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Leo grunted, but I swore there was a ghost of a smile peeking through his beard.
Nic turned to me. “Hi, Addy, you getting settled in?”
“I sure am, thanks.”
“Great, I’ll be ready to go at nine if you are?”
We were going office furniture shopping. I couldn’t wait. First to go would be the two reception waiting chairs looking like they’d been pulled out of someone’s basement closet. If I had my way, they’d soon be replaced with plush, truly comfortable chairs. Next on the chopping block were the desk chairs and conference room furniture. We were also planning to get some kitchen supplies so the employees could have coffee and tea. I’d been excited by Dominic’s enthusiasm for my ideas.
Pulling out my list, I was unprepared for Leo’s tone.
“Where the hell are you two going?”
ChapterSix
LEO
Ihadn’t meant to ask the question, let alone make it sound as if I was jealous.
Luckily, aside from a raised brow, my brother didn’t call me on it. “We’re shopping for office supplies. Need anything?”
Yeah, I needed to get out of here. “No, I have a meeting.”
I didn’t make eye contact with my new office manager again, but I did have to shake my head at myself once I walked into the locker room.
Addison was on my mind far too often. Although it was tempting to see if the attraction might be mutual, it would never work. Not only was her personality like nails on a chalkboard for someone like me, but she was much too young. And she worked for me. And she annoyed me.
One of my security supervisors was in the locker room. He gave me a chin nod and went back to his business. See, if all humans could communicate this way, it would be easy.
But even I had to admit that since coming home from my last tour of duty two years ago, I’d retreated further into myself than usual. I didn’t talk about my last tour and the men I’d lost. Not to anyone. But the nightmares were a daily reminder of the painful memories which lingered just below the surface.
Some people deserved good things to happen to them. I wasn’t one of them.
Slamming my locker door harder than necessary, I cursed under my breath. It was bad enough these thoughts occupied my nights; I certainly didn’t need them permeating my days. I’d made peace with the fact I wasn’t cohabitating material. Didn’t need to dwell on it.
Two weeks later, I congratulated myself on having successfully avoided running into Addison. I’d come into the office earlier than her each day and used the back door when I needed to leave the building. But I couldn’t help checking on her at least once a day to ensure she was at her desk. At least that’s what I told myself when I brought up the camera and focused on the reception area.
Imagine my surprise on that Friday to see three of my guys on the screen which showed Addison’s desk, chatting with her and a strange blond woman. This type of distraction was exactly what I didn’t need here. And since Dominic was in San Diego this week, I had no choice but to deal with it myself.
When I came out of the security door, the three men, Craig, Brad, and Kenny, all looked contrite at getting caught flirting instead of working.
Craig turned toward the leggy blonde. “Nice to meet you, Malorie. Hopefully we’ll see you again soon.”
All three men left quickly to get back to work.
The blond woman appeared as if she was on her way to a fashion show rather than looking for a security company. Her lips curved up into a smile as she focused on me. “Hello there.”
My gaze landed on Addison, and I watched her face turn red. “Is she a client?”
“No, Malorie is my cousin. She just dropped by. Unexpectedly.”
“Want to see me out to my car, handsome?” Malorie cajoled.
Not even a little bit. I knew her type and wanted nothing to do with it. “I’m sure you can see your own way out.”
Her smile fell at the dismissal, and anger flashed in her eyes.
And because I needed to make myself clear, I added, “I expect for personal visits to be made on personal time and on personal property.”
