Chapter Eighteen
The next few months sped by, and Faith decided to put her fears aside for the time being because she could see how happy everyone was.
She tried to do everything she could to make his life easier and make him happy. The thought of her actually hurting him by being with him kept popping up in her head, but she pushed it down. At the moment, she was making him happy, and that was all that mattered.
Faith set the letters down behind the desk that Emily sat at inside the main doors of Simmons Corporation. She was the one who let people into the business, and she’d finally started to like Faith.
She looked around for her to say hi when a woman coming through the front door caught her attention.
“Hello,” the woman said.
Faith looked around for Emily and couldn’t see her. “Um … may I help you?”
“I would hope so. I’m here to see Rylan.”
The woman was truly beautiful and made Faith feel frumpy and unattractive in her jeans and t-shirt. “Do you have an appointment?”
“I don’t need an appointment. He’ll want to see me.”
Faith fidgeted, not knowing what to do. She exhaled when she heard the voice behind her.
“Is there a problem here?” Duncan asked.
She turned to face him. “Um… I don’t think so. This woman wants to talk to Rylan, and Emily isn’t at her desk.”
“Do you have an appointment?” Duncan asked the woman.
“Well, no. He just said to stop by today.”
“Why?” Duncan asked.
“We met last night, and we really hit it off at the party.”
Faith stiffened and took a step back. He had been gone the night before. He said it was a meeting, but maybe…
Duncan grabbed hold of her arm. “Oh, no, you don’t.”
Faith looked at him. “Maybe she’s telling the truth.”
Duncan snorted. “I can guarantee she’s lying.”
The woman gasped. “You can’t talk to me this way.”
“Wanna bet? Let’s just give him a call.”
Duncan pulled Faith over to the desk, lifted the phone, and pushed a button.
“Hey, man. I’m down in the lobby, and there’s a woman here saying you told her to come to see you today. She said you met last night.”
Faith couldn’t hear what was being said but continued to step away.
Duncan set the phone down. “He’s on his way down.”
The woman smiled. “Good.”
Duncan grabbed hold of both of Faith’s shoulders and bent forward. “If you don’t stop moving away from me, I’ll spank your little ass.”
Faith gasped. “You can’t do that.”
“Did you forget Rylan giving me permission to discipline you if I see you needed it?”
Faith did remember. Duncan grinned when she growled at him but stopped fighting him.
She dropped her head, unable to look Rylan in the eyes when he stepped off the elevator and headed their way.
He stood several feet away from her and put his hands on his hips. “What’s the problem?”
Duncan spoke up. “This woman said you told her to come visit you today.”
Faith watched Rylan turn to the woman. “How do I know you?”
“I was at your mother’s party last night.”
Faith stiffened. Duncan tightened his grip on her when she tried to move away.
“I vaguely remember you. But I didn’t tell you to come here.”
“Your mother thought we’d get along well.”