Page 15 of Power
I hesitate for a second before I carry on turning my hands over and over, like I’m going into surgery or something. “I don’t know what you mean. I’m just a bit surprised that I was moved over to Mr. Jackson’s office. Again.”
I meet her gaze in the mirror. She has turned around to face me, a shrewd expression on her face. “You’ve been moved?”
The flash of anger is unmistakable. If I didn’t already know she had a massive crush on Archer, that would tell me everything.
“Yep.” I brush it off with a shrug. “Makes no difference to me as long as I get paid.” I stick my hands under the air dryer, the volume of the whoosh putting a halt to further conversation.
It doesn’t stop her, though. As soon as it goes quiet, she says, “Well, who did you fuck to get that position? Archer?” Her raised eyebrow is irritating as fuck.
“No one. I had an interview with Ms. James and got the job in the admin pool. I don’t know what happened between then and now. Maybe ask Ms. James if it’s going to bug you.”
I can’t help the jibe, but she is getting on my last nerve with her jealousy. It’s ridiculous.
She sneers but somehow manages to make it look pretty. “Hardly. I couldn’t give a shit. Just wondered, that’s all. But know that Archer has a way of driving his assistants away, so don’t expect to be in that job long.”
Finally, she has said something that I’m going to pay attention to. “Oh? How so?” I try to look curious as well as nonchalant.
She shrugs and peers at her reflection in the mirror, fixing her already immaculate hair. “No one knows. NDAs.”
I don’t bother to push further. If that was her intention so she could gossip, don’t be vague in the first place. Nothing irritates me more.
I pick up my bag and force a smile on my face. “Well, I’d better get back.”
“Sure,” she murmurs and lets me go.
I shove open the door and march back to my desk, wishing that I’d had the opportunity to fix my panties. I sit down with determination and drop my bag on the floor under the desk. Rolling the chair closer, I stare at the monitor in front of me and wonder what the fuck I’m supposed to do now. There is nothing on this desk workwise. No In-Tray, or Out for that matter. No mail, no files.
I purse my lips and sign in, assuming that my login from admin will still work over here. My heart thumps when a foghorn sounds and a No-Entry sign flashes on the screen.
“Shit,” I mutter. “Shit.” I look around, but there is no one to help me.
Swallowing the mouthful of saliva that suddenly appears as my gaze lands on Archer’s closed door. Using my hands on the edge of the desk to hoist myself reluctantly to my feet, I stalk over to the door and rap on it, a sheen of sweat forming in my armpits. I lick my lips when no one answers.
I rap again louder. No way am I opening his door without being bid entry. Fuck knows what I’ll walk in on. The thought of his fingers in someone else’s pussy fires up my green-eyed monster. I guess I don’t have to wonder how I feel about that any longer. With a clenched jaw, I call out, “Archer?” and turn the handle.
“Bailey?” Owen’s soft voice says from behind me.
I let go of the handle like it’s burning me and spin to face him. “Owen.”
“Can I help?”
His deep blue eyes are fixed on mine with an intensity that makes my heart thump in my chest. “My-my log-in doesn’t w-work on this computer,” I stammer.
He turns slowly to face the desk. “Oh?”
I nod, even though he isn’t looking at me.
“I guess Ms. James forgot to mention that to I.T.,” he murmurs, his tone chilling me to my very soul.
I suddenly feel terrified on Ms. James’ behalf. “Uhm, it’s no bother, really.”
His gaze lands on mine again. “No bother?” he murmurs. “How will you do your work?”
I shrug and laugh nervously. “I mean, I can contact I.T.; it’s no bother.”
“That isn’t your responsibility, Bailey. This should have been sorted out before you arrived.”
“Honestly, I don’t mind.”
