

### Forbidden

### Moments

Deception Series

Book One

### Candace Campbell

~~~

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2014 Candace Campbell

All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locals is entirely coincidental.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

# Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

#  Chapter 1

Talia walked past the line of people waiting to get into the most popular club in Kitchener, her best friend Brianne in tow. They walked up to Keith, one of the bouncers, and Talia flashed him her incredibly charming smile and he let her and Brianne right in. Both of the girls went there often enough, everyone that worked at the club knew who they were and all the guys wished they knew Talia better. But she was one of those girls that a man was best admiring from a distance. She was obviously pretty; tall and curvy with long flowing dark chocolate brown hair and very large green eyes. She was a beautiful woman with a hot body and killer smile, and she knew it. Talia knew she was beautiful and she knew how to work that in her favor, but she was also a very smart girl, most of the time. After high school she learned how to stay out of incriminating situations.

"How do I look?" Brianne asked as she pulled Talia by the arm to look at her before entering into the night club.

Talia looked at her best friend who was so nervous for her date; she smiled and fixed a stray piece of her hair. "You look perfect now—but shouldn't I be the one that is nervous for this blind double date you are setting me up on?" Talia laughed and rolled her eyes. "You're lucky I love you and that's the only reason I am here right now. I hope this guy that you know nothing about is at least good looking?"

"I know, thank you. I am sorry the only thing Sane told me about his friend is that they work together," Brianne smiled a nervous smile and her big blue eyes shined with excitement. She really liked this Sane guy and Talia could tell. "I figured you might hit it off with this guy, he is older and works in marketing and you took marketing in university so you might have something in common."

"I don't like marketing, I am just good at it and my dad made me take business. Marketing was the only area that seemed appealing to me. My real passion is writing and poetry but you already know that," Talia rolled her eyes at her best friend. "Don't worry, I'll be nice to the guy,'' She gave her friend an evil smile.

"Good, who knows—he could be the guy for you. It would be nice to see you settle down with a real man so you can stop fooling around with losercollege guys." Brianne batted her eyelashes at Talia and they both laughed.

"Your track record for losers is far higher than mine, need I remind you?" Talia laughed and Brianne knew that was true.

Brianne led the way through the very large night club; it was still early and even though there was a line outside, the club was pretty much dead.

Talia fallowed her friend to a table where a good looking man stood up and hugged Brianne and he smiled at Talia. Sane was tall and physically fit; he looked good standing next to Brianne. Talia couldn't see her date from where they were standing. The date she didn't want to meet and didn't want to be on. Oh, the things people do for their friends.

"Sane, this is my best friend Talia." Brianne smiled at him as she introduced them.

Brianne was a very pretty girl. She had blond hair, and was short and thin with light blue eyes. Brianne and Talia were exact opposites, but that's what made their friendship so special. They were never compared to each other and even though they were so different, they got each other in a way that no else understood.

Brianne looked innocent and pure but she was the wild one that had a serious partying problem and she always ended up in bed with the wrong guy. Talia was the sexy dark and mysterious girl who looked a lot worse than she was. Talia tried to be the bad girl but it never worked out for her, she always ended up hurting herself more in the long run. She learned after time, she didn't have to be the bad girl for people to think she was one. When you look a certain way and hang out with certain people, reputations are built. Deep down, she really was a sweet girl with a good heart that just wanted to move on from her past and pursue her passions and somehow learn to be happy.

Sane walked over to Talia and he shook her hand. "It's so nice to meet you, Talia. Thank you for coming," Sane's smile was warm and his handshake was sincere. "Come over to the table and meet my friend Emerson."

Talia followed them over to the table and her eyes met two very familiar piercing blue eyes that looked as uncomfortable to see her as hers were to see him. She eyed him up and down; it was really him—the most amazing, sexiest man she believed she had ever seen and she couldn't get away from him. Standing there, looking down at the man she wished she could kiss, she felt guilty and she knew she had to stay away from him. She started to shake and she became really aware of her choice of sultry club wear and it was highly inappropriate. As she tugged on the hem of her tight red dress, she tried to pull her dress down but this effort only proved to show off more cleavage. She couldn't win. She used her jean jacket to cover herself as best she could. She looked at the man who was equally checking her out and she shook inside and out.

Why him? Of all men she could have be set up on a date with, why did it have to be him? She had been such a good girl, she stayed far away from him the best she could, but he just showed up everywhere. She only had two weeks left and then it wouldn't matter. Talia didn't understand why she was so affected by that man. She didn't know if it was because he was sexy, smart and had all the same passions as she did or if it was something else. When she looked at him she got lost.

I still can't lose the feeling those eyes give me. You would think after months the butterflies and the familiarity I am feeling would disappear.

Emerson smiled at Talia as he shook his head in disbelief and he ran his hands through his thick black hair.

_Oh how I would like to do that. This isn't really happening, is it?_ Talia quickly shook the thought from her mind.

Emerson smiled and he shook Brianne's hand and he shot his friend a dirty look and then he moved his gaze over to Talia. He got up from the booth he was sitting at and they were face-to-face. A gorgeous tall muscular man standing face-to-face with a young supple untouchable beauty. The desire was so strong and so obvious.

This girl drives me crazy, I want her so bad and she wants me too; it's so obvious. It's written all over her face.

Was it fate that they kept meeting all over the place, that they always ended up at the same place at the same time? Even though Talia tried very hard to never show any interest in him, he still seemed to know she was interested and so was he. Emerson knew he should stay away from her but just that made him want her even more.

_Tonight should be interesting._ Emerson chuckled to himself.

"Talia, this is my friend Emerson Rose," Sane said as he was watching them both look at each other very oddly. He didn't really understand what was going on so he continued introducing them. "Emerson, this is Talia, Brianne's best friend."

Emerson stuck out his hand and shook hers as he smiled and looked deep into her dark green eyes with his lustful blue gaze and he licked his lips before he muttered, "Hello Talia. It's nice to meet you."

He was so close to her that he was all she could smell; she took in a deep breath, inhaling his sexy scent that made her mouth run dry and she licked her lips to moisten them before she smiled back. "Hello Emerson, it's nice to meet you as well." Talia shook his hand, and then he sat down and she followed suit, sitting down beside him at the table.

Sane faced Brianne and he touched her hand. "I'm going to the bar to get drinks. Do you want to come with me?" She smiled and then she looked over at Talia.

"I'll be right back. Behave while I am gone," Brianne stared at Talia. She knew that Talia could be a bitch sometimes and she didn't want her to ruin both their dates by pissing Emerson off. But Brianne was shocked when she saw the look of fear on Talia's face. Talia quickly hid the look with a smile and shook her head, letting her friend know she was fine.

Sane and Brianne went to the bar and Talia turned her body to face Emerson and she smiled uncomfortably.

"So this is an interesting situation we are in, Ms. Thorn." His voice was deep and he smiled inappropriately at her.

"Yes, Professor Rose, I believe this is a funny situation," Talia smiled, trying to pull away from him; she needed to keep her distance from him for his sake, not hers.

"Why is it that you never talk to me outside of class and you never stay after class or ever come to any of my poetry readings like all the other girls do, yet I run into you the most?"

"I don't know," Talia bit her lip and looked down before she looked up at him through long thick lashes.

"Fate, perhaps?" he moved in close to her and she swallowed hard as she couldn't take her eyes off his.

"Coincidence, that's all it is, professor," Talia snapped and breathed in heavy; she didn't like where he was going with the whole fate thing.

"Clam down, Talia. You're only my student for another week. It's no big deal."

"It is a big deal, what if someone sees you with me and thinks I am sleeping with you?" Talia gasped and shook her head. That was not a road she wanted to go down.

"It's not that big of a deal. It's just a part time creative writing course. No one would even care if we were sleeping together," He smiled suggestively.

"I care," Talia stared deep into his eyes with a look that said _it isn't going to happen_. It wasn't a look that Emerson wasn't used to being given by women. He was the type of guy that didn't have to ask to get a woman into bed. His gorgeous blue eyes and sexy smile mixed with his killer physique did the job for him. "Let's just make it through tonight for the sake of our friends and after you grade my last paper next week, we can be rid of each other," Talia suggested with a serious tone in her voice.

Emerson moved in close to her and whispered in her ear. "Now why on earth would I want that? I like it when you are around."

Talia didn't say a word; she just shot him a very dirty look.

"Oh, Ms. Thorn, if looks could kill," he purred and laughed as his hand grazed over hers on the table. The touch was sweet and gentle—not what she was accustomed to. Talia just looked into his eyes, she didn't shake or giggle at his touch but he was shocked that she didn't pull away. There was something about him but she didn't know what it was. She felt pulled to him but at the same time something told her to stay away.

"If looks could kill, I am sure you would have been killed a long time ago," Talia laughed but she still didn't move her arm away from his. She didn't want him to get the satisfaction of knowing he made her nervous.

_I have to remain in control here. So what if he is good looking and he knows it. I can handle good looking guys. What makes him so damn irresistible? Is it those amazing I-know-what-you-want-and-I-can-give-it-to-you, eyes? Oh_ , _I want to kiss him in the same moment as I want to cry. Something about his eyes I can't let go of the feeling, they are so familiar to me but before class I had never met Emerson and hopefully after next week I won't have to see him again._

"Yes, I am sure I would be," he laughed as he moved his head and looked around the club and watched as it was filling up with people. "Do you come here often?" He asked and looked at her, he saw a waiter talking to her.

The good looking guy bent down and kissed Talia on the cheek, he smiled at Emerson and then he walked away.

"Who was that?"

"Chuck, he works here," Talia smiled and batted her eyes at him as she fidgeted with her hands on her lap.

"Do you let all the waiters kiss you?" He asked in a low rusty voice and his eyebrows were arched indicating he was very interested.

"No Chuck is a friend of mine, I come here a lot and he watches out for me and my friends," Talia smiled. "We won't have to wait for drinks for the rest of the night; Chuck will hook us up."

"Really, you expect me to believe that guy is just your friend and he is going to bring us drinks all night and then just watch you leave?"

"Yes."

"No way," he laughed with a hiss.

"Why not, that's his job," she laughed. "The owner of this club is good friends with my dad and so when I come here, I get treated very well," Talia smiled and waved at the DJ who was waving her over but Talia shook her head no.

"I guess the DJ is a friend too?" He rolled his eyes suggesting something that wasn't the case.

Talia smiled at him like she knew she drove him crazy. "I have a lot of friends, professor."

"Will you stop calling me that? We're not in class right now, Talia."

She turned her whole body in his direction and she smiled up at him. "No, we're on a date," Talia laughed.

"Yes, it would seem that way," Emerson smiled at her. "So, tell me about yourself."

"Why?" she asked with a hiss like she was annoyed.

"Because we are on a date and that's what people do on dates. They talk about themselves," he said in a soft voice as he leaned in close to her again.

"Yes, but what we already know about each other is more than enough." Talia swallowed hard, she hated how he got to her like no other guy ever did. "I promised Brianne I would be nice so I will be. But I don't think us telling each other our deep dark secrets is a good idea." Talia looked over to the bar and around and she didn't see her friend. "Where are Brianna and Sane? They've been gone a while."

"Talia, you write beautiful poetry. I have read your deep dark secrets in some form or another and I love how raw and dark you are; your work it's very inspiring. I must say I always look forward to reading your work the most."

"I never thought of it that way," Talia muttered, but he could barely hear her over the bass of the music. "Thank you for the compliment, I love poetry, I love writing, and I love your writing. I have read all your books."

His eyes light up with excitement. "You have read my books? Thank you," he said like he was very honored.

"No thank you, since I am being nice I will tell you that you are one of favorite poets," Talia said shyly. Being shy was not something she ever was; she never let anyone get to her the way he did. She didn't know if it was because she looked at him as untouchable or because he was just so incredible. But there was so much they both didn't know about each other.

"Well, that's an incredible honor, who else is on that list?"

Talia smiled and she was happy talking to him about writing. It made her feel more comfortable. It seemed appropriate for them to discuss their passion for the art other than to talk about themselves. Just as she was going to open her mouth to tell him her favorite poets, Brianne set a drink down in front of her.

"Holy, took you two long enough," Emerson huffed at his friend as he grabbed his beer.

"Sorry," Brianne giggled. "We ended up on the dance floor."

"Distractions, distractions," Emerson purred as he purposely grazed Talia's hand as he picked up his beer and took a sip, eyeing her down the whole time.

Brianne and Sane took their seats across from Talia and Emerson.

"Do you two know each other?" Sane asked, smiling as he took a sip of his beer and looked from Emerson to Talia.

#  Chapter 2

Talia smiled and went to open her mouth to tell them the whole story but before she could, Emerson shook his head no and then he grabbed Talia's hand.

"Talia, dance with me," he demanded. It wasn't a question but something about the look in his eyes made her agree.

"We'll be back," Talia laughed with an excited expression on her face as she winked at her best friend and led Emerson to the dance floor.

The song _Nobody Does It Like You by_ Swan Desman came on. "This is my song," Talia laughed as her eyes met his, they made their way to the dance floor. Talia moved her hips from side to side and she watched Emerson as he looked lost; he didn't know the song and she laughed at him.

"Don't laugh at me. It's not nice," he said, moving in close to her. When she didn't move away from him, he put his hands on her hips and they moved to the beat together.

Talia laughed. "What's so funny?" he asked, arching his eyebrow.

"My teacher is grinding up against me; something about that just feels so wrong."

"Oh you make me feel like a villain. We're just dancing," Emerson huffed and rolled his eyes.

"Oh I think I need a shot, if we're going to be dancing like this all night." Talia smiled and they made their way through the crowds of people to the bar. "Hey Jimmy, can I have four porn star shots?" Talia asked the bartender; he smiled at her warmly.

"Anything for you, my dear," Jimmy the bartender said, smiling at her and then he eyed Emerson who was standing behind her with his hands on her waist. "He with you?"

"For tonight," Talia laughed and made a funny face. "I am on a date."

"Really," Jimmy laughed and he looked over at Emerson with a shocked look on his face. "Well, buddy, I don't know who the hell you are, but consider yourself lucky if she agreed to go on a date with you," Jimmy said as he set the shots on the bar. "This round's on me."

"She didn't agree. She was forced into it," Emerson admitted and he smiled and looked down into Talia's eyes.

"The things we do for our friends," she said, picking up a shot. Emerson did the same and they both knocked them back and laughed.

"What the hell I am I drinking?" Emerson asked making a bitter face. "That was so sour. Before tonight, I would have taken you for a sweet girl."

"Well, now you know there ain't nothing sweet about me," Talia purred with an almost evil look on her face and then she laughed and took another shot and so did he.

"Are you up for another?" Emerson asked.

"Professor Rose, are you trying to get me drunk?" Talia laughed.

"Well, yes. Maybe that will make this situation less tense."

"Ok then, let's get drunk." Talia waved Jimmy back over and Emerson ordered them two shots of liquid cocaine. "Why did you pull me away from your friend when I was going to say how we know each other?"

"Because I don't want Sane to know I teach. If you don't mind, can we just keep that between us?" Emerson asked, looking deep into her eyes. The look on his face was fear and he almost looked ashamed; she felt sorry for him.

"Yeah, of course," Talia muttered as she shook her head. "Is that why you have a pen name for your books, because you don't want people to know who you are?"

"Yes."

Talia was leaning up against the bar and she moved in close to him so their bodies were touching. She could smell him and oh he smelled so good. "I understand not wanting people to know who you are, say no more, your secret is safe with me."

_She is incredible; no issues with secrets, no prying to know who I really am. Oh_ , _I like her_ , _she is such a nice change from what I am used to._

"This is a shout out to the most beautiful girl in this club. Talia, this is your song baby girl. Enjoy," The DJ said over the stereo. _The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson_ came on the stereo and Talia laughed. "I love this song."

"Well, it was dedicated to you so we better go dance, and I actually know this song," Emerson touched her back and whispered in her ear. His hot breath rolled down her neck, giving her goose bumps. Something about him made her feel week in the knees.

They made their way to the dance floor where they found Sane and Brianne dancing. They danced to a few songs and then they found an empty couch and they all sat down to take a break. Brianne and Sane went to play pool.

Talia was fanning herself with her hand and sweat was running down her cheek.

"If you're hot, why don't you take off your jacket?" Emerson said as he handed her a bottle of water.

"Because I am embarrassed about the dress I chose to wear tonight." She shook her head. "I didn't know you were going to be here," Talia said, looking down at the hem of her short red dress.

"If I was someone else, would you take you jacket off?"

"Yes."

"Oh my god, you're crazy. Who the hell cares? We are drunk and having fun. I promise I will not treat you any different in class because of tonight," he hollered as he put his hands in the air and then dropped them to his side and he laughed.

"Ok, so tonight is just another little secret," Talia laughed as she stood up and took off her jean jacket, revealing her perfect curvy body wrapped up in a fitted cotton red dress that left little to the imagination.

_Wow_ , _there is no way I will get this image out of my head. I want her. She is so sexy, I always thought she was a pretty girl and so smart, one of my favorite students but I like this side of her too._

"Wow, that's what you chose to wear on a blind date?" Emerson shook his head as he let out a playful laugh. "Well, its different from the cardigans you wear to class." He gave her a sexy look as he checked her out.

"Yes well, I was trying to make a statement." Talia shook her head.

"What?" Emerson asked, confused.

"Ok, I'll explain. If you didn't know me and this was our first meeting and you saw me in this dress, what would be your first impression be and be honest?" Talia asked as she sat down beside him and looked into his eyes.

Emerson moved in close and whispered in her ear as he touched her arm, slowly running his fingers over her skin making her mouth water. "Dangerous, trouble and sexy as hell."

Talia pulled her arm away from him and took a sip of her water and then she smiled and looked at him. "Dangerous and trouble is what I was going for." Talia gave him an evil look and she laughed.

"Really, you want people to think that about you?" he asked. He was so intrigued by her.

"Yes, then they leave me alone," she muttered with almost sad eyes.

Emerson moved in close and looked deep into her eyes. "What if I don't want to leave you alone?"

Talia swallowed hard he made her feel excited and the look in his eyes told her he wanted her. Talia took a deep breath and shook her head and gave him a look that said _we are never going to happen_. "So you and Sane work together? Brianne told me you work for an advertising company? I am curious how do you live two separate lives?" Talia asked and then her question made her feel ill.

**The thought that he lived two separate lives left a bitter taste in her mouth.** Her father lived two separate lives and because of all his lies, two women ended up losing their lives and she lost her mother. Talia was so infatuated with Emerson but she knew he was dangerous and she should stay away, even though a part of her didn't want to. She didn't want to be the girl that had an affair with her teacher.

He smiled and his eyes darkened and then his expression became more serious.

"Sometimes we have to behave a certain way; we have to do things because that's what is expected of us. I am caught in-between who I want to be and who my family expects me to be. I just gave in to what my dad wanted and now I work for him. But to keep myself happy I write books and teach part time at the college because writing is my passion. I love it but I want to keep the peace with my old man. It just makes life easier to be what he wants me to be rather than to be the real me," Emerson admitted.

"That's sad but I understand, I come from a very messed up family and I often try to hide who I really am from people. But I am the opposite; I enjoy pissing off my old man although he often gets what he wants in the end. I think deep down, no matter how much we hate our parents, all we ever really want is to make them proud. Like for me I wanted to get my Masters in Shakespeare Studies but my dad won that fight and I stayed here and took Business and English." Talia rolled her eyes.

"You are still young. That's why you like to piss your father off. When I was young I did everything to piss my old man off. I almost got kicked out of university when I was getting my business degree. I started an underground fight club; I was undefeated three years in a row and I made loads of cash. One night we got caught and I almost got kicked out of school; my dad paid the school a lot of money to let me stay. I didn't care. I didn't want to be there, after I graduated. I was still getting in trouble and my father gave up on me and told me I could do whatever I wanted so I went to study Shakespeare in the UK at the University of Birmingham. I loved studying Shakespeare and my time there was amazing. I grew up a lot and learned a lot about myself. When I came home I was a different man and my father and I came to an understanding. It's like you said; deep down, we just want to make them happy."

"Even if that means giving up what we want?" Talia asked, looking up at him with a sad expression on her face and then she smiled. "I am so jealous you got to study Shakespeare."

"It was amazing. I am impressed that you have a love for Shakespeare; most people think my degree was a waste of time and money, but for me it was the best thing I ever did."

"People suck," she snapped and made a funny face. "I think all that matters is that you learned something and if it was important to you, then who cares what people think."

"So Talia, why are you taking a creative writing course when you have a BA in English?" Emerson asked. He was so close to her as the club was busy and very loud they had to be so close in order to hear each other talk. But the heat from his body made her so hot she could barely think.

Talia moved away from him and she laughed.

"What so funny?" Emerson asked, his eye brows arched and his face looked confused.

"I am not a stalker or anything," Talia laughed again. "Maybe just your biggest fan. I have read all your books and I follow you online. When you posted on your website you were teaching at the college, I sighed up for your class. I love poetry and I love writing and I have really enjoyed your class." She looked away from him, embarrassed.

Emerson moved in close to her and touched her face and looked into her eyes. "I am extremely honored. I didn't know I had such a dedicated fan. I must say I also am a fan of your writing and I am really excited to read your final assignment."

"Well, I really enjoyed writing the final assignment, so I hope I get a good grade." Talia shot him a soft sweet smiled that made her look almost innocent even in that sexy red dress.

" _A stolen moment was all we shared_

A soft touch, a gentle stare

He held my hand because he cared.

A memory that will always be there

I don't know him; I never will

But there are moments that I get a chill.

When I think of how he saved me

One night on a hill,"

Emerson recited her poem back to her slowly with such passion, it sounded so amazing coming off his lips.

"Wow, you memorized my poem," Talia blinked, trying to hold back her emotions; he made her feel things that she had never felt before.

"Yes, I told you I like your work," he said as he looked into her eyes he leaned in close to her as he touched her face.

"I am not going to sleep with you, professor," Talia laughed nervously.

Emerson moved away from her and shot her a dirty look. "I wasn't asking you to." He was shocked with how much control she had; maybe that was what was so appealing about her.

**Two good looking women walked up to them**. Talia and Emerson looked up to see a beautiful blond haired woman in her early thirties wearing a white pencil skirt to her knees with a cream colored blouse and she had on matching shoes. She didn't look like she fit in at the club at all and she had a pissed off look on her face. The girl she was with was also tall and blond but not nearly as pretty or as mean looking.

"Emerson, so nice to see you. It looks like you are having fun," said the pissed off blond batting her eyelashes and then she glared at Talia.

Emerson stood up he looked as pissed off as she was. "Clara, what are you doing here?"

"It's a club, I am allowed to be here." She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

"This is a little bit much, even for you Clara." He crossed his arms and gave her a dirty look. "How did you know I was going to be here?"

She looked away from him as if she couldn't look in his eye while she told a lie. "I didn't know you were going to be here."

"Really? So you're telling me that you and Maryann just thought you would go clubbing?"

"Yes, sorry to surprise you but I'm not surprised to see you picking up a little slut for the night," she hissed. Talia stood up and stared at the women who just called her a slut. A smile on her face that told her she wasn't offended. "Come on Emerson, really," she pointed at Talia up and down. "She is like, what, nineteen? That's a little pathetic even for you."

Emerson grabbed Clara's wrist and pulled her in close. "Don't be a bitch to my friend, I think you owe Talia an apology if you ever want me to speak to you again," he hissed in her face he was forceful and demanding and she looked hot for him.

He released her hand and she looked at Talia, rolled her eyes and muttered. "I'm sorry, he is only going to use you for the night and you'll never see him again. Have fun being used," Clara hissed and laughed with her friend.

Talia moved in close to the women and she laughed looking up at her. "What makes you think I want to see him again? You're the pathetic one," Talia shook her head. "It's not nice to judge a book by its cover, and I will enjoy my night, thank you." Talia took Emerson by the hand and they walked to the dance floor and Brianne and Sane met them and they all danced together.

"What was that all about?" Brianne asked concerned.

Talia looked at Emerson for an explanation. "I am sorry, Clara is a friend of my family she thinks that we are going to get married one day or something. She is crazy but we grew up together and we work together so I can't get rid of her." Emerson shrugged his shoulders and made an annoyed look. He moved in close to Talia. As they were dancing, she looked over at Clara who was watching them on the dance floor. Talia smiled and waved to her as Emerson was grinding up on her. "You're really pissing her off," he whispered in her ear and his hot breath made her body shake. She shut her eyes and let herself enjoy the way his hands felt on her hips. "I love it, most girls find her intimidating."

Talia turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck and she laughed. "Intimidating? Come on, when you look and dress the way I do, you get used to being called a slut. I deal with jealous girls all the time. It's no big deal. She was wrong, by the way; I am twenty-three, not nineteen."

He touched her face and looked into her eyes. Their expressions were serious; she felt like it wasn't a good idea but she wanted him to kiss her. She wanted to feel his lips on hers and taste his tongue in her mouth. She breathed in deep and shut her eyes. She was giving in, letting him have her if he wanted her, something she didn't let happen as often as people thought.

**Just then, two large arms wrapped around Talia's waist and she was pulled away from Emerson**. She looked down at the arms around her waist and she screamed and jabbed her heel into the man's foot and he released her from his grip. Talia turned around and looked at the tall good looking jock that she knew far too well and she slapped him across the face. "Jeff, what the hell are you doing?"

Emerson came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "Are you ok?" he asked, looking down at Talia's red angry face and she took a deep breath and shook her head yes. Emerson looked up at the other guy, his face was mad as hell and he looked like he was ready to kill.

"What the hell was that?" she snapped.

"Who the hell is this guy?" Jeff asked, pointing at Emerson.

Jeff was tall, thin and good looking; he had golden brown hair and green eyes. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a striped polo shirt with the collar popped. Talia and Jeff had an on and off again thing for years but it was never anything serious and they hadn't been together in months. "I thought I was saving you."

"Saving me? I don't need to be saved, I am a big girl," Talia hissed. "Jeff, this is my date. Emerson, this is Jeff, a friend; we went to school together," Talia said rolling her eyes as she introduced the two men; it was a very uncomfortable situation.

"Fucking friends! If that's what we are then you really are a slut," Jeff screamed at her.

Talia was pissed but she was more distracted by the massive body shaking behind hers. She could feel Emerson's anger and she felt happy that he had this need to protect her. She pushed herself away from him, keeping herself in between the two men.

"Jeff, I think you need to leave now," Talia screamed.

"Or what? The new guy you're banging is going to kick my ass?" Jeff laughed.

"Will you stop this shit, Jeff? I am not sleeping with anybody. Just leave me alone, I don't want to be with you and you don't want me either."

Talia grabbed Emerson's hand and Brianne and Sane followed her to the bar.

Brianne gave Talia a hug. "Honey, are you ok?"

"Yeah, I am fine. I just hate Jeff. I wish he would just go away," she hissed and shook her head. She was so embarrassed and now her teacher thought she was a slut.

Talia ordered a round of shots for all of them.

Emerson moved in close to her and whispered in her ear. "An ex of yours?"

"Yeah, I guess you can call him that." Talia rolled her eyes and let out a gust of air. She looked though the crowds of people and saw Jeff walking over to them. But before she could get out of the way, a redheaded girl bumped into her and then their eyes met and then she looked up at Emerson.

"Talia, Professor Rose," Anna Boxer said, laughing and stumbling over; she was also a student in his class.

Emerson looked at Sane but he was distracted by kissing Brianne so he didn't notice Anna call him Professor.

"Hello, Ms. Boxer, it would seem I am running into all my students tonight," Emerson huffed, giving Talia a funny look. Talia moved away from Anna and Emerson when she saw that Jeff was standing right there laughing. Anna walked away and Emerson stood beside Talia and he looked at Jeff.

"Professor. He is your teacher?" Jeff laughed.

"Jeff, shut up!" Talia screamed at him; her body was shaking.

"Old habits die hard. Hey, Tal, always going after teachers. You are a whore just like you were in high school, just like your mother," Jeff hissed, shaking his head.

"I am not a whore," Talia screamed, her body shaking with anger. "I never slept with you, did I?"

"I still had my dick in your mouth," Jeff screamed at her with a cocky smile on his face.

Just then, Talia was pushed out of the way and Jeff was on the ground out cold and Emerson was standing in front of her. His eyes looked angry but he didn't even break a sweat knocking Jeff out.

Brianne grabbed Talia by the hand and pulled her out of the club. Sane and Emerson followed and they all walked down the street.

"Will one of you tell me what the hell is going on?" Sane asked, very confused.

"My ex was causing problems and Emerson was defending me." Talia rolled her eyes, holding back tears.

Brianne hugged Talia and then she looked up at Emerson. "Thank you for that, someone needed to punch that guy in the head."

"Anytime some asshole needs a punch in the head, let me know," Emerson said, laughing.

"Yeah, well it's not funny. Jeff is probably going to find out who you are so he can have you charged," Talia said, looking up at him as she ran her fingers through her hair. "I am so sorry."

