Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
K ent sat, watching the young woman sitting across the table from him.
Sage was shy, yet every now and then, her vibrant and warm personality would slip past her guard.
Her brownish-black hair was pulled tightly from a heart-shaped face.
Was she aware her light blue eyes were windows to her soul?
Every emotion she felt was easily discernable.
He could see her wariness while also the attraction she was fighting.
Deliberately, he maintained the friendly, considerate vibe he had treated her to since he had met her. When she saw him at the office after he found her cleaning at Matthias’, he had read her fear he would recognize her.
While Sage wasn’t adapt at hiding her emotions, he was more than capable of hiding his.
He made his living by never letting his emotions enter any aspect of his life.
Women were kept at an emotional distance, even when they were having sex.
There was no one he considered a friend.
Having friends or a woman made you vulnerable.
In his line of work, emotions would get you killed.
Each person he allowed into his life had a purpose.
Whether it was sex, expanding his network of useful pawns, or clients, they remained in a chosen category he assigned them and were never allowed to become more important than the others.
That was how he kept his emotions intact, which in turn kept him and them alive.
He had made too many enemies and dealt with those who wouldn’t hesitate to use any person close to him as a way to blackmail him, or exact revenge.
Desmond wasn’t far off from the mark from calling Sage a guppy.
She was the direct opposite of Valerie Monroe.
Valerie was a force to be reckoned with, while poor Sage’s personality would be a liability to him.
She let herself be steamrolled and placed herself in situations that begged vultures to feed on her.
Like him. Hell, even the chicken wings he had ordered were too spicy for her.
“Would you like another beer?” he asked considerately, lifting his empty mug to show Haley he was ready for another.
“No, thanks. One was enough. I have to drive home.”
Kent didn’t pressure her to have another, nodding to Haley as she set the beer down and left.
“You start your new job Monday?” he asked, reaching for another wing, gesturing her to take another one if she wanted.
Shaking her head, she fiddled with a napkin. “I don’t know. I suppose Bree will tell me on Monday.”
“She didn’t tell you when she told you that you’d be replacing Glenda?”
“No.” Sage wrinkled her nose at him. “She was too busy informing me she’d still be my supervisor.”
He cracked a smile at her. “Don’t let her get to you. She makes herself out to be more important than she really is. If I’m not mistaken, your main supervisor will be Cheryl, Garrett’s assistant.”
Bree must be furious Garrett had given the position to Sage. The fucking bitch was determined not to lose control of the minions under her control. He was sure Livvy was just as furious over Sage’s change of circumstances.
“If she gives you a hard time, let me know.”
Sage shook her head. “No, thanks.” She grinned at him. “I’ll be all right. As long as I do my job well, I don’t expect to see much of her.”
She couldn’t be that na?ve, could she?
Kent wiped his hands on a napkin. “The offer will be there if you need it,” he stated, finishing off his beer. “I better get back to take care of those emails.”
Reaching for her purse, Sage took out a twenty.
“Put it back. It’s my treat, remember? You can grab the check next time.”
Not missing the happiness in her eyes before she hastily looked away, he almost felt bad he was giving her the impression they would share lunch again. She had no clue that he was intent on more than having a drink with her.
Laying a fifty on the table without waiting for Hailey to bring the ticket, he rose from the table to politely take her arm and escort her out of the bar.
He paused outside and glanced over at her. “Is your car in the parking garage?”
“Yes.”
Pretending he hadn’t heard the breathlessness in her voice, he fell in step next to her. “You’re lucky you’re off for the rest of the day. It’ll probably be six before I can go home.”
“Do you live far from the office?”
“About a ten-minute drive. I’m staying at a hotel.
I own a home in Queen City, where I do the majority of my work.
Normally, I only have to stay here in Kansas City when I have a trial or have to speak to my clients.
I’ve been searching for a small place here.
So far, I haven’t found anything I like. ”
“Good luck,” she sympathized. “Livvy has been looking for a new place, too. I heard her complaining to Brian one day. Hopefully, you’ll have more luck than she’s had.”
Kent searched her expression when she talked about Livvy. He didn’t detect any rancor or dislike in her voice. Thinking back, he hadn’t heard any when she had talked about Bree, either. Was it because she knew he was a partner in the firm, or was she just that nice?
