Emma ran out of the building and to her car and got in, trying to catch her breath. She didn't know what got into her. She touched her lips, his taste still lingering there. She wasn't exactly sure what to do now. Was she still supposed to hate him and forget that this ever happened? She was just so confused as to why he kissed her in the first place; she slashed his tires for crying out loud.

She let out an exasperated sigh, wondering whether she should give him a ride home. She was the one who made his vehicle undriveable, it was the least she could do. Emma started her car and backed out of the parking spot. Pulling up to the building where Killian was walking out, she rolled down the window.

"Need a ride?"

He looked surprised to see that she came back and leaned in to reply. "And here I though you left me here stranded."

"Should I have?"

He gave her a coy smile. "Probably."

She tilted her head, gesturing him in. "Come on, get in."

He complied and entered the car, buckling his seatbelt.

"Thank you."

"Well I did slash your tires, or did you forget?"

"You did, but I deserved it. I've a complete arse to you from day one and I'm... I'm sorry, love."

For the first time, he looked at her with pure sincerity in his eyes.

"It's okay. I'm sorry too. And I'll replace the tires. I can take you tomorrow to a tire shop," she offered.

"Thats okay, love."

She shook her head "No, I insist."

"Really, uh... You shouldn't.

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "And why not?"

He scratched behind is ear as he gave her hesitant smile. "Because I kind of... wrecked your computer."

Emma's mouth fell open as she pointed at him. "Ha! I knew it was you who did something to it!"

Killian put his hands up in surrender. "It was an accident, I promise. I was only trying to move it along with your other things and I put it in a box and it kind of fell through it."

"Oh, right," she spoke sarcastically. "Sorry, you were only going to throw it away and instead you ruined it and you let me blame it on your employees!"

"It wasn't going to get thrown away, it was the day after trash pickup day, so most likely it would have gotten stolen first."

Emma scowled at him. "I can't believe you destroyed my computer. Didn't I tell you about those damn cardboard boxes anyway? 'What's wrong with good old fashioned cardboard?' he asked," Emma said in a mocking tone as she crossed her arms and sank back into the seat.

Killian chuckled. "I'm truly sorry, love. But you did ruin my tires, so what do you say you give me that ride and I will buy you a coffee and pay for new tires and we're even?" he pleaded with puppy dog eyes.

Emma sighed as a small smile pulled at her lips, although she wasn't too happy she had to buy a new computer. "Fine, but one question..."

"What's that?"

"Why did you do it? I mean what made you hate me so much?"

"I never hated you," he replied. "I just..." He turned away from her, struggling with the words. "You want to know the truth?"

Emma nodded. "Please."

"I actually liked you from the moment I saw you and I guess I was trying to push you away. I went through a really bad breakup with someone who betrayed me and the business and it's been hard for me to trust again. Especially since my brother is the opposite and I just know how he can be manipulated by poeople who take advantage of his kindness and I saw how much he admires you."

She swallowed thickly, feeling guilt in the pit of her stomach from knowing what she already knew about Milah and for breaking into their computer. "You were trying to protect him?"

He nodded. "And I thought that I could get rid of you but you're one tough lass," he laughed.

Emma smiled in return. "You're not wrong there, sailor." She started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

"Plus, you two get along so well and he talks about you all of the time and it's rather annoying."

"You were jealous of me and Liam?" she laughed. "He has a girlfriend."

"Aye. Even more reason to get rid of you. The Jones brothers are a handsome breed," he pointed out with a smirk.

Emma flashed him a look of agreement. And she was satisfied with his answer, but there was the other issue about what happened back in her office that was still looming.

Killian pointed her in the right direction to his apartment building and when she pulled into the parking spot and shut the car off, she turned to look at him as he undid his seatbelt.

"I just have one more question."

Killian lifted a brow, amusement in his eyes when he met her gaze as though he knew what she was going to ask but still needed to hear it.

"If you were trying to get rid of me, then why did you kiss me?"

He actually blushed as a wide grin took over his features. "Because you're so beautiful, it's bloody distracting." Emma felt her own cheeks flush with pink as he continued. "I'm sorry I got a little carried away. I just couldn't stop myself," he said with a light laugh. "You're quite a fiery lass," he complimented with a shy smirk.

"You're uh... not so bad yourself," she smiled as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, not being able to meet his gaze. She thought it was hard just being around this gorgeous man before, well now he was actually being nice to her and a bit flirty, but business and pleasure just did not mix. He of all people should know that. "Look, I'm not really looking for anything romantic. Plus, we work together, so can we just forget that happened?"

He shook his head with a chuckle as he opened the car door to step out and turned around, leaning on the door with the window rolled down. "Not possible, love."

"I'm sorry, I just can't-"

"If you mean 'can I pretend it never happened?' than my answer is 'as you wish', but if you expect me to forget about an incredibly hot kiss and the fact that I dry-humped you on your desk than you'll be very dissapointed in me, princess." With that, he offered her a sultry wink before he pulled away and headed to the apartment building.

