The Assistant (29 page)

***

“You’re angry,” Adrian observed once we re-entered our apartment.

“I’m not angry,” I replied evenly while placing my handbag onto the sofa.

“Yes, you are. You’re doing that thing with your fingers where you unconsciously tap them on the side of your thighs three times. You only do that when you’re angry or when you’re waiting for something to print,” Adrian explained, giving me a pointed look.

“How… How did you even notice that?” I asked, my anger temporarily being pushed aside and replaced with shock.

“I like to watch you when you’re in your own little bubble, Shortcake,” he answered. “Just like I know that you frown and bite your lip when you’re curious or trying to find something out, or that you blush every time I kiss you and pull away. This was another thing I figured out.”

“Well, I’m happy for you,” I mumbled, going back to tapping my fingers on the sides of my thighs.

“Come on, what did I do this time?” Adrian asked in a whiney tone.

“Are you seriously asking that right now? Adrian, you made us come home from a carnival because a man told me that
you’re a lucky guy.
How, in any way, was he flirting with me in order for you to react like that?” I asked angrily.

“Shortcake, I’m a man-”

“Yes Adrian, I’ve noticed that,” I interrupted dryly.

He glared before continuing. “I know men well enough to know that even though they may look like they’re not flirting with you, they’re still looking you up and down and probably thinking about you naked because, let’s face it, you’re hot. I mean, I sure as hell did that when I first met you.”

I gave him a skeptical look. “You’re not normal,” I grumbled, making my way to our bedroom while peeling off my cardigan.

“Okay, I won’t ever do it again, happy? Come on, Shortcake. Tonight was meant to be about you and me, and the only thing I’ve found out about you is that you’re good with people, you don’t like your steak well done, you used to have a kitten named Hitler because it looked like he had a small moustache, you wanted to be a farmer when you were younger and that your favourite shirt is my Rolling Stones shirt. I didn’t even get enough time to guess your favourite colour!”

“Maybe that’s because you were too busy telling off the waiter and random men for looking at me!” I frowned.

Adrian sighed before nodding. “I admit that I am a little protective when it comes to you-”

“A little?!” I laughed, giving him a look of disbelief.

“But,” he continued, glaring at me for interrupting once again, “I do it because I like you and don’t want to lose you to anyone else. You’ve seen my moody and controlling sides, and what if you don’t want to put up with them one day and leave me for the waiter or that random man on the street? God, I sound like a fucking moron right now. Ignore me, I don’t know why I’ve suddenly become a slice of cheese.” Adrian grumbled, avoiding my gaze.

I couldn’t fight the smile that began to force its way onto my lips as I noticed a slight pink tint take over Adrian’s usually tanned cheeks before I walked over to his tall frame. “I won’t walk away from you for anyone unless you give me a reason to, Adrian. You just have to trust me,” I mumbled, making him meet my gaze.

He stared straight into my eyes for a few moments before I felt him relax in my arms as he nodded in understanding. “I do. Now… how about I
do
you?” He smirked.

I rolled my eyes and pushed him away from me just as he began to chuckle, and I shook my head in response. “I knew that wouldn’t last long.”

Adrian was suddenly in front of me again, and I felt him press his lips against mine desperately as he lifted me up and wrapped his arms around my waist. Once he pulled away, I gave him a questioning look and he shrugged.

“You’re a great kisser, Shortcake, did you know that?”

“You’re just saying that in hopes of getting more,” I responded flatly.

“Of course I am,” he agreed, smirking. “Anyway, our date isn’t over. What do you want to do?” he asked, looking over at me for a response.

I bit my lip and frowned in thought before grinning. “I have an idea.”

“I could physically see the bulb light up in that pretty little brain of yours, Shortcake. Please, enlighten me.” Adrian smirked, causing me to smack his arm in response.

