by Tanja Neise
Thank God Pierre came along at that moment and put a cup of black tea and a piece of lemon tart in front of me on the table. “Enjoy.” He came much too close to me and looked at me vividly. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, yes... Thank you, Pierre.” Did I look that exhausted? Nervously, I fiddled around with the turban and pushed a red curl back under the fabric.
The waiter gave Tensington a sceptical look before he disappeared. What was the matter with the men today? Usually, no one was interested in me.
“Your boyfriend?” Was I wrong, or did his voice sound sharper than before? His face seemed closed again and there was nothing more to be seen of the smile he had given me.
“My boyfriend?” A counter question with which I wanted to stall some time to find out whether I had only imagined that Tensington's mood had just arrived at zero.
A deep crease formed between his two eyebrows. “You both seemed so familiar with each other.”
He didn't take back his question, as most men would probably have done, after all, it wasn't really his business who I was involved with or not. He was definitely in a bad mood, which was spilling over to me in waves.
This was slowly becoming too much for me. I didn't have to justