“It’s important to me to be accessible to my clients,” she whispers.
“Well …” I say as I reach into my pocket and pinch myself. I wince from the pain, going at it a little too hard.
Her eyebrows slant down, and she looks concerned by my reaction.
“I’ll let you get settled in. Feel free to come and go as you please. I will have Dorothy come get you soon to get you a security badge.”
Without another word, I walk out of the room and directly into my office, where I close the door.
This was a stupid idea. Why would I give her an office next to mine, where I will likely see her way more than is necessary?
I rub my thigh where I think I might have actually broken the skin, then sit down in my chair.
I need a drink when this day is over. Why does Walker’s sister have to be so tempting?
Chapter Six
Eva
My brand-new desk finally arrived. Getting the box up to my apartment in the elevator proved to be quite an experience. There was a lot of cursing and threatening to push the desk down the stairs.
At the moment, it’s resting just outside my door.
I couldn’t move it another inch. I think I need a week before I have enough strength to move it into my spare room, which will be my home office.
I’m sitting on my couch after a long day of work. Roman takes it out of me. I find myself on high alert when he is around, trying to understand whether he hates me or is just a grump all the time.
I’m so grateful that he offered me my own office at his company. It will be helpful to be there on some of the days where I will need his opinions to make final selections.
But the idea of working so close to him stresses me out. Not just because of his demeanor, but because my stubborn body seems to think every move the man makes is sexually charged. Even just watching him rub his chin when he thinks drawsmy attention in ways that are highly inappropriate for a work setting.
My phone chimes next to me.
I’m upstairs, hanging at Roman’s. Come say hi.
Butterflies take over in my stomach at the thought of going to Roman’s penthouse. It’s his personal space. The idea of being there feels too intimate to someone who seems so closed off to me.
I’m just relaxing on the couch. Maybe another time.
That’s exactly what we’re doing. Just come relax on a couch with your favorite person in the world.
Why don’t you come down here?
Stop being weird. All of my buddies are here. You haven’t met them yet. Get your ass up here, or I’ll send one of them to force you.
Ugh … FINE!
He is such a spoiled brat. Taking no for an answer is virtually impossible for him. I guess that’s why he makes a good lawyer.
I stand up and look down at my clothes. I’m wearing cream-colored sweatpants and a long-sleeved white cotton shirt. My hair is thrown up in a gold claw clip. It seems kind of ridiculous to get changed to go do the same thing upstairs.
Changing my outfit would be for the benefit of one person. I’m not letting myself go there. I don’t care what he thinks. I’m sure he only dates models who sleep in silk and eat lettuce like rabbits.
I grab my glass of wine and slip on my cozy slippers, then head for the elevator. I ride the elevator up the one floor to the penthouse. Once I’m outside his door, I take a deep breath and knock.
Someone who isn’t Roman shouts, “Come in.”
I turn the knob and walk hesitantly into the penthouse.