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***
Thankfully, as we drove into London together that morning, Sig spared me any ridicule, not mentioning anything about me walking in on him. In fact, he was quiet almost the entire way. And I chose to leave well enough alone, enjoying the scenic view.
Once we got to work, I realized this wasn’t going to be any ordinary training day. Sig followed me to my side of the office. “You’re coming with me?” I asked.
He scowled. “HR notified me that Art is out again for the next several days. He has an ongoing personal issue he’s been dealing with. As I mentioned before, Alistair isn’t experienced enough to continue training you. So I’ll be the one working with you today.”
Tension built at the back of my neck. “Alistair seems experienced to me.”
“He’s experienced, alright. Just not in the right areas.”
As Alistair approached my cubicle, I could see the moment he noticed Sig sitting next to me. I nervously turned on the computer.
“Everything alright?” Alistair asked. “You’re not normally on this side of the building, boss.”
“Someone has to train her with Art being out.”
Alistair looked between Sig and me. “We did just fine that first day, didn’t we, Abby? I’ve got it covered.”
Sig stood, the look in his eyes almost murderous. “Come with me for a minute, Alistair.”
I watched as they walked away, disappearing into a conference room. About five minutes later they emerged, and Alistair turned the other direction, rather than return to my cube.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“Yep. Everything’s fine.” Sig sat next to me. “Open the database and navigate to the contact screen, please.”
Alrighty, then.
For the next couple of hours, Sig sat with me, teaching me more about the ins and outs of their office database, which I’d be able to access via virtual private network on the days I worked remotely. As awkward as the start of our morning had been, I didn’t exactly mind the smell of spicy masculinity as he leaned over me to type on my computer. Enjoying his nearness would have to be my little secret, but after what I’d walked in on this morning in the bathroom, it was hard not to let my mind fall right into the gutter. Now all I noticed was his physical presence—his big hands and long fingers as they pointed to the screen, that wrist tattoo that peeked out of his sleeve, the way a piece of black hair would occasionally fall over his forehead, the heat as his muscular thigh brushed against mine.
At one point, a woman approached us. “Sigmund, did you forget about the meeting at noon with Royer Investments?”
“Shit.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Yes, I did. Thank you, Maxine. I’ll be over there in five.”
I rolled my seat away from the desk. “I messed up your day.”
“It’s my own fault.” He stood. “You’re good for a while anyway. Why don’t you take lunch, and we can reconvene after my meeting. It should only take about an hour.”
“Okay.” I watched as he headed down the hall toward the elevators.
After a quick stop in the restroom, I took the elevator down and walked a block to the sandwich place I’d been frequenting. I ordered a pastrami on rye and an apple juice and took my lunch back to the office.
I went to the employee kitchen on my floor and took a seat at a small round table. At first I was alone, but a few minutes later, a couple of the administrative assistants walked in. While they smiled over at me, they didn’t talk to me or ask me to join them.
Then Alistair entered the kitchen. He carried a paper bag that looked like it was from the same place I’d gone to. “Anyone sitting here?” he asked as he approached my table.
“No.” I wiped the corner of my mouth. “Feel free to join me.”
“Cool,” he said as he took a seat. “Can I ask you something? You don’t have to answer, if you don’t want to.”
“Sure.” I took a long drink of my apple juice.
“Is there something going on between you and Benedictus?”
I nearly choked. “Why are you asking me that?”
“Because he seemedveryadamant about me not training you, but also made it clear that I should, in his words, ‘Stay the fuck away from you entirely’.”
