Page 33 of Taken By the Fae

I can’t do this.

Fuck it. I have to.

I square my shoulders before turning toward the smooth, commanding sound of Tristan’s voice. Seeing him so clean and put together in another three-piece suit, this one a dark navy, only reminds me of how broken he looked in that nightmare.

“Why don’t you follow me, and I’ll show you to my office?” he suggests in a level tone.

We walk side by side down a long hallway with clear glass doors lining each side.

“Are you not going to speak?”

“You haven’t asked me a question.”

He arches a brow. “I don’t believe for a moment that you’re someone who waits to speak until they’re spoken to.” My stomach dips at his words, and I feel the weight of his gaze on me as we continue down the hall. Tristan is the kind of man who demands attention. I’ve become hyperaware when he’s watching me, which makes my skin tingle, and I can’t decide what to do with that.Maybe it’s a fae thing.

I almost laugh. “You’re perceptive. I’m sure that’s useful in your position.”

“Indeed.”

I jerk my thumb toward the guy sitting behind the desk in the entrance. “Your receptionist is lovely,” I say with a touch of a smile.

He shrugs. “He’s not a morning person.”We have that in common.

“What are we doing today?” I shift the conversation as we come to a set of glass doors.

“Wewon’t be doing anything. I’m handing you off to my chief of staff.”

“My first day, and you’re already rewarding me,” I say sweetly.

He smirks. “Good to know you’re smart-mouthed at all hours.” He opens the door, holding it for me until I enter his office, then follows me inside.

The far wall is made of windows, letting in the natural light and giving the room an incredible view of downtown. Near the windows is a massive oak desk covered with papers and a computer. Off to one side, a couple of couches and an armchair surround a coffee table that matches the desk and the bookshelves lining the opposite wall. A flat screen is mounted above the seating area, and under it is a huge black marble fireplace.

Tristan walks over to the desk and sits before pressing a button on his phone. “Miss Chen, our business student has arrived. Would you be so kind as to collect her from my office?”

There’s a brief pause, and then a newly familiar voice asks, “You’re really making me do this?”

Tristan says nothing, just sits there with a ghost of a smile on his lips.

“Fine,” Skylar snaps. “I’ll be right there.”

I stand by the door, biting the inside of my cheek, until it flies open and Skylar waltzes through, looking as if she’s on her way to the Met Gala. Her long black hair is in a slick ponytail today and her makeup looks professionally done; perfectly contoured cheeks, winged liner, stunning lashes, and a dark red lip bring the look together. Paired with an emerald knee-length dress that hugs her slim waist, I’d say she looks even fancier than Tristan in his suit. And that sure as hell doesn’t make me feel confident in the outfit I stressed over choosing.

Tristan stands, buttoning his suit jacket. “Skylar, you remember Aurora. She’s a fourth-year business student interning with us, and I would like you to mentor her.”

Skylar sighs before glancing at me. “You can’t stay away, can you?”

“I need this to graduate.”

She looks me over, her dark brown eyes narrowed and filled with judgment. “Lucky me.”

“Play nice, ladies.”

We both shoot him dark looks.

“Follow me,” she grumbles and walks back out the door.

I hurry after her, worried she’ll leave me behind, and catch up to her halfway down the hall as her impressively high heels click against the shiny floor. “I know this isn’t ideal for you. You don’t like me, and that’s fine. To be honest, I’m relieved I don’t have to work with Tristan.”

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