I rode the elevator up, wiping my sweaty hands on my running tights in hopes they’d stop. As I stared at my image in the reflective steel door, I scolded myself for not changing before I’d arrived. I could already hear Rich yelling at me that this was his place of business and I had to look proper when Ishowedmyself.
Instead of pushing the button for the ground floor so I could leave, I stepped off the elevator when it dinged and opened onto Rich’s floor. As the doors opened, I was immediately greeted by his receptionist who sat behind a gigantic wood desk with a waterfall encased in glass behind her with the words: Jones Investments etched in the glass.
Rich’s office was extremely modern with luxurious furniture in the waiting room. If I were a potential client, I’d be scared to sit on the white couch or chair in fear of getting something on them. Instead, I’d stand, looking at the abstract paintings on the walls and the fresh flowers that sat in a glass vase on the oval, glass table in front of the sofa.
“Mrs. Jones … Ric—Mr. Jones didn’t tell me you’d be stopping by. Can I get you something to drink?”
I smiled at Trina. “No, I’m okay. Is he with someone?” I motioned to his office that was at the end of the hall.
“No. Let me tell him you’re here.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
I waited as Trina buzzed Rich, telling him I was in the reception area for him. I had a half a mind to walk back and enter his office, but once again, I didn’t want to press my luck too much.
“Autumn,” Rich called from behind me. I turned, taking my eyes off of a painting of abstract colors that reminded me of the night he proposed. “What are you doing here?”
I studied him as he approached. He didn’t look mad, but we were also in front of his employee. “I just left the gym and thought maybe you could take an early lunch?”
He glanced over to Trina, then stepped forward and kissed me on the cheek. “Sure, but we have to make it quick. I have a meeting with Remo in thirty minutes.”
“Oh. Why don’t we wait for him and we can go together? I’d love to meet him finally. It’s been three years and I still haven’t met most of your staff.” I plastered a fake smile on my face, trying to hide my true motive for coming.
“You’ll get to meet all of them at my party, princess.”
“Right. I forgot we invited all of them. Well, let’s go. I missed you last night since we didn’t have dinner together.”
I wished I could hang around. If things were done illegally, I’d bet money not all of his employees would be at his party since we also invited a lot of the police department.
“After you.” He gestured for me to step up toward the elevator. I pushed the down button and it opened. “I’ll be back in thirty. Tell Remo to wait in my office,” he said to Trina.
“No problem, Bab—Mr. Jones.” She caught herself again, this time her face turning beet red.
Why in the fuck would Trina think she couldn’t call Rich by his first name in front of me?
As the doors started to shut on the elevator, I watched Rich and Trina make eye contact briefly before Rich turned to me. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today, princess or I’d take you over my knee for wearing gym clothes to my work.”
“Sorry. I just wanted to surprise you. I missed you,” I lied.
“I shouldn’t take a lunch this early, especially since I just got here about an hour ago.”
I’d forgotten that Rich went to sleep once he got home this morning from his “all-nighter”. “I forgot. Why are you here already?” I asked as the doors opened on the ground floor.
He gestured for me to exit before him. “Remo and I have a meeting with a client in thirty minutes.”
“Couldn’t you have rescheduled?”
He laughed. “I’m not in the business of rescheduling, princess. People won’t know I’m serious about wanting my money back if I reschedule to sleep.” He pressed the unlock button on his fob and we both slid into his Mercedes.
“What does Remo do to get them to pay exactly?” I asked as I buckled my seatbelt and looked over at him.
“Let’s just say that once you meet him, you won’t fear me anymore.” He started the engine and began to pull out of the parking space.
I sucked in a breath. “You plan to have him start hurting me?”
He laughed. “No, princess. I’m just saying I look like a Ken doll next to him. You won’t even see my muscles if I stand next to him.”
“You can still hurt me,” I murmured under my breath.
