Page 143 of Their Arrangement
He nodded. Lifted both hands again. Backed toward the elevator. And then?—
Cloe.
She stepped out of the opposite lift. Didn’t see me at first. Didn’t see him. She was holding her tablet. A folder tucked under her arm. Moving fast.
The man turned.
Saw her.
Stopped.
And smiled.
Slow.
Filthy.
His eyes dragged from her legs to her mouth.
“Well,” he murmured. “She’s not wearing that pink blouse for the admin team, is she?”
Cloe froze.
Her head turned.
Her eyes met mine.
Wide.
Alarmed.
The man didn’t stop.
“Lawlor’s new toy?” he said softly. “Didn’t think you went for soft.”
I didn’t speak. Didn’t breathe. My fists curled so tight my nails cut my palms. I stepped forward.
Close.
Closer.
The man turned to me like he didn’t realize what he’d done. I leaned in.
“Next time you open your mouth about her,” I said quietly, “I’ll make sure you can’t open it again.”
His jaw twitched. But he didn’t argue. Didn’t smile. He stepped inside the elevator. I followed him halfway in. Close enough to whisper.
“If you ever so much as look atheragain without my permission…”
I let the silence finish the sentence. The doors closed. I turned back. Cloe stood there. Frozen. Shaken. Her blouse was pressed flat to her chest. Her eyes still wide.
“What was that?” she asked.
I didn’t answer. Because if I opened my mouth right now? I wouldn’t stop. Not until she was pressed to my desk, saying myname loud enough that the bastard who just left would hear it three floors down.
I walked past her. Didn’t touch her. Didn’t speak. But inside? Something snapped. Because I knew something she didn’t yet.
That man? He’d come back. And next time? He wouldn’t ask for diamonds.
