AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Martha!”
“Here,” she said, laughing out loud as she handed him several slips of paper. “No-one’s desperate to talk to you.”
“Could you please make me some of your amazing cinnamon coffee?”
“Are we celebrating? Was the old man interested?”
“Yes and yes.”
* * *
STEPPING FROM THE SHOWER, Emma toweled off and stared at her reflection as she ran a comb through her wet hair. Though she had three appointments later in the day, all she could think about was the call she’d made to Zach’s office. Not since her first love in high-school—a bad boy surfer named Scott—had she felt such anxiety. Angelo had been cool, and being on his arm had been fun, but his unceremonious departure could not have been better timed.
Wondering if she’d be too distracted and should cancel the interviews, she quickly realized she’d go crazy sitting around waiting for her phone to ring. And Zach might not even call. He could just show up and ring the buzzer.
“I think that’s what he said,” she muttered to her reflection. “I’ll pick you up at seven. Shit. I’ll go to the meetings. If I don’t I’ll lose my mind.”
Walking into her closet and studying her new outfits, she fought the temptation to search out the clothes she’d wear that night. Focusing on her power suits and quickly dressing, she began to style her hair, but found herself wondering if Zach would offer to spank her again. A mischievous grin crossed her face.
“I won’t make it easy for him. I won’t make it easy at all.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
DRESSED IN A CHARCOALgrey camel hair sports coat, black slacks and a white, open neck shirt with monogrammed silver cufflinks, Zach climbed into his Bentley and headed off to pick up Emma. In his pants pocket was a handful of condoms. He was a man who left nothing to chance.
He’d chosen the Bel Air Hotel for dinner. It was one of his favorite haunts, and though recently remodeled, the luxury getaway nestled in the hills had lost none of its charm. The gardens were still beautiful, the swans continued to mesmerize onlookers, and the footpath through the grounds remained intimate and romantic.
Several months before he’d discovered a dark corner where the colored lights failed to cast their glow. Like an outdoor cubbyhole, couples could share passionate moments free from prying eyes. Wrapping his arms around Emma and dropping his mouth against hers was in his plans, but he had an even stronger desire to make good on his offer and pull her over his knee. Hiding inside his breast pocket was a small leather strap. It carried a hot sting. If she tested him, he’d be ready.
With little traffic on the drive from his home to her condominium complex, he was soon turning down her street, but unable to find a parking space he guided his car against the red curb in front of her building and called her.
“Hello?”
Her voice sounded cheery, but slightly out of breath.
“Hi, Emma, it’s Zach. There’s nowhere to park. Can you come down? I’m out front.”
