“Thanks for dropping by. Lovely to see you.”
For once, I thought she meant it and I did, too. Our past forgiven, her bitchy nature vanquished, and she’d found love. Satisfied my time had been well spent, I went in search of my lover.
I strolled back to the lifts and halted for a while to view a communal notice board, which was covered in a mixture of posters for social events and corporate notices. I recognised a few familiar names from my short period at the company.
“Can I help you?” I turned to find a young man with a narrow face and rigid shoulders.
I didn’t recognise him. He seemed pensive, eyeing my neckline, rather than my face. I remembered I never wore an ID badge. Jason had one—for swiping access to the gym or secure areas like the server room—but he kept it in his wallet. I was a wandering, unidentified visitor, something not allowed. The man was being cautious.
“No, no. I’m on my way to meet someone,” I explained, fiddling with my necklace.
“On this floor? Because I can escort you if you’re lost,” he offered.
The officious type, probably new to the company or a stickler for the rules. Jason would like him.
I smiled. “No, I’m not lost. I used to work here.” I pointed down the corridor.
“Have you mislaid your pass?” He waved his lanyard. “I can take you to security for a new one.”
The telltale heat rose into my cheeks. I edged my way down the corridor, backwards. “No. I’m heading to the top floor.”
He began to follow me. I began to wonder if he thought I was some spy about to commit corporate espionage.
“Look I have to be on the top floor. I have a pile of sandwiches that need eating and—”
“Gemma?” His voice, from the direction of the lifts. I turned to face Jason, who kept his finger on the elevator door button, half in, half out. My young inquisitor backed away.
“I’ve been visiting Penny. Penny Ryan? She’s getting married!” I declared.
Jason’s eyebrows knotted. He didn’t give a damn. “Fine. I came to find you. You should have stayed in my office. I expect we’ll have limp lettuce by now.” He took my elbow, hustling me into the lift.
“No lettuce. Tuna and sweetcorn, or beef.” I glanced back as the jaw dropped on the young man, and I gave him a wave good-bye.
“You have some very conscientious employees, Jason.” The doors slid shut. “He thought I was some spy. I’m sure of it.”
Jason punched the button for the penthouse. “Well if you will go walkabout. Melissa told me you’d gone to see somebody. She couldn’t remember who.”
“Walkabout is your style, not mine. You didn’t have to come and find me. I was on my way back.”
“Visitors are supposed to be escorted.” He went to give my bottom a swat, but I saw it coming and skedaddled out of the way, hiding my butt in a corner. My heart raced with the fantastical idea he might stop the lift and continue.
“Except me. I walkabout.” I grinned, waiting to be spun around and whacked by his hand, but he stared at the doors instead, as if willing them to open. I surmised it was another stress-packed day.
We ate in silence, so much for distracting him with wholesome food served by his wife. He flicked through the pages of a document while holding his sandwich.
I sighed, downhearted by his lack of interest in conversation. I collected the soiled napkins and threw them in the bin. Why did I bother coming to meet him if he was going to ignore me? He leaned back in his chair and shut his eyes.
“Bad day?”
“Not everything is going to plan,” he said, without further explanation, then opened his eyes. Something about the sharp blueness rekindled the arousal I’d experienced in the lift.
“I’m here.” I gave a small shrug then bit down on my lip and waited to see if he took the bait.
“Now, yes.” A small rebuke lay hidden in that simple phrase, and a clue to his intentions.
I stepped back to the door and put my hand on the bolt. He didn’t take his eyes off me. Sliding the bolt across as quietly as possible, I sidled over towards him, almost on tiptoes, like a mouse in proximity to a cat. My nerves betrayed my eagerness, not fear. I didn’t care what he did, as long as he did something with me. It had to please him and spark a fire in me, too.
Make me wet and wanting. Please, Jason, make me yours.