Finding Herself (Surrender) by Alicia Roberts Read Free Book Online

curtly, and then he was gone. The elevator doors closed, and Emily found herself making her way to her tiny cubicle.
     

 
    Chapter Six
     
    Emily went through the day feeling completely distracted. All she could think about was Nate and the terrible feeling in her stomach. Getting her first real job shouldn’t feel like this.
    She sat through lunch feeling distracted, barely able to focus on the conversation. All she could think about was that she’d made a mistake. She couldn’t believe that Nate would want to hurt her, and she regretted saying no to him. As soon as she got back to her cubicle a fter lunch, she emailed Nate:
    Sir,
    Please forget what I said in the elevator this morning. I’m sorry, I was wrong. I trust you.
    I am not interested in the Laurent Investments job.
    The requested document is attached.
    It was vague enough while being specific. She cursed Isabel for scaring her, and she told herself that Nate would accept her apology.
    The day passed terribly. She checked her email every five minutes, but there was no reply.
    ***
    A week passed. Nate didn’t reply to her email. But nobody from Laurent Investments called her either.
    Emily went home every day feeling sick, convinced that she’d lost both her first job offer, and the man who made her insides melt. She emailed him again – just one line to check if he’d gotten her first email. But that got no reply either.
    Finally, a week after sending the second email, she decided to go up to his office and speak to him. It was evening, and most of the employees had gone home, but Emily had a hunch that Nate would still be at work. When she turned up on the 41 st floor, Tiffany stared at her in surprise.
    “Is Nate in?” she asked, undaunted by Tiffany’s withering stare.
    “Yes, but he’s too busy for you.”
    Emily stared at the icy blonde, and then walked up to Nate’s door and knocked.
    After a short pause, his voice drifted out. “Yes?”
    She opened the door and stepped in. Nate was in a meeting with three men she didn’t know.
    “Oh.” She felt foolish and unprepared. “I’m sorry, I though t you weren’t…”
    Nate’s eyes were blank and unemotional. “Wait outside,” he said curtly. “I’ll call you in when I’m free.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Emily closed the door behind her, and sat on the sofa in the reception area. She stared at her feet, wishing she’d brought her phone with her. Tiffany ignored her studiously.
    After a few minutes , the three men Nate had been talking with emerged, and Nate walked them to the elevator without glancing at Emily. He didn’t look at her on the way back either, and simply walked back to his room and shut the door behind himself.
    The minutes ticked by slowly, and Emily was beginning to wonder if she should just go an knock again. Finally, Nate opened the door a crack and poked his head out.
    “Come in,” he said.

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    Once she was inside his room, Emily started to speak, but Nate Held up a finger to silence her, and pressed a button on his phone.
    “Yes, Nate?” It was Tiffany’s saccharine voice on speakerphone.
    “You can go home now.”
    “Ok, thanks.”
    “See you tomorrow.”
    “Bye.”
    Nate disconnected the line and looked at Emily who was standing awkwardly. “It’s late,” he told her. “Are you sure you know why you’re here?”
    Emily nodded mutely.
    Nate went and sat down at his desk, and looked up at her coolly. “Say it.” His voice was hoarse, and his eyes had darkened.
    “I want you,” she said. “I want you to do whatever you want. No strings attached.”
    A brief flicker of surprise passed over Nate’s face. “You don’t want strings?”
    Emily shook her head. “No emotions. I can’t get hurt.”
    Nate lowered his voice. “I’d never hurt you.” He took a walked a few steps closer. “Take off your clothes,” he ordered, “I want to see you.”
    Emily looked down shyly and unbuttoned her blouse. Her fingers fumbled, and she