Still, against all rational thought, I wanted to know what was behind Huck’s mournful eyes and the barbed gates he kept around himself. How did he come to be that way? And what was it about me that made him feel like he needed to collect and dissect every detail of my life?
These were questions I’d probably never have the answer to, and when I checked the time, I realized I needed to turn my focus elsewhere. Escaping wouldn’t be my reality if I didn’t sort through these papers fast enough and find a way for Huck to put me to use in the shop. Certain he’d anticipate that I would take all day with this, I ramped up my production, only to be interrupted twenty minutes later.
A guy I recognized from the shop floor opened the door and then paused, startled to find me sitting there. He was wearing a leather vest just like Ace, only his had a prospect patch.
“Oh shit, sorry,” he said. “Didn’t mean to interrupt. I just need to grab one of the files for a customer.”
I nodded, but the interaction didn’t end there. On autopilot, his eyes drifted over my body, flaring with heated interest that he tried to shake off a second later. I couldn’t be certain of my own motivations anymore, but I saw this as an opportunity. A way to prod at Huck and see how he really felt.
“Wait a second,” I told the interloper after he’d secured the file he wanted.
“Yeah?” He looked down at me as though I was bad news, and I didn’t try to hide my answering smile because he was right about that.
“What’s your name?”
He glanced at the door behind him as if he knew he shouldn’t be caught in here with me. “It’s Blake.”
“Blake.” I leaned back in the office chair and crossed my legs, drawing his attention there. “I’m Birdie.”
He tipped his head forward with what I assumed was meant to be a respectful nod, but instead, his eyes got caught on my chest. The jacket I’d packed was now secured around my waist, and the black tank I wore today dipped low enough to show just the top swells of my breasts. Blake wanted more, and I was prepared to eat him alive.
“I feel so silly asking this.” I toyed with a strand of my hair, blinking up at him. “But there are a few papers in here that I don’t know how to categorize. Would you mind giving me your opinion?”
Again, Blake glanced at the door, but ultimately, he allowed his dick to lead him as he stepped forward to be my savior. “Sure, I can help you out with that.”
I grabbed the first paper on the stack and slid it across the desk even though it wasn’t necessary. He had slowly closed in on me, invading my space to the point his arm was practically touching mine as we both leaned forward.
“Like this one.” I shrugged. “Does it go under miscellaneous?”
It was a stupid question since it was obvious that the bill should go into the utility file, but Blake pretended to consider it anyway. At least until his eyes grazed over the name at the top, and his back went rigid. “These aren’t business expenses,” he noted. “It looks like they’re Ace’s personal files.”
“Yep.” I nodded as if I didn’t understand the implication of his statement.
I doubted Ace would want his prospect in here rifling through his personal documents. But if that were the case, then why did he have me in here doing it?
Blake scratched at his stubble, shaking his head. “I’m honestly not too sure.”
Yet he didn’t move. I smiled up at him, and he swallowed. For a minute, we sat in limbo while I waited to see if he’d make a move. But as it turned out, it wasn’t necessary.
The door slammed open, shocking the hell out of both of us, and Blake took a step back, bumping into the counter as Ace glowered at both of us from the doorway. His eyes lasered in on Blake, and I knew in that instant I’d fucked up. I’d only intended to prod at him, but it was clear I’d woken the beast instead.
“Get the fuck out,” he growled at Blake. “Pack your shit. You’re done here.”
“Wait—” I jumped up from my seat in protest. “It wasn’t his fault. I asked him a question, that’s all.”
“Yes, sweet little innocent Birdie just loves to ask questions,” he mocked. “Don’t you?”
My mouth slammed shut, and I think it was the first time I’d ever truly been speechless. There was so much venom in his tone. His gaze was glacial, and I’d never seen him like this. Ace was always a brick wall of emotion, but right now, he was completely devoid of humanity.