Page 37 of Room One Hundred and Twenty

Either way, he’s kept his word. While I didn’t expect to find myself coming up to his office during closed hours, I have to stay confident. We’re going to have a one on one without any disruptions.

Even if my stomach is tightening and my body is getting a wave of chills from thinking about being alone with him, I’ll keep reassuring myself that I can do this until I believe the words.

Eloise

Reaching the large open room, the silence is unsettling. The lights are dimmed, and I can see Nicolas’ and Jake’s rooms are darkened. Behind Rhett’s door, a light beckons me closer.

I suppose as the man who landed himself the CEO position, he’d spend countless nights late at the office.

Pausing behind the door, I take in a breath to prepare myself for whatever conversation we’re going to have here. After all, I know this man doesn’t plan on downing six cupcakes by his lonesome. Even if he’s in the mood to feed a craving, I’m smarter than that.

Knocking lightly, he beckons me to come in with one solid command.

Rhett is sitting behind his desk, his brows furrowed and his mouth curled. Jacket hanging on a hook against the wall, a beige button-up covers his chest. His tie is long gone, probably hanging with his jacket. Two buttons from the top are undone, hinting at the hint of hair beneath. With his sleeves rolled up his forearms, dark hair scatters across his arms.

This is the first time I’ve seen him so dressed down, and I have to admit, it’s not a bad look for him. No, not one bit. Without realizing it, I’m soaking in all the details like a sponge. If I’m not careful, I’m going to stain the carpet below with some drool.

If this man wasn’t such a grouch, I’d expect him to be taken off the market. There’s no ring on his finger, or any pictures of family on his desk. He’s as single as Nicolas. Something tells me he’s not the type to fool around like Jake, either.

With a pen in hand, he scratches what I assume to be his signature on multiple forms. His eyes never lift, not even when I reach the edge of his desk.

“Thought you closed shop two hours ago.” He flips a page over and scans the words. “You kept me waiting.”

Sounding disappointed, I bite my tongue to think before I speak. I don’t want to screw this up before I give him his order.

“You wanted fresh, so I had to let them cool off.” Making an effort not to complain about having to go out of my way to make them to his liking, I gently set the box down on the corner of his desk.

He’s in a bad mood. Maybe now isn’t a good time to start interrogating him. He doesn’t look like he’s in the mood to have any sort of conversation. Is he impatient from waiting? He might’ve wanted to leave by now.

“Please excuse me. I won’t want to keep you any longer.” Not when he looks like he wants to squeeze something.

As I turn, I hear the clink of his pen getting set down. “Stay.”

One word is all it takes to make me grow stiff. From the tone of his voice, it’s like I’m being ordered like a dog. My stomach flips and I don’t know if I should feel offended or not.

“I did make quite the list of what I wanted. Call me curious, but I can’t help but wonder how good you are at following orders.”

Oh, this man knows how to push buttons. If he thinks I can’t handle a few demands, then why even bother wasting my time? He could’ve insulted me quicker by coming down and saying such nonsense to my face.

Just like that, he’s hooked me. Through agitation alone, Rhett has made my feet heavier and my consideration go out the window. We’vebothhad to stay over. If he can be annoyed, then so can I.

“I’ve had far more complex orders in my time.” Slow and steady, I try my damned hardest to keep my face straight. The only thing keeping me from expressing my annoyance is the fact that this man is at the top.

I’ve had issues with my temper in the past. Seeing as I ruined my reputation because of the inability to stop and think, messing up again isn’t impossible. Already feeling the heat of anger flickering up my throat, I keep my attention elsewhere.

He moves to stand, circling the desk to look inside the box. Remaining close, I have to stand stiff to fight the urge to take a step back. I will not show weakness in front of this man.

“You and I have not gotten along since the very beginning.” Mumbling his thoughts, he picks up one of the cupcakes. Peering closely, his nose wrinkles. “I asked Lucy for the sweetest combination and she did not hold back.”

I watch him pluck the cherry off from the top by the stem before consuming it. He sighs as he chews. Disposing the stem inside the box, he turns to face me.

There’s something about the way he’s looking at me, it’s unsettling. For a brisk second, I cave. I meet his gaze and shiver as a chill rolls down my spine.

“I wanted to use this moment to get to know each other a bit better. I’m harmless, Miss Tanner.” Taking one more step in my direction, he cradles the cupcake. He’s yet to taste one. Despite getting six of them, a bit of an overkill, all of his attention is pointed in my direction.

“Eloise is fine,” I say slowly as I tilt my chin up at him as he reaches me.

With a counter between us, I never realized how tall Rhett was. His height only adds to his threatening features. Having to strain my neck to look up at this man, to look into those eyes, makes this exchange problematic.

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