Page 134 of The Young & the Sinner

“Olivia Williams.”

He typed something in the computer, and I fidgeted a little where I was stood. After a while, he printed out a sticker that said visitor on it and handed it to me.

“Floor 7.”

I nodded and stuck the sticker on my stomach. The guy shot me a weird look. Was there an appropriate place to stick a visitor pass? He let me through, and even though my back was to him, I knew he was staring at me as I walked to the elevator.

I got into the crowded elevator with a whole bunch of people in suits. And they were all taller than me, even the women. I felt small in the back, and slowly the elevator began to empty, save for one man. Before, when it was crowded, I didn’t notice him much. But now that it was just the two of us, heading to the same floor, I snuck in a glance.

He was huge. Like football player huge. With broad shoulders, bulging muscles that even the suit couldn’t hide, and biceps bigger than my thighs, he was as intimidating as he was beautiful. I barely reached up to his shoulders. I had only ever felt tiny next to Mason and Max, but I knew them. I was safe with them. This guy was a stranger, and I was alone with him in the elevator. I looked up and realized we were only on floor three. Why was the elevator moving so slowly?

I shook myself out of my thoughts. Just because I was assaulted in the past, it did not mean every man I came across would want to hurt me. And besides, the man was beautiful. He didn’t look like the kind of man who needed to force a woman into his bed.

But sexual assault wasn’t about sex. It was about power. I let out a small sigh, hating how I could feel a slight tremble running through my legs. I looked at the man again. Maybe if I kept looking, I could get over my fear.

With dark chocolate-brown hair, hazel eyes, a neatly trimmed dark beard, and golden tan skin, he looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine. Or posters hung proudly in pre-pubescent girls’ rooms as their celebrity crush.

He was in what I was sure was a custom-made dark gray suit, with a striped blue tie and a white button-up. He was probably as tall as Mason. Not as wide, but just as intimidating.

I snuck in another glance at him and was startled to find his eyes on me.

He smiled, and it was friendly. There was nothing malicious about his look. And for some strange reason, that put me at ease.

I hesitantly smiled back, and the man’s smile widened. “Hi, there.”

“Hi,” I said softly, looking down at my feet. I wasn’t good with meeting new people. But I was glad to see how nice this new stranger was being.

“Are you here visiting someone?”

“Yeah. My boyfriend.” Which sounded strange coming from my mouth. I never actually referred to Mason as my boyfriend before, but that was what he was. “Are you here visiting someone, too? Or are you seeing your lawyer?”

We were, after all, heading to a law office.

His smiled widened, and I pulled up short. He had a really nice smile. “No, I work here.”

I smiled and looked away just as the elevator doors opened, and we walked into chaos. It was still pretty early. I knew Mason didn’t usually leave the office until late at night, but he told me to come whenever I was done with school and he would try to leave work early. I didn’t mind that I might have to wait for him.

I just wanted to see him.

There was a huge mahogany receptionist desk out front that took my attention first, then the three receptionists in front of three computers. They were all professionally dressed and beautiful. They all looked like grown women, whereas I had felt like a lost child since the moment I stepped foot into this building.

The wall behind them was the same color as the desk, with the names Callaghan, Reese, and Malcolm printed above their heads. I guessed that was the name of the law firm.

One of the receptionists looked up when we approached, her eyes taking me in briefly before moving to the man next to me and staying there. They flashed with recognition and she sat up a little straighter than usual, blatant interest in her eyes. I thought that was exceptionally brave of her. I could never act so brazen, and I envied that about her.

I sneaked in another sideway glance at the stranger, and he looked back at me, humor dancing in his eyes. I offered a small smile and he smiled back at me. He had a nice smile.

“Hello, Mr. Cross. Did you forget something?”

“Yeah. Some case files. I’ll be out of here soon.”

She smiled wide at him, and I stuttered in my steps. Cross.

I bet everything in my bank this was Logan Cross. So much for meeting him at the bar. I sneaked in a glance at him and found his eyes on me, light dancing in his bright hazel eyes. Something told me he already knew who I was.

The woman turned to me then, her gaze cold. I moved back a little, near Logan, who placed a small hand reassuringly on my shoulder. “Do you have an appointment, Miss?”

I bet she would love nothing more than for me to tell her no so she could kick me out.

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