Page 10 of Holiday Hook-Up
Most of the morning flew by in a series of answering questions and calls. I was engrossed in confirming dinner reservations for a guest when Gary pushed through the back office doors holding a basket. He tapped me on the shoulder, grinning like he’d just gotten a fat Christmas bonus. I hurried off the phone, scribbling their confirmation on a scrap of paper before I turned to him.
“Emmy Handlebar, just who I wanted to see.” Gary and his nicknames. I never knew what would fly out of his mouth. “Remember that top secret, special assignment I told you about?”
I opened my mouth to answer but he went on, barely able to contain his grin. My pulse sped up. If he was this excited, what was I about to be subjected to?
Gary continued. “Follow me. I’ve got Cass covering the desk. She’ll be out in a sec.”
I searched the lobby to make sure it was clear enough to leave, but Gary was tapping his heel, revving like a runner ready to sprint.
“Where are we going?” I followed him up the stairs feeling my shoulders tense. I didn’t like the unknown. Ever since I turned eighteen, I’d done all I could to keep my life free from chaos. I’d planned each step of the way like a cobblestone path leading right where I wanted it.
“You’ll see, my young Padawan.” He chuckled but somehow it sounded like an evil villain laugh.
I spotted Darius on the second floor landing, fiddling with a flickering sconce, and my stomach dropped. His head turned slowly in my direction and I stared at my cuticles to avoid his gaze. He didn’t scare me, not now at least. As I passed him, I swore I heard him mutter a snide remark under his breath. Asshole.
Forcing myself to straighten my posture, I continued up the next set of stairs toward the 3rd floor. Gary hummedJingle Bellsthe entire way as the basket swung at his side. It took one quick thought of my advisor to stop me from begging him to be quiet.
I’d barely recognized where we were headed. Not until Gary was knocking three times on the double doors. What was going on?
My mystery man opened the door, looking absolutely delicious in fitted black pants and a button down with sleeves rolled up to show his forearms covered in black ink. Ink that I’d ran my tongue over less than twenty-four hours ago.
His dark eyes bounced from Gary to me before settling on my face. Time and space around me blurred until Gary chuckled.
“Mr. Connor, what a pleasure to finally meet you. Let me introduce your new assistant, Emmy Handler.”
Chapter 5
Logan
From: [email protected]
Date: Saturday, Dec 24 at 9:30 AM
Subject: Merry Christmas Eve
Saint Nick,
Here’s my Christmas email reminding you not to be a Grinch and to have fun. Don’t make me come after you. Just kidding… or am I?
If you need me, I’ll be relaxing with dozens of Christmas cookies and pints of hot cocoa… so don’t need me.
Byeeee,
Felicity
Myhearthammerederraticallybut I managed to slip on my CEO mask. Emerald—my Emerald—stood in front of my door looking equal parts mortified and curious. She bit her bottom lip and fixed her gaze on the tips of her shoes.
“Hi—hello,” I stuttered as I held the door open for them to enter. Gary held out the gift basket he’d promised in his email and I accepted it with a smile, wishing I had something to offer them.
Evidence of my night with Emerald still rested in every nook and cranny of the space. Two empty glasses sat discarded on the counter, one with red lipstick smudges. I’d tried to tidy up, but looking around now at the crumpled throw blanket and knocked over coaster set, anyone with half a brain could see what had happened here. Hell, even her sweet scent still lingered in the air. Gary seemed unbothered since he walked right in and made himself at home on the sofa. Emerald chose to stand at his side.
“So, Mr. Connor, what brought you here to our fine establishment?” Gary asked. For the life of me I couldn’t formulate words. Emerald, or Emmy—ironic that my name for her so closely resembled her actual name—snuck glances at me from under her dark lashes. She was so damn beautiful, my chest ached.
“I’ll be in town for a few weeks to oversee a transfer of ownership. Make sure it goes smoothly.” I cleared my throat. “Emmy, would you like to sit?”
She finally met my gaze, and those green eyes went wide. I wished I could have peeked inside her head to see if she was as shocked by this revelation as I was.
