I actively ignore her as well as try not to picture it because the last thing any of us needs is to make an already complicated situation messier. She’s gorgeous, no doubt about that, but I’ve gotten by in life just fine until now and I attribute that to not thinking with my dick.
Paying quickly we leave, soon after pulling up to my office, already over an hour late. As we get out of the car, I realize that in my haste, I never came up with a reasonable explanation of where I’ve been over the last few days or why Cambria would be here with me.
Something changes in her face, going from annoyed to understanding. “Don’t worry, I can handle this part. Part of my skill set.” She winks and exits the car, following me towards the building.
My secretary looks visibly relieved when I walk in the door. With as quickly as she hops to her feet, you’d never know she was pushing fifty. Her light brown hair is escaping her bun, looking frazzled already despite the day just beginning; not that I blame her with the fires she must have been frantically putting out left and right.
She pauses when she catches sight of Cambria. “Sir, where have you been? There are urgent matters that we’ve tried to buy time on, but if you don’t address them soon we are going to lose several accounts.”
I open my mouth, but Cambria beats me to it. She looks down at the floor submissively and fiddles with her skirt, the simple act appearing to shave years off of her, making her appear no older than a college freshman.
“Please don’t be upset with Lucien, it’s my fault. My parents were in an awful wreck, and,” she stifles a sob. “And I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I’ve never been on my own before, and I just,” she starts actively crying and it takes me a minute to remember that it’s all an act. After a moment, she wipes away her tears and looks right at Belinda whose hand is on her chest in pity. “Lucien has been a friend of the family for as long as I can remember and I couldn’t think of who else to call. He came to get me and took me in until I can figure out what to do.”
The secretary looks at me with respect I haven’t earned. “Mr. Avrell has always been the responsible sort. You should see those boys he takes care of, always needing to bail them out of some trouble or another. What’s your name, sweetheart?”
She gratefully accepts the tissue offered and dabs at her face. “Cambria, ma’am. I apologize for keeping him from his responsibilities, I just wasn’t ready to be alone yet.”
I bite my cheek, needing to address the age thing. Even if she appears younger at the moment, she still certainly appears legal. “Her family coddled her far too much growing up and now she’s unprepared for the real world. It will take some time, but hard work does wonders.”
Belinda nods and puts an arm around Cambria’s shoulders while addressing me. “Just leave things to me, Mr. Avrell. I’ll watch over her while you get caught up and start showing her the ropes.”
I applaud the fact that she reads the room that easily and anticipates what I was going to ask from her before I even had to utter a word. I make a mental note to put in the request to give her a raise; good help is hard to find.
Turning to Cambria with a stern look, I warn, “Stay out of trouble. I’ll be in my office if you need me.”
She looks at me with a sly smile and winks. “I’d never dream of causing you trouble, Lucien.” She sobers her expression before turning back to Belinda. “I don’t want to give Lucien any reason to punish me, so please, put me straight to work, ma’am.
Cambria follows my secretary behind the desk as Belinda gives me a harsh look, like I’m some cruel monster. I narrow my eyes at Cambria before realizing it isn’t helping my case and give up.
Walking to my office and closing the door, I sigh at the sight of the massive stack of files piled up on my desk before settling in. I turn to my answering machine first, grabbing out my notepad and pen before tapping the button.
“You have one hundred seventy-two new messages.”
Fuck, this is going to be a long day.
***
There’s a soft knockat the door before Belinda enters, wringing her hands nervously. My hand stills, my pen hovering just above the paper as I wait for her to explain whatever has her so nervous.
Cambria just can’t go one day without getting into trouble, can she?
“What did she do?” I sigh, when she still hesitates to speak. “I apologize on her behalf, Belinda, and will cover any damages.”
Quickly waving her hand, she dismisses the statement. “Heavens no, that girl is an angel. She’s caught on incredibly quickly and has been a delight all day.”
I glance at my watch, stunned to find it’s already after six. “Then what seems to be the problem?”
She bites her lip before rushing out, “I just thought you may want to be aware, but wasn’t sure it was my place.”
“Just out with it, Belinda.” Rising to my feet, I roll my stiff shoulders.
“Your friends came by the office looking for you and seem to have a very obvious interest in your new ward. I know the girl is legal, but I imagine it would cause some...tension, if you were to discover your friends taking advantage of such a sweet girl when she’s vulnerable and under your care,” she blurts out in a nervous ramble.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and she relaxes, interpreting my reaction as frustration to the situation. And she would be right, just not for the reasons she thinks.
“I’ll handle it. Thank you, Belinda.”
“Of course, sir. I’m going to head home for the evening unless there’s anything else?”
