Flawless Desire

Showtime.

I wait five minutes, just to make sure she’s really gone, then quickly, I make my way to the imposing double doors to Caleb’s office and slip inside. It’s a truly impressive space. Light pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows that take up the entire back wall of the office, behind a massive chrome-and-glass desk. There is a full sofa, a coffee table. He even has his own sitting area and a wardrobe with a mirrored door. It’s all modern, in subdued grays and blues.

I creep into the room, closing the door behind me, focused on his desk, first. As I come around it, I peer into another open door in the corner. It’s a bathroom, complete with shower.

Fighting away thoughts of him stripping down and rinsing off, I settle onto his desk chair. Jiggling the mouse on his computer, I come to a login screen.

Password protected. Obviously.

I make a mental note that I’ll need to find his password, somehow.

Next, I go for the desk drawers, tugging on each one, in turn. A couple just have basic office supplies, but the top one is locked.

Well, if he’s going to leave his office open, he has to have some security. Especially if he has something to hide.

Sighing, I look around. What next? On the surface, it’s like a hotel room—there are no photos, no framed diplomas or personal effects. It doesn’t tell me much about Caleb Sterling at all.

But just when I’m about to give up, I notice something beside his computer. A tiny silver globe, etched with a map of the world, about the size of a golf ball. I figured it for a paperweight, but then I see the ring attached to it.

It’s a keychain. No keys, though.

Setting it down, I go to the wardrobe and slide the glass door open. Sure enough, there are at least a dozen white shirts hanging there, along with a couple of suits, and a black-tie tuxedo. For the CEO who has to change on the go.

Closing the door, I’m just about to head for the exit when I hear it. Footsteps. Coming closer.

Coming towards me!

Frantic, I spin around, looking for a place to hide. If Caleb finds me snooping in here on my first day, my whole cover will be blown! But where can I hide? The bathroom? What if he comes inside. The wardrobe? There’s barely room to breathe in there.

The sounds get closer, and I hear Caleb’s voice, murmuring on a phone call.

My heart kicks wildly. My mind goes blank. I’m totally busted.

And then he opens the door.