Chapter Fourteen
Emma
The air inside the firm seems heavy and hard to breathe, yet I draw another deep breath and try to keep calm.
I stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow members of our firm as Anton gives a brief overview of the events to prevent gossip and whispers from spreading during work hours.
Despite knowing that the danger has passed, Sterling’s rage still echoes in my ears. I can hear his refusal to accept that I don”t want to be with him, his anger when I told him I wouldn”t cancel my plans, the absolutely unhinged look in his eyes.
Clifton drops into the seat beside me, and I nearly jump out of my skin in shock and fear.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” he says with a smile and concern in his eyes.
“I know,” I say with a nod.
There seems to be more he wants to say, and I wait patiently for him to speak. “I wanted to thank you-”
“I should be thanking you,” I say, cutting him off.
“For standing up for me, for cornering my father so he couldn”t retaliate, for everything,” he says.
I worry he doesn”t understand what I mean. “You wouldn”t have done any of that if not for me, for my messy situation with Sterling.” The whole problem started with me and nearly ended with Clifton in trouble.
I can still see security escorting him out, their stern faces and harsh garb a contrast to the polished marble of the lobby.
“You have no idea how much it means to me that Anton had to publicly thank me.” He chuckles, the sound rich and dark like my favorite coffee. This man has woven himself into the fabric of my life, and now that I’m secretly falling for him, I’m trying not to let my feelings unravel everything.
His gaze lingers on me, concern etching lines into his forehead. “Are you okay?” He seems almost afraid to ask, likely worried he’ll upset me more if I am, indeed, upset.
I nod, unable to give voice to my concerns.
He inhales as if to say something else, but he hesitates. His eyebrows stitch together as he speaks, giving me the impression he changed his mind about what he was going to say right before speaking. “Emma, do you need a ride home?” He says the words in a low conspiratorial tone, his words a soft thread in the chaos of my thoughts.
Anton appears at our side and I realize the meeting has dissipated, with people fracturing off and making their way to their respective spaces or toward the elevator to leave. There’s something so sharp and knowing in Anton’s eyes. The man built an empire, but he can topple those he wishes to pass the torch to. I can’t help but wonder if he has some inkling of my feelings for Clifton. Feelings I think Clifton reciprocates.
“Clifton can take you home,” Anton says, his tone deceptively gentle. “Or I can arrange for security to accompany you. Whatever makes you feel safe.”
Those words are loaded, but after my past with a man who knew how to twist everything to hurt me, I know how to talk to disarm those kinds of statements.
“Thank you both,” I say, my voice a fragile whisper. Glancing at Clifton, I continue. “But I think I live somewhere between here and your penthouse.”
I know he sees my attempt to thwart Anton’s plan - whatever it may be - and a slight smile toys with the corners of his lips. I think he secretly loves that we’re plotting against his father, even without planning to do so.
I wish I could find a way to feel truly safe. I have a feeling that Sterling isn’t going to take this defeat without some kind of fight. But he won’t fight Clifton, who could beat him, he’d likely bring his fists to my place just so he could win.
I glance at Clifton, worried he can read my thoughts in my eyes and notice the determination settling into his features. My attention shifts to Anton, who is looking from me to his son, obviously suspecting something. I can’t imagine he’d be okay with Clifton and me finding any kind of joy in one another.
“It’s no problem at all,” Clifton says, his voice soothing the raw edges of my nerves. “Let’s get you home.”
With that, he takes my arm and leads me to the elevator. Once inside the metal box, I relax enough to take a deep breath. I know we’re not in the clear yet, but we’re getting closer every moment that goes by. I’m sure Anton suspects something, and we have to be careful around the cameras inside and outside the firm.
When we step out into the night, my ears catch the steady hum of the city’s pulse. Cars, dogs barking, horns honking, and tires squealing. Clifton leads me to his car and I get in.
The cool, dark leather seats cradle my body and as he turns over the engine, I steal a glance at him. My gaze traces the strong line of his jaw, and I notice the way his hands grip the steering wheel. Something about the small details draws me in and leaves me feeling warm, safe, and comfortable.
I’m not the kind of person to get in anyone”s vehicle unless I really trust them. But I have no fear with Clifton.
“You seem quiet,” he says, glancing over at me.
I lift both shoulders. “Just processing today.” The day had gone kind of sideways, and I feel off-kilter and crazy, like I’m stuck in a carnival ride with no way off.
Most of the drive passes in silence, and when he pulls up in front of my place, I see a light on in my bedroom. A room I never leave the light on. I keep my kitchen, dining room, and living space lights on for nights I come home after dark, but never my bedroom.
