Free A Firm Merger by Stephanie Ganon Page A

discovered the strapping stud to be more than a sensual diversion. His generosity and sensitivity had quickly endeared him to her, showing him to be more than just a pretty face.
    In contrast, William was her rock. She could discuss anything with him, whether silly or complex, and he’d have a thoughtful response. They could spend hours together discussing books, movies, politics and culture. Before Emily could fully appreciate what was happening, she realized William had become her best friend.
    Now she was certain to lose both of them despite having told no lies or made any promises. But her feelings for each man dictated she put all her cards on the table.
    A tap on the hotel room door startled her from her thoughts. She swallowed tightly, placing her glass on the nightstand. She stood and smoothed down her skirt as she moved to the door. Emily pulled the door open and forced a smile she didn’t feel. “Hello, Nick.”
    “Hiya, beautiful.” He breezed inside the room, loosening his tie. He stopped before the liquor cabinet. “Want a drink?” he asked, hefting the bottle she’d held moments earlier.
    “I’m good,” she whispered. “Look, I--”
    “I’m glad you wanted to talk, Em. I’ve missed you. I know the bosses are putting a lot on your plate lately, but you seem ... I don’t know. Distant.”
    “There’s a reason for that, Nick. It’s why I asked you to my room.”
    “Oh yeah?” He gulped his drink, set the glass on the table, and pulled her into his arms. “You going to tell me what’s got you looking so sad? Tell me, so I can make it all better.”
    Her breath caught as she gazed into his clear blue eyes. Oh, how she wanted him to make it all better. But she knew she’d only feel worse once he heard what she had to tell him. “Nick--”
    He kissed her then, and she was instantly clinging to him, struggling for calm even as his kiss alighted through her like carnal flame. His palm settled on the small of her back, ratcheting pleasure through her system. Emily yielded to his hunger for what she was sure would be the last time. She pulled back, blood thundering in her ears, determined to set the record straight. “We can’t, Nick. I’m expecting someone else.”
    His brow furrowed. “And who might that be?”
    “That might be me,” William Drake said from the doorway. “Sorry to barge in unannounced, but the door was open.”
    “William, it’s--”
    “Not what I think, Emily? What could I be thinking exactly, anyway? That I enter the room of the woman I’ve been seeing for the last eight months, only to catch her making out with another man?”
    “You’ve been seeing her eight months, man? Shit, I got you beat. We’re heading for month ten,” Nick offered with a smirk. “I already know how Emily likes her drinks. What’ll you be having, William?”
    “Scotch and soda, please. One ice cube.”
    Emily sat on the edge of the bed, stunned by each man’s casual response to discovering she’d been dating them at the same time. Nick barely batted an eyelash; William only seemed mildly perturbed.
    Groaning, she settled her head inside her hands and waited for the fireworks to start. Yet after a few moments, during which Nick gave William his drink and set hers on the table, no arguments broke out. In fact, both men seemed almost too cool. Deciding to accept whatever fate had in store for her, she glanced up, only to catch them grinning at each other. “What the hell is going on here?” she whispered. “What’s so funny? What am I missing?”
    William removed his suit jacket and pulled a chair up to the table. “Should I tell her, Nick? Or would you rather I do the honors?”
    Nick gulped his drink and grabbed the gin bottle for another hit. “I’m a little busy at the moment, so go for it.”
    “Yeah, William, go for it,” Emily sniped. “It looks like the two of you have some kind of fun secret. I hate to be the only one in the dark.”
    “Oh, I guarantee that our secret