21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Two more longdays of line-by-line contract analysis has my eyes crossed but my nights are filled with Face Time talks with Sophia. We’ve found new, inventive ways of passing the time and dealing with the forced abstinence. Last night, she put on a full strip tease for me, complete with music. She wore a provocative bustier that boosted her cleavage, thigh-high stockings trimmed with scalloped lace at the top, and my favorite stiletto heels. Watching her is a total turn-on for me and makes me want her so much more I can barely stand it.
After the last two nights of watching her but not being able to have her, I’ve decided that phone sex, evenvisualphone sex, is just not enough. My craving and desire for her is much more than just physical attraction. She fulfills all of my senses—touching, smelling, tasting, seeing, and hearing—but I need them fulfilled in person. Otherwise, it just falls flat.
It’s Wednesday evening and I call Tucker first, as usual, just to check on the events of the day. He answers on the first ring, “Tucker.”
“How’s everything today, Tucker?” I ask, expecting to hear that everything is status quo.
“Today has been interesting, Mr. Powers,” he answers matter-of-factly.
On instant alert, I sit up straight as I grind out, “Interestinghow?”
“There was a break-in attempt earlier. The man entered the lobby and said he was a courier. He was carrying a package and signed in, so the guard allowed him up. Once he entered our floor, he attempted to enter your office when Dana and another employee happened to walk up on him. He took off down the back stairwell and out the back door. The police have scoured the security video and he obviously knew exactly where the cameras were because he kept his face hidden,” Tucker reports.
“Why the hell did the guard just let him up without calling to confirm someone was there to meet him at the elevator?” My blood pressure is sky high, I’m sure, at just the thought of Sophia being there in the same building with whoever is after me.
“He’s a new guy—just started today. The guy he was working with had gone to take a piss. He chewed the poor newbie out pretty badly when he came back. We think the intruder must have been watching and waiting for the right moment. He also made the new kid believe this was an urgent delivery for you and that you would fire him if you didn’t get it on time. He dropped the box when he ran off but it was empty. There are no prints on it since he was wearing gloves,” Tucker informs me.
“Is Sophia okay?” I quickly ask.
“She’s fine. She wasn’t anywhere near him when all this happened. Did you talk to her earlier today, boss?” Tucker asks, although I can tell he already knows the answer.
“No, I haven’t. I’ve been stuck inside a military-guarded compound all day and they take my cell phone on the way in every morning,” I answer dryly. “Why do you ask?”
“She went out for lunch today and, of course, I tailed her. She received a phone call that very obviously upset her on the way to the restaurant. At first, she was talking while walking, but then came to an abrupt stop with a shocked and pissed off look on her face. She didn’t talk long, and never mentioned it to me, but I thought you’d want to know,” Tucker says.
“Yeah, I’ll wait and see if she says anything about it. I know her mother and her brother give her a hard time on the rare occasions when she talks to them.” In my mind, I’m thinking that if theyaretrying to cause trouble for my Sophia, I will have their asses in a sling.
“Family can definitely suck the life out of you,” Tucker sympathizes. “Right now, everything is calm and she’s still working. The police have canvassed the area and are looking into pulling traffic camera data to review, maybe see which way he went or if he showed his face anywhere.”
“I know I don’t have to tell you to thoroughly check everything—the garage, the car, the house. Make sure nothing happens to her,” I demand.
“On it, boss. I won’t let you down,” Tucker responds confidently.
“Thanks, Tucker. I don’t say it enough, but Idoappreciate everything you do for me.” He has been such a loyal employee and friend, conveying my gratitude is the least I can do.
“It’s my pleasure, Mr. Powers. Working for you is not a hardship at all.”
We hang up and I dial Sophia’s office number. She answers with her standard greeting and I try to make small talk even though the events Tucker described are looming in the forefront of my mind.
“How’s my girl?”
“Better now that I hear your voice. I miss you during the day, especially since I can’t even talk to you at all.”
“Same here, love. Not much longer now and I’ll be home,” I say. “Anything exciting happen today?”
“Let’s see. I finalized the deal to completely refurbish the operating systems at TexCare Health Insurance. The terms are great and we will really reap some benefits from this one. I also have an appointment with another major insurance company,” she replies excitedly.
“That’s great, babe. You’re really doing very well at negotiating these contracts,” I compliment her. “What else?”
“Hmm…that’s about it. Nothing else really exciting,” she claims. “Oh, unless you think that someone getting in illegally and then trying to break into your office is exciting.”
“Oh, you think you’re cute, don’t you?”
She laughs, “Come on, Dominic. I know Tucker already told you. You don’t need to hear it from me again.”
