Liam sighed. Seriously?
There was movement in the doorway and Penn appeared. Today, she was wearing wide-legged black pants, and a red top with a tie at the neck. Her pale-blonde hair was up in a bun.
She eyed Geneva and her lips twitched. She looked like she was trying not to laugh.
“Good morning, Mr. Kensington,” Penn said.
Geneva pulled her coat closed, turned and stuck out a hip. It was a pose he’d seen her use on the catwalk.
“Go away.” Geneva waved a hand at Penn.
Penn raised a brow. “Sorry, I work for him, not you.”
Liam rose. “Do not move, Penn.”
“You’d prefer to spend time with this.” Geneva waved a hand at Penn again.
Penn gave a mock wince and slapped a hand to her chest. “Oh no, my self-esteem is shattered.” The sarcasm came through loud and thick.
The model made an annoyed sound.
“Look, lady,” Penn said. “Like I said, I work for him, and we have a meeting. You really want to be gone before Eleanor arrives, because she’ll eviscerate you.”
Geneva sniffed and her gaze met Liam’s. “You’re turning me down?”
Liam put his hands in his pockets. “It’s why I didn’t call.”
He saw a flicker of disappointment followed by a dose of embarrassment, and it made him realize how young she was.
“You’re a beautiful woman, Geneva—”
“Right.” Then, she tossed her hair back. “You won’t get another chance.” She strode out, almost running over Penn in the process.
Penn watched the woman go. “Do you think she practices that head toss in the mirror?” Penn shook her head. “So, your morning is off to a good start.”
He growled. “Shut it. Let’s go.” He paused. “Did you bring coffee?”
She turned to Eleanor’s desk and grabbed two takeout cups that she must have rested there. She handed him one.
“For the record, I would prefer to spend time with you,” he said.
Their gazes met. He saw something move through her green eyes.
His gut tightened. Shit. She was an employee. “Penn—”
When he used her name, a strange look twisted her features, then her face went blank. “We’d better go. The car’s waiting.”
He sucked in a breath. “Let me get my coat.”
Liam turned and grabbed his overcoat off the back of one of the guest chairs. That’s when he spied a folded piece of paper on the chair.
Frowning, he picked it up. Where had this come from?
He opened it.
Secrets never stay in the shadows.
He felt a chill run down his spine. What the hell?
He had no idea what it meant or where the hell it had come from. Had Geneva left it? Was it a threat?
He saw Penn watching him.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
Nodding, he balled the note and tossed it on his desk. “Let’s go.”
Aspen
I sat in the back of the town car, Liam beside me. He was on his phone, and already had responded to several messages.
Another assistant sat in the car, too. A young, well-dressed man with a large camera.
Liam finished his call and sat back in his seat. “So, we’ll meet the construction manager, Brock, and Lisa at the building. We’re going to take a tour of the upper levels. Manny, here, will take some photos for the early preview marketing.”
Manny held up his camera.
“Penn, you take notes on everything.”
I nodded. “Got it.”
I eyed Liam. He seemed to have forgotten the confrontation with the supermodel of the long legs, pouty lips, not many clothes. I shifted in my seat. Did women throw themselves at him all day long? The man could have his pick.
My belly turned over. I really didn’t like that idea.
The car slowed to a stop, and Liam climbed out. He held a hand out to me.
I took it and instantly I felt a tingle up my arm. Crap. I did not need this. I let go quickly.
I looked up at the building that was still under construction. A crane was perched high in the air, and there was temporary fencing around the base. There was also scaffolding everywhere, covered in workers in brightly colored workwear.
“Liam.” A bearded man strode out of the building. He wore khaki work pants, heavy boots, and a yellow jacket over a chambray work shirt.
“Brock. Tell me you’re on schedule and under budget.”
The site manager grinned. “Mostly.”
Lisa appeared, her heels clicking as she strode down the pavement.
Liam introduced them all.
“Okay,” Brock said. “Follow my commands, stay close, and keep behind all barriers. We’re heading up to the 65th floor and it’s still under construction.”
A small wave of queasiness hit me. I wasn’t afraid of heights exactly. I just didn’t love them.
Brock led us through the fence and we passed some workers carrying giant tools. Manny walked gingerly, like he might get dirty. I thought Liam would look out of place in his clearly expensive dark suit, but he didn’t. He was asking Brock detailed questions.
We stopped in front of a metal construction lift attached to the side of the building. My throat tightened, like someone was choking me.
Oh, no. No. No. No.
It was made of sturdy metal, and I’m sure it was up to code, but to me, it looked temporary and rickety.
I backed up a step.
Lisa and Manny stepped into the metal cage, chatting with Brock.
Pull yourself together, Chandler. You’re a damn private investigator.
“Penn?”
I swiveled my head and found Liam watching me with all-too-perceptive eyes. I had to admit that I hated him using my fake name. The twins called me Penn sometimes, but at the moment, it was just a reminder that I was lying.
“It’s just that…elevators are supposed to be on the inside of the building.” Protected by layers of concrete.
He cocked his head. “I assure you that it’s safe.”
Shit. My brain didn’t care about facts. Straightening my spine, I marched in and stood behind Lisa.
Brock clanged the door closed.
“Won’t take too long.” The man touched the controls.
With a jerk, the lift started up.
My pulse accelerated. I felt like concrete was filling my chest.
The damn walls of the lift were made of mesh, and I could see out. Ugh. A hot flush washed over me. Hold it together.
A body shifted closer to mine and Liam’s cologne hit me. The man smelled like sin. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t burned my sandalwood candle last night, while lying naked in my bed, and perhaps thinking naughty things about Liam Kensington.
“Okay?” he whispered.
“Peachy.”
His fingers brushed mine, hidden from the others by his jacket.
Desperate, I latched on. “I’m…not fond of heights.”
“I can tell.”
“Or small metal cages temporarily attached to buildings.”
His beautiful lips quirked. “I guess it’s my turn to save you. Just look at me.”
I snorted. “You’re far too easy to look at, Mr. Kensington.”
“I told you to call me Liam. Especially since we’re holding hands.”