Embrace by Z.L. Arkadie

Author:Z.L. Arkadie
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781952101007
Publisher: Z.L. Arkadie Books

I’d thought we were going to Asher’s office and had no uncertainty about what we were going to do next. The anticipation made me sensitive down there. He still looked unhappy about my communication with Greg, but that was for him to work out within himself. Greg was my patient. I couldn’t just ignore him or pass him off, not yet anyway.

I followed Asher into a stairwell. It was the less populated route to wherever we were going. People would be looking to see us together after the previous night. For a number of reasons, Asher’s being a famous Blackstone included, we were the spectacle of the day.

“About last night,” I said as we climbed the stairs.

“Penina, I said I was sorry,” he said as he stopped in front of a door that always remained locked.

Asher took a ring with six or seven keys on it out of his pocket, found the one he wanted, and unlocked the door. I raised my eyebrows, surprised he already had that level of access.

“If you’re apologizing for leaving me wanting you last night, so much so that I gorged on a pint of ice cream—”

He smirked. “You wanted me?”

My eyes grew wider. Did I confess that out loud?

Asher pushed the door and held it open. “All you had to do was ask me to stay, and I would’ve.”

I believed him. He would do anything for me, which was an odd thing to feel because I had never been able to rely on anyone other than Christine the way I’d grown to count on him.

I folded my arms. “But what about your ex-girlfriend, my sister?”

“I’ll handle her.” He pointed his head toward the dusky hallway.

His nearness made me dizzy as I crossed the threshold. “How?” I asked, wondering where he was taking me.

He let the door close and took my hand as we walked quickly down the empty corridor.

“I’ll do what it takes.”

My curiosity continued to grow as we passed closed unmarked doors. “What does that mean, Jake?”

“It means I’ll handle Julia, and there’s no need for you to get involved. As a matter of fact …” We reached an elevator, and he pushed the only button associated with it. “I don’t want you knowing her.”

I put my hands on my hips. “I know Julia and I aren’t going to braid each other’s hair and swap boyfriend stories, but I’m pretty sure it’s not your place to demand that I not get to know her.”

“She’s dangerous, Penina,” he said, raising his voice.

“I gather that by all that you’ve told me about her.” My volume matched his.

“You don’t believe me?”

“I believe you.”

His features tightened. “Good. Then keep your distance from her because she will do whatever it takes to come between us.”

I sighed sharply. “I understand that, Jake. I mean, Asher. Plus, not only am I a big girl, but I’m pretty astute.”

The elevator doors opened, and he extended an arm, holding them open for me.

I stepped in. “And by the way, where are you taking me?”

He entered.

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