Page 25 of The Exposed Heiress

Chapter 6

Emma waited in the lobby of Bloom Advertising. Deciding not to call her mother tonight, she studied the display on the far wall that showcased many of the firm’s successful advertising campaigns. She couldn’t fathom trying to fire them. It had been so short-sighted. A flush crept across her chest and neck. Instead of understanding that they were doing phenomenal work, she had wanted everything attached to the Bloom family removed from her life.

She closed her eyes, trying to recall an image of Tyler and waiting for the familiar feeling of his betrayal to overwhelm her. But nothing happened. Instead, she could only visualize Leo, and a feeling of longing swept over her. She opened her eyes and shook her head. It wasn’t a good idea to idolize Leo. She couldn’t allow herself to let her guard down. One disastrous Bloom relationship was enough.

She made herself examine a campaign for an Italian car company. The shots of cars taking hairpin turns overlooking jagged cliffs made her smile. She doubted selling cars was any easier then selling fashion.

“Are you impressed?”

She turned and saw Leo wearing a Brioni suit. He knew how to dress the part of flashy ad exec. Everything about him reminded her of vitality and strength. “Yes, you look amazing.”

She had visited the Italian suit maker many times. They had a strong bespoke business, with every suit custom fitted. “Brioni boasts that it takes thousands of stitches by hand to produce the perfectly fitted suit.”

He titled his head to the side. “I was talking about the ad campaigns.”

She glanced back at the wall. “Oh. Yes, they are impressive as well.”

“We should go.”

Emma stood still with one arm holding the other at the elbow. “Where are we going first?”

He began walking towards the elevator. “The Halcyon Gallery in Mayfair.”

She followed him into the elevator and didn’t say anything.

They got off on the lower parking level and she spotted his black Lamborghini taking up two spots.

He opened the door for her and she hesitated.

“Is something wrong?”

She forced herself to look into his gold-flecked eyes. “Not exactly. Looking at all of your work upstairs makes me feel regretful.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Regretful?”

She lifted her chin. “I shouldn’t have tried to oust Bloom Advertising. It was stupid of me. Clearly, your company does great work.”

Moving closer to her, he placed a hand on her waist. She could feel his fingers splayed out along her hip. “You were trying to protect yourself.”

She held her breath. “I wanted to escape everything that reminded me of him.”

He looked down at her. “Have you been able to put it behind you?”

She wanted to erase everything and have Leo gather her in his arms. “It’s over. I don’t think about it anymore.”

He lightly brushed his mouth over hers and said, “Good. We should go.”

Her mouth tingled, and she wanted him to kiss her properly. But instead, Emma arranged her dress and climbed into the low sports car.

After closing her door, Leo walked around and got in. He pushed a button to start the powerful engine.

She sat back in the seat and tried to dispel the warmth flooding through her body. She had wanted to kiss him. All of the complexity of the past didn’t matter.

Only the spell that had wound around both of them mattered. Not convention, or reputation, or even the press. She wanted him and nothing else seemed to dampen that need. But did he feel the same way about her? Maybe he still saw her as Tyler’s ex-fiancé, someone who tried to fire his company and sought to harm them.

Tyler had been wrong for her. She could see that now. He had been playful and fun, but he was not so interested in settling down. She had worried about his numerous affairs and insisted on getting engaged before having sex. They had both regretted the engagement but instead of admitting to a mistake, he had been caught with a high-profile prostitute.

“You’re quiet.”

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