Chapter 7

▪️ Emily ▪️

“Did something happen to Ace? Is he all right?”

At the genuine concern and fright in Croft's voice, Emily rushed to reassure her. “Ace is fine. I’m actually calling you for a business reference. I’m thinking of hiring him.”

“The Emily who is his brother’s friend? You own The Company?”

“Yes. Liam and I. Ace spoken of me?” Emily could only imagine what was said and braced to defend herself.

“Oh, yes.” She laughed. “I’m rather shocked you’re calling as a potential employer.”

“I’m rather surprised myself,” Emily admitted, and explained her predicament. “So what did you think of Ace as an executive assistant? That was his position; am I correct?”

“Ace was invaluable to me. He’s quick on his feet, comes up with interesting ideas, and always kept me well-sorted.”

“I’m assuming that’s a good thing. I need someone who’ll keep my schedule updated, make sure I get to where I need to go. Someone with whom I can brainstorm and bounce ideas off. Your reputation and standing in the business world obviously holds weight, so I’d like your opinion of him as a worker.”

“Ace can do all that easily and more. Smart as a whip, that boy.”

“Hmm.”

The bite on Ace's shoulder rubbed against her shirt collar and throbbed. She touched it gently.

“You’re sounding rather hesitant, and I wonder why. Perhaps you don’t know Ace any longer. Ten years is a long time, and people change. Maybe you should give him the chance to prove himself to you. You might be pleasantly surprised.”

“You may be right. Thank you so much for your help.”

“You’re very welcome, and give Ace my best. It hasn’t been the same here without him.”

“I will.” Emily ended the call and stared out the window.

An hour later and fully packed, Emily waited in the hotel lobby for Liam. Olivia had already left.

“Hey. I was afraid I’d miss you in the crowd.” Liam grabbed her from behind and gave her a hug. “Also, it’s Sunday. Get out of that suit and loosen up a little.”

Emily gave him a pained smile. “It’s fine. Be safe and have a great trip.” She cleared his throat. “I—”

“You don’t have to say it. I waited all these years to get married because I know how special she is. I’d give my life for her. But I love your sorry ass too. And now we’re legally family. I’m thinking I got the best of the deal. But, Emily. Please, take this time to slow it down a little.” Emily's golden-brown eyes, so like Ace's, implored her. “Enjoy the summer. The business isn’t going to suffer for it, and you deserve it.” Liam squeezed her shoulder. “You can’t run on an empty tank. Fill it with life and love.”

With another, less intense hug, Liam sauntered away, leaving Emily standing alone. It was a conversation they’d had numerous times over the years, which Emily agreed with, then ended up ignoring. And would continue to, especially now that she had campaigns lined up for the next month but no one to help her…unless she did the unthinkable…

“Good. I’m glad you’re still here.” Ace stood before her in frayed cut-offs, a tie-dyed T-shirt reading Zen as Fuck, and battered Converse.

Good God, am I really serious about hiring him?

Her nipples was certainly in favor of the idea, perking up, and she scowled at her body’s reaction.

“Tell me something, Ace. Did you actually own the tux you wore last night, or did you need to make an emergency run to Macy’s?”

“Oh, I own it.” A cheeky grin creased Mason’s face. “And it’s a good one.” His voice dropped to an intimate whisper. “Should I send you the bill for the popped buttons and the zipper you ripped? You know, because you couldn’t wait to get me naked.” His laughing eyes smoldered, and a throb of desire rippled through Emily, sending her into a panic.

“Shut up.” Emily yanked her to the corner of the room and pushed her against the wall. “I was drunk.”

They stood nose to nose, and Emily was acutely aware of Ace's heat and his hard, muscular body so dangerously near.

She waited for her heart to stop pounding, but it continued to race. Must have been all the coffee she drank at breakfast that made it hard for her to breathe. It couldn’t be Ace's soft, full mouth so close to her, or the scent of his skin.

Ace leaned in and murmured in her ear, “I can get us a room if you want to continue this in private.”

Emily drew in a sharp breath as every nerve ending under her skin sizzled. What the fuck was wrong with her? Every time she saw Ace, her brain misfired.

“No. It was a mistake.” Emily said.

Ace blinked. “God you’re rude. No need to call me a mistake. We had a good time. Let’s leave it at that.”

Relief poured through Emily, and realizing she was still holding Ace's arm, she let go and took a step away. “I don’t intend for that to ever happen again. If you do come to work for me, it’s business only.”

“Fine with me. Plenty other fish in the sea.”

“How can you be so blasé about sex? Doesn’t it mean anything to you?”

“Does this mean I have the job? Did you talk to Taylor?”

“I did.” Emily still couldn’t reconcile Taylor's praise for Ace's work ethic with the careless man she knew. “She spoke very highly of you.”

“You sound surprised. I told you I’m a hard worker, incredibly organized, and willing to learn.”

That cocky grin Emily had always found annoying reemerged. Was she making a mistake? She opened his mouth, but Ace held up his hand.

“How about you give me a trial run? Until Liam comes home from the honeymoon. They’re away how long—three weeks? A month?”

“A month.”

“Very good. That’s enough time for me to show off my good and excellent administrative skills.”

“Or for me to find out you don't have any at all.”

“If you’re coming in with the attitude that you want me to fail, what’s the point?” Ace's smile faded, and his eyes darkened. “I handle my professional life like I do my personal one. No-holds-barred. I’m all in. That should satisfy you.”

He took a step forward, and Emily froze, curiously out of her element. Ace talking about satisfying her…was that a double entendre?

She’d promised to keep it professional, yet that strange undercurrent remained between them. Emily could still taste Ace's tongue in her mouth, and hee body bore the marks of Mason’s eagerness as they’d rolled around the bed in Emily's hotel room.

Shit. I need to stop thinking about it.