"I wouldn't worry about it, Talia. It's not the first time Emerson has knocked out some guy in a bar, although it was the first time he did it defending a women," Sane laughed in a suggestive manner.

"Well, now what?" Brianne asked with a disappointed look on her face. "I don't want to go home yet, it's still early."

"I know a place we can go," Sane said, looking at Emerson for his approval and he shook his head yes. Sane hailed down a cab and all four of them got in and Sane gave the cabby the address.

**They pulled up to a restaurant / bar called Emerson's. Talia had never been there before; she held Brianne's hand as they followed the two men inside**. It was a nice classy place. The bar was packed with people in business suits. The sign said, "wait to be seated" but Emerson just walked on through the bar and they followed him upstairs to a room that said VIP on the door. The room was not very big and it was dark in there. There were couches and tables, a DJ and a small bar in the corner. There was only one other party in the room and they sat at a table in the back minding their own business. Talia and Brianne sat down at the table with Sane as Emerson went to the bar to get them all drinks.

"Where are we?" Talia asked, uncomfortable.

"Emerson's family owns this place," Sane said, smiling like it was supposed to impress her but Talia just rolled her eyes.

So what, he is rich, so I am, the last thing I need in my life is some rich guy that thinks he needs to fight people off to protect me. Oh god he must think I am...

Emerson handed Brianne and Sane a drink but he didn't have one for himself or for Talia. He held out his hand to her and looked deep into her eyes. His face was dark and he had a very disturbed look in his eyes. "Come with me."

He was so demanding but she couldn't resist giving in and going with him. Talia was nervous; she knew she had to explain her past to him or he was just going to think she was a slut. Lots of people thought that about her but for the first time she felt the need to tell him the truth. Talia's heart was pounding, she wished she was someone else in that moment, anyone else would do.

Talia looked at Brianne with sad eyes and she followed Emerson to a set of sliding glass doors onto a balcony. Talia walked past him and she grabbed on to the railing and she looked out into the city lights. The air was fresh and felt nice on her heated skin; Talia took a deep breath when she felt him standing behind her.

"When I was thirteen my mom was murdered and then I found out my dad was married to another women and she was the one that planned my mother's death. I was my father's dirty little secret. After everything settled down, I moved in with my father because I had nowhere else to go. I rebelled against him. I hung out with the wrong crowed, partied a lot; I did anything to make my dad look bad. When I was sixteen I got in a fight with a girl in class because she called me a slut. I was friends with all the guys so automatically I was a slut."

"Anyway, I had to stay after class with Mr. Laski. He was very nice to me we talked about my mom's death and how I behaved in school. I told him all my secrets I cried and he held me in his arms, it was the first time anyone held me since my mom had died and I felt safe for a moment and then he kissed me. I was scared and shocked but I didn't stop him, I let him kiss me. Before I could process what was happening so I could stop it, another teacher walked into the classroom to see me in his arms and tears running down my face as he was kissing me. Mr. Laski lost his job and my dad pulled me out of school and put me in a private school. But I was known as the girl that banged the math teacher."

"When I got to university, things got better but then I ran into Jeff. He remembered me from high school and we became friends with benefits. I guess that's what you could call our agreement. We hung out, fooled around and went to parties and that was the extent of our relationship. I never slept with him. It used to bother me what people thought about me but it doesn't anymore, I know who I am and I know the things that I have done and that's all that really matters. But I wanted you to know that I don't have a things for teachers." Talia breathed out a harsh breath. He touched her arms and she could feel his hot breath on her cold neck it made her shake with excitement.

"Everyone has a past, Talia; you don't have to defend yourself to me. Now let's forget about frat boys and skinny blond bitches. And why don't we go back to talking about poetry. You never told me who your favorite poet is?"

"E.E Cummings," Talia whispered and she turned around too look into his blue eyes, he moved in close to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

" _I carry your heart with me I carry it in_

my heart, I am never without it anywhere

I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is your doing, my darling

I fear no fate for you are my fate, my sweet I want

no world for beautiful you are my world, my true

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart I carry it in my heart."

Emerson recited his favorite poem by E.E. Cummings to her and as the words came out of his mouth, tears fell down Talia's face.

Oh my god, it's him, that's why I feel pulled to him. That's why he seemed so familiar. Oh my god, ten years of people telling me I was crazy. But I am not crazy and it wasn't an angel, it was him. Oh my god, why is this thing happening? I can't believe it's really him. Oh my god, I am crying.

"Talia, are you okay?" Emerson asked, touching her face and gently wiping her tears away.

She was shaking and tears were falling down her face. "That is my favorite poem."

"So why are you crying?"

"Because it's you it's really you, you're my Angel. You recited that poem to me before when we both thought I was going to die," Talia pulled away from him, she was shaking and he looked as shocked as she was. "I can't believe it's you. I have to go."

Talia pushed away from him and she ran into the club to find Brianne making out with Sane.

"Talia what's wrong?" Brianne asked as she saw Talia's tear filled eyes. "Did he hurt you?"

"No, I just have to go. Sane, will you make sure Brianne gets home safe?"

"Yes, of course."

"No, I am coming with you," Brianne said getting up and she held Talia's hand. "Sorry Sane I will call you tomorrow."

Emerson walked over to them. "Talia, please wait, talk to me."

"Brianne, I have to go now," Talia said pulling Brianne out of the VIP room and out of the bar.

They got into a cab and Talia put her hands on her face as she cried.

"Talia, you are freaking me out. What did he do to you? I haven't seen you cry so much in years."

"It's him," Talia gasped and looked into Brianne's worried eyes. "Emerson is my Angel. I finally found him."

"Oh my god, really, it's him?" Brianne was shocked.

"Yes, he is real. I am not crazy. Emerson Rose is my Angel. He's the guy who saved my life," Talia shook her head and looked at her friend who was smiling with a confused look on her face.

"So if you found him then what the hell are you doing crying in a cab?" Brianne asked as she put her arm around her best friend.

#  Chapter 3

**Emerson was stumbling down Trussler road from a college fight club party;** it was the middle of the winter and he was drunk and covered in blood. He was feeling pretty good about the fight he had just won. When a car came speeding past him swerving all over the road, he watched as the car went into the ditch and flipped a few times before it stopped. Emerson's heart was racing as he ran to the car, screaming.

He slid down the hill of the ditch, the car was upside down and he could hear crying and screaming. "Mommy, Mommy are you ok?"

He picked up his cell phone and called 911.

Emerson went to the passenger's side door of the car and he tapped on the window and he saw a young dark haired girl. "I am going to get you out, okay?" He tried to open the door but it didn't work. "I can't get in; can you roll down the window?" He asked the girl.

"I can try." The young girl cried as she slowly tried to open the window and then she screamed in pain. "I can't—everything hurts too much," she cried, she looked out the window to see the most beautiful blue eyes staring at her. She opened the window just enough for him to get his arms in and he rolled it down the rest of the way. He got in and looked at the girl. She was covered in blood and then he looked over at her mother.

"I think my mom is dead?" She cried. Emerson reached over to the women in the driver's seat and he felt her neck for a pulse but there wasn't one. Emerson noticed liquid dripping inside the car and all he could smell was gas. He looked at the girl and he touched her face. "I am going to get you out of here." He undid her seat belt and pulled her out of the car. She cried and screamed out in pain. He pulled her up the hill and held her in his arms. They could hear the sirens in the distance. "Help is on its way." He said looking into her big tear filled eyes and he touched her beautiful face. Just then they heard a crack, he looked at the car and it was up in flames. She screamed for her mother, her body vibrated with pain. She held on to the beautiful stranger and cried.

He touched her face and she looked up into his eyes. "Am I going to die?" The look in his eyes told her he didn't know and tears fell down his face as he held her in his arms. "I don't want to die," she cried and her body shook and she screamed out in pain again. She reached for her stomach and she screamed some more when she felt a piece of glass in poking out of her skin.

Emerson touched her face and looked deep into her eyes. "Look at me, you're going to live. You're going to be alright. I am not going to leave until the ambulance comes."

Talia's breathing became shallow, her skin went white and lips went blue. "Are you an angel?" She asked in a faint whisper as tears slid down her face. "I wonder what heaven will be like."

"Hey, you're not going to die," he cried out loud, holding her tighter in his arms.

"I am going to die but it's okay. Thanks to you I won't be alone," she smiled through her tears and pain as she touched his face and shut her eyes. "Will you sing to me, when I am sad my mom always sings to me."

"I can't sing but I know a poem," Emerson muttered through chattering teeth; it was minus twenty and he was sitting in a snow bank holding on to the dying girl.

" _I carry your heart with me I carry it in_

my heart, I am never without it anywhere

I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done

by only me is you're doing, my darling

I fear no fate for you are my fate, my sweet I want

no world for beautiful you are my world, my true

and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide

and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart I carry it in my heart"

"That was so beautiful Angel, I will never forget you if I live or die," Talia whispered and shut her eyes.

**Emerson looked at Talia's empty seat in his last class and he found himself feeling very sad.** He couldn't believe she was the girl he saved that night so many years ago. He believed it was fate that they found each other just like he believed it was fate they met that night. But he was confused and pissed that she took off on him and she didn't show up to his last two classes and she wouldn't return any of his phone calls. He sat down at his desk as he dismissed the class and he picked up Talia's last paper she handed into him. The paper was on what inspired her love for poetry and when reading her paper he was filled with feelings he had never had before. He was her inspiration all along, because he recited the E.E. Cummings poem to her the night he saved her life. He read the passion of her paper and all the things she felt for her mystery Angel and it was him. He wanted to see her; he needed to talk to her but after he read her last paper he understood why she didn't want to see him. He understood she would be so embarrassed to see him after she shared her deepest feeling for him on paper without knowing she was doing so.

Emerson packed his stuff up and left his class and he called Brianne, trying to get to Talia.

**Talia walked into her house after her jog to find Brianne, her roommate, in the kitchen talking to Shelia, Talia's father's newest wife.** She was only two years older than Talia, even though it was weird at first Talia actually really liked Shelia and for the most part they got along well. Probably because they were friends before she married her dad and even though it bothered Talia she couldn't help but like Shelia. She was such a simple person and she didn't have a mean bone in her body.

Talia walked into the kitchen opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water and she drank it down fast.

"How was your run?" Shelia asked, smiling.

"Fine," Talia raised her eye brows as she looked at her step mother. "What's up, Shelia?"

"Oh nothing, just came over to catch up on girl stuff," Shelia muttered and she laughed and looked over at Brianne and they both laughed.

"What is so funny?" Talia asked rolling her eyes.

"Someone sent you roses," Brianne smiled as she pointed to the counter to where a bouquet of yellow roses were sitting in a vase.

Talia rolled her eyes and she picked up the card and opened it and she read the note.

Talia

I need to see you again. I understand why you didn't

show up to class but please don't push me away.

I want to know you. I think it was fate I was there that night and

I think it was fate that brought us together again.

Please call me.

519-999-1111

Emerson Rose

Talia took a deep breath and she looked at Brianne and then at Shelia, who was still giggling.

"Shelia, what is so damn funny? So I got roses," Talia rolled her eyes, she was annoyed that Emerson wouldn't give up and she was annoyed that Jeff had been phoning her all week apologizing. She was annoyed with her father for giving her a hard time about not working for him now that she was done with school.

She didn't want to work for her father. She wanted to do things on her own without his help. So she took a one year internship at an advertising company in Kitchener called Light the Rose. She had been fighting with her father over it for weeks; he didn't understand why she wouldn't work for him, where she would be given a great high up position with a great salary.

Talia wanted to start out at the bottom and work her way up, she felt like she never really had to work hard for anything. Everything was always handed to her and she actually really hated how easy things were sometimes. That's why she was constantly giving money to charities, she felt like she should because she could.

"Sorry Talia but you got a lot of flowers sent to you," Shelia said and she pointed into the dining room where two more bouquets were sitting on the table.

Talia couldn't help but laugh. "Are they all from him?" she asked. Looking at Brianne, who shrugged her shoulders.

"Who's him?" Shelia asked very excited.

"No one that's of any importance," Talia huffed as she walked over to the dining room to look at all her flowers.

"Yeah right he is not important," Brianne sighed and crossed her arms as she sat down on a bar stool and looked at Talia.

Talia pointed at Shelia. "I don't really want to talk about him right now," she huffed.

"Oh come on, you girls are like my only friends. I promise I won't tell your father anything." She smiled and crossed her heart with her fingers like a child.

Shelia was obviously pretty but not supper intelligent, the dumb blond syndrome was what she had and would admit it. But she was a sweetheart and loved everyone, she was blond, young and beautiful and she landed herself a good looking rich older husband who she adored and he loved her as much as she loved him.

Talia opened her flowers up and read the notes from two different men. She took a deep breath she walked into the kitchen and she pulled a big bottle of wine out of her fridge and she poured herself and drink and chugged it back and then she looked up at Shelia and Brianne and she laughed.

"What is so funny?"

"I got flowers from three different men," Talia chugged another class of wine. "Jeff is an idiot, he doesn't even like me. I don't know why he set me flowers. He never treated me nice when we dated. I don't even know why I ever liked him."

"Who else sent you flowers?" Brianne asked.

"Jeff, Emerson and Trevor," Talia moaned as she leaned into the counter and put her hands on her face.

"You're the only girl in the world that gets sent flowers from three different men and moans about it," Shelia laughed.

"Ok well, like I said, Jeff is and idiot and Emerson I don't know what to do about him yet and then there is Trevor and that is never going to happen. I hate dad for pushing that guy on me. I know he thinks that Trevor Hays is the perfect man but that's only because he likes him so damn much. Trevor is like the son Dad wishes I was," Talia huffed and poured another glass of wine.

"Do either of you want some?" she asked holding up the bottle and smiling. Both ladies shook their head no. "Good, more for me."

"Yeah well you better slow down. You have a date with Trevor tonight," Shelia reminded her and Talia let her head fall onto the counter top and she moaned again.

"It's not really a date when dad makes me go to all charity events with Trevor because he trusts him. I think he hopes that I will magically fall in love with him at one of these events so he can marry me off," Talia muttered through her hair that covered her face and she stood up and fixed herself.

"What's wrong with Trevor? He is good looking, has a nice house, drives a nice car, he likes you and he is friends with your father," Shelia smiled.

"I know I sound like a snob that thinks she is too good for everyone but, Trevor is not the guy for me. All he ever does is talk about himself and when we are at these events and I try to talk he shuts me up. It's so annoying and it's rude. He only wants me because I am Harrison Montgomery's daughter and I look pretty on his arm. I don't want to be someone's trophy wife and that's what Trevor wants: a beautiful trophy wife to shut up and look pretty and that isn't me," Talia huffed as she put her hands on her hips.

"Oh Talia, how I love you so," Brianne laughed.

"Why won't you talk to Emerson, he keeps phoning me?" Brianne was a little annoyed.

"Who is Emerson?" Shelia asked very excited.

"He is her Guardian Angel."

"Bree shut up, she is married to my dad," Talia snapped shaking her head.

"No, I swear I won't say a thing to him. So this Emerson guy is the man who saved you when you were in the car accident? The same guy you have been fantasizing over for the last ten years? And you won't talk to him?"

"It's complicated," Talia huffed.

"Explain it to us."

"Ok, Emerson is a writer. I found his books online and I fell in love with his work. I found out he was teaching a class at the college so I took his class. In the course we had to hand in poems, short stories and papers on our inspirations. For the last three months I have been handing in poems and papers about my angel who happens to be my teacher. I poured my heart out like an idiot, expressing my love for a man I didn't even know and it was him all along. How can I face him now?"

"What, Emerson is your teacher and you failed to mention this to me? I though he worked with Sane?" Brianne stood up with a shocked and hurt expression on her face.

"Oh shit Brianne, I am sorry," Talia touched her head and made a sad face. "He asked me not to tell you he teaches, he doesn't want Sane to know. I don't know, it's something to do with his family. He keeps that part of his life a secret," Talia shrugged her shoulders.

"I think you should at least talk to him, you have been dreaming about this man since you were thirteen and he is gorgeous and he wants to talk to you," Brianne said, smiling.

"Ok fine, I will think about it. But now I have to go for a shower and then we have to get ready for this fundraiser," Talia huffed and rolled her eyes. "At least you're coming with me right, Bree?"

Brianne bit her lip and shook her head. "I have a date with Sane so I am not going with you," Brianne whispered, looking down at the floor.

"You're bailing on me to have fun with your boyfriend and I have to suffer the whole night alone with Trevor and my dad," Talia groaned.

"You won't be all alone, Shelia will be there too," Brianne smiled, her _I love you please forgive me_ smile.

#  Chapter 4

**Trevor knocked on the door at seven sharp.** Talia answered it, wearing a gold lace fitted dress that went just above her knees. She had her long chocolate brown hair half up in lose curls, it fell down her back.

"Hello Trevor, let me grab my coat and I am ready to go," Talia smiled at him.

"You look phenomenal this evening," Trevor said in his deep voice.

He walked into the font of her house and he helped her with her coat. He was wearing a black suit with a white shirt and green tie. He was just less than six foot and was good looking in that rich cocky guy way. He had golden hair that was perfectly pushed back and every strand stayed in its place. He had a thick jaw line with a dimple in his chin; he was physically fix but not muscular, he was quite the ladies' man.

"Thank you, Trevor you look handsome as well," Talia was trying to be as polite as possible.

"Shall we go over to my dad's so we can all ride together?" Talia asked.

"Yes," He said holding out his arm for her to hold. They walked out of her house and walked next door to her father's amazing five story mansion. Even though Talia only lived next door to her father it took them ten minutes to walk up to his door step. Ten minutes where Trevor talked about himself the whole time trying to impress her. But Talia really was a simple girl that was brought into a world of money and fancy things and she didn't really care about that stuff. She got used to dealing with men like Trevor and she had no use for him. All he cared about was himself as did most of the men she knew that's why she was still single. Talia had never really had a boyfriend that she ever really connected with; she felt like all of the guys she dated never even liked her. Sure they thought she was hot, but she felt like no one ever cared enough to find out who she really was. If Trevor really wanted to impress her he should have just asked how she was doing instead of boring her with his stupid stories about how he was improving his golf swing.

**Talia opened the door to her dad's house as Shelia was walking down the stairs in a stunning pink gown that showed off her perfect fake breasts.** Around her neck was a beautiful diamond necklace that sparkled from the light of the crystal chandelier in the front foyer. Talia watched the way Trevor looked at her step mother's breasts and she shook her head in disgust.

"Harrison? Talia and Trevor are here. Are you ready, darling?" Shelia called to her husband.

"I'll be right down," Harrison called; his voice was deep and forceful.

"Tally, Tally," Kami came running up to her big sister. Talia bent down as her three year old half-sister ran into her arms. Kami was gorgeous she had long blond wavy hair like her mother but her big green eyes were just like Talia's and they both got their eyes from their father.

"How are you, honey?" Talia asked, kissing her sister on the cheek.

"I am good. Do you like my dress?" Kami asked, pulling away from Talia so she could show off her frilly blue dress. "I got all pretty for the party but daddy says I can't go," Kami pouted.

"Well, I wish I got to stay home and hang out with you but daddy says I have to go to the party," Talia frowned too and both her and her sister laughed.

Harrison made his way down the winding stair case and he kissed his wife on the check. He picked up Kami and held her in his arms and he looked at Talia and he kissed her check.

Harrison was a very good looking man he was in his late fifties and still had a nice thick head of almost black hair. He had big dark green eyes and a thick jaw-line and a very defined nose. He was six four and he had a thick muscular physique. When he walked into a room, he demanded attention and respect and he got it.

"My two girls. Can't make either of you happy," Harrison laughed.

"Yes, you can let Kami go to the party as Trevor's date and I'll stay here and watch movies with the nanny," Talia laughed as she kissed her father on the cheek.

Harrison looked at Kami and then at Trevor. "What do you think, Kami? Do you want to be his date?" Trevor shot Kami a charming smiled and she giggled.

"Yes, he is cute. I'll be his date," she said and they all laughed.

"Well, it's nice to know one of your daughters finds me worthy," Trevor muttered, clearing his throat as his eyes glared into Talia's and she smiled her sexiest smiled, teasing him the best she could.

"Well, pumpkin, we have to go, you run along and get ready for bed," Harrison said, putting Kami down and she waved goodbye as she ran to see her nanny.

**They all got into the limo and drove off**. Talia sat beside her father while Trevor talked about himself and Shelia giggled at his stories.

"Talia are you still taking that internship?" Harrison asked looking down at her with a serious look on his face.

"Yes, Dad we talked about this, don't do anything to ruin this for me, I just want to be Talia Thorn just an intern, not Harrison Montgomery's daughter," she looked up at her dad with hopeful eyes.

"I would never do thing to make you unhappy," he said as he put his arm around her pulling her in for a hug.

Talia laughed and she looked up at him. "Dad, come on, you don't care if I am happy you only care that I do what you want me to."

"That is not true; I want you to be happy. I just wish that what I wanted for you would make you happy," he said in a serious voice with so much love in his eyes.

As much as Talia wanted to hate her father for all the bad things he did in his life, she couldn't. She blamed him for pretty much everything bad that ever happened to her but she still couldn't hate him. She loved him, sometimes she thought she might love him more than she loved herself and she always let him win in the end. Somehow he always got what he wanted.

"Ok Dad what is it that you want for me? What would make you happy if I worked for you and married Trevor?" Talia crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

"Well, I like Trevor I think he is a good man and I know he likes you. But despite what you may think of me, I would never make you marry someone you didn't love and I know you don't like him that way. So I guess I want you to work for me but I hope you do find a suitable man one day. I would like to know someone will take care of you when I am gone."

"Oh dad I don't need a man to take care of me. I am a big girl I like standing on my own two feet. Okay, I have an offer for you that will be good for both of us. If you don't interfere with my internship and you let me do my own thing then after one year I will come and work for you," Talia smiled looking up at her father.

"Ok I will try very hard not to interfere," Harrison hissed as if it caused him pain to say the words.

"Try," Talia hissed under her breath and she shook her head but she knew that was the best she was going to get. "So, what is this event we are going to tonight anyway?"

"Oh you'll like this one; it's an art show, all the profits from each painting goes to sick kids," Harrison smiled.

"Oh good I love charities that help children and I also love art. I could use another painting in my living room."

"You pick one that you like and I will buy it for you, I believe your birthday is coming up soon. I can't believe my little girl is going to be twenty-four," Harrison hugged her and kissed her check.

"I know, right? I am almost as old as Shelia," Talia joked and her father pinched her arm and gave her a dirty look. "Oh come on, I was just joking," she rolled her eyes and laughed.

**Talia walked into the fancy party holding on to Trevor's arm as they followed her father and Shelia.** The room was full of people chatting about business and what not; Talia didn't care much she just wanted to look at the art work. Trevor introduced her to a few people but Talia let him do all the talking she knew he preferred it that way. As she was sipping on a glass of wine, two dark blue eye caught her attention from across the room and she felt her knees get weeks and her stomach ache at the sight of him. Emerson Rose was by far the sexiest man in the room and she wasn't the only woman staring at him. Although she was the only one he was staring at. He looked sexier than she had ever seen him before, she didn't know if it was because now she knew who is was or because he looked so damn sexy in a suit and tie. Talia noticed the woman on his arm as Clara the blond bitch from the bar and it made her want to laugh. Clara was his Trevor even though he couldn't stand her he put up with her for his family's sake. Talia shook inside and out as he walked past and Clara's shot her an evil stare. Talia took a deep breath; she knew she had to face him, she couldn't ignore him now that he was there. And now that she had seen him she didn't want to ignore him anymore the pull to him was too strong to ignore, Talia hoped she could be strong but she was doubtful.

Talia excused herself away from Trevor and she made her way to Shelia.

"Shelia, will you come look at the art with me?" She asked with a funny expression on her face.

They walked through the gallery away from her father and Trevor.

"What's up, since when do you need me to do anything with you?" Shelia asked confused.

"Emerson is here." Talia stopped and looked at Shelia with a helpless look on her face. "What do I do?"

"Is he tall, with dark hair blue eyes and is he really good looking?" Shelia asked, smiling.

"Yes, why?" Talia asked biting her lip she was so nervous.

"Well, I think you should talk to him because he is standing right behind you," Shelia made a funny face and pointed her finger at the handsome man standing behind Talia.

Talia turned and looked up at him, she tried to give him a dirty look but a smiled appeared on her face and she couldn't shake it off.

"Hi," she muttered in a squeak and she cleared her throat as she fidgeted with her fingers.

"It's nice to see you Talia," Emerson said in his deep sexy voice and his eyes glared into hers, she felt butterflies in her stomach. "Can we talk?"

Talia turned to Shelia. "Can you keep Dad and Trevor occupied?" Talia asked her with pleading eyes.

"I am on it," Shelia winked. She was a hopeless romantic and she loved Talia, of course she would help her out.

Talia turned around to Emerson and he took her hand and led her down a hallway and up a set of stairs to another room full of art work. It was quiet as there weren't many people on the second floor.

Talia breathed in heavy as she was very aware that he was holding on to her. They walked over to a corner where no one could see them and he looked deep into her eyes and he touched her face. "How are you?" he asked with concern.

Talia shut her eyes as if it caused her pain that he cared. "I am fine," she whispered talking in a deep breath and she blew out and then breathed in slowly, she opened her eyes. "Thank you for the roses; they are beautiful."

"I am glad you got them. Did you get my messages and my emails because I didn't get any of yours." His voice was low and his eyes were dark and locked on hers. "I have been dying since you took off that night; I read your last paper like ten times I read every poem you handed into me over and over again. I gave you an A plus in my class. Everything you ever handed in was perfect and that was before I knew I was your muse," he breathed in her scent and blinked his eyes as he ran his fingers up and down her bare arms. "Why did you run off?"

"I was scared and embarrassed," Talia muttered putting her head down. He touched her face and lifted her head up so he could look into her eyes.

"Don't be, everything you wrote was so beautiful, never in my life did I think someone could feel that way about me. Talia I like you, I want to know you," he purred, she looked at his perfect lips as he said all the things she wanted to hear but she was scared and holding back.

"Emerson, I am dangerous, I am just trouble, remember? We couldn't make it one night together and I got you in a fight," Talia hissed. "I think it would be better if we just stayed away from each other," She shut her eyes and her voice cracked she didn't even understand why she was saying what she was saying. She wanted him but the fear of her heart getting broken was stronger and it took over.

"No, you're not dangerous or trouble that's just what you want people to think. Punching that guy out was worth it to spend five more minutes with you. We can't stay away from each other. You ended up in my class, I run into you everywhere. We ended up on a date together, we ended up here at the same time. Why can't you see this is fate? For whatever reason we met again and I think we should see where this goes," he pulled her in close and wrapped his arms around her body; she shook with excitement and fear. Talia put her hand on his chest and looked into his eyes.

"Please Emerson, I have to get back to my date and I think you need to find yours too," Talia blinked her eyes trying to keep herself from crying.

"So that's it, this is over before it even starts?" He cupped her face with both his hands and looked deep into her eyes with affection and lust. She could feel her stomach ache and her lips were swollen and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

"Yes, this is not happening."

"So then this is goodbye?" he asked with sad eyes and she could hear the pain in his voice.

"Yes, this is goodbye Emerson," Talia blinked and swallowed hard as his hands where still on her face.

He pushed her up against the wall and her body began to shake with excitement, she could feel his body pressed up against hers and a wave of heat ran through all the forbidden places on her body. He pressed his lips to hers kissing her like she had never been kissed before. He possessed her mouth with his and she moaned as his tongue swirled around hers and she found herself kissing him with just as much passion. He touched her face with his strong hands as his mouth massaged hers. She ran her hands through his hair, once he touched her she didn't want him to stop. He ended the kiss with a soft peck on her lips and he leaned over her with his hands on the wall beside her head.

Talia looked deep into his eyes as she breathed heavily her body shaking she was so hot she was trembling.

"What the hell was that?" She gasped for air.

"The end or the beginning, whatever you want it to be, but I can guarantee you can't stay away from me," Emerson whispered into her ear.

**Talia walked down the stairs back to the party and her father watched the expression on her face as she came down.** Harrison noticed Emerson Rose came down the stairs just moments later with the same expression on his face. Harrison knew exactly who Emerson was and he watched the way Talia and Emerson looked at each other all night even though they had someone else on their arms.

Talia used the washroom and as she walked out of the stall Clara was standing in front of her wearing her bitch expression. Talia walked around her and she went to the sink to wash her hands.

"You need to stay away from Emerson; he belongs with me," she hissed, putting her hands on her hips and she glared at Talia through the mirror.

"Oh, are you scared the little slut from the club is going to steal your man?" Talia made a funny face and then she laughed. "Why don't you tell him to stay away from me?"

"He doesn't want you so back off," Clara hissed again her body shaking.

