“I—I mean, I’m not sure about how things would work, since y-you’re my boss, and I’m the managing director, and...you know.”
She had the offer from Solene. She was opposed to accepting after what she had learned from Henri, but if things didn’t work out between them, she could still consider working for Léon Professional instead. At the moment, feeling heady with his nearness, she decided it was an acceptable plan.
He moved his face closer, his mouth resting near her ear. “I don’t think we’ll have any problems,” he murmured.
His breath tickled her earlobe, and she shifted her head, only to find her lips perilously close to his.
“And maybe you could tell me more,” she quietly offered, “about your past. About...anything.”
“I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
But just then, they didn’t do any more talking on the matter.
CHAPTER TWELVE
WHEN EMMA AWOKE the next morning, she was filled with both a light happiness and a weighty sense of dread. She sat up in her bed at the Towers Resorts and tried to sort through these emotions until she pinned down the reasons behind them.
The conference presentation. Cole. She felt a wave of anxiety mixed with giddiness roll through her.
She had to speak at today’s seminar, but at least Cole would be by her side. Cole, who had talked with her long into the night, about his past and the possibilities for the future, his protectiveness toward Avery and his feelings for her. She hugged her pillow to her chest and squeezed. She hadn’t known she could feel like this. When she had first met Brice, she had been young and idealistic and had expected love to be like something out of a fairy tale—exotic locations and handsome princes. As she had grown older, she’d never anticipated experiencing that sort of thrill again and chalked her previous assumptions up to her naïveté. But now, with Cole, she realized she’d been somewhat wrong. Love didn’t need everything to be perfect in order to bloom and grow. Her feelings for Cole were the prime example of that. They had gotten off to a poor start, and they’d had a few hiccups along the way, and she still felt uneasy about dating her boss, but none of it mattered.
Cole cared about her. And about Avery. She treasured that thought and held it tightly to her as she rose and readied for the day.
When he knocked on her door, she felt a surge of joy and ran to answer it. He stood on the threshold, his smile causing her own to widen.
“Are you ready for this?”
At first, she thought he meant the two of them, exploring the possibilities of the future, and she nearly gushed a “Yes!” until it dawned on her that he meant the presentation. A bit of her excitement ebbed.
“Um...as ready as I’ll ever be.”
He reached for her hand. “I’m going to be right there with you, the entire time.” This thought helped reassure her, but some of her doubt must have still showed because Cole released her hand and placed his palms along the sides of her neck instead, forcing her to look into his face.
“You are one of the very best at what you do, Aquitaine. Don’t doubt yourself now. I certainly don’t.”
He leaned down to drop a kiss on the tip of her nose. Her heart swelled and warmed with affection. His words helped steady her, reminded her that she wouldn’t be alone in front of the audience.
“Let’s show them how successful Reid and Aquitaine is going to be.”
* * *
IT HAD ALL gone perfectly. Emma’s nervousness had dissolved the moment she stepped to the podium. It was as if Cole’s presence had banished it. Standing beside him, she’d felt confident, every bit the professional he had told her she was. From their opening remarks, which related some of the cultural land mines one could expect in international dealings, to their closing summaries, which emphasized the success of their companies’ merger, they had held the audience’s attention and received due applause at the end.
When they opened the session up for a Q & A, the inquiries were smart and showed just how much the attendees had garnered from what had been shared. Even in this portion, Emma marveled at how well she and Cole worked together. Their responses were in sync, they deferred to the other when necessary and delivered flawlessly.
When their time was finally up, and they dismissed the auditorium, it was all Emma could do to keep from rushing into Cole’s arms, bubbling with success. They lingered a few minutes with the conference coordinators, who had slipped in when the Q & A started, and then they were free.
Emma felt too restless and excited for networking or sitting through a workshop, and Cole must have felt the same because he suggested they play hooky for the rest of the day. There was so much more he wanted to show her in the city, he said.
So that’s what they did, changing clothes before setting out. They ate lunch at a pizzeria, and then Cole took her to the Met. They strolled among the paintings, hand in hand, occasionally whispering an opinion or sharing a comment. The artwork passed by in a blur; Emma was far too aware of the feel of Cole’s hand in hers, warming her.
After the Met, he took her to the Empire State Building, and they compared views from the American structure to those from the Eiffel Tower. He kept his arm around her waist as they talked, and she leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder when they fell silent after a time.
Later, he took her to a Broadway show, and they finished the evening with a quiet dinner in Little Italy. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so relaxed.
They finished out the last day of the conference in much the same way—attending a couple of events in the morning and then sneaking out into the city for the remaining hours of the afternoon and evening. Emma checked in at home and listened to Avery talk about all the things she and Melanie had been doing, then related a little bit of what she was experiencing in New York.
