Page 7 of Staking His Claim

A blush crept up my face now as I recalled how difficult it had been to get even half of it inside myself. If…no,whenthe time came, I would need a lot of lube to take Fletcher.

The very thought made me squirm in my seat and his eyes dropped to my hips, and then up to my mouth before he abruptly shoved away from the desk and rose.

Watching him stride to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city, my mouth dried all over again with how hot he was.

At six foot four, he towered over most men in this building and his workouts had reaped a physique that made most women drool when he walked past. Hell, I’d seen it happen with my very own eyes.

And yes, I'd wanted to scratch out every single one of those eyes that dared to look upon him.

“You’re an exceptional paralegal, Emily. I assume you have plans of sitting the bar in the next few years?”

The memory of why my education had stalled made my heart hurt for a few beats. Luckily, Dad beat the cancer after it was caught early and after several rounds of chemo. Now he was back to full health, there was nothing stopping me resuming my studying for my bar exams. Well,almostnothing. “Yes.”

“Then you need to be sure if and when this thing you want happens is handed to you, that you weigh the risks.”

Framed against the glass with the sunlight glinting on his hair like it was worshipping him, I couldn’t think of a single thing I’d let stand in my way, including the career I loved. “I will. I have.”

His nostrils flared and those mercurial eyes remained on me for an eternity.

Until my phone buzzed. Loudly enough for him to hear it.

Heart jumping into my throat when his eyes dropped to my pocket, I felt the force of his stare as I drew out my phone. And paused. “Sorry, I…”

He waved me away. “Go ahead. Answer it.”

Swallowing, I pressed the screen. Read the message.

Monty done earlier than expected. He’s reviewing docs now. Stand by.

Oh God, it was almost over. Fletcher was almost?—

“Something you want to share?”

I gasped, my gaze flying up to see him standing a few feet away. Biting my lip, I hesitated. Would he think I was poking my nose where it wasn’t welcome? I may have sat in on meetings and taken notes, but it was still his private life.

“Emily?” There was the faintest warning for me to respond.

And again, consequences be damned, I went with the truth. “I had Judge Montgomery’s clerk text to let me know when he was reviewing your papers. He’s almost done.”

He was close enough for me to see his eyes blaze with a peculiar light. “You did that for me?” he asked, his voice as puzzling as his eyes.

“Y-yes. I hope that was okay. I know I may be overstep?—”

“You going out of your way to ensure I got the news as quickly as possible? That is far from overstepping, Emily.”

Pleasure and relief swelled through me. Riding the wave, I jumped up and pushed my phone back into my pocket. “In that case, I have something for you. Wait here.”

Amusement glinted in his eyes. “This ismyoffice, Emily. I’m hardly going anywhere.”

Heat rushed up my face once more. “Yes, of course. I meant…I…I’ll be right back.” Before I could make more of a fool of myself, I turned and rushed out his door.

Although I mostly worked in Fletcher’s office, I had a designated desk where most of the paralegals were grouped in an open-plan space at the far end of the floor.

A few heads turned my way as I sprinted to my desk. I kept my eyes down, not wanting to be distracted or engaged in any conversation that might slow my return to Fletcher’s office.

The gift, which I’d had for almost a month was in my lower drawer. Ensuring no one was looking—because I most definitely did not want anyone questioning why I’d bought my boss a divorce present—I slipped it into my tote. It was coming up to lunch. Everyone would assume I was heading out on my break.

He was exactly where I’d left him when I walked back in, remnants of his amusement still lingering.

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