44

AUDREY
Surprisingly, my Audi was available when we stepped out of Gabriel’s penthouse, and as planned, he drove his car by himself but insisted that I should have Jones drive for me.
Like the normal days, I settled behind my computer and filled in some of the duties I neglected yesterday because my boss snatched me out of the office. I emailed Gabriel everything necessary, diverted important calls, and arranged his meeting schedules. Also, got his coffee, had his extra suit ready because he usually wore two different outfits a day, and answered endless calls from suppliers. I also remember we had a meeting with the creative department after lunch.
“Mr. Stark’s office. How can I help you?” The call was from the lobby.
“Miss Hopkins, Carla Garner is here again. She’s a manager from Exclusive Magazine, and she wants to see Mr. Stark.”
“I’m sorry, Jennifer. I don’t see Carla Garner or the Exclusive Magazine in Mr. Stark’s schedule.”
“I’m afraid she’s insisting. She won’t leave until she speaks to Mr. Stark. Is he busy?”
I slipped a peek into Gabriel’s room through the glass wall, but he was still on the phone. “Yes, he is, and his schedule is full today. I guess you can ask Miss Garner her message, and I’ll try to pass it on to him.”
I heard Jennifer speak, repeating my line, then she came back. “She won’t say anything. What should I do, Miss Hopkins?”
I groaned in frustration. Magazine people could be really aggressive, I guess. It’s probably just an interview.
“Fine. I’ll go down and try to speak to her—” I was cut off. The phone was suddenly snatched from my hand. It was Coulson Stark.
“Jennifer,” he spoke while still looking at me, making hand gestures telling me that it was fine. “Tell Carla to come up and see me instead. Yep, thank you.” He gave the phone back to me.
“What’s that all about?” I asked.
“Just an annoying press that’d probably make a scene if I don’t take action.” He winked at me. “See you around, Audrey.” He flashed a smile and then walked away.
I shrugged and stood at my desk anyway and came into Gabriel’s office. “Mr. Stark,” I approached and placed the folders I was holding on his desk. He wasn’t on the phone anymore. “This is from the creative department. I already reviewed everything, and you have…” I checked my wristwatch. “You have ten minutes to check those before your next appointment. Mr. Michael Braden is your ten o’clock.”
His eyes peered at me but eventually glimmered. He smiled. “Do you still have time to breathe?”
I crossed my arms. “For your information, Mr. Stark, I did this every day for three months, and yes, I still have time to breathe. However, this is the first time I think you actually sound concerned.”
“I’m always concerned, Audrey. I know this job can be very demanding.” He stood up from his desk, buttoned up his suit, then walked toward me. “But you’ve been a very good girl. You make me want to kiss you.” His hands went down my waist, but I was too conscious someone might see us, so I instantly moved away.
“Mr. Stark.” I cleared my throat.
He grinned mischievously. “Is this what you want?”
“What?”
“Making it hard for me,” he whispered hoarsely.
“No, as far as I remember, I’m making things easy for you.” I grinned back, returning that sexy provocative smile.
“Do you have plans for lunch?” he asked softly.
“Yes, with Jace and Chelsea at the restaurant across the building.”
He nodded, then he stepped closer again and took my hand. “Okay, I’ll just take you to dinner then.”
I smiled. “Really?”
“Hmm.” He kissed my hand. “And I’ll drive you home like a gentleman. Is that what you want?”
I ran my finger over the fabric of his suit. “Wow. I didn’t know Gabriel Stark did things like this.”
“I’m not sure what you mean by that, but yes. I can be if I want.” He grinned.
I giggled. I looked around to check if someone was looking, but there wasn’t, so I took the opportunity to give him a brief kiss. I parted, but then he pulled me back against him and crushed his mouth with mine.
“I wanted you to come home again with me, but I’m going with Coulson tonight,” he whispered between our lips.
“It’s okay. I can’t always stay with you, Gabriel. We have to take this slow.”
“I understand.” He kissed me one more time. “I’m going to check the folders now before I lose myself here and bend you over.”
I bit my lower lip, smiling. “Kinky.”
I parted away from him and headed towards the door, but before I even pulled it open, it swung directly at my face, and a tall, chic, short-haired blonde woman in a silver dress stormed inside.
Coulson was freaking out behind her. “Carla, don’t—”
“You better explain yourself to me now, Gabriel,” the woman ranted. “Did your secretary just ask me to go away?”
“Excuse me?” I finally reacted. “Who do you think you are?”
Her attention swung at me. Damn. She was at least four inches taller. She studied me from head to toe and raised an eyebrow. “I’m not talking to you.”
What the fuck?
Gabriel’s jaw clenched. “Did you let her in, Coulson?”
“She’s yelling at our receptionist,” Coulson reasoned.
So, this was Carla Garner from the Exclusive. She wouldn’t be rushing over to the CEO’s office if Gabriel didn’t know her. She marched towards Gabriel’s desk and stood mightily in front of him.
“You can’t run away from me forever, Gabriel.”
“Who said I’m running?” his voice was still calm, and he turned around his desk and sat.
“Audrey,” Coulson called me. “Come.”
“She snapped at my face,” I pointed incredulously.
“Yes, and she will if we don’t come out now.” He caught my arm. “Please.”
“What is going on?”
“Just come. I’ll tell you outside.” Coulson snatched me out of Gabriel’s office and brought me to his office. Then I remembered he saw me in such a state this morning at a video conference, so I guess this was a good time to talk. He was Gabriel’s brother, after all.
“Tell me right now before I type her name in Google,” I said.
Coulson sat behind his desk. “I guess there’s no point in keeping it from you.”
I frowned. “Keep what from me?”
“Carla is Gabriel’s ex fiancée.”