Chapter Four
J osh
He could forget about work for the rest of the day. He wasn’t going to get any real work done. Not when Ruby had been even more beautiful in person. Not when he’d been short and to the point with her. He glanced up, peering through his open office door at her as she got in the elevator. Their eyes locked and held for just a moment before the doors closed on her.
Ridiculous.
Absolutely fucking ridiculous.
He saw attractive women every day, some even threw themselves at him, but this was the one his brain has decided to latch on to.
He was clutching the pen too hard, the nib piercing through the paper. If that wasn’t a sign, he didn’t know what was. He finished up a few calls and meetings, before deciding he was done for the day. Turning off his computer, and making his way through the floor, he bade everyone a good weekend.
Widened eyes followed him out, as well as some calls to have a good one himself. His employees were going to think he was ill. He’d never left before any of them. He had his dad’s work ethic, first one in last one out.
The next day came quickly, like the sun was eager to chase away the moon and shine. Then the next. And then it was Monday.
She looked even more beautiful than the last time he saw her, in a blue dress that clung to her curves.
She’s your PA. Stop.
He went through the basics, and she sat there with a smile, making some notes in a bright red notebook. Then, the day began. And then the next. And the one after. He found himself distracted when she was around, and that couldn’t happen. Maybe he could talk to Alana, tell her it wasn’t working out? No, that wasn’t him. He couldn’t take away Ruby’s living. So, he found himself being short with her, like that was his only form of protection.
A knock at his office door brought him out of his wallowing.
“Come in.”
Ruby opened the door, glancing down at her notebook. She barely looked at him, and for some reason it heated his blood.
“Okay, so you have a meeting at noon with the people about a potential client, the basketball player, and they’ll go through everything he’s looking for. You have a personal call at 2:00 PM with your parents booked in, and a meeting with the legal staff at 4:00 PM.”
She didn’t even look up as she closed her notebook, the one she was always scribbling in, and made for the door.
“You missed the 5:00 PM meeting. Maybe if you use your computer or phone, you know, technology from this century, that wouldn’t have happened.”
Her gaze rose to meet his. It was like seeing his own fire reflected back in it.
He continued, it was like he couldn’t stop himself, “So if you’d be so kind as to pay closer attention, please. If I’d missed that meeting it would have been bad for business. I know this is your first week, but there can be no mistakes.”
What was that? Why was he being like this? It was like he’d never spoken to a woman before.
She bit her lip, and he had to look away. “Of course, Josh, we wouldn’t want that. I promise I’ll do better.” There was an air of sarcasm in her voice, and he didn’t blame her. He was being a dick. Maybe this would make her leave ... no, he didn’t want her to leave, not really. This was his problem. He would do better. He had to do better.
She turned to leave, and suddenly he didn’t want her to go. He stood, knocking his knees on the desk.
“How’s your first week going?”
She turned around with wide eyes, likely wondering why he was being so hot and cold. Hell, he was wondering the same thing.
He gestured to the chair opposite his desk, and she sat down, hands clutching her notebook.
“Fine, thank you,” she said curtly. Then she smiled, as if she couldn’t help herself. “Cathy is great. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
He nodded, smiling back. “She is.”
Then her gaze, hesitant and curious, flicked over him. “She mentioned that you gave her time off, and paid for her to see her grandchild?”
If she knew that, why was she asking? Likely wondering if he’s the same good boss that people have likely been telling her he is. Fair enough.
“Of course. She deserved it.” She did. She was one of his best, most loyal employees. He shouldn’t have favorites, but if he did, then Cathy would be number one.
Her lips parted slightly before she gave a tight nod. “Well, if that’s all...”
“Yes, of course. Thank you for the updates,” he said.
She nodded again, leaving his office.
Why did it feel so empty without her presence? The scent of peaches and cream lingered in her wake.
The day dragged on, and he attended all of his meetings, his mind somewhere else. When the inky black sky fully invaded the blue, it was only then he realized just how late it was. He blinked. He hadn’t even noticed the light leaving the world. Sighing, he turned off his computer. 8:00 PM. He needed a drink, and he needed food. Preferably in that order. Drew was probably at the club by now, three drinks in and flirting shamelessly with Alana.
He checked his phone for confirmation. Yep. Drew’s text glared at him.
Where are you? Am I being stood up? Josh, I’m so hurt.
He rolled his eyes. It was as if Drew’s sarcasm leaked out of his text and into the room. He went through the office, turning off the lights as he went. He headed for the stationery cupboard to grab a few folders for the meeting he had the next day. He was distracted, glancing down at his phone at another text from Drew as he began to reply. His hand folded over the door handle, and he pushed it open, slotting his foot inside. He didn’t even notice that the light was already on inside, glowing over all the stationery supplies. Which meant that he didn’t notice how he tripped Ruby.
