by Amy L. Gale
I waltz into his office, standing as tall as I can and wheel my cart toward his desk. What a shame, all of his packages are on the bottom. I hike up my dress and retrieve them, one by one, placing them onto his desk. I grip the handle of my cart and slowly push it, swaying my hips to and fro. My eyes dart toward the glass. He’s rubbing his chin and staring at my ass.
“Jeeze, you look ready to hit a club. Maybe we should go out after work tonight instead.” Simone’s eyes widen.
I pull my skirt down. Please don’t let Simone see my underwear. “I’m going to a show with my roommate after work, but we’re still on for Friday night.”
“Have fun!” She flashes a quick grin and answers the phone.
So I told a little white lie. It’s not like I can fill her in on what was really going on. Why is the mailroom busy today? Great, a whole bundle of packages and letters that need to be delivered before four. My feet are throbbing and aching, I’ll be soaking them as soon as I get home. No one knows about my demotion as of yet. Maybe I’ll tell them over the weekend. Tonight I’ll relax in a bubble bath and soak my troubles away.
I dig in my purse as I walk through the parking garage. Where is the last place I saw my keys? Oh no, the desk in the mailroom. I sigh and head back inside to get them. I’d lose my head if it wasn’t attached!
Perfect, there they are. I trot back toward my car, my heels clicking on the cement floor. Who’s that? A figure stands in front of me, blocking my way. Oh crap, it’s Owen.
“You’ve got my attention, Alexis.”
My heart hammers. I inhale deeply and raise my eyebrows. “What are you’re talking about?” I continue to walk to my car, my pace increasing.
Owen follows beside me. “Please don’t insult my intelligence. You’ve been trying to get my attention all week. Now you have it.”
I fold my arms and walk faster. “I only look for the attention of my boyfriend. You’re obviously mistaken.”
“Please, that’s bullshit!” Owen’s pace quickens to keep up with mine.
I fumble with my keys, trying to find the right one quickly. Why is there no one else in this parking garage? My jaw clenches and my body trembles as I walk up to my car. Please, just let me get out of here!
“What’s the matter? Am I too reserved for you? I saw you with your boyfriend at the bar. I hadn’t pegged you as a girl who likes it rough.”
My heart beats faster and my whole body shakes. Damn it! I try to steady my hands and put the key into the lock. Maybe this wasn’t the best plan for revenge. It’s failing miserably. The lock clicks and I pull the door open. It’s caught by Owen and he slams it shut. Sweat forms on my brow and my heart is about to beat out of my chest.
“I can give you what you like as well.” Owen pushes me into the side of the car, pressing his body against me, hard.
How can I get out of here? I squirm and sway my body back and forth. He grabs both of my wrists and holds them above my head, against the car. Oh God, please let me get away. I gasp for air. He runs his nose along my neck, kissing it and slides his tongue along my skin. Ugh, a sour taste invades my mouth. I’m about to hurl.
“Help, Help!” I squeeze my eyes shut. Tears well up and fall down my cheeks as I continue to struggle. Owen is solid. Damn! He won’t budge one inch. Oh God, please make him stop. Get me out of here! My body goes into survival mode. I thrust myself back and forth with all my might, screaming and flailing. My body smashes against the beat up Chevy, denting the side panel. Owen grips me tighter, pressing his fingertips into my biceps while screaming at me to keep quiet.
“Hey, get off of her!” A male voice yells from afar.
Lexie Waters does not go down without a fight! “Help!” Adrenaline surges through me. I push with all my might using every last ounce of energy. He shakes me harder, banging my head against the car. I thrust my head forward, but he slams it back against the hard metal. Extreme pain radiates in the back of my head. Suddenly, everything is dark.
CHAPTER 24—BLISS
Beep, beep, beep. I slowly open my eyes, blinking repeatedly to focus my vision. My head is killing me. What’s that annoying sound? I turn and gaze at the flashing monitor against the pure white wall. The stench of bleach and alcohol burns my nose. Wait. I rub my eyes. Am I hallucinating or is that Van?
“You’re awake.” He scoots his chair closer to the bed and holds my hand, gently bringing my fingers to his lips.
