Against The Current

Chapter 7

Dinner had dragged on for too long. He'd not enjoyed one bite of the food but surprisingly the wine helped. The paparazzi had still been trying to harass him and eventually they had been moved to another table deeper in the restaurant. It had been a good move as he had been too distracted by Emma on a 'date' with Neal. He couldn't see them from the new table.

Out of sight.

Out of mind.

You wish.

Killian waited until the drive home to pull out his phone. Miranda was all over him, her hands inside his shirt and her lips all over his neck. Leaning off to the side he shot a quick text message off to Emma. He never texted his employee's.

Did you enjoy the food? K

It took only moments for a reply to flash on the screen.

Overpriced but nice. E

Killian couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. Emma Swan was one stubborn female. He liked it.

How was the company?

This time the reply was delayed, as if she were deciding what to write back.

How was YOURS?

Killian's smile widened. A woman of many words. Feeling his withdrawal Miranda pulled back and pouted at him. "What are you doing Killi?"

He hated the nickname but plastered on a smile for her benefit.

"Nothing! Just tying up some loose ends at work."

A seductive gleam entered Miranda's eyes and Killian couldn't help but compare them to Emma's bright green ones. He quickly typed back quick, 'Good,' to Emma and deposited his phone back into his pocket.

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Who would have thought that organizing a charity event for over 100 people was so time consuming.

Belle had laid most of the foundations but Emma still found herself fielding questions about table decorations, place settings, appetizers, wine....the list seemed to be never ending. Killian had granted Emma complete autonomy on any decision relating to the event. She knew he had done it because she had been pestering him all week, trying to get his approval.

As the week progressed she found herself picking things she would like. If it was wrong or didn't mesh together she would just blame Killian.

The man himself chose that moment to stop in front of her desk.

"Everything is triple checked for Durban?"

"Yes. Everything will be ready for when we arrive. I put the documents on your desk earlier."

Emma had found that their conversations had been strictly business since the night out at 'Neverland'. The snark had been limited and she missed it.

"Good. See you tomorrow."

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Emma felt relaxed as she strode into the airport. Everything seemed to be falling into place. David was thrilled at her progress - the fact that she seemed to not only be gaining Killian's trust but also that she was also roping Neal Cassidy in.

Smee had picked her up in a beautiful Mercedes and she had spent the half hour ride to the airport chatting with Killian's chauffeur. William Smee was charming and full of information but anything that pertained to Killian Jones and his private life seemed to be a no-no.