Chapter 25
Blood is red. Shadows are blue. I wish you would see me like I see you.
A shiver runs down my spine as I read the words again, wondering if this is some sort of prank.
“Hey.” Emerson’s expression changes instantly. “Are you okay?”
“A single fuchsia rose was left on my desk when I came in from lunch with this note attached to it,” I explain, feeling the chicken wrap I ate for lunch churn uncomfortably in my stomach.
She comes around behind my desk, looking over the flower and the note. “That’s the same color rose we have in the foyer arrangements this week.”
“That’s weird. Do you think someone’s taken it from the foyer, then come in here to leave it on my desk with this creepy note?”
“Maybe? That note is really creepy. Who do you think it’s from?”
“I don’t know.” She takes it from my shaky hand.
“Let me do some investigating, see what I can find out.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m sure it’s just a prank. Paisley’s probably just messing with you. Maybe it’s a slow week or something at the florist.” She shrugs, but I already know that’s just the first excuse she can come up with. She doesn’t believe that’s whats going on here, just as much as I don’t. I can see the worry in her eyes.
“Did you need me for something?”
“There are a couple of new wedding inquires I can forward to you for later in the year.”
“Okay, thanks.” I take a seat at my desk, staring at my computer screen. This week has been weird, and the more I think about it all, the more uncomfortable I feel. First the date with Mason, then all the sneaking around with Brody. And his reaction yesterday when he found me talking to Mason. It was a lot. I have gone from dateless and single to having guys flexing their dicks to claim ownership over me. And what is this letter? Another disgruntled employee that I’m expected to have noticed?
“Don’t worry about this, Gisele. It’s nothing, I’m sure of it.” Em pats my shoulder before leaving me to overthink it.
“Okay,” I agree with her, but I am worried. Why would someone leave a note like that? Has it got something to do with the article printed about me, or is it Mason after what happened yesterday? Nah, he wouldn’t bother. Paisley says he has loads of girls chasing him, he wouldn’t still be interested in me. Besides, I haven’t heard from him again since yesterday. If he wanted to, he has my number, he could just call me. The last thing that enters my mind is Brody. I don’t want him to know about this. If he finds out, he will overreact again. Maybe that’s what someone wants. Maybe someone saw us yesterday, and this is to force him to come clean and tell them all we’re seeing each other. It’s a long shot, but it could be the case. Victor would be my bet. This type of creepy is right up his alley.
I open my screen and start looking over the emails Emerson sent me. There are three new wedding inquiries that need addressing. I go to check the calendar and jump when I notice Brody standing in my office doorway. I wasn’t expecting to see anyone, and after that message, I’m on edge. He’s leaning into the doorframe casually like he has been there awhile waiting for me to notice him.
“Did you need something?” I ask abruptly. I’m still pissed at him for walking away from me yesterday. He’s on my shit list now, not even bothering to call or message me last night, like he had been constantly all week. And I wasn’t going to make the first move. He deserved a little silent treatment. Part of me thought that might have been it, that he had decided it was all too hard, but seeing him in the doorway now and the remorseful expression on his face, I know its not.
He lets himself into my office, glancing down the hall before he closes the door. “I wanted to apologize for yesterday.” He hands me a small paper bag.
I glance inside to find a slice of pie.
“It’s the best blueberry pie in the world,” he says like that should make his gift make more sense.
I can’t help but inhale its sugary-sweet, fruity scent. “I’m sure it is.” I place it on my desk and continue to check over the details of the new inquiry. I’m not letting him off the hook so easily. His behavior yesterday was appalling.
“I don’t get a thank-you?” he grumbles.
I glare up at him with a look that says, are you kidding me? He really has no idea at all when it comes to women.
He comes around to where I’m sitting and takes my hand. “I know I messed up, Gigi, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I just saw you standing there talking to him, and I couldn’t see straight anymore. I warned you on the weekend I have issues.”
I sigh heavily. “I know, Brody, but if we’re going to do this, you need to have a little faith in me and know that I will never do anything to hurt you. If I tell you I’m yours, I am. You are the only one I see. I was in the middle of turning him down. And you made us both look like fools, not to mention probably started new whispers around these halls.”
