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“He’ll hurt you,” she whispered, shaking her head. “I can’t let that happen.”
“Why do you think he’ll hurt me?”
“I’ve seen it before.” She shook her head. “He knows too many people, and he’s ruthless.” Tears pooled in her eyes.
“Ruthless how?”
She stared at him. “He’s possessive of us girls. If anyone tries to help us leave, he—” She swallowed. “I can’t leave.”
David sat down next to her and studied her for a long moment. “We’ll take this one step at a time, okay? For now, while we’re here, you’re my employee and have been for several years, okay? We’ll deal with the other stuff when we get home.”
She searched his eyes and saw the determination in them. “I-I don’t know what to say.”
He grinned. “Saying ‘thank you’ works.”
“Thank you,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes again. “So much,” she added in a whisper. At least she didn’t have to be ashamed while she was here. Home would be another issue, but for David’s sake, she would put it aside and be the best assistant she could be for him.
“It’s a good thing the bellhop put your suitcases in your room,” he said with a grin and a wink. “We have a strict fraternization policy at my company.”
She blinked. “What?”
“If you’re my employee, we’re not sleeping together anymore.”
“But I’m not really your employee.”
“You are for as long as we’re here.” He raised his eyebrows and pressed his lips together.
She blinked again. “But I came here to... to take care of you.”
“Well, it was going to be a bonus, but now?” He shook his head and his expression softened. “You’re my assistant. That’s all.”
Emily stared at him.
He smiled and put his hand on her cheek. “Your reputation, your freedom, is more important than my libido.”
She blinked several times, staring at him, then bit her lip. It all sounded too wonderful to be true. His face radiated sincerity.
But what would Geoffrey say when she got back to DC?
Forty-Three
“Areyou sure you’ll be okay at the assistant’s table?” David asked for the third time. He and Emily walked into the lobby near the large hall where conference attendees would have dinner before the concert in the main auditorium of Disney Concert Hall.
“I’m fine, David. Really. I’m less likely to be noticed there than by your side.” Though Emily’s stomach churned with nerves and she didn’t think she’d be able to eat much tonight. She smoothed her curls over her temple, trying to hide her face as much as possible.
David sighed. “I wish you’d stop hiding your beautiful face.” He patted her hand. “But I understand.” He nodded toward the entrance. “Go check me in.”
“Okay.” She hurried away to the check-in table. She smiled, feeling light-hearted and happy. She and David had lounged around the hotel room watching TV, talking, and snacking all afternoon. He’d said he wanted to relax before the big event tonight, but she suspected he was trying to put her at ease as well. She wondered if she’d really be sleeping alone tonight. After all, she wasn’t a real employee, and she was here to please him.
At the same time, she plain old loved hanging out with him. He was funny, kind, and easy to talk to.
Emily stopped at the edge of the wood and glass lobby, sighing as her fingers moved by her side. She felt the call of the music deep in her soul. Though the concert hall wasn’t nearly as old as the Kennedy Center, the wood-paneled walls were soaked with the sounds of Tchaikovsky and Mahler. If she touched them, she was certain her heart and mind would explode.
She’d played here a few times before she’d run away, during violin competition finals. She’d performed better after Rafael had taken her to his cabin, winning first prize in the next competition.
She pushed the thought aside. This week was about taking care of David and making sure his company succeeded. It wasn’t about her.
If only Mark were here. Her heart ached for his presence. She ran her thumb over her rough middle-left finger pad. What would he say about what David had done for her?