“We can play a game like Never Have I Ever, except instead of saying ‘Never have I ever…’, we’ll ask each other ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions and we’ll use lollies as a substitute for alcohol if the answer is a yes, sound good?” I asked with a hopeful expression.

Adrian stared back at me for a few moments, looking blank, before he shook his head. “I can’t say no to you when you make that face. Fine, let’s do it. I prefer the alcohol though; just letting you know.”

“I don’t trust my drunken self around you. So sugar rush it is!” I grinned, before jumping out of his arms and running to the kitchen. A packet of party lollies stood alone in one of the cupboards, and I grabbed it in a rush before hurriedly getting back to our bedroom.

I found Adrian seated on the bed with his shirt off, smirking in my direction. “I have never seen a 24-year-old so excited to eat lollies in my entire lifetime.”

“Are you kidding me?” I exclaimed as I jumped into bed and sat across from him. “Lollies are the best invention on Earth since they made sewage systems!”

Adrian smirked in amusement as he watched me chew on a lolly. “That’s… well that’s a rather unique thing to find ‘the best’ invention.”

“Stop being so British.” I frowned, before throwing a lolly in his direction.

Adrian chuckled and snatched the bag of lollies out of my hands, making me gasp. “I think high on sugar Emily is going to be much more entertaining than drunken Emily. I’ll start with the questions. Have you ever thought about me naked, Shortcake?” He smirked, before passing the bag of lollies over to me.

A sudden wave of courage overcame my usually shy demeanour and I reached into the bag of lollies and placed a piece into my mouth, blushing slightly.

Adrian’s eyebrows shot up in shock, before he broke out into a full-fledged smirk. “This
is
going to be fun,” he announced, rubbing his hands together before taking the bag of lollies out of my hands again. “Your turn, Shortcake.”

Chapter Twenty-two

“Have
you
ever thought about me naked?” I questioned, raising an eyebrow as a grin took its form on my lips.

Adrian chuckled before taking a lolly from the bag and placing it into his mouth. “More times than I can count, Shortcake.”

I gasped, throwing a pillow at him. “Perv!” I scowled.

He chuckled. “My turn again. What’s your favourite colour?”

I laughed. “That’s not allowed!”

He pouted before his shoulders sagged in defeat. “Fine, is your favourite colour black?”

I shook my head, grinning at his look transformed to one of disbelief. “What? How isn’t it black? Your entire side of the wardrobe is mostly black!” he exclaimed.

“I like
wearing
black. It’s not my favourite colour though. My turn! Have you ever had a pet before?” I asked curiously.

He took another lolly and ate it. “Really? Was it a dog?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Cat. I called him snuffles.” He smirked.

I laughed before taking the bag of lollies from him.

“My turn,” he said. “How
often
do you think about me naked, Shortcake?” His signature smirk reappeared on his lips.

I blushed. “That’s not an acceptable question!”

“You blushed! It’s a lot, isn’t it?” He waggled his eyebrows, before moving closer to me. “How often? Come on, just tell me.” He persisted, smirking.

“Shut up and ask a question, idiot,” I mumbled, avoiding his gaze as my cheeks deepened in colour.

I looked back up to find him still smirking at me, his face closer than before. We stayed like that for a few moments, before he leaned back to his original position with his hands up in defense. “Fine, I won’t ask again. New question. Do you have dirty dreams about me, Shortcake? I know I do about you. All the time. When I’m asleep
and
awake.”

I glared at him before throwing another lolly at his face, and he chuckled while avoiding the hit. “I’m not answering that. Why are your questions so dirty? Ask questions like did you have a childhood best friend or do you like sports!” I complained, pouting.

“And miss out on making you squirm? No way. Come on, answer the question truthfully.” He waited for my answer.

I glared at him again in an attempt to cover up the crimson colouring of my cheeks as my hand dug into the bag of lollies and I slowly put one into my mouth.

