Page 9 of His Jewel

“No. God, no, sorry,” he said, the words tumbling from his mouth.

She looked shocked and cleared the space between them.

“I was joking, Josh. Sorry, it was probably a bad one.”

He exhaled. “No,” he said.

She raised her eyebrows. “You don’t have to lie to me,” she said.

Why did this feel like a test?

He answered honestly. “I would never lie to you.”

Something in her expression, her eyes, changed, like a cloak had been pulled over them, shutting out the light. He had a feeling he’d failed.

“Well...” she said, her eyes trailing around. She walked to a shelf and grabbed the closest pieces of paper.

“That’s all you need?” he questioned.

He hadn’t had a second to think about the situation. What was she doing here so late? Although, he was here. But it was his company. His useless internal monologue was finally interrupted by her answer.

“Yes, I just had a few things to finish, but I’m going to head off now,” she said, waving the paper in the air.

“Good,” he said, before he could think about what he was saying.

Her eyes widened again.

“I mean, I don’t want you working too hard. Or any of my employees,” he clarified. “I care about everyone under my employ. No one should be working late unless it’s an emergency and then it’s time and a half.”

She nodded. It was her turn to use the word. “Good.”

He couldn’t help but think it was like she was looking at him for the first time. Her eyes were frank, assessing, like she was writing a novel about him, and she was studying her lead character.

He’d like to be a lead character in her life. Not just her asshole of a boss. But certain things aren’t meant to be.

She got to the edge of the doorframe.

“Have a good night, Ruby. Thank you for all your hard work. I know I can be ... tough, but everyone has been singing your praises. You fit in well. You have a real future here, if you want it.” His heart sped up at his last words, and only her answer, the right answer, could slow it down.

She turned back to face him. The light in her eyes had returned. She seemed to choose her next words carefully, like they held power.

“Thank you, Josh. I ... I feel comfortable here. I think maybe I could even be happy.” She said the last part as if it were more like a question to herself that needed answering.

“I hope so,” he said, eyes boring into hers. They stayed that way for a few seconds, but it felt longer, like time had done him a favor.

She blinked, and the spell was broken.

“I actually have to get going,” she said, backing up. “You have a good night, too, Josh. See you tomorrow.”

He watched her leave the room, and didn’t move until he heard the elevator door ding. It was like it released him back into the realm of the living.

God. Why did she have such a hold on him? He ran his hands over his face and through his hair. He really needed that drink. He grabbed everything he needed, storing it in the relevant places, and then headed for the club, copious amounts of beer calling his name.

****

“So, how’s she workingout?” Drew asked, but his attention was elsewhere, his eyes flicking around the club like he was looking for something. Or someone.

He knew the feeling.

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