“I’m not close to my family. So I don’t think I’ll be going back often. But hopefully one day I’ll get to see Lake Renegade again.”
“Well, we have plans to go back in a couple of months. You could come with us.” He smiles as he steps closer to me.
I look up into his emerald green eyes. If only he wasn’t my boss.
“Thank you,” is all I can get out. I need to watch myself, I don’t want the other guys to think that this is how I got this job. Flirting with Emerson isn’t the best idea. But the way he looksat me? I can’t help it. Especially when he smiles at me. Ugh. I’m screwed. I want my boss.
After we finish dinner, River falls asleep as he leans on Emerson. I’ve been watching him and the attention he’s showing my son just melts my heart. Even when Emerson dropped food on him, it’s like it didn’t even bother him. And now River’s drooling on him. It doesn’t look like anyone’s ready to leave, but I need to get him home and in bed.
“I hate to cut this evening short, but I should get my baby home,” I whisper to Matteo.
“Of course, I’ll help you get him to the car,” he says as he stands up and starts to reach for River.
“Let me,” I hear Emerson say as he picks River up.
Matteo nods as he smiles.
“You don’t?—”
Emerson looks at me and I stop.
“I want to,” he says softly.
River doesn’t even wake up. In fact, he snuggles into Emerson and I see a small smile on his face as he sleeps. For the first time, I wish River had a daddy. And I wish that daddy was Emerson. I say good night to everyone and we walk out to my car. He gently puts River into his car seat.
“Are you okay to drive to your place? I’d feel better if you didn’t do it alone. I can follow you there. Or I can have one of my guys that live there go with you.”
“No, it’s okay. I don’t want to take any of you away from the dinner.”
I feel like I can’t think straight when he’s this close to me. Which is going to be a problem because I have to work with him. And I need to be on top of my job.
“You wouldn’t be taking me away from anything. Let me message Matteo that I’m going to follow you home. He’ll let everyone know I’ll be back.”
I start to say it’s okay again, but the look he gives me makes me chuckle.
“I’m sorry, I’m not used to anyone taking care of me.”
Emerson hugs me. “Well, it’s time you get used to it.”
I watch him walk to his car and drive over to me. I get in my car and head to my apartment. It takes us fifteen minutes to get there and he’s out of his car before I can even park. He gets River out and follows me to my apartment. When we get inside, I try to take River from him.
“I need to get him to use the bathroom and brush his teeth,” I say quietly.
Emerson nods and hands River to me, but not before he kisses his head.
“Night.” River yawns.
“Night, buddy. Sweet dreams.” He smiles as he sits on my couch.
I guess he’s not planning to leave? I take River and get him ready for bed. When I come back out, Emerson’s still waiting for me. He stands up and smiles.
“Thank you for making sure we got home safely,” I say to him. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you. I’m okay. I should be getting back. I’m really glad you’re a part of our family.”
“Thank you for giving me the chance to work with you.”
Emerson closes the gap between us and wraps his arms around me. I feel so safe in his arms. But again, he’s my boss. I can’t have him, even if that’s all I want right now. He kisses my cheek.
