As I emerge from the subway, studying the address intently, I get a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. I realize this building is eerily close to Maddox Corp. My first instinct is that Gabriel had something to do with this, but then I shake it off as ridiculous. It’s not the same address, it’s just nearby. As I draw closer, my heart begins to beat a little faster in my chest. And then I freeze. The building isn’t just close. It’s directly across from Maddox Corp.
Why is this happening? What could the universe possibly be trying to tell me by running into him repeatedly? Something is just not right about this. It’s too weird. But, I’ve already accepted the job, and if I back out now the temp pool will never call me again. I take a deep breath and somehow persuade my feet into action once more.
Once inside, I approach the front desk nervously, giving the secretary my details. She types my name into the computer and then gives me a strange look. I fidget with my hair, checking for strays. Why is she looking at me like that?
“Okay, Miss Kelly,” she says. “You need to go to the nineteenth floor. They are doing some construction up there right now, so I’m afraid it’s a bit of a mess. But just walk down the hallway and you’ll see the door labeled Phillip Berger. You can go right in. Mr. Berger isn’t here this week, so it will just be you. Feel free to make use of his office to suit your needs. There will be instructions awaiting you on his desk.”
“Okay, thank you,” I mumble as I step away, feeling relieved to be away from her intense scrutiny. I walk across the shiny black floor to join the throngs of people waiting for elevators. When I’m able to squeeze into one of the lifts, I wait nervously as it climbs to the nineteenth floor.
When I step out, there are tarps and dust and tools everywhere. And it’s loud… really loud. The secretary wasn’t kidding when she said this place was under construction. Some of the laborers stop to give me appreciative glances, and I scurry down the hall quickly. I feel like a piece of meat being dangled in front of a lion’s den.
I open the large wooden door with Phillip Berger’s name imprinted on it. It’s a nice office, much nicer than I’ve ever worked in before. It’s large with an open floor, tall glass windows overlooking the city, and a grand oak desk in the center. Off to the side is a black leather couch, and I can’t help but feel a small glimmer of excitement when I see the collection of books next to it. I walk to the wall and pull out a leather bound copy of Catcher in the Rye. It smells deliciously old and intoxicating as I open it. One day, I hope to own some books like this.
My happiness continues at seeing that the office has its own private restroom. That means not having to venture through the sea of over appreciative construction workers outside to use the bathroom.
I walk behind the desk and set down my purse, sinking into the plush leather chair. I could totally get used to this. I scoop up the typed instructions from the desk, reading them carefully. It seems pretty straightforward. Responding to mail, booking meetings for Mr. Berger’s return, and answering the phone. I idly wonder how much time this will actually take up because it doesn’t seem like much.
I boot up the computer in front of me, carefully typing in the password the secretary gave me. After I log into Mr. Berger’s email account, I go to work responding to the awaiting emails. By the time I glance up at the clock, it’s almost noon. I’ve already managed to respond to all the emails, book the requested meetings, and the phone hasn’t rang once. I sink at the thought of how mind-numbingly boring the rest of this day is going to be.
A knock at the door startles me. Ugh, I really hope that isn’t one of the guys from outside. Putting on my best professional tone, I smile.
“Come in, please.”
I sit up straight in the chair, not knowing what to expect. Then the door swings open, and all the color drains from my face. Gabriel Maddox is strolling into the office. Of course, it’s Gabriel. Why wouldn’t it be?
He has a heart-stopping smile on his face, no doubt in response to my gaping mouth. He’s wearing a perfectly tailored gray suit, one that somehow manages to make him look larger than I thought. He looks good. Better than I remember, but somehow I know I was trying to suppress that little detail. He moves lithely across the room, sitting down gracefully on the black leather sofa. Even the way he moves is sexy. A vision of him moving like that in bed flashes through my mind quickly before I make it disappear. I stand up and walk around the desk, clearing my throat in a desperate attempt to show my annoyance.
“I should have known this had your name written all over it,” I say dryly.
His eyes flit appreciatively over my body. He has that look again. The one that could literally melt me with its intensity.
“You look positively sinful in that dress, Victoria,” he murmurs huskily. “And don’t even get me started on what those glasses are doing to me.”