Shifting Destinies: A Paranormal Interracial Story (HIdden Hills Shifters Book 3) (9 page)

Emmaline was nervous.
She’d donned her best suit and even sported some high heels for the interview. It wouldn’t hurt if Mr. Emerson found her attractive even though he’d had Agnes as his assistant for a long time.

When Em entered the office building, a buzzer above the door sounded, announcing her arrival. She looked around, a little surprised at the small space. A compact, but well-appointed lobby ended at a hallway, implying the offices were in back. The leather chairs looked expensive, as did the prints on the walls.

Footsteps sounded, and then a smiling Agnes appeared. “Hello, Emmaline. Mr. Emerson has stepped out for a few minutes, but if you come with me, we can go over some information first.”

As she followed the older woman, Emmaline debated whether to mention she was pregnant since her condition might make a difference in whether Mr. Emerson thought she could handle the job. There might be times when she had to leave and take care of a sick child.

At this point, she wasn’t even sure what she would do with her baby while she was at work. Daycare was an option, but that was expensive. Em doubted her mother would volunteer to help out, especially when she learned the baby would be half bear. She didn’t want to think about the six weeks she’d need after the baby was born either. She sighed. Not having been offered the job, it was premature to even be thinking about this.

Agnes opened the door to a rather sterile looking office that seemed unused. “Have a seat. As you know, Harold and I were friends. He spoke of you many times, about what a great job you did.”

“Thank you.” She was thrilled since Mr. Francolini didn’t dole out compliments very often.

Agnes picked up a pen. “Tell me what you’re looking for in a job.”

She hadn’t expected that question. “A nice boss. Good hours? Decent pay?” She felt as if she were sinking with each word.

Agnes laughed. “That works. I think you will find Mr. Emerson very easy to work for. He’s demanding only in that he expects you to do what he asks.”

“I’m very conscientious.”

“I’m sure you are, dear.” Agnes asked for her contact information, her educational level, and any other jobs she’d held. Then she stood. “Why don’t you take a seat back in the lobby, and I’ll find you when Mr. Emerson arrives. I know he’ll want to go over the job in more detail with you.”

Hope and excitement rushed through her. The fact the boss might still be interested was a good sign. Once she was settled in the lobby, Agnes disappeared down the hall. A stack of magazines, mostly involving investment strategies, sat on the table next to her. Em picked up one and searched for something interesting to read.

A few minutes later, the door buzzer sounded, signaling a new arrival. She looked up and froze. Holy howls. It was Wade dressed in blue jeans and a T-shirt, looking amazingly hot.

She jumped up. “What are you doing here?”

Chapter Eight

W
ade hoped he
hadn’t made a mistake. Many times this past year, Agnes had told him she wanted to retire, but he’d been able to talk her out of it. When Emmaline lost her job, he decided he could finally grant Agnes her wish. His biggest problem was whether Emmaline would hold it against him that he hadn’t told her who he was or what he did for a living—but he had his reasons.

“Hi, Emmaline.” He didn’t want to tell her he was surprised to see her there because he was through with lying—or at least he would be in a moment. “I’m here to see the boss.”

Technically, that was true since he was the boss, and he’d be looking at a mirror to make sure he looked good for her interview. Unfortunately, the animal in him was working hard to come out, and he hoped he could make it into his office before he gave into his urges. He’d like nothing more than to taste her, but if he touched her, he’d want it all.

Not wanting her to ask any more questions, he headed toward the hallway.

She called after him, “The boss isn’t back yet.”

Wade held up a hand to indicate he’d heard. “I’ll sit in his office and wait for him.”

If he looked over his shoulder and saw her face, he’d cave. She’d either be concerned for his welfare, or be angry that he’d barged in ahead of her, but that was the chance he’d have to take. What that woman did to him. If that reaction didn’t convince him she was his mate, nothing would.

As soon as he stepped into his office, he rushed over to his closet where he kept his suit. Too often he drove in from Pittsburgh and had to clean up and change before he met with clients. He tore off his T-shirt, and just as he picked up his white button down shirt, the door eased open—a door he must have failed to close completely. It was Emmaline. Now it was his turn to freeze.

“Wade, you shouldn’t be in here,” she whispered. “And why are you half-naked?”

He wanted to keep it light. “Are you worried about me?”

When she charged up to him, he wanted to kiss her more than anything. He’d already discussed his attraction to Emmaline with his father, and how she had the scent of a bear. His dad’s first words were to ask if she were pregnant. Wade denied it at first, but now, more than ever, he could smell his own breed in her. As disappointed as he was that she hadn’t confided in him, she might not even know herself.

“I am, but why are you here?” She plucked the clean shirt from his hand, set it on the desk, and handed him back his T-shirt.

As much as he wanted to taste and ravish her again, he needed to come clean. With his T-shirt in hand, Wade sat on the edge of his desk. “We need to talk.”

She looked behind her, probably to make sure the
real
boss wouldn’t walk in. “Not here, we can’t.”

She looked so adorable being confused. “Yes, we can.”

She stepped closer, yanked his arm, and tugged. “Come on. I’m supposed to have an interview as Mr. Emerson’s personal assistant, and I can’t afford to mess this up.”

He smiled. “Don’t worry. You have the job.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do because I’m Mr. Emerson and I’m hiring you.”

