Promoted to Wife? Read Free

because I dragged you from your vacation on Thursday night?”
    In incredulous silence she stared at him, eyes wide, until irritation began to bubble up inside. “You think my change of career direction—one I’d been planning for many months now—was precipitated by your demand that I drive you home? Without thanks, I might add?”
    â€œGuess not,” he muttered. Then, stiffly, “Thank you. For driving me home.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.”
    His gaze fixed on hers, holding it for seconds longer than necessary before he glanced away and shoved his hands in his trouser pockets. If she’d expected something, anything to indicate their prior carnal knowledge, then she was disappointed. Firm lines bracketed his mouth, and she watched irritation surge across his expression before he tamped a lid on it.
    I was right—he doesn’t remember.
    â€œI don’t normally drink in the office,” he said suddenly.
    â€œI know.”
    â€œYeah.” He returned to his scrutiny, making her insides squirm. “You do.”
    The warm morning sunlight coming through her tiny kitchen window seemed to thicken then, wrapping around her body and creating an uncomfortable ache low in her belly. As she glanced at his mouth, the night came flooding back in all its illicit glory. She’d spied the half bottle of tequila on his desk, seen the belligerent gleam in his eyes, even in the darkened light of his office.
    â€œI need to get dressed,” she blurted out now. Automatically his eyes flicked over her state of non-dress, which only made her breath catch. “And you need to go.”
    â€œAre you going to think about my offer?”
    â€œWill you go if I promise to think about it?”
    â€œOnly if you’ll actually think about it,” he said. “We both win here. I get you for another five months and you get a massive incentive. Win-win.”
    â€œI promise I’ll think about it.”
    As she followed him down her hall, watched as he opened the door, then crossed the threshold, she knew she wouldn’t—couldn’t—go back to work for Zac. Not after that kiss. She didn’t need more chaos, not when she’d spent her whole childhood fighting for order.
    He paused on the peeling deck before turning back to her with a thoughtful expression. “How did my car get from the office to my house?”
    Her mouth involuntarily twitched. “That’s one mighty nice vehicle.”
    â€œI let you drive my Porsche?”
    â€œSure.” She couldn’t completely hide the smug smile. “You were quite drunk.”
    He rubbed his chin with a dark scowl. “And you got me into the house without help.”
    â€œYep.” Her arm had been around his waist, his delicious warmth distracting her as she’d steered him through his front door. And then…
    Anyone could’ve made the mistake. He’d stumbled, she’d only just managed to retain her balance, they’d turned at the same time. And their lips had met. And met. And kept on meeting, until Emily had managed to wrench free and escape.
    A stupid lapse in judgment that had paradoxically brought clarity to her life plans.
    With a sigh, she tightened the belt on her robe. “Goodbye, Zac. I’ll let you know what I decide.”
    Like never kiss your boss, then believe everything will be normal. Been there, done that, been trying to burn it from my mind ever since.
    Â 
    Zac barely heard the soft click of the door behind him, too caught up in his frustration to notice. Past the wooden railing, down the rolling grassy slope of the apartment block perched high on Currumbin’s Duringan Street, the long waveless estuary locals called The Alley glittered in the early morning sun, a tempting sight for those inclined to call in sick and spend the day lazing on its sandy banks.
    Not Emily. She was an employer’s dream: always prompt, superefficient and