Just like I’m doing now.
“You’re back.” Maren’s voice steals my focus—thank God—pulling it to where she stands in my office doorway, instead of all the ways I wish Tobias would join me in his bed. “Feel better?”
Technically, no. Not in the ways that matter. But she’s not asking about my clashing wants and needs, or questioning why I’m still sleeping at Tobias’s house even though I’m beyond being contagious—not that I have an answer to that anyway—so I smile. “Much.”
“Good, because I have something to show you.” She grabs my hand, hauling me up from my chair before dragging me out of my office toward the main entrance to the building.
I adore Maren, but she is almost as distracting as Tobias is. And while I like office gossip—way more than I should—today is not a day I can indulge. “Maren, I’m super far behind from missing two days of work. I don’t have time to?—”
“Oh, you have time for this.” She waggles her brows. “Trust me.” Her steps move faster as we close in on the two-story, glass-front space. “You aren’t going to want to miss what’s here.”
My heels and pencil skirt are no match for her Doc Martens and pleated dress, and by the time we finally reach our destination, I’m a little breathless.
A fact that only gets worse when Maren points directly at the large front desk. “Look.”
Oh, I am. I think every woman in the building is looking. Because the normally empty space is crowded. Members of Titus’s team circle around where Maren and I stand, their voices hushed as they stare at the same group of men currently holding my attention.
They are gigantic. Wearing head to toe black, and gear that reminds me of what the SWAT teams on TV shows and in movies wear. “Who are they?”
“From what I’ve heard, one of our clients owns a security company. He offered to send a few of his men here until we figure out why Dan tried to blow up our servers.” She’s not exactly being quiet, and chooses the perfect lull in conversation to loudly say, “They are so freaking hot.”
When the team of men turn our direction, I want to crawl into a hole. Disappear forever. Hide in my office for the duration of their stay.
A sentiment that only gets worse when they abandon the desk and come our way.
The man leading the pack is the quintessential tall, dark, and handsome. He has a simmering intensity that unnerves me. A presence that sends me taking a step back as he approaches.
But then he smiles, the expression making him look way less scary, and slightly less intimidating.
“Ladies.” He tips his head at the group before zeroing in on where I stand. “The guards at the front desk explained the owners are currently in a meeting, and said I should come speak with you.” He holds one hand out between us. “I’m Seth. I work for Alaskan Security.”
Why in the hell did they tell him to come talk to me? I mean, I guess it’s good that they looked over here because the guards pointed me out instead of because they heard Maren announce how hot she found them to be, but still. I’ve onlybeen here a few weeks. I’m the last person who should be in charge of whatever they’re here for.
But I don’t want to cause any problems for Tobias and his brothers, so I put on what I hope is a pleasant—completely competent and not panicked at all—smile, shaking Seth’s hand. “I’m Brooke.”
What do I do now? I can’t just leave them standing here. Loiter about until Tobias and the rest of the Bradshaw boys are finished.
I take in the trio of men. They seem even taller and bulkier up close—which is crazy because Tobias is probably the same size as they are. He just doesn’t seem so…
Encroaching.
Unfortunately, the only place I can think of to take them is my office. If they’ll fit.
I use one hand to awkwardly point them in the general direction of my space. “Why don’t you come to my office where we can discuss…” I only know the basics of why they’re here—and even then, it’s hearsay from Maren—so I stick with something vague. “Things.”
Turning away, I finally let my face do what it wants as I lead the way, eyes wide, expression stricken. We reach my door, and I put my features back in order before turning to face them. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Seth dips his head in a nod. “Coffee would be great.”
He has a really nice voice. Deep and rich. Not nearly as booming and loud as I would expect from someone who looks like he does.
“I’ll get it.” Maren pipes up from behind the men.
I didn’t even know she’d followed us, and while I was looking forward to having a minute to compose myself while getting them coffee, I’m grateful I’ve got backup.
Leading them into my office, I again gesture awkwardly. “Have a seat.”
The space is nowhere near being done, but it’s no longer just a desk and office chair. I now have areas for other people to sit, including the couch two of the men choose as their resting point. I use it when I need to take a little mental health break after lunch, but it doesn’t look like I’m going to be getting one of those today.
