Emma Chase by Jen Khan Read Free Book Online Page B

lip.
    Oh…my…God!
    It comes to me.
    “I have plans tonight.”
    He crooks an eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”
    I shrug . “Yeah.”
    “What kind of plans?”
    Nosy.
    “I'm updating my resume.  I need to get back to work.  Life must go on , as they say.”
    “Tomorrow.”
    “I have plans tomorrow too,” I reply.
    He smirks. “And what plans would that be?”   
    The bastard smirked at me.  He isn’t giving up easily.
    “Hopefully an interview?” I shrug again.
     
    Braden let s out a low, deep laugh. “Okay, I will bring you lunch tomorrow.  China King chicken lo mein and egg rolls.  I won’t take no for an answer.”
    Shit.
    “See you tomorrow.  Noonish.”
    He squeezes my hand and gives me another one of his sweet kisses on the cheek before he walks out of the door.
    Double shit.

Chapter Five
     
    Sure enough, there is a knock.  The clock reads 11:57.  I guess that constitutes noonish.
    I open the door and he holds out two bags from China King.
    “Come on in.  You can put it down on the bar.  I’ll get the plates.”
    I am rummaging through the cabinets for plates and bowls and glasses, so I don’t hear him coming up behind me until it’s too late.  He snakes his arm around my middle and I jump. 
    “Plates?  One does not need a plate when their food c omes in a convenient little box,” he says into my hair as my back hits his front.
    My body goes stiff straight.  “Braden—“
    His arm gives me a tight squeeze before he releases me, walking around the bar to the food.
    He reaches in the bag and hands me a set of chopsticks.   He extends his hand out to me, grabbing mine and tugging me around the bar to the stools.  I look down at our hands, back to his eyes, then back to our hands.  His hand drops mine and goes around my waist, pulling me close.
    I put my hands to his chest, pushing back, opening my mouth to tell him to release me but he speaks first.
    “Let’s eat,” he orders, letting me go with one hand. The other comes up to my jaw and travels up to my face, his thumb lightly rubbing circles on the apple of my cheek before it drops.  I am certain that I am flashing my ‘deer in headlights’ expression.
    Braden turns to the counter, taking his cashew chicken, and I go for the lo mein.
    He sits on the barstool and I remain standing, holding myself against the bar on the opposite end.
    “Sit, Em.  I won’t bite.”
    He smiles and lets out a little chuckle right before popping a piece of cashew chicken in his mouth.
    I walk over, pull a stool out, and sit next to him.
    “So you’re trying to find a new job?”
     
    I shrug and shovel some lo mein in my mouth. “Yep.”  I figure short answers would suffice.
    “But you always loved your job.  What brought this on?”
    I shoot my eyes up to his , a little stunned that he would ask me this.
    “Well, you see , rape will make you reevaluate your life and your choices,” I clip at him.
    He look s down at his food and pulls his eyebrows together. “Fair enough.”
     
    Damn it.  Why do I do this to him every time I see him?  There was no reason for me to be a bitch to him and certainly no reason to make that stupid comment.
    “Braden,” I sigh.  “I’m sorry.  You didn’t deserve that.”
    He gives me a sad smile, and what comes out of his mouth next surprises me.
    “I have arranged for you to interview at Holt's tonight at 6:30.  Dad is excited to see your résumé .  Though, from the expression on his face when I told him you were making a career move told me pretty much what I already assumed.  He’d hire you in a second.”
I am pretty sure that my jaw has hit the floor and appear absolutely ridiculous because Braden starts laughing at me.
    “What ?" I shake my head. "I can’t work there.”
    “Why not?  Our bar not good enough for you?” he smiles , clearly amused.
    “I love that bar,” I whisper.
    What the hell is going on?  We’re sitting here eating Chinese food and discussing career