Talia turned around and looked at her. "Instead of worrying about me why don't you stop being such a bitch and maybe he would leave me alone and turn to you. I want him to stop phoning me and sending me flowers. Can you tell him that I think you two would make a much better pair? Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my own date." Talia dried her hands and she left the washroom.

She walked past Emerson on her way towards Trevor and she whispered to him. "Tell your girlfriend to stay the hell away from me or there is going to be a scene."

Talia walked over to Trevor and she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek.

He smiled at her. "What was that for?" Trevor asked, shocked.

"I am sorry, did it bother you?" Talia smiled at him batting her eye lashes at him, she knew Emerson was watching and she wanted to make him jealous.

"No, I like it but don't lead me on if you don't plan on following through," Trevor snapped at her in a low voice so no one could hear him.

"I am not leading you on Trevor we both know I am not what you want." Talia hissed as she looked at him and then smiled and she walked away from him to go pick out the painting she wanted.

#  Chapter 5

**Talia crashed hard as she fell into a deep dream filled sleep about Emerson Rose.** Talia knew he was right they were pulled to each other in some cosmic way he was always around. But she was determined to stay away from him from now on; she didn't want anything more to do with him. As amazing as that kiss was, she could feel her heart breaking already. She really didn't know anything about him but there was something that made her not trust him, she had to stay away. As much as Talia loved her father it was because of him she didn't trust men and she picked up on red flags that made her cautious. Emerson's secret writing life that his family didn't know about bothered her. If a man can lie to his family about who he really is then she wanted nothing to do with him. She had enough lies and heartbreak in her life because of what her father did and she wouldn't go through it again.

Talia was woken up in the middle of the night by Brianne's passionate screams. _Well, I guess Brianne brought Sane home for the night, if they are going to be so loud I wish they'd stay at his place._

Talia walked into her father's house and Kami ran up and gave her a big hug.

"Did you come for breakfast?" Kami asked. "Annie, my nanny, is making pancakes."

"Oh yes I love pancakes," Talia smiled and walked into the kitchen to find her father sitting at the table reading the paper and eating a piece of bacon.

"Dad, you're not ready to go?" Talia huffed.

Harrison looked up at her she had workout clothes on and her hair pinned up in a ponytail.

"Oh honey, let's eat and then we can go for a run," Harrison insisted.

Talia had one pancake with fresh berries on it and by the time she was done eating her dad was dressed and ready to go. Every Sunday morning since Talia bought her own house her father and her got together to go for a run; it was the one thing they always did together.

"I noticed a car parked in your driveway this morning, whose car is it?" Harrison asked as they were running down the street just past were they lived.

"It's Sane's car; he's Brianne's new boyfriend."

"I thought you told Brianne no random men could spend the night when she moved in?"

"Sane isn't random, Brianne is doing really well. She is in an actual relationship and I am okay with Sane staying at the house. I have met him and he is very respectful and I think he actually likes her," Talia said as she picked up speed and so did her father trying to keep up with her.

"Getting slow in your old age there, pops?" Talia laughed.

"Hey, I can keep up," Harrison huffed. "So did you have fun at the party last night?" He asked reading his daughter's expression and her body language. Harrison was a very smart man and he knew how to read people very well. That's why he was so successful with all of his businesses; he had his hands in so many different areas of the business world.

"I guess it was fine; just another fundraiser," Talia shrugged her shoulders.

"Do you know a man named Emerson Rose?" Harrison asked and he notice right away Talia slowed down and her face went flushed and she bit her lips like she was deep in thought. The sound of his name tickled her ears and she knew she would think of him all day.

"He was at the party last night," Talia stuttered and then looked at her father. "Why, who is he?"

"No one honey, I just want you to stay away from him," Harrison demanded.

Talia hated when her father demanded her to do things but this time she was fine with what he wanted.

"No problem, I don't plan on seeing him again," Talia shook her head and took a deep breath.

"So you start your internship tomorrow. Are you excited?" Harrison asked, smiling like something was funny but whatever it was, he was keeping it to himself.

"Yes, I am very excited; I am finally going to be working and gaining real experience. No more school, thank god." Talia picked up speed. "Come on, you're so slow today," she laughed at her old man who was desperately trying to keep up with her.

**Harrison breathed in deep as he typed an email**. He knew he was supposed to stay out of Talia's internship but an opportunity had presented itself and he couldn't help but interfere. He was her father and he really believed he was doing the best thing for her. He sent the owner of the company who he knew very well a little message. Harrison never could just do what Talia asked of him because he always knew better than she did, or so he thought.

**Talia walked into the Light the Rose building and she found her way to the orientation room**. Where she met other interns, some she knew from school, some she had never met.

She was very excited and she fit right in, she was wearing a grey pencil skirt with a black turtleneck and a matching grey jacket most of the other girls were wearing similar outfits, maybe not as fashionable as hers but still she fit in. They all took a seat when a red headed women in a blue suit, walked in to the room and stood at the front of the class and cleared her throat.

"Good morning interns welcome, I am Linda Kinetin and I will be orienting you all today. I will take you on a tour of the building. Now in this building there is another office Linking-Fire, it is in the same building but that is another company separate from Light the Rose."

It was an interesting morning for Talia she enjoyed learning about the company she was going to be working for. She was impressed with how nice the building was, it wasn't as fancy as her father's places but she was happy being there on her own terms.

Talia was walking out of the building for her lunch break when a hand touched her shoulder and she looked to see Maggie Riley who she went to school with standing there with a big smile on her face.

"Oh my goodness, Talia, hi."

"Hey Maggie how are you? Are you doing an internship at Light the Rose too?" Talia asked as she gave her friend a hug.

"No, I am doing mine with Linking-Fire so we're in the same building, well this is nice we can meet for lunch some days," Maggie smiled.

"Yes, like right now I was just going to get a sub and a coffee, would you like to come?" Talia asked pointing up the street to the sub place.

"Yes, I would love to," Maggie smiled and they walked to go get lunch.

An hour passed fast and they both walked back into the building. Talia made her way to the orientation room and took her seat.

Talia was making notes as Linda was telling them what they could expect while working at Light the Rose.

**There was a knock at the door and an older man in his early sixties walked into the room.** He had grey hair blue eyes and he was tall with a thick physique.

Linda smiled at him very excited to see him. "Hello Sir, to what do we owe this honor?" Linda asked.

"Hello and welcome to my company, new and excited interns. I hope you are all enjoying your first day here and I hope you all have a wonderful work experience. But I am here because I am looking for a Talia Montgomery," he said looking around the room and she lifted her head and looked at the man.

Talia's heart skipped a beat and she jumped up, she started shaking and her stomach hurt. She was so mad at her father she could have screamed right in that moment. He couldn't keep his promise, not even to his daughter. Talia sucked back her tears.

"I am Talia," she said looking at the man.

"Can you come with me please and bring all your things. You won't be coming back."

Talia grabbed her bag and she walked out of the room listening to everyone whisper about her.

When Talia got into the hall the man shook her hand. "Hello Talia it's nice to meet you I am John the president of this company."

"Nice to meet you too," Talia smiled and shook his hand. "Is this about my dad? Did he do something? Because I was just fine being with all the other interns, I don't need any special treatment." They walked to the elevators and they got on and went to the 21 floor.

"Well, I am happy to hear that you were happy being just another intern but I am moving you and yes, by the request of your father. I am making you the assistant to our marketing and creative director. Trust me, it's a much better position than being an intern; you'll get paid and you'll be close enough that I can make sure no one gives you a hard time," John smiled at her.

Talia took a deep breath and she rolled her eyes, not looking at John. She didn't want special treatment that's why she didn't want to work for her father and that was why she didn't go by his last name. Talia didn't want to be a Montgomery; she liked being Talia Thorn. No one knew who she was that way.The elevator came to a stop and Talia followed John down the hall to a large corner office and he knocked on the door and then they went inside. Talia blinked three times and she gasped when she saw the man sitting at his desk.

"Emerson this is your new assistant Talia Montgomery and Talia this is my son and your new boss, Emerson Rose."

Emerson was just as shocked to see her as she was to see him. John smiled as he looked from Talia's shocked expression to Emerson's shocked expression. "Well, I will leave and let the two of you to get better acquainted," John smirked, and shook his head like something was funny, he turned to leave and he shook Talia's hand. "It was nice meeting you, young lady. I am sure I will be seeing you around," he leaned in close and whispered in her ear just loud enough so Emerson could hear. "If my son gives you a hard time you come to me and I'll fix him," he laughed, Talia smiled and nodded her head and both her and Emerson watched as John left his office and shut the door behind him.

**Talia turned around to face Emerson who was standing behind his desk.** The office was simple with blue walls and grey carpet, one wall was entirely windows overlooking the city of Kitchener. There were two black chairs around a coffee table on one side of the room and on the other side of the room a desk and a couple of book shelves were placed along the wall. The shelves were filled with books of all different kinds but the poetry books were the ones Talia noticed.

Talia was shaking inside as she was overwhelmed to see him again after their goodbye kiss, she didn't know what to do. Even though she was mad as hell with her father, she couldn't help but laugh at the situation she was in now all because her father couldn't stay out of her life.

"Hi," Talia laughed.

"Hi," Emerson laughed too. They both stood there awkwardly staring into each other's eyes.

"Well, this is interesting now isn't it?"

"You could say that again," she laughed out a breath. "So, you weren't expecting me?"

"No, I was not." His face changed from light to dark and serious. "I knew you couldn't stay away from me but I wasn't expecting you to end up as my assistant," he groaned and his eyes went dark. "Wait a moment, you're Harrison Montgomery's daughter?" His face flushed like that was a very bad thing.

"Yes," Talia looked down at the floor as she rocked on her heels and clenched her coach purse really tight.

"What the hell," he snapped. "Why didn't you tell me that before?"

"Why the hell does it matter who my father is? Oh, what? Now that you know who I am you don't want me anymore, is that it?" Talia looked him in the eyes as she snapped at him, her face was just as red and confused as his was.

"No, Talia; I want you but I can't have you," he hissed.

The words made her shake; she had never had a man tell her he wanted her before. Most guys she dated just wanted something from her but not actually her. Why was it that he always said everything that she wanted to hear?

"That's right you can't have me but not because I am Talia Montgomery but because I am not an object that someone can own," Talia hissed at him.

"I am sorry, you are right I didn't mean it like that I don't want to own you but I would like to ... Oh it doesn't matter," He huffed and waved his arms in the air. "You're off limits to me and every other guy in this office," Emerson said, pointing around him. "How come you go by Thorn? I wish I had known who you were."

"Thorn was my mother's last name and I don't want to be a Montgomery. I like it better when people don't know who my family is. I'm sure you can relate," Talia shrugged her shoulders and gave him an uncomfortable smile. "Did you say I was off limits?"

"Yep."

"What the hell did my dad do now?"

"I don't know you'll have to take it up with him because I have a meeting in fifteen minutes across town and you're coming with me," he said, going through paperwork on his desk and he put stuff into a work bag and then he looked at her. "Don't look at me like that. You are my assistant now and I need you with me I expect you to take notes during the meeting. When the meeting is over we can go over what your job is and my expectations of you as my assistant."

**Talia spent two hours sitting in on a meeting with a local manufacturing company that needed some marketing help.** She took notes and she listened and watched the way Emerson was at work. He was a completely different man then the one she knew from class. In class he was creative, happy and passion radiated from him as he recited poetry. He was carefree and super sexy he always wore casual clothes to class and he had fun. But, as she sat there watching him in the meeting, she didn't know that man. He seemed older, unhappy, demanding and very sure of himself. He was snappy and overbearing and seemed to be a little bit of a control freak. Talia was very happy to see this side of him, the side she didn't find attractive, that side of him that was what she didn't want in a man. She knew it was still going to be hard working beside him every day for a year but if he acted like that every day she could resist him, she was sure of it.

After the meeting, Talia was quiet on the drive back to Light the Rose, she just looked out the window.

"You seem unhappy. Is that my fault?" Emerson asked. Talia shook her head no but didn't look at him. "Will you talk to me and tell me what you're thinking?"

Talia looked up at him with a very serious look on her face and her eyes were sad.

"You are my boss now, Emerson. What I am thinking is not important," she breathed out a harsh breath and shook her head and looked back out the window.

"Talia, come on, it's me, what you're thinking is important to me. Tell me what's going on in that pretty little head of yours?" He asked in such a soft, sweet voice.

"I don't know you at all," she hissed her face flushed and it made him as sad as she was.

**The car came to a stop and she got out and walked into the building without looking at him.** They spent the rest of the day going over her job and what she would be responsible for. Talia had her own desk outside his office and she went through the computer getting used to the software. She spent a bulk of the afternoon answering phone calls for Emerson from women. None of his calls seemed to be work related but she took the messages and gave them to him. When the work day was done, she left without saying goodbye to him she just clocked herself out.

#  Chapter 6

**Talia didn't go home when she was done with work. She was vibrating with anger.** She called her father's cell but he didn't answer which only made her even more mad at him. So she called his personal assistant on her bluetooth as she was driving through the city when her father didn't answer his office phone either.

"Hello Talia, what can I do for you today?"

"Scott, where is my dad right now?"

"He is at the hotel; he had a meeting there at five, do you want me to get him to call you when he is back?" Scott asked, concerned as he could hear the urgency in her voice.

"No, it's fine I am going to him," Talia snapped and ended the call.

**Talia walked through the front doors of her father's hotel and she was greeted by the manager.** Talia walked past him down the hall to the meeting room where she knew her father would be. She pushed open the doors, she was so mad and shocked she was ready to kill someone. She opened the doors to find a woman with her arms around her father and he pushed her away and looked at Talia's heartbroken eyes.

Talia screamed at her father as she ran up to him and slapped him across the face.

"You are fucking asshole," she screamed as tears fell down her face.

"Is this your wife?" asked the young redheaded girl who was wearing a pink suit and she looked as shocked as Harrison was to see Talia.

"No, I am his fucking daughter," Talia snapped. "But just be warned, the last mistress he had ended up pregnant and then she was murdered by his ex-wife." Talia turned to leave and just as she was walking a way she looked back at her father. "Dad I can't believe you would do this to Shelia and Kami. I hate you so much right now. It's one thing you keep trying to ruin my life but Kami's. Dad, she is only three; she deserves better from you than this shit. She deserves better than I got."

"Talia stop and wait one moment," Harrison demanded and she turned and looked at her father with burning eyes of fury as tears ran down her face.

Harrison looked at the red headed girl with anger and disgust on his face. "Ms. Lemon, you are fired," Harrison snapped.

"What? You can't fire me. I'll have you charged with sexual harassment," she snapped and pulled away from him.

Harrison adjusted his tie and his very angry face softened a bit and he pointed at the celling to where a camera was. "Well, that camera will prove that you came on to me," Harrison hissed.

"Now pack up your stuff and get out of my hotel before you cause even more problems for me and my family."

The girl cried she grabbed her bag and headed towards the door but she stopped in front of Talia and she glared at her.

"You bitch, if you hadn't showed up," she spit in Talia's face.

Talia wiped her face clean of the woman's saliva and then she snapped her hand back and punched her in the face. The woman went down holding her nose as blood was gushing from her face. Talia looked up at her father with tears running out of her eyes and then she ran out of the building and on to the street. She cried harder, putting her hands to her face.

"Talia, Talia!" A dark familiar voice called her name. She kept her head down and two arms wrapped around her. "Please tell me you are alright?"

Talia looked up to see Emerson's bright blue eyes full of concern. "Why can't I get away from you?" she cried into his chest as his arms where wrapped around her body she felt a little calmer he had such an unusual effect on her. "Are you stalking me?"

He touched her face and looked into her eyes. "Sweetheart you came into my class, you came into my office and now you are on my street," he purred with a soft smile and pointed to a high-rise building. "I live right over there, I saw you crying on the street and I had to stop to make sure you were okay."

Why does he have to be so damn perfect?

Talia moved away from him and wiped her face clean from her tears as she looked through the doors to the hotel; she could see her father was coming out.

"I have to get out of here, my dad is coming. I don't want to deal with him," Talia cried.

Emerson grabbed her hand and they walked to his building and she turned and looked behind her. She saw her father looking on the street for her and she hid behind Emerson massive body and her father didn't see her.

Talia's car was still sitting in front of the hotel so Harrison knew she couldn't have gone far away. He decided he would wait for his daughter.

Talia looked through the windows of the lobby in Emerson's building.

"My dad is just sitting in my car waiting for me," Talia said, looking up at Emerson.

"So what are you going to do now? Go face you father or come upstairs with me?" Emerson asked in a dark sexy voice and she couldn't resist. She didn't want to deal with her father; she was too upset and a part of her wanted to see what Emerson's condo looked like. She remembered her father telling her to stay away from Emerson Rose and at that moment she didn't want to and she certainly didn't want to do anything that would make her father happy. Emerson reached out his hand for her and she took it and they got onto the elevator and they went to the top floor.

Talia was shaking with nervous excitement; she knew she shouldn't be there but a part of her liked the feeling of disobeying her father. She didn't know who she was going to get when she walked into his apartment. Was he going to be Emerson the business man she met earlier that day or was he going to be Emerson the sweet sensitive poet that she had been in love with since she was thirteen?

**They walked into his very large condo and Talia was presently surprised.** She was expecting cold and modern but his place was warm and very inviting. With rich colors of reds and browns, the open concept was sectioned off by the placement of traditional and some contemporary furniture. There was a grand piano on the far end of the living room and beside that was a whole wall of bookshelves with books of poetry, most of the books she had never heard of. He had a whole shelf dedicated to William Shakespeare. Another shelf dedicated to Dante Alighieri and another to Kahlil Gibran. All writers she was a big fan of. Talia walked around the apartment and looked at his artwork on the walls and his collection of books. He walked over to her and handed her a glass of wine.

"You look like you could use this," he muttered in a deep but soft voice and she took the glass in her hand and he took her other hand and led her to the couch and they both sat down and looked at each other.

"It's funny how you tell me I am off limits and then I end up in your apartment," Talia smiled, she glared at him and took a sip of her wine.

"Like I told you before; its fate, Talia, you keep trying to stay away from me but fate keeps brings you closer and closer to me." He smiled. "Are you hungry? I was thinking about making chicken penne for us for dinner— that is, if you like pasta?"

"You're going to cook dinner for me?" Talia asked blinking her eyes and swallowing a big gulp of wine and she couldn't help but smile at him.

He touched her hand and lifted her to her feet and led her to the kitchen island and sat her down on a bar stool. "I am going to cook and you're going to tell me what has you so upset," he said in a sweet voice as he touched her face and looked down into her sad lost eyes and she breathed in heavy. He was so sexy. He made her feel safe when he touched her and he touched her a lot. Talia was so different with him she normally was strong and composed but around him she was a roller-coaster of emotions.

Talia's phone went off and she jumped. Emerson went into the kitchen to start making dinner and Talia opened her purse and ignored her father's call. He repeatedly called her phone from his cell phone and then from his office line.

Emerson looked at her sad face and she shook her head. "I am not answering my phone. I don't want to talk to him."

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to do," Emerson said as he was grilling the chicken. His words were very comforting in more ways than one. "So are you mad at your father for interfering with your work?"

Talia huffed and rolled her eyes as she took another drink of wine. She looked down at her feet and that's when she realized she had blood splatter on her jimmy shoes and all up her nylons.

"Oh my god that stupid bitch got her blood all over me," Talia cried, looking down at herself. Emerson turned around and looked at her standing there with a disgusted look on her face.

Talia took off her shoes and pulled down her nylons and ripped them off without taking off her skirt and she did it right in front of him, he looked at her shocked. She threw her nylons in the garbage and she huffed she was so mad. He looked at her with a smirk on his face and he shook his head and laughed.

"What?"

"That was just the sexiest thing I have ever witnessed," he laughed and continued preparing dinner.

Talia smiled to herself and she sat down on the bar stool, she liked him. She liked the way she felt around him even though he made her crazy he brought out a passionate side of her that most people didn't really get to see.

Talia's phone went off again and this time the caller ID said Brianne, she looked up at Emerson and gave him an apologetic smile.

"It's Brianne, I have to get this," Talia muttered and she got off the stool and walked to the living room and she answered her phone.

"Hey Bree," Talia breathed.

"Talia don't hang up," Her father said.

"What Dad, what are you doing?"

"Where are you?" He asked in his demanding voice.

"It's none of your business where I am," Talia snapped she couldn't control her emotions.

"Why are you being so difficult?" Her father asked, almost screaming at her.

"Because I am almost twenty-four years old, I own my own car and my own house I don't need you. I am an adult and I don't have to tell you where I am or what I do."

"We need to talk about what happened," he said. She could hear the frustration in his voice.

"Really did you tell Shelia what happened today?"

There was a long pause on the other end. "Talia ,why did you come to see me today? You have never interrupted a meeting before. Is something wrong?"

"It doesn't matter why I came to see you. Answer my question: did you tell Shelia?"

"I want you to tell me where you are right now?" He snapped.

"Stop it Dad, stop changing the subject," Talia hissed.

But her father never said anything he just breathed heavy into the phone. "Ok fine you don't want to answer my questions I'll answer yours. You want me to tell you where I am. I am with a man a really sexy man and I am drinking wine and I am not coming home tonight."

"Who are you with? Tell me right now," he demanded to know.

"I just want to hate you," Talia screamed at him.

"You can hate me all you want to, but you're going to hate yourself more in the morning. Don't be a slut because you are mad at me," Harrison snapped.

"Oh yeah? Well, both my parents were sluts," Talia screamed at him again. "Go tell your wife what happened today and pray she doesn't take you to the cleaners."

"Talia, nothing happened. You're blowing this way out of proportion."

"Oh really and you expect me to believe that if I hadn't come in you would have stopped it," Talia laughed under her breath and rolled her eyes even though he couldn't see her face.

"You're being ridiculous. Get your ass home now," he screamed at her.

"No, you don't get to be mad at me. You're the reason that I am so fucked up in the first place. It's because of you and mom. And I wouldn't even be here right now if it wasn't for you and that whore."

"I can't change the past and I am sorry I have hurt you so much but we need to move on, you need to forgive me."

"How can I forgive you when I can't even forgive myself?"

"Sweetheart, I loved your mother and I love you very much," he said in a soft voice.

"Don't tell me you love me or that you loved my mother. She was your dirty little secret. Dad you don't really know how to love any of us. That's why you hurt me so much, you don't get it."

"Talia if you don't come home then I will call my friends at the police station and they will find you."

"Stop please, I don't care. Call the cops; I am an adult if I want to stay out all night, I can. You can't control me." Talia snapped and threw her blackberry across the room and she fell to the floor crying.

**Two big strong arms wrapped around her and in one swoop she was up and in his arms.** He carried her to the couch and held her in his arms as she cried **.** She felt so safe in his arms like not even her father could reach her there. After a few moments in his arms breathing in his dark delicious scent, Talia's anxiety disappeared. She sat up straight on his lap and looked into his eyes and she touched his face. She took a deep breath and pressed her lips to his kissing him intensely. She put both her hands on his face as she plunged her tongue into his mouth and he fed into the kiss swirling his tongue around hers, causing her to moan into his mouth. She ran her fingers through his silky black hair and she moved over top of him straddling him beneath her. He grabbed her hips forcefully and he ran his hands up her body and he caressed her breasts. Talia kissed his neck and he moaned in her ear. "I want you so bad," he hissed and her body shook, he grabbed her hips with both his hands and he pulled her away. "But not like this, not to get back at your dad," he looked into her eyes and he could see she was embarrassed. Talia didn't say anything she got off of him and she sat on the couch looking down at her legs.

"I am sorry," Talia huffed and she wiped the tears from her eyes. At that point she didn't know if she was crying because of her father or because he rejected her.

He touched her back and slowly ran his hands up and down. "Come, dinner is ready," he whispered in her ear.

She looked up into his big blue eyes and held his gaze for a moment. "Maybe it would be better if I just left," she sniffled as she tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

"No, you're staying, I want you here," he demanded. He stood up and led her by the hand to the kitchen table where she took a seat. He went to the kitchen and made their plates and brought them in and set them down on the table. He went back to the kitchen and came back with a bottle of white wine and two glasses and he poured them both another drink. He took his seat across from her and they started to eat.

"This is very good, thank you for dinner," Talia moaned as she licked the fork clean.

"I am happy you are here, Talia," he muttered as he looked deep into her eyes and took a sip of wine. Just then there was a knock at the door, Emerson looked very shocked and Talia looked frightened.

Could it be my dad? Has he tracked me down? The asshole probably has a tracking device in my phone that I don't know about.

Emerson got up from the table and he answered the door; she couldn't see who was there as Emerson body was blocking her view. But she could hear a woman's voice.

"What do you want Clara? I have company." Emerson asked her with a hint of annoyed frustration tinging his voice.

"You have company? Who?" Clara asked, her voice sharp and demanding.

"It's really none of your business, Clara, who I bring into my home."

"It's a woman, isn't it? I thought you didn't bring the little horrors here," Clara snapped at him and she looked into his eyes and the look on his face told her what she didn't want to know. "It's her, isn't it? What is it with the two of you," Clara pushed him out of the door way and she walked inside and looked at Talia, who was eating her dinner and she smiled and waved at Clara.

"Hey Clara, I was wondering when you were going to show up. It's so nice to see you again," Talia smiled. She had such a great day; dealing with Clara at that point was no big deal.

"Why are you here? I thought you were going to stay away from him?"

"Well, I keep trying but it's not working," Talia smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "So I am giving up. I think you're going to have to get use to me being around."

Clara looked from Talia to Emerson who was standing behind her, smiling.

"No, he doesn't date. This doesn't make any sense," she snapped and then her face lit up with bright eyes and she smiled at Talia with the happiest evil smile on her face. "He hasn't slept with you yet. That's why you're still around. As soon as he bangs you, he will kick you to the curb like a piece of trash. I am the only girl he keeps around."

"Clara, that's enough. Why do you have to be such a bitch?" Emerson grabbed her by the hand and pulled her to the door and he looked into her eyes. "You and I are never going to happen. You need to leave me the alone and move on with your life."

Talia waved good bye as Emerson closed the door on Clara's heartbroken face. Emerson walked back into the kitchen and sat down and he looked at Talia like he was scared she was going to leave but then she shrugged her shoulders and finished her dinner.

"She doesn't intimidate you at all, does she?" he smiled as he sucked his fork clean.

"No not really, if she wasn't such a bitch I would actually feel sorry for her," Talia said with a serious expression as she took a sip of her wine.

#  Chapter 7

They finished dinner and cleaned up the kitchen together.

"So I am dying to know who's the bitch that got her blood on you and how did that happen?" Emerson asked with a snicker.

Talia's face turned serious and her eyes went sad and she shook her head and walked into the living room and he followed her and they both sat down on the couch.

"I went to the hotel to give my dad shit for meddling in my work life when he promised not to. When I walked into the office, I saw some woman with her hands all over him. My dad is married and has a three year old little girl; my heart broke for Shelia and Kami. Anyway, I don't really know what happened but he fired the women on the spot and I punched her in the nose after she threatened my dad and spit in my face. I think I might have broken her nose," Talia shook her head and he looked at her surprised. "What? You punched some guy in the face to protect me and I did the same thing for my family. I already lost my mom I am not losing my sister because my dad can't keep his dick in his pants."

"Hey, calm down, I am not judging you; I am actually impressed." He shifted away from her and grinned.

"Sorry, I have some issues with monogamy thanks to my parents. I am a little fucked up. My mom was my dad's mistress and she got pregnant with me. For thirteen years, we lived in Cambridge and saw my dad two nights a week, he worked away as my mom would tell me. I never knew my dad had another life. I just thought dads weren't always around. Somehow his wife found out about my mom and me, she wanted us dead. The night you saved me from the car crash that wasn't an accident, the brake and full lines were cut. Anyway my dad's wife went to jail and I went to go live with my grandfather, my mom's dad, because I didn't want anything to do with my dad at that time. My grandfather was a professional gambler who was drunk all the time, but I loved him. He had a heart attack and died before my fourteenth birthday so I had no choice but to go live with my dad. The hardest part about being around my dad is that I just love him so damn much," Talia cried. "He fucks everything up, he never listens to what I want and yet when I am with him he makes me smile. He has this way about him that he can make you do whatever he wants you to. I used to try really hard to piss him off, drinking, getting in fights, dating older boys but in the end I always ended up hurting myself more. When I see that look of disappointment on his face, my heart breaks, so that's why I can't see him right now because he will apologize and I will forgive him just like that and I don't want to. I want him to hurt and be sacred, I want him to know what it feels like to have no control," Talia sighed and fell back on the couch and looked up at him with sad eyes.

"Well, that's some story," Emerson said; he didn't know what else to say.

"Yeah, my family's not boring. That's for sure," she laughed and rolled her eyes. "How about you? What's your story? Any crazy ex-wives or anything?"

