“That poor man...” Despite sounding sincere, the look she gives Josh is anything but. Maybe she does feel sorry for poor Nathan Paddlebumm, but it's obvious that her thoughts are more focused on the way Josh is touching her. Her own hand brushing against his forearm--a delicate bracelet of silver and black s-shape links that interconnect with one another in alternating patterns--slide up and down her wrist with each stroke.
“Poor is an understatement,” Josh snickers, “He lost a quarter of a mill the next day and over half his contracts."
Leaning back in his chair, fingertips still brushing her skin as he ignores me approaching, my eyes are drawn to a matching--albeit a thicker, more masculine version--silver and black s-shaped bracelet encircling his wrist. A bracelet I know for a fact wasn’t there before I had left.
“I’m honestly surprised he’s still alive," he continues, "If it had been me I would’ve taken a long walk off a short pier the very next day, instead of suffering such embarrassment.”
“Psh,” the woman waves her hand as she pulls away from Josh, watching me set the food out on the desk, “I find it hard to believe that a man, such as yourself, would ever succumb to such a minor thing. No, a man like you, is destined for something far greater than even you can imagine.”
The heavenly smell of freshly cooked roast, garlic mashed potatoes, warm sourdough rolls, and Jerrie's famous spiced apple pie fills the air, breaking Josh from his recount of what is forever known as the Christmas Paddlegate Incident of '04.
Having no other choice but to notice me, Josh straightens up, clearing his throat as a look of mock guilt crosses his face. An action that is betrayed by his hand sneaking beneath the desktop, his shoulder moving as he readjusts more than just his belt.
"Kaitlyn, you're back early..." his voice cracks as he glances over at the clock, his brow furrowing as if he just realized what time it really is, "Please cancel any other appointments, clear up today's schedule, and field any phone calls. Miss Cavanaugh has some files she needs me to look over and I don't want to be interrupted for any reason, short of the building being on fire. Is that clear?"
"Yes, of course, Mr Blackwood." Confused by this sudden change, I make my way out of the office, knowing full well that there was nothing on his schedule to begin with. Especially since Josh never sees anyone after lunch, making his father deal with any clients who need an appointment later in the day. His excuse being he 'needs more time to learn the ropes of the company.'
The sounds of muted voices and laughter resume as soon as the door closes behind me.
Feet heavy, stomach hollow, I walk over to my desk, a strangely familiar brass statue catching my attention.
What the fuck?
Chapter Three
Kaitlyn
What the absolute fuckity fuck?
Yep, I must have fried my brain somewhere between his office and my desk because that’s all I can think of. The words cycling on repeat as I stare at the statue staring back at me.
Forget what I had seen. Forget what I can hear, coming from the other side of the office door as sounds of muted talking have evolved into something a bit more.
Honestly, I don’t have enough mental spoons to even begin dealing with that, nor the baggage that should be coming with it. The thoughts, the feelings… the emotions I should be feeling compared to those I’m actually feeling… No, right now all I can even think about is this weird statue, standing in the center of my desk, watching me.
A statue that's obviously a companion to the one Josh has on his shelf, only this one is a male model. But, unlike the uncomfortable feeling I get just even looking at his, this one seems to call to me.
Even as I stand by my desk, staring at it, my hand reaches out towards it of its own volition.
Cast in bronze, with the same black patina to enhance every muscular curve, the male figure stands in a simple three piece business suit, in a relaxed pose. There's a slight smirk to his lips, creating a small crinkle at the corner of his eyes, that somehow conveys the feeling that he's somehow in on some great secret.
Overall there's nothing special about it, if you ignore the thin tail curling around his body, or the horns curling upwards and back from his temples, amidst thick slicked back hair. Strong, leathery wings add to the juxtaposition between a human man and a demon, while somehow looking classy while doing so.
Beside me, the office door slams open, breaking me from some self induced trance, causing me to jump. Heart pounding rapidly in my chest, a feeling of panic overtaking me despite having no idea why, I sit in my chair.
It’s not like I was doing anything wrong...
“It’s been so wonderful catching up with you, Joshua,” Miss Cavanagh laughs, leaning into Josh’s body as he stands literally in the middle of the doorway, leaving her little room to walk past, “I hope to see you at the fete tomorrow evening.”
“Of course, my lady,” Josh’s hand brushes against her waist, before pulling back to restrain himself from holding onto her, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
My lady?I can’t help but smirk at that. Who does he think he is? Some noble lord? And of course he’ll be at the event. His father's paying both of us to be there, representing the company and hopefully make some new connections. Though, to be honest, Josh will see me as being nothing more than arm candy, but that's alright. My main job will be to keep an eye on him. To make sure he stays out of trouble.
“Ah, I see Sentinel made it safe and sound,” Miss Cavanaugh smiles as she approaches my desk, hands clasped together in front of her while eyeing the statue.
Josh walks up behind her, taking advantage of her distraction to place his hands on her waist, literally plastering his chest against her back. While I start typing on my keyboard, trying to look busy and not like I'm eavesdropping.
“My love?” his breath causes small tendrils of her hair to shift as he speaks softly into her ear. The movement reminding me of some sort of romance novel scene that he’s trying to reenact, only worse.
