Page 3 of Stolen Voices
“Fuck yeah. You’re the best big bro ever.”
“Liar. We all know you love Mason more.”
“Mase’s grumpy ass needs more love,” Cam teases.
It’s true. Mason, our middle brother, is a grump. He’s quiet, keeps to himself, and loves his laptop more than life itself. “True. Mase definitely does. I’ve gotta run, but I’ll call you later to confirm.”
“Thanks. Later, bro.”
“Later.” I hang up the phone as the elevator door dings its arrival.
I glance up in time to watch Callie Wright step into our reception area, wearing a light-purple jumpsuit that hits her in all the right places. She comes across as sophisticated and sweet while still appearing sexy as sin, with her blonde hair down in loose waves framing her face. A natural beauty.
When we designed Blaze, we wanted it to be open and for the glass walls to translate our transparency with our clients. Except for our offices, which have special windows that turn into one-way glass with one click of a button. We can see out, but no one can see in. Which is a good thing. If she could see me, she’d see I can’t tear my eyes away from her delicate features or the curve of her hips.
With a regal air about her, Callie pulls her shoulders back and walks towards a woman lying on our reception couch like she owns the place.
How did I miss that?
The woman, in her forties and fighting it with lip fillers, stands up with an overly wide smile and wraps Callie in a hug. I can’t see the brunette’s face, but I’m sure she’s said something upsetting because Callie’s spine stiffens and her muscles tense. The woman digs her nails into Callie’s arms, and I’m about two seconds away from interrupting when Desmond walks into the room. The two women separate, but Callie looks less sure of herself than she did a minute ago.
Like she can feel my eyes on her, Callie looks around the room, trying to find the source. I watch from my seat in my office as she gives up and follows Desmond. I'm out of my seat in the next heartbeat.
Like my feet have a mind of their own, I exit my office. As I step into the hallway by the conference room, I notice Callie get shoved, and the foot of her heel gets caught on the carpet. She braces herself for the fall that will never come.
Without a second thought, I rush to her side and catch her around the waist before she hits the floor. The sweet, fresh scent of vanilla and flowers invades my nose, and my dick jumps.
What the hell?
Callie’s chest heaves as she lifts her eyes to mine. They are so dark brown I can barely distinguish her irises from her wide pupils. With the overhead lighting glistening off the surface, they look as black as the starry night sky.
Her gaze dips to my mouth, and a small gasp passes between her lips. Heat travels from my hand resting on her hip and spreads like wildfire through my body. My eyes dip to her mouth, and the urge to push her against the wall and kiss her hits me like a punch in the gut.
Fuck. This is trouble.
My brain functions return, and I drop my hand from her lush body. I step back, effectively breaking the spell Callie has me under. The fire in me turns into anger. How dare she come in here all gorgeous, hips swaying, and tempting me to break my rules?
She did nothing wrong,my inner voice pipes up.
While I know that’s true, it still pisses me off. I am having such a visceral reaction to her—a woman I have never met—and I don’t like it.
Irrational, I know.
The viper lady standing beside Callie grips my arm and speaks. Her fake lips move, but I can’t hear a thing. Unable to hide my anger, I glare at the woman who rocked my world; she’s staring back at me with hurt in her eyes. A weird pang hits my chest as I watch Callie’s face fall before she tilts her chin up, ready for a fight.
Fuck.
Without saying a word, I turn and walk into the conference room.
She’s too pretty, too talented, and way too young.
There is no way in hell I can work with the woman. It doesn’t matter that Hudson would be Callie’s agent; we share our workloads. There would be no avoiding her.
She can’t sign with us.
I need to do anything and everything to keep this woman as far away from me as possible. She’s dangerous to me, my career, and my company. To everything I’ve worked hard for. I will not throw that away for anything, especially not for a woman doing bizarre voodoo to me.
She’s got to go.
