Page 101 of Kaine

“I try.”

“Anyway, I’m checking in with Dylan today to see if he’s found out anything more about ‘J.’ I know he spent the last few days going through all the security footage, but hasn’t come up with anything.”

“Shit. It’s coming close. How can no one not know anything? You’ve checked in with the guys at our production factory?”

“Nothing. I’m pretty sure they’re clean. This is... this is going through some other channels. I don’t know who.”

“Find out.”

***

The morning goes byso fast, the next time I reach for my coffee cup three hours later, it’s still full and cold.

“Jemima, I’m going downstairs for a coffee.”

“Okay,” she calls out to me, too busy with her own work to care.

“Can you I get you something?”

“A raise,” comes the instant reply.

“How about a double latte?”

“Fine.”

The elevator dings and before I can step onto it, Jade jumps out, a picnic basket in her hands.

“Surprise!”

“Jade! What are you doing here?”

“I just told you, ‘surprise!’” She giggles and drops the basket on the floor, stretching up on tip toes to give me a kiss. I instantly slide my arm around her and pull her in close, inhaling her scent. Already the stress of the morning is forgotten.

“I was packing my lunch for this morning, when I saw just how much cake Grammy packed for me, and I’d much rather share it with you, then anyone else.”

“Well, what else do you have in that basket?”

“Hmm a warm chicken salad and a teeny tiny tub of ice cream from Alejandro’s.”

“And what are you going to eat?”

She giggles and gives me a wink. I take a breath and remind myself we’re at my work place and will my cock to behave.

“Anyway, I thought you could show off this rooftop garden you’ve been telling me all about.”

“Let me go grab my phone and I’ll be right back,” I call over my shoulder running to my desk.

When I come out, Jade has wandered over to Jemima’s desk, and is introducing herself.

Jemima eyes her up and down, and there’s a strange flicker of something in her eyes. Jemima is attractive and intimidating; part of the reason I employed her was to stop as much drama from reaching me as possible. But her usual cold demeanour doesn’t seem to be having any effect on Jade who is still smiling, and asking Jemima about her shoes.

I find myself pressing a hand against Jade’s back, almost protectively.

“Shall we go? I’m sorry, I don’t have much time for a long lunch break,” I tell her.

“Okay, well, it was nice meeting you, Jemima. Kaine raves about you. I don’t think he could do this all without you.”

Jemima’s eyes cut to me, a look of surprise in them.