Chapter 24

My brain keeps running in circles trying to process the events of the past few days. Thoughts about Liam, previous night, and this evening. While I chase around Liam and have excursions to the city, my business is in deep shit. Which just confirms my worst fear. I can’t get entangled with somebody while at the same time maintaining the focus and concentration needed to start the company and lift the business of the ground.

Physical exhaustion took over at some point so I fell asleep. Soft chime of my phone wakes me up, it is 7 am. Anxiety level still the same. At least it drives me out of bed and into the shower without any snoozing. Putting on my black pencil dress I’m transported back three years when I was a part of the corporate world and this was my daily dress code. I don’t miss it. Not really. It is nice to occasionally play pretend like this, but I know I wouldn’t be happy if that was my every day. Black high heal pumps to round up the look. Everything is packed in my small carry-on bag and I go downstairs.

After leaving all my stuff in the hall by the door I join Piper and Drake in the kitchen. “Morning good people.” I greet them.

“Hi darling. Do you want some breakfast?”

“I’m not that hungry, but some coffee would be gold. A double one!”

Their housekeeper Celia gives me a small smile and a nod, takes out a cup and starts preparing my favorite morning hot beverage. Drake jugs his coffee, grabs the jacket draped over the back of the stool next to me and puts it on while John appears in the kitchen waiting for him.

“I have to leave you ladies and get to the office.” He tells us and gives Piper an audible smack on the mouth. Both of men head in the direction of the garage. Celia hands me my double espresso and I thank the woman who made it from the bottom of my heart.

“Sleep well?” I ask Piper.

“Like a baby, and you?”

“Tossed and turned, but I don’t want to drown you in my mess anymore. I’ve already ruined your weekend. What are your plans for today?”

Piper stretches over the counter and squeezes my hand. “Don’t ever think that. I know exactly what you are going through. Drake and I started in a similar way.”

I gape at her.

“Yes, don’t be surprised. We also came from opposing perspectives on life and how things should work. We managed to find a common ground and built from there.”

Sipping the hot liquid, I take in her words. “I would never guess that…”

“Each of us had to change. Give up some of the beliefs we had. No give up is the wrong word. Not let them limit us. In the end all those things disproved themselves.”

Delicious pastry displayed in front of me tempts me to change my opinion on breakfast. I take one piece put it on a plate and shove a bit of it in my mouth to gain some time to think.

“I’m just saying that people do find common ground. Others don’t. But don’t dismiss it before you tried.”

I nod. “You do have a point.”

Doorbell rings and I know that is Liam’s driver coming to collect me. Few seconds later a man for whom I could have sworn is John’s twin brother, is standing in front of me. Do all rich people have ex-Navy Seals to guard them?

“Miss Ace I’m here to take you to the meeting with Mr. Carver.” He states the obvious giving me a polite smile before he resumes his expressionless professional badass stance.

“Hi. I’m Madison. Please don’t call me Miss Ace.”

His face remains a stone mask of tranquility and Zen. “I would prefer not to, Miss Ace. Thank you for understanding.”

I freeze for a moment not expecting such blunt refusal before shrugging my shoulders. “Ok. As you prefer. What about my car?”

“I have a colleague with me, he will drive it to the company parking and leave the key with Mr. Carvers assistant.”

The car key is of course at the bottom of my bag making me take out a bunch of stuff out to the counter before I’m able to find it. As I hand him the key, I’m sure that I see a ghost of a smirk. Aaaaa the badass looking terminator is human after all.

“Are those your bags?” he points to the two carry-ons I left in the hall.

“Mister …?”

“Adam.”

“Mr. Adam.” I just couldn’t help myself had to tease him for the Miss Ace situation. For a moment I’m not sure if he is amused by this exchange. Quick sparkle in his eye kinnda tells me he is.

“Just Adam, Miss.”

“Can I kindly ask your colleague to put them in my car?”

“Consider that done. Shall we go?”

