Page 4 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

A glistening skyscraper rose in front of me and my step faltered. It was an impressive building of steel and glass, screaming money and wealth. A large sign indicating Caldwell Enterprise rose above all other surrounding buildings. With my disheveled look opposite to this polished and put together place, I felt even more like an intruder. Out of place.

This morning didn't start the way I planned. Not. At. All.

As I entered the building, I asked the receptionist for directions and indicated I had a nine o’clock appointment with Mr. Alexander Caldwell. She looked at me suspiciously, asked for my identification, and then glanced at her computer screen. I quickly combed my fingers through my thick, dark hair, as if that would make me more polished.

Yeah, right! That ship sailed a long time ago.

The receptionist must have been satisfied with the match in the system because she gave me a beaming smile and sent me on my way, pointing to the elevator on the other side of the lobby that was designated for Mr. Caldwell’s floor.

After quickly thanking her, I rushed in the direction she instructed. When I saw two men enter the elevator, I quickened my steps and yelled, “Hold the door, please.” I couldn’t afford to be late, Lena would blow a gasket.

A man’s hand reached out and held it and I said a silent prayer of thanks.

When I got to the elevator, my step faltered. It was as if all the air left me and my brain stopped functioning.

Good God!

My eyes captured the most beautiful yet cold eyes I'd ever seen. Those blues pierced through me in a mind numbing way, as if he was trying to consume all my attention. I tried to force myself to breathe as my gaze moved from the gorgeous blue eyes to his chiseled, clean shaven jawline. He was tall and well-built, looking dangerous with his dark hair framing his beautiful features. From his straight nose to full lips, everything about him screamed perfection. He was tall, towering, six-four if I had to guess.

I stared at him, my mind blank. If someone would have asked me why I was there, I wouldn’t be able to tell them at that very moment.

“Are you coming?” he asked. His voice was smooth, yet strong, sending shivers down my body.

I mentally slapped myself.

I don’t need to be gawking at any men, I scolded myself.I didn’t need any trouble or the heartache men brought with them.

Of course, I dated occasionally, but I only picked the men that were safe and I was in no danger of being torn apart by their betrayal. Men that look like this guy should not be roaming this earth!

I looked from him to the other man, and while he was dressed in a similar suit, the impression on me was nowhere similar. He was handsome, but my heart didn’t stop as I watched him. He felt safer for sure.

I should wait for the next elevator, I thought to myself as my eyes returned to the first guy. I didn’t want to be close to this guy, I didn’t like the sudden effect he had on me, especially since my mind went numb under his gaze.

“Well?” he almost sounded agitated.

Mentally scolding myself, I took a deep breath and hurried in, keeping as much distance as possible between both of them and myself.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, turning my back to them.

I dug for my phone out of my purse trying to remember what floor Lena told me to go to. When I finally found it, I saw it was already pressed.

Just as I was about to put my phone away, my phone rang and I saw it was Lena.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Hello, darling,” Lena chirped to the line. “I just wanted to make sure you were ok and didn’t need anything.” Lena was a lifesaver, the family everyone wished they had. I was so grateful she was part of my life.

“Yes, I’m fine,” I tried to keep my voice low. I was painfully aware of the man behind me, his towering frame making this ten-person elevator feel too small.

“This is going to be good,” she announced happily. “You might even enjoy something completely different.”

I doubted it but didn’t want to burst her bubble. After Lena helped my mom so much with the administrative tasks in my mom's small publishing company, we all realized she had a niche for the business. That's why I supported her with all my heart when she finally decided to open her secretarial company. Even though she tried to convince me to bite the bullet and open up my own publishing company, for now, I wanted to help her with her business.

“So how did the first step go?” she asked me.

“What do you mean?” I muttered into the phone. “I just got here.”

“What?” she screeched into the phone and I had to move it away from my ear or risk losing my hearing.

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