“Shit,” he said, as her foot came into contact with his and they collided. She fell, but he managed to catch her, cradling her in his arms, his phone crashing to the floor.
Her face was inches from his, and her scent invaded his nose. He watched her eyes widen in shock—they must have mirrored his own expression. Her lips parted slightly.
She swallowed. “Sorry, sorry,” she breathed, reaching down to grab his phone.
The sudden movement jolted her in his arms and their faces fell, their lips brushing over one another.
She staggered back, and out of his arms, backing up into one of the shelves. It was like the contact had the power of an electric shock, a current running through them.
Or maybe she was disgusted. His heart lurched at this, at this thought. He pushed it from his brain. It wasn’t wanted there.
His heart was pounding as their gazes locked.
A small smile spread over her lips. “Do I need to call HR?”
What?
“No. God, no, sorry,” he said, the words tumbling from his mouth.
She looked shocked and cleared the space between them.
“I was joking, Josh. Sorry, it was probably a bad one.”
He exhaled. “No,” he said.
She raised her eyebrows. “You don’t have to lie to me,” she said.
Why did this feel like a test?
He answered honestly. “I would never lie to you.”
Something in her expression, her eyes, changed, like a cloak had been pulled over them, shutting out the light. He had a feeling he’d failed.
“Well...” she said, her eyes trailing around. She walked to a shelf and grabbed the closest pieces of paper.
“That’s all you need?” he questioned.
He hadn’t had a second to think about the situation. What was she doing here so late? Although, he was here. But it was his company. His useless internal monologue was finally interrupted by her answer.
“Yes, I just had a few things to finish, but I’m going to head off now,” she said, waving the paper in the air.
“Good,” he said, before he could think about what he was saying.
Her eyes widened again.
“I mean, I don’t want you working too hard. Or any of my employees,” he clarified. “I care about everyone under my employ. No one should be working late unless it’s an emergency and then it’s time and a half.”
She nodded. It was her turn to use the word. “Good.”
He couldn’t help but think it was like she was looking at him for the first time. Her eyes were frank, assessing, like she was writing a novel about him, and she was studying her lead character.
He’d like to be a lead character in her life. Not just her asshole of a boss. But certain things aren’t meant to be.
She got to the edge of the doorframe.
“Have a good night, Ruby. Thank you for all your hard work. I know I can be ... tough, but everyone has been singing your praises. You fit in well. You have a real future here, if you want it.” His heart sped up at his last words, and only her answer, the right answer, could slow it down.
She turned back to face him. The light in her eyes had returned. She seemed to choose her next words carefully, like they held power.
“Thank you, Josh. I ... I feel comfortable here. I think maybe I could even be happy.” She said the last part as if it were more like a question to herself that needed answering.
“I hope so,” he said, eyes boring into hers. They stayed that way for a few seconds, but it felt longer, like time had done him a favor.
She blinked, and the spell was broken.
“I actually have to get going,” she said, backing up. “You have a good night, too, Josh. See you tomorrow.”
He watched her leave the room, and didn’t move until he heard the elevator door ding. It was like it released him back into the realm of the living.
God. Why did she have such a hold on him? He ran his hands over his face and through his hair. He really needed that drink. He grabbed everything he needed, storing it in the relevant places, and then headed for the club, copious amounts of beer calling his name.
****
“S o, how’s she working out?” Drew asked, but his attention was elsewhere, his eyes flicking around the club like he was looking for something. Or someone.
He knew the feeling.
The club was quiet, just how he liked it, with only a few people at the bar and a few tables. One guy even looked like he was working, typing away on his laptop.
“Fine. Yeah, fine I guess.”
Drew moved his attention back to him. He raised a brow.
“You guess?” Then he seemed to brighten up. “If you want, you can always talk to Alana. She might have a better candidate in mind?”
“No, no,” he said hurriedly, before taking a few gulps of his beer.
“Okay,” Drew said, frowning.
“Sorry, mate, she’s working out well. Alana did a great job. I’m grateful to her for finding Ruby.”
He was, that much was true.
Drew smiled down at his own beer, tilting it precariously. “Yeah, she’s the best.” He cleared his throat. “The best at what she does.”
He gave him a non-committal noise before standing.
“Going so soon?”
“Yeah, there’s a football match playing, don’t want to miss it,” he lied. He just wanted to get home, have an early night.
Drew nodded.
“Coming? My driver can take you home.”
Drew waved him off. “Nah, I think I’ll stay here for a while. Maybe some of the guys will be along later.”
“Enjoy,” he said, giving him a pat on the back. It was obvious Drew couldn’t give a fuck about the other guys arriving. His attention was solely on waiting for the woman who ran this establishment.
Once outside, he gulped down the cool night air like water.
How had this happened? Both of their minds held captive by two women who had absolutely no idea. It would be funny if it weren’t so tragic.