"That's not in my job description." Emma told Killian bluntly. If she could somehow worm her way of this trip then she would have a free reign in the office and more time to snoop around.
Killian's eyes darkened and he leant forward into her space, "Something urgent has come up with one of my ships and I need to deal with it. You need to keep my schedule flowing and take situation sensitive notes."
Emma knew he was right and it was in her job description. She gave a huff and pointed at her computer screen, "What do you prefer?"
"Let's see what you come up with." He told her before pushing off her desk and leaving the office.
Emma knew that Killian was used to a certain lifestyle so she booked 2 first class tickets to Durban. A quick google about top hotels led Emma to booking the Presidential Suite at the Oyster Box Hotel. She figured that he was rich enough to afford the best so why not take advantage of it.
Emma was tempted to book really crappy cramped seats in economy and a shabby 2 star hotel...she could have really stuck it to him but then she would been suffering too.
Lunch with Neal Cassidy had been enlightening. Emma found that he was not only eager to share information about his work but also over share about his personal life.
Neal was not only a good source of information but also an easy diversion. The tension between herself and Killian had become thick with innuendo and Emma needed to put a stop to it. It was too easy to flirt with him, make sassy remarks or have awkward moments where they were too close too each other.
Having him in her orbit every day made it hard to put any distance between them. Things had never been easy for Emma and she had worked extremely hard to get what she had in life! Screwing it up by mixing business and pleasure was definitely not on the cards. Killian was a suspect and she was a professional.
Neal had asked her out to dinner on Wednesday night and Emma hadn't taken much persuading. She had made him promise not to keep her too late as she had an early flight to Africa on Thursday morning. He was all too happy to agree.
Killian grabbed his jacket and slid it on as he left his office. He was not surprised to see that Emma was not at her desk, she had become quite adept at avoiding him these past few days. He smiled as he passed her desk, Emma's work had been shaky at the start and she was determined to undermine his instructions at every turn. Being a ruthless and powerful man had meant that people bowed to his every whim.
Not Emma Swan!
Emma Swan was bloody determined to do things her own way and in her own time regardless of the way he liked things done. Something about her made him want to spill all of his secrets and let her in further than anyone had for a long time. She was gorgeous but it was her strength and determination that drew him in. It was this vulnerability to her that had him hold his distance and keep Miranda closely by his side and in his bed.
Killian headed down to the waiting black Mercedes. He was planning on having a few drinks at dinner and didn't need to worry about how to get home.
"Home, Mr Jones?"
His driver, William Smee greeted him as he slid into the back seat.
"Yes, Smee. A quick stop and then out to 'Neverland' for dinner."
Emma had spent one solid hour trying to find something appropriate to wear. Her dinner with Neal Cassidy was tonight and she needed something that screamed 'sexy secretary' more than it screamed 'hardcore agent'. She had only purchased the necessary work clothes when she had gone on her 'pretty work clothes' shopping spree.
Deciding on a dress that was more 'hardcore secretary' than anything else was her final decision - A black sleeveless faux leather mini dress. It was simple but would hug her curves in all the right places. Emma had just the right chunky gold necklace to jazz it up and decided leaving her hair down would allow her to get ready faster.
Emma was meeting Neal at the restaurant – something she'd had to argue with him about because he had wanted to pick her up!
Pulling into a park, it was only a short walk to the restaurant. Emma stopped walking and gaped at the scene in front of her. There was a swarm of paparazzi crowding the entrance to 'Neverland' – a spectacularly enchanting restaurant that seemed to deserve its magical name. Emma hovered in the background for a moment, wondering if she had the right place.
"Emma," Neal's voice called out as he came up at her side.
"You sure know how to pull out all of the stops," she chided him with a small smile. Knowing how to play Neal was going to be half of her success in this assignment.
Emma let Neal grab her arm and guide her through the front doors of the restaurant. The paparazzi didn't even bat an eyelid as they made their way inside. 'Must be bigger fish to fry.'
The Maitre D' smiled and led them to a small 2 seater table. As Neal ordered a bottle of champagne Emma took the opportunity to absorb the restaurant – she could never afford to come here. 'Neverland' had a very whimsical feel to it without losing any of its elegance. There was beautiful antique furniture that was framed by a captivating 'starry' sky above the tables.
Conversation flowed rather stiltedly as Emma tried to get into the groove. She'd easily allowed Neal to order for her as she played up her 'lovey dovey' persona. It hadn't taken Emma long to figure out that Neal enjoyed taking control and acting the hero...flashing his cash.
A few glasses of champagne later they were halfway through their appetiser when a commotion outside grabbed her attention. Flash after flash sparkled through the restaurant windows and Emma was curious as to who had made the paparazzi go crazy.
Killian Jones and Miranda Wilson strode into the restaurant. Emma gaped as she took in Killian's black pinstriped vest, pants and crisp white shirt. He wore no jacket and it seemed to only enhance the rugged look he was going for. As if he could feel her eyes on him, Killian looked up and straight at her. His eyes seemed to flash as he took in the scene before him. It was only seconds later that his eyes locked with hers and she felt as if she could drown in his stare.
Neal reached over to grasp her hand and her eyes quickly fell from Killian's. Flicking quickly back up to where he was she didn't miss the shimmer of anger in his eyes. Killian blinked it away in a heartbeat and she wasn't so sure she had even seen it at all.
Emma watched in slow motion as Killian ran his hands down Miranda's back and then let one rest on her bottom. She felt her stomach coil in disgust but swiftly told herself to snap out of it.
She managed to maintain conversation with Neal whilst subtly flicking her eyes over at Killian's table. She didn't think she'd managed to get any information out of Neal and if she had then she had retained none of it. Her attraction to Killian was starting to get in the way of her job...her life. She'd be damned if she let the prime suspect of her case mess with her head.
Killian had felt her eyes on him the moment he had entered 'Neverland'. It took mere seconds for his gaze to mesh with hers. Emma Swan. She looked ethereal in a tight black dress with her blonde locks cascading over her shoulders - Hair that he itched to see flowing each day in the office. His eyes flicked to her companion and he felt his stomach clench in anger.
What was she doing with Neal Cassidy? He watched as his General Manager reached out and touched her hand. Anger rolled through him and quickly retaliated by essentially groping Miranda in front of the whole restaurant.
He wasn't worried about being thrown out – He was Killian Jones.
He had vowed to himself that he would never let anyone affect him like this again. It was one of the reasons he rotated his women so frequently. They all knew the score and it allowed him to keep his distance.
He'd have to pull out some of that famous Jones resilience and hope it lasted the entire trip to Durban.
To Be Continued