"No, I have never been married and I don't have any kids. Like you, my mom died when I was young and my dad remarried a woman who had a daughter and then they had a daughter together. After my mom died I was never the same, I got in a lot of trouble as a teenager. I was stumbling trying to find my way. I think my love and passion for writing and poetry is really what saved me from myself. When I was a kid, my mom would read me famous poems and I became so interested in poetry. After she passed away, reading her poems is what made me feel close to her. My dad and I just started to get along now that I am an adult; it took us a long time to get to where we are today but just like things are for you, it has to be in his way."

"It sounds like I am not the only one with daddy issues," she laughed.

"Would you like another glass of wine?" He asked as he stood up and she nodded her head yes.

"But I might not be able to drive home if I drink much more."

"So then don't go home," he said, walking into the living room with their glasses and a full bottle of wine and he looked into her eyes and smiled.

"If I stay the night with you, isn't that breaking the off limits rule?" Talia smiled as he handed her a glass of wine.

"You can't tell me you have never broken a rule before," Emerson purred as he took a sip of his wine and then licked his lips as he held her gaze.

"No, I break rules all the time," Talia smiled. "Rules I am not worried about. My heart on the other hand is something I am fond of."

"I am not going to break your heart Talia." His voice was low and raspy and his eyes dark and full of lust.

"I am not going to sleep with you, Professor," she giggled.

"I just don't want you to leave," he whispered, looking at her very seriously.

"This is going to be interesting," she laughed and drank down her wine.

"What is?"

"You and I."

"Is there going to be a you and me?" He smiled with an expression of excitement.

"I mean professionally, how is this ever going to work?" She huffed and poured herself another glass of wine. "I mean, one minute you're this easy going sweet poet and then you're this protective man punching guys out for me and the next minute you're this up tight business man telling me you have expectations. I like this guy right now. But the guy in that meeting today, that guy is just way too much like my father. Either way this plays out, it's going to end badly." She shook her head like she was sad.

"Why is this going to end badly?" he asked as he leaned in close to her.

"There is too much heat between us too much tension. How can we be professional and keep it that way? I mean, look at us. It's my first day on the job and I am now at your place drinking wine and talking about staying the night."

"Let's not worry about things. Let's just work together we are friends, aren't we?" He said and took a sip of wine.

"I guess we are friends. I can't seem to stay away from you so I guess I will just spend every day working with you. Will we have more time tomorrow to go over what my job is? I want to be a good assistant."

"Yes, I will teach you everything you will need to know."

**Talia got a bad case of the giggles as they polished off the second bottle of wine.** Emerson read her a Midsummers Night Dream by William Shakespeare as she passed out drunk on his couch. He picked her up and carried her up to the second level of his condo and he laid her down on his bed and covered her with the blanket. He gently traced the jaw line of her face with his finger tips and he bent down and kissed her forehead.

"I think I just heard my heart crack," Talia whispered as she looked up at him looking down at her with affection in his eyes and then he walked away. "Where are you going?"

"To sleep on the couch," Emerson whispered as if she was still sleeping.

"This is your bed, I am not going to kick you out of it," Talia looked up at him and she smiled and he gave her a confused look. "We're just going to sleep, Emerson."

He took off his shirt, revealing his amazing body and then sleep became the last thing on her mind. The lights were out but she still got a nice glimpse of his thick chest, large biceps and his incredible abs. He looked down at her checking him out and he smiled.

"Well, now that you are awake, do you want a t-shirt to sleep in?"

"Yes, please," she sat up and he threw her a t-shirt and he walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

Talia took off her skirt and her turtle neck she looked behind her to make sure the bathroom door was still closed and she took off her bra.

**Emerson open the bathroom door just as Talia was slipping his t-shirt over her head.** He got a nice eyes view of her perfect hour glass shape from behind and her very voluptuous ass.

They both turned and looked at each other he was standing there in black boxers and she was in his white t-shirt, both of them looking extremely sexy. He turned down the blankets and they both got into bed and they laid there looking at each other until they fell asleep.

**Talia's body was tingling and she moaned as she was slowly waking up.** She heard whispering but she was so relaxed she didn't want to wake up. Then she realized she was not in bed alone and her body was wrapped around his. Talia opened her eyes and looked up at the sexy dark blue eyes staring at her and his arms were around her body and her legs were wrapped around his.

"Hi," she said, covering her mouth just in case her breath smelt bad.

"Hi," he smiled, looking down at her with a very relaxed happy look on his face. "You looked so _beautiful,_ I mean, peacefully asleep I didn't want to wake you."

She smiled and pulled away from him. "I am sorry if I mauled you; I usually sleep cuddle a pillow," Talia muttered looking away from him she was a little embarrassed. "I am not use to sleeping with someone."

"Neither am I," he laughed. "It was really nice to have you in my bed," he muttered as he got up off the bed.

"Really? I am sure your little girlfriends stay the night." She looked at him, surprised.

"No. I mean, I have had girlfriends but I never spent the night with anyone before. I usually just leave after sex, and I don't invite people to my home," He shook his head and he walked into his closet and picked out the suit he was going to wear for the day and then he walked back into the bedroom to find her picking up her dirty clothes.

"I better go home and shower and change before work, I hope my boss doesn't fire me if I am late," she said in a soft sexy voice and she grinned at him.

"Actually, I called Brianne. She is bringing clothes here for you," Emerson smiled at her.

"If you want to shower up here I'll shower in the downstairs bathroom. There is a clean robe hanging on the door. I am sure by the time you are done, Brianne will be here with your clothes."

"You called Brianne? Oh, she is going to kill me. She probably had to deal with my father all night," Talia sighed and shook her head.

**Talia walked down the stairs wrapped in a fuzzy black house coat that was way too big for her body.** She found the most gorgeous man standing in the kitchen in a grey business suit with a black shirt and a white and grey stripped tie. He looked so sexy his shaggy black hair was still wet from his shower. There was a knock at the door and he let Brianne in and she handed him Talia's clothes. She hid behind the wall so they couldn't see her, she didn't want to deal with her best friend's third degree.

"Good morning, Brianne. Thank you for bringing Talia clothes," He said in his cheerfully happy voice as he smiled at her.

"Where is she?" Brianne asked in a snappy voice.

"She is still in the shower. Is something wrong?" Emerson asked concerned.

"Yes, something is wrong, I don't know what you are doing with her, but Talia doesn't have one night stands so you better not break my best friend's heart. She acts tough but she has enough problems dealing with her dad she doesn't need you toying with her," Brianne snapped at him and he could see the concern she had for her friend.

"Brianne, I care about Talia and I am not going to use her and throw her away, she is special, she is my friend," he said in his sincere voice with honest eyes.

"Ok, well I am glad we have that cleared up. Now, is she ok? I know how she gets when her and her dad fight?"

"She was pretty upset last night but we talked and I think she is ok now."

"Ok, well I have to go to class but tell her that we seriously need to talk," Brianne said in a nice voice as she was leaving.

"I will let her know. Thanks again Brianne," he said, shutting the door.

**Emerson looked up at Talia with a big smile on his face and he pointed to her clothes that were sitting on the kitchen counter.** She grabbed them and went to the bathroom to get dressed.

Talia walked into the kitchen wearing a black business pant suite with a red blouse, her hair tied back in a ponytail as it was still wet and she didn't have the time or product to do her hair the way she liked to.

"Ready to go, beautiful?" he asked her and she smiled.

**Talia spent the day going through Emerson's schedule and setting up meetings. By the end of the day, she had all his stuff synced up to her BlackBerry play book** so she would always be on top of things and that way she could get things done from home. The day went by fast as there was so much for her to learn. She found herself day dreaming about Emerson on her lunch break. But that's when she remembered the piece of paper she had to sign, company rules included no interpersonal relationships or she could lose her job. She knew that other than at work, she couldn't be friends with him. There were too many feelings and it would never work out. It made her feel sad to know nothing could happen between them and it only made her feelings for him that much stronger but she couldn't ruin her first job over a guy.

**Talia walked out of the Light the Rose building just after five and as she was walking down the steps to go to the parking lot.** A black car pulled up beside her and a man opened the door and told her to get in. She looked into the car and she saw her father and she knew she had no choice she had to face him. She got into the back of the car and the man shut the door. She put her seat belt on and she crossed her arms and looked at the front on the car ignoring her father.

"Talia, look at me," Harrison's voice was hoarse and he looked like crap. Her sad eyes met her father's and it broke her heart. "I have been worried sick about you, I didn't sleep a wink last night, I kept waiting for you to come home but you didn't. Talia you are right, you are an adult and you can do whatever you want to. I love you so much and I know I am stubborn and bull headed and I never listen to what you want. But it's not because I don't care; it's because I think I know better. I know you are mad at me about yesterday and I know that a lot of your personal issues are because of the relationship your mother and I had. I am sorry I fucked up your life so badly I keep trying to make it up to you but I feel as if I am losing you all together. Now I want to take you for dinner; I feel we need some private time just the two of us. But I need to show you something first. I needed you to know I am not the man I used to be. I promise you I will never do anything to hurt my family again." He opened up his laptop that he was holding on his lap and he handed it to her and he pressed play.

She watched multiple videos of women throwing themselves at her father and each time he turned them down. She had tears roll down her face, she didn't trust her dad, she didn't trust any man because of the mistakes he had made in the past. She felt bad for him and she also found herself disturbed that so many women would throw themselves at a man like that, especially their boss and then she remembered she spent the night in her boss's bed.

"I am sorry I didn't believe you. I am sorry I took off but sometimes I just need some space. You crowded me. You never let me just fall and learn from my mistakes. I love you but you drive me crazy." She sighed as she took a deep breath and her father wrapped his arm around her and gave her a hug.

"I love you too kiddo," he said as he kissed her forehead.

**When Talia got home from dinner with her father, her car was in her drive way. She assumed Scott, her dad's assistant, did those things for him.** She walked into her house to find Brianne pacing in the living room.

"There you are, I have been freaking out. Don't you answer your phone anymore?"

"I am sorry, my dad showed up at my work and took me out for dinner," she said as she walked into the living room and she gave Brianne a hung. "He made me shut off my phone. Are you ok? What's going on?"

"Me? What's going on with you? I feel like I don't know anything, I am so out of the loop." She huffed and made a sad face.

"Ok, I will fill you in on everything and then you can tell me all the juicy details about you and Sane," she smiled. "But first let me put on some comfy clothes."

Talia and Brianne spent the evening sharing what was going on with both of them.

They had been friends since elementary school. Brianne was the only one that knew all of Talia's secrets. Talia kind of adopted Brianne; her mother died when they were still in high school and her father went to jail for possession. Brianne and Talia have had each other's backs for as long as either of them could remember. Talia was always getting in fights defending Brianne or she was pulling her out of some guy's bed at two in the morning. No matter what, they were always there for each other.

"Wow, I can't believe everything that has happened in such a short time," Brianne laughed.

"Your dad is kind of and idiot, he told you to stay away from Emerson and then his meddling brought you right back into Emerson arms. So, now what?"

"Now that I am his assistant we can't date for one, neither of our parents would allow it and it's also company policy that employees can't date. So now it's over; whatever it was can't be." She frowned and hung her head. "It's probably for the best, he would just end up breaking my heart."

"Yeah right, there is no way this thing between you two is nearly over; it hasn't even begun. Who cares about work, you are rich, you don't even need to work. I say have a little fun," Brianne laughed.

"You were all worried that I had slept with him and now you are giving me the green light, you are crazy," she laughed.

"Talia, can you come in here please," Mr. Emerson Rose called her on the intercom. She got up from her desk and she walked into his office. He looked stressed; he hadn't shaved in days, his hair was a mess he looked lost and confused.

"Yes, sir, can I help you with something?" She asked nervously; it bothered her to see him so distressed. He looked up and seeing her face lightened his mood.

"Yes, I need your help I have a meeting next Monday with your father. I need to nail this account or my dad will kill me. Your father's company would be our biggest account. Can you help me?"

"Yes, of course." She put her hair up in a ponytail and she sat down with him to go over the account. She helped him revamp a few of his ideas and since she knew her father better than anybody she was positive they would get the account.

They worked late all week finalizing the presentation, making sure everything was perfect for the Monday morning meeting. Friday around three Emerson called Talia into his office.

"Hey you have worked really heard this week and I am really grateful for your help. I think we have everything covered. I know it's your birthday weekend, so why don't you take off early." He looked up at her as he was working on his computer and he smiled.

"Are you sure? I have only been here a few weeks. Should I be leaving early?" She asked to be professional but she really did want to take off.

"I am positive, you have stayed late all week. Go home and have fun with you friends," he smiled at her and waved his arms for her to go.

"Thank you, I'll see you Monday," she smiled and waved.

She left his office and she shut down her computer, when she looked up Emerson was standing beside her desk.

"So what are your plans for your birthday?" He asked.

"It will be a party weekend," she giggled with excitement. "five of my closets girls friends are talking me out for dinner and drinks and then our guy friends from school are hosting a party for me at their frat house so we have to swing by there and then we're hitting up a club."

"Well, for your birthday, dinner and drinks are on me," he said, handing her a card for his family's restaurant. "I will have a table reserved for six of you. Just give the waitress that card and enjoy your night."

She wanted to hug him and kiss him but she couldn't. "Thank you, Emerson this is really nice of you," she smiled. "Will I see you there?" she asked as she looked from the card in her hand up to his face.

"Maybe," he purred, his eyes were dark lustful and his gaze held hers.

#  Chapter 8

**Talia and her friends all walked into Emerson's Bar and Grill around seven they were all dressed up in their best club attire.** The good looking blond hair blue eyed waiter showed them to their table.

"Damn, that waiter is fine," Mandy giggled. "Talia, you should give him your number."

Talia laughed at her friend. "You think he is fine so I should date him. Why don't you give him your number?"

"Fine, I will; I was just being nice since it's your birthday," she remarked with her diva attitude.

The waiter came over and took their drink orders and Mandy slipped him her number.

"So your boss is paying for all of us to drink and eat?" Stacy asked, shocked.

"What the hell do you do at work?" Sarah laughed. "I wish my boss was that awesome."

"Yes, Emerson is pretty amazing," Talia batted her eyes and smiled.

"She is in love with him. Look, it's all over her face," Grace pointed at her blushing.

"Come on Talia, are you sleeping with your boss?" Sarah asked, pushing Talia playfully.

"No, I am not," she blushed.

"But she would like to be," all the girls said at the same time and they all laughed.

"So how hot is this man? Brianne, have you seen him?" Grace asked.

"Yeah, I have seen him, he is like movie star good looking," Brianne said, looking over at Talia who was day dreaming.

"Well, he must be just as captivated by you to be hooking us up so nicely," Mandy said, looking around the bar. "This is a fancy place, for a bunch of university students."

"Speak for yourself, I am a working girl now," Talia made a funny face and put her hand to her mouth and she laughed. "That didn't come out right."

The waiter came back with their drinks and he took their dinner orders.

"Ok ladies, first shots of the night. I need pictures," Grace said, pulling out her iPhone from her purse to take a picture. "Talia, I will be taking pictures all night and posting them on Facebook so tomorrow when you don't remember what you did, you will have the pictures to remind you."

All the girls got close together and did their first shots for the camera. The girls drank and laughed and ate their food and Grace took pictures of everything they did.

"To the best birthday ever," Brianne held up another shot and they all downed it.

"To the prettiest birthday girl ever," Emerson whispered in Talia's ear and she smiled and turned and stood up, she wrapped her arms around him. "Happy birthday." He hugged her for a long time and she breathed in his scent. Then she turned around to her friends who were gawking at him.

"Emerson, these are my girls and girls, this is my Emerson," Talia hit herself in the head. "I think I am already drunk. I mean this is my boss, Emerson Rose."

Emerson smiled and waved at her friends as he leaned in close to Talia and whispered in her ear, his hot breath made her body shake. "I would love to be yours." He turned and faced her friends that were staring at him. "Are you ladies enjoying your evening so far?" He asked, smiling at each one of them.

They all cheered and thanked him for their dinner and drinks.

"Anything for Talia," he said putting his arm around her and he gently rubbed his fingers up and down her arms, sending a wave of heat to the forbidden parts of her body. "So what's next on the agenda, going to be breaking any hearts this evening, ladies?"

"Most definitely," Mandy cheered. "Although Talia breaks hearts every time she walks into a club."

Emerson looked over at Mandy and he smiled. "I would have to agree."

"I'm not the heartbreaker around here," Talia shot Emerson a dirty look. "I may be a tease but I am no heartbreaker."

"Yes, that's perfect; Talia the tease," Stacey laughed.

"Well, we better get going; we have a frat party to get to," Grace's annoyance was evident as she finished her drink.

"Before we go Emerson, can I get a picture of you and Talia?" Grace asked, holding up her phone.

Talia looked up at Emerson and then they both looked at Grace. "We can't have pictures of us together; it's a work thing," Talia huffed and put her head down.

"Birthday kisses," all the girls cheered.

"No really, we're playing that game again?" Talia rolled her eyes and laughed out a breath.

"What game?" Emerson asked looking around at all her friends.

"By the end of the night, Talia has to be kissed and kiss twenty four people and then she wins a mystery gift," Brianne giggled. "This year the mystery gift is really good because I picked it out."

"I am jealous, so by the end of the night you will have kissed twenty four men?" Emerson asked, shifting his body in her direction as he glared at her.

"No, some will be women too," Mandy laughed. "It's all just for fun."

Emerson looked around the room to see if anyone was looking at them and then he quickly turned to Talia, putting both his hands on her face and he pressed his lips to hers. Talia gave into his kiss, she melted into him and her whole body shook with excitement and her lips tingled as he gently rubbed his lips over hers before he slowly pulled away. He whispered in her ear. "I want to be your last kiss of the night too; I will find you." They gazed into each other's eyes while all her friends laughed and cheered.

**Talia and her friends all got into the limo that her father gave them for the night so they would all have a safe, fun ride from destination to destination.** She sat there in the limo thinking about Emerson with a smile on her face. But an ache came over her body as she knew whatever it was that they were doing it was going to end badly. When playing with fire, someone always gets burnt and she could already feel her feet starting to get uncomfortably hot.

"Talia, snap out of it," Grace snapped her fingers in Talia's face and she broke free from her trance.

"Dreaming about your boss?" Mandy laughed as did all her friends.

"Yes, how I can I not? That man drives me crazy. He tells me I am off limits but then kisses me every chance he gets," Talia huffed and rolled her eyes.

Brianne stole Talia's purse and pulled out her play book and she turned on the video camera. "It's time for birthday video fantasy moments."

Brianne videoed Talia as she looked into the camera and smiled. "My birthday fantasy is to be naked on my bed covered in rose petals with music playing and candles' burning as Emerson Rose makes slow passionate love to me. I want him to recite poetry in my ear, I want his undivided attention and every time I think we're done I want him to take me again and again. I don't want to leave my bedroom for days," Talia said looking into the camera with such a serious expression on her face.

Talia looked up at all her friends as if they were all having the same fantasies as her. Talia pushed Mandy playfully "He is mine to fantasize about. Find someone else." All the girls laughed.

They arrived at the frat party where Talia suffered through playing beer pong with a few of her guy friends, out of all her girlfriends she was the best at the game.

Grace posted pictures on-line of the events of the evening.

Talia winning at beer pong, arm wrestling and losing, Talia getting kissed a lot. The girls dancing on tables, Talia kissing Brianne smack on the lips.

After a couple of hours at the party, they all made their way to the club. On the drive in the limo, Talia checked her phone and read all her messages from Emerson.

Interesting night you are having. I liked the picture of you winning at beer pong.

I am the beer pong champion! Lol :)

Hated the picture of you being kissed by so many guys. :(

I would rather be kissing you.

Enjoyed the table dance. Wish I was there to see it.

I would dance just for you.

Love the picture of you kissing Brianne. Had no clue you were those kinds of friends. Lol I forwarded that picture to Sane.

Best friends lol!

Where are you now, no new posts in a while?

Just got to the club. Will I see you later?

I am already here don't worry I will be number twenty four.

You are number one and the best kiss I have ever had.

It will only get better, sweetheart.

Promise? lol

Oh yes.

Talia and her friends made their way into the club and hit up the dance floor, where Grace continued to snap pictures and post them on line.

Every time a new picture was posted, Talia got a new text from Emerson.

I like the picture of you blowing the camera a kiss.

No that was for you.

Soon enough.

Talia was on the dance floor with her friends when two arms wrapped around her waist she thought it was Emerson but pushed away when she realized it was Jeff.

Talia moved away from him and continued to dance with her friends but Jeff grabbed her again. Talia was drunk and her head was spinning. All of a sudden Jeff was gone and she was in Emerson's arms surrounded by his alluring scent and she smiled looking up into his eyes.

"I really hate that guy."

"I know, me too."

Just then all of Talia girlfriends grabbed her and kissed her while Grace snapped the pictures.

"Now she is at twenty three and she is all yours," Mandy whispered to Emerson.

He was eyeing down Talia as she was laughing and giggling with her friends.

"I have to go to the bathroom, I will be right back," she said, smiling at him. "Don't leave."

**Brianne and Talia were walking out of the bathroom laughing and stumbling together.** A hand grabbed Talia's and pulled her into his arms and pushed her up against a wall. She opened her eyes to meet his lustful blue stare and he pressed his lips to hers, pushing his sweet tongue into her mouth and she met him with lushes licks pushing harder deeper into his kiss. He ran his hand over her ass and squeezed as she ran her fingers through his thick head of hair.

"Happy Birthday Talia," he moaned into her mouth.

"Take me home with you?" She moaned and he stared deep into her eyes and took her hand and they walked back over to her friends so she could let them know she was leaving.

Brianne tried talking Talia in to staying but she wouldn't listen to her. Brianne grabbed Emerson by the arm and she glared at him.

"She is way too drunk to be going home with you. She will hate herself in the morning and never forgive you or me for letting her go home with you," Brianne pleaded with him.

"I promise to be a gentleman," Emerson assured her.

Talia walked into Emerson's condo, laughing and stumbling as he had a hold of her waist so she wouldn't fall.

"Would you like a bottle of water?" He asked, setting her down on a barstool in the kitchen and she laughed and shook her head.

"So serious, professor Rose," Talia laughed as he handed her a bottle of water.

"Drink it all. I don't want you to be sick," he demanded but then he touched her face so gently.

Talia chugged down the bottle of water and then asked to use the bathroom.

Talia looked at herself in the mirror as she was washing her hands and she used some of his mouthwash. _You can do this. It's no big deal; you want him, he wants you. Don't think about anything else._ She walked out of the bathroom in her black lace bra and underwear to find Emerson standing by the bathroom door.

"I was just coming to see if you were ok," he choked out the words looking at how sexy she looked half naked. "Wow."

Emerson cared about her, he didn't want to do anything to fuck things up with her. He knew that she wanted the same thing he did but he couldn't take advantage of her well she was drunk. But the longer he stood there looking at her incredible curves the more he wanted her, the harder it was for him to resist her.

Talia wrapped her arms around his neck pressing her body close to his and he could feel her breasts on his chest and his pants began to feel tight. She pressed her lips to his and she ran her finger through his hair. He grabbed her hips forcefully with his hands and he plunged his tongue into her mouth, swirling his tongue around hers, causing her body to tingle everywhere and she moaned.

"Damn it Talia why do you have to be so damn irresistible," he groaned as he sucked on her lip and ran his strong hands up her body.

"Why do you have to be so damn sexy? All I ever do is think about you," she moaned. His hands felt so good on her body. She kissed down his neck, rubbing her body up against his. "I want you. I have never wanted anybody but I want you."

"Oh I want you too, oh god I want you." He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist as she kissed his mouth and he held on to her ass grabbing it tight with both his hands.

He moved towards the stairs but as she kissed his neck and gently bit into his skin. He moaned and couldn't even make it up the stairs to his bed. He lowered her to the stairs as he leaned over top of her, and he kissed down her neck to her breasts. Talia laid back on the stairs panting and making noise telling him she was aroused. She moaned and giggled as he hooked his fingers into her bra, pulling it down just enough for him to get at her already hardened nipple. He was so gentle with her, every touch just turned her on more. As he placed his lips over her nipple and sucked, her body shook with pleasure. Talia wrapped her legs around his body, pressing her center against him, causing them both to moan. She could feel him, hard and excited, rubbing up against her and she bit her lip as her body shook from the pleasure she felt. The only thing between them was his pants and her panties. She kissed his mouth as she undid the buttons on his shirt slowly and then she ran her fingers up and down his chest. He was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen and she had her legs wrapped around him. He kissed her neck and caressed her breasts.

"Your body is incredible, you are so damn sexy," he moaned. "I want you."

He looked down into Talia's eyes as she laid there on the stairs looking up at him breathing heavily. "Talia we can't do this, you're drunk, I can't do that to you." He groaned like he was in physical pain. As he tried to pull away from her, she kissed his mouth. Plunging her tongue into his mouth massaging his tongue with hers, she wrapped her arms around his body and she moaned into his mouth.

"Please just kiss me then."

He ran his fingers through her long dark hair and he touched her face running his thumb down her jaw and he licked her lips and sucked on her tongue causing her body to shake.

"Oh my god, you do crazy things to me," Talia moaned into his mouth.

"Oh honey, the things I want to do to you." He leaned over her, kissing her mouth as he caressed her breasts and ran his hands down her body to her ass. Talia arched her back, pushing harder up against him and she could feel his erection rubbing her sex.

"Oh," she moaned.

Emerson was so demanding and tender at the same time. He wanted her but at that moment it wasn't about him. She was different than any other girl he had been with he didn't know what it was about her but she was special to him. This wasn't a one night stand he wasn't going to send her packing when they were through. He wanted more with her; he wanted all the things she wanted. But they both knew neither of their fathers would ever let them be happy together. He looked down at the fully aroused half naked woman that he adored and he knew Brianne was right. He wouldn't do anything to hurt her, but making her feel good was something he was more than happy to do. For the first time in Emerson Rose's life, he was in a situation where some else's needs mattered more than his own. He kissed her mouth and then took hold of her hips with both his hands and he pushed up against her sex and her legs parted further for him. She could feel him long thick and hard through his pants as he wiggled his hips and rubbed up against her sex. The sensation and friction of him nudging at her clit made her drip with desire for him. She whimpered, her heart was racing and her body shook. Talia looked up into his eyes with a look of uncertainty and he kissed her and whispered in her ear, "I got you."

He held her hips down hard on the steps and he gently but determinedly rubbed up and down her center and she screamed, welcoming the pleasure he gave her. Talia wrapped her legs around him tight and she bit his shoulder as her body shook and she screamed from her orgasm. "That's it honey," he moaned as he continued rocking and rubbing up against her, prolonging her orgasm.

"Wow," Talia breathed out harsh as all the tension in her body fell away and she was left feeling light and happy. She rested her face against his hot sweating chest as he still leaned up against her; his scent made her moan again even his sweat smelt good. He wrapped his arms around her and they laid there on the stairs for a few moments, not saying anything. Talia yawned and she hugged him tighter; she loved the way she felt in his arms. That was the most amazing moment of her life she had never had a man pay so much attention to her, he didn't care about his own pleasure, he just made sure she was taken care of.

Every minute that she spent with Emerson, she could feel herself falling deeper and deeper and she feared she would lose herself completely and be consumed by her pull to him. Talia could feel her body relaxing and wanting to fall asleep. Before she knew what was happening, she was in his arms and he was carrying her to his bed. He laid her down and kissed her forehead.

"Sweet dreams," he whispered and he walked into the bathroom. Talia could hear the trickling of running water as she dozed off to sleep.

**Emerson relived himself in the shower and then dried himself off and brushed his teeth.** He put on a pair of boxer shorts and he walked into his dark bedroom where a beautiful creature was asleep on his bed. He carefully crawled in beside her, careful not to wake her. She rolled over to him in her sleep and wrapped her arms and legs around him and she nuzzled her head into his chest. Emerson couldn't sleep, he just watched her; he wanted to enjoy every moment he got with her because he didn't know how long they would have. In her sleepy drunken state, Talia moaned and tears fell down her face.

"Please don't leave me all alone," she moaned in her sleep.

He kissed her forehead and whispered in her ear, "I am not going anywhere."

#  Chapter 9

**Talia woke up with a killer headache and her body wrapped around the hot sweating flesh of his rock hard body.** She opened her eyes and looked up at his big blue eyes staring at her. She didn't say anything at first, she just rested her head on his chest and then she let the events of the night before play back in her head bit by bit.

"How are you feeling?" He asked as he kissed her head and rubbed his fingers up and down her arm tenderly.

"My head is pounding and by back hurts," she moaned as she put her hand to her head. "And I really have to pee." She squirmed as she moved from his arms as she was getting up, she realized she was half naked and more events of the night played back in her mind. There was no need for her to play shy so she got up and walked to the bathroom.

