Page 38 of Wreckin' Amethyst

“Work happens on the forty-eight floors below us. This is our oasis.” Leaving the door open, Myles drops onto a sofa, crossing one ankle over the opposite knee. I prefer to stay standing, noting how these are the first and only offices in the entire building to have privacy. The windows above half walls hold thick blinds, and as far as I can see, a complete lack of prying cameras. I’ve stayed in apartments smaller than this entire office, the desk towards the back seemingly somewhat lonely and unused. Still, if Myles was to hide information he doesn’t want Carter or anyone else to easily access, that desk or the iMac upon it could be my salvation.

“Although, speaking of work, there is a meeting I need to attend in about thirty minutes, and Carter will want to talk numbers beforehand. Do you think you’ll be able to entertain yourself in the meantime?” I glance towards the personal restaurant and swimming pool, appearing as if they have my full attention.

“I’m sure I’ll manage,” I smile. Stretching out a hand, Myles beckons me over. I attempt to sit beside him, but he shifts me onto his lap instead.

“Are we okay? I know I haven’t been around much. I was going through some things and…” he twirls the loose tendril of my hair. “I didn’t want you to see me like that.”

“Like what, Myles?” I cock my head.

“Weak, I suppose. You’re always so strong, so determined.” His fingers brush my shirt collar, dipping down to where the material opens at my cleavage. “I want to be like that for you too.”

“I’m strong because I’ve had to be. I dread the moment my barriers crumble, and every day I spend with you brings that moment closer.” Myles’ brows raise, clearly in shock at my revelation. I wish I was lying. I’ve played men like instruments before, but the more time I spent in Myles’ company, the harder it is to differentiate what is real and fake.

“When that time comes, know that you’ll be wrapped within my arms, safe and protected. Nothing is going to hurt you as long as I’m around.” Just when I think he’s going to pull me in for a kiss, and as I convince myself to let him, Myles remains in place, studying me. Allowing me to see the truth of his words through his gaze. The room falls away, that light-headed feeling returning for a whole different reason.

He truly is stunning. The way his warm amber eyes blend so perfectly with his long, sun-kissed hair. The length of it is silky smooth, never appearing the disheveled mess it could easily be. Behind his looks, he smells fucking delectable all the time without the scent being overpowering. As if years of pricey products and expensive cologne have seeped into his skin. And the suit – as much as it pains me to realize – the suit is doing all kinds of fluttery things in my lady region. In another life, there wouldn’t have been a moment’s hesitation. I’d have had him here on this sofa and not cared who saw.

“Myles,” Carter grunts at the door. “We have real business to discuss. Lock your whore outside so she can’t cause any trouble while we’re gone.”

“I could jump off the side of the building screaming ‘Carter makes women suicidal’?” I offer with a half shrug. Myles chuckles, kissing my forehead before rising.

“Shannon, manning the lobby desk, will aid any request you might have, and Gabriel in the kitchen can make you something if you’re hungry. I’ll be back as soon as I’m able.” Myles leaves with Carter, who pauses long enough to remind me he has his eye on me, and then I’m alone. A quick glance shows Sebby isn’t attending but instead, has remained on a swinging egg chair in the garden while he rubs Pig’s belly. I can’t deny she’s an attention whore, and damn if she’s mastered how to get it.

I remain on that sofa for far longer than necessary. Reading a random magazine from a nearby table which all of the boys are on the cover of, waiting for the elevator to take Myles and Carter downstairs. Then, I wait a little bit longer just in case. Risking another glance out of the door, I note Sebby has swayed himself and Pig into a nap, and no one else is looking my way. Time to slowly close the blinds and begin my search.

Loading Myles’ iMac, I’m met with the expected password screen while I’m picking the locks on his drawers. It really makes no sense to leave a pot of paperclips on the desk for anyone to help themselves to. Breaking my way into the first, a notepad sits at the top of the drawer and inside the front cover –Computer Password. Too easy.

Managing both simultaneously, I open the deleted files on the computer while popping the bottom three drawers. Upending folders, I find page after page of investment logs, online banking reports, phone transcripts. A whole load of business I don’t have the expertise to decrypt. When his computer files also prove useless, I move into more high-tech methods. Hacking the central server, downloading as much as I can onto a random flash drive I found in the drawer. I’ll spend my time making sense of it later.

Tapping my thumb on the desk, I grow agitated, deciding I must have missed something. I drop to the floor, spreading out paperwork, hunting for that symbol. The decorative shield, surrounded by flourishes and a roaring dragon in the center, which has become imprinted on the inside of my brain. The more I dream of it, the clearer it becomes.

“The code to the safe is 8256,” Myles’ voice suddenly states from the doorway. “It’s behind the Rembrandt.” I look up to see him pointing at a portrait on the opposite wall. Slowly, I gather up all of the papers scattered on the floor and place them back in the bottom drawer. Mostly out of courtesy, but also to avoid his probing gaze.

“I figured once you’re sated from going through all of my belongings, we could go for dinner. Or you could ask me to give you whatever it is you’re looking for, and we could still catch the lunchtime rush.” There’s a hint of mirth to his tone, but I’m not laughing along. Fine, we’ll play it this way.

“You burned that brown envelope. At Reynell’s house, I see you – and when I asked if you found anything, you lied about it. Proceeded by locking yourself in your room. All highly suspicious behavior and I want to know why.”

“Oh, I see.” Myles nods, steps inside and softly closes the door. I stand, folding my arms. “I understand it’s in your nature to look for the bad in people - I just thought we’d come to an impasse where you gave me a little more credit than that.” Strolling towards me, there’s confidence in his steps, and more so in the way Myles grips my waist and plants me on his desk. Attempting to push him away, his hands close over mine, holding them heavily on his chest.

“Your prints were all over that envelope, there was a dead man in the grass outside and an archer rearing back an arrow intended for you. I was merely burning any evidence which could be traced back.” Myles catches his eyes and holds me captive. He stares at me for so long, not daring to blink and break the trance.

“You were…protecting me?” I whisper. That’s it? All of this, all of my delusions and spiraling schemes, are just that? Versions I would prefer so the outcome is the same – my heart is secure and Myles is inevitably the bad guy I always thought he should be.

“Really shouldn’t be much of a shock. I’ve been nothing but forthcoming with my intentions,” Myles states. His knuckles brush my neck, stroke my cheek and I roll my eyes.

“To fuck me?”

“To love you. As soon as you’re ready to let me.” My breath catches. His touch is everywhere, taking ownership of the body I thought was mine. The way it reacts to him though, tells a different story,

“A few weeks ago, you didn’t know I existed,” I try to reason with us both. Myles is right there, at the edge of the cliff, ready to drag me back into his safe embrace.

“A few weeks ago, I didn’t know what it meant to feel alive. To be looked at for more than the image Carter has worked hard to create. To have someone challenge and provoke me when all others bend over backwards to kiss my ass.” His hand skates to my nape while I grunt.

“Not a visual image I needed.”

“What I mean is, I’m a man who has everything. Could possess anything. Until the day I saw you; free and wild, and realized nothing that came before mattered. I want to spend every day waking up to you, unknowing what may happen or where we will end up. You’re an adventure, and I’m on board for as long as you’ll have me.”

My heart yearns to believe him. My head pleads to give in. To believe I might be worthy of love. That I could have a shot at finding light and laughter amongst the darkness I’ve become comfortable in.

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