Cocotte Read Online Free Page A

growling cougar. I upshifted on the paddles on the steering wheel, to get to my destination faster. The jolt from the gearbox engaging gear made me flinch and thwarted my thought process. My mind started to ask some questions about Emily that got me thinking about that awkward moment with Marc.
    I shook my head , wondering what kind of woman Sherry was, setting a business dinner at nine p.m. I drove down Queen Street and turned right onto Customs St, to see Emily waiting by the bus stop. She looked breathtaking, in the humid heat of the night. I loved how she flicked her shoulder length hair to one side. She wore a dark red dress that had ripples and folds. She held her red purse, looking out for me. The way she stuck out was like a rose, in the thorn bushes. But the outfit she'd chosen was not appropriate, regardless of how great she looked.
    I pulled up at the bus stop and noticed she wasn’t wearing her glasses. She had a dollop of Russian red lipstick on her lips and the rest of her makeup was neutral, which was good. I was still disappointed.
    “Get in.”
    She tried to open the door. “It’s locked.”
    “You have to pull the door up.”
    The people in the bus stop snickered when the door rose upwards like pair of scissors. Emily climbed in and got comfortable and peered at me with an excited smile on her face. I reached into the glove box and gave her tissues.
    “ What’s that for?”
    “Wipe off the lipstick now.”
    “Why?”
    “Just do it. Where’s your glasses?” I said.
    “ In my room.”
    “Go get them.”
    Emily wanted an explanation.
    “ This is a business meeting. I want you to convey a professional image. I don’t want you squinting on the relevant documents Sherry will give us and I don’t want her to have the impression, that you are some tag along.”
    “You mean you don’t want her to think I’m an escort.”
    “To be blunt, yes. Emily, in this world first impressions go a long way, I need you on your A-game."
    “I am on my A-game.” she said.
    I frowned. “Where is your notepad and tablet then? How are you going to note any significant information?” I shook my head. “Did you bother to read over the files?”
    S he went red with embarrassment and got out of the car. The people at the bus stop cracked up laughing. My fingers were tapping the steering wheel, my mind wondering if I made the right choice on her.
     
    ***
     
    The drive to the restaurant was a silent journey. I glanced at Emily to see her sulking, I put my hand on her shoulder.
    “I’m sorry , I was tough on you back there. I shouldn’t have taken my frustration out on you.”
    Emily 's eyes were red like her dress. She took off her glasses to wipe the fog that had built up on them. “I understand. You said it was a business meeting. I just wanted to impress you that’s all.”
    I exhaled and we arrived at the bar and restaurant and parked in the adjacent car park. I turned to her as she put her glasses back on. She had her notepad and tablet ready on her lap. She used the last tissue to wipe off the lipstick and her tongue to moisten her lips. I raised my eyebrows and nodded. “I want you to take note of anything that might be of importance to us. Sherry is a ruthless and shrewd woman, who will try and knock me down on the redundancy packages. I need you to look through the files so I can concentrate on finding out more about her intentions.”
    Emily nodded and swallowed. I got out of the car to adjust my suit and cufflinks.
    “Another thing. You are my extra eyes and ears when we are out there. You will pick up on things that might be missed by me so I need you to stay sharp.
    Ready?”
    Emily walked beside me and adjusted her dress, pulling the hem down she held her notepad and tablet and raised her head. She looked so cute. “Let’s go.”
     
    ***
     
    The entrance to Garrison’s was staffed by two burly bouncers. They let me through but stopped Emily and asked for her I.D. I couldn’t help but