Page 22 of Octane

The look of pleasure that crosses his face at my words annoys me. He’s loving this.

“I won’t have you coming here and wasting my time. I have more than enough to deal with as it is.”

“I promise, I’m not here to waste your time.” His smile fades as he puts his business face on. “I really would like to hire you to help with my new venture.”

Inhaling deeply, I close my eyes. When I open them, I can’t help but notice the way the sun is shining through the window behind Jackson, surrounding him in light as if he is an angel who’s come to save me from my dark world.

A little dramatic, Sawyer. Don’t you think?

“Wait here. I have to get my things.”

As I exit the conference room, I quickly glance into Daniel’s office as if he’s in there. I know that if he were to witness this, his anger would be through the roof. He would definitely step in and see to it that Jackson’s account was handled by someone else.

Or he might punch him.

Tearing my eyes from his office, I take my lunch to the kitchen, put it in the refrigerator, then walk to my desk. I lock my purse away in my bottom drawer, then I grab my laptop and walk back to the conference room. My eyes roam to Daniel’s office one more time. This has disaster written all over it. I should tell Jackson to go.

Then why don’t you?

“Okay, let’s get this over with,” I tell Jackson as I reenter the conference room.

“Wow, do you give this royal treatment to all of your clients?”

I place my laptop on the table, shooting daggers at him before collecting some idea boards from the supply cabinet in the room. We use these with our clients to come up with different marketing and advertising ideas.

“Sorry.” I take a deep, calming breath, “If yousayyou’re here for business, then I will try and be more polite.”

Even though I would bet money that you’re just here to mess with me.

“But if you’re not being serious, I really have to let you know that you’ll do more damage than you think by coming here.”

He drops his head and rubs the back of his neck. He looks like he’s angry and trying to calm himself down.

“Sawyer, I would never do anything purposely to cause you harm. Whether it be on the track or off. I need you to know that.” He captures me in an intense stare when he looks at me again.

Woah.

“Okay,” I swallow, nervously. “Let’s get started.”

I can’t think of anything else to say, all other words failing me. At least Daniel is in an all-day meeting across town today, so he won’t be here to see Jackson and I working together. That will give me time to think of what I’m going to tell him about the firm’s newest client.

JACKSON

When I foundout that Sawyer worked for an advertising and marketing firm, I knew I had a good reason to come here.

You mean besides the fact that you couldn’t stop yourself from checking up on her?

FDA testing on the energy drink Powell Corporation created is nearly complete. Now all I need is a kick-ass marketing strategy. What Ididn’trealize until she led me across the office I the fact that she works with that sadistic bastard of a boyfriend. I caught her staring into a darkened office as she walked, fear and anxiety bright in her stare.

I followed her gaze, and when I saw the nameplate on the wall,Daniel Krameretched into its brass surface, my stomach dropped. Though, had I known beforehand, I don’t think it would have stopped me from coming. Perhaps it would have spurred me on even more. I may have come here simply just to show him I’ll be around. That there is someone watching, making sure that he treats Sawyer with respect. Someone who notices the way she squirms when he’s nearby.

However, when she said that me coming here to mess with her would cause damage, I felt horrible. I don’t want her thinking that I could be capable of something like that. Of doing something horrible, like what I can only imaginehe’sput her through.

Over the last hour, she’s relaxed a little. Maybe becauseheisn’t here. She’s put together several design ideas, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching her work. Her creative mind is sharp, just like her driver’s mind is when she’s on the track. I can tell that she uses both as a means of escape.

“Okay. So now that we’ve brainstormed a few ideas, is there one that stands out to you more than the others?” Sawyer asks me.

“Honestly?” I counter.

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