“What the?” I groan when I see the arrow pointing up. I guess I wasn’t paying attention when I stepped inside. I’d assumed it was the elevator I called to go down, but someone on a higher floor must have pushed it at the same time. I lean against the wall with a sigh. The lights flicker briefly as the elevator climbs higher.
Panic grips my chest when I realize I’m almost to the top floor. I know Beth isn’t working this week. I can’t imagine Mr. Snow would be staying this late, but then again, his entire life seems to revolve solely around work. Oh, maybe it’s Paul. I bet it’s Paul. He seems like the kind of guy who works round the clock, holiday or not, and will most likely never retire.
The doors open. Nope, not Paul.
“Sadie, what a lovely surprise.” Mr. Snow’s contagious grin spreads across his face, his eyes lighting up as he steps into the car. “Why are you here so late?”
“Just trying to make sure I got everything finished before the holidays. I hate trying to relax knowing there’s a mountain of reports waiting for me when I return from time off.”
He smirks. “So studious. Are you always such a good girl, Miss Emmert?”
The way my name—Miss Emmert—slides off his tongue like silk sheets off a bed makes my temperature skyrocket. The question takes me by surprise, not because of the subject matter but because of the look in his eyes when he asks it. His voice reminds me of the richest, most decadent chocolate, all tempting and sultry. It’s full of temptation and it does things to me. A bead of sweat drips down my back as he continues to look at me, my thighs squeezing together as I try to compose myself and answer in a way that seems professional instead of what’s really going through my head—Yes, but you make me want to be a naughty little slu—
I shake my head, redirecting my thoughts, and clear my throat before attempting to answer. “Uh—” My voice goes up about three octaves when the lights flicker again, only this time they go out completely and the elevator car comes to a jolting stop.
“What the hell was that?” I ask, panicking. My throat tightens as the emergency lights come on.
“It’s okay, I’m sure it’s just stuck.”
“Stuck!?”
“I’m sure it will be back up and running any second.” He pokes around on the panel, but nothing happens.
I glance at my watch. We’ve only been in here a few moments, but it already feels like an eternity.
“Let me call down to Todd.” Alex holds his phone to his ear then pulls it away to look at the screen. “Shit, no reception. What about you?”
I grab my phone and check. “No bars.” I hold it up for him to see.
He steps around me to press the phone button on the elevator control panel, and it begins to ring. A moment later, a woman answers.
“Hello, 911. What’s your emergency?”
“Hey, this is Alex Snow over at Snow Communications on Van Buren. We’re stuck in an elevator. Emergency lights are on and neither of us has cell reception.”
“Okay, sir, is anyone injured?”
“No, we’re fine.”
“How many people are in the elevator?”
“Just myself and one of my employees.”
“Are either of you over the age of sixty-five or have any medical conditions?”
“No.”
“Just one second please…okay.I have your address from the elevator response call. We can get fire and rescue over to you—just one second, sir.”
The line goes quiet, and we look at each other.
“Sorry, sir, but we are actually getting word that the entire city block is without power. We have several more elevator calls coming in right now. I’m being told that fire and rescue will be dispatched shortly and start prioritizing rescues.”
“Prioritizing them based on what?”
“On age, health, any injuries.”
“So any idea how long we’ll be in here?”