Chapter 25

Wesley

 

“Shit, where did I leave my phone?”

You’d think after so many years of being on the go as a businessman, I’d have a better ability to keep track of things. But no. This is the third time this week I’ve managed to misplace my cell, and I really can’t afford to not have it right now.

Today of all days, I really do need it. Aunt Shelly is having some medical tests done, and I’m her designated driver.

It’s six in the morning, and I’ve turned my bedroom upside down. No phone. And there are only two places I ever set it down: here, or the office. That’s where I must have left it. Makes sense, my inner voice laughs. You were pretty distracted by Mariah on your way out of the building last night.

“Now is not the time for that,” I mutter, scrambling into a pair of pants. But the thought isn’t off-base… I have been thinking of Mariah a lot. I’ve tried to pretend it’s just in a business sense, especially after she closed that open house so quickly. But seeing her last night in the office, standing there in front of me, it certainly wasn’t the business part of my brain that wanted to take over.

I had to hurry out of there before I said or did the wrong thing. Her curvy figure turned me on as always, as did the fact that she was working so late. She’s exactly everything I want in a woman, but it’s too bad she’s my employee and so young, so, I can’t have her.

Well, at least there’s no way I’ll run into her again today, I think. Maybe a day away from the office will be the reset I need. No one will be at the office this early, so I’ll be able to duck in, grab the cell phone I left there in my hurry to run away from Mariah, and get out.

That’s the plan. Then I open the front door of the office, and am greeted by a softly snoring Mariah. Sleeping on the lobby couch. With a suitcase next to her. What is going on here?

Leaning down, I shake her shoulder gently. “Mariah.”

“Mhhhmm,” she murmurs, still mostly asleep, “Don’t stop.”

“Mariah.” I say her name again, louder. “Mariah, wake up.”

She starts awake, staring up at me blankly for a second until she comes back to herself.

“Oh!” She scrambles upright on the couch, her cheeks flushing red. “Mr. Drive! What’re you doing here?”

I almost laugh. “Are you really the one who should be asking that question right now?”

I’m right, and she knows it. “So, Mariah…what’re you doing here at 6:45 in the morning? Besides sleeping on the couch.”              

“I’m so sorry.” Mariah tries to straighten her clothes, and as she does I catch a flash of her lacy, pink bra… and the skin underneath. “I must’ve just stayed too late and passed out.”

She’s lying, and we both know it. But why would she be telling me anything but the truth? And what kind of truth ends up with her crashing on the lobby couch?

“So, you accidentally fell asleep here. With your suitcase.” I keep my tone calm and gentle. With her, that’s easy.

She nods, hesitant. I keep eye contact with her, feeling more and more concern. Something’s not right here.

“Mariah, remember what I told you outside the bar? You can trust me. Besides, if you’re going to sleep on my couch, in my office, I should at least get to know why.”

“Your couch?” she asks, a faint smile on her face.

“Yes, actually.” I’d almost forgotten that. “They remodeled awhile back, and brought in this truly awful couch the color of a sick frog. I hated it, so I bought a new one for the office myself. Snuck it in overnight with a few friends for help, as a matter of fact.”

There’s a real smile on Mariah’s face now. “Well, it is really comfy.”

I sit next to her. “I know. Now please, tell me what’s going on here. I know something’s not right.”

Mariah stares at the floor for a long moment, then lifts her gaze to me.

“Okay.”