There she is.
Maddie stands in the hallway speaking to a staff member who I don’t give more than a passing glance. All my attention is focused on her.
She’s in a cream-colored dress with black detailing. It looks soft from a distance and tempts me to hold her in my arms,breathe the fragrance from the slender slope of her neck and run my fingers through her bouncy brown hair.
I imagined I’d wake up with regrets today. Being vulnerable has never been my strong suit. I keep everyone at arm’s length. That way, I feel most in control.
Last night, I gave in to the need to be looked after for once. And damn, it felt good. I woke up more rested than I’ve been in… forever.
And it’s because of Maddie.
She’s still engrossed in her conversation, her face tilted up. An occasional smile plays across her animated features. I feel an answering smile tick my lips. She draws it from me even without trying.
I’m glued to the spot, watching her, unable to tear my eyes away.
“Mr. Easton?” a voice draws my attention.
I glance sideways, then back up.
Maddie’s gaze snags on mine. She looks away quickly and rushes off.
A frown pulls my lips down. Where is she off to?
Pulling my gaze away from her, I focus on the person who spoke to me in the first place.
Once that’s over, I attend to other duties.
It’s late afternoon again when I catch a break and go in search of her.
This is the first day since she started here that I have hardly seen her. And I’m not alright.
I was seconds from quitting the meeting early. It took all my willpower to push aside the feeling and sit through it.
Glad to be done now, I march the hallways, seeking her out. I do a mental calculation and cross into the hallway leading to the conference rooms. Julia once mentioned she’d set Maddie up there. I’ve never had to find her, until now.
I slip by a room and spy through the mottled glass a shoulder-length hair bowed over a laptop.
I trap the relieved sigh in my chest and push the door open. Maddie’s not alone. Two other staff members glance up from their work as she does. They fall over themselves with greetings and I only nod in their direction, my eyes on her.
She wouldn’t look at me.
“Maddie?”
Her gaze lifts to mine. “Yes, sir. Is there something I can do for you?”
The fuck?Why does she sound so professional?
I can’t remember a time when she has spoken to me this way. Is it because we have company?
“Excuse us.”
The other two exit the room and then we are alone.
“You can drop the act now.” I stick my hands in my pockets.
Maddie frowns. “The act?”
“You know.” I huff a breath. “Acting like you’re the most professional PA in the world.”
