Page 1 of Double Take

Chapter One

Rylee

When the phone rings, I jump an inch off the chair, smacking my thighs into the desk drawer, and grab the arm of my chair before I land on the floor. Sweat coats my armpits, and I send up a prayer to whoever will listen that he hasn’t found me. As the phone rings again, I bounce my knee up and down.

I’ve been at my new job for a couple of weeks, and all they’ve entrusted me to do is input employee hours, calculate and upload payroll for electronic deposit, and file. And…. answer the phone.

In the adjoining room, Axel Dickerson, one of the owners, shifts in his seat. “Everything okay?” I spin around to find his green eyes skating over me while judging me for my inefficiency. The sun glows behind him as he arches an eyebrow.

“Sorry.” I smile weakly. “I’m getting it.” He nods and switches his attention to the paperwork on his desk.

Girl, get it together before you get fired. You can’t afford to be out on your butt during the holidays.

Having the man’s office directly behind mine is convenient for working purposes. Personal purposes? Not so much. His hovering over my shoulder makes me nervous. He’s muscular, tall, and takes up too much space, leaving me feeling claustrophobic.

My heart hammers against my ribs as I snatch the receiver off the base. “Dickerson Construction, how may I help you?”

“Hello, I need to speak with Axel, please.” The voice is sensual with a lyrical tone. God, she sounds pretty, and like she has her life put together. Two things I don’t have.

“Who may I ask is calling?”

“Sage.”

Sage? Ugh. Even her name sounds sexy. I spin in my chair. “There’s a woman on the phone for you.”

Axel frowns. “Tell her I’m busy.”

“It’s Sage?”

“Oh….” His eyes light up as he rises and strolls toward the door. “I’ll take it. Go ahead and transfer her to my line.”

“Sure thin–” Before I get the word out, the door snaps shut, and an unreasonable amount of irritation causes my lip to curl.

What’s wrong with you? He’s not interested in you. No man is interested in someone like you. You’re boring, fat, and lazy. And certainly not a man who owns a business and looks like Axel Dickerson. You’re rump roast, and he’s a slab of Japanese Kobe beef.

“He’ll be with you in a second.”

“Thank you. You’re so–”

I click the line to Axel’s. Not wanting to hear that I’m sweet from a voice that sounds like silk skating across your skin.

Minutes pass as I take the clock-in sheets and enter the information into the timekeeping system. They need to advance to a more efficient time-keeping program. Most businesses use digital web-based time-tracking software.

The red light continues to glow, indicating Sage is still whispering sweet nothings in Axel’s ear, and he’s eating it up like a kid getting into the wedding cake when all the adults are pre-occupied. He’ll probably stroll out of the office with flushed cheeks and smoking a cigar.

What’s wrong with you? Axel has been nothing but professional since the day he hired you.

This time, when the phone rings, I only hit my thighs and skip the almost falling out of the chair part. “Dickerson Construction, how may I help you?”

“Rylee?” The voice is deep and sensual, sending goosebumps along my arms.

“Yes?” My shoulders drop down from my ears as I once again dodge the bullet of someone from my past catching up with me. “What can I help you with?”

“I need you to come to my office.”

“Yes, sir.” Should I bring a pen and paper? He hangs up before I can ask the question. Not that I’ve had to take down notes yet. But I should be prepared, shouldn’t I?

I glance around my desk, skipping over the tiny Christmas tree on the corner. It twinkles with white and red lights. That, along with the larger trees in the corners and the matching garland with enormous white and red balls, gives the place a festive feel.

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