Free Confidence (A Stepbrother Romance) by Emma Johnson Page B

was my only option.
     
    I had already gone through most of the training with my manager, Isabella. She was really nice but reminded me of a gremlin. I got along with her as long as I didn't stare directly at her face.
     
    Isabella surprised me from behind. “Hey Sophia! How are you settling in?”
     
    “I'm doing surprisingly well!” I exclaimed.
     
    “Great” Isabella replied. “Don't forget you have dinner with Drake tonight.”
     
    “Wait, what?!” I exclaimed.
     
    “Yeah, you didn't you know? He always takes new employees out to dinner on their first day.”
     
    My heart began to race. Dinner alone with him?! I was sure that rule didn't apply to me. There was no way he was going to take his stepsister out for dinner.
     
    “Yeah I doubt it's going to happen,” I muttered.
     
    “You're pretty lucky getting to be Drake's executive assistant. He just doesn't hire any girl to do that.” Isabella's eyes followed down the line of my massive cleavage and I started to blush. I brushed the bangs out of my eyes. She had no clue that Drake was my stepbrother.
     
    “I guess I am pretty lucky,” I replied, hoping she would leave me alone now.
     
    “Anyway, I gotta get back to work. Enjoy dinner! If you have any other questions just come by my office!” Isabella said as she hurried away.
     
    I checked my mirror again to make sure I didn't smudge any of my makeup. Just then, I heard a voice behind me.
     
    “How's your first day going, Sophia?”
     
    I snapped my compact shut and nearly closed my finger inside it. I looked up and there he was –tall, dark, and smoldering. Drake was just standing there smiling at me. My brain short-circuited and I couldn't get any words out. I was trying to form some sort of logical reply but all that came out was a monotone, “Yes.”
     
    “The day's going okay, Drake.” At least I was able to form a whole sentence that time. We shook hands and enormous bouts of electricity flowed through my body. It felt like having a thousand tiny orgasms all at once. I started to sweat heavily and my cheeks became flushed. I'd never felt that way around him before. What was happening to me?
     
    “I hope Isabella has trained you on everything?”
     
    I found it hard to keep eye contact with him but tried to act normal. “She's been really great. I think I got a handle on it all.”
     
    “Yeah just don't expect any special treatment since your family.”
     
    “Of course. I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Drake.”
     
    Drake ignored my remark. “So are we on for dinner tonight?”
     
    “Really? I didn't think you'd want to take me.”
     
    “Sophia, just because we've been enemies for years doesn't mean we can't go out and share a meal together.”
     
    “Then dinner sounds nice.”
     
    “Great! Meet me outside at five o' clock.”
     
    Drake gave a small wave as he walked away and I barely got my palm up to return the gesture. Drake was being nicer than normal and I couldn't put my finger on why. I checked the clock: 3 pm. Two hours to get myself together.
     
    I hurried to the bathroom and took a couple of deep breaths in front of the mirror. It didn't look like I was sweating before, thankfully. I took a couple more breaths. “You can't like him, Sophia, he's your stepbrother,” I said out loud. Drake was handsome, smart, and sexy. But he was also a cocky asshole. I didn't feel convinced. I left the bathroom and bee-lined it to Isabella's office.
     
    “Hey Isabella! Can I ask you a question abo--”
     
    “Sophia, don't worry you'll be fine. Just be yourself,” Isabella interrupted. I decided not to bring up that fact that Drake was my brother. It was better if the whole office didn't know about my home life.
     
    “Thanks Isabella, I was freaking out a bit but I think I'll be fine.”
     
    “No worries. He's a really down-to-earth guy so I know you'll have a great time.” I don't know who she was referring to but the Drake I knew was anything but