THE ASSISTANT

EMILY

Day Three

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I tugged at the petals of a centerpiece, distracting myself from today’s tenth interview. Since seven o’clock this morning, I’d sat next to Nicholas in a cold conference room, answering questions for a revolving door of reporters.

Most of the questions so far were about Wolf Industries, and I was hoping it would stay that way. The few that did address our personal lives were light and simple: Why send a company memo about the engagement? How long have you two been in love? Will you continue working for Mr. Wolf once you’re married?

I was only halfway paying attention to the questions at this point. I was still having a hard time getting the images of Nicholas’s cock out of my mind. Last night (and the night before), I’d fantasized about him fucking me for hours, all while burying my fingers deep in my pussy and whispering his name into my pillow.

Even though I’d been giving him the silent treatment since yesterday morning, I knew that being so close to him outside of the office was already becoming a problem. I’d never been so on edge, and he was driving my hormones into a heated frenzy.

“Thank you two so much for your time,” the reporter from The Wall Street Journal suddenly stood to his feet. “I hope you’ll allow my team and me another interview in a couple of months after you’re back from your honeymoon.”

“Of course,” Nicholas said, shaking his hand.

“Since I’m the last interviewer, can I take a picture of you two for my piece, sir?” he asked. “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, that is.”

“That’s up to the future Mrs. Wolf,” he said, looking at me. “She’s been giving me the silent treatment since yesterday morning, so you may want to ask her.”

I kicked him under the table and smiled at the reporter. “I’d love to take a photo for your piece. The lighting is better outside, though. Do you mind if we step out there?”

“Not at all.”

I shot Nicholas a look, and I stood up. As we walked to the door, he placed his hand on the small of my back, instantly setting my nerves on fire.

“Where are you two going?” Brenton stood up from a bench as we stepped outside.

“The Wall Street Journal wants to take our photo,” Nicholas said. 

“Oh, good! This is the perfect opportunity for you to finally kiss each other, then. I think that would be a great first photo, especially with this publication. Just make it look believable, please."

“I don’t think that’s a good idea at all ...” I said. 

“And why is that?” Nicholas looked down at me.

“Because he said it needs to be believable." I lied, knowing it was a brilliant idea and that I wanted to do it. “I also still need a few more days—actually weeks, to forget that you’re my boss ... and an asshole.”

“Right here is good!” The reporter turned around and set up his tripod. “Could you two back up a bit and stand a little closer to the fountain? And sorry, Brenton, but I don’t really need you in this one.”

Nicholas kept his hand on the small of my back, and I forced a smile.

The reporter adjusted his lens a few more times and then he held up his fingers. “Snapping your picture in three ... two ...”

Before he could reach one, Nicholas spun me around and pulled me against his chest. He stamped his mouth over mine—kissing me so deep and suddenly, I forgot to breathe.

I murmured as he threaded his fingers through my hair to keep me close, as he silently coaxed me to open my mouth, so he could take this kiss even further.

Obliging, I parted my lips, and he slipped his tongue deeper into my mouth. He never let me change the tempo, never let me gain control. His lips owned mine, and there was no sense in me trying to fight it.

A soft moan escaped my mouth and I wrapped my arms around his neck to keep my balance.

I tried to ignore the feel of his cock hardening through his pants, but the more he kissed me, the tighter he held me against him.

I was convinced he was seconds away from fucking me right here, right now, but he suddenly bit down hard on my bottom lip and tore away from my mouth. Then he whispered, “I think that should help you forget that I’m your boss ... And an asshole ...”

Struggling to catch my breath, I looked over at the photographer and Brenton. Brenton was miming a round of applause and mouthing, “Bravo! Yes!” while the photographer was standing there open-mouthed, as if he couldn’t believe Nicholas had just done that. 

“Did you get the shot?” Nicholas grabbed my hand and walked me over to him. “We’d be happy to do that again, if not.”

“No, sir. I definitely um ... I definitely got that.”

“Good.” He looked at Brenton. “I think me and my fiancée are going to head to my family’s house now.”

“Okay, sounds good. Your driver is all set to go with your luggage and Luna. I’ll meet you two there in an hour, if you don’t mind.”

“We don’t.” Nicholas kept my hand in his as we returned to the hotel. He whispered for me to “keep looking straight ahead,” and we walked through the flashes and shuttering clicks of reporters’ cameras in the lobby.