She stepped back, her mouth slightly parted. What he wouldn’t give to kiss her right now, but he wanted to see her reaction to the news first.

“Did you just say you’re Mr. Emerson?”

“Yes. My real name is Wade Emerson Black. Emerson was my mother’s maiden name. I chose that instead of Black Investments so that people wouldn’t confuse me with my father.”

She retreated, but when her legs hit the chair, she dropped down, clearly in some kind of shock. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I wanted you to like me for who I was and not because I’m rich.” He always believed the women in Pittsburgh who chased him were mostly after his wealth.

She glanced to the side. “Were you ever going to tell me?”

That was a good one. “I’ll toss back the same question to you. Were you ever going to tell me you’re pregnant with my child?”

Her mouth opened. “Burke told you?”

“Burke knew?”

Crap
. “I confided in Tasha, and I figured she’d have told Burke. I was going to tell you when I saw you next.”

“No one had to tell me. I’m a bear. I can smell and sense my kind inside you.”

Her eyes darted around the room, panic written on her face. “How long have you known?” Her hand shot to her belly.

Seeing her so maternal shook him. “I suspected on our first date. As soon as I walked into your house and came near you, I thought I detected the bear in you. Then when I drove you to Mr. Francolini’s house, your scent was even stronger.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“It’s your body. I wanted you to make the decision as to when you told me.”

She covered her mouth. “I didn’t even know on our first date.” Her hand shook, and then she lowered it. “If you could detect the bear in me, does that mean I’m having a boy?”

“No, it just means that part of me is in you.” Her body trembled, and Wade could no longer take it. He slid off the desk, raced over to her, and lifted her to a stand. He then wrapped his arms around her.

She planted her palms on his naked chest, her fingers searing his skin. “I understand why you didn’t tell me who you really were. I’m the one who needs to apologize for keeping a secret. I should have told you right away about the baby, but I’m still trying to come to grips with it all.”

“I can see why, but how about we discuss it later?” He cupped her cheek. “Right now, I need you more than I can possibly say.” His body vibrated with a desire so strong, he was certain his inner beast was about to come out.

Her eyes shone and her whole body seemed fragile to his touch. Wade placed a gentle kiss on her lips and let the connection seep deep into him.

“Okay.” Emmaline then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with even more emotion. “I need you, too,” she said. She then lowered her hands to his pants and pulled open the buttons.

That one action spurred him on. As much as he wanted to talk about their future, if he didn’t have her right now, no telling what he’d do—or rather what the animal in him would do.

He placed a hand over hers to stop her. “Are you sure?” He wasn’t certain exactly what he was asking of her, but he wanted her consent more than anything.

“For now, yes.”

He’d take what he could get. Not wanting Agnes to walk in on them, he strode over to the door and locked it.

“She won’t come looking for you?”

“I hope not. She knows what you mean to me.”

“So she was in on this job interview hoax the whole time?”

He didn’t need to get into an argument about that deception. “Does it matter? You’re here now and you know who I am. If we could table this discussion, I’d greatly appreciate it. If not, I’ll melt before your eyes.”

She smiled, just like he hoped she would. “I can wait.”

He kicked off his shoes and socks and dropped trou. In the past, he might have waited for her to get undressed, but not now. His urgency was too strong. Emmaline moved closer and dragged a finger from his breastbone to his belly button, leaving a trail of fire, and making his cock grow even harder. “I’ve missed you, Emmaline.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Let me show you just how much. You look so beautiful in your outfit, and I hate to take it off, but I have to.”

She grinned. “Is this part of the interview process?”

“It is now.” As much as he wanted to go slow, he couldn’t. He yanked open her blouse with speed and agility. As he peeled back the material, his breath caught at the sexiness of her red, push-up lace bra. “I see you were determined to get this job.”

“Like I knew you’d be the boss?”

He chuckled. “Glad to hear it.”

Wade removed her top and tossed it on the chair behind her. He then slid his fingers under her bra, and when he lifted it over her tits, her delicious pink nipples called to him. Wade brushed his thumbs across the tips and watched them peak. His inner animal growled, forcing him to lean over and taste her. The first lick made his rigid cock rock hard, and he wasn’t sure how long he would last. “I need you naked now.”

“Let me help.” She kicked off her heels, forcing him to bend over farther to keep sucking on her tits.

“Why can’t we make love in a bed like an ordinary couple?” he panted.

She chuckled. “It’s more exciting and daring this way.” Without asking, she unzipped the back of her skirt and let it pool at her ankles.

Her delicate, red panties made him want to throw her on the ground and do her right there—but he wouldn’t. Emmaline deserved better. As if she understood what he needed, she grabbed his cock and squeezed it tight. God help him. He wasn’t certain if he could keep any kind of control.

*     *     *

Emmaline was in
shock. Her body was going wild with need while her mind was unable to comprehend what had happened. All this time, she’d thought Wade held a menial job, and here he was rich. Boy, had she been fooled, but to her surprise, it didn’t bother her. He had his reasons for not telling her—good ones.

The problem was that he was her new boss, and she shouldn’t consider making love with him since it might mess everything up. They should talk about the baby first and how this was going to work before having sex, but the wolf in her had other ideas.