Sawyer stops at my desk and finally turns around to look at me. His eyes burn into mine. They’re different. Dark saucers full of anger. If that weren’t enough of an indication that he was upset, his clenched fists at his sides are.
“Sawyer,” I say, stepping up to him, running my hands down the length of his arms. I unfold his fingers and take his hands in mine. “What the hell happened?”
“Just got some bad news a couple days ago. Don’t worry about it.” He leans forward and his lips press to mine. It’s nothing like the kisses we’ve shared in the past. There is no passion behind it. It feels forced and empty.
“Is this about the job offer you had?”
He lets go of my hands and glances down at the desk, as if he’s looking for something. “It’s not important. Hey,” he says with a shift in his tone, “how about we have lunch in the boss's office? Ya know, for old times’ sake before he comes back.”
“I don’t know. Lance was pretty pissed when he caught us in there.”
“Eh, he’ll get over it. I’m sure he won’t stay mad at you for long. I mean who could stay mad at someone with a body like this.” He slides his chest against mine and pulls me close. His hand cups my ass and he looks down at me with those same dark orbs. “I bet he’s just jealous. Wishes it was him grinding underneath this fine ass.”
Gross. If he only knew that Lance was my brother. Just the thought makes me nauseous.
“Alright. I guess. Should we go down to the cafeteria to get something?”
“I’m not really feeling up for a crowd. Would you mind going? I’ll just take whatever you’re having.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his wallet then hands me a fifty.
“It’s on me. Don’t worry about it.” He doesn’t argue. Just sticks his money back in his wallet and stuffs it in his pocket. “I won’t be long. You can just sit at the desk here and wait for me.”
“Really shouldn’t risk it. I’ll just wait in Glasson’s office. You said it yourself, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
I did say that. The day Sawyer showed up here and surprised the hell out of me. “Ok. Let me unlock it. If anyone, and I mean, anyone, comes, hide. We’ll both be fired if it happens again.”
“It’s our little secret.”
Sawyer steps behind me at the door, his lips teasing my neck, sending chills down my arms. Using the keypad on the door, I punch in the entry passcode.
When it buzzes, I push the door open and let him in. “Be right back.”
“Take your time, babe.”
Chapter Sixteen
Sawyer
She’s relentless. I’m starting to think that she would have let this lie go on forever. Does she really think the truth will never come out? It sickens me that I allowed her to get this close. I haven't slept in three days. I wore my heart on my sleeve but only for her. She ripped it off and stomped on it while reminding me why I fuck ‘em and leave ‘em. Better than being sucked into a toxic relationship—or falling madly in love and losing it one night in a freak accident.
I woke up yesterday and made a decision. I need the job at Tanner Enterprises. I’d also love nothing more than to stick it to this family who thinks the world should bow to them.
When the elevator doors close, I start searching and I search fast. Ripping through drawers. Some are locked, some aren’t. The locked ones are likely where I need to be. There’s a closet on the far side of the room, so I go and pull the door open. The closet alone is bigger than a bedroom. Dozens of suits and shoes line the walls. But nothing that helps me.
Fuck. This office is my only shot. There’s no way in hell I can get access to any other offices in this building.
Five minutes pass and I’ve got nothing. I need to unlock those drawers. Thinking that maybe the assistant has a set of keys, which is highly unlikely, I go to her desk outside of the office and rummage through it.
I immediately notice the folder sitting on the desk. I look down the hall at the elevators, making sure no one is coming up, then I flip it open. This is Mia...Mira’s folder. This must be what she’s been working on all this time she’s been here. I’m sure she wasn’t really filling in for the assistant who’s on vacation; I’d bet that was a lie, too.
These are designs. Really good designs that are bright and loud, just like I thought would benefit the new product. There’s also a marketing plan. Including the ideas that I shared with her last week outside of Layla Ames’ office. She stole my fucking ideas. Ideas I gave her willingly—she didn’t ask for them, but regardless, they were mine.
I flip through the pages and see the product. An all-natural energy water. Mira must be part of the new launch. I swipe the folder. This is exactly what I need to bring to Niles to get my sign-on bonus. I’ll get the marketing director job and leave all of this behind me.
Guilt strikes at my chest. I push it aside. Mira did this. She took us down this path and left me to find my way back on my own. It’s only natural I’d do the same to her. An eye for eye, right?
I’ve never been the revenge type, but I am a survivalist. I have to do this for my future. If I don’t, I have no choice but to go back home and work for my parents. Parents who told me to get over it when Taylor died.
I have to do this. I take the folder and head to the elevators, leaving before she comes back.
I left. Just up and left the building. Walked right out with the folder in my hand and never said a word to my supervisor or Mia… I mean Mira. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to that. Not that I have to. I’ll never see her again.
Instead of going to Tanner Enterprises, I head back to my hotel. I drop the folder on the bed, and I lie down next to it, staring at the ceiling while my phone buzzes repeatedly in my pocket.
I took the turn, then I drove straight past Tanner Enterprises’ building. Something wouldn't let me stop. It’s not that I don’t plan on doing this. I just need a little time.
An hour passes and I push myself up. I pull my phone out of my pocket and drop it on the bed next to the folder, not even bothering to scroll through the list of messages and missed calls.
For the past two weeks, I’ve felt more alive than I have since Taylor died. I was excited to go to work, just for the possibility of seeing Mira. I’d sit in the bar some nights, hoping she’d walk in. Her scent is burned into my pillow. Her panties are still in my drawer. There are dishes in the sink with her lipstick stain on them. It fucking hurts. Far more than I would have expected after only knowing her for such a short time. But, she breathed life into me. Then she sucked all the air out of my lungs and left me breathless and broken.
I could have fallen in love with that girl. We could have had it all. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to trust, let alone love, again.
Sweeping away my sorrows, I leave the pity party I’ve joined. I’ve got to bring this to Niles, and I have to do it now.
Chapter Seventeen
Mira
“You son of a bitch,” I shout as I storm through the door of Niles’ office. “I know it was you. Everything bad that happens to me is because of you.” I stalk straight toward him, cock my fist back and plant it straight on his nose. Blood trickles down onto his all-white, button-up shirt. I shake my fist then rub it on his shirt, ridding my flesh of his tainted blood.