Page 30 of On Your Knees

“I, uh... sorry. Just excited. Big fan of... buildings. You guys really nailed the, uh, architecture here.”

Kill me.

“Hi, I’m Aspen,” the woman says, offering me her hand. It’s strange—the instant we touch is like out of a movie and my palm tingles.

“Arlo, but you already know that, right?”

She nods with a chuckle.

Zeland steps forward and offers me his hand. I already know who he is as well—it’s hard not to when bothhe and Ridge are my idols. I have followed their careers since they first started out.

“Zeland,” he says with a wink. “Red looks good on you.”

His words make my cheeks heat even more and I try to hide a smile. “It’s an honor to meet you. I have followed you for a long time—I mean your career. I’m not some weird stalker or anything.”

“You wouldn’t be working here if you were, Arlo Atlas Kross. Born December second, twenty-three years old, and you live with your mother, Rowena.”

“Enough with the interrogation, Ridge. We get it. You are the almighty powerful Mr. Ellington who has so much money he can pay someone to get the dirt on people.”

“Stray, you have no idea.”

Aspen snorts and steps up to Ridge, and as he looks down at her, she reaches around his waist. He jumps back like his ass is on fire. “What do you think you’re doing?” Ridge snaps, and Zeland laughs as Aspen points her chin up at him.

“Seeing if I can find that stick wedged up your ass.”

I smirk but suck my lips in when Ridge looks my way.

“I don’t have time for this nonsense. Welcome to Ridgeland, Arlo. If you are as good as the qualifications on your resume, you will be fine. Though if you ever need a new job, I suggest you get a professional to fix that mess.” With that, Ridge strides to the elevator.

“It was nice to meet you, Arlo,” Aspen says. “Excuse me, but I have a bone to pick with the boss.”

“You too,” I say as she runs off to catch up to Ridge.

“You can pick my bone,” Zeland calls out after her, and she raises her hand in the air and flips him off. “Can you believe it? She’s the only person who speaks to us like that, and yet she is still around.” I don’t answer, simply nod. “So, Arlo, are you excited about working here?”

“I am. My email told me to meet Theo and he would show me around.”

“I can show you around—let’s do the tour. Gem, buzz us in.”

The lady behind the desk smiles as I follow Zeland to the sleek double doors. Once we’re through them, everything changes to a more homely feel, with everyone dressed down. One guy goes flying past us on a hoverboard but circles back around. “Boss, I thought I would find you down here. Oh hello, fresh meat. Is this one on the menu?”

“Eliott, this is Arlo, and no, leave the poor guy alone. It’s his first day.”

Eliott laughs. “Can’t blame me for trying—you’re hot, Arlo. Now, boss, I left your messages on your desk. Harrison called and said it’s urgent and to call him back when you are in your office. Also, can I take off early? I have a date tonight and I have absolutely nothing to wear.”

“You’re a liar—I know your apartment is overrun with clothes. I saw them all when I brought you chicken soup a month ago when you were sick. But yes, you can leave early.”

“Thanks, boss. It was a pleasure meeting you, Arlo.”

“It was a pleasure meeting me too... wait, no, you...youmeeting me, I mean. Ugh, I’ll just shut up now.”

Eliott blows me a kiss and Zeland laughs. “You don’t need to be nervous—working anywhere except Ridge’s floor is fun. I watched that Google movie once, and I wanted that vibe, so I created this. Okay, it’s a few extra floors than just Ridge’s, but they are all suits and show everyone who is richer than whom.”

I nod and take everything in as Zeland poorly shows me around—he clearly hasn’t worked here for a long time. He opens doors and pokes his head in and then closes them.

“Thank god, Theo,” he says, waving at a man who looks old enough to be my dad.

“Zeland, you stole our new hire. I thought he was a no show. Theo,” the man says, holding out his hand. I shake it and just supply him with “Arlo” so I don’t further embarrass myself.

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