“And I swear I won’t say anything about it. I will sign whatever you want me to sign, but I won’t speak a word of it. And I won’t say anything about the other thing either.”
“Yes, I can see that.”
“How?” I ask carefully. I’d expected him to call me a liar or ask why he should trust me.
Because really, why should he?
“I’m good at reading people, and you are not a spiteful person, Miss Sinclair. You are kind, gentle, innocent, and—”
“It’s Sera.”
He grits his teeth, eyes narrowing slightly. There’s disapproval on his face and I don’t know if it’s from interrupting him, correcting him, or refusing him. Either way, I don’t like the thought of him being disappointed with me.
You’d think I’d be used to it by now, considering I disappoint people all the time, but no matter how many times I fail people, it still hurts when I see it on their faces.
“My son fucked up, not only in what you saw, but in what he did to you. I want to fix it.”
I force my face to stay neutral even though I want to freak out. I’m bombarded with things to say to him. The main one being that maybe Harrison wouldn’t be such a spoiled brat if he didn’t spoil him. His son screws up, and here Daddy is, running in to save the day? No wonder he acts the way he does.
When Harrison and I were together, he never came across as spoiled or entitled. But this? This shows maybe I didn’t know him as well as I thought I did. Of course, there’s the cheating on me with his stepsister… never saw that coming.
The idea of revenge was tempting. Too tempting that I gave in. It was a fleeting thought that turned real. But now that I did it, I feel terrible. I’m constantly worried and looking over my shoulder. This must be how murderers feel. The problem is now that I’m standing in front of this man again, I’m not thinking about wanting him for revenge. That’s done and over with. I did it; it’s done. What I’m feeling now is something entirely different. The attraction and need for him now is completely natural. And that may be scarier than the revenge aspect.
“I think people should take responsibility for their own actions.” I lift my chin, trying to stay strong. “I appreciate whatever this is you’re doing, but Harrison is a grown man and I’m a grown woman. I don’t need you cleaning up his mess. Not for his sake, and certainly not for mine.”
A small smile tugs at his lips. He’s humored, as if what I said was funny, but not a single part of it was meant to be. So, this whole smiling thing? It’s offensive.
“I agree that people should take responsibility for their actions, but what happens when they don't?”
I cross my arms over my chest, holding his stare. His grey eyes are brighter now than I remember from last week. Then, they were similar to the rain clouds we see too often here in Seattle. Beautiful, of course, but now? They’re lighter and brighter, similar to a shiny new coin.
“It’s not up to you to fix other people’s mistakes.”
Silence for a beat, and then, “Perhaps you’d think otherwise if you had someone to fix yours.”
My eyes go wide at his audacity, though I shouldn’t be surprised. A man like him doesn’t get where he is by being discreet or holding things back. Elliot Caldwell is the type of man who says what’s on his mind and is clear in what he wants. He doesn’t care who he offends on the way. I get it but screw him! He doesn’t even know me, or anything that went on in my relationship with Harrison. All he has to go on is what Harrison told him, and at this point, I don’t even know if it’s the truth.
I’m not one to get angry. At least, I never used to be. But my fuse has been shorter than a heartbeat lately, and it seems everything sets me off.
“Is this some sort of blackmail?” I ask when I get my temper under control. My heart is beating wildly, and my hands are sweating.
I worried he was trying to get me fired by tricking me into touching him inappropriately while on the clock. Instead of dwindling over the week when not hearing from him, it only grew. And it was at an all time high when I saw him standing in front of me today. Now? I’m not so sure that’s what his plan is, but it’s better to ask. Be blunt, right? Get on his level. Play his game. If this is blackmail, it’s best I know about it sooner rather than later.
He grins this time. “Bribery, actually.”
I scoff, shaking my head.
“I don’t know what type of people you typically do business with, Mr. Caldwell, but I’m not like them. I don’t fall for bribery, thank you very much. I swear I won’t speak a word of both incidents. Trust me, I have too many things going on in my life to worry about ruining other people’s lives. Now, if you don’t mind, I have to get back to work.”
I force a smile, then move around him to head for the door. I expect him to grab my arm, similarly to the way he did in his spa room. Pulling away was something I’ve gone back and forth with regretting. I’d already broken rules, and the law, I should have just gone all the way and let him return the favor. But then I think rationally and realize that is ridiculous and pathetic.
The moment I’m out of the room, I head to the back massage room to get the table ready for my next client. As I wait for them to show, all I can think about is how much better my life could be if I worked for someone like Elliot Caldwell. I bet the pay would be amazing. The hours would likely suck. It wouldbe worth it for the money though, especially since I don’t have much of a social life. I’m sure he’d pay more than I make now. Or he’s just being a dick and expects me to work for peanuts because I’m nothing.
It doesn’t matter though. None of it matters. Working for a man like him is a bad idea. I need to stay away from him at all costs. I only hope he doesn’t intend to play dirty and reach out to Clara. He’s made it seem like they have some sort of relationship going on, and I gag at the thought of it being sexual. If I find out she’s had sex with that man… I may have to cut my hand off.
Chapter Seven
Elliot
