His entire body deflated. “You’re busy, after all?”
I couldn’t exactly lie after I’d told him I had no plans, but I didn’t know what else to say. Lying had never come easy to me, and I’d used up what little talent I had lying to the cops on Gil’s behalf. And besides, I didn’t want to fib to a new colleague who I might end up working with for a long time. “I can’t go out with you because...”
I don’t want to date work friends.
I don’t mix business and pleasure.
I’m...eh...a lesbian.
Good one, O.
“She’s in a relationship with me. That’s why.”
My head shot up at the chilly, commanding voice as Hamish spun around.
I blinked, not believing who stood in my cubicle.
My heart instantly sat up and glowed. Gratefulness that he’d sought me out after our fight. Insane relief that it wasn’t truly over, no matter the fierce words we’d thrown at each other two nights ago.
I’d done my best not to contact him. I’d forced myself to give him space.
It worked.
Hamish scowled, looking Gil up and down. “You’re her boyfriend?”
Gil stood tall and impenetrable, hands balled by his sides, hair cascading over his forehead. His black T-shirt and tan jacket held no paint, mud, or blood for once, and his jeans were semi-presentable. His boots, on the other hand, were a colourful, dirty mess.
Gil looked at me, then back at Hamish, his jaw working hard as if chewing his lies, doing his best to make them sound believable. “Yes. Since high-school. She’s the love of my life.”
My chest ached at the way his voice gruffed with honesty, even while masquerading as falsehoods.
Hamish looked at me. “You didn’t say you were with someone.”
To be fair, I’d only worked here a few days. And I wasn’t the type of person to share such personal details with strangers. I smoothed my minor annoyance away, saying kindly, “I’m rather private about stuff outside of work.”
“Which is why she kept me a secret.” Gil strode forward, broaching the smallness of my cubicle and placing a possessive hand on my shoulder.
My skin instantly conducted electricity, sprouting goosebumps as if lightning forked from Gil’s touch. I hadn’t slept in days, yet all my sleepiness vanished just having his hand on me.
My legs bunched to haul me upright. I didn’t want to be sitting while Gil towered over me, but his fingers latched into muscle, pressing me firmly down.
I shot him a dirty look as I smiled as normally as I could at Hamish. “Anyway, thanks so much for the offer. I hope you have a great weekend.”
Hoping Hamish got the clue that he was dismissed, I kept my smile pasted on my face, waiting for him to go.
He licked his lips, then looked one last time at Gil holding me prisoner before sighing and heading back to his desk. The second he was gone, I swatted Gil’s hand from me and swooped to my feet. “What on earth are you doing here?”
My whisper sounded far too loud in the suddenly quiet space. Colleagues pretended to work but kept their attention on the new girl and her uninvited beau.
“I’ll tell you back at mine.” He grabbed my wrist, tugging me with urgency and strictness. “We need to leave. Right now.”
“What, why?” I twisted my arm, dislodging him. “I can’t go anywhere with you. I’m at work, Gil. I have a commitment to—”
“Olin? Everything okay?” Shannon stretched an annoyed smile with bright pink lip gloss, her hair tied back with a matching coloured ribbon. Her shrewd gaze flew from me to Gil and back again. “You know company policy. Friends and family have to be signed in and approved by management.”
“Approved by management?” Gil coughed. “You can’t prevent me from seeing her.”
Shannon’s lips pursed. “I can if you’re disrupting other employees.”
“I’m not disrupting anyone. Olin needs to leave. I’ve come to take her—”
“I’m staying,” I whispered harshly. “I finish work in less than an hour. I’ll come to yours when I’m done.”
“I’m not going anywhere without you.” His voice darkened with warning. Looking frostily at Shannon, he added, “Don’t penalize her for this. Blame me. Blame me, but it won’t change the fact that I’m taking her.”
My mouth hung open. I rushed to do damage control. “I can’t take time off. I literally just started here. I told you, I’ll come to you when I’m finished, and not before.”
His gaze flashed, his body rippling with energy. “You’re not leaving here on your own.”
My mind tangled the past with the present. He’d always escorted me home. Always there to chaperon and guard. I’d always felt so safe in his presence, knowing he’d never let anything or anyone hurt me.
Despite Shannon watching us, a twinge of pain left over from our fight made me whisper, “You were fine letting me walk home in the dark the other night.”
His face turned to grey ash. “I know. It was the hardest and shittiest thing I’ve done in a very long time. I’m so sorry, O.”
I wasn’t expecting that, nor the sincere anguish on his face. It gave me nothing to argue against. It made me see the seriousness of his request.
Not that it’s a request.
I sighed, glancing furtively at Shannon. “Sorry about this, Shannon. I value my employment and won’t jeopardise—”
“It’s fine.” She nodded. “I’m sure there’s an explanation.”
“There is. An exceedingly simple one.” Gil raked a hand through his unruly hair. “I need Olin to come with me—”
“I’m staff, Gil.” I cut in. “I have an obligation to stay until it’s time to go home.”
Couldn’t he see he was messing up my chances for long-term employment?
I need this job!
I needed to pay my bills, so I no longer had to stare at my ceiling late at night and fear the words ‘bankruptcy’ and ‘homelessness’.
“Olin.” His big hand captured my cheek, erasing the outside world.
It was just us.
Us.
In a sea of people who no longer mattered.
His thumb caressed my cheekbone. His breath caught. And my heart answered his. My need matched his. I—
“You need to come with me.” His voice shattered the illusion of aloneness. Bringing his lips to my ear, he added, “Please, don’t argue. I don’t have the strength today.”
I pulled away, shivers still dancing over my skin. “I’m not being difficult, Gil. I truly can’t leave.” I pointed at the bank of elevators. “Go home. I’ll come by after work and we’ll talk.”
He crossed his arms, bracing himself against the many curious stares we’d invited. “Like I said before, you can’t leave this building alone.”
“What? Why?”
His jaw clenched. “He knows where you work.”
My heart tripped. The rush of adrenaline from unsuccessful kidnappings and Gil’s subsequent punishment sent worry-filled fire through my blood. “That arsehole? How the hell does he know where I work?”
“Look...I’m going to leave you guys to it.” Shannon cleared her throat. “This is obviously private. I’m sure if this is a family emergency, the company will understand if Olin leaves a little earlier than normal.”