Chapter 5
Chapter Five
MAGNOLIA
I opened the door to the office, going to my desk. Mr. Bane’s door was partially open again, and I heard voices, indicating someone was with him. I was about to sit down when the voices became louder.
“I am not discussing this with you again, Mother. I don’t have time, and frankly, I have no interest.”
“You need to listen to reason.”
“You need to listen when I say no!” Bane roared.
“You said you were going out of town. You lied to your own mother to avoid seeing me. That is horrible behavior, even for you, Alexander.” I could hear the censure in her cold voice.
“I didn’t lie…” His voice faltered, something in it causing me to spring to my feet, grab my notebook, and hurry to the outer door, opening it, then shutting it loudly. I rushed back to Mr. Bane’s door, flinging it open.
“Mr. Bane, the car is waiting for you!” I pretended to hesitate. “Oh, I apologize. I didn’t realize you had company, but if you’re going to make that flight, you need to go now.”
He stared at me, then leaned over, slamming his laptop shut. “Right. I was on my way, and I got distracted.”
“Your bag is in the car. I’ve checked you in, and if you go now, you’ll make it. I can’t call the client and tell them you’ve been delayed again. They were already upset enough. You’ll be taking them to dinner later to apologize.”
“Of course.” He grabbed his coat. “Mother, Ms. Myers will show you out. Call next time. I’m very busy.” He looked at me. “I’ll text you from the plane.”
He rushed past me without another word, but he winked as he went by, the relief on his face evident. I tried not to laugh at that or the fact that he’d added a Ms. in front of my name—no doubt to sound professional in front of his mother.
He shut the outside door loudly, his footsteps fading.
“Where is he going?”
“Vancouver.”
“For what purpose?”
I crossed my arms over my chest, holding my notebook. “Your son is in demand all over the world, Mrs. Bane?—”
She cut me off with a flick of her fingers.
“Mrs. Johnstone. I remarried.”
I flicked her right back. “Regardless, he is very sought-after.”
She narrowed her eyes. “And you are who, exactly?”
“I am Mr. Bane’s assistant. I run his office for him.”
“So, you’re the one who answers his phone now?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Why did that change?”
“New system,” I said with a smile. “Why, I’m not privy to. Above my pay grade.”
“You put me straight through when I call, do you understand me?”
“I work for Mr. Bane, not you. I will follow the protocols he sets out for me. If he is available, I will, of course, put you through. If not…” I trailed off with a shrug.
A dark flush saturated her cheeks. “Who do you think you are?”
“As I said, your son’s assistant. Your very busy son. I suggest you call before you drop by next time. Even better, you should check in with security.”
“I’ll do no such thing. I am not some common visitor off the street. I am his mother, and as such?—”
I held up my hand. “As such, you should understand how busy he is and that he can’t just drop everything for you. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get back to work. He’ll call me from the airport, and I need to be ready.” I held the door open. “Good day, Mrs. Johnstone.”
She stomped by me with a glare. She had the same color eyes as Mr. Bane, but if I thought his were cold, hers were the frozen tundra that hadn’t seen light for a decade. Everything about her was rigid. Her posture. Her way of speaking. Even walking. There was nothing motherly about her. It explained Bane to me a little bit—helped me understand why he was the way he was.
She slammed the outer door on her way out, and I sighed. I shut off the coffee warmer and pushed in his chair, making sure his desk was tidy. He’d left in a hurry, but I did notice his plate was empty, so he’d had lunch.
I wondered where he’d gone. Home? A bar? He was smart enough to know there was no car waiting for him, so perhaps he was simply using another office.
I sat down, feeling tired. It had been a day. Between tripping, the meeting, the mean girls, and now Bane’s mother, I was weary.
And I had a feeling Bane would be in touch. I wondered what he would say.
I shook my head and went back to filing. I’d know soon enough.
My phone buzzed with a text a short while later.
Is the coast clear?
I chuckled. He was being funny. I could be too.
Yes, the ice storm has passed. Where are you?
At my club. I didn’t dare go home in case she checked. She’s called four times, and I haven’t answered. I’m waiting for her to get tired.
I pursed my lips. He had a club? I didn’t know there were such things anymore. Unless…
My fingers flew before I could change my mind.
Like a sex club?
I could almost hear his teeth gnashing and see his eyes rolling.
Completely inappropriate, Myers. And no, there is a private dining club downtown I belong to. I’m sitting in the lounge, working.
Fine.
I’ll work from home tomorrow. I’ll see you on Monday.
Fine.
I realize you think you’re being coy, but I know what you’re doing.
No idea what you are referring to. See you Monday.