It wasn’t until the flight home that she looked over at Cole, who had fallen asleep, and let the full measure of her happiness fill her up. In his slumber, he was still holding her hand, as he had been in every spare minute they had together. She studied his features, the fall of blond hair across his forehead, the sandy-colored lashes that darkened at the tips, the clean-shaven jawline. Her eyes found his lips, recalling how they felt on hers.
She felt something stirring deep within her, and it was then that she realized.
She loved him. Somewhere between that first frustrated encounter and the moment he had opened his heart to her and shared his past, she had fallen in love with him. Whether it was his gentle way with Avery, his ability to charm a laugh out of her or simply how he had tried to support her in the midst of the company’s transition, he had stolen his way into her heart. She had only known him for a couple of months, but she couldn’t imagine life without him anymore.
They would make things work, she decided. She would tell Solene she had no intention of abandoning Aquitaine now. She would stay, for Julien and for Cole, because she wanted to be wherever he was, no matter the consequences. She would even learn to like Lillian, she decided, feeling expansive. It all made so much sense when she looked at Cole, sleeping so peacefully. Perhaps it was merely the optimism of her inner romantic, but as long as she loved him, she didn’t see what could possibly go wrong.
* * *
WHEN IT CAME time to return to work on the Tuesday morning after they arrived back from New York, Cole found himself looking forward to heading into the office more than he had in years. The reason, he knew, was because he would get to see Emma again. As if their time in New York and a phone call the evening before wasn’t enough, he couldn’t wait to see her face.
He hummed snatches of some nameless tune as he entered the office building and headed for the elevators. He was just pressing the button when he felt someone step up beside him.
“Good morning.”
He felt a tingle of antic
ipation as he turned and saw her smiling up at him.
“Good morning, Emma,” he greeted her in return.
He knew his own smile matched hers. They faced the elevator doors together, waiting for them to open.
“I wondered if you’re free for lunch today?” he asked.
“Hmm, I don’t know. I’ll have to check my calendar.”
“I’m your boss—I could always demand you clear your schedule.”
“You wouldn’t even try,” she replied, and he chuckled.
The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside. As soon as they were away from prying eyes, he reached over and took her hand.
“Would it be too cheesy if I told you I’ve missed you, even though I just saw you yesterday?”
“It’s definitely cheesy, but a girl still likes to hear it.” She looked up at him. “I’m free for lunch. I didn’t mean to tease you about it.”
“Then it’s a date.”
As soon as the elevator doors slid open, they released hands. Exiting together, they made their way toward their offices, shifting the tone of conversation to business-related matters. They greeted a few of their colleagues, who congratulated them on the success of the conference, having already heard that their presentation was well received.
Louis came out of his office to welcome them back, and Aurora and Giselle each found them to share excerpts from the conference website, highlighting Cole and Emma’s seminar as one of the best at the annual event.
They rode the tide of such happy commentary down the hall until they reached Emma’s office. Cole had his hand on the small of Emma’s back, guiding her along, until he felt her spine stiffen. He followed her line of sight past the doorway.
Marc and Julien stood inside; the former’s expression was smug while the latter’s was grim. And beside them, seated in the guest chair and looking equally forbidding, was Lillian.
* * *
EMMA KNEW, AS soon as she saw the trio in her office, that she was in trouble. If Marc’s smirk and Julien’s grimace weren’t indication enough, then the thundercloud on Lillian’s face certainly was. She felt an unexpected calm come over her. Cole’s hand remained in the small of her back, and she drew strength from that touch as she squared her shoulders and entered the room. She placed her purse on a table just inside the door as Cole entered behind her.
“Why, hello. What a wonderful way to be welcomed back. This is a pleasant surprise.”
Of course, it was anything but pleasant, but she would never say so. They weren’t here to congratulate her and Cole on a successful conference. No, whatever they had come to say, it was bad news.
“Cole, you won’t be needed in this meeting.” Lillian’s voice was cool and dismissive, and Emma’s heart sank at its tone.
“If it’s all right with you, Lillian, I’d like to stay.”
Lillian shook her head. “I think it’s best if you go.”
Emma steeled herself for his departure, but he moved toward the small love seat against the opposite wall and sank into it.
“As CEO, I think it’s in the company’s best interest if I sit in.”
Emma felt a surge of relief at this but waited for Lillian to contradict him. The older woman ignored him, however, and focused on Emma once more.
“There have been some disturbing revelations in your absence, Ms. Brooks.”
Emma didn’t suppose there was any point in once again reminding Lillian to simply call her by her first name. She glanced at Marc, who was positively puffed up with pride. She looked back at Lillian, bypassing Julien completely.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Perhaps it’s something I can assist you with?”
Emma thought the chill in Lillian’s words could practically freeze water. “I don’t think that’s likely, given the circumstances.”