I gasp. Oh my God, there’s an IV in my arm. I shake my head and try to sit up. The room is spinning. Dear God, please don’t let me hurl. I quickly lay down and sink into the pillow. Why won’t this painful ache in my head subside? “What’s going on?”
“Don’t you remember?” He stares into my eyes while gently brushing my fingers with his thumb.
My God, those eyes can pierce an armored tank. Oh no! Like a freight train, the memory hits me hard and fast. My eyes water; I close them and clear my throat. “I got in a fight with Owen in the parking garage.” A few tears escape.
Van leaps from the chair and runs both hands through his hair. They ball into fists as he drops his arms. “No, that fucking asshole attacked you. He’s one lucky son of a bitch. If he wasn’t in jail right now, he sure as hell wouldn’t be walking this earth.” Van’s face flushes and his lips pull back. His white knuckles pulsate as he clenches his fists tighter.
“Why am I in the hospital?” How far did this go? Please, tell me Owen didn’t have his way with me!
Van exhales deeply, sits back down, and holds my hand. Fire burns through his pure red face. “That asshole tried…” The chair screeches on the tile floor as he stands up and paces around the room, cracking his knuckles. He wipes his hands over his face, inhales deeply, and sits back down. “The parking attendant saw everything on the camera monitor. When you screamed for help that asshole, Owen, panicked and slammed your head off of the car. You have a concussion.”
A river of tears well up in my eyes and stream down my face. I‘m such an idiot! What the hell was I thinking? I drove Owen to this.
“Don’t cry baby, it’s not your fault.” Van wipes the tears from my cheeks and brushes a few loose strands of hair away from my face.
The tears continue to fall. Heaviness fills my chest and my stomach knots. “This is my fault.” More tears flow down my face. I clear my throat and take a deep breath. “Owen demoted me to the mailroom because he was pissed I didn’t respond to his advances. For payback, I dressed sexy to show him what he can’t have. I brought this on myself.” A few sobs escape. Please don’t let Van be mad. I need him so much, especially now. I lower my head and slowly lift my eyes up.
“Seriously?” He shakes his head and throws his hands in the air. Exhaling deeply, he rubs his fingers across his forehead and pinches the bridge of his nose. “That fucking asshole’s hands should never be on you, not even if you’re half-naked in a bikini.” He covers his face with his hands and inhales deeply, slowly dropping his arms to his sides. “Everything’s on video. He can’t weasel out of this.” He grinds his teeth together, baring them. “Too bad he didn’t make bail. I’d love to get my hands on him.” He slams his fist against his palm.
My muscles weaken as the tension releases from my body. He’s not pissed at me. Thank God! “Wait, why are you here instead of on tour? Oh no, is everyone mad at me again?”
He narrows his eyes. “Brooke called me. I jumped right on a plane.” He tilts his head to the side. “No one’s mad, everyone’s worried.”
“Jeeze, you didn’t have to drop everything. I’ll be fine.”
He moves closer and presses his forehead against mine. “Nothing’s more important than you.” He brushes his soft lips gently against mine.
Beep,beep,beep,beep.
I blush and cover my mouth with my hand, chuckling underneath. Is the heart monitor going to explode? I guess it’s not equipped to withstand the power of Van Sinclair. Wow, even with the throbbing pain in my head my body still tingles from his touch. “So, when do you have to g
et back on the road?”
Van rolls his eyes. “Leave it to you to be worried about my next show. We postponed the tour dates by a week. I’m not leaving without you.”
A huge smile erupts across my face. What hurts more, my head or my cheeks? “How long am I stuck here?”
“Excellent question. Let’s find out.” Van walks out of the room and over to the nurse’s desk.
Unbelievable! Who would have thought Owen would react like a psycho? Someone has issues! I turn toward the window, stretch, and inhale deeply. The sweet fragrance of the fresh cut flowers on the windowsill catches my attention. What beautiful arrangements! I rub my eyes and squint, trying to read the cards attached. One is from Simone, one from Brooke, and the largest of them all is from Global Inc.’s corporate office.