Adrian’s jaw dropped to the floor for a few moments before the widest grin I had ever seen on him appeared on his face. “Looks like my innocent little Shortcake isn’t so innocent, after all,” he said, reaching for my waist and pulling me over towards him.

I let out a squeak of surprise as I clumsily landed on top of his shirtless body, my face growing more heated by the second. “I don’t want to play this game anymore,” I mumbled childishly, still avoiding his gaze.

“Okay, we’ll play 20 questions,” he said quickly. He hooked his thumb around my chin and made our gazes meet. “Here’s my first question to you.
What
exactly happens in these dreams of yours?”

“You die by my hands,” I replied with a glare while placing my palms flat on his chest to try and push myself off his body and out of this situation.

Adrian chuckled at my response and failed attempt to escape from his grip, before I felt his lips on mine. “I love it when you talk dirty to me.” He smirked once he pulled away from the kiss, making a smile escape.

“Shut up idiot,” I mumbled, even as I placed another peck on his lips.

“Come on, let’s go to bed. Do you need help with stripping?” Adrian asked with a false look of innocence.

I rolled my eyes and pushed myself off him before taking my jeans off in front of him; making his eyes widen. “No thank you, I’m good.” I smirked, before getting into the bed.

“I like this side of you a lot, Shortcake,” Adrian announced as he pulled me over to his body and wrapped his arms around my waist.

“So do I,” I murmured, pulling him in for another kiss.

***

“So I thought about it, and I think navy would be the best option for the bridesmaids dresses. Only because it won’t clash too much with Molly’s hair and navy looks really good on me.”

I gave Amy a look of confusion, waiting for her to elaborate.

“For your wedding?” she replied with a ‘duh’ tone, rolling her eyes.

“And… who am I marrying and when?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Mr. Sexy pants, of course!” She gave me a look of exasperation before she shook her head. “Honestly, Em, you need to keep up with your life.”

“Amy,” I told her with an amused expression, “we’re not getting married.”

“Of course
we’re
not! I was talking about you and Adrian!” she exclaimed, before taking another sip of her drink.

“I think you’ve had too much alcohol,” I said wryly. “We should get home.”

I looked around the club for Adrian and Allen. Adrian refused to let this night happen if he didn’t tag along, and as my eyes met his, I knew he was watching us carefully to see if any guys came near us.

Amy huffed, before gulping the rest of her drink down in one go. “Fine, party pooper. Only because Adrian’s hot friend is here tonight.”

I smirked. “The hot friend you haven’t looked at more than once because you’re too busy fawning over my brother?” I asked with raised eyebrows.

“Shut up!” Amy whined, pushing me off the bar stool lightly. I laughed and helped her stand straight, before looking over at Adrian and nodding towards the exit.

Adrian got the message instantly, and he and Allen were by our sides in a flash. “Ready to go?”

“Yep,” I laughed as my eyes landed on Amy, who was intently concentrating on her fingernails. “This one has had a little too much to drink tonight.”

“Emily?” a new voice slurred, making all four heads turn around.

My eyes widened in shock as I recognized my ex-boyfriend from college. I gave him a tight smile. “Hey, Trevor! How have you been?” I asked politely.

“Me? Oh, great. Just great,” he slurred as he took a step closer. “You look so hot! I think we should get back together, Emily. I miss you a lot.”

I opened my mouth to reply when I felt an arm snake itself around my waist, and I was pulled into Adrian’s torso. “Get away from her, asshole.” He glared down at Trevor. “She’s with me now.”

“Who the hell is this jerk? She’s
my
girlfriend-”

“She’s your
ex-
girlfriend, moron,” Adrian growled as he took a step forward and shielded me from Trevor with his body. “Get away from her before I
make
you.”

I maneuvered around Adrian and stepped between them in a rush. “Hey, cut it out. Let’s just go home, Adrian.” To my ex-boyfriend, I said, “Trevor, it was really nice to see you but I’ve moved on. I’m sorry.” I tried to look sympathetic, but the reality of the situation was I couldn’t care less. Trevor had slept with me then we broke up two weeks later because I didn’t want to do it again.

