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I jump awake at a warm touch on my face and almost launch myself at the person violently, my heart lurching in fear as I’m stuck in a memory of unwanted attentions from a man, vicious me reacting to defend myself.
“Woah, hey, it’s me! It’s Jake!” Jake grabs my arms in alarm, holding back my fists and lifting them over my head as I scramble to throw him off. It’s dark outside, and I’m completely disoriented, my eyes darting around as I come to my senses, panting as I realize it really is him.
I’m still in the office, and it’s lit with low lights, only used when the floor gets put into sleep mode. His face is close to mine as I stop struggling and release a long soft breath in relief. His grip loosens, and he slowly lowers my arms back down, eyes watching me to ensure I’m fully awake.
What the hell is Jake doing here already? Where is everyone, and why is it so dark in here?
“Where? How …?” I’m still half asleep. I relax my tight muscles as he pulls me forward slowly and cautiously, pulling my face up to kiss me softly, calming my panic.
“I didn’t mean to give you a fright, baby.” He lifts me with a firm grip around my waist, so I’m nose to nose with him, and he sinks a proper kiss on me. Finding no resistance, he deepens it passionately, taking my breath away, before putting me on my feet and leaning back to look at me with a much more relaxed expression. I think my little violent outburst shocked him.
“What time is it?” I ask weakly. He sighs and smiles at me shaking his head.
“It’s almost 2.00 a.m. I got off my flight, and Jefferson told me you never called him to take you home. I tried calling you a thousand times, Bambina.” A look passes over his face fleetingly, relief with a tinge of apprehension. “I came looking, wondering if I’d missed something … like a fight we never had.” He smiles with that panty-melting, megawatt grin, chasing away the anxious look in his eyes, and pulls my arms around his neck. He smells amazing, and he feels even better.
God, I missed you so badly.
I rest my head against his shoulder and apologize with small kisses to his neck exposed between his unbuttoned collar; he tastes divine. I’ve ached to be back like this, and it feels like heaven.
“I fell asleep. The last thing I remember was the rain starting to fall when Rosalie left work,” I sigh against him, closing my eyes to hear his heartbeat below my cheek. He kisses the top of my head.
“What happened to staying home?” he asks as he bends and scoops me up, snuggling me close against him. I wrap my arms around his neck, so comfortable, our faces close enough to kiss.
“I got bored. I came here mid-afternoon to try to do my job; I failed badly,” I laugh, pointing toward my shoes on the floor. He nods, and Jefferson appears from the shadows, picks them up with my bag and jacket, and then heads to the elevator. Jake follows him, carrying me.
“I can walk, you know?” I point out, enjoying being back in his arms, my nose against his neck, breathing him in. I’ve missed him so much, and merely being in his embrace has my insides singing and fluttering like crazy.
“I know.” He smiles down at me, walking effortlessly with my weight into the open elevator; he throws Jefferson another nod, indicating we’re ready. Jefferson presses the ground floor button and faces forward, keeping his eyes on the doors, not us.
“Am I to be carried to the car then?” I poke fun at him as his mouth comes to my forehead, lips grazing softly for a moment as he inhales me before planting a soft kiss.
“And then some,” he answers, lifting me a little higher to kiss my mouth, then lowering me back to my previous height. “I’m taking you home, where I expected to find you waiting for me naked in bed.” He grins, and I flush, glancing at Jefferson nervously. The man doesn’t react or move, professionally ignorant of our conversation or at least pretending to be.
“I intended to be there,” I whisper with a quiet smile just as a thought hits me. “Shit. I left my phone in your office, Jake,” I yelp and wriggle to be let down; he pulls me in tighter and smiles.
“Jefferson has it; it’s the first thing he picked up when I found you. He told me it was switched off and charging,” he says, looking at me closely, “While I was waking my Sleeping Beauty up and instead finding Karate Kid.” His smirk has me shaking my head.
“I’m sorry. I intended to be curled up in bed for you coming home. I just got soooo …,” I sigh. “I can never focus on work anymore, and your nocturnal habits are taking their toll on me,” I admit in defeat.
“That makes two of us, Bella.” He nudges me softly, and I catch the truth in his eye; he’s been struggling as much as me. It makes me feel better, though; he’s a born CEO, and if he’s having a hard time getting on top of things, then maybe I’m not doing as badly as I thought. “I’m way too focused on the nocturnal stuff to work right now.” He winks at me, and I flush, once again checking to see if Jefferson is listening. Jake has no cares about this sort of thing; I cannot think of a moment I have ever seen him embarrassed.
“I blame you,” I sigh. “I can’t seem to get back into PA mode, no matter how hard I try; she evades me.”
“I broke you,” he grins. “As much as I love PA Emma, I think I prefer this version of you, Bambina. PA Emma can retire if she likes.”
“Not likely. But maybe a little break for now. Which version would I be now?” I giggle at him, my fingers tracing his open collar and stopping on the top button to play with it, his chin against my forehead as we talk.
“You’ve morphed into drunk Emma, kicking back Emma, PA Emma, and this new sexy Emma, all in one. Girlfriend Emma, I’m calling her.” He kisses me on the cheek with a grin.
“I see. You don’t think I should be concerned about having these multiple personalities collide?” I glance up at him adoringly; a surge of happiness hits me at just how beautiful Jake is in the dim elevator light.
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