Page 12 of Love Unexpected

Emma

As the week goes on, Noah and I become closer and our connection grows stronger. I find myself repeatedly pushing off my talk with him. Coming up with lame excuses and telling myself I’ll tell him the next day. And then the next day. And the one after that. I need to tell him what I've been keeping from him, but the thought of bursting our little blissful bubble is daunting.

Tuesday rolls around, and as I sit in the board meeting, an electric current buzzes in the air. I catch Noah’s gaze lingering on me from across the table. A glimmer of mischief dances in his dark eyes and a teasing smile forms on his lips. Noah glances around the room, ensuring no one is paying attention to him before he tosses a sly wink at me, followed by a slow, deliberate lick of his lips. I blush hard and fight my own smile from giving us away.

By Wednesday, the dynamic shifts further. The air crackles with undeniable tension any time he’s near. Noah begins summoning me into his office more frequently under the guise of discussing work. I sit at his desk, looking at a report laying in front of us. He leans in and I feel the heat radiating off of him. He whispers something about deadlines, his lipsbrushing against my ear, igniting a fire in me and leaving me breathless.

Thursday arrives, and Noah has become a master at orchestrating reasons to be near me throughout the day. The quick glances, the subtle touches, the kisses he steals whenever he has the chance. Every encounter I have with him draws me in deeper. I find myself craving so much more of him—more of his laughter, more of his cologne on my clothes, more of those soft lips on mine.

And by Friday, we find ourselves getting more risky, crossing into dangerous territory. Our steamy encounters lead to sex in his office, under his desk, and in the copy room. Just an hour ago, I was taking phone calls at my desk. Now, I'm wrapped up in his arms in the back seat of his car, hidden away in the parking garage. The thrill of getting caught only adds onto the heat of the moment. Our breaths mingle as he pulls me back down on top of him. The world fades away, leaving just the two of us in this intimate moment.

I can hardly believe how quickly my heart has become tangled with his. I'm giddy and I can't stop smiling to myself during the drive home that Friday evening. The cold shoulder he was giving me just two weeks ago is long forgotten. After all, Noah feels different. He's sweeter and is no longer trying to push me away. It feels like nothing can bring me down.

Until I get home and that euphoric bubble I've been in all day suddenly bursts. The moment I step through the door, I'm greeted by my empty and frigid house. The silence envelops me as I lie awake that night. I toss and turn nonstop, guilt gnawsat me, refusing to let me rest. It whispered haunting reminders of the truth I've been avoiding. I can't shake the feeling that I'm spinning a web of lies around something beautiful I have with Noah.

I decide I can no longer delay the conversation that has a tight grip around my chest. Come Monday morning, I will find the courage to finally tell him. I promise myself I won't sleep with him again until I confess what I’ve been hiding. That promise lingers in the back of my mind as I finally fade into a restless sleep. A small flicker of hope ignites in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, this doesn't have to change anything.

Chapter 11

Emma

Monday morning I’m first to enter the break room, hoping to grab my coffee and get back to my desk before Marcus strolls in. I don't want to face him today. I'm a mess, and I can already hear his probing questions. But fate never seems to be in my favor.

“Good morning, early bird! Did you get your heat fixed yet?” Marcus calls out cheerfully behind me. Just before I brace myself for his inevitable questions, he appears beside me, his gaze sweeping over my face. His smile quickly fades and is replaced with concern.

“No offense," he continues, his tone tinged with worry, "but you look like you could use a day off, girl. Is my brother really riding you that hard?” He makes himself laugh at his own innuendo.

“Ha, no offense taken," I reply, attempting to keep my tone light. "Perhaps I will take a half day today. I just have a few urgent things to take care of first." I start to back away, eager to escape the conversation. "I better get started now, I’ll catch up with you later, Marcus!”

But before I can make my escape, Marcus grabs my elbow firmly, stopping me in place.

“Emma, seriously, what’s going on? You look like you could pass out any second, and you sound nervous. You know you can tell me anything, right?” The concern laced in his voice is so heartwarming, it makes my eyes water.

“I’m fine, Marcus," I insist, though the quiver in my voice gives me away. I try to play it off by clearing my throat. "Maybe I’m just getting sick, so you better stay away from me.” I attempt to step back.

Not missing a beat, his grip tightens on my elbow. “Okay. I’m not letting you leave until you tell me what’s really going on." His expression grows more serious. "You’re scaring me, Em. Did something happen?”

My eyes dart between Marcus's while I ponder if I should just tell him. I trust him to keep my secret. If I can tell him, maybe this will be a practice run before I tell Noah. He’s going to find out eventually, he may as well find out about it now.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out before I can change my mind. The words hang in the air between us. “I’m pregnant, and Noah doesn’t know yet. I’m planning to tell him today, but I’ve just been too scared of his reaction, so please don’t say anything before I can talk to him.” The words spill out uncontrollably.

“What. The. FUCK.”

Marcus and I both jump at the sound of Noah’s voice reverberating around the room behind us. With a pounding heart, I slowly turn around to face him. When my eyes connect to his, I'm met with pure rage I never anticipated to see. I can feel Marcus behind me, his presence reassuring.

“Is this some kind of sick joke, Emma?” Noah's jaw ticks. His fury is palpable and my heart sinks as I struggle to find the words to explain myself and to calm him down.

“Noah, please, let me explain!" I plead. "I was just coming to tell you myself. I swear. Can we talk in private?”

“I actually can’t believe this," he continues, ignoring my question. "I never thought you’d turn out to be just like every other woman I’ve met who has tried to trap me one way or another.” The contempt in his voice cuts deep.

My eyes widen in shock. “NO. Noah, listen— “

“I’ve worked my ass off to get where I am. I won’t let someone like you use me as your meal ticket.” His words strike me like a slap across the face. I’m stunned and reeling from the cruelty of his accusation.

“Woah, woah, woah," Marcus interrupts. "Noah, you’re taking this way too far.” Marcus tries to intervene, his hands raised as if to calm the storm brewing in his brother.

“Stay the fuck out of this, Marcus,” he snaps. He turns back towards me with a sneer. "Get out of my building. You’re fired.”

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