His guilty eyes meet mine. “I know. And I know I need to be more careful, especially around Victor.”
Victor—the name sends a chill down my spine after receiving that note. I’m sure it’s him messing with me to get to Brody. “I don’t want your family to lose this place because of me, Brody.”
He pulls me up into his arms, kissing me softly. “We won’t. We just need to be more careful from now on.” His face grows more serious. “Did I hurt you?” He looks me over cautiously.
“I can take your angry fucking. It’s when you shut me out that hurts me. I want to be here for you and understand what you’re going through. We’re in this together now.”
He kisses me again. “Alright then, from now on I will try to communicate better.”
“Right now, you better get out of here before someone walks in on you kissing me.”
“Or I could lock the door and spread you out over your desk.” He smirks, a playful glint in his eyes. Has he forgotten already his promise to be more careful?
“I’m probably still dripping your cum from last time you decided to fuck me at work. You need to get out of here before you get me into trouble with your sister for slacking off.” And she just might walk in; she’s around to help me with tonight’s wedding since it’s such a big one.
His hand slides under my skirt, and I suck in a breath. This man is killing me. He’s going to get us both caught. “Brody,” I warn him more seriously.
He kisses my neck as he slips a finger inside me.
He leans me into my desk. “Gisele.” He growls my name as he sinks a second finger inside me. “We can be quick. It’s been a whole day since I saw you last. I’m going out of my mind.”
“I have work to do,” I whisper. My hips rock toward him, not able to help it. I want him again, there is no denying it.
“So do I. My job for this afternoon is you. And since I’m your boss, yours is to take my cock like a good girl.” His lips come to my ear, and he sucks the lobe, sending a shiver over my skin. “Bend over your desk so I can fill you with some more of my cum.”
I let out a whimper, not able to think straight anymore. My face is heating up from his dirty words, my body tingling all over from the anticipation of what’s to come. As I go to move, a knock sounds at my door. My eyes go wide. “Fuck,” I whisper.
Brody slips his fingers from me.
“I want that paperwork on my desk by five, do you understand, Miss Kelley?” he says loud enough that whoever is on the other side of the door knows he’s in here with me.
I quickly fix my skirt and take a seat at my desk. “Yes, I understand, Mr. Alexander.”
The knock comes again. Brody slips his fingers in his mouth and licks them clean.
My pussy clenches. Oh my God, this man is killing me. My heart hammers in my chest. How is he not freaking out that we’re about to get caught? Because I am. “Who is it?” I call, trying to act casual, like I wasn’t just on the verge of an orgasm.
The door pops open and in walks Victor. He looks Brody over when he registers that he’s in here with me. “Sorry, didn’t realize you were in a meeting with Mr. Alexander. It wasn’t on your calendar.”
The way Victor looks at him, I know he’s not dumb. He’s wising up to us, I’m sure of it. It makes me think it’s even more likely the note was him trying to cause trouble. At least it rules out some creepy stalker.
“I was just leaving. I’m surprised to see you here on a Saturday,” Brody growls out before walking to the door, where he turns and looks back, watching us. I want to shoo him away. Why is he lingering?
“Now, I wanted to check in on your preparations for Wednesday’s corporate retreat. Are we all ready?”
I plaster on my best fake smile, trying to play this cool. “Yes, I have all the guest speakers confirmed, and I have sent out the itinerary to all the invited guests, and Elliot has just emailed confirming the menu. It’s going to be a superb event.”
He smiles at me, his mustache twitching. Is he wondering where the rose he planted has gone? Or is he trying to work out why I’m not freaking out? I cant work this man out. All I know is he’s dodgy. “Wonderful. This is the first of its kind, but I think Mr. Alexander can agree, if we can make this work, it will be a very lucrative addition to our corporate events portfolio.” He returns his attention to Brody still lingering in the doorway.
“That it will. I assume this was your idea, Victor?” Brody quizzes him. I can see their relationship is strained.