“Hello Lexie, I’m Dr. Greene. How are you feeling?” She walks toward me with a chart in her hand. Her short blond hair brushes against her cheek as she moves.
I grimace, the pain still throbbing in my head. “I feel ok,” I say as I stare into the brightness of her pen light.
“It looks as if your concussion is improving. I’m going to release you, but you need to get plenty of rest and stay in bed.” Dr. Greene signs a few papers in my chart.
“No problem, it’s my favorite place to be.” I flash a suggestive smile at Van, even though the hospital gown I’m draped in is not the sexiest attire.
“No strenuous activity for at least a few days.” Dr. Greene winks at me as she leaves the room.
My face flushes and I twirl my hair around my fingers. “Dr. Green’s an intelligent woman.”
“Finally, I can take you out of here.” Van kisses my forehead, before gathering up my belongings and flowers.
Do I really have to be wheeled out in a wheelchair? I guess I can overlook the hospital’s policy if it means I’m heading home.
Brooke and Dean are sitting at the kitchen table when we step inside my apartment.
Brooke hops up from her chair. “I was so worried. Thank God you’re home.” She charges me, pulling me into a tight hug.
“Hope you guys are hungry, Pizza Palace never disappoints.” Dean stands up and put his arm around me, gently squeezing my shoulder.
“Starving! Hospital food sucks!” My mouth waters as I inhale deeply, taking in the aroma of tomatoes and fresh baked bread.
“Couch or bed?” Van asks, raising his eyebrows.
I graze my teeth over my bottom lip, catching it between them and wink.
Van rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
I sigh. “Bed. Our couch sucks.” Great, he’s actually making me stick to the bed rest regime.
Yay, pizza and monopoly; maybe this night is shaping up. The board game shakes and a few hotels fall over as I reach for another slice of pizza. Who would‘ve thought that four people can fit on my bed? Dean wins, no shocker there. Is this the first time we’ve ever played without drinking? Apparently, alcohol consumption doesn’t affect the outcome.
I yawn and lean back against the headboard. These pain meds are knocking me out. “Thanks for tonight. I love you all.”
“Aw, we all love you too.” Brooke pats my shoulder. “We’ll show you more love tomorrow, right now you need to rest.”
Dean and Brooke pack up the game and leave us alone.
“Global Inc. called me yesterday.” Van tucks a few stray hairs behind my ear. “They want to have a meeting on Monday morning. I said we’d be there, but if you’re not up to it we can cancel.”
My face flushes and I cross my arms. “Oh, we’re going! I’d like to tell them exactly what I think of that scumbag, Owen Jenkins.”
“Don’t get all fired up. You need to rest.” He glides his fingers along my cheek.
My chest flutters, sending a shiver of pure pleasure to my core. My heart races, drumming in my ears. I finally have Van in my bed again and I have to take it easy? When will the torture end? I take a deep breath and try to suppress my burning need to ravish him. “I’ll need my favorite T-shirt.”
“You got it babe.” A low growl develops in his throat as he hands me my Devil’s Garden T-shirt. Deep red flushes across his face and his jaw clenches, causing his lips to tremble. His eyes protrude as he glares at my wrists.
What’s the matter with him? I jerk my head back. My eyes follow his to the black and blue marks shaped like fingerprints around my wrists. “Stop it.” I grab his cheeks and stare into his eyes. “Don’t get mad over my war wounds. We’ll just tell everyone I’m really kinky and made the handcuffs too tight.”
Van exhales deeply. “You’re a piece of work.”
Am I in prison? Van watches over me like a hawk. Al-Qaeda isn’t under this degree of heavy surveillance. I get it, he’s just looking out for me but I’m not made of glass.
Finally, it’s Monday. The sooner this meeting is over the better. What should I wear today? I peruse my closet. Ah ha, my gray business dress with black flats is good enough. It’s not like I’m on the clock. Um, I can’t do much to cover the bruises on my wrists or the one on my forehead, but letting the reps from Global Inc. see my injuries may not be so bad; maybe they’ll understand the severity of what happened.
I grip Van’s hand tightly as we march through the parking garage into the huge building. My heart races, faster with every step. I just want to put this all behind me, not relive it again.
