Page 14 of His to Possess
"Ms. Bowers, what a pleasant surprise," a familiar voice echoed from behind me, and I found myself frozen in my spot. No. It couldn't be him. At first, I couldn't even force myself to turn back. I needed a moment to process the situation, before I snapped into my usual professional self.
My head snapped up as I slowly turned around, and there he was, Rex Compton in the flesh, looking as impeccable as ever in a tailored suit that probably cost more than my monthly rent. But it wasn't his appearance that caught me off guard. It was the stunning woman draped on his arm, all legs and golden hair and a dress that left little to the imagination.
My heart hammered in my chest, for whatever reason, and I found myself wondering if I was wrong about him, after all.
Darrel faltered for a moment, clearly as taken aback as I was by this unexpected interruption. But he recovered quickly, straightening in his chair.
"Mr. Compton," I managed to say, "I didn't expect to see you here."
Rex's lips curled into that infuriatingly confident smile. "Chicago is a small world, especially in certain circles." His gaze slid to Darrel, and I could see the calculations happening behind his eyes. "And you must be Darrel Stevens. Your reputation precedes you."
Darrel stood, extending his hand. "Mr. Compton, it's an honor. I've heard a great deal about you."
They shook hands. Rex's companion remained silent, a beautiful ornament on his arm. He didn't introduce her, and she didn't seem bothered by this oversight. It was exactly as Darrel described—arm candy, nothing more.
Then Rex's attention was back on me, and the intensity in his gaze made me feel like we were the only two people in the room. He reached for my hand, bringing it to his lips in a gesture that felt both old-fashioned and oddly intimate. I felt my cheeks flush as Rex's lips brushed against my knuckles, his eyes never leaving mine. The intensity of his stare made me acutely aware of every breath and every subtle movement between us. I had to remind myself to breathe and keep my composure, though I didn't seem to do a good job with either of those tasks.
"How lovely to see you again after the auction. I trust you've had time to consider my offer?"
The moment those words left his lips, anger flared in my chest. How dare he put me on the spot like this? In front of Darrel, no less. I forced a polite smile, acutely aware of Darrel's questioning stare boring into me.
"I appreciate your interest. However, I believe I made it clear that such a decision requires more than a few hours of consideration." I met his gaze, unflinching. "If that timeline is impossible for you, I'm afraid I'll have to decline."
A flash of something, surprise or irritation, was gone in an instant, replaced by that infuriatingly confident smile. But I saw it. The great Rex Compton wasn't used to being challenged, let alone refused.
"Of course," he said smoothly. "I wouldn't dream of rushing you. Quality work, after all, requires careful deliberation." His eyes gleamed with something I couldn't quite read. "I look forward to hearing your decision… when you're ready."
I watched as he placed his business card on the table, his fingers lingering for a moment before he bid us goodbye. The blonde at his side strutted away with him, her stilettos clicking against the polished floor. As soon as they were out of earshot, I let out a heavy sigh, the tension in my shoulders finally easing.
"Laurel," Darrel said, his voice tinged with concern. His eyes were wide and locked on me, causing panic within me to rise to the surface. Calm down, I told myself. Darrel was good. He wouldn't make a big deal out of this. "What was that all about? What offer was he talking about?"
I took a sip of wine, buying myself a moment to gather my thoughts. "He… he offered to hire me on a consulting basis," I said, keeping my voice low. "To assess his collection for insurance purposes."
Darrel leaned back in his chair, surprise evident on his face. "Wow. That's… that's quite an opportunity."
I nodded, my fingers tracing the rim of my wine glass. "It is. But I'm not sure if I should take it. As you said… You know, I don't know if he's the kind of man I should get involved with."
I expected Darrel to immediately advise against it, to warn me about getting involved with someone like Rex Compton. But to my surprise, he seemed to genuinely consider it.
"From a logical point of view, working on such a big project for someone like Rex Compton could be amazing for your reputation. It could really help you get back on your feet here in Chicago."
I blinked, taken aback by his response. "You think so?"
Darrel nodded, though I could see the hesitation in his eyes. "It's a great opportunity, professionally speaking, of course. But…" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I do have some doubts about Compton's true intentions. He doesn't strike me as the type to do anything without an ulterior motive."
I wasn't naïve. I knew Darrel was right to be cautious. But hearing him acknowledge the potential benefits of the job made me see it in a new light.
"I appreciate your honesty," I told him. "And your open-mindedness about this. It means a lot."
Darrel reached across the table, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "I just want what's best for you, Laurel. And if this could help you get your life back on track, then maybe it's worth considering. But I think if you do decide to take him up on this offer, you need to be cautious. You need to keep your head down and leave at the first sign that something is off. I mean it. Who knows what a man like that may be involved in?"
I nodded, my eyes drifting to the sleek business card on the table. If I could keep my head, trust Rex Compton just enough to get through this job, then maybe this could be the solution I waslooking for. A chance to prove myself, to shake off the shadows of Paris and start fresh.
My fingers brushed against the card, feeling the embossed lettering. Was this the key to getting my life back on track?
Chapter 6
Rex
