Jai's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she scrolled through Logan's social media accounts, her fingers gliding effortlessly across the screen. She stopped abruptly, her gaze locking onto a photo of Logan that made her breath catch. He was dressed in a body-hugging grey vest, showcasing his chiseled physique and radiant smile. This was a guy who was undeniably hot, impossibly handsome, and way out of her league, yet she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter.
As she gazed at the photo, Jai's mind began to wander. Since when did she have a thing for younger men? She rolled her eyes, dismissing the thought. This one was an exception, she told herself. Logan's youthful energy and captivating charm had somehow managed to sneak past her defenses.
She almost melted away when he approached her at the party, her eyes locking onto his chiseled frame. The way his white suit hugged his body, revealing his toned muscles, was enough to make most females go crazy – and she wasn't immune. The fabric clung to his broad shoulders and chest, accentuating his athletic build. When he moved closer, the way words rolled out of his pink lips freely, his voice low and smooth, left her breathless. This guy was a stunner, a vision of perfection that commanded attention.
But just as she was caught up in the memory of his captivating presence, her mind drifted to Lute, her boss. Her heart skipped a beat as the events of the previous night replayed in her mind, stirring a mix of emotions. The contrast between these two men – one a charming stranger, the other a familiar figure of authority.
She couldn't shake off the feeling that Lute's intense gaze held a secret, one that she couldn't quite decipher. Every time she tried to catch his eye, their gazes met, but his expression remained inscrutable, leaving her wondering if she was just imagining things. The tension between the two brothers hung in the air like a challenge, and she felt a shiver run down her spine as she thought about the underlying conflict.
Logan's words echoed in her mind, "Most people don't... intrigue Lute like you do"
What effect could she possibly have on her boss? The uncertainty swirled in her head until the beeping of her cellphone broke the spell, jolting her back to reality. She glanced down at the screen, the distraction she needed.
She picked up her cellphone and answered, her voice brightening as she said, "Good morning, Rachel." Rachel's cheerful tone came through the line, "Can you get two cups of black coffee from Starbucks?" Jai hesitated, her fingers fidgeting as she struggled to find the words. She wanted to say no, but Rachel's sweet disposition made it impossible to resist. Jai pictured Rachel's sad puppy green eyes, and she knew she was doomed. She wouldn't dare show up at Luther-Croft without Rachel's coffee, even if it meant being a few minutes late. With a sigh, Jai acquiesced, "Okay, I'll get it."
~ ~ ~
Jai's Pov
I trudged into the elevator, my legs heavy with exhaustion, yet I clutched Rachel's coffee tightly in my arms, determined not to let it spill. Fifty minutes late – a disaster. I had promised Rachel I'd be on time, before the devil himself, Lute, arrived. Now, I was running on borrowed time. I brushed a stray strand of hair out of my face, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. What would Lute's reaction be when he found out I was late? Would he be understanding, or would he unleash his infamous wrath? The thought sent a shiver down my spine as the elevator doors slid open, and I steeled myself for the impending doom.
I sighed inwardly, still pondering Lute's motives for breathing down my neck. The elevator doors slid open, and two colleagues stepped in. One of them, a tall, handsome biracial guy with a charming smile, greeted me. "Good morning," he said, flashing a dimple. I returned the smile, feeling a bit more at ease. "Good morning," I replied, trying to play it cool. As we rode the elevator together, I couldn't help but ask, "First time in Luther-Croft?" The guy chuckled and shrugged, his smile still plastered on his face. "Why does everyone think that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. I laughed, intrigued by his response.
"I don't know, not every day people in Luther-Croft come across such beauty," I blurted out, my cheeks warming up instantly. Both guys laughed, but the biracial guy, was clearly blushing. "Curtis," he said, extending his hand for a handshake. As I took it, he leaned in and whispered, "Sorry, but I'm engaged." My face flushed with embarrassment as I realized my forward comment. "Nice meeting you," I managed to say, still feeling flustered. Curtis and his friend stepped out of the elevator, leaving me to compose myself.
I quickened my pace as I approached the work room, my mind racing with all the possible reactions from my boss. I could almost hear his disapproving tone, see his stern expression. But just as I was about to enter the room, disaster struck – my foot slipped, and...