Simone walks down the opposite side of the hallway leafing through a few papers. She lifts her head and stops in her tracks.
“I’m so glad you’re ok.” She rushes toward me and pulls me into a hug. She steps back and flinches. “That bastard.” Her eyes travel along my forehead.
“I’m fine. Thank you for the flowers.”
“Alexis Waters?” A woman at the front desk calls for me.
I wave to Simone and walk over to the woman glaring at me. “I’m Alexis Waters.”
“Ms. Tucker will meet you in the third floor conference room. You can go right up.” She turns her attention away from us after delivering the message.
My finger trembles as I press the button of the elevator. Van wraps his arms around me and kisses my forehead. The steel doors open, revealing light blue walls and a gray carpeted floor. My heart hammers against my chest.
He entwines his fingers with mine. “Walk with me.”
I grip his hand tightly and nuzzle my cheek against his arm. I can do anything with him by my side.
Huh, I guess they all look the same. Déjà vu hits me as I glance around the room. The astonishing view from the wall to wall windows is obstructed by the handful of people seated in the leather chairs.
A woman at the head of the table stands. “Hello Alexis. I’m Victoria Tucker, CEO of Global Inc. Please, take a seat.”
Oh my God. The CEO of Global Inc. is meeting with me. I begin to fidget “Thank you.”
Victoria Tucker weaves a stray strand of blond hair back into her severe bun. Wow, that black business suit screams power. Everyone around her hangs on her every word. Well, there’s one person in the room who could care less about her status. Van’s not intimidated by anyone.
Victoria’s eyes move up and down, assessing Van. He sits with his shoulders back and his chin up, dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, just like he would for any other occasion. Why should he try to impress the reps from Global Inc.? In this situation, shouldn’t it be the other way around? Does it really matter what he wears? He has the tendency to dazzle people without any effort at all.
“You must be Van, we spoke on the phone.” Victoria’s eyes widen as she stares.
He nods and shakes her hand. “What did you want to see us about?”
Victoria pours us each a glass of water and sits in the chair directly across from us. “First of all, I want to make sure Alexis is alright. Second, I want to talk about the incident that occurred so we can see where we need to go from here.”
I take a deep breath and slowly exhale. “I remember everything up to the point right before I blacked out.” I twirl my
hair around my fingers.
“The actual incident is all on tape, so there’s no need to relive it. Is there anything that would have led you to believe that Mr. Jenkins was on the verge of this type of behavior?” She taps her pen against a yellow tablet.
Umm, other than the ‘I’m-better-than-you-and–get-everything-I-want’ attitude? “Not that I can pinpoint. I didn’t realize Owen only made me part of a big account with the intent of seducing me. I probably seem naïve to everyone, but I really believed it was legitimate. When he demoted me for not returning his advances, I tried to torment him by showing him there are things in this would that he can’t have. I guess I should have just worked in the mailroom and let it go.” I sink down in my chair and look at the table.
She lowers her eyes to look into mine. “Alexis, none of this is your fault. Owen is responsible for his actions. I’m just trying to implement a plan to prevent this from occurring again in the future and your input is vital.”
Maybe I can prevent this from happening to someone else. I exhale and raise my head. “I’m not sure if anyone can predict this type of behavior. I can only suggest a policy for new hires indicating a starting point with the company and a structured plan for advancement.”
“That’s an excellent idea and I will take it under advisement. Now, Global Inc. would like to keep this incident quiet, especially from the reps of American Gemstone.” She sips her water. “Since you were unfairly demoted, we have a new job offer to propose to you.”
I bite at my lips. “To be honest, Van is a musician who tours the country. I’m really not comfortable being alone anymore, so I’ve decided to travel with him from now on.”
“I can understand your fears. Global Inc. is prepared to offer you a ‘work from home’ position which will allow you to travel. We will issue you a laptop with a broadband internet connection that will be accessible wherever a cell phone is usable. Your job will consist of creating strategies to implement new business plans. We’re prepared to offer you a five year contract and start you out with $80,000 a year. Naturally, all of the benefits offered by Global Inc. will apply.” She pushes a stack of papers across the table toward me.