Chapter 7: Serious converstations

As we all sat and ate, we talked about our lives. What we liked and disliked. Our goals.

“So, are you two ever going to have kids?” Brayden asked Jackson and me.

I looked at Jackson as he looked at me. “You can tell him.” Jackson replied to my questioning face. “Well unfortunately we found out a few years ago that neither of us are able to have children.” I said to Brayden.

“Oh, Emma I am so sorry! I never meant to pry!” Brayden said apologetically.

“No, it is fine! Jackson and I have come to terms with it and honestly, we are good with it. We love our freedom. I mean if we had kids, we would not have been able to come this weekend and do all the crazy things that we have done.” I smiled at Brayden and then asked, “So do you eventually want children when you find the one?”

Brayden looked at me with a profoundly serious face. “I have never wanted kids. My career has always been my baby." Since my older brother Brent and I were younger we have dreamed of being a business owner and being our own bosses. I had forgotten that Brayden and his brother Brent co-owned Smith Enterprises. I had never met Brent and wondered if he was anything like his handsome brother. Pulling me from my wondering mind Brayden continued to say, “But I’m going to be honest with you both that I want a relationship with you guys.” My eyes shot to Jackson to see if I could read his face and what he was thinking. Brayden continued talking.

“You guys know I am very wealthy. I could financially take care of all three of us." He was right. Brayden and Brent's company had flourished way more than they ever imagined. They were set for life. Brayden continued, "Jackson you could come work with me and Emma could be a stay-at-home wife. We could find us a bigger house outside the city, and we could get farm animals to keep Emma busy and…”

“Wow, Brayden you have all this figured out huh?” Jackson stated.

“I mean it all sounds wonderful Brayden, but we would really have to discuss this for a while. I could not just make that decision so quickly and irrationally.” I said as sweetly as I could. I could tell though I was crushing his dreams. I got up, walked over to Brayden, and sat in his lap placing my hands on either side of his face so he could look me in my eyes. “It was not a no so please do not be disappointed. We have several things to think about. For instance, all my family lives in the same area so I would be leaving every one of them. That is an extremely hard thought for me.”

“I know. I just have a lot of feelings for you Emma. I feel like I could suffocate thinking about you leaving. Hell, I even want Jackson to stay. He is like a close brother who is sharing his special prize with me.” He said this and laughed. Jackson laughed too.

“I mean I am not going to lie Emma the idea seems very enticing. I would love to not have to work manual labor the rest of my life and I have had so much fun sharing you with Brayden.” I nodded my head in agreement.

“I will give you guys time to think everything over and will not push you.” Brayden said and then he kissed my forehead. “So, here is an idea. Let us get ready and you come to work with me. I have a few things I need to handle, and Jackson can see what I do.” Jackson and I both nodded and agreed that it was a great idea. We cleaned up our brunch and went off to get ready.

I was so glad that while packing I had thrown in a dressy skirt and top that could pass as business attire. I did not want to look unprofessional in his office. Jackson did not have anything to wear but thank goodness he and Brayden were so similar in size he just borrowed one of his suits and ties.

Walking into the living room I was not prepared for the Godly looking men that waited for me.

"Oh, my lord, the two of you look like models straight from a photo shoot!" They both just laughed at me and told me how beautiful I looked as well. All three of us went down to the parking garage and got into Brayden's black Mercedes and off to his office we went.

Once there, he took us to the top floor where his office was located. As we approached the desk by his office door I took notice of the beautiful woman behind it. She was older, maybe in her late 50s or early 60s, with beautiful brown glowing skin, dark brown eyes, and the most gorgeous long black hair. She looked amazing for her age.

"Rosalina, this is my cousin Jackson and his lovely wife Emma. Rosalina is my personal secretary." Brayden introduced us and explained. I held out my hand and shook Rosalina's hand.

"It is very nice to meet you Rosalina, and might I add you are very beautiful." I said in my sweet Southern voice.

"Oh well, how sweet of you, Emma. Did I just catch a little bit of an accent?" Rosalina questioned.

"Yes, mam you did. We are the hillbilly cousins." I said jokingly.

"Well, I could listen to you talk all day. I love it." Rosalina said. Brayden told her to make sure that we could come and go as we pleased and if we needed anything she could help.

As we walked into his office my mouth dropped. It was so lavish and had floor to ceiling windows around half of it that overlooked the beautiful city.

"This is breathtaking Brayden!" I said. Brayden walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist hugging me tightly to him.

"I'm glad you like it." he said while placing a kiss on the side of my cheek. "So, Emma would you be ok staying here and I'm going to take Jackson around to show him a few things we do around here? There is a coffee bar by the door and a restroom to your left, so you do not even have to leave the office."

"Oh yes, I'll be fine. I am just taking all of this in." I said. Off the guys went on their adventure, and I was left in my own amazement.

My mind was still spinning thinking about all the things we had discussed this morning. I mean I am sure Jackson would love it here. No, he is not a businessperson who wears a suit all day, but he is a businessperson when it comes to farming. Brayden's company dealt in owning farmland, leasing it out, making sure the farmers grew the right crops, then selling the crops to corporate stores. It was an amazing concept they had going, and Jackson knew all about these things. He could be a huge asset to the company. I continued staring out the windows in my thoughts.

I had been alone maybe 30 minutes when the office door opened and in stepped a man I did not know. My mouth went dry looking at this man. He was probably mid-40s, silver hair, super buff, tall, and I could spy a large tattoo that was peeking out the top of his suit trailing onto his neck. Who was this gorgeous man and was I just horny or what was my problem?

He smiled and had a small smirk on his face, noticing how hard I was staring at him, he cleared his throat and said, "Um excuse me. Who are you beautiful?"