She washed her face and brushed her hair with his hair brush. She used mouth wash to rinse her mouth and then she looked at herself in the mirror. She was embarrassed walking around in her underwear. She checked out her ass to make sure it looked good and then she pushed her breasts up so they sat perfectly. He was so gorgeous which was different for her, she had dated good looking guys before but she was used to being the better looking one in the relationship but Emerson was amazing in every way. Talia stood there in the bathroom replaying everything in her mind and she smiled thinking about him and the way he treated her the night before. He was so sweet and gentle with her. She liked him so much more because he just put her to bed. He treated her with more respect than most guys she knew and she liked him because of how different he was with her.

Talia walked out of the bathroom with a smiled on her face and she was greeted with a bottle of water, two Tylenol and a cup of coffee all served with a big smile on his handsome face.

"Thought this might help the headache," he smiled and she took the water and Tylenol.

"Oh yes, thank you." She swallowed down the pills and she yawned. "What time is it?"

"Eight thirty," he smiled and handed her the coffee.

"No wonder why I am still tired," she yawned again and then took a sip of the coffee. "I can leave if you have things you need to do?" She asked, looking down. He gently touched her face and lifted her head so he could look in her eyes.

"I would like you to stay, if you want to," he muttered in a dark soft voice as he held her gaze.

Talia smiled and shivered. "I will stay, but can we get back in bed? I don't have clothes on and I am cold," she said, hugging herself.

He gestured to the bed and they walked over she set her coffee on the night stand and she got under the covers and he moved in close to her and she crawled into his arms.

"I am not cold anymore," she moaned as his hot arms and bare chest felt so good next to her body, he warmed her right up.

"Good, I don't want you to be cold."

Talia rolled over so she was looking up at him and she leaned her breasts into his chest, she had a confused and embarrassed smile on her face. "Thank you for last night, I am sorry I was so drunk," she muttered and put her head down on his chest, a little embarrassed.

"Don't be sorry it was your birthday and I do believe I paid for most of your drinks so that would make it my fault you got so drunk."

"Well, I really appreciate you being so sweet to me. I am sorry if I behaved badly," she pouted.

He touched her face and looked into her eyes. "You didn't do anything bad," he whispered as he gently kissed her lips and then pulled away.

"What was that for?" She asked, smiling up at him.

"I have wanted to kiss you since you opened her eyes," he smiled looking down at her with affection.

"Then don't stop," she smiled. "Kiss me," Talia whispered, moving in close to him and she pressed her lips to his soft warm lips and he tasted minty fresh. He held her face in his hands as he controlled there kiss at a gentle rhythm keeping it slow and sensual. Talia melted into him into the kiss; he made all her fears and insecurities drift away. She didn't worry about anything when she was in his arms. He ran his hands down her body and she shook as his gentle touch gave her goose bumps. He caressed her breasts slowly as he made his way to her ass and he squeezed hard and he moaned, deepening their kiss. He possessed her mouth with his tongue, licking her tongue passionately, bringing her body to shake. "You're so beautiful, oh I love your body," he moaned in her ear as he kissed down her neck.

Talia could hear her cell phone going off but she didn't care because his mouth was on her neck and it felt so good. Before she knew what was happing, he rolled her over on her back and he was in-between her legs, kissing her. Talia kissed his neck and ran her fingers through his hair and then down his strong muscular back. She heard her phone go off again but ignored it. He kissed down her neck to her breasts and he pulled down her bra to lick at her already hardened nipples. He was so skilled he knew how and where to touch her in all the right places to make her moan and shake with pleasure. He kissed back up to her mouth, dipping his tongue into her mouth, swirling it around hers and he reached down her back to undo her bra. Talia looked into his eyes. "I have to tell you something," she purred, breathing heavy from how aroused she was.

Just then his phone went off and he rolled over and answered it.

"Hello," Emerson said annoyed and he was breathing heavily.

"Emerson, its Brianne. Is Talia awake yet? I have to talk to her."

He rolled his eyes and lay back on the bed. "Yes, hold on, she is right here," he huffed and handed the phone to Talia who gave him an apologetic look.

"Hi Bree," she breathed in deep waiting for the third degree.

"Why haven't you answered your phone?" Brianne snapped.

"Because my phone is down stairs and I am still in bed."

"He didn't have sex with you while you were wasted, please tell me you didn't?" Brianne asked, concerned.

"No, Emerson was a perfect gentleman," Talia smiled up looking into his eyes.

"Well, good, you need to come home. Your dad saw the Facebook pictures and he is freaking out. I covered for you and told him you were still sleeping but you better get your ass home soon. Remember you have a birthday party with your family this afternoon."

"Oh I don't want to deal with him, I just want to stay in bed all day," Talia groaned and pouted her lip.

"Stay in bed all day, wait a minute, I am interrupting something?" Brianne asked excitedly.

"Yes, so can you hold him off a little bit longer? I will be home soon."

"Ok, but you have five friends that are here waiting to hear all the juicy details. I love you, take care," Brianne giggled. "And be safe."

Talia hung up the phone and handed it back to Emerson.

"Everything ok?" he asked as he set his phone down on his night stand.

"Well, my dad is freaking out about the Facebook pictures," Talia rolled her eyes as she moved on top of him straddling him in-between her legs and she kissed his neck.

"Do you have to go?" he asked almost sad as he moaned from her kissing his neck.

"Sooner than I would like too,"she purred in his ear as she rubbed him in-between her legs and he squirmed. She kissed his lips, possessing his mouth with her passionate kiss. She kissed his neck and down his perfect chest and abs. She came to his boxers and she smiled up at him as she hooked her finger into his shorts and pulled them off his body, revealing his impressive erection.

"Wow," Talia giggled and he had a look of power and confidence on his face when she looked up at him. She took him in her hands. He was hair free and smooth, she rubbed him up and down and he moaned. She looked up at his face, preparing him for what was coming. Slowly and seductively, her tongue made contact a soft lick to the head and he shivered to the touch of her tongue. Slowly, she swirled her tongue around him as she looked up at him through her thick black lashes. He moaned and he licked his lips as she graciously licked down the shaft. She used both her hands to rub up and down as she wrapped her mouth over the head and she sucked him hard but slowly up and down. Emerson gasped with delight and Talia smiled, she wanted him to surrender to her. She wanted to make him feel like no other woman had ever made him feel before; she wanted him to remember no one but her.

She looked up at him smiling. "Don't stop," Emerson begged.

Talia liked that he begged her. It made her feel sexy and in control. She had the power to make his toes curl and his head shake and that's just what she wanted to do to him. She used her tongue to massage his erection. She licked and sucked him until his toes curled; she sucked down, hard, taking as much of him in her mouth as she could, and she used her hands to increase his pleasure.

He gasped harshly as his body shook. "Oh you are incredible," he moaned.

Talia had never enjoyed pleasuring a man that much before, it had never turned her on; it was always something she just did. But with Emerson, she wanted to pleasure him. She wanted to make him squirm and she wanted him to remember the pleasure she gave him. He was so different than any other man she had dated in the past. He was so sweet and gentle with her and constantly letting her know how amazing she was it was equally about her, not just him. Knowing that she had full control and she could make him cum with the proper stroke of her tongue made her feel incredibly aroused. No man ever made her feel the way he did.

Emerson's eyes were closed, his head fell back on the pillow he gave into her completely with her mouth wrapped around him nothing else mattered but her. Her mouth was hot and moist and her tongue played and teased him. She took her time; she wanted to pleasure him. He was not used to a woman that was so eager and happy to suck him off.

"Talia, oh Talia, you're so good," he moaned, gasping for air. "I am going to cu...!"

She smiled up at him with her mouth around his dick, letting him know she wanted him to cum in her mouth. Talia rolled her lips slowly down as far as she could and sucked him in hard moving up and down, milking him with her mouth. He gasped and his body jerked and his toes curled and his eyes rolled back in his head and he shook as he came long and hard with a moan.

"Wow incredible, I mean it, I am not just saying it, that was, oh my," he breathed as he reached for her and pulled her on top of him wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her neck and rolled her on to her back and he was on top of her. He kissed down her neck and Talia moaned and shook as she didn't want him to stop.

"Emerson, I really have to go," she groaned.

"I don't want you to leave," he whispered in her ear as he sucked on her ear lobe.

"I am sorry but I have to go I have to deal with my father before my birthday party," she moaned and squirmed as he kneeled in-between her legs.

"At least let me repay the favor before you leave me," he purred as he was licking at her nipples making her shake and whimper. Every time he touched her body it felt so good. Her nipples were hard and aching and he sucked hard, causing her to gasp for air. Talia was so turned on she was throbbing between her legs aching for him, her whole body was tingling. He kissed down her stomach and licked his tongue across the line of her underwear. He looked into her eyes as he hooked his fingers into her underwear and slowly tried to pull them off. Talia reached down to stop him and he looked up into her confused eyes. She was shaking like she was nervous and she had a funny expression on her face. "No one has ever done that to me," she said embarrassed.

"Seriously?" he asked with a shocked expression on his face.

"What assholes have you dated? Your needs are just as important as mine. If I cum, then you get too as well," he muttered in a low sexy voice as he leaned over top of her and kissed her mouth softly. "I will take care of you, honey."

He parted her legs and pulled off her underwear and looked down at her, she was perfectly waxed and smooth. He leaned down and parted her with his hands just the hot air of his breath made her whimper. He inhaled her scent and it drove him wild all over again. There was something about her, something so pure and sweet. He had never been so turned on before just by the scent of a women but everything about Talia turned him on. His tongue lapped against her sensitive flesh and she moaned and parted her legs for him even more. She whimpered when his tongue stroked her in all the right places over and over again. He used his hands to spread her feather apart as he continued exploring every inch of her center, finding all the spots that made her cry out with pleasure. He spent time on each spot, paying close attention learning what she liked. Her pleasure was more important to him than his own he had never felt that way before but he did with Talia. He knew she had a hard life and she had major trust issues with men. He wanted her trust he wanted to make her happier give her more pleasure than any man before him. He wanted her. He wanted to take his time with her he wanted to possess her as he was already possessed by her. "You're mine," he moaned against her hot flesh as he pressed his tongue inside her center making her scream and her body shook. As she was on the verge of orgasm he knew one little flicker would set her off, but then it would be over and she would leave him. He wanted to make it last, he wanted it to be the best orgasm she ever had so when she was laying in her bed alone that night she would think of him and ache for him.

**Talia was going crazy she had never felt more pleasure in her life.** She dug her nails into the sheets of the bed as she held on tight; she couldn't control her body from shaking. He was torturing her in the most amazing way. She moved her hips, trying to chase his tongue, almost begging for her release. But he wasn't going to give it to her until he was good and ready too. "Oh my god, please," she cried as his tongue relentlessly flickered at her clitoris and she screamed. Talia knew after that moment she would never be the same again she belonged to him and she wouldn't be able to deny him anything. She was his in every sense of the word.

"Now," he demanded. "Cum for me Talia," he moaned into her flesh as he lapped her up and down and flickered at her clitoris.

She had no control. She gave him what he wanted she screamed out as waves of ecstasy ran through her body and crashed into her core over and over again until she was free and floating weightlessly and tears fell from her eyes. "I am yours," she screamed as the waves tingled her body from the aftershock of her orgasm. Emerson lay down beside her and cradled her in his arms; he enjoyed holding her as she came down from her high.

"That was amazing," she whimpered, out of breath.

"You're amazing," he moaned in her ear as he kissed her check.

"Please tell me you will do that again?" she laughed out loud.

"Anytime you want, just ask," he grinned.

"Please tell me that sex will be that good," she moaned with excitement.

"Oh, it will be better. I would offer to show you now but I know you have to go and we don't have the time we need to do it right," he teased her.

"Oh my god, you are going to ruin me," she laughed.

Emerson drove Talia to her house and on the drive she pulled out her play book and started deleting picture from the night before.

"What are you doing?"

"Deleting the pictures from last night, I can't be doing things like that now I am not a student anymore. I am professional; if people from work see those pictures they will think horrible things about me," she sighed.

"Don't worry about people at work."

"That's my house just up the street," She pointed to a large Victorian style home. "But can you drop me off here. My dad lives next door and I don't want him to see us and freak out even more."

"Possessive much?" He huffed.

"You have no idea." She rolled her eyes.

"So why would you buy the house next door to your father?" Emerson asked confused.

"Oh it wasn't by choice," she huffed and rolled her eyes. "I put offers on sixteen different houses and my dad worked his magic convincing people not to sell to me. This was the only house he would let me buy. But it beats living under his rules. I think sometimes he does things to prove to me that even though I don't need his money, he can still control me."

"You don't need his money?" Emerson asked curious.

"No, I don't, I have my own, I have had a lot of people in my family die and leave me a lot of money my mom and both my grandfathers left everything they had to me. My dad didn't get a penny from his father's death. My grandfather hated my dad for what he did to me so to spite my dad, he left everything to me."

"So technically you own half your father's businesses? Then why the hell are you working for me?" He asked like he was really interested. He really wanted to know her; he wanted to understand her in every way.

"No, I sold the businesses to my father because I had no interest in running any of them. I am working for you because I need to hang on to every little bit of control over my own life that I can. He made me take business so to spite him I refused to work for him. I know it's silly but it's just the way me and my dad do things, we are constantly pushing each other. It all works out for me anyway, I would be the one to take over the business if anything happened to my father."

"So if you are rich on your own without your father, then why put up with it?" He asked.

"I wish I knew the answer to that but I don't know why I put up with it. Why do you put up with your dad, why don't you come clean and tell him who you really are?" She looked at him with understanding eyes.

"You're right, I get it," he breathed shaking his head as he pulled the car over.

"So if you have all this money, why work at all?"

"I am not that girl who likes to have everything given to me. I like working and besides, my boss is really sexy and I enjoy staring at him." She laughed and gave him a sexy smile.

"So do I get to see you again?" He asked as he touched her hand so tenderly.

"Tomorrow at work," she smiled and leaned over and kissed his mouth sensually leaving him wanting more.

"And after work?" He asked with a moan as his lustful gaze met hers.

"Maybe," Talia smiled as she got out of the car.

#  Chapter 10

Talia walked into her house to find all of her best friends in the kitchen eating breakfast and laughing. When she walked into the kitchen with the biggest smile on her face she was bombarded with a hundred questions. Brianne handed her a coffee. Talia sat down on a bar stool at the breakfast bar and took a sip. Then she smiled, looking up at her friends.

"Oh come on already, Talia please tell us you had sex with that god of a man?" Mandy asked with so much excitement in her voice and a big smile on her face.

"No, I didn't," She shook her head and took a sip of her coffee and she smiled.

"Then why the hell are you so happy?" Sarah hissed with a laugh like she didn't believe her.

"Oh because he is so amazing," Talia shook from inside out just thinking about him.

"Oh give it up, you clearly did something. I have never seen your face so full of color," Brianne laughed at her.

"Oh fine, we fooled around," Talia giggled. "And I can guarantee my experience was far better than his," She laughed and so did all her friends.

"Please tell me that he is flawed? No man can be that perfect. Please tell me his package is tiny," Mandy asked with big round eyes.

Talia put her hand down and laughed, she shook her head no. She looked up at her friends and she laughed hysterically. "He's huge almost intimidatingly big."

"Damn it," Mandy hissed. "How the hell is a man allowed to be so damn perfect?"

"I don't know, but he is," Talia breathed in deep and she thought about him.

"Are you going to see him again?" Grace asked while eating her pancakes.

"I work for him. I am going to see him tomorrow," Talia sighed, dreading having to work together.

"Did you to discuss anything?" Brianne asked glaring at Talia long and hard.

"What do you mean?"

"Did you talk about a relationship? Did you tell him about your past?" Brianne asked, concerned.

"We have touched on my past here and there but we haven't talked about a relationship," Talia looked down she knew what Brianne was concerned about and she was concerned about the same things but when she was with Emerson all her concerns went away.

"Talia, you need to set some limits or you're going to end up hurt in more ways than one," Brianne muttered looking at her with honest eyes.

**Talia walked into her father's house early enough before her birthday party was scheduled to start.** She was showered, had her hair and makeup done and she looked lovely in a simple black, white and blue flower print summer dress, great for an afternoon barbecue in June. Her father's house was perfect just like all his buildings, everything was exactly like it should be. Everything in Harrison's life was perfect and everyone did what he wanted. Except for Talia she was his one imperfect piece that didn't quite fit in or that's at least how she saw herself.

Talia was shaking as she walked into her father's office and she met his disappointed stare and he gestured to a chair for her to take a seat. Talia took a seat and then she put her head down. She braced herself for the yelling match they usually got into whenever she did something he disagreed with, which was pretty often. Talia always defended her actions but this time she was just as disappointed with herself as he was. She didn't think she did anything wrong kissing her friends, it was all just for fun, but she was an adult and pictures like that could really affect her future.

Harrison sat at his desk and looked down at Talia. "Look at me Talia," he demanded. "I am disgusted with your behavior last night. Sometimes I just don't understand you and the things you do. You want me to treat you with respect and let you make your own choices. This is what happens when you make your own choices. Do you want everyone to think you are a big drunk spoiled slut? Because that's what those pictures made you look like. Was this to get back at me for meddling in your work life? This behavior has to stop. Some things even I can't fix. I worry that one of these days you're going to end up getting yourself if a heap of a mess trying to teach me a lesson," Harrison shook his head and took a deep breath. "Ok, now you may defend your actions. Make me understand." He waved his hands at her as if he was letting her speak.

Talia looked deep into her father's eyes. "I am sorry. That will never happen again. I removed the pictures from Facebook. It doesn't change the fact that it happened and people saw them but they are down now. I totally understand why you are upset with me. I would be feeling the same way if I had a daughter. I am an adult now and I work for a big advertising company. I need to start acting more reasonably. I promise this won't happen again," Talia said in a very honest voice and she put her head down not looking at her father.

Harrison was shocked; he didn't believe his own ears. No screaming, no temper tantrum about how he ruined her life so if she wanted to ruin it more she could. No tears, no drama of any kind, just honesty. Harrison couldn't have been more pleased, he was so proud to see his daughter was finally growing up.

"I am glad to see we are on the same page, I am very impressed that you realize you need to present yourself more professionally. I just have to ask one question and please don't scream at me," her father hesitated and then he continued. "After seeing the pictures from last night I have to ask, are you and Brianne lesbians? I promise I won't freak out," Harrison breathed in deep and put his hands on his desk to brace himself for the answer.

Talia laughed and shook her head. "No dad, we are not lesbians. It was just a silly little kiss on the lips. Really nothing to worry about."

"Oh thank god," Harrison breathed out and stood up from his desk and walked over to Talia.

"Ok, now I must say you look beautiful today, my darling. Happy Birthday." Talia stood up and her father gave her a big hug. "You do know I love you right?" He whispered in her ear.

"Yes, I believe you love me in your own way," Talia laughed. "And I love you too."

Talia's birthday party was over the top fancy as Sheila and her father planned it, as Talia knew it would be. She had fun and enjoyed the food and all the gifts she received from a bunch of people that barely knew her; they were just there because of her father.

**It was a long weekend and Talia was exhausted; when she slipped into her pajamas and crawled into her bed, her body ached.** As soon as her head hit her pillow and she closed her eyes, she thought about Emerson and his dark blue eyes and her body shook. She thought about his thick silky black hair and she moaned. She thought about his incredibly sculptured body and she got goose bumps. Then she thought about his perfect kissable mouth and all the pleasure that came from kissing him and she ached between her legs for him. Talia swallowed hard. A man had never gotten to her so bad before, she didn't know how things were going to turn out but she knew that it wasn't over, it had just begun. And no matter how scared she was, she couldn't resist him and he couldn't resist her.

Just as Talia leaned over her night stand to shut off her lamp her blackberry went off. She checked her messages, she had a few text from her university friends wishing her a happy birthday and she got a text from Emerson.

You still awake? I can't stop thinking about you. My bed feels so lonely without you.

So tired but you're all I am thinking about too.

Good glad to know I am not the only one going crazy. I miss you.

Emerson ,what are we doing? I mean what is this between us?

What do you want this to be?

You tell me, you're the boss remember lol!

Oh I am the boss. I like that :)

I am serious, be honest with me.

What do you want? So I know.

I want you Talia and not just your body.

Although I can't stop thinking about your body

and how you smell, look, taste and feel...

OMG blushing. I want you too.

This is never going to work. Sigh

Don't think so much; you're going to give

yourself a headache and I am not there

to make you feel better.

I wish you were here.

A wish that could be fulfilled very easily.

No it's too late. You have a big presentation tomorrow.

Yeah, with your dad :( he is so scary.

Don't worry you will do great.

Your proposal is fantastic; he won't say no, trust me.

I do trust you and I don't trust anybody.

So you have trust issues and intimacy issues? Lol

So do you. We have a lot in common.

Possessive control freak dads and moms that are in heaven.

Yeah, we do. We are a disaster waiting to happen. Sigh

I don't care I want this to happen.

I am really tired I have to go to sleep or I will be falling asleep at work tomorrow.

Sweet dreams, hope they are about me lol

Oh I have been dreaming about you since I was thirteen :)

See you tomorrow.

Talia walked into the Light the Rose building at the same time as Mr. John Rose. She caught his eye in her red business dress and he walked over to see her.

"Good morning, Ms. Montgomery," He smiled at her as they were both getting on the elevator.

"Good morning Mr. Rose. Sorry Sir, but I go by my mother's maiden name, Thorn," she smiled politely as she tucked her hair behind her ears.

"Ok then, hello Ms. Thorn."

"How are you Sir?"

"I am very well, thank you and I will be even better if my son lands the account with Montgomery Industries," He said in a determined voice. "That is, if he doesn't screw it up, I don't know why I put him in charge of this case." He hissed like he was expecting failure from Emerson.

Talia found herself feeling angry she wanted to snap at Mr. Rose. Didn't he know his son at all? Emerson gave a hundred percent of himself in everything he did even when he didn't love his job. He had been working on the account all month he knew everything up and down he was very good at his job.

"Well, I can assure you that Emerson has worked very hard on his proposal we have been working very hard together to make it perfect. My dad is a very difficult man to deal with but one thing is certain; he respects hard work and dedication. And when he sees how much work Emerson has put into this account, I am positive he will win my dad over," Talia snapped with a smile trying to remind herself to be professional.

"Very good, that's what I wanted to hear," He smiled at her as he rocked back and for on his heels and cleared his throat. "I have noticed a lot of changes in my son since you started working for him. He has been putting in more of an effort around here and I really like it. I have also heard good things about you around the office too, Talia. People around here like you."

"Well, I am glad, I really enjoy working here and I have learned a lot working with Emerson," She smiled. "I was really mad at my dad for interfering but I am really happy in my position here even though it's only temporary," Talia smiled as she watched the numbers on the elevator light up.

"Well, help my son land this account and I'll make you permanent," he smiled at her seriously.

"Well, if my father heard you say that, he wouldn't take the proposal," Talia muttered uncomfortably. She didn't know if she wanted to stay there more than a year. She didn't really know what she wanted out of life. But she was sure that when she figured it out her father would be there to tell her no.

The elevator doors opened and Clara was standing there in a cream colored business suit looking as perfectly bitchy as she always did. Clara smiled warmly at John and then gave Talia a long nasty stare.

"Good morning Clara, how was your weekend?" John asked her warmly.

"Oh good, spent the weekend with my parents we went up to the cottage. Emerson was supposed to come but he bailed on my dad again. They were supposed to go fishing," Clara said, glaring at Talia like she knew he was with her over the weekend.

"Oh he must have canceled to work on his proposal because I didn't see him at all this weekend either," John muttered.

"Yes, that's what he said he was doing," Clara rolled her eyes in disbelief and shot Talia another dirty look.

"Clara have you meet Talia Thorn? She is Emerson's new assistant?" John asked introducing the two ladies. "Talia, this is Clara Linking, she is the vice president at Linking Fire. Her father and I are very close friends."

"Oh yes, we have met," Clara huffed and rolled her eyes.

"Well, John, we all have to get together soon the whole family, I miss our times together at the cottage," Clara said in her fake but pleasant voice.

"Yes, of course I think that Mrs. Rose is planning something with your mother for my birthday," John smiled at her.

The elevator came to a stop on the fourteenth floor.

"It was nice seeing you John, talk to you soon," Clara turned and smiled at him and then she shot Talia a dirty look and mumbled something under her breath before stepping off the elevator. The elevator doors shut and John turned and smiled at Talia.

"She is not as bad as she seems," he laughed.

"She isn't the friendliest person I have met," Talia admitted.

"She used to be a nice girl. Her and Emerson were the best of friends, her father and I used to joke that they would get married and we would combine the two business one day. But something changed the summer after my wife died; Emerson and Clara's friendship changed and they have never been the same since," John muttered as if he was thinking out loud and then he looked at Talia like he didn't know why he was telling her that for. The elevator came to a stop and John walked her to her desk.

Talia set her stuff down and turned on her computer she walked into Emerson office with a coffee as she brought him one every day.

"Good morning, Sir. Here is your coffee and I have everything ready to go for your meeting at ten," she smiled as she walked in and handed him his coffee.

"Are you friends with my dad now?" He asked in a cold voice as if he was mad at her.

"What?" She asked a little put off by his tone of voice after the conversation they had the night before. "We came up in the elevator together we chatted for five minutes. Am I not allowed to talk to your father?" She snapped and glared at him.

He looked at her and his face lightened. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to be an ass, I am just stressed out about this meeting. My dad is breathing down my neck driving me crazy like he is convinced I am going to screw it up," he muttered as he ran his hand through his thick hair and gave his head a shake.

"Well, stop worrying about your father because you have to go deal with mine in an hour," Talia closed the door behind her and she moved in close to him, hiding behind the wall so no one could see her hug him and she held on to him for a minute and then she touched his face. "You are really good at your job and you have worked really hard on this proposal. You are going to nail this account and show your dad that you are amazing." She smiled as she looked deep into his eyes with a very serious tone in her voice. He breathed in deep and held her tight in his arms for a few moments longer and she could feel his anxiety ease out of his body.

"You really do think I am amazing, don't you?" He asked in a low intimate voice and he looked into her eyes reading her like she was a book. He had never had a woman think he was amazing before. Not in the way she did, she saw him for real she saw all his different sides and she put them all together and came to the conclusion that he was an amazing man. Women often told him he was amazing because of his family name or because he was so good looking or after sex but never because of who he was as a man. Talia made him feel like he was the most powerful man on the planet. Just because of the sparkle on her face when she looked at him, she saw him for real and still thought he was incredible.

"Yes, of course I do. I wouldn't lie. Emerson, your dad gives you a hard time because he doesn't want you to know how great you are. You will land this account today and show your dad. He might not tell you that you are incredible but I will because you are. But I have always thought that. You saved the life of a little girl you didn't know, you didn't have to do that, you could have just called for help but you didn't. You got me out of the car and you stayed with me. You have always been amazing and I have always known it, I just wasn't around to tell you."

Her words made him shake they touched his core, he was lost to her, he would never be the same again. He feared just as much as she did that what was going on between them would end badly.

"Thank you Talia I think you might be the best thing that has ever happened to me," He smiled and touched her face as he breathed in her sent.

"Well, then that must make me incredible too," Talia smiled.

"Absolutely amazing." He gently pressed his soft warm lips to hers it was a sensual sweet kiss of understanding and compassion. They quickly moved away from each other when someone walked by the window and they both took their seats to go over the last minute preparations.

"Emerson, I think you are all set. Don't stress," Talia said looking down at the proposal in her hand. "You're going to do great."

"No, not me—we will do great," he said in a deep voice with a look of excitement on his face.

"What? No, I can't go with you," Talia shook her head and she became nervous.

"Yes, you can and you will, I need you with me. I couldn't have done this without you and I want your father to know how amazing you are. You may be my assistant but on this account you have been my partner getting me through it. You being there with me is just as important as me nailing this account."

Talia was shocked and overwhelmed. She had never had someone that wanted her around so much. He said he needed her and she believed him. She couldn't let him down. It meant so much to her that he wanted to show her dad that she was amazing even more than landing the account.

"Emerson, I want to be there with you and I want to show my dad that I can do this job but I don't know if it's a good idea. My dad can read people very well. There is no way that we can be in the same room together and give this proposal without him picking up on something. My dad can be very scary. I don't know what he would do to either one of us," Talia said, shaking in her chair.

"We are both so scared of our fathers, but why? We are both adults. I don't care what happens. Let's do this together and if your dad freaks out and we don't get the account and my dad fires us then I say we run off together and leave them behind," he laughed as he looked at her and she shook her head. Even though it was a joke, the idea was more appealing to both of them than either of them were willing to let on.

#  Chapter 11

**Emerson and Talia walked into the board room of Montgomery industries to find six men in black business suits sitting at a large table waiting for them.** At the head of the table was her father, Harrison Montgomery in all his glory, sitting in a big black comfortable chair that raised him higher than everyone else in the room. He had on a three piece grey business suit with a black shirt and a red tie looking all powerful and intimidating. As nervous as both of them were once they walked into the room, they were past the point of no return. Emerson turned into the confident and intelligent business man that he was at work. At first, Talia didn't think she liked that side of him but the closer she got to him and the more she learned about him the more she liked all his sides. At that moment when they walked into the boardroom and she saw the way Emerson carried himself and the way her father acted, she realized how alike they were. She always thought she wanted a man that was nothing like her father but Emerson had some of her father's traits but not all of them. He also had a soft compassionate side where he was gentle and caring and she knew that side of him first his passion for music and poetry and the theater. Were all the things she initially found attractive but now she found everything about him appealing.