“What? Come on Emily, I loved you!” Trevor exclaimed, his voice growing louder.

“Yes,
loved.
Now fuck off, you little shit!” Amy snapped, making me stifle a laugh.

“No, I refuse to let you leave until I get you back,” he slurred, stumbling closer towards me. I took a step back in annoyance, making Trevor look up at Adrian in anger. “She’s doing this because of you! I challenge you to a fight! Whoever wins gets the girl.” Trevor’s gaze narrowed as he puffed his chest out at Adrian, and I rolled my eyes.

“You’re kidding me,” Adrian said with a blank face. He looked down at Trevor with annoyance.

“No, I am not! I love her! I deserve a chance,” Trevor insisted, raising a fist.

“He’s so drunk,” Amy mumbled under her breath.

“I mean, really mate. Are you going to do this right now? Declare your love for her and then fight me to the death? It’s all very Shakespeare if you ask me. There’s no need for the melodramatics; we’ll just let the woman decide for herself. Emily?”

Both men turned to me, and I looked at them both incredulously. Adrian smirked once he noticed my expression, making me glare in his direction.

“This is s-” I began.

“Ha! She has chosen me!” Trevor shouted, catching the attention of a few more onlookers who were observing the confrontation.

“No I didn’t!” I exclaimed, giving Trevor another annoyed glare.

Trevor’s jaw hung open, before he glared back. “I don’t care. I saw you first, so you’re coming with me.” He reached out and grabbed my upper arm before pulling me over towards him.

This, apparently, did not sit well with Adrian. Before I knew it, Adrian’s fist was flying in the direction of Trevor’s face, and a sickening crack sounded at the skin-to-skin contact. I squeaked before returning back to my original position behind Adrian just as Trevor let out a muffled groan and covered his nose with his hand.

“What the hell is wrong with you man?” he shouted. “That hurt!”

“Really? I was going for a gentle caress on the cheek!” Adrian exclaimed sarcastically, before raising his fist for another punch.

“Adrian!” I exclaimed, making him turn towards me. “Don’t. Let’s just leave,” I ordered sternly, keeping my gaze firm.

Adrian sighed before looking down at his suit jacket and groaning in disgust. “I’ve got his blood all over the jacket. This was a new one too,” he mumbled while shrugging it off. He tossed the jacket aside carelessly before rolling the sleeves of his button up shirt to his shoulders. I felt my eyes bulge out of their sockets at the sight and noticed Amy smirking from the corner of my eye. She knew men in button up shirts with rolled up sleeves was my weakness, and here Adrian was, doing it casually.

“Honestly Shortcake,” Adrian began, completely oblivious to my gawking state as he began rolling up his other sleeve, “I think I’m going to need to invest in a mask to cover up that pretty little face of yours. You’re attracting men from every single angle of this room.”

“Sorry,” I mumbled, looking down at my shoes.

He chuckled before pulling me in for a kiss. “Come on, let’s go,” he announced, leading me towards the exit of the club.

“I just think Blake should be here at times like this to really comfort me,” Amy pouted in a drunken state.

I smirked as Allen gave me a questioning look. “He’s my older brother that she’s been crushing on since she met him,” I explained with a laugh once I noticed Amy glaring.

“I don’t lllllike him,” she slurred, before leaning on Allen for support.

“Of course you don’t sweetie,” I reassured her.

“I just think navy is the best option,” she mumbled again before nodding.

This time, both Allen and Adrian gave me questioning looks, and I sighed. “She thinks Adrian and I are getting married and wants the bridesmaids dresses to be navy,” I explained.

Allen began laughing at my explanation just as Adrian pulled me closer. “Amy thinks really well sometimes.”

“What?” I asked, giving him a look of confusion.

“She thinks we’re getting married,” Adrian smirked. “We are.”