Page 21 of Nigel

“Isn’tit?”

“No. I don’tknow. Anyway, I have work to do.”

“What time areyou getting off?”

“I might justcrash for the night.”

“I will swingby after I am finished with my last patient.”

“Absolutelynot.”

“I will callwhen I am leaving.”

“Kyle-“she started when she heard the dial tone in her ear. Damn him! He wasgoing to come around to make certain she was really okay and it wouldend with him prying the guy’s name out of her. Sighingdejectedly, she exited the vehicle and headed into the building. Shehad acquired the lease to the place a few years ago for a steal.Lionel had dealt with the contract himself and had made certain therewere no hidden clauses.

It was located in themiddle of the downtown area where there were several trendyrestaurants and banks alongside it. A park was on the opposite sideand she could hear the sounds of children squealing as they enjoyedthe lovely spring afternoon. Pushing the doors open, she went in andheaded straight up to her office.

Chapter 5

"You didn't haveto come. I am certain your wife and daughter are waiting for you."

"My wife anddaughter are aware of what I do for a living." He walked intothe office and took off his light spring jacket to reveal the simplelight blue cotton shirt and faded denims. Kyle was not a fashionplate like Lionel or Jeffry. He was more like her, comfortable injeans and a dress shirt most of the time.

"I don't need adamn babysitter," she muttered, pushing the file she had beenupdating away.

"From the soundof it, you need a keeper." He walked over to the mini fridge toselect a bottle of water and took it back to him to sit on a chair infront of her desk. "Details."

"I am nottelling you any more than I already have," she said firmly. "Ishould not have said anything in the first place."

He eyed her as hedrank his water. "Who is he?"

"Some rich guy."She had been trying to rationalize her actions ever since she gotback and for the life of her could not come up with a good reason whyshe had been so affected. She was not weak kneed or silly.

She was forty-twoyears old and not easily coerced or manipulated. She had grown upwith three brothers who had not taken it easy on her.

Since she had beendetermined to follow them around, she had had to abide by their rulesand the way they did things. Not that she had minded in the least.She had never been one to play with dolls or do girly stuff anyway.Because of her nature and the dislike of anything domesticated, shecould barely cook although her mother had tried.

"He does nothave a name?"

"He shall remainnameless for now." She rubbed her fingers together restlessly.

"How is thisgoing to affect your relationship with him in terms of the contract?"

"Like I said,the contract is solid." Pushing forward, she propped her elbowson the desk and cupped her face. "I guess that we formed a kindof weird bond when I took care of him. It cannot be anything else. Hedoesn't know who I am."

"As in?"

"I just told himmy first name."

"Isn't your nameon the contract?" he asked her curiously.

"Yes. But whenit's a man, the contract is usually signed by their assistant or theperson in charge of the household. They have nothing to do with thehiring process."

"So, in fact, hethinks you are just a maid. Perhaps this guy is into that sort ofthing. And he sees you as fair game because of your job."

Her eyes flared atthat as the memories came tumbling. Her mother had experienced quitea bit of that in her day. She had been a very attractive woman andhad had to leave a position because the husband would not stophitting on her.

The man had used hisposition of so-called power to take advantage of a woman in hisemploy. "There were never any complaints."

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