She saw her father's shocked expression and just as he was going to ask her what she was doing there, Emerson set his stuff down and began.

"Good morning gentlemen, thank you for meeting with us today. For those of you that don't know me, I am Emerson Rose from Light the Rose," he said as he waved his arms in Talia's direction. "This is my assistant Talia Thorn and together we have come up with an incredible proposal for you that will bring your company amazing profits," Emerson spoke in his confident professional voice, no one in the room would have been able to tell how nervous he was just moments before the meeting.

Talia looked at her father, waiting for him to end the meeting or take her out of the room and demand to know what was going on. But he didn't, he listened and he actually looked very interested in what Emerson had to say. When it was Talia's turn to explain her ideas, all the men in the room watched Harrison and only listened to what she had to say. It was as if they weren't allowed to look at her. Her father watched and listened to every word and he watched how Emerson and Talia interacted. How she knew what he needed at each moment and when he was asked a question and couldn't think of the answer she had his back and reminded him. They were an amazing team and Harrison was very impressed with not only his daughter but the whole presentation.

At the end when they were all done explaining everything and answered all the questions, everyone looked at Harrison for his approval. Everyone in the room watched and waited in anticipation. Emerson looked at Talia with an anxious expression on his face and she shook her head and smiled with confidence. She knew her father every well and she knew he liked to make people shake; no one could read his poker face but she knew the look in his eyes.

"Gentlemen can I ask all of you to wait in the hall for a brief moment well I talk with Ms. Thorn," Harrison said in a deep un-ruling voice that made Emerson almost regret bringing her with him. But he shook that thought out of his head, he was happy she was with him he couldn't have done the presentation right without her. All the men left the room and Talia walked to the end of the table and she sat down beside her father and she looked into his over protective eyes.

"Can you explain to me why you are here?" Harrison asked with a curious smile on his face.

"This is all your fault, you told me to stay away from Mr. Rose but you let his dad know that I was interning at the company and you wanted me to have a better job. So he bumped me up to Mr. Rose's assistant. I was very mad at you at first for interfering because I didn't want to work for Emerson. But since I have been there I have learned a lot from him and he lets me help him with accounts. I know you're probably really mad that I am here but we worked so hard on this proposal, please don't say no because of me. We both know that what we came up with is fantastic," Talia smiled. "If you want me off the case, that's fine. If you want me to quit then I will, but don't let all his hard work go to waste because of me."

Harrison smiled and sat back in his chair, he had never seen his daughter act this way before. He was pleased with her offer to give him what he wanted to help someone else. Harrison had notice many changes in her since she started working at Light the Rose and he wondered if Emerson had something to do with it. He could tell they shared a fondness for each other and there was a great deal of respect with the way they interacted. He picked up on the heat between them so he knew they weren't sleeping together. This was the moment he had been waiting for, the moment in his daughter's life where she would just do as she was told, no questions asked and yet he couldn't do it. For whatever reason, her working for Emerson was helping her grow and mature into a woman he was proud of. He couldn't bring himself to stop it. But he had to make her sweat just a little, he had to push her buttons because that was just the way he did things.

"I am proud of you, Talia," Harrison breathed out with a smiled that reached right up to his eyes.

"You did very well."

Talia had tears in her eyes and Emerson was watching from the hallway he was freaking out. He saw her cry and his heart broke for her until she smiled.

"Thank you dad, that means so much to me."

"I didn't mean to make you cry," Harrison laughed, handing her a tissue.

Talia wiped her face and she giggled. "These are happy tears, you know every little girl wants to make her dad happy, even the crazy wild ones like me." She smiled up at him.

"Are you sleeping with him?" Harrison asked and Talia's face changed and she became angry.

"What? No, I have not had sex with my boss, dad," Talia snapped she didn't know why she was so mad at her father, she was having an affair with her boss. He was right for asking her.

Talia's heat broke when she thought about whom she was and how she felt about Emerson. She was becoming someone she didn't want to be, she was like all those women that hit on her father. She didn't want to be that girl. Talia held back her tears of heartbreak.

"But you like him, I can tell. You two work really well together you make a good team. He respects you I am sorry for asking you that question. I already knew the answer I was just bugging you. I can tell when a man has been with a woman. No good business man would bring a woman he was sleeping with into a meeting this important to his career. You know I have heard a lot of bad things about Emerson Rose. But he seems like he is good at his job and seems to be respectful towards you. I mean, for a man that is known for banging his assistants I am impressed he has been able to resist you. I mean, come on, you're my daughter and you get your good looks from me." Harrison laughed as if he had told a joke.

"Well, he has always treated me with respect. I never hear about his reputation. I mean, I am surprised; I didn't get that from him at all. I never would have known," Talia leaned back in her chair. She was confused and very overwhelmed by her emotions and this new information.

"He is the reason that Light the Rose has a no fraternizing policy between staff members. It's for his protection so no women can sue him with harassment if they get involved with him after signing the paperwork. His dad had to do it for his protection."

Talia was freaking out inside. She felt sick to her stomach. "Dad, can we get back on topic, we did fantastic. Did we get the account? Do you want me to quit?" At that moment, a part of her wanted him to tell her to quit because she knew that she was going to be a mess working for him after what she just found out. She was nothing to him, just another assistant.

"You don't have to quit. I think working for Rose is a good thing for you, I have noticed a lot of changes in you lately and I like it. Yes, you got the account." Harrison smiled at her. "And for the record, he couldn't have done it without you."

"Thanks," Talia smiled. "I knew it."

"I do need to ask you something and your honesty would make me very happy. I know you are sleeping with someone; you have been staying out all night and you seem happier than I have ever seen you before. And don't tell me that I am crazy. I heard your girlfriends whispering at your party about the man you went home with," His eyes narrowed in on hers. "Now I know you are an adult so I can't get mad but I want to know who he is and I don't want you sneaking around. You're too good for that kind of behavior."

Talia was shocked and she didn't know what to say. "Dad, um, can we talk about this at home, later? There are people waiting on us," Talia pointed to the men in the hallway.

"No, we are talking about it right now. I pay all those men lots of money, they can wait as long as I want them to wait," Harrison hissed and leaned back in his chair and glared at her.

Talia hated lying in general but lying to her father made her sick so she bent the truth it was the only way she could live with herself. "I am sorry dad but it's hard for me to date because you are so overprotective. You are right, I have been seeing someone; I met him at the college. He is a poet, he even has a few books published, he is very sweet and I like him a lot," Talia muttered, holding back her tears. She knew she had to end things with Emerson. She was caught up is his web and she was choking.

"A poet, Talia? Really, come on, I would almost rather you were sleeping with your boss," Harrison hissed and throw his arms up in the air.

Talia choked on her father's words she was a mess, a part of her wanted to just scream out the truth but she couldn't she couldn't admit that she had become all the things she hated.

"Ok, well don't worry, it's not serious. In fact, I am pretty sure it's over," Talia muttered, not looking at her father.

"Sweetheart, are you ok?" Harrison could see his daughter was hurting and he wanted to help her but he didn't know how.

"I'll be fine. Who wants love, anyway? I will never find a man that meets both my standards and yours; one of us will have to give in one day. Either I will let you marry me off or I'll run off and get married to some random guy I fall for. I know that there is no way we both will ever be happy, maybe I should just become a lesbian," Talia laughed as tears came out of her eyes.

"Oh honey, I am sorry, you are right I didn't realize how hard I make things on you. I am sorry I will try to be better at this stuff but it's just so hard, you are my baby girl no one will ever be good enough for you," Harrison muttered as he rubbed her arm and he stood up and pulled her into his arms for a big hug.

"I love you, dad."

**Harrison let the men back into the room and Talia stood up and walked over to Emerson while her father went over everything with them letting him know they got the account.** Emerson was so excited and Talia was happy for him.

"I want you both to do the presentation on Thursday night at our campaign party, this way everyone will know what to expect. Can you do that?" Harrison asked Emerson.

"Yes, of course, anything you want, sir," Emerson smiled in disbelief.

"Great, you can escort Talia to the party. Her normal escort is out of town. It would make sense for you to take her if you too are going to be doing the presentation together," Harrison insisted.

Talia looked at her father, confused. First he told her to stay away from Emerson now he was setting her up on a date with him. She stared at her father and he shook his head and smiled. "Well, thank you, Mr. Rose and Ms. Thorn, it was a fanatic proposal and I can't wait to see it again on Thursday. You can come to our house at six and we will all go to the party together," Harrison said to Emerson.

Talia and Emerson left the building and got into his car and he screamed with excitement and hugged her he was so happy.

"We have to celebrate," he said, looking at her. "I am taking you out for lunch. Where should we go?"

Talia was trying to hold back her mixed emotions and she faked a smile. She didn't want to ruin his excitement he worked so hard and he deserved to be proud of his accomplishments.

"How about Emerson's?"

"Are you ok? You and your dad were in there for a while. Is there anything you want to talk about? You seem really down and we just got the account?"

"No, I don't want to talk about it right now. It's just my dad he gets to me sometimes but it was the first time that he told me he was proud of me," Talia scrunched up her nose to prevent herself from crying.

"But are you ok?" He asked, holding her hand.

"Yeah, I am fine. We just got the account," she smiled.

"This has just been the best day. We got the account, my dad is going to be so happy and your dad just gave me permission to take you on a date," he smiled and leaned over and kissed her.

**After they had lunch, they got back to the office and they were greeted with an office party.** John Rose was so excited and proud of his son; everyone in the office congratulated them. Emerson made sure everyone knew that they were a team and he couldn't have done it without Talia.

The rest of the day went by fast and she was exhausted by the end of the day, she walked into Emerson's office to say good bye.

"Hey, I finished everything you asked me to do and I have things ready for the morning so unless there is anything else you need I am going to go," Talia said, not really making eye contact with him; he knew something was up he could tell she was holding back.

"You know you are amazing, you're always on top of everything. I am done too; I'll walk out with you," he said, packing his bag and he walked to the door and shut off the lights.

**Talia was quiet on the walk to the elevators she walked slow and looked at the ground like a scared young girl, not like the controlled woman she typically was.** Emerson pushed the button to call the elevator cart and when it came, they both got on alone with no one else in the cart he turned and looked at her.

"Talk to me right now; tell me what changed from this morning. What happened in your dad's office?"

"I don't want to do this now, not here, not like this, not today," Talia said, looking up at him, her face flushed and he could see the pain in her eyes.

"Talia, please don't do this," he begged her.

Talia looked at him and tears came running down her face and he moved in close to her and he touched her face and looked into her eyes as he wiped her tears away.

"Are there cameras in here?" Talia asked as she sniffled.

"No, why?"

She moved in even closer to him with a look of desire mixed with pain and regret on her face. "Kiss me," she demanded as tears poured from her eyes, something she never used to do but lately she was crying a lot more than she ever had before.

He touched her waist with both of his hands and pushed her up against the elevator wall with force and she dropped her purse at the same time as his bag hit the floor. He looked at her with a hunger she had never seen in his eyes before as he touched her face. This time was different and they both knew it, they could feel the heat and pain in each other's touch. He ran the pad of his thumb over her cheek and down her jaw. He pushed his body into hers and held onto her like it was the last time he was going to be allowed to touch her this way. He looked into her eyes she was breathing heavy as she waited in anticipation for his hot, moist lips to make contact with hers. Her lips quivered as his lips moved in close just above her lips and he hovered there waiting out her hunger for him. She could feel his hot breath tickle her lips and she whimpered for him. He pressed his lips to hers, softly kissing away her sadness. Then the kiss became demanding and he possessed her mouth like he had times before. As one hand held her face, the other hand slid down the curve of her back. He ran his hand up and down her spine softly before he softly squeezed her ass.

Emerson knew just how to kiss her, how to make her melt into him, he knew where to touch her in all the places that made her body shake with pleasure. He knew her so well. As passionate as his kiss was, he was in no rush for it to end. He took his time with her, making it last as long as he could as he feared it would be the last time she let him touch her so intimately. They both enjoyed each touch, each kiss, as if they were both lost to the connection that drew them to each other. Talia had never been kissed so thoroughly or with so much tenderness or desire and he had never wanted to just kiss a woman more. When he finally released her, she gasped for air and stared at him like never before and they both knew it was over.

The doors to the elevators opened and she moved around him. She picked up her bag and she walked out of the building, her footsteps echoing behind her.

#  Chapter 12

**Brianne walked into her very dark, quiet house and she knew something was wrong. Talia never let the house be in darkness.** Talia hated the dark it; scared her, made her feel that something was going to get her and she couldn't see to protect herself in the dark. She never even slept fully in the dark; she always had a light on somewhere nearby so she could always see if something came at her.

Brianne knew Talia was home because her car was in the drive way and her purse was hanging on the stairs. Brianne turned on some lights and looked at her friends that were with her and she told them to wait in the living room. As she made her way through Talia's very large beautiful Victorian style house, she found Talia in her bed crying in the dark.

Brianne turned on the lights to find Talia a mess; her hair was up in a messy ponytail, her face was flushed she had mascara running down her checks. She was in a tank top and yoga pants and she groaned when she opened her eyes and saw the light.

"Yaaa, Bree kill the lights I just want to be in darkness," she whined.

Brianne crawled onto Talia's bed and rubbed her back.

"Talia, you hate the dark. Tell me what's going on," Brianne whispered in a sweet voice. She was always there to care for her friend as Talia had always been there for her.

"I hate myself more than the dark. Let the darkness have me," she cried and she threw her body back down on her bed.

"Talia, talk to me, tell me what is going on. Did something happen between you and Emerson or with your dad? I haven't seen you act this way since..." Brianne didn't finish her sentence; she didn't want to bring up the pain of her past.

Talia cried even more. "I am just like my mother and all those women that screwed my dad; I don't want to be this girl."

"Talia, what are you talking about? You are not like those women." Brianne touched her face gently in attempt to soothe her.

"Yes, I am. Can't you see I attract men that should be off limits? Every guy that I have ever been attracted to have been either a camp counselor, a manager, a teacher and now my boss? I am the worst and I have turned into the type of woman I hate. I like Emerson so much I feel sick. I am torn between what I want and what I know is right," she cried.

"You are not a bad person because you are attracted to men in power. Emerson is your boss, yes, but you knew him before, you have a past with him. There is a connection between you two. You haven't even slept with him. You are not like those women you hate. You're so worried about ending up like your parents you're going to miss out on love," Brianne muttered, shaking her head. "What happened to make things change anyway, you were so happy this morning? Emerson is freaking out. He doesn't know what he did wrong."

Talia sat up straight and wiped her face clean from her tears and she looked at Brianne. "You have talked to him?"

"Yes, you didn't answer your phone so he tracked me down at Sane's and made me come here to check on you. Sane and Emerson are in the living room right now."

"What? No!" Talia shook her head and ran her finger through her ponytail. "He just won't let me go."

"Well, he is not going to leave without talking to you, he is a mess," Brianne said looking at her friend with an empathetic stare.

"Well, then you can send him up and I will tell him this is over and he can go away," Talia hissed as tears rolled down her face.

**Emerson walked into Talia's very large master bedroom to find her crying on her king sized bed entwined in white silk sheets.** Her heart broke when she saw the way he looked. He was a complete mess. He looked sick, his face flushed and eyes sunken in.

"Why are you here? I thought it was clear this afternoon that whatever this was, it is now over," Talia hissed as she wiped her face with a tissue.

Emerson walked over to her bed and sat down beside her and he touched her face.

"I don't want this to be over," He begged. "Please explain to me what happened in your dad's office to change things this much to make you this upset."

"Emerson, please, can we not do this. The more you know, the more we drag this out, the harder it will be to see each other at work."

"Please talk to me. I have to understand," he asked and she could see the pain in his face and hear it in his voice.

"Emerson, nothing has changed, it's the same thing that it has been from the beginning. I just lost myself in you and along the way. I can't do this. I can't be caught up in all these lies. You are so many different people and that might be ok for you but I can't do this. I can't be just another assistant that you screw until you have had enough of me. I can't be the girl that sleeps with my teacher or my boss. I am not like that; I hate girls like that, I can't be a hypocrite. I tell my dad I hate him for the things he has done, to find a man just like him and be one of those girls, no—I can't do it. I won't. I really want to be with you; I care about you, every side of you. The poet, the teacher, the over protective guy that punched Jeff out to defend me. I like my boss who is controlled and determined. I like the man who took me home from the bar but wouldn't have sex with me well I was drunk. I like that when you kiss me; you make me feel wanted and special. But I can't be with you and hate myself, it will never work," she cried.

Emerson crawled into the bed with her and wrapped his arms around her and let her cry on his chest.

"I don't want to be the reason you hate yourself. I don't want to do this to you but I don't want to lose you." He kissed her head gently. "Talia, you are not just another assistant. You mean so much to me. I hope you know that is true."

"I am sure every one of the others girls thought that they were special too," she sniffled.

"Maybe they did but I never told them I wanted them or cared about them. I have a past. I can't change that, but it doesn't mean that what I feel for you isn't real. I have never wanted something more than I want to be with you."

Talia cried harder into his chest. "Why are you doing this to me? I think you should go."

He pulled her on top of him and he lay down on her bed and wrapped his arms so tight around her.

"Please just let me hold you," he whispered in her ear as he gently rubbed her back and she melted into him. Talia cried until she fell asleep in his arms. She knew that he wasn't going to let her go and she couldn't resist her pull to him but she had to try to do the right thing.

**When Talia woke up, Emerson was gone and she was alone in her bed**. She took a deep breath and braced herself for a really hard day. She had a long hot shower and put herself together. She put on her make-up and found a nice blue pant suit that went along with her sad depressed mood. Talia walked down stairs to find Brianne in shorts and a tank top eating a bowl of cereal at the breakfast bar.

"Hey honey, how are you feeling this morning?" Brianne asked, smiling with sympathy; she could see Talia was trying very hard to hold it together. "He stayed the night. I thought maybe you two fixed things."

"No, he just wouldn't leave. He is going to make this so much harder. I don't know how I am going to be able to do this, if I didn't actually like my job so much I think I would quit," Talia huffed and she opened the fridge and pulled out a yogurt and she leaned up against the counter she pulled out a spoon as she ate her yogurt. "I don't even know what this is between us; I mean I don't know if it's just heat or if it's more. I mean I know what I feel for him and he tells me he wants me, but what does that mean?" Talia huffed and rolled her eyes, she made a pouting face as she continued to eat her yogurt.

"You haven't slept with him. That's why he won't let you go. You still have something he wants. He has only had a taste; he wants all of you. He is a man, Talia, it's the way they work. If you had sex with him already he would probably have let you go," Brianne said scrunching her nose making a funny face.

"That's just so sad," Talia breathed out heavily. "I can't end a relationship with sex. That would just make me hate myself more. I don't think I would be able to get over him."

"I am not saying you should do that, I am just saying that's why he doesn't want to let you go." She shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, I have to go to work, wish me luck," Talia said as she walked out of the kitchen.

Talia walked into work. She put her bags down and turned on her computer and then she went into Emerson's office to give him his coffee and go over his schedule for the day.

"Hi Mr. Rose, here is your coffee, and you have a meeting with your father at ten. Do you need me to sit in on it and take notes?" Talia asked in a soft polite voice.

Emerson looked up at her, at a loss for words; he was a mess, she could see it all over his face, he looked like she felt, like hell. They were quiet a pair. His shirt was wrinkled he didn't have on a tie he was unshaven and his eyes had dark circles around them. "Emerson, you look sick. Did you not sleep at all?" She asked, concerned.

"No, I just held you and watched you sleep. I couldn't sleep knowing that was the last time I was going to hold you," he whispered out in pain. She shook and her insides hurt. That was the most amazing thing she had ever heard and it broke her heart. "I can meet with my father on my own but can you get the paper work faxed over to your father's office this morning so he can sign it and then we can get going on this account?" He asked as he was looking at paperwork on his desk as if to look at her caused him pain.

"Yes, of course," Talia muttered, trying to hold back her emotions.

Talia left his office and got the papers faxed off. It was a long uncomfortable day but she made it through and by the next day, Emerson seemed better and he was talking to her like he did before. They worked together finalizing everything for her father's account. They were such a good team; they worked very well together. It was so natural and simple being around each other. Talia was hurting and so was he but working together having a professional relationship was better than not having any contact at all, or at least that's what they told themselves.

**Talia and Brianne both got ready for Montgomery Industries Campaign party.** Brianne slipped into her long black satin gown and Talia zipped her up.

"You look beautiful. Sane is a lucky man," Talia giggled as she pined Brianne's blond hair up.

"There, now even your hair is perfect."

Just then, the doorbell rang. "That must be Sane," Brianne smiled as she left the room.

Talia put on her dress and grabbed her purse and went down stairs.

"Wow Talia, you look amazing," Brianne said, smiling as Talia walked down the stairs in a caramel strapless dress that fit to her every curve, showing off her hourglass figure. The dress had lace on the bust and down to the waist but the bottom of the dress was just satin and it had a long slit up her right leg and it showed off her sexy gold shoes, the straps wrapped around her calf. She had her long dark hair all in lose curls and pinned to one side.

Talia walked down the stairs and smiled. "Thank you."

"Poor Emerson, you're breaking his heart and now you flaunting yourself at him," Sane said looking at her shaking his head.

She was shocked and didn't know what to say. She wasn't meaning to be a tease, she had to dress up for the party and she wasn't going to stop being herself to make things easier on Emerson.

"Oh whatever, it's not like he is going to make himself less attractive to make things easier on me," She huffed.

"Talia, I know we don't know each other all that well and I know Emerson has a reputation for being a ladies man. But I have been his friend for a long time and I have seen a lot of women go after him but I have never seen him go after a women. I have never seen him like this ever, so please be nice to him," he said with a soft warm smile.

She shook her head and she hugged Brianne goodbye as her and Sane were meeting them at the party.

She went to her bag and made sure she had everything together for the presentation when her doorbell rang. She answered the door to find Emerson standing there in a black three piece suit with a black shirt and blue tie. His hair was perfectly in place. His face was shaven and smooth and he smelt amazing. He met her eyes and they both smiled and stared at each other for far too long before she invited him inside.

He stood in the hall way and looked at her feet and up her sexy leg that was exposed by the slit in her dress. He drank in the beauty of her curvy body. His eyes made their way up to her full round breasts that sat perfect in her dress with just the right amount of cleavage exposed. He looked at her hair curled around her face and then he was lost when his eyes met hers again.

"Hi," Talia smiled up at him almost shaking he looked so handsome she didn't know how they were going to make it through the night. "Emerson, you look fantastic; you're going to win everyone over tonight."

Emerson touched her hand and pulled her into his arms; his one hand touched her face as the other one softly slid down the small of her back. She shook with excitement; she loved being in his arms and she was so lost to his alluring scent that it made her mouth water. But his eyes, those dark blue marbles, were burning with lust and his look made her shake. "You look incredible." He swallowed hard. "Absolutely stunning," he moaned as he pressed her in close to him.

"I think you're torturing me and that's ok at least I get to look at you all night," he whispered in her ear and his hot breath hit her neck and made her tingle everywhere.

"We better get going," Talia breathed in deep and she pressed her hands to his chest and she pushed him away it caused them both so much pain.

**Talia and Emerson walked into the Montgomery home**. They were greeted by Shelia who looked stunning in a blue gown that matched her eyes and showed off her perfect Barbie doll body. Talia watched as Emerson shook Shelia's hand and looked into her eyes as he talked to her, his eyes never once looked at Shelia's breasts but she caught him glancing at hers a few times but it kind of made her feel good.

"Mrs. Montgomery, you have a beautiful home," he said, as he looked around the almost mansion he was standing in.

"Oh thank you Mr. Rose, we are very fond of it," Shelia giggled. "Shall we go in the living room? The limo won't be here for a little while."

Shelia led the way into the living room where Kami was playing. Kami saw Talia and she got up off the couch and ran over to give her big sister a hug.

"Tally, guess what?" Kami said, bursting with excitement.

"What?" She asked, looking at her little sister with a happy expression on her face.

"Daddy gave me a camera so I can be a photoograypher," Kami laughed with excitement and she ran and got her camera from her toy shelf and she brought it back to show her sister. "Look, it's a real camera, can I take your picture? You look very beautiful tonight."

"Of course you can take my picture," Talia said, posing for her sister while she snapped shots.

Kami walked over to Emerson and she looked up at his face and she smiled at him. "I am Kami Lynn Montgomery and who are you sir?" She asked him with a serious expression.

He got down to Kami's level so he could look into her big green eyes. "Hello Kami Lynn Montgomery, it's nice to meet you. I am Emerson Ryan Rose," He smiled and she shook his hand.

"Are you Tally's date?" Kami asked smiling.

"Yes, I am her date for the party tonight," he said, smiling at her.

Harrison walked into the living room and he kissed Talia on the cheek and he picked up Kami in his arms and shook Emerson's hand.

"Good evening Mr. Rose, welcome to my home," he said in his characteristic deep professional voice.

"Your home is beautiful, thank you for having me," Emerson said politely.

"Can I get you a drink while we wait for the limo?" Harrison asked as he put Kami down and he walked over to the bar and started pouring himself a glass of scotch.

"Oh yes, thank you," Emerson breathed.

Talia and Emerson took a seat on the couch and her father handed Emerson a glass of scotch and he handed Talia a glass of white wine. Shelia and Harrison sat on the other couch and they all chatted. Kami sat on Talia's lap and smiled up at her and at Emerson.

"Can I take your place and go with Emerson to the party?" Kami asked giggling.

Talia laughed and she hugged her sister. "I am sorry honey but I want to go to this party. I think I am going to have fun and I have to work," Talia smiled.

"She must like you Emerson she always says I can take her place when Trevor is her date," Kami giggled. "I think it's because you are better looking and a lot nicer, Trevor doesn't say much and he his chin looks like a bum."

Both Talia and Emerson laughed.

"Well, thank you Kami, I think you are a very pretty little girl and very smart," Emerson smiled at her.

"Thank you."

"I would really like to go to the party. Please daddy?" She asked, turning and looking at her father with a pleading expression.

"No honey, you can't come to this party but you're going to have your own party in a few weeks," Harrison reminded her and her face lit up with a smile and she turned and looked at Emerson.

"Emerson will you be my date to my birthday party?" Kami asked with a big excited smile on her face.

Emerson looked at Talia and then at Harrison for help he didn't know what to say to the little girl.

"Kami you are far too young to have a date but you can invite Emerson to come as a guest to your party," Harrison laughed.

"Yes, Kami, I would love to come to your birthday party. Talia will let me know when it is," he smiled at her.

"Great now can I take your picture?" She asked holding up her camera as she jumped off Talia's lap. "Get close together, I want a picture of the both of you," she said, waving her hands indicating what she wanted them to do.

"She is very demanding," Emerson whispered to Talia.

"Tell me about it," Talia laughed as she was moving close to Emerson and Kami started snapping pictures before they were even ready after she took a few pictures. Harrison called for the nanny to come and take Kami to bed and they all left for the party once the limo arrived.

Harrison and Emerson talked business the way to the party while Shelia and Talia whispered to each other.

**The Campaign party was a very formal affair; hundreds and hundreds of people attended.** Talia really enjoyed being there with Emerson. It was such a nice change from Trevor who just wanted arm candy. He respected her thoughts and opinions and he liked listening to her talk. They had fun and they talked with her father and Shelia, and Brianne and Sane. They all enjoyed the party together.

Harrison watched the way Emerson looked at his daughter, the way he held her hand and introduced her to people and in that moment he realized what Talia had been saying about Trevor. Emerson respected Talia and knew how smart she was and he wanted to show her off. Harrison saw the way Talia handled herself around Emerson; he brought out her mature side he pushed her and made her want to be the best that she could be at her job. Harrison was pleasantly surprised with the way the evening went on and he was very proud of his daughter for the presentation her and Emerson gave for everyone to hear, about what would be coming in the future.

Harrison stood beside John Rose and they both watched their children become the professional people they always wanted them to be.

Emerson and Talia's presentation was flawless they had their information down pat and they answered questions with ease. They were not nervous at all up there together. As a team, they were perfect. The heat between them only made their presentation more sizzling and people bought it.

"Mr. Montgomery, your daughter is amazing. Since she had been working for my son, he has done a 180; his work has been flawless, not sloppy like it used to be. I am very pleased with how well having her on our team is working out," John said in a deep voice as he took a sip of whisky and eyed Harrison down.

"I too am very pleased with how things are working out. Talia has learned a lot since she has been working for your company and I think Emerson is the reason. They work really well together and it seems that their collaboration is going to be helping both our businesses," Harrison smiled and they both raised there glasses to their arrangement.

