As soon as his office door shut, Alex glared at me. “A stripper? Are you kidding me?”

I waved my hand in front of my face. “It was a one-time thing and I didn’t get totally naked. I was wearing those nipple covers and I had my thong on. I made a thousand dollars that night.” I smirked.

He placed his hand on his head as he continued to glare at me. “Why the hell would you strip in Vegas? Or anywhere, for that matter!”

“A friend of mine was ill that night and if she didn’t get someone to replace her, she was going to get fired. She really needed the job because she had a kid to take care of. And I’ll have you know that it was a very respectable club. Not one of those trashy ones.”

“Jesus, Emerson. I can’t even believe you right now.”

I frowned. “Does it bother you or something? Hell, I didn’t even know you.”

“It doesn’t matter. You shouldn’t have done that. Does Adam know?”

“No, and he won’t ever find out. Like I said, it was a one-time thing. Now go and eat your lunch.”

“Are you joining me?” he asked calmly.

“Not if you keep having that attitude, I’m not. So I think you need to apologize to me.”

“Apologize? For what? For a business client recognizing the girl I fucked as the stripper he groped in Vegas?”

“He said you were a lucky man.” I gave a cocky smile.

He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Sit down and have lunch with me,” he commanded as he walked over to the table.

I didn’t move and stood there with my arms folded.

“SIT!” He pointed to the chair across from him.

****

Alex

As I sat and stared at Emerson from across the table, I couldn’t get over the fact that she had stripped in a club full of dirty men who only had one thing on their minds. She could have put her life at risk doing that and I was angry. Why the hell was I angry? I didn’t know. All I knew was that it pissed me off.

“Thank you for making me lunch. That was nice of you.”

She tilted her head as the corners of her mouth curved up into a beautiful but cocky smile.

“You’re welcome. Someone has to look out for your eating habits now that you’re on a restricted diet. As long as I’m here, I will be doing just that for you.”

“I appreciate it. But I’m not a child. I’m more than capable of watching what I eat.”

“All men are children, Alex, and you’re no exception.” She pointed her finger at me. “I’ll train you to eat a proper high blood pressure diet. Then, when I’m gone, you’ll be well educated.”

Something stirred inside me when she said “when I’m gone.” There really was no reason for her to leave so soon after Adam returned. She should use that time to reconnect with her brother.

“Have you thought about sticking around for a while after Adam gets back? Maybe try and reconnect with him?”

“Nah. Never stay in one place too long, and three months back in Cali is way too long.”

Her way of thinking was really starting to get on my nerves. After we finished lunch, she left, and I stood looking out the window with my hands in my pockets.

“Excuse me, Mr. Parker?” my secretary Olivia spoke.

“Yes.”

“Don’t forget you have that charity event tomorrow night at Jonathan Place.”

“Shit. I already forgot. Call Jenna and have her make sure my tuxedo is ready.”

“Yes, sir.”

I sat down at my desk and looked through my contacts of women who would want to attend with me. As I scrolled through the names, no one was peaking my interest. I sighed. Suddenly, I realized that I didn’t have Emerson’s phone number.

“Olivia,” I called over the intercom. “Do some digging and get the phone number for an Emerson James.”

“Right away, sir.”

“When you get it, text it to my cell.”

“Of course, sir.”

I’d let her into my home. She cooked for me. I even fucked her twice now and I still didn’t have her number. My phone beeped with a text message from Olivia. I stored Emerson’s number in my contacts and then sent her a text message.

“There’s a charity function tomorrow night and I need you to go with me. You’ll need a formal dress, so go to Bloomingdales and buy one. Put it on my account.”

A few moments later, she replied, “Who is this?”

I rolled my eyes and let a small smile cross my lips.

“It’s Alex. Who the hell else would be asking you to a charity event?”

“You never know. Who would have thought I would have run into the man from Vegas in your office, lol!”

Did she really just say “lol”? I shook my head and replied.

“Very funny, Emerson. Now go buy a dress.”

“I don’t believe you asked me properly, Mr. Parker. You said that you ‘need’ me to go. You didn’t ask me if I would like to go. There’s a difference, you know.”

I could feel my blood pressure rising by the minute. She was going to be the death of me.

“Emerson, would you like to attend a charity function with me tomorrow night? It’s for a very good cause.”

“Why thank you, Mr. Parker. I’d love to.”

“Good. NOW GO BUY A DRESS!”

“Watch your blood pressure. I would hate to miss that event because you went and had a heart attack.”

I clenched my jaw and set my phone down. That woman. That beautiful, hot-as-fuck, amazing-in-bed, smart-mouth woman.

Chapter 16

Emerson

Alex Parker needed to learn some manners on how to ask a woman to an event. How in the world did the women he dated put up with his attitude? I shook my head and walked into the living room where Jenna was dusting and plopped myself on the couch.

“Alex asked me to go to a charity event tomorrow night and he told me to go buy a dress at Bloomingdales.”

“Really?” she asked with a twisted face.

“Yeah. I’m just as surprised as you are. Would you like to come with me?”

“When?”

“After you get off work.”

“Sure. I’d love to!”

After she was finished with her work for His Majesty, Jenna and I hopped into Adam’s car and drove to Bloomingdales. After trying several dresses on, I decided on a beautiful black slim chiffon dress with a sweetheart neckline and beaded top. It was beautiful and it fit perfectly.

“Did Mr. Parker give you a budget?” Jenna asked.

“He just said to put it on his account. But maybe I should ask him. This dress is really expensive.”

Pulling out my phone, I sent Alex a text message.

“Hi, it’s Emerson. Do I have a budget for the dress?”

“I know who this is, Emerson. Did you find one?”

“Yes.”

“How much is it?”

“It’s priced at 7,000 dollars.”

“Are you kidding me? Is that the only one you could find?”

“Yes. But it’s a Christian Dior. I can look around. I saw a pretty dress in the window at a resale shop we passed.”

I silently smiled. There would be no way he’d let me buy a dress from a resale shop and be seen with me wearing it.

“Buy the Christian Dior. It’s fine.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind going to the resale shop.”

“EMERSON. BUY THE DAMN DRESS!”

“You don’t have to be so rude about it. Remember your blood pressure.”

“I’m sorry if I came across rude. Please buy the dress you like. I’m sure you look stunning in it.”

“Thank you, Alex.”

“You’re welcome.”

I handed the dress to the sales associate and Jenna and I drove home. When I pulled up, I was surprised to see Alex getting out of the Bentley. It was only eight o’clock. I said goodbye to Jenna and Alex stopped before he reached the front door.

“May I see what you bought?” he asked.

“No. You can see it on me tomorrow night.”

We walked into the house and I headed straight to my room, Alex following behind.