I waited, disappointed he didn’t return my text. And feeling oddly sad I wouldn’t see him again this week. I returned to my task, working quickly and sorting the files. The afternoon flew by as I did. I put on some quiet music while I went through papers, separating into current, past, and future files. Putting older ones in storage boxes I found in the supply closet down the hall. It was small but well stocked, although the door stuck a little. For a moment, I panicked since I didn’t like enclosed spaces, but I got it open. I made a mental note to take something to stop the door from fully closing behind me next time.
I kept busy all day Friday. I rearranged my little outer office to better suit me. I shoved the desk over a foot to cover the cord that kept tripping me. Angled it a little to make it look more welcoming. Adjusted the two visitor chairs. Called building maintenance and had them hang some framed photos I’d found in the walk-in storage area behind my desk on the empty walls. I had no doubt the pictures were of Bane’s work. They needed to be shown off, not hidden. When I sat at my desk, it gave me something nice to look at rather than the modern art print that used to hang on the wall opposite me. Once I cleaned out the desk drawers and added a desk lamp I found in the storage area, it looked nice. Part of me wanted to add a few other personal things, but I had a feeling my boss wouldn’t like that. He preferred a more minimal style. I thought the small space looked much improved.
I had a few texts from Bane. Additions to his calendar, adjusting some meetings. A request to book his upcoming travel, going, ironically, to Vancouver. Every message was straight and to the point. Nothing personal. There were no thank-yous or pleases in the messages, but I wasn’t surprised. As I was finding out, praise from him was rare, and I doubted he even thought to do so. I wondered how much of his nature came from his mother. She had called, demanding to know why her son hadn’t replied to her phone calls.
“Mrs. Johnstone,” I said with barely concealed patience. “Your son is away on a business trip. I haven’t spoken to him either. Unless it is a dire emergency, I suggest you stop calling him. The more he is interrupted, the longer he will be away.”
That stopped her, and she hung up.
By six, I was done. I looked around the outer office, pleased. I had made it through the first week, mostly unscathed and still employed. I called it a win.
And now, I had the entire weekend Bane free.
Yay.
BANE
Saturday, the sun was bright and the air warm. I decided to go for a run. I needed the release that the long, steady rhythm would give me. After dressing and stretching, I headed out, aiming for the large park not far from my condo. It covered a huge piece of land, dividing two neighborhoods. The one I lived in was filled with skyscrapers and modern buildings. Expensive shops and attractions. On the other side of the park were older houses, more family-oriented. Low-rise apartments and lots of little locally owned shops and vendors. I liked both areas. Although, the more modern area appealed to me more. But the gardens and wider streets of the older area called to my senses. At times, I wandered the streets, checking out the landscaping and lawns. The greenery. All rare in Toronto, yet so vital to the city. All greenspaces were.
My feet pounded on the pavement, the sound and cadence helping to clear my mind. Running always did that for me. I sorted my week into compartments, putting aside those things that didn’t matter and concentrating on what did. My mother’s visit was actually a godsend. Taking me out of the office and putting some distance between Myers and me had been a good thing. I was able to concentrate and work on a design that had been plaguing me because the client was constantly changing their mind. I didn’t have the distraction of her answering the phone. Wondering if her footsteps meant she would be coming into my office to tempt me with her sweet voice and soft fragrance. Tease me over something she found amusing, forcing me to be even terser with her than I should be.
She was a temptation I was finding harder to resist each day.
When she burst through my door, informing me I had to leave for my business trip and interrupting my mother’s diatribe, I could have kissed her for her ingenuity. I had lingered briefly outside the office door, listening to the way she handled my mother, shocked at her ability to do so. Then I headed downstairs, waiting in the alley for my car and driver to show up, and headed to the club. It was the safest place. My mother had no idea I belonged to the club, so she wouldn’t show up. And the best part was, even if she did, she couldn’t get past the security downstairs. It had been productive.
I went around a group of women out for a run. Or a gab session, more likely, since they were walking—not even very quickly—and they were all chatting. I heard a few low whistles as I went by, but I ignored them. I kept going, finally wiping at my brow, pausing by a small bridge to stop and take a drink of water. I glanced around, surprised not to see many people enjoying the park, then laughed when I reminded myself it was barely past nine. Another couple of hours and the place would be teeming with people. By then, I would be back in my condo, hard at work.
I began running again, slowing my pace. Around a corner, I spied a woman ahead of me, power walking. Or trying to. She wore a tank and leggings but had a heavy, patterned shirt of some kind tied around her waist. It kept getting tangled in her legs, and she would pause and adjust, then start again. I chuckled to myself. For added warmth, she’d be better with a light jacket that wasn’t so big, like the one I was wearing. She tripped again, readjusting herself, and I chuckled as she pulled off the flannel, shaking it out.