He felt sorry for her. He gave it two months before she would quit or was fired. He didn’t see Sage being able to hold her ground when an employee was determined to get past the rules Garrett had placed on the file room.
When they reached the parking garage, she turned, her eyes lighting up. “Thanks for the drink.”
“Anytime.”
Her bashful thanks stirred something inside of him that had been missing for a long while, if it had ever really existed.
The old-fashioned way she carried herself and spoke exhibited what type of person she was.
As well as the modest blue dress she was wearing.
The way she had tried to hide herself when she had cleaned Matthias’ house spoke volumes, too.
A predator like him easily marked her as easy prey.
Sadly, others were able to see the same.
If he had a shred of goodness left in him, he would walk away from Sage.
Unfortunately for her, it was too late for him.
Predators couldn’t change their behavior; they just became more adapt at hiding their intentions.
“Have a good weekend,” she said, her eyes sliding away from his.
“You, as well.”
Kent watched until Sage disappeared from sight into the parking garage before making the short trek to the office building. Passing the reception desk, he gave Brian a courteous nod as he headed in the direction of the elevators.
“I thought you were gone for the day.”
He didn’t have to turn his head to recognize the sultry voice behind him.
“I have some emails I need to take care of.” Pressing the elevator button, he swept a glance over Livvy as she leaned against the wall. Unlike Sage’s modest dress, Livvy’s showed every curve of her body.
“I thought I had missed you.” Licking her bottom lip, she asked, “You need some help with those emails?”
Kent raised a brow at the invitation. “You offering?”
Her expression turned into an open invitation. “I have some time to spare.”
As the elevator doors slid open, he lowered his gaze to her mouth. “I never refuse a helping hand,” he said, moving inside the elevator with Livvy’s high heels tapping behind him.
A red fingernail pressed the button for his floor. “I was hoping you would say that.”
When she made a move in his direction, he nodded at the discreet camera high in the corner.
“Any plans this weekend?” he asked casually.
“No, I’m as free as a bird.”
He barely managed to keep from rolling his eyes at the seductive quality in her voice.
He almost felt sorry for Garrett falling for Livvy’s overt sexuality.
With all the affairs under his belt, Garrett assumed he held all the cards, not recognizing that Livvy was a card shark, out to win the prize at any cost. He was used to dealing with women who wanted to keep their affair on the down-low.
Livvy, on the other hand, couldn’t care less if it benefited her.
When they left the elevator, his secretary gave him a look of disapproval. “Mr. Bryant, Mr. Hollingsworth sent these files over for you.”
Taking the files from her, he handed them to Livvy. “You can go ahead and take off, Mrs. Boward. If I need any assistance, I can ask Livvy.”
His secretary’s lips pursed in a thin line when Livvy went around him to enter his office.
A smile tugged on his. “I’ll see you Monday. Have a good weekend.”
Closing his office door behind him, he saw Livvy waiting for him by his desk.
“You didn’t lock your door.”
Picking up the files, he started going through them. “When are you seeing Garrett again?”
He heard the sudden intake of her breath, Livvy was quick. She was aware he wasn’t going to be happy at her answer.
“He’s busy this weekend. His in-laws are visiting.”
“So, what?” He looked up from the files to stare her down. “I’m sure a woman with your capabilities can manage to get him to steal away for an hour or two.”
“I’ll try …”
He lowered his gaze back to the files. “I won’t be needing your help after all. You can leave,” he said distantly.
“Wait …” Hurriedly, she came around the desk to place a familiar hand on his thigh. “I thought we—”
“I really need to get this work done.” Removing her hand, he scooted his chair closer to the desk so she couldn’t touch him again.
“I tried hard …” She gave a giggle, which did nothing to stir his dick.
“Then you didn’t push the right button, did you?” His expression turned austere. The outline of her thick nipples was protruding though her thin dress. Nothing made Livvy hotter than having to work for what she wanted.
“I promise I’ll get him to meet me.”
“At the apartment I rented for you?”
“Of course. I know you like to watch.”
He rewarded her with a pleased smile. “Lock the door.”