Her heart started racing at the reminder of what they did on said desk and she knew she was never going to be able to look at it the same way ever again.

The next morning, Emma woke up extra early and picked Killian up from his apartment building. He called a tow truck and had the car taken to tire repair shop. While the tires were being replaced, they went to a coffee shop nearby. Emma texted Liam to let him know where they were as they waited in line.

"How do you like your coffee, love?"

"I'll take a mocha latte," she replied.

Killian chuckled. "Anything else, Princess?"

Emma glared at him as she put her hands on her hips. "Would you stop calling me that, already?"

"Fine, then what would you like me to call you?"

"Gee, I don't know. How about Emma, my name?"

Killian shook his head. "Nah, I prefer princess."

"Fine, then I get to call you sailor."

He smirked as he leaned in close enough to make her breath hitch. "Actually I quite like that name," he said in a quiet, husky voice.

Emma rolled her eyes.

After they got their coffees, they went outside into the brisk morning air. They sipped their drinks as they approached her car. His wouldn't be done for another hour so Emma tried to decide whether they should just go back to work or not. And she was surprised his phone wasn't ringing constantly from either his customers or employees.

"What do you say we go somewhere?"

She looked at him, confused. "Shouldn't we just go back to work?"

"Nah. Come on, love." He held his hand out for the keys. "Do you trust me?"

She looked him with a hint of hesitation before she placed the keys in his hand and went over to the passenger side.

He drove them away from their office, passing the gas station where Killian usually parked one of the company cars to attract customers. She laughed at the thought.

Killian quirked a brow in bemusement. "What's funny, love?"

She shook her head. "It's just... haven't you ever thought of investing in a billboard? I mean instead of parking your car in front of the gas station?"

Killian chuckled. "Yeah, that would be a more practical way to go, but Liam and I haven't really been able to find the time for that kind of stuff."

"You've had the business for over two years. Why haven't you hired someone to take care of that stuff for you?"

"That's a bloody good question. I guess the business just took off so fast, we didn't feel that we needed it."

Her head darted at him, excitement in her eyes. "Just imagine how much more the business could grow if you did more advertising. A billboard, maybe some brochures. You guys could go so much further."

"Well, isn't that why we hired you?" he asked with a smirk. "You seem to be the expert. Isn't that your department?"

A wide grin curved her lips. "I'm starting to grow on you, yet," she teased. "I would be happy to take care of those things."

"That you are, love," he smirked. "Just tell me what we need to do to help."

"Well, do you have any company photos?"

He shook his head. "Not any recent ones."

"That's okay. I'll bring in my camera and take some pictures of the movers at work and I was thinking for the billboard, we could do a picture of you and Liam since you guys are the owners and, well... a big billboard of the handsome Jones brothers would surely attract the female demographic," she snickered.

Killian gave her a smug grin and made no point to argue with her as they drove alongside the ocean. He soon found a gravel spot to park that had a clear view of the vast depth of blue.

"Come on, love."

She looked at him suspiciously as he got out of the car and approached the hood, sitting atop of it. She got out and sat down next to him as he stared off in the distance with a serene look in his crystal blue eyes.

Emma hadn't seen him quite like this before, except for the photo in his office of him and Liam sailing.

"There's nothing quite like the view of the sea," he said with conviction. "I like to come here to think."

"It is nice, but shouldn't we go back?"

"Liam will be alright for a while."

"What about your phone? It's usually ringing nonstop."

Killian shrugged. "I silenced it. Don't worry, love. We'll go back soon. For now, just enjoy the view."

Emma turned to look at the ocean, feeling a light breeze and she forgot everything for a moment and for the first time in a while, she let herself relax. It was quite freeing, like a huge weight lifted from her shoulders.

When they came back to town to get Killian's car, they stopped at the coffee shop again to get Liam a cup of coffee. Hopefully, he would forgive them for wasting an entire morning, but she had to admit, she enjoyed herself. Emma looped her arm in Killian's as they walked through the entrance, their features giddy as they talked more about their plans without the billboard. They walked into Liam and Killian's office and Liam was relieved to see them. Confusion quickly washed over his face when he saw their arms linked.

"So, I see you two have finally made peace," he said as Emma handed him his coffee.

"Thanks, Emma."

Killian smiled at her. "The lass isn't so bad after all."

"Haven't I been trying to tell you that?"

"Aye, but I was too stubborn to listen."

"So, what made you come around, brother? Didn't you put all of her office things by the dumpster?" He asked Killian and then looked at Emma. "And didn't you slash his tires?"

They both blushed as they looked at one another.

"Well, we lets just say we kissed and made up," he smirked, playing it off as a joke, even though he meant it in the literal sense.

Emma nudged Killian with her elbow, making him flinch.

Liam seemed to miss it entirely. "Well, good. I'm glad that we can all get along now. And if you two don't mind, how about we get some work done?"

Emma and Killian agreed and she started towards the door, sneaking a peak at him. Killian winked at her before she walked out and went to her own office. How was she supposed to get any work done now?