He’s staring at me while my wheels spin and I say nothing. It’s like he’s waiting, expecting me to say more. Maybe he’s waiting for me to work up the nerve to ask questions.
“I’ll give you some privacy.”
“Okay.”
He pockets his phone and says, “I’ve got some calls to make and a few quick things to do in my office. When you’re done here, feel free to come into my bedroom and I’ll vacate so you can get some sleep.”
“Okay. Um… thank you.”
“Thank you?” He tips his head curiously.
“For… showing up so fast when I texted.”
“My brother was in the parking lot, watching for Ray’s return. He somehow got in without being seen, but I messaged him when you contacted me, so he went straight up.”
“There’s an old lady that lives on the ground floor on the south side and sometimes Ray slips in her patio door and heads in that way. She loves Ray and doesn’t mind; half the time doesn’t notice if he slips in there instead of coming through the lobby. He often does that when avoiding people.”
He stares at me like he’s trying to figure something out. I shuffle with unease and his expression changes.
“Did you eat?” he asks. “I haven’t and I’m about to warm something up.”
“I’m good.”
“For sure?”
“Yes. I was with my parents for dinner until a little while ago. Thank you for asking.”
He nods. “I’ll leave you to it.”
***
I brought most of the clothes I own, not having the frame of mind to be able to effectively plan for two weeks on a half a moment’s notice.
Two weeks. Here. In this place. While Ray scampers around trying to figure things out?
I shake it off. Talk about being thrown. After all the hangers are on the rod, I carefully put non-hangable things in the armoire drawers and set up the several pairs of shoes I’ve brought in the cubbies, kicking off the booties I’ve got on.
I grab a pair of cotton pajamas - blue shorts with cats all over them and a white tank top with the Lord Nermal kitty giving the finger (a gift from my teen brother last Christmas) along with my short purple kimono and carry them back down the hall, finding myself again in Killian’s bedroom, seeing the doors wide open and that big king-size bed with the burgundy bedding, lots of pillows. The room smells good. Faint citrus. Men’s aftershave. Leather. Something spicy like cinnamon, I think.
When I step in, he’s on the phone over in his office area, leaned back in his chair.
“---give no fucks. That bullshit happens again, she’s done… well, I thought that was what I was paying you to do. Am I paying the wrong person?” His eyes move to me as he senses my presence.
He jerks his chin up and lifts his index finger.
I back away anyway, waving my hand apologetically as he listens to the phone but tracks me with his eyes.
“Email me the recording. I’ll think on it. Right. Bye.” He ends his call and meets me by the doorway. His suit jacket is gone and the first two buttons of his dress shirt are undone.
His sleeves are rolled up, revealing strong, corded forearms. He has a tumbler with amber liquid in his hand, just a mouthful left. He puts it to his lips and tilts it back. I watch him swallow. His throat is as attractive as the rest of him.
“Something to drink, Violet? I have plenty of wine options, or I can mix you a cocktail.”
“I’m good with just some water.”
“Follow me.” He leads us back to the kitchen. “Make yourself at home. Help yourself to any food or drinks you like. I have a vast wine collection and none of it’s off limits to you. Cocktails. Whatever you like. My housekeeper was here this afternoon, won’t be back until Monday, but she’s stocked me up. She always ensures there’s enough for two, in case I have company, so we’ll have dinner here tomorrow night, me and you. Sound okay?”
I don’t know how else to answer other than to say “Okay.”
“I’ll ask her to come early Monday, so you have a chance to meet her before you leave for work. Then you can talk to her about any dietary needs.”
“It’s okay. Thank you, though. I don’t want to disrupt anyone’s routine.”
“It’s her job to take care of the apartment and any guests I have. You’re a guest, Violet.”
“I don’t wanna be any trouble.”
He looks at me assessingly. “We’ll see how much trouble you’ll be.” He smirks.
I’m now even more discombobulated.
He sobers and loses the smirk. “I’ll take you to work in the morning and pick you up after.”
“I can just take my car and-”
“No. We’ll make sure Ray doesn’t try to approach you on the way to work. If he shows up, he’ll see me dropping you off and know better. We’ll do it my way. My way and he won’t fuck with you.”