Page 82 of Stolen Fate

Even if I wanted to run, I couldn’t. Not only did I not think I could outrun him, but my feet were stuck to the floor.

“Ms. Adler?”

I blinked at him. “How did you know my name?”

He nodded. “Please follow me. Mr. Reed is already expecting you.”

“Oh.”

How did Jace know I was coming?

And how did the man recognize me on sight?

I quietly followed him to an elevator.

The ride up was long. It was only me, the security guard, and three other women, who seemed to be friends if their giggling and talking were any indication. They got off before us, leaving just me and the security guard, and I had never felt so awkward in my life.

I didn’t know what to do with my hands, and I wished I was holding onto something like a book or a purse or anything that would keep me from feeling so self-conscious about my hands being at my sides.

The ding of the elevator got me out of my reverie, and I stopped myself from jumping at the high-pitched noise.

“Right this way,” the man said, motioning for me to walk out in front of him. I did so quietly, looking down at my feet as I walked, and when he led me to huge double mahogany doors, I looked back at him.

He offered a small smile, the curve of his lips actually making him look friendlier than I had pegged when I first saw him, and then he walked away, leaving me to face the intimidating-looking doors by myself.

Where the hell did all my courage go?

I had been pissed at Jace, and I wanted to give a piece of my mind, but now…

I didn’t like how meek I had become under the prospect of seeing him so soon, especially after our chat this morning, when all I had wanted to do was find a hole big enough to bury myself in.

Now I was seeking him out.

My phone pinged from inside my pocket, and I took it out, stalling for time before I actually worked up the courage to knock.

My heart fluttered at the sight of Jace’s name on my phone.

He texted me.

Jace: Are you just going to stand there all day or will you come in?

Alrighty then. Apparently Jace had eyes and ears all over the place. I didn’t bother knocking, since he was already expecting me. I did, however, brace myself for the effect the mere sight of him would have on me, and I was right. I walked through the doors and took him with critical eyes.

Though I must be wearing my rose-colored glasses still, because there wasn’t a single flaw in this man that I could find. He was perfect in every way that counted, yet not too perfect to make me think I shouldn’t or couldn’t touch him.

My hands balled into tight fists by my sides to resist giving in to the urge of walking over to him and touching him.

Jace stood up when I got close, and anything I wanted to say to him disappeared. I was left with nothing but mush for brains and a very dry mouth.

I stared at him instead, and he looked back at me with amused eyes.

I scowled at him.

It seemed I’d been more inclined to scowl since knowing him.

Jace moved around the large mahogany desk that was a shade or two darker than his doors and stopped right in front of me. I tilted my head back to take him in but didn’t move back, no matter how badly I wanted to.

I didn’t want to touch him, or for him to touch me.

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