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As I hurry toward the door, Lisa runs up beside me, “Oh, and I forgot to mention, he’s drop-dead gorgeous.”
“What?” This stops me in my tracks. “Not some old geezer?”
“Not this time.” She leans in, grinning, “I could’ve sworn it was Henry Cavill from Superman walking in. I’m talking seriously hot.”
I frown. “Oh good grief, what’s his name?”
She shrugs. “He wouldn’t say, but you should probably get in there.” She points to the clock.
“All right,” I say, smoothing my suit jacket down into place. “Let’s get this over with.” I proceed forward, opening my office door, and entering the room.
Doyle’s boss stands at the windows with his back to me. He’s tall, just over six feet, his shoulders are broad, and his waist is tapered in an expensive tailored suit, custom designed for his body. He wears his dark brown hair a little long for typical business standards, but he wears it well. Really well.
“You’re late, Ms. Bradly,” he says in a stern voice that rumbles through me, snapping me to attention. “Don’t let it happen again.”
The rebuke feels like a slap. “I’m sorry, the traffic was awful, and then the elevator was down. It won’t happen again.”
“I hope you run your business better than you manage your time,” he says, keeping his back to me like some pretentious little shit. There’s something familiar about his voice, but I can’t quite place it.
I move forward and place my handbag in my desk drawer. “Can I get you some coffee or something else to drink?”
“My time is precious, Ms. Bradly,” he says, finally turning toward me. “You’ve already wasted enough of it.”
How many different ways does this guy want me to apologize? Why’s he being such a dick about it?
As my gaze raises to his face, the first thing that I notice are those mesmerizing green eyes that had always held me entranced. My blood runs cold and my heart thuds wildly in my chest. I take in his whole face. It’s the more mature version of the face I adored all those years ago. Lisa was right. As a boy he’d been cute, but as a man, he is absolutely stunning.
But what the hell is Rhence Dalton doing here in my office? There’s no way he’s involved in the acquisition of my company.
My hands tremble as I grab the back of my chair for support. “Rhence?”
He holds my gaze unwavering, almost accusatory. “That’s right, Rachel, it’s me.”
My knees nearly buckle as a decade’s worth of emotions bubbles to the surface. Enormous joy makes a valiant effort, but it’s my burning anger that finally wins out.
“Whatin the hell are you doing here?” I ask.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m saving your sad little company from bankruptcy.” He smirks, and it infuriates me.
“You?” I say so incredulously, the color rises in his face. “How? Where the hell have you been?”
His green eyes narrow at me. “I’ve been off making my way in the tech industry.” He sneers. “What? Did you think I’d simply roll up and die without you?”
I frown as I try to process it all. “You’re the owner of Horizon Inc., parent company of Calloway Industries? I don’t understand any of this.”
His mouth sets in a firm line as he peers down at me. “Whether you understand or not is of no consequence to me. All you need to know is that I’m your new boss. You report to me.”
I’m taken aback by his acrimonious tone. Why is he acting as if he’s the offended party in all of this? As if I’d been the one to run out on him. Before I say anything further, I hurry over to my PC and tap at the keys. I have to verify that this isn’t some sort of colossal joke being played on me.
As I wait for it to boot up, Rhence sighs heavily with arms crossed over his chest. I glance up at him as I hover over my computer. “I’ll just be a minute, chill.”
“Look, Rachel. I run a tight ship, which is why my business is prospering while yours is in the shitter. I call the shots, I make the rules. It’s your job to do as you’re told. Otherwise,” he points at the door, “you know the way out.”
I fix him with an ice-cold stare. How dare he treat me so contemptuously after abandoning me the way he did? “What the hell is your problem? Is that the way you speak to all your employees?”
“I’m going to chalk this churlish little outburst of yours to the shock of seeing me for the first time,” he answers tersely and takes an intimidating step forward. “But if youeverspeak to me that way again, I will have you written up for insubordination, and you’ll be out on your ear.”
Before I can respond, my computer comes alive. I bring up Horizon Inc.’s website and find the senior executives profiles page. Sure enough, there is Rhence Dalton in all his glory. Only there he goes under his given name, Francis L. Dalton. I’ve always called him Rhence, which is short for Lawrence.
