Taking in a deep, calming breath I moved toward the intimidating desk with impeccably primped women behind it. I instantly felt inadequate. These women were clearly high fashioned. I felt my spine stiffen as one woman set cold blue-gray eyes of judgment on me.
I know I don't belong here, I thought to myself. Instead, I said, "I'm here to see Jace Rush."
Her eyes widened and a smirk tipped the corner of her plush lips. "You're here to see Mr. Rush?"
I know it's fucking unbelievable. I smiled sweetly. "Yes, he's expecting me."
"Are you certain?" She asked. Her hand was already on the telephone. Was she going to call him and ask permission to send me up to his office?
"I'm pretty certain." I said tiredly. This was a gong show! I was ready to turn around and run out the doors when I felt a hard warm hand on my lower back.
"Olivia," A familiar voice spoke my name and I turned around to dancing green eyes. "It's been too long."
I felt my face flush red as the memory of our last meeting came rushing to the surface. "Caleb," I stuttered before tearing my eyes away from his face to the woman behind the desk. Her eyes were wide with astonishment as she watched my interaction with Caleb.
"Mr. Cage," She said breathily. Oh, here we go again. Another man that made panties fall at the drop of a smile. Jeez…when they came they flocked! "She says she's here to see Mr. Rush."
Caleb nodded, his eyes hard as he stared at her. "She is." His tone was clipped. "I wouldn't be surprised if she soon becomes Mrs. Rush, so from now on, when she comes looking to meet with Jace send her right up." I felt my mouth drop and I swore it hit the floor.
"Oh," she spluttered. "Of course," She settled eyes on me that were of a new light. I could have sworn I saw…resentment and possibly respect. I didn't know how the two emotions went hand in hand, but I wasn't in the right state of mind to ponder.
Had Caleb just said he thought I would soon be Mrs. Jace Rush? He had to be shitting me!
Caleb continued. Apparently he was on a roll. "Actually, just make her a company ID. I'll sign for it right now."
"Certainly," her words were breathless as she opened a drawer and pulled out a paper. She quickly set it on the counter with a pen and Caleb scrawled his signature on the line. "You'll need your picture taken."
My eyes shot to the girls. "Right now?"
She nodded, eyeing me uncertainly. I was fully aware I was pale and probably looked ill. But Caleb had just hit me with a brick! I was still trying to recover.
"Yes, right now." She sighed. "I'll need to make you a card before you leave."
"Oh," I tried to shake myself back to the here and now, but all I could hear was the same sentence rolling around in my mind. Mrs. Rush. Mrs. Rush. Mrs. Rush. Holy shit! "How long will it take?"
She frowned. "It'll only take a half hour." She leaned into the counter. "Are you going to be all right?"
Upon her question, Caleb's eyes darted to my face. I could see him frown from the corner of my eyes, but I couldn't seem to pull myself together. Damn it!
I plastered a smile on my face but it did nothing to color my pale skin. "Of course. I'm just tired."
She nodded as though that made sense. "Well, just fill out the information here," she pointed to the paper. "And I'll get started making your card."
I did just that. I filled out my name, address, phone number and birthdate. I couldn't believe all the information that was needed for this, but I didn't it none-the-less. It didn't surprise me. My control freak obviously exercised his ridiculousness in every aspect of his life. The thought was comforting. At least it wasn't only me who tempted the beast from its lair.
I pushed the paper forward. "All done."
"Great," She beamed a plastered smile. "Let's get your picture taken." She led me around the desk to a hidden seat with a camera pointing toward it and I sat. She leaned into the frame and snapped it without warning. I scowled and she stood. "I'll deliver it personally."
"Thanks." I muttered as I stood and walked back toward Caleb.
"You'll be with Jace?"
I nodded. "I think so."
Caleb chuckled at my discomfort. "She'll either be in Jace's office or she'll be in mine."
I knew what she was thinking the moment Caleb said the words. What a whore. She thought I was sharing my goodies with both men! I could see it on her face and I felt as though I was about to toss my cookies all over her. Jeez, I needed to lie down. All this nervous stimulation was taking its toll. And the fact I'd been fucked senseless the past two days was a huge contributing factor.