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CHAPTER SIXTEEN
EMMA HAD MADE THE TEASINGcomment with the shadow of a smile and a tilt of her head. Hoping he’d read her signals correctly, Zach leaned across his desk and lowered his voice.
“Okay, Emma, but if you get upset, so will I, and you probably wouldn’t like that. Should I continue?”
“I don’t think I could bear it if you didn’t.”
Her voice was almost tremulous.
He wasn’t sure if it was from the hangover—or excited anticipation.
“I meant what I said yesterday morning,” he said, praying it was the latter. “You would benefit from some regular discipline.”
He paused, waiting for a reaction.
He saw her swallow, and though she didn’t speak, she held his gaze.
“My offer yesterday was sincere, but the truth is, it wasn’t the reason I was there. I wanted to ask you out.”
She frowned, but still didn’t respond.
“Does that bother you, Emma? Perhaps I misread—I thought there was an attraction when I was lecturing. Was I wrong?”
“Uh, no, you weren’t wrong,” she stammered. “Sorry, I’m not functioning very well at the moment. My head’s a bit fuzzy. So, uh, why didn’t you?”
“Your attitude.”
“I don’t understand.”
“No, you probably don’t, and I’m not sure this is the time or place for me to explain.”
“So, um, do you still want to?”
“Spank you or ask you out?” he asked, unable to resist. “Sorry, that was a door I had to walk through. The answer is yes, I would like to have dinner with you, but apparently you’re dating Angelo Frattiano. Not only that, if you’re going to be working here it might not be the best idea.”
“Angelo and I are no longer seeing each other, and I don’t know if I’m going to be working here. Wait. Are you offering me a job?”
“No, Emma, you wouldn’t fit in my team.”
“Why not?”
“Many reasons.”
“Give me one.”
“Give you one?” he exclaimed, incredulous she had such audacity. “I don’t need to justify my reasons. But trust me, if you want to work at Continental, you’ll be happier with Kurt. He has a young, hip group.”
