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She shrugs, but the smile is wider than it was. “I was hired because I know what women want, Emery Brooks. When I put it that way, does it sound better?”
I nod, the smile on my face completely natural, as I let go of any of the residual façade. This conversation and this woman don’t require it. And it feels good to be this carefree with my words and expressions.
“If people ask, definitely say that instead of the smutty books thing. Though, that comment is intriguing as well. Since you’re the expert, what is it that women really want?”
Her smile turns into a smirk. “You’ll have to watch my videos to find out. And maybe read a few smutty books yourself. I’ll give you a hint, though. You don’t fit the mold.”
My jaw drops. I don’t think there’s ever been a woman who told me I was anything but perfect. “Alright, just hold on a second. I’ll have you know I could get nearly any woman alive into bed if given just a few hours with her. This isn’t me being egotistical. It’s just a fact based on my track record.”
She shrugs again. “You couldn’t get me into bed. That’s for sure. But that’s not what we’re talking about. I’m saying that you’re a man that can give women something. Money, prestige, fame. Butyouaren’t what they want.”
The frown crossing my face must make her realize that she’s still talking to her boss, and she sits up just a little more. Many men would get upset if someone told them they weren’t what women want, but for me, her honesty is refreshing. She’s mostly right. Women flock to me because of who I am publicly. Not who I really am.
“Well, then what am I missing, Madison? What does the expert in women’s desires say is my fatal flaw?”
She turns away from me. “We should change the subject, Emery. I shouldn’t have said any of that. You’re my boss, and this is about as far away from professional as we can be.”
I shake my head, the grin on my face just as wide as it is at the office. Except this time, it’s real. “Come on Madison. Let me in on your secrets. How do I become the hero of some gorgeous woman’s story?”
She takes a deep breath and eyes the bottle of wine for a moment before saying, “Passion. That’s what all women want. Across the board, they want to be wanted more than anything else. More than money or fame or backstory. They want to be the sun that their hero circles, that he can’t look away from.”
She looks directly into my eyes as she says, “You’re handsome, rich, and powerful. You’re probably at least moderately good in the sack if you’re trying. You’re even funny sometimes. But you’re not passionate about anything. It’s all just an act.”
If only she knew how passionate I could be. Passionate enough to change my entire life. Enough to go through anything.
“I’m glad you think I’m moderately good in bed,” I say. It’s the only clever thing I can think of, but I need to say something.
She feels the seriousness fade and goes back to her sassy ways. “I haven’t had time to poll your most recent flings, so I was giving you the benefit of the doubt.”
I grab the wine bottle and take a drink from it as Madison watches me with a little jealousy in her eyes. “You can have anything you want in life if you’re willing to sacrifice everything else,” I whisper.
Madison cocks her head. “Was that a Peter Pan reference?”
“I’m not completely uncultured just because I don’t read a bunch of kissing books.”
There’s a gleam in Madison’s eyes. “I never said you were uncultured, but you just became a lot more interesting.”
“What’s so interesting about a guy who knows a quote everyone uses in the business world?”
She shakes her head, that gleam still very much alive in her eye. “You weren’t surprised when I said it was a Peter Pan quote. That’s the difference. Most people think it’s something from some titan of industry, but it’s not about making money at all.”
And then she cocks her head like she just realized something. “Is it about making money for you, Mr. Fancy Pants Billionaire?”
I stand up, smirking just a little, and I say, “You’ll ruin my reputation if I answer that, so let’s just change the subject.”
She leans back, and her eyes tell me everything I need to know. She’s finally seeing me as a person, as a man, and she’s interested in ways that no woman has ever been.
“Fine. What do you want to talk about, Peter?”
I give her a little chuckle as I stretch. “Well, Wendy Darling, what would you be doing on a glorious Wednesday evening like tonight if someone took away all your books and all your work?”
“There’s a little dance club down the street that Tessa, my roommate, and I go to occasionally. Though, I don’t think we’ve gone dancing on a Wednesday night in a long time. Maybe when I’m not so swamped with work, I’ll get to have fun again, but sadly, brand new interns don’t get that luxury.”
I shake my head. “There’s always time for fun, Madison. Always. You just have to learn how to balance the fun and work.”
She takes a long look at me, her brows furrowing. “You’re an enigma, Emery Brooks. On one hand, you’ve devoted your life to creating a company that dominates its competition with extreme pressure on your employees, and on the other hand, you suggest everyone make time for fun. Interns aren’t supposed to have fun. That’s saved for the people that have already earned their place in companies.”
I give her a grin. “Mystery is sexy, Madison. And though you say I’m not what women want, there’s no doubt that I’ve maintained an air of mystery. Maybe you’re just as clueless about what women want as everyone else.”