~ ~ ~
Lute's Pov
I strode out of the elevator, handing the keys to my Rose Royce to Mrs. Thorpe as I made my way to my office. My mind was a jumble of thoughts, still reeling from the unexpected encounter at the party the night before. Why had Logan shown up, and what was his interest in Jai? I scoffed at the idea – Jai was lovely, but his type was usually supermodels, not...whatever Jai was to me. The thought of Logan hovering around Jai sparked a fierce protectiveness in me. I clenched my fists, a growl rising in my throat. If I saw Logan anywhere near Jai again, I'd make sure he regretted it. And then, as if fate had a sense of humor, Jai appeared in the hallway, coffee in hand, looking like she'd just survived a disaster.
Her long strides ate up the distance as she hurried down the hallway, the white straight gown hugging her curves in all the right places. The button-ups added a touch of elegance, while her stilettoes clicked out a rhythmic beat on the floor. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun, a few loose strands framing her face. She looked poised and confident, despite the frantic pace she was keeping. As she approached, I couldn't help but notice the cups of coffee in her hands, and a spark of curiosity ignited – was she on a mission to deliver those, or was she just using them as a distraction from something else? From me?
As I hastened my pace to catch up, my heart racing with anticipation, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and nervousness. And then, in a flash, everything changed. She slipped, her right foot betraying her, and she crashed into me, her body colliding with mine in a sudden, jarring motion.
Time seemed to slow down as her lips grazed against mine, the touch sending shivers down my spine. The sensation was fleeting, yet it left an indelible mark on my heart. I felt a tingle on my lip, a spark of electricity that seemed to course through every fiber of my being. My heart knotted, a mix of emotions swirling within me like a tempest.
As I looked into her eyes, I saw a flash of surprise, of embarrassment, and perhaps, just perhaps, a glimmer of something more. My mind reeled, trying to process the sudden intimacy, the unexpected closeness. And amidst the turmoil, one truth stood out – I liked this woman. I liked the way she made me feel, the way my heart skipped a beat in her presence.
The bittersweet feeling that washed over me was a potent reminder of the vulnerability that came with liking someone. It was a risk, a gamble, but one I wasn't willing to take.
The moment shattered, reality crashing back in like a cold wave. Her apology hung in the air, laced with desperation and regret. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." she repeated, her voice trembling as she struggled to break free from the tension.
Mrs. Thorpe's sharp voice cut through the chaos, her words a harsh rebuke. "Get away from him!" she yelled, her face twisted in anger as Jai tried to gather the spilled coffee cups.
I stood frozen, my mind reeling from the sudden turn of events. The touch of her lips still lingered on mine, the spark of attraction still burning bright. "Wait...I..." I stuttered, my words faltering as I tried to process what had just happened.
Before I could regain my composure, my security men intervened, their firm grips on her arms dragging her away. Her eyes locked onto mine, a mix of fear, regret, and longing swirling in their depths. I felt a pang of protest, a desire to stop them, to talk to her, to understand what was happening. But my legs seemed rooted to the spot, my voice trapped in my throat.
I watched, transfixed, as she struggled to break free from the security men's firm grip. My gaze narrowed, my mind fixating on the way they held her, the force of their grasp. I felt a surge of discomfort, a growing sense of unease.
My eyes darted between her and the men, confusion etched on my face. What was happening? Why were they treating her like this? I stood frozen, unsure of what to do next.
Just as I was about to intervene, Mrs. Thorpe's voice cut through the tension. "So clumsy, no wonder no man wants her," she said, her tone dripping with irritation and disdain. The words hung in the air, a harsh judgment that seemed to pierce through the atmosphere.
Mrs. Thorpe turned to me, her expression smoothing out into a mask of apology. "I'm sorry, sir. I will make sure this doesn't happen again," she said, her voice dripping with deference. But her words did little to ease the tension, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't quite right.
My mind was elsewhere, and I couldn't form a coherent response. But my body seemed to react on its own. I licked my lip where Jai's had barely grazed mine, the touch sending a shiver down my spine. A soft 'mmmm' escaped my lips, though I hadn't meant to make a sound. The fleeting contact had left a tingling sensation, and I felt my cheeks warm up.
Nice"...I mumbled.