Panic twists up my insides and I make an audible squeak of fear. Clifton glances at my apartment, his jaw clenching. “Does Sterling have a key?” His low, protective voice soothes the rising terror in me.
I shake my head. “No,” My breath catches in my throat. “But he knows where I keep the spare in case.”
Clifton steps out of his car, making his way to my side. He pulls me to my feet, his attention on my windows as if he’ll spot someone where the light casts shadows. We make our way to my floor, then stop before my door. I check for the spare key, but it’s gone, which only leaves me more concerned.
“You can stay at my place if you need,” he offers, but I need to know if Sterling is in my home.
I unlock the door and push inside, loving how my apartment blooms with life. The scent of flowers tickles my nose and I inhale, feeling so very at home. Their sweet fragrance clashes with Clifton’s very male cologne as he stands before me like a shield, but I like the mix.
We walk inside and I notice Clifton scanning the bouquets of fresh flowers scattered around the place. I find so much joy in the beauty and scent of flowers, their blooms bring me hope for better, for joy.
“You must have quite the admirer,” he says, warmth invading his words.
There’s no jealousy, no need to compete, nothing like Sterling would have put me through.
I let out a soft laugh, feeling a little foolish. “I buy them myself. I like them and they make me happy,” I say, lifting my shoulders as we move into my hallway, mere feet from my bedroom. We step in, and he sweeps the room, checking the closet and under the bed.
“I’m going to keep looking, okay?” he says as I open drawers and look around for any sign someone has invaded my space. But nothing seems out of place. There’s no way Sterling just came into my apartment and turned on one light, then left. It’s too weird. I must have forgotten to turn it off on my way out the door.
He comes back in as I sit on the edge of my bed. “I didn”t find anyone,” he says, stopping a few feet from me and running his hand through his hair.
“Thank you,” I say, feeling foolish again. “I must have forgotten to turn the light off this morning.”
“Don’t apologize, you’ve had a rough day and it’s expected that you’re nervous.” He steps closer and offers me his hand, pulling me to my feet before him with a warm smile.
With those words, he makes me feel validated, seen, and heard. “Thank you,” I say.
“Stop thanking me,” he says with more than a hint of humor in his voice.
“I think Anton is suspicious of us,” I say.
He stiffens. “I had that feeling as well.”
Well, if I’m not the only one with that feeling, it seems like there’s a high likelihood we’re right. I’m not sure Anton is the man I thought he was. I worry that the more he knows, the more ammunition he has to use against us.
“What do you want to do about it?” he asks.
“I’m not sure.” I don’t want to ruin my reputation, I don’t want to lose my job, and I don’t want any nasty rumors spreading about me, because let’s face it - no one will believe I’m falling for him, they”ll just think I’m sleeping with the boss’s son for preferential treatment. I don’t want that kind of office rumor about me spreading like mad.
“We don’t have to decide anything right now,” he says, pressing his lips to my temple as his arms fold around me. When he lets me go, I miss his embrace, but I know this is for the best.
“Thank you for not laughing at my flower addiction,” I say, gazing around us at the sunflowers, roses, and breathtaking bouquets I’ve surrounded myself with. When one bouquet begins to die, I replace it with another, and the arrangements brighten my day.
He chuckles as I take a step toward a lily and baby’s breath pairing in a vase. When I turn to face Clifton, the world narrows to the space between us. His green eyes hold mine captive. The air thickens, charged with unspoken words and a promise of something I can’t define.
I close the gap between us. “Thank you for the ride home, and for making sure I’m safe,” I say.
He nods, his gaze tracing the curve of my cheek as I rise on tiptoe. The kiss—a simple brush of my lips against his rough cheek—is meant to be a gentle thanks. But my ankle decides this is the perfect moment to forget how to hold up my weight. My leg buckles, and suddenly I’m a breath away from crumpling at Clifton’s feet. But his arms wrap around me and I meet his gaze, surprised as he keeps me on my feet.
“I don’t want you to fall,” he whispers, his lips brushing my temple. Locked in his strong, steady arms, my heart begins to race at a breakneck speed. The problem is, I am falling. But it’s not a fall he can stop, nor is it one I want him to protect me from.
And I am falling—for him. Another heartbeat stretches between us, the world reduced to our shared breaths. Chest to chest, face to face, heart to heart.
Before I can gather my thoughts, or talk sense into myself, I lean in. My lips find his, a slow, delicate whisper of a kiss. Clifton’s arms tighten around me, and the kiss deepens as his mouth moves against mine with a primal hunger that leaves no room for doubt.
And then, from deep within him, a sound escapes—a raw, possessive growl. It vibrates through our entwined bodies, a declaration that we’ve crossed a threshold we can’t come back from.