“This was all the doing of the very talented lady sitting across from me. But I’m sure you are already familiar with her skill set. That’s why you employed her to work under you, isn’t it?”
Oh, damn, he knows for sure. I keep smiling, not sure what else to do. The tension in the room is now super awkward.
Brody’s lips twitch into a smile. “We are all very lucky to have Miss Kelley’s talents on our team. It’s ideas like this that will make sure we have a profitable quarter.”
I can feel that was a dig at Victor somehow, but I have no idea what is actually going on.
“And I hope we do,” Victor agrees.
Brody goes to walk away and then turns back like he has just thought of something else. “Oh, Victor, thought you might like to know we have a new head of security starting tomorrow.”
“Perfect, Mr. Alexander. You can never be too careful,” he agrees, all cheery about it, but I can see by the way his eye twitches that he’s not happy at all. The idea makes him really uncomfortable.
“No, we can’t.” Brody eyes him as he walks away. I wonder what exactly that was all about. We already have Jim and the other boys; why would we need a new head of security? But I can’t say I’m as disappointed as Victor. After walking in here to that creepy note, I wouldn’t mind some extra precautions taken. Especially when I’m here late at night with the weddings.
“Did you want to take a seat so we can go over the details?” I ask Victor who is still watching Brody with a smile that looks more like a scowl. I decide the rose was definitely planted by him. He’s out for Brody; he was trying to catch him out or something. Either way, I don’t appreciate been treated as bait in their fight.
“Yes, of course.” He slides into the seat opposite me.
We go over the details of Wednesday’s event, and I’m pleased to find that Victor is very responsive to my suggestions. “Will you be joining me on Wednesday in the conference room?” I ask, hoping to God he won’t. The last thing I need is him micromanaging me.
“No, dear. I have a lunch with Lana.”
A relieved smile spreads across my face. “Oh, is that your wife? Sorry, I didn’t realize you were married,” I feign ignorance. I want to know what the deal is with this guy. Why would he be having lunches with Brody’s stepmom? It’s just plain weird.
“No, Lana is the late Mr. Alexander’s wife. She’s very lonely since his passing and needs a friend to help her through.”
I place a hand on my chest. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize. I’m still trying to learn who everyone is around here. Aren’t you just a sweetheart for looking after her in her time of need? You really must have been such a good friend to the late Mr. Alexander.”
He nods solemnly. “I worked for him for thirty-seven years; we became very close in that time.” I can see he is reliving their time together. They were close, and I’m sure he’s resistant to all the changes Brody’s implementing. Maybe that’s why they hate each other so much.
“What a lucky man to have such a wonderful friend in his corner.” I smile sweetly.
He grins back at me. “You really are a breath of fresh air around here, aren’t you?”
“I’m not sure why people say that.” I laugh lightheartedly. I sit forward in my chair, glancing down the hallway before I talk. “Victor, can I trust you?”
“Of course you can, dear. Is something wrong?”
I fiddle with my hands, trying to decide whether or not to mention the rose, but I want to know if he did it. “I’m not sure. Everyone has been so nice to me since starting here, but I’m a little creeped out.”
“Why, dear, what’s got you so worked up?”
I watch for his reaction, my eyes meeting his. “When I came back in here from lunch there was a rose with a note.”
He raises a brow, giving nothing away. “A secret admirer?”
“I don’t think so? The note wasn’t very nice.”
His eye does that twitching thing again. “A stalker?”
“I hope not. It kind of freaked me out, though. I’m glad you and Mr. Alexander put security as a top priority, because I would hate to feel unsafe in my workplace.”
His hand comes to mine. “No one should ever feel unsafe while at work. I will personally see that no one comes in your office that’s not supposed to be here. We need to look after you, dear. I want you to stick around with all these wonderful profitable ideas you come up with. Youre such an asset to this business.”
“Thank you, Victor, your support means a lot to me.”
Apparently, I can still put my acting classes to good use. I’m not sure if he did it or not, but he knows something. I can see by the guilty look in his eyes.