying to track her down, she’s finally standing in front of me. It’s almost surreal, like a mirage solidifying into reality.

She’s stunning in her red dress, the color so vivid it seems to pulse in the dim light. The dress hugs her figure perfectly, elegantly flowing as she moves, and her dark hair cascades over her shoulders like a waterfall of midnight. Her beauty is even more mesmerizing than memory serves.

Rob and Clayton flank her, their expressions relaxed and slightly amused as they chat. Rob catches sight of me and raises a hand in greeting. “Blake, there you are. Ready to take Georgia-May to her hotel?”

So, they’re on a first-name basis now.

I greet her, “Ms. Williams, good to see you again.”

Her eyes meet mine, and I see a flicker of hesitation. There’s something else there, too. Recognition, maybe? Does she know I’ve been looking for her?

“I can manage on my own, really,” she tells Rob, escaping my gaze. “There’s no need to trouble him.”

Rob shakes his head. “Nonsense. It’s no trouble at all. Blake’s here for that very reason.”

Clayton chimes in, “It’s late, Georgia-May. Better safe than sorry.”

She casts an eye on me, and I offer a reassuring smile. “It’s no trouble, really. I’m happy to help.”

Her shoulders relax a fraction, though she still seems reluctant. “All right, if you’re sure.”

“That’s settled, then.” Rob extends his hand as if entrusting her to me, his grin widening. “Blake, make sure she gets there safely.”

“Of course,” I reply, my tone firm, still marveling at the fact that she’s here.

I open the car door for her, and as she slides into the passenger seat, I can’t help but notice the subtle strain in her posture. After all the dead ends and frustration, she’s finally within reach. What would I give to feel her hug me again, like when she thanked me after her first presentation?

Once I’m behind the wheel, I take a quick peek at her through the mirror. “You okay?”

She sighs, looking out the window. “Yeah, yeah. It’s been a long day.”

“We’ll be at your hotel soon,” I say soothingly. “May I ask which one?”

She pauses for a moment, pondering. “Um, Four Seasons.”

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