I stopped for another drink, watching her. There was something familiar about her, but I couldn’t see her face. My gaze dropped to her ass. It was rounded and perky. Quite spectacular in her tight leggings. Then she wound the flannel around her waist again and began to move. She broke into a slow jog, her ponytail swinging with the movement. Again, I felt the sensation of familiarity, but why, I was unsure. I began to run, planning to pass her and then double back and head home. I would see her profile then and perhaps know where I recognized her from.
Except, her foot caught on something, and I watched as she stumbled, falling to the grass with a hard exhale of air. I sped up, dropping to my knee next to her. I automatically reached for the ankle she was holding. “Are you all right?”
I heard a small gasp that was more than familiar.
I looked up, my gaze drifting past the full breasts, pouty lips, and perfectly fanned-out freckles to the dark eyes so well-known to me already.
“Myers?”
MAGNOLIA
I had to get out this morning. I was restless and edgy. I hadn’t gone for one of my walks in days. I was too tired when I got home at night. I looked out at the bright sunshine, deciding to go on a power walk now. I got dressed, adding the flannel jacket that used to be my dad’s. It was long and warm, far too big most of the time, but I had removed the lining and it was great when I got chilly. With the heavy tree line in places in the park, I might need it.
But as I walked, I got too warm, and I tied it around my waist. It kept slipping, making me stop, readjust, and then keep going. I had been to the other side of the park, had a coffee while sitting in the sun, and was heading home now. I wasn’t going as fast since my legs were tired. I hit a rockier part of the path, slipping on some loose gravel and going down hard on the grass.
I was shocked when a man dropped beside me, holding my foot in his hand and asking me if I was all right.
Two things hit me at once. I knew that voice. And that heady, woodsy scent. I gasped, meeting the sparkling blue eyes of my boss.
“Myers?” he asked.
Then he did something out of character for him. He grinned. Really grinned, making him more handsome and sexier than ever.
“I should have known,” he said, shaking his head. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Power walking.”
He held up a sleeve of the shirt tied around my waist. “Trying to kill yourself tripping over this is more like it.”
He leaned closer. “What on earth are you wearing? Is this… flannel ?”
“Hey, it’s Saturday. I can dress however I want.”
He studied me, his brilliant eyes glittering in the light. “So, Magnolia Myers, have I uncovered one of your secret weekend fetishes?”
“What?” I asked crossly.
“Rolling lumberjacks for their clothing.”
I pushed on his shoulder. “Go away.”
With another chuckle, he grasped my waist, hauling me to my feet. “Can you walk?”
“Of course I can walk. What are you doing in my park anyway?”
That one single eyebrow rose, meant to quiet me. But it didn’t work outside the office.
“Let me go.”
“You own the park, Myers?”
“You know what I mean. Why are you here?”
“I was running. Like I do every weekend.”
I frowned. “I power walk every weekend.”
“Cruising for lumberjacks to attack?”
I sniffed at his attempted humor. “Please go away now. Continue your run. In fact, run as fast as you can away from me. It isn’t Monday, so I shouldn’t have to see you today.”
“It’s a public park.”
I huffed out an exasperated noise. Why wasn’t he leaving?
I widened my eyes, looking over his shoulder. “Is that your mother?”
“What?”
He turned fast, letting go of my arm. I attempted to move away, crying out when my ankle protested.
He gripped my arm again. “Funny.”
“The look on your face was.”
“Your ankle is hurt.”
“I twisted it. It’ll be fine. Let me go, and I’ll head home.”
“Where is home?”
I indicated the houses near the edge of the park. “Over there, three streets back.” I shook off his hold. “See you on Monday.”
He shook his head. “Not until I see you walk.”
I rolled my eyes, not holding back. It was Saturday after all, and I was on my own time.
I pushed him away, took in a deep breath, and walked. I held in the groan of pain I felt as I put weight on the ankle, then turned to him. “See? Fine. Now, off you go.” I waved at him in dismissal. “Bye-bye.”
Taking another deep breath, I began the long, slow process of heading home. Maybe I could find a stick to help. I bit my lip to stifle the little whimper just as I was lifted into a set of strong, firm arms.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking you home,” he snapped. “You can barely walk.”
I pushed on his chest. It was akin to pushing on cement. “Put me down.”
“Shut up, Myers.”
“You can’t tell me to shut up.”
“I think I just did.”
“I’m too heavy for you to carry.”
He leaned his head back, laughing. “Whatever. Stop squirming and tell me where to go.”
“I’ll happily tell you where to go,” I responded.
Again, he chuckled. “Be nice, or I’ll drop you in the pond,” he threatened, holding me over the rail as we crossed a small footbridge.
“No!” I grasped his neck in panic.
“Then point me toward your house and be quiet. Your lumberjack-hunting is over for the day.”