Page 36 of Take Hold of Me

“Like they were around Emilie Dubois when you were in Rio? How’d that go?”

I can almost see his eyebrows wiggling. “One-track mind much? For the record, my hands were not around her.” Well, sometimes….

“Then you need to return your man card, W.”

I shake my head. Better redirect his fertile imagination. “Did you work on the schedules?”

“Don’t think I didn’t notice what you just did there. I’ll let it slide this time. And to answer your question, I’ve been playing around with them. How’s the website upgrade coming along?”

We talk shop for a while, agreeing on action items and our plans to attend the Summer Competition this weekend, before ending the call. I stare out the windows and try to bring my disjointed emotions to heel.

A commotion diverts my attention. Emilie’s gliding down the hallway, as per usual, surrounded by a flock of seven attorneys. Weren’t there only three before?

Sliding my cell in my pocket, I stand as they approach the reception area. Emilie’s all smiles, shaking hands with each attorney in turn. When they leave, she turns bright eyes to mine. My cock responds. So much for shutting down my feelings for her.At least I’ll never act on them again.

“I take it the meeting went well?”

“Oui, so well. They took down all my notes and made comments on my current contract. I told them to stay within reason so I do not upset the Agency too much, and they stressed that they will not. But, I will have much more control over my calendar in this version.”

“That’s wonderful.” Seems like plain common sense. How much has the Agency taken advantage of her good nature over the years?

As we enter an empty elevator cab, her heel catches in the gap and she pitches forward. Without thinking, I scoop her into my arms. “I’ve got you.” I chuckle. “You are human after all.”

“Oui,” she responds on an inhale.

Her lavender scent permeates the tight quarters. When her tongue darts out to moisten her bottom lip, I suck in my breath. The very air around us has morphed from unfocused dismay to an entirely different type of nervous energy.

Demanding.

Undeniable.

I dip my lips toward hers, barely having to lean down because of her height. Her lips meet mine. Soft. So soft. Her hands glide up around my neck, settling in my hair.

We’re not in a club with throbbing music and a light show, bodies all around gyrating to the beat. It’s just us in an elevator with elevator music, yet I’ve never been this turned on. I deepen the kiss, tracing her lips with my tongue. My hands leave her face in favor of skimming down her sides, landing just above her ass.

I direct us two steps so that her back contacts the wall. Leaning forward, I erase any space between us. Clutching my hair, she shifts her legs apart slightly. My straining erection surges forward.

Our breaths come in harsh pants.

She moans on an intake of air.

A ping joins the soundtrack, and I tilt my hips forward in response. I cannot get enough of this woman.

The elevator jars to a halt. Seconds later, the doors open.

Reality slaps me upside the head with the rush of warmer air.What the fuck are you doing?I just said never again.

I disentangle myself and step back. “After,” I clear my throat and repeat, “After you.”

Cheeks flushed, her fingers fly to her lips, a smile dancing on them. “I knew we are right for each other.”

She takes a couple of steps and turns around, catching me adjusting myself. A full-fledged smile lights up her face as she extends her hand for me to take. Or for her to help me out, I’m not sure which. Doesn’t matter. I’m not taking her up on either. Instead, I fish out the keys and hand them to her.

Clearing my throat, I remind her, “You promised to be my chauffer.” I motion for her to precede me to the Jeep, which includes a bouncy gait I’ve never seen from her before. Great. After that kiss, how am I going to convince her I’m not into her? How am I going to convince myself?

As we reach the vehicle, her phone rings. With a bubbly “Bonjour!” she answers the call.

Her lilting French accent reaches my ears and twists around my heart. I rub my chest to erase the effect.

She stops short. “What?” She’s silent while the person on the other end of the phone speaks. Her head whips from side to side. “No! No, no, no.”

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