**Emerson took Talia by the hand and led her off the stage as her father got up to say a few words.** Harrison talked about how amazing the presentation was and how he couldn't wait to get things started, how he was looking forward to working with both Emerson and Talia as a team.

Emerson, Sane, John and Harrison were talking while the ladies where sitting at the table drinking and chatting. A good looking blond haired man took a seat beside Talia.

"That was a very interesting presentation." The man leaned in close to her and held out his hand to shake hers. "I am James Vowel, I work at Light the Rose also but I have never seen you there before, I guess Emerson is keeping you all to himself."

"Hello I am Talia Thorn, it's nice to meet you," Talia said as she found herself looking at Emerson who was across the room talking to her father but their eyes met.

"Emerson," Harrison snapped and caught his attention he turned and looked at him.

"Yes, Sir."

"Emerson," Harrison put his arm around his shoulder and they walked towards the bar. "Do you see that man talking to my daughter?"

"Yes, I saw and I know who he is. He works at my father's company," Emerson admitted. He didn't even look back; he didn't want to watch another man hit on Talia when he couldn't do anything to stop it.

"I don't like men I don't know fraternizing with my daughter. I do believe she is your date this evening, do you think you could take care of him for me?" Harrison asked in a deep serious voice.

"Yes, of course, sir," Emerson said with a hint of excitement in his voice.

**Emerson walked over to the table and Talia saw him coming. She found herself feeling excited as he slowly approached them.** He walked in front of James and looked into her eyes as he held out his hand for hers.

"Dance with me," he demanded in a soft lustful purr. The look in his eyes made her mouth water, she couldn't deny him anything. She bit her bottom lip and looked at him, confused. How could they dance in a room with both their fathers?

"Emerson?" she said his name with desire but she had fear in her eyes.

He bent down and whispered in her ear. "You father gave me his permission to take you away from this man. You don't know the pleasure this is giving me right now."

She looked up and his gaze met hers and she smiled with lust in her eyes and she took his hand and they walked past James as if he didn't exist. He led her to the dance floor where the song _perfect_ _porcelain_ by Mariana's Trench played. He held her gaze as if no one else was in the room, she was in his arms and it was as if nothing else mattered. He spun her around the room and she laughed and shivered when his hands touched her in all the right spots.

"You drive me crazy, do you know that?" She whispered in his ear as she ran her fingers through his hair and she made sure her breath lingered on his neck.

"Oh honey, I have been insane for month," he purred and he pulled her in closed and ran his fingers done her back and softly kissed her neck as he spun her around so no one could see. His gentle kiss, his soft breath mixed with his sent and the power in his touched made her ache for him. Something she had never felt before, a pull so strong, as she looked into his eyes her heart ached and that's when she knew.

"Emerson, the song is over but you're still holding me," she whispered in his ear, holding back her tears.

"I never want to let you go," he groaned and she pushed him away.

Michael Jackson's _The Way You Make Me Feel_ came on the stereo and his face lit up with a smile and he grabbed her hand and spun her around. "I believe this is our song, Ms. Thorn," he purred in her ear and she laughed it was the song from their blind date; they danced until her father came on the dance floor and walked over to them.

"Is it time to go?" Talia asked, looking up at her father trying to hold back her unhappy face.

"Shelia and I are leaving but you two are having fun. You can stay. I will send the limo back for you," Harrison said and he kissed Talia on the cheek and shook Emerson's hand. "I trust Mr. Rose will be a gentleman and not let a thing happen to one hair on your head."

"Yes, of course sir."

"My father never lets me stay without him ever," she muttered to herself softly. "You must have made a really good impression."

"I don't really care what your dad or my dad wants. All I care about is what you want," he said looking into her eyes and she shook with excitement. He really did care what she wanted, it wasn't about anyone or anything else but her and him. Those were the words she had been waiting to hear her whole life, not "I love you" but "All I care about is what you want." No one had ever cared about what she wanted and now, for the first time ever, someone did.

"Emerson," she sighed and looked away from him she had to prevent herself from throwing herself at him.

They both continued to mingle and talk to people about business and the account. The whole time, their eyes never left each other.

Talia was deep in conversation with Brianne when Emerson came up behind her and whispered in her ear. "Can I get you a drink?"

"No thank you," Talia shivered as the feel of his body pressed up again her back turned her on. "I think I am ready to go," Talia turned and looked into his eyes and she held his gazed. He looked disappointed; he didn't want the night to end. He breathed in deep and shook his head, he didn't try and convince her to stay he just smiled and agreed it was time to leave.

Talia hugged Brianne good bye and then she took Emerson's hand and they made their way out of the building to where the limo was waiting for them.

**Emerson sat beside her and he touched her hand gently as he looked at her face, he looked at her eyes, her perfect skin and at her lips he was longing to kiss them again.** She could feel him watching her and it caused her heart to beat so fast. She couldn't do it, she wasn't strong enough. She knew it was going to making it harder. The more she gave into him, the harder it was going to be to let go. But she had to; she had to give into him so he could let her go. It had to be goodbye.

Talia turned and looked into his eyes and she moved in close to him and she touched his face, he could see the pain in her eyes and he knew this was good bye.

"Talia," he breathed out in a low rusty voice that sent a shivered through her body.

She pressed her finger to his lips and she moved on top of him, straddling him in-between her legs and she touched his hair with her fingers. She touched his face, tracing every inch of his perfect jaw, engraving it into her memory. She brought her mouth just above his and she hovered for a moment, breathing in his sent. Creating more heat between them, she made him wait before she pressed her lips to his kissing him tenderly, emotionally, kissing him softly. Then her tongue explored his mouth with passion and desire with no end in sight. Emerson wrapped his arms around her body and held onto her so tight as he met her kiss with luscious licks, massaging her tongue with his, making her moan and dampen between her legs. He was the only man who had ever turned her on so easily with just a kiss. She rubbed her sex against his very hard erection and she took pleasure in knowing she turned him on just as much. He grabbed her hips and rocked into her, rubbing them together, making them both moan. Talia kissed his neck letting her breath linger with each kiss, making his neck tingle. He whispered in her ear. "Talia what are you doing to me?" He groaned like he was in pain.

"I can't help myself. I just want you so badly," she breathed into his mouth, kissing him. "I want to go home with you." He looked into her confused eyes. "Please, I need this as much as you do," she looked into his eyes with desire and affection and he couldn't deny her, what they both wanted.

#  Chapter 13

**Emerson unlocked the door to his condo and Talia pushed him in side kicking the door closed behind her.** She jumped him wrapping her legs around him owning his mouth with her kiss. He carried her to the couch and gently put her down.

"Can I keep you all night?" He asked her with a hint of hope in his voice.

"Yes," She swallowed hard as she looked up at him and blinked. She didn't care what her father would do she was lost in the moment of lust.

"I'll be right back," he walked into the bathroom and came back a few minutes later.

Talia was looking out the sliding glass door into the city when she heard music come on the stereo. Before she could turn around, he was behind her. He spun her around and touched her face and looked into her eyes, kissing her strongly and passionately. A kiss that told her he needed her, no one else just her. She pulled his jacket from his body and threw it on the floor. She had never been so eager or demanding in her life but she wanted him and she didn't want to wait.

He wanted to take his time with her he wanted to make her scream and moan over and over again and he wanted them to be entwined as one. But his desire was so strong he picked her up and she wrapped her legs around him, kissing his mouth as he grabbed her ass. He pressed her up against the glass doors, holding her up with the weight of his body pressed against hers. Emerson separated his lips from hers and she groaned, not wanting him to stop kissing her. But when he kissed down her neck, she purred, he caressed her ass with his hand and worked his way up her body, gently squeezing her round full breasts. He kissed down her neck, kissing her cleavage and he gently pulled down her dress so he could get at her perfect little nipples he tugged on her nipple with his lips and she quivered. He lapped his tongue over her nipples one at a time and then sucked long and hard, causing noises to escape from her mouth, noises she didn't know she could make. Talia kissed his neck and she wrapped her legs around him, feeling his hard erection through his pants rubbed up against her silky wet slit.

"I want you so much, you smell and taste amazing, I need you," he moaned as he lowered her down the glass of the door and her feet touched the ground. He reached his hand between her legs through the slit of her dress and cupped her sex over her panties. "Mine, please tell me. Tell me you're mine."

"I am yours," she cried out. "Just rip them off," she pleaded.

"As you wish." He hooked his finger into the string of her thong and he gave it a little pull and it snapped and he threw them behind him. He kissed her mouth, licking and sucking at her tongue. She whimpered when his hand touched in-between her legs and she parted them for him. His fingers slid up and down her slit, she was like silk from her liquid and he moaned into her mouth.

"Oh, you're so wet."

"That's what you do to me," she purred as his fingers felt so good.

His skilled fingers circled her clitoris and they found other places that made her scream out in pleasure. Each spot that he touched felt good she moaned and he paid close attention before moving back to her clitoris. Talia's body was shaking and she moaned as his finger slid inside her body and a whimper escaped her mouth.

"You're so tight baby I have to loosen you up or I will never fit inside you," he breathed in her ear. His words turned her on even more; she was so excited for that moment when he would finally be inside her.

"Oh that feels good," she moaned as he played with her clitoris at the same time as his fingers were thrusting in and out of her center. Talia's body shook and those warm fuzzy feelings of pleasure shook her insides and she came and screamed out in pleasure and her body continued to shake.

"You're still not ready for me," he moaned as his fingers glided in and out of her as she moaned. He dropped to his knees and lifted her leg over his shoulder and he parted her opened with his hands. Her scent drove him wild but as turned on as he was he was more focused on her pleasure. His tongue lapped over her clitoris and he licked and sucked up the results of her recent orgasm the sensations of his sucking made her body shake and she cried out as she climaxed again. He was impressed with himself he had only been down there for a minute and she came that fast. But he knew she was still too tight to fit him. He eagerly spread her farther apart and he licked her all over from slit to clit and she cried out with pleasure she could barely handle.

"It's too much," she screamed and she pulled at her hardened nipples trying to get relief. He licked her relentlessly over and over again and his finger slid in her center, finding her g-spot and she screamed as he hit all her sensitive spots at the same time and she had no control. Her body trembled and shook beyond belief. The pleasure came from every cell in her body and vibrated over and over again. She screamed and tears escaped her eyes as the rippling orgasm took over and she lost her self.

She was gasping for air and she couldn't feel her legs, if he wasn't holding her up she would have fallen to the ground. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Are you ready for me?" He asked, looking into her already exhausted eyes.

"Yes," she gasped.

"I don't want you to do anything to make you hate yourself."

"I will hate myself even more if I never get to feel you inside me," she admitted, looking deep into his eyes and he knew that was honestly how she felt. "Now Emerson, please."

Emerson undid his pants and pulled a condom out of his pocket and he ripped it open and put it on. He wanted to take his time with her, he wanted to take her to his bed and have her legs wrapped around him but both their desires were so strong they couldn't make it up the stairs. It had to be right then and there.

He moved in close to her and he kissed her lips. "I have never been so happy. I can't explain the way I feel when I am with you. I need you, Talia." He parted her legs so he could fit in-between her legs and he moved her dress out of the way. He touched her slit with the head of his hard length and he slid up and down, increasing both their desire before slowly entering her center.

Emerson looked into her eyes as he was entering her body. He was slow and gentle as he didn't want to hurt her. She was so tight he slowly slid in and out of her pushing in a little further each time, only giving her what she could handle. It was hot and passionate but slow and intense for both of them. They were both fully clothed because it would have wasted valuable time to get undressed.Emerson was losing control. His desire for her was so strong he didn't know how long he would last. He was mad at himself; normally he was very slow and would have taken his time but with her he couldn't control himself.

"Talia, oh Talia, you feel so—oh..." He moaned with pleasure but the noises that escaped her lips were not the same. He looked at her face and her eyes told him she was in pain. He touched her face and slowed his rhythm.

"Don't stop," she cried, wrapping her legs around him pushing his so far in, she screamed out in pain.

"Talia, I am hurting you," he slowed down to stop.

"Please," she hissed through swollen lips. "Don't stop."

She clenched him inside her and he picked up her legs and pushed her up against the glass door. Her heels dug into his ass and it turned him on so much. He couldn't hold back any longer, his body shook and he screamed out her name as he exploded inside her, Talia moaned and was breathing very heavily. He touched her face and looked into her lost eyes.

"I am so sorry. I normally can last longer, it's just you are so tight and felt so good." He kissed her lips. "You didn't finish. Was this bad? Did I hurt you?" Emerson was so worried about her.

Never in his life had he worried he wasn't good enough but he was worried this time perhaps it was because she didn't scream out in pleasure or perhaps it was because she meant so much more to him than any other woman did before. He kissed her lips and touched her face trying to read her to find out what she was feeling.

"I am good, this was amazing," she moaned and smiled looking into his eyes and she kissed him wrapping her arms around his neck.

He held her in his arms for a few moments before he pulled out of her and a gasp of relief escaped her and she fell to the floor once he wasn't holding her up any more.

"Talia," he gasped and grabbed her, swooping her up in his arms and he placed her down on the couch. "Honey, are you alright?" He asked so concerned.

She was so tired and out of breath but she smiled. "I just can't feel the lower half of my body yet," she let out a little giggle and he kissed her mouth and smiled as he looked into her eyes.

#  Chapter 14

Emerson went to remove the condom and he noticed blood then he looked done at her legs and she had blood on her thighs.

"Talia are you on your period?" He asked concern.

"No why?" she asked confused as she hadn't noticed the blood.

"You're bleeding," He pointed to her legs with a worried look on his face.

Talia gasped and got up to go to the bathroom. As she moved she felt pain and she gasped out loud.

"Talia, something is wrong? Did I rip you? Are you hurting?"

Emerson was going crazy inside his mind; he was in physical pain thinking he hurt her. This was supposed to be the best night of their lives. She was not supposed to be in pain.

"No really, I am fine. Just a little tender," she moaned and walked to the bathroom very slowly.

Talia let out a little cry when she went pee and it burned. She cleaned herself up and washed her hands and came out of the bathroom. To find him sitting on the couch, his tie was off, his shirt undone and he had a very disturbed look on his face when he looked up at her.

"Are you ok?" he asked, concerned.

"Yes, I am fine." She walked over to him and sat down beside him and he wrapped his arms around hers and he held her for a few moments and then he looked into her eyes.

"Talia, please tell me you have had sex before?" His expression broke her heart and the tone in his voice gave her chills, she swallowed hard holding back her tears and she shook her head no.

"What?" He stood up and looked down at her. "How is that possible? You are like the sexist woman I have ever met? You wear thongs and you kiss your best friend and you gave me the best blow job I have ever had. You have a fucking Brazilian, how on earth were you still a virgin?" He snapped.

"Because I never had sex before." She shrugged her shoulders. "Emerson, this doesn't change anything. I am still me."

"Like hell it doesn't change things. Oh my god," He paced back and forth. "Fuck, I just deflowered Harrison Montgomery's daughter," he huffed, running his fingers through his hair.

**In that moment when he said those words Talia's body ached. It was about him, he tuned into every guy that she had ever turned down.** It didn't matter what he would have said next, he had already broke her heart and ruined what should have been a very special moment in her life. She was still a virgin at twenty-four because every guy she ever dated didn't pay any attention to her. No one ever made her feel the way Emerson did. Up until that moment, he made her feel special, wanted and cared for but then everything changed.

**Emerson was so mad at himself he didn't know she was a virgin.** If he had of known, he would have taken his time and been gentle and laid her down in his bed. He was furious with himself. "Talia, why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to ruin the moment," she whispered looking down at the floor holding back her tears.

"What virgin lets her boss screw her up against a window?"

Talia jumped up with anger. She looked deep into his eyes and tears rolled down her face.

"Thank you so much for making this night so fucking special," she screamed at him as she went to the kitchen and she grabbed her purse.

"Talia, I am so sorry. Please stop, don't go, I am just mad at myself," he said in a hoarse voice as if he was in pain. He walked up to her and touched her hand but she pulled away from him.

"You are not allowed to touch me," she cried, her lips shaking. "This is me calling in sick for tomorrow." She fixed her dress and she and walked to the door. "And for the record, that virgin that let her boss screw her up against a window was in love with you. Mission accomplished; screwed another assistant and broke my heart all in the same night. Wow, can't believe Clara was right, kicked to the fucking curb like a piece trash." Talia slammed the door behind her.

**Emerson was a mess; he hated himself for what he did to Talia, for what he said to her.** He fucked up so bad and he didn't know what to do to fix it, he couldn't take back what had been done. It had taken him thirty years to find a woman as perfect as Talia was in every way and he lost her because he was an asshole. Emerson spent all night drinking and hating himself after he chased her down the street trying to convince her to stay but she got into a cab and left.

He was so broken, he sat there drunk, crying and holding her broken thong in his hand, he realized he just lost the love of his life. And until that moment he didn't even realize that was what his pull to her was; he had been in love with her all along. He called her phone so many times but she didn't answer so he called Brianne.

"Brianne, it's Emerson."

"Yeah, I know. It's three in the morning, dude."

"I fucked up real bad," he cried on the phone.

"Oh my god, how bad?"

"Unbearably bad, probably hurt her more than anyone ever has. I didn't mean to. I didn't know, I was in shock I said things I didn't mean to say. Please check on her, I need to know she is ok. I need your help I have to fix this."

"Why should I help you?" She snapped.

"Because I am in love with her," Emerson whispered, still not used to the idea of himself in love, it was not something he ever wanted and now he was so afraid to never know how it felt.

"I am going to check on her and I'll keep you posted."

Emerson hung up his phone and as he was sitting in the living room, he noticed Talia left her work bag behind. He knew he shouldn't touch her things but he couldn't help himself. He opened up her bag and found her playbook and turned it on. His big thumb hit the video button by accident and the video from Talia's birthday party came on. Talia's birthday fantasy.

His heart broke even more watching her on the screen talking about what she wanted him to do to her. He wanted to make her happy, not cry. He was broken inside, he ruined the best thing that had ever happened to him.

**Brianne walked into Talia's bedroom in the middle of the night to find her in the en-suite bathroom soaking in a bubble bath and balling hysterically, she was gasping for air.** Brianna sat on the floor beside the bath tub and she held her best friend's hand as she cried. Brianne didn't know what to do. She had never seen Talia so messed up before.

"So he called you?" She wiped her face and looked at her best friend.

"Yes, he was crying on the phone said he fucked up really bad, he said he lost you. He says he has to get you back because he is in love with you."

Talia put her head in her hands and cried harder.

"He was crying?" Talia breathed in a sharp breath. "Good, I hope he chokes on his tears," she hissed. "You know what he said to me?" She shook her head and looked at her best friend. "He asked me what virgin screws her boss up against a window. He made me feel like I was disgusting. I mean I know he is right but I can't believe he called himself my boss. I just feel so dirty. What a waste."

"Was the whole experience bad?" Brianne asked.

"No, it was really good actually, I mean the sex part was uncomfortable but the overall experience was really good. Until it was over and he saw the blood and then he freaked out. I guess that's my fault for not telling him I was a virgin but I didn't know it was such a big deal. This is so horrible, I can't believe I had sex for the first time with my boss and then he yelled at me. I am worse than my mother."

"Stop this crap about being like your mom and dad. Talia, your mom and dad clearly loved each other or else they wouldn't have snuck around for so many years. Yes, their relationship started wrong; your father was married, but people do crazy things when they are in love. Your judgment can be clouded. Fear can also make people do crazy things too. Like Emerson was probably really scared he hurt you so he said things he didn't mean. Talia, stop judging yourself based on your parents. Stop trying to be who you think you should be and just be who you are."

Talia spent all day Friday in bed crying Brianne brought her up a box that was delivered and she opened it up. There was note that read:

Talia

I wanted this to be for your birthday but I couldn't get it in on time.

I hope you enjoy my new book. I have new inspiration.

Love,

Emerson

Talia opened Emerson's new book of poetry the title was **Thorns wrapped around my heart** and the picture was thorns wrapped around a heart. Just the cover made her cry.

She opened the book and read the dedication.

I dedicated this book to you, my beautiful thorn. I have been pricked and will never be the same again. Every secret moment I share with you is beyond beautiful. This is fate!

Talia ran her fingers over the dedication and she knew that it was for her.

She read a few of his poem as tears fell down her face, she felt a little more at peace. She knew the poems were for her and no one else. It didn't take away her pain but made her feel better to know the way he felt about her was real. She was something that mattered to him even if it was just for a short time, at least she mattered.

Rose

A rose alone is beauty

But it is nothing without its stem and thorns to protect it.

A rose is pure and honest

But it will wilt and wither without the protection of its thorns,

A rose means love

But it has no meaning when it falls from its stem into pieces.

I am but a rose

I am nothing without my love, my thorn, my everything.

My heart is unprotected.

Heart

You wear your heart on your sleeve for me to take as I please.

Now I am on my knees I didn't know it was my time to go.

I gave you my heart such a long time ago I just didn't know.

I am yours and you are mine no more failing.

No one gets left behind.

Need you

I needed to save you; I didn't have a choice

I needed to help you, I couldn't hide

I needed to hold you because you cried

I needed to run and hide because I feared you would die

I needed to know you and now I do

I just need you

Perfection

Every touch is perfection

So soft so sweet

Every look is perfection

So pure so honest

Every kiss is perfection

So sensual so seductive

Every moment is perfection

This is perfection

We are so imperfectly perfect

After hours of crying and going over everything in her mind over and over again, she fell asleep and woke up late in the evening when her father called to check on her.

"Talia are you ok? I spoke to John Rose today and he said you were absent from work?" Harrison asked, his voice dark and professional.

"Yeah, I have been sick in bed all day, I just work up," Talia groaned and stretched.

"Well, I will have some homemade soup made and brought over to you," Her father said. "You rest up and I will see you when you're feeling better. I love you sweetheart."

"I love you too dad."

Talia was feeling better so she put on comfy clothes and made her way down stairs to find her kitchen table surrounded with every color of roses possible and every note had a different apology poem attached to it. It made her smile to know he was hurting too. It made her happy that she was worth at least enough for him to try, which meant something to her. Talia turned into the kitchen and on the counter were baskets of muffins, brownies, boxes of chocolates and even edible bouquets made of fruit.

Talia grabbed herself a glass of wine and a plate full of treats and she went back up to her bedroom. Talia lay in her bed munching on all her gifts and watching her flat screen TV that was mounted on the wall above a fire place.

About seven o'clock pm, she turned on her black berry and checked all her work emails and responded to things that were important. She had twenty seven messages from Emerson but she only listened to a few of them. It was too much to take. Hearing his voice sound as broken as she felt made her sad again. Just then her BBM went off and it was him, she wanted to hate him so bad but her heart ached for him.

From the bottom of my cracked heart I am so sorry.

I would never mean to hurt you on purpose.

Please just tell me you're not physically hurt?

Please tell me you are ok.

My heart is broken but I am not physically hurt.

How can I fix this?

I don't know if you can.

The flowers, chocolates and muffins don't change anything.

I have to fix this.

Last night was goodbye Emerson.

Just let me go...

I knew you would break my heart. :(

Please I will do anything? I need you; I don't want this to be over.

There isn't anything you can do.

I am sorry I behaved the way I did I was not mad at you. I was mad at myself.

Why?

Because you deserve everything, candles flowers slow intimate love making,

not what you got. I am the biggest asshole in the whole world.

The sex wasn't the issue. The way you treated me afterwards is what broke my heart.

I know, I take it all back a hundred times.

You should have spent the night in my arms happy and safe, not alone crying.

I will never forgive myself for what I have done to you.

I am also sorry I didn't tell you I was a virgin.

But you wouldn't have believe me if I had told you.

Can I call you I just need to hear your voice?

Umm

I don't know........

No I can't I am sorry this is too hard.

Are you coming to work Monday?

I don't know yet.

Are you going to quit?

I don't want to I guess it will depend on if we can be around each other.

You need time?

Yes

This sucks so bad it's so hard feeling this way I want to run to you.

I want you to hold me but you're the one that hurt me.

I feel like I am going crazy.

What hurt the most? I need to understand.

"What virgin lets her **boss** screw her up against a window?"

Ouch, still stinging big time.

I wanted to end things with you because you are my boss.

Then you use the things I hate about our relationship against me to hurt me.

I don't know if I have ever been so hurt.

You said, **"I don't want you to do anything that will make you hate yourself."**

How do you go from being so amazing to the biggest asshole?

You know I was a virgin because I wanted to be.

It was something I was proud of and you made me feel like it was a bad thing.

You made me feel cheap and dirty. One of the things I loved about us

Was how you made me feel, like you cared about me.

But then you turned and made everything about you.

Just like every other asshole I ever said no to.

I regret everything I said last night. I didn't mean it the way it came out.

Then what did you mean?

I was thrown off; I was in shock. Talia you are a beautiful sexy woman.

I was sad for you, and it all just came out wrong. The whole night went wrong.

The fact that you haven't never been with anyone else is amazing.

You are so special and I don't deserve you.

You waited so long and I ruined everything, I am so sorry.

Why me?

Because you look at me like you really see me

Because you actually listen to me

Because you respect my thoughts and opinions

Because you make me feel special and wanted

Because you have this need to protect me

Because you are so passionate and intelligent

Because you teach me and make me feel amazing things

Because you were there when I was all alone

Because you saved my life and gave me hope

Because you are everything I never knew I wanted

Because you are my Angel

Because I **loved** you!

Loved?

You are everything I want in a man mixed with everything I wanted to stay away from.

But for whatever reason I couldn't stay away from you.

It seems like we are pulled to each other.

But yet everyone wants to keep us apart.

I knew we would never work out.

I think you need to let me go.

I can't keep letting myself get hurt.

Talia sat there looking at her phone as tears rolled down her face but he didn't respond. Then her phone went off in her hand it was him. She told him not to call, she didn't want to talk to him. But she couldn't help but answer her phone.

"Hello."

"I am sorry for calling I know you don't want to talk to me and you need time and space. But I can't let you go because you are everything I want and need. I am so in love with you it hurts to not be with you. I couldn't say that in a text, I should be telling you this face to face but just in case I never get the chance. I wanted you to hear it from me. I am in love with you, Talia Thorn and I have never loved a woman other than my mother. I have never told anyone that before so I promise this is not something I take lightly." His voice was low and rusty like he was in as much pain as she was. She could hear the seriousness and honesty in his voice and feel the truth in his words.

Just then, there was a knock at the door and Shelia was standing there with a Tupperware of soup in her hands.

"Thank you for letting me know," Talia said on the phone he could hear the pain in her voice and he knew she was crying. "But I have to go. I can't do this right now, Shelia just walked in." She hung up the phone and she looked up at Shelia with tears in her eyes.

"Oh honey, you're not sick, your heart broken," Shelia pouted for her friend and stepdaughter, she walked into Talia's bedroom. She put the soup down on the night stand and she crawled into bed with her wrapping her arms around Talia.

"Talk to me, tell me what is going on with you," Shelia said in a soft sweet voice.

Talia didn't talk for a minute she just cried.

"You can't tell my dad, ok?" Talia said looking up at Shelia.

"Talia, I know it's weird for you that I married your father and I know that we are two very different kinds of women. But you are my friend and a part of my family and I do love you and I want to see you happy. I would never break your trust, if I was very worried about you I would tell your dad to talk to you but I promise your secrets are safe with me."

"Oh Shelia I have just made a mess of everything. I have turned into everything I didn't want to be," Talia groaned as she wiped her tears away. "I am in love with my boss."

"Oh, Talia stop it. Why do you torture yourself so much? I know you are in love with your boss. It's so obvious. I also know that he was the man that saved you when you were a little girl and then he was your teacher. So what, why are you making such a big deal out of this? Talia, you are an adult and neither of you are married and you're just interning there. You haven't done anything wrong," Shelia breathed out and touched Talia's hand. "You can't help who you fall in love with. It's not really a choice."

Talia told Shelia everything they spent hours chatting and munching on the treats that Emerson had sent to her.

"Oh Talia honey, you are so worried about doing the wrong thing and being a bad person that you are going to end up alone and unhappy. He fucked up big time but you're not perfect either and like he said, he didn't know you were a virgin. Hell I have been your friend for years and I didn't know you were a virgin. I like the guy and he doesn't give up on you. He has been chasing you for months and even now that you had sex, he still wants you. I believe he loves you," Shelia shrugged her shoulders and gave her a closed mouth smile. "A man doesn't send a women twelve dozen roses and chocolates and muffins to say sorry if she isn't something special to him. I saw the way he looked at you last night as if he had never even looked at another woman. He watched your every move; he brings out a brighter side of you. Do you want to let that go?"

"I don't know what I want," she huffed and fell back on her bed and shook her head.

Brianne walked into Talia's room to find Shelia and Talia talking and she joined them on the bed. Talia let Brianne read the messages between her and Emerson and she showed the girls the poetry book he dedicated to her. Shelia left after a while and Brianne and Talia watched a movie but Brianne fell asleep.