Leading me to a waiting black SUV, he opened the back door for me and helped me inside.

“Emily?” he said my name as the driver pulled onto the road.

I didn’t answer. I just kept my gaze forward. My heart was beating so loudly, that I was sure he could hear it, and I knew my cheeks were still beet red.

That was definitely the dirtiest kiss I’ve ever had ...

“Emily?” He placed his fingers under my chin and gently turned me toward him.

“Yes?”

“I need you to rescind your silent treatment for the rest of this trip. I know it’s only been a day, but I’m not used to not talking to you for that long.”

“Well, if that’s how you truly feel, then I need you to at least say—”

He pressed a finger against my mouth before I could finish. “I’m sorry.”

“What?” My eyes widened. I’d never heard him say those two words, whether he was in the wrong or not.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated softly. “I didn’t mean what I wrote in the amendment, and you don’t have to do any work while we’re engaged. I also wasn’t trying to kill your cat at the airport. I just don’t want us to argue—as much, while we’re here.”

“So, no more last-minute amendments?” I asked.

“Only if you’d like to address clause two in regard to the two of us fucking.” He smirked. “That’s always on the table.”

“Noted.” I smiled as he took my hand in his again. “Apology accepted.”

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Half an hour later, the SUV parked in front of a massive estate that was settled against the edge of Blue Harbor’s trademark lake. The house was built in three huge parts, all connected by a glass walkway with a perfect view of the town. From what I could see from here, the back yard was acre after acre of lush green grass with roaming white horses.

The driver began pulling our things out of the trunk, and Nicholas’s mother—a grey-haired, former beauty queen, walked out of the front door.

“You’re finally here!” She wrapped her arms around Nicholas and hugged him tightly. “It’s so good to see you! I thought you were going to make me wait another five years!”

“I see you every week.”

“A weekly video chat is not the same as a visit, Nicholas.” She let him go and pulled me into a hug. “And you are marrying Emily!” she said. “It is so nice to see you in person after only getting your emails and phone updates these past two years.” She hugged me a bit tighter and whispered. “He talks about you all the time.”

I didn’t get a chance to process her words. A piercing loud, “Uncle Nick-O-Lassss! Uncle Nick-O-Lassss!” scream came from inside the house. Within seconds, a toddler dressed in all pink rushed through the front door and jumped right into his arms.

“I’m shocked she even remembers you.” His older brother, Nathan, leaned against the doorframe. “It’s not like you ever come home to see her.”

“I just clear out my schedule to video chat with her every Monday.” Nicholas rolled his eyes, but he smiled at the little girl.

She kissed his cheek and looked at me. “I’m Samantha! What’s your name?”

“Emily.” I suddenly felt silly for assuming his Mondays were always clear for the other Samantha. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

"I know!" She jumped down and peered into Luna’s bag. Then she gasped. “A kitty! Can I play with it, Uncle Nick-O-Lass?”

“We’ll see.” Nicholas picked her up before she could open the latch. “A little later. You want to help us get to our room?”

She nodded and began telling him about her day at school.

Smiling, his mother motioned for us to follow her into the house. As she entertained Nicholas and Samantha’s conversation, I held back a gasp each time we walked through a different room.

This house is incredible ...

“Here’s where you two will be staying.” His mother opened the door to a massive suite with a lakefront-view balcony. There was a king-sized bed right across from the windows, a seating area near the open doors of the bathroom, and a glass wall cabinet that was stock-full of wine.

“Emily, feel free to call me Liz. Let me know if you need anything once you get settled in,” she said, taking a frowning Samantha from Nicholas’s arms. “I’ll have a light dinner and drinks waiting for you two in the kitchen whenever you’re ready.”

“Thank you,” we said in unison, watching her walk away and shut the door.

“I’ll take the couch as you requested,” Nicholas said. “And you can have the bed. There’s only one bathroom in this suite, but there’s another one right down the hall. I’ll give you a tour after you call your sister.”

“What makes you think I need to call Jenna right now?”

“Because I’ve traveled with you on twenty-seven other trips,” he said, heading toward the door. “You tell her fucking everything minutes after it happens. So, seeing as though I kissed you in public an hour ago, and your phone keeps vibrating with her signature ringtone, I think you should just get it over with.” He smiled and walked into the hallway. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”