I grab my bag and send an air kiss to Piper who is still standing on the other side of the kitchen island looking amused.

“Call me later.” She tells me.

“I will. Thank you for everything.”

“It was my pleasure.”

Twenty minutes to nine, Adam parks at the curb next to Carver Global Ltd building. In the few years that passed and the stellar success Liam had, I would have expected that he would have moved to a bigger building. A majestic tower with his penthouse office overlooking everybody.

But no, here he is in the same old place, all too familiar to me as well. Positioned in downtown Denver, near the Convention Center, the four-story building stands out from the surrounding with its modern black and tan front. From the entrance you can see the blue bear leaning on the Convention Center. Prime position. From that perspective I understand why his main HQ is still here. Basic shape of the building is a simple rectangle following the street with its longer side with the main entrance in the middle of it.

The front of the building is made of big glass surfaces encased in black metal shell with vertical dark wood paneling above and below the windows. It was and still is beautiful. This was the most modern looking building I have worked in. Sliding entrance doors open with a smooth swoosh and I enter the lobby. I peek in the direction of the reception, fully expecting Mary. The receptionist who used to welcome me every day. Reality is different, some new young guy is in her place now. Few sentences later I have my guest ID card and am good to go directly to the fourth floor. Liam’s office is more a complex of meeting rooms and his office. At least it was back then. There is no crowd, so the elevator is empty and waiting for me. It is 7 minutes to 9 and I expect he is deep in work. If my memory serves me right, he is in the office before 8 am.

The interior of the fourth floor looks different and if there was no reception, I would be lost. Two dark eyes surrounded by a sleek black bob greet me from the reception desk. New assistant, that changed as well. I open my mouth to say hello and introduce myself only to be cut off before I even begin. “Miss Ace, Mr. Carver is waiting for you. Just enter.” She tells me in a polite tone showing me the door to his office. I give her a court nod and continue to the door.

I let him know I’m here by knocking two times before I enter. The new Liam’s office is spacious with several seating areas of different functions. The meeting rooms are obviously merged to make one big office. His office. He is sitting behind a sleek glass and metal desk in the far side of the office. The entire office breaths the urban, modern vibe of the building architecture. Black leather couch and four lounging chairs on my right in front of the glass wall with a heavy looking stone coffee table in the middle. The space on the left is on the other hand occupied by a large conference table and at least 10 chairs around it. Complemented by a massive screen on the wall behind it.

The old office was half of this. His desk and a lounging area where he sometimes met with clients. No conference table.

He is focused on something he is writing, evident from the clicking sounds coming from his direction. He casually glances in my direction sizing me up from my shoes up. “Good morning, Madison,” he murmurs absently, still immersed in his work and the low deep vibrations of his voice make my whole-body hum. “Sit while I finish this e-mail,” he points to the chairs in front of his desk.

I use this opportunity to gawk at him. He has a light gray shirt and matching tie with a dark gray west, looking sinfully good. Spiky unruly hear contrasting perfectly the neat and manicured beard. Sitting in one of the chairs in front of his desk I place my bag on the other, lean back and cross my legs not taking my eyes from him. My God he is stunning. He always had scruff on his face, emphasizing the high cheekbones and perfect sensual lips; but never this much. I’m not complaining here he looks even more appealing with it. Darker, more powerful. No wonder women literally throw themselves at him. And I got to kiss him last night. He stops typing, shifting his gaze from the monitor to me.

“Slept well?” He asks returning my glare.

“Like a baby.” I respond courtly.

Liam refocuses back on his typing while I continue enjoying the view in front of me. Mesmerized by the rhythmic dance of his fingers over the keyboard. Remembering how those fingers grazed over my breasts instantly makes my core pulse in attention.

Few seconds later he stops typing, makes a few clicks with this mouse and leans back in his chair.

Ou shit! Is the only thing that pops into mind after his gaze focuses on me like the Eye of Sauron itself.