Talia's phone beeped and she checked her messages.

I am sorry, I shouldn't have called.

You're not doing a very good job of giving me time or space.

I know I am just going crazy here.

I am kind of a mess too.

What are you doing?

Lying in my bed with Brianne .

I'm jealous.

But she is a sleep and I'm reading your book **.**

Do you like the book? It's for you.

I love it, wish I could stop crying.

Please don't cry.

I am going to go to sleep now; I am really tired.

I need to see you before we go back to work please.

I'll think about it. I'm really confused but I miss you, Good night.

Good night sweetheart.

#  Chapter 15

**Talia woke up early Saturday morning and went for a run with her father because Sunday wasn't going to work for him.** She was full of emotions; she was lost and confused about who she was and what she wanted. She was in love with Emerson she knew that much. But even if she could bring herself to forgive him she didn't know what was going to happen. She was wound up so tight in a web of lies she didn't know what was right and what was wrong. She started out working at Light the Rose to spite her father for making her take business in school when she didn't want to. So she refused to work for him but it turned out she loved her new job and she was really good at it. Talia didn't know what she wanted to do with her life but now that she was in marketing, she really liked it. She thought she could have a career in the field after all. Who would have thought her father knew her better than she knew herself?

**Talia ran hard worked up a good sweat and burnt out some of her frustrations**. All she did was think about Emerson it made her body ache for him even though she hated the way things played out. She missed him and it had only been a day and they weren't even really together. She knew she had to stop hating herself for what happened and like Shelia said _you can't help who you fall in love with_. Talia didn't know how things were going to play out but what she did know was that she couldn't resist him. She couldn't hold back; she was drawn to him. She had no control. Their connection was stronger than her will to stay away from him. She found herself thinking, was it fate that they met again? She shook her head. If it was fate then why was everything so hard? Why couldn't they just have a normal relationship? She knew she couldn't quit her job, she had to help with the new account and she wanted to help him. Talia loved working with Emerson and she loved the way her father was starting to respect her as an adult and a professional. That was one of the reasons she didn't want to work for him. She didn't just want to get a job based on her father. She wanted to earn her place and be good at something and she had done that at Light the Rose even though her father interfered she still proved herself to be a good employee.

Talia got home from her run and went for a shower. After her shower, she got dressed and went out with Shelia to the spa for some much needed pampering.

**Emerson woke up from a restless sleep to his lonely empty apartment.** He had never realized how alone he was until he had finally found someone that he wanted to share his life with. Talia reminded him he was a strong passionate and intelligent man; he wasn't the cold hearted bastard that so many women and his father believed him to be. Talia opened him up from the dark enclosed case he hid inside. She ignited a fire in his heart and he knew he couldn't handle it if the fire went out. He had to have her somehow; he needed to fix things. He needed her more than he needed anything and he wouldn't stop until he made her his. The one thing he had been hiding from since his mother died was the one thing now he couldn't stay away from. He never wanted to find love, he couldn't handle the pain love caused, but Talia changed him; she changed everything.

After his mother passed away, he turned cold and changed, keeping people close but not close enough that they could hurt him until Talia came into his life. He was completely lost to her. Anything and everything she wanted was important to him and he had to let her know that, he had to try to save what they shared he just had to try.

Emerson picked up the phone and dialed.

"Hi Brianne, it's me."

"I know who you are, I have caller ID. What's up?"

"I need your help."

"I am listening. You tell me what your plan is and I will consider helping you and only because I know she loves you and I believe you love her too. But you were a big asshole for what you did and said to her. So whatever you have planned, it better be amazing."

Emerson got off the phone with Brianne and he made his plans for the day and then he hopped in the shower.

**Talia sat in the chair at the spa beside Shelia while they were both getting a pedicure done.** Talia's phone went off and her heart skipped a beat until she realized it wasn't Emerson.

"Hey Bree, what up?"

"Oh, not much. I just finished my paper; it's due Monday so now I will have the weekend free, I wanted to see if you needed me to stay home tonight for moral support."

"No, I am ok, I wish you were he with us at the spa. I am so relaxed," Talia moaned as she was getting a foot massage.

"I know. I would have gone if I didn't have that paper to write but I am really happy it's done and over with. So, how are you feeling today?"

"I am feeling better," Talia sighed.

"Have you heard from him?"

"No, not today." She breathed in heavy.

"Do you want to hear from him?"

"Maybe, I don't really know what I want, yes I guess I want to see him."

"So how long are you going to be?"

"Probably a few of hours. We are getting our hair down and then a massage, why?"

"Just wanted to know when you would be home. Did you know our kitchen is full of flowers and muffin baskets?" Brianne laughed. "I wish every asshole that screwed me over sent me flowers."

"Hey," Talia groaned.

"Ok I am sorry."

"Are you staying at Sane's tonight?" Talia asked with a smile on her face.

"I think so."

"So things are really going well for you two?"

"Yes, I really like him."

"Ok well I love you honey, but I have to go for my massage."

"Bye."

Talia and Shelia spent the day getting pampered and then did a little shopping and went out for lunch.

"Thanks so much Shelia, this was such a great day; I feel so much better," Talia said as she was eating her taco salad.

"I am glad," Shelia muttered as she was texting on her phone. "It's your dad. He said he is happy we are having a good day together and he is happy you are feeling better."

Talia smiled and had a sip of her strawberry daiquiri and she shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing a little retail therapy can't fix," Talia giggled. Her phone went off and she was hoping it was him but it was just a girlfriend.

Shelia gave her a funny look. "It wasn't him?"

"No, it's just Mandy wanting me to go out dancing with her," Talia sighed.

"You should go out, have some fun," Shelia encouraged.

"No, I don't feel like it. This was good for one day I think. I will go home clean my house, do some laundry, maybe do some writing or read a book."

"Talia, we spent all day getting beautiful. You shouldn't waste it on doing laundry. If you don't want to go with your friend, then come out with your father and I tonight," Shelia said as she was watching Talia go through her phone just checking to see if she missed a message.

"I will think about it," She said putting her phone down.

"You know you can call him. You don't have to wait for him to call you."

"What? No, I am not calling him. I don't have anything else to say. I asked him to give me time and he is." She sighed and bit her lip and her eyes looked so sad. "Or maybe he realized I am not worth all this drama."

"Oh shut up, you are worth everything and if he is smart he knows it too," Shelia glared at her with a smiled on her face.

Talia walked into her house to find Sane and Brianne just getting ready to leave.

"Hey, you're back," Brianne smiled as she picked up her overnight bag and handed it to Sane to take to the car.

"Hey," Sane smiled and waved at Talia as he walked out of her house.

"You look amazing," she said with a hint of excitement as she pulled on Talia's little yellow summer dress. "New dress, oh and I like the hair too."

"Thanks. It's fun, right? It's nice and light for the summer," Talia smiled. "So you're off for the night?"

"Yes, so you'll have the house all to yourself. I'll be home late tomorrow evening," Brianne said, smiling.

"You seem really happy today," Talia smiled at her friend.

"I am happy I going to spend the weekend with my boyfriend, of course I am happy. Ok well I am going to go," she muttered as she was walking to the door then she turned around and looked at Talia. "Emerson sent more things for you. We had no room down here so I put them in your bedroom, hope that's ok."

Talia smiled it made her happy to know he hadn't given up, it made her feel special.

"Call me if you need me to come home and I will be here in a heartbeat," Brianne said and she walked out of the house.

#  Chapter 16

**Talia walked up the winding staircase to the second level of her beautiful home and down the hall to her bedroom.** She opened up the door and walked inside to find her whole bedroom covered in red roses and glowing in candlelight. She was overwhelmed by the beautiful scent the roses gave off and the candles made the room warm. The TV was on low on a music channel playing love songs. Talia dropped her bags on the ground and she looked at her bed covered in rose petals and tears pricked her eyes. She took a deep breath in as she stood alone in her glowing bedroom looking at what would be her perfect fantasy. Just then two strong arms wrapped around her and she could feel his hot naked chest on the bare parts of her back. Her body shook. She was overwhelmed with love and confusion, but all she could think about was him touching her. For a moment, nothing mattered, not that he was her teacher or her boss or what happened between them. All that mattered in that moment was that he was there holding her.

Emerson could feel her body shake to his touch and if it wasn't for the soft moan and half curled up smile on her face he would have backed off. But when he touched her and heard her moan. He knew all wasn't lost he still had a chance to make her feel how much he loved her. He just had to play his cards right and not screw it up this time and she would be his and all would be right in his life.

Emerson ran his finger up and down her bare arms, causing goose bumps to form on her skin and made her body shake softly. He kissed her shoulder softly, leaving his hot breath on her skin that made her tingle in the center of her body and another moan escaped her mouth.

"Emerson?" She gasped as she could feel his smooth rock hard body pressed against hers.

"Shush," he whispered in her ear and he kissed down her neck, his kisses felt so nice she couldn't help but shut her eyes and fall into his spell. "I had to try." He breathed in deep and then he pointed to the bedroom.

"This is what you deserved; this is what your first time should have been like. It should have been beautiful and intimate and I should have told you a hundred times how much I love you."

His words made her gasp and tears pricked her eyes. "I love how honest you are and that you always just tell me how you feel.

I love that you're compassionate and understanding.

I love your passion for writing, for poetry, for your work.

I love how you give 100% of yourself in everything you do.

I love that I can depend on you.

I love how you always seem to know what I need before I do.

I love how confident and how sure you are of yourself.

I love that you know you're beautiful and that you're not intimidated easily.

I love how encouraging and supportive you are with me.

I love how you make me feel like I am a strong passionate man that can do anything.

I love how strong and sensitive you are.

I love the way you see me and I love how much you love me.

I love the way you smell and taste and feel.

I love waking up every day knowing I get to go to work to see your beautiful face.

I love how you make everything better just by being you.

I love that you have faith in me because no one else does.

I love everything about you and I want to give you everything, I want to make all your fantasy's relativity. Because I love you," He purred in her ear and noises of pleasure busted from her lips as she couldn't hold in the pleasure she felt from what he said to her.

Talia turned around so she could look into his eyes their bodies still touching both of them were shaking with nervous feeling of excitement and confusion.

Emerson was standing there in nothing but black boxer briefs. Talia couldn't help but check him out; he was so sexy from his perfect head of ink black hair right down to his hairless feet. She met his eyes and she smiled shyly; he knew she was checking him out.

**A part of Talia was mad.** What, just because he was gorgeous and set up her room with flowers and candles and looked amazing, she was just supposed to forget everything that had already happened and give into his captivating eyes and let him have his way with her? Another part of her was overwhelmed with desire and love. She loved him and everything he said was perfect and the room was perfect and she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Tears were spilling from her eyes and down her cheeks but she had a smile on her face.

"Ok," Talia moaned as his lips hovered over hers and she smelt the mint off his breath and felt his hot breath tickle her lips. Her lips swelled wanting him to kiss her, oh how she loved the way his mouth felt on hers. He pulled away to look at her with a half-smile on his face with confusion in his eyes. "Ok to what?" He asked, his voice was low and deep like he was still in so much pain.

She moved in close to him she needed to feel her body pressed up against his. "I cannot deny I am in love with you and since you love me to, ok make love to me, make my fantasies come true."

Emerson smiled with love written all over his face. She was his and even she couldn't deny that. His smile quickly disappeared and a look of determination came across his face as he gazed into her eyes she was aware that she would never be the same after that night. He touched her face as he looked into her eyes just the anticipation drove them both wild. He pressed his lips to hers softly, waiting for her to meet his kiss before he got too excited. He had to tread very carefully this time he didn't want to make any mistakes he didn't want to lose her again. He had to make her understand how much she meant to him. He had to have her trust and love and he knew it was going to take them time to get to a place where they could both be happy together.

Emerson's kiss was different. He was holding back out of fear and she could feel it. Talia kissed him with desire, trying to ignite the burning flame he normally had for her. Had things changed that much? She finally said yes, she was giving him what he wanted, what they both wanted and yet he was holding back.

Emerson thought she needed slow and sweet. As much as slow and sweet sounded nice if the rest of the night was going to be the way he was kissing her then her fantasy was going to stay just that—a fantasy. Talia pushed away and he looked as shocked as she was by her own actions.

"I want you and I know you want me so don't hold back. Don't try to be somebody you're not, just be you with me," she said, looking up at him. "Kiss me like you did the other night. Kiss me like you always do. Like it might be your last time, make me yours," she demanded, her voice was sharp and her body language told him he better not disappoint her.

Talia looked into his lustful blue eyes and she saw the heat and the passion of the man she wanted so badly. She loved him so much she was willing to become someone she didn't want to be just for him. She finally understood why her mother did what she did, because she loved Harrison and even though she knew it was wrong her pull to him was too strong to deny. She actually started to forgive her mother now that she understood how love made her feel. She had just as much control about her feelings about Emerson as her mother had towards her father.

Talia undid the zipper on her yellow dress and let if fall to the floor and she stepped out of it. She picked it up with her foot and she kicked it at him, getting his full attention. She stood there in front of him in her white laced push up bra and matching panties and she gave him a sexy smile. He looked at her from her perfectly styled hair down to her freshly manicured toes. He grabbed her hips with both his hands forcefully and pulled her closed to him and she could feel his excitement pressed hard against her. "You are mine and I will not let you forget it," he purred in her ear.

Emerson swiped her face with his and then his mouth caught hers in a raw lustful kiss of passion and desire. His tongue explored her mouth, visiting all the places that he missed and he seductively sucked on her tongue making her body glisten from a wave of heat. His kiss was so hot they were both sweating and they were only just getting started. His kiss made her heart skip a beat and all the pain and hurt of the days passed fell away and she gave into him responding to his every move, every lick, and every touch, to all of him.

"Now that's more like it," Talia purred into his mouth and she sucked on his tongue, making his erection swell up against her. He picked her up in his arms still kissing her mouth with no control. She wrapped her arms and legs around his body and she giggled with excitement. He carried her to the bed and set her down on top of her white duvet. He touched her face with both his hands, owning her with just his kiss. He let his hands slide down the silky smooth skin of her arms as his tongue possessed her mouth. He undid the clasp of her bra and she took it off and then fell back on her bed. Breast exposed for only him and she laughed at the excitement in his eyes as he stared at her round, full breasts. He leaned over top of her and kissed down her neck finding all the places on her body that made her moan. He hovered over her breasts. She could feel his hot breath on her nipples and they hardened for him, aching for his wet moist mouth to suck on them. He caressed her breasts with his hands, gently teasing at her nipples. His tongue lapped over her nipple before taking it in-between his lips and sucking hard. Her body shook with pleasure and she whimpered. He looked up into her fluttering eyes and he smiled and he kissed back up to her lips. He continued to play with her breasts as he devoured her mouth.

"You have such beautiful breasts," he moaned and so did she as he was tugging on her nipple.

"I think there too big for my body," she giggled.

"No way, they are perfect," he said, still staring at her breasts.

"Well, you're the only man that's ever seen them so I'll have to take your word for it," she giggled looking at him starring at her body as if he thought she was as beautiful as she thought he was.

"Really?" He smiled very excitedly. "I must be very special," he purred as he sucked on her nipple and he ran his fingers all over her body and she moaned.

"Very special. I only share my body with you; I am yours and only yours," she purred and she pulled his head up to hers so she could kiss his mouth. "I love what you do to me," she moaned into his mouth as she wrapped her legs around his body pushing her center up against his erection. Emerson was so turned on he needed to be inside her but he needed to have her good and ready first.

"Oh not as much as you will love all the things I am going to do to you," he smiled and looked into her eyes as if it was a promise and her mouth watered, she had never been so aroused in her life.

He kissed down her neck and caressed her body as he made his way to her tiny little panties and he pulled them off her legs. Emerson looked down at her perfect body, he was so in love with her he couldn't find one things he didn't like about the way she looked. He thought she was perfection. He had never had a woman turn him on so much. He had never before wanted to pleasure a woman so much. He looked at her rosy pink cheeks as she blushed, embarrassed to be naked in front of him. His hands touched her knees and moved up her thighs and he touched her in-between her legs, a place she never let anyone touch her before him. She gasped and giggled as he gently massaged her with his soft skilled fingers. "Don't be shy, I love you and your body." He leaned over her and looked deep into her big green eyes. She moaned as he dipped his fingers into her center and a shiver ran through her and she bit her lip and she gasped with pleasure. "Oh baby, don't hold back please. If it feels good, let me know."

"It feels good," she moaned.

"Your body is so perfect, you are so beautiful."

Talia blushed and covered her face with her hands. He pulled her hands away and looked into her eyes and he leaned over her. His lips just above hers as his hand massaged her clitoris and eased around her liquid, she moaned.

" _Perfection_

Every touch is perfection

So soft so sweet

Every look is perfection

So pure so honest

Every kiss is perfection

So sensual so seductive

Every moment is perfection

We are so imperfectly perfect"

Emerson purred into her ear, his words turned her on and gave her as much pleasure as his fingers did in-between her legs. Talia kissed his mouth with so much desire. Her body began to shake; he paid close attention to all the places that made her scream out with pleasure before moving back to her clitoris. Talia's body was shaking and she moaned as his finger slid inside her body and a whimper escaped her mouth. That familiar sensation tingled her body and she screamed as her body shook and she climaxed. "You're mine," he whispered in her ear and she looked up into his eyes.

"Yes, yours," Talia swallowed hard. "You're the only person that has ever given me pleasure."

He smiled, feeling very confident in himself he kissed her mouth massaging her lips with his. Talia wrapped her legs around him and with her feet she slid his boxers off his body and she rubbed her sex up and down his erection causing them both to moan. She didn't want to wait. She wanted to be united as one with him she needed that deep connection.

Emerson hovered over her body and slowly moved away. "No please baby, I want you."

He kissed her mouth intimately. "I know honey but I don't have a condom on yet," he whispered in her ear.

Talia didn't even think about a condom she was so new to sex. Then a bunch of questions popped into her mind. How many women had he been with? Was he clean? She found herself feeling very uncomfortable but she couldn't ask those questions. It would have ruined the moment. Emerson saw the look on her face and he whispered in her ear. "I am clean baby, I had a full physical last month. I would never do anything to hurt you."

"I am clean too," Talia giggled. "And I am on the pill."

"Why?" he asked surprised.

"My dad put me on it when I was sixteen and I have just always taken it," Talia shrugged her shoulders. "I figured I would have sex at some point."

"Do you know how beautiful you are?" He kissed her lips slowly seductively turning her on all over again. He kissed the hot spots on her neck and her body shook for him. He kissed down her naked body spending a little bit of time teasing at her nipples and he kissed down her body until his head was in-between her legs and he smiled up at her.

"You don't have to do that," Talia moaned just as his breath hit her slit she moaned with pleasure the sensation made liquid seep from her center.

He parted her legs and smiled up at her. "Oh honey, I love you're scent. I love how you taste when you come in my mouth, it gives me just as much pleasure as it gives you. I will always want to pleasure you."

Emerson was so turned on, more turned on than ever before just by the scent of her, everything about her turned him on. His tongue lapped against her swollen flesh and she moaned and parted her legs for him and she whimpered. His tongue stroked her in all the right places over and over again. He used his hands to spread her further apart as he continued exploring every inch of her center, remembering all the spots that made her scream out with pleasure. He took his time on each spot, paying close attention doing all the things he knew she liked. Her pleasure was so important to him, he had never felt that way before but he had never been in love before everything was different with Talia. He wanted her trust, he wanted to make her happy. He wanted to give her more pleasure than he had ever given to any other woman. He wanted her; he wanted to take his time with her, he wanted to possess her as he was possessed by her. "Mine," he moaned against her hot flesh as he pressed his tongue inside her center making her scream and her body shook as she was on the verge of orgasm.

Talia dug her nails into the duvet on the bed and she held on tight, she couldn't control her body from shaking. She cried out as his tongue relentlessly flickered at her clitoris and she screamed out as she came apart around him crying out with pleasure. She screamed over and over again as her eyes rolled back in her head and her toes curled and she roared it out as long as he let her laughing out with pleasure her body had never felt so good before. "I love what you do to me," she moaned as her body tingled from the aftershock of her orgasm. He sucked up her liquid and she came again with a cry.

"Oh my god, you're amazing," Talia screamed as she pulled him on top of her and rolled him over on his back and she kissed down his neck running her fingers over his chest and down his abs. "It's your turn," she smiled with excited mischief in her eyes.

Emerson grabbed her hands and flipped her back over on the bed so he was between her legs and on top of her. "Oh honey, I want you so bad I wouldn't last a minute in your mouth. I just want to be inside you," he whispered as if it was a secret and he looked into her eyes to make sure she was ready. Talia parted her legs more so he fit better and she kissed his mouth. "I love you," he said as he looked into her eyes.

"I love you too."

He moved away from her and leaned over to the night stand and grabbed a condom that he had put there earlier. He tore open the package and put it on as she watched him with nervous eyes. He moved in-between her legs and leaned over top of her, he touched her face and intimately kissed her lips with so much love and tenderness. He gently pushed closer to her, he ran his erection up and down her slit increasing their arousal. "Are you ready?" He asked her with concern as if she had changed her mind.

Talia took a deep breath and shook her head and smiled as she braced herself for the pressure. He slowly moved inside her and a gentle moan escaped both their lips. He looked into her eyes, watching every curve of her lip, and every time she blinked, every flinch of her nose. He watched her eyes get bigger the further he pushed into her and she smiled and kissed him letting him know she was ok. He started out slow, not wanting to hurt her, he pushed in only a little then pulled out each time, pushing a little further but only as much as she could take.

Talia was relieved with how slow and gentle he was with her. It gave her time to get used to the rhythm and how he felt as he moved inside her. She moaned as the burn felt good and she started to move with him matching him thrust for thrust. She kissed his lips and moaned into his mouth as she ran her fingers through his hair. He was so big, almost too big for her, but it felt so good. She loved him so much, she loved the way their naked bodies felt entwined together. They were possessed by their need for one another and in that sweet forbidden moment they both surrendered to their love for one another. Talia clenched around him uncontrollably and she whimpered and wrapped her legs around him tightly, forcing all of him into her and she screamed. The beautiful burn was more than either of them could take as she climaxed looking into his eyes with so much love he joined her releasing everything he had. They were both on cloud nine as they laid there panting and moaning. He touched her face and looked into her eyes. What they shared was more than just sexual satisfaction, it was so much more; it ran to the deepest parts of their hearts, it was love. To be physically connected to each other and to feel how amazing they were together was unbelievable for both of them.

Emerson looked at her then pressed his lips to hers kissing her so intimately with so much love and devotion it brought tears to her eyes.

He wiped away her tears. "Talk to me babe, what's wrong? Did I hurt you?" His voice cracked and he looked so worried.

"I am prefect just really happy, sorry I am so emotional," Talia laughed at herself.

"Love can be emotional," he kissed her cheek.

Emerson pulled out of her and disposed of the condom and they got under the covers together. Talia wrapped her legs and arms around his body she needed to feel wrapped up in him.

"This is my favorite part," Talia breathed as he was looking into her very satisfied but tired eyes.

"Then I didn't do my job right," he laughed and she smiled at him.

"No, that's not what I meant, I just really love when you hold me, everything else is just as amazing but I love this part."

"I love it too babe," he said as he kissed her head.

Talia couldn't help feeling extremely happy lying in his arms. They were both so relaxed and so in love being there with each other was exactly where they wanted to be. Talia closed her eyes and drifted into a pleasant sleep and he watched her until he couldn't keep his eyes open.

**Talia woke up wrapped up in Emerson's arms and she felt like she just woke up for the first time in her life.** She didn't care what was wrong or right; she didn't care what anyone thought about her. She loved him. She knew the situation wasn't going to be any easier. Not only was he still her boss but they had a big account with her father's company. She feared that she couldn't hide their relationship from her father and he might end up ruining everything. She looked at the beautiful man asleep beside her and she couldn't help but touch his face lightly and kissed his mouth. She just couldn't resist his perfectly kissable lips.

As Talia's lips touched Emerson's gently, she was presently surprised by his tongue that plunged into her mouth and danced with her tongue excitedly. She was caught off guard with his kiss that turned passionate and sexual very quickly. Before she knew what was happening she was on her back and he was in-between her legs and he was supper excited to have been woken up by her kiss. He kissed all the tender spots on her body that made her shake with pleasure and he gently rubbed his erection between her legs sliding up and down her liquid until he knew they were both ready. He leaned over to the nightstand and grabbed a condom and quickly put it on. When he moved back to her he was met by a very aggressive kiss and she flipped him on his back and straddled him beneath her. She kissed his neck and ran her fingers threw his hair as she left little love bits on his neck. Her teeth on his flesh made him shake with desire. She liked being in control she liked having him surrender to her, she liked that she had the power to make him come apart and she knew he loved her. For him to be able to share the control with her the way he did she was his equal. He always made her feel important more important than anyone else ever had before. She was always just arm candy for past guys she dated but with him she was important and when he showed her off, it was out of respect.

Talia looked deep into his blue eyes that were full with love and desire. She razed herself on top of his erection and she slowly pushed down until he was all the way inside her and she was full. In that moment in her life, she realized he was the missing link and now that she had him she was finally complete.

**Emerson was in total ecstasy. Talia was a goddess and they were in their own form of heaven in her room on her bed nothing else mattered.** She was fully naked riding him slowly, her long chocolate brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, hovering over her fully round breasts. Her perfect pink nipples hard and exposed for him to touch and kiss. He caressed her breasts and ran his fingers down her stomach and he held her hips intensifying the rhythm and her eyes flickered and she made a little sound of pleasure. "You are so beautiful, I love you so much."

"I love you too," Talia moaned. The experience was much better than she expected she thought it would hurt more her being on top but it felt so good he fit into her better that way. She liked the way he felt inside her, she felt free, powerful and beautiful. Her body shook from the physical pleasure and she pushed him hard and deeper into her and he moaned. He sat up as he kissed her mouth hard and intensely. As she ran her fingers through his hair he creased her back, he cupped her ass with both his hands pushing harder and lifting her up and down. Intensifying his and her pleasure and they screamed out in ecstasy together. He held her so close and so tightly her breast where pushed right up in his face and he kissed and teased her nipples making her scream out loud.

"Does it feel good, babe?" He moaned and smiled as he looked into her eyes.

"You feel incredible inside me," she moaned pushing hard onto him as she clenched him deep inside her and he shook and moaned.

"Then scream for me babe," he moaned into her mouth as he bit her lip softly. Emerson increased the rhythm pushing harder and deeper into her filling her beyond full. Making her body shake and they both screamed as he hit all the different places inside her body that caused her unbelievable amounts of pleasure. "Oh honey, you feel incredible," Emerson groaned as he kissed her neck and caressed her breasts.

Emerson was surprised with how open and sexual Talia was; she met him thrust for thrust. She let her insecurities go and she let her worries of the future burn away in the candlelight as she gave into her love for him and the power he had over her. He watched her enjoying herself and he didn't have to hold back anymore he could love her the way he wanted to from the first moment she walked into his class wearing a red cardigan and pencil skirt from that moment he wanted her. He grabbed her hips with both his hands and he wiggled as he moved her on top of him. She kissed his mouth and wrapped her arms and legs around him, tightly holding onto his body. As they were entwined together as one the pleasure got so intense everything inside her body tingled and tightened. She lost herself in him and the pleasure he gave her. As she came apart around him crying out with pleasure he ground into her, prolonging her pleasure, he knew how to push her and make her crazy. Noises escaped from her mouth that she didn't know were possible but she didn't care as the fire in her body excelled sending ashes sizzling through her core. Emerson came with her looking deep into her eyes as his body jerked and he screamed out words of endearment and she fell onto his chest both of them panting and laughing together.

"That was the best wakeup call I have ever had," Emerson whispered in her ear, out of breath.

"I just wanted a kiss," Talia laughed and he kissed her lips long and slow it was so sweet, it wasn't sexual; it was tender and affectionate.

Talia got off of him after a few minutes and he threw the condom in the garbage beside her bed.

Talia looked into his eyes and she smiled. "Now, that was a beautiful ending to us."

Dear Reader

I just wanted to say thank you for reading this story, I hope you enjoyed the first part of Talia's and Emerson's love story. It continues in the next book Secret Moments. Talia and Emerson have to make some serious decisions affecting their relationship, their jobs and the relationships with their fathers. So many secrets so much to hide can they handle what's coming next. In the next book you learn more about Emerson's past and their relationship becomes more intensely sexual.

I loved writing the Deception series its my favourite series so far, and I hope you will continue the journey with Talia as she learns to deal with her past, faces her father, and grows and finds her passions and learns to love herself.

Please, if you enjoyed this book I ask you to write a comment or review for me. I really love the feedback and it helps me gain more readers.

I would like to apologize if there are any spelling or grammar errors in the story, I have many learning disabilities so I make mistakes even though the book was professionally edited sometimes things get missed.

Thanks

Candace Campbell

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