CHAPTER43
God, I feel amazing; why can’t I always feel like this?
“No! Don’t want to go to bed.” I sound petulant like a child and start struggling. If I go to bed, I’ll stop feeling this way. I may lose this warm feeling and blank-mind euphoria; I may start fixating on shitty fathers who abandon their kids in infancy, pricks who only see dollar signs instead of the damage they have caused.
“Emma, hold still,” he fusses, struggling to hold me.
“No. Nope, nope.” I shake my head, and before he drops me, he finally stops and stands my writhing body on my own bare feet outside my door. But upright isn’t good; it really disorients me as everything sways.
I giggle, then have the overwhelming urge to shush him, which I do by dramatically placing my finger on my lips.
He talks too much.
He stifles a laugh and it sounds good; looks even better. I like Jake’s laugh; it’s so free and boyish, uncomplicated and deep. Like him. I could listen to his laugh for an eternity; it always makes me feel like smiling too.
He frowns at me, but I know it’s not a real frown; it’s an ‘I think you’re a funny drunk’ frown, and it makes him cuter.
Is my boss cute? I guess he can be when he looks like that. God, that makes me feel sad. Why does he have to be so cute?
“Emma? What is it?” He frowns at me some more, moving close; I guess my sad face is on show. I poke his dimple gently with my fingertip as if to eradicate the object of my sadness, and the frown on my face turns to gentle accusation.
“Why do you have to be soooo …?” My fingers wave and I notice there’s a shiny, sparkly thing on the table behind him. I always liked sparkly things as a child; I want to play with it. It looks like my cell, and it’s all lit up and mesmerizing; I’m like a magpie to a pretty sparkle and detour around him.
“I’m so, what?” he asks, trying to pull me back to him as I attempt a grab at the object of my interest. His arms are loosely around me, his upper body tilted back so he can look down at me. It’s hard to walk in a straight line and harder to control my limbs when a strong pair of arms are hauling me back. “What are you talking about? I’m soooo, what?” he presses.
I turn back to him confused, my head slightly spinning, and I’ve no idea what he said. I glance back at the sparkly thing and see it’s just my cell that I’m trying to catch and lose interest immediately. It’s no longer lit up.
“Emma, I’ve never seen you plastered. You just decided to have yourself a one women party on the floor, without me?” He’s still smiling and regarding me affectionately.
I love Jake’s smile. It makes me sigh and go all warm and gooey.
I shush him again, except this time it’s his mouth I cover with splayed palm. His lips are soft and tickly under my hand. If I cut off the sexy voice and adorable smile that goes with the cute look, then I can forget how screwable my boss is.
I look around, seeing the cell again, and I remember who called.
“My father called me, you know?” I point out childishly.
Yes, he did; that sad excuse of a human being dialed my number and connected to my cell. Asshole, scumbag!
“I’m aware of that, Emma. Do you want to talk about it? Is that why you got drunk?” Jake holds me against him, leaning back to see my face again; I tilt my head up, liking what I see once more.
You’re my dreamy boss. I like you.
“No … Yes … No … Who?” I forget the question while trying to give an answer, and he shakes his head at me. I’m perplexed but I don’t know why, and I’m sure he’s holding onto me a little too closely suddenly. It’s awfully warm now.
I wonder where Felicity has gone. I hope she’s not the jealous type, not that she should be. I don’t do sex, or feelings. Jake sees me as he would a sister or a platonic friend, I guess. That thought annoys me a little. He is sex-able tonight.
“Emma, I really think you need some sleep, or coffee.” He loses the frown but a little seriousness clouds his tone.
“I don’t like coffee.” The stuff stinks and tastes worse. I don’t know why Jake drinks so much of it; I prefer brandy. I giggle as he pulls me toward the couch and maneuvers me onto the cool, soft seat, lifting my feet up and laying me flat on my back."
