“Locke,” my eyes shot to his, and he shook his head.
Then he stepped forward, into my space. I tried to back up, but he slid his hand onto my waist and pulled me close to him. This movement took my breath away because Locke - my Locke - was pressing his chest against mine.
He leaned down so his lips were against my ears.
“How many times do I have to tell you, Paige?”
“T-T-Tell me what?” I whispered.
“To address me with respect,” he said.
“I-I-I’m sorry,” I whispered, but I wasn’t. I was shocked, more than anything. My landlord was holding me in place while our bodies touched. We’d never hugged before. Never touched like this. I think we might have shaken hands at some point, but that was it.
“Mr. Locke,” he repeated.
“Mr. Locke,” I said.
“Now,” his voice was sultry, dark. He didn’t move. He was still right there, still touching me. My heart was racing, and I wondered if he could hear me. “My receptionist has informed me that you lied to her about your name, about having an appointment, and about the reason for your visit. Is that true, Paige?”
&nb
sp; “I...”
“Paige? I don’t have time for games.”
“I just lied about the appointment time,” I blurted out. “She assumed everything else. I didn’t...I didn’t make up anything else,” I whispered. “I just...I didn’t think she’d let me see you, if I didn’t. Mr. Locke,” I added. “Mr. Locke,” I repeated.
“Paige, I currently have the CEO of Extrance standing just one floor down. She’s giving my VP a piece of her mind because she was supposed to meet with me today, but someone swiped her appointment time when she was a few seconds late pulling into the valet parking.”
I gulped.
Extrance was the other big real estate development company in the city. I realized that Miss Reagan must have been the CEO. That was whose appointment I took. That was what I did, and Mr. Locke was not pleased. Not pleased at all. Shit. Suddenly, the reality of what I’d done started to weigh on me, and I wondered how I was going to get out of this situation, or if there even was an out.
“I’m really sorry,” I whispered again, but my breathing was still heavy, and my voice came out husky. It almost sounded...aroused. Embarrassment swept through my body. I wasn’t turned on by this. Nope. Not at all. Not at the way Locke was holding me. Not at the way I could feel his body pressing against mine.
“I don’t think you are, little girl,” he growled, and then he released me and stepped away.
Humiliated, I stood perfectly still with my hands in front of me. I didn’t move and I certainly didn’t look up at him.
What just happened between us?
Why did he call me that?
Why did I...like it?
I didn’t say anything for a long time. Neither did he, but I heard him pacing around me, walking in a circle. He was like a lion and I was his prey. Only, I didn’t know what it was he wanted. Usually, lions would eat you. I didn’t think that was what Locke wanted from me.
“Why are you here, Paige?” He stopped in front of me.
“You accidentally gave me too much money last night,” I said, reaching for my purse. I pulled out the money and held it out to him.
“I told you to keep the change.”
“I...I know, but, I mean, obviously you thought the change was going to be like five dollars, I mean...this is almost three hundred, so I knew it was a mistake...” My voice trailed off because he didn’t seem shocked or surprised at the sum. He didn’t seem surprised I was there. Perhaps most importantly, he didn’t seem happy I had come to him.
“Paige, are you suggesting that the head of the biggest real estate firm in the city - nay, the state - can’t count properly?”
Did I hear a hint of humor in his voice?