Almost everyone in the building referred to me as Mr. McHenry. Hearing my first name on her lips was strangely intimate. Which instantly caused me to think about all of the intimate things we’d enjoy together as soon as she knew me better.
“Have a good morning, Emily.” I rushed out to the hallway, closing the door behind me.
I vowed to make this the shortest managers’ meeting ever,
so that I could get back to my new private coach and intern. From the way she stared at me to the way our first tentative touches had felt so perfect, I was certain that she’d let me take her out tonight.
Yes, it was completely inappropriate for the big scary boss to ask his intern out to dinner. But I honestly felt like I might lose my mind if I didn’t get closer to Emily right away.
5
_____
Emily
So many thrilling things were all happening at once that my head was spinning. Not only did this sound like an incredible job for me, but it felt like Mason had created it specifically with me in mind.
Did he do this to keep me around? I knew that it wasn’t exactly normal for a boss to keep holding someone’s hand, but it genuinely felt like he couldn’t stop. I’m not sure why, but that tickled me to pieces.
Opening my brand new laptop was another thrill. It even smelled new. Taking a closer look at the brand and model number, I realized that this machine had only been released a few weeks ago.
It must be nice to have infinite resources, and be able to snap your fingers whenever you wanted something.
Mason’s wealth obviously gave him some wonderful perks and comforts, yet he didn’t seem spoiled. From the stack of folders on his desk to the way everyone seemed to buzz nervously around him, he was likely the most hardworking person in this office.
Before I could formulate a plan to change his persona, I pulled out my phone, calling up the photo of my aunt’s list again.
Even though I had it memorized, I had to see it again.
All five points were perfectly clear. He was extremely focused, with a bent little finger and green and gold eyes. He was bizarrely obsessed with coffee. He seemed strict and cold with everyone but me. Did that really mean that I was going to be his one true love?
I’d always thought that Aunt Betsy was just a harmless hippie type, not really psychic. Yet these details were extremely specific. How on earth could she have predicted this four years ago?
Setting my phone on the table, I pulled my shiny new computer onto my lap, and got to work. University psychology studies. Audience feedback for game show host auditions. Inspirational talks. Subconscious instincts of neural programming.
My fingers were a blur on the keys as I curled up on Mason’s sofa, pulling every scrap of information I could into an organized document.
The door clicked open softly, and I looked up with a start.
Mason was standing stock still. There was something different in those welcoming lips and striking eyes. As he flipped the switch so that the wall of privacy glass hid us from the rest of the office, I saw he was staring at me with hunger.
Sitting up straighter, I realized I was sitting sideways on the couch with my knees bent and my skirt hitched up almost to my hip. Moving the laptop to the table, I pulled my skirt back down as I sat up properly.
Mason came over and sat beside me, his leg pressed against mine. It felt like heat was rolling off him in waves as he stared down at me.
Such a huge, hulking man, staring at me like he wanted to eat me alive, should have made me nervous. Instead, being the object of his absolute focus made me feel, dare I even think it, sexy.
“That was the longest two hours of my life,” he said softly, leaning closer.
“You were gone for two hours?” I glanced over my shoulder to the huge clock on the wall. “Wow.”
Mason nodded, grinning differently now. “Were you in the zone?” he asked.
“Yes, apparently,” I smiled at him. “I have a bunch of great stuff, I think.”
“I’ve already asked Sandra to send us lunch at noon,” he said. “And I was incredibly polite.”
My fingers reached out to straighten his already perfectly-positioned tie. His large hand reached up to take my wrist, setting my hand on his lap between both of his, caressing my skin gently.