Page 18 of Trouble Me
Chapter 6
Tangled Vines
The following Monday, Shane’s gut was a ball of nerves at the prospect of seeing Emma again and in a professional capacity. He occupied himself by reading over a report from his agent regarding the local real estate market. The property values of the area were on the rise and he wanted that nearby property before prices became prohibitive. James’s firm had yet to get in touch with the trustee to see if any sort of offer could be made.
He stood and began to pace. How could they sweeten the deal? All Shane knew was he needed the property, even if that meant spending more to secure it. That six-bedroom estate was part of the plan to make Gold Mountain a viable location and now, to keep Colin from destroying their legacy.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. “Come in.” Testiness worked its way into his tone.
Lindsey opened the door. “Emma’s here to see you.”
His thoughts of real estate took a back seat when he saw Emma standing just behind Lindsey at the door, but he kept his face impassive.
“Send her in.”
Lindsey stepped aside and Emma walked in. Shane swore the temperature of the room inched up a few degrees.
Sliding his hands into his front pockets, he studied Emma from under hooded eyes. She’d come prepared with a notebook hugged to her chest and a cup of coffee. When the stirring started deep in his gut, he tore his eyes away from her form and looked at her face. To his dismay, her face didn't dampen the desire that heated his blood.
Expensive clothes were not foreign to Shane. His late wife had worn them all the time. The black dress Emma wore was tailored to fit her soft, curved frame. The jacket didn’t cover much, rather it enhanced the curving neckline that dipped down to the tops of her breasts. His eyes drifted down to the swell of skin that played peek-a-boo with him as she moved.
“Come in and take a seat.” He gestured to the small conference table in his office and sat across from her. “Lindsey, can you bring Emma some fresh coffee?”
“Yes, sir. Would you like anything?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
Lindsey closed the door behind her silently.
Emma sat across from him and crossed her legs. The whisper of her pantyhose in addition to the flash of leg before she pulled closer to the table made Shane bite back a groan.
She seemed to have no idea of the effect she had on him and he thanked God for it. Not that he would act on the attraction, anyway. She was an employee and he couldn’t afford any distractions. Or legal issues for that matter. Experience had taught him temptation could be messy and deadly.
He just needed to get the rest of his body on board with his brain.
“Did you get settled in okay?” he asked.