Emma needed to establish some sort of edge here. Lillian had ambushed her, and Julien was entirely too silent. Marc’s attendance puzzled her since he’d never before sat in on any meetings with the senior leadership. Cole’s presence helped buoy her, but she knew she needed more than that for whatever bomb her employer was about to drop. She moved to her desk, easing around it and settling herself into the chair. At least, in that position, she had the benefit of the power seat. She feared, however, that it wouldn’t do her much good.
“What are these circumstances that we’re facing?” She figured Lillian was the sort of woman who’d want her to come straight to the point. “It must be formidable if all three of you had to come to see me.”
Though she felt little of the confidence she tried to exude, she still leaned back in her seat and rested her hands together. She hoped she appeared far more in control than she felt.
She saw Lillian look at Julien, who finally met her eyes.
“There has been another stolen placement in your absence,” he informed her.
Emma’s stomach twisted. Solene. Her friend had broken her promise. And Henri? Had this new candidate been from his original theft or had he lied to her as well, selling more names to Solene and her company?
“I hardly need to remind you that Emma and I have been tied up with this conference,” Cole pointed out. “We haven’t had time to track down the source of those leaked files.”
“We already know the source,” Marc chimed in, clearly eager to make his presence known.
Cole fell silent, and Emma looked his way to catch his eye for a second.
“Marc, perhaps it would be best if you step outside,” Julien suggested.
Marc hesitated, looking from Lillian to Julien and back again. When no one suggested otherwise, he moved toward the door, some of the triumph fading from his posture.
“Please, close the door behind you, Marc,” Lillian called.
He looked over his shoulder one last time and then did as he was told. When it was just the four of them once more, Cole leaned forward in his seat.
“What exactly is going on here?”
Lillian had turned to look at Emma.
“Ms. Brooks, would you care to enlighten him?”
“How can I?” she replied. “When I haven’t been enlightened myself?”
Lillian narrowed her eyes. “All of those stolen candidate profiles were placed by the same recruiter.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that.”
“Solene Thierry. It’s my understanding that she is a friend of yours?”
Emma wondered just what sort of picture Marc must have painted for Lillian, to make the older woman look at her so distastefully.
“Emma tried speaking with Solene, to find out who gave her the files,” Cole reminded them.
“And did she tell you?” Lillian directed the question to Emma, who shook her head.
“No. Solene refused to incriminate anyone.”
“Convenient.”
Emma looked at Julien, willing him to speak up, but he was utterly silent, his gaze fixed elsewhere.
“If you would like to accuse me of something, I’d prefer it if you go ahead. Evasiveness is a waste of time,” Emma stated, hoping none of them noticed how her hands had begun to tremble.
“Very well, if that’s what you prefer. Marc pointed out that those candidates came from a variety of recruiter files at the firm. But the only person who had every single one already stored on their computer is Aquitaine’s managing director.”
Of course. Emma had realized that when she’d caught Henri. While the files kept on each recruiter’s computer were for their specialty alone, her computer held all of the candidate lists. A buffet of information for someone looking for easy access to names. In her desire to protect Henri, she had never really considered how his actions incriminated her.
“You cannot honestly find me culpable with such weak evidence.”
“Marc told us your
opposition to this merger is well known. Julien confirmed it. I did some investigating myself and spoke with the CEO at Léon Professional. It seems you are in talks with that company concerning the possibility of employment.”
It was one thing to be accused of something she felt somewhat responsible for, like the candidate leak. But she had not followed up on Solene’s offer, and the shadow such an allegation cast on her in this situation was too much. She spoke without thinking her response through.
“That wasn’t me. Solene was determined that I should interview for a position there. She was the one setting things up.”
The instant the words left her mouth, she knew she never should have spoken them. Three sets of eyes rested on her, but Julien’s were the ones she locked on to. His gaze positively burned with betrayal. She had always been very careful where her friendship with Solene was concerned. Even though there was animosity between Solene and Julien, Emma cared for them both and hadn’t wanted to make an enemy of either. But by naming Solene, by indicating she knew what her friend was up to, she had caused herself to look guilty in Julien’s eyes. She felt the blood draining from her face as he stared at her, his expression turning cold.
“I wasn’t necessarily going to go through with it,” she whispered, but she recognized the culpability in those words. There were too many strikes against her.
Drawing a slow breath, she shifted her eyes in Cole’s direction. He was staring at her with an expression somewhere between shock and disappointment. When she tried to meet his eyes, he looked away. A weight settled on her shoulders. She looked back at Lillian and found her stare even frostier than before.
“I believe it’s best if you pack up your things.”
She lost the slippery grip on her composure and jumped to her feet. “I didn’t do it. I did not sell those candidate files to Solene.”
Lillian scoffed. “So, they were sold to our rival? My, how the plot thickens.”
Emma’s eyes slid closed. How deep would she dig this hole before she realized there was no way out of it?
The Paris Connection Page 19
