Page 2 of Never Too Deep
I lift a hand.“That’s okay.Call me when it’s a good time to meet.”
Suddenly, her friend rises.Our eyes meet.“No, it’s okay.I was just leaving.”She murmurs under her breath, barely audible.
Something in her face is urgent, on guard, and so fucking beautiful I have to blink twice.This woman is an angel.Long, raven hair, so shiny and silky-looking, I have to stop my hand from lifting to touch it.Pale green eyes so mesmerizing I have to divert my gaze to the floor for a moment to break the spell.She’s almost as tall as me, and as I slide my glance down her body, down her perfectly lean, perfectly sculpted body, wrapped up in a sleek black dress, I hope to God that she doesn’t notice.I try to pretend that the evaluating glance is purposeful, like I’m making sure that she isn’t armed or something, and I think that I pull it off.“Rush Lawson.”I nod, sticking my hand out for her to shake.“My brother Jagger owns Lawson Manufacturing.”
“I know who you are.”She says with a certain edge, like it feels strange to say it with her tongue.Like there’s some hidden resentment for my family.However, she licks her lips and changes tack.“It’s nice to meet you.”I hear a crack in her voice, and I struggle to figure it out.Her eyes are trying to tell me something.Save her.Leave.Stay.I don’t know, and it pains me, because I can usually read someone in under a second.It intrigues me.
All I can think about Is the task that Wesley Hopkins has asked of me.And I'm torn.I'm torn between figuring out just what was going on between these two just moments ago, between answering the inner voice that is playing inside my head; the one that I constantly ignore, the one that I particularly ignored the night of my brother Jagger's wedding.The one that begged me to take Frankie home with me and fuck her brains out.And I should have, before the shit hit the fan as it has.While my brother Led took her friend Reya home with him, I stayed behind like a good fucking boy.And now I’m paying the price.
I've ignored that voice far too much lately, and my cock reminds me just how much I've ignored it.But my innate discipline takes over, and I shake it off.After all, there is too much at stake here to be thinking about my hormones, no matter how fucking beautiful this goddess is before me.“I'm sorry to interrupt.The receptionist should have told me that you were busy.In fact, I don't even know why she permitted me through.Don't you tell your staff that you're with someone?”I don't mean to sound as harsh as I do, however, it seems very odd that Frankie would accept a guest.
The girls exchange a look.I'm not sure if I've offended or if there's yet something else that isn't being told here.Frankie lifts a hand.“Not to worry, Rush.I have a handle on things.”
Izzy interjects.“She didn't know I was here."That's when I notice it.The distinct British accent.I'm guessing I didn't pick up on it earlier, because my eyes were so overwhelmed by the sight.“Freddie is right.I should really be going.I'm running late, anyway.I need to catch a flight.”
I’m wondering who this woman is and why Freddie hasn’t introduced her to me.Better yet, why she hasn’t introduced herself to me.And just as I’m about to ask, the fire alarm goes off, sending deafening alarm sounds throughout the office.My hands immediately go to my ears, and Freddie’s receptionist comes storming inside.“This isn’t a drill!It’s for real!”
Freddie shakes her head, responding to the boisterous shriek coming from her.“Alright, alright.What’s the first rule taught in Health & Safety training?Stay calm.”
The woman swallows, licking her lips.“Your exit is out the back.”She’s wounded at being chided.“We should get out now, before the herd from production comes this way.”
Again, Freddie shakes her head.“They’re exit is at the side, Meryl.Good lord.”
“Come on.Let’s get out of here before my head fucking explodes.”I mutter, looking at all three girls.“Did you check me in at least?So that if I go missing, the fire Marshall won’t find me barbecued out back?”
Meryl nods, but her face says that she still is embarrassed for being chided in our presence.I make a mental note to tell Freddie that the treatment of her staff is the most important.If they don’t cut the cheese, there are steps that need to be taken.And this is not one of them.“Don’t worry.I won’t forget about you.”
With a slight eye roll, I say.“Come on.Let’s go.”
With my hand, I guide Izzy with Freddie and Meryl out the office door and close it behind me, and then we follow the herd out to the back exit.Vehicles that people earning no less than six figures line the back lot.There is a green area beyond the lot, where the rest of the staff have gathered, and we join them.“Is this a regular occurrence for this place, Freddie?”I ask.
“Never.This is the first one since I’ve been here.”She says honestly.“It’s probably a false alarm.”
I look at her.“What makes you say that?”
She shrugs casually.“Gut feeling.”
My brow lifts.“You’ve got an entire production team at the helm here, Freddie.Have you got any new hires?”
From her face, her back is up.I watch her fold her arms across her chest.“Are you suggesting that I hired someone incompetent enough to start a fire in the plant?”
“It could happen.I’m sure this isn’t a kitchen fire, judging by the imported automobiles parked in that lot.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that nobody driving a beamer is brown bagging it.”
I watch her friend Izzy visibly squirm.“Are you okay?”
She nods.“I’m just worried that I’ll miss my flight.”
Freddie looks at her.“You want to go, just go.”
Izzy shakes her head.“I’m better to wait until we get the all clear.”
I’m confused, and I’m about to probe this beautiful mystery woman, who has ample opportunity to walk to her car from here, to catch her flight, but has chosen to stick around.If she’d been giving me googoo eyes or throwing flirtatious hints at me verbally, I would toss her my number and set her free, but she’s not.Something else is keeping her here.
Freddie rounds on me.“And if you think that I can’t handle my staff, that I’d hire someone so incompetent as to start a fire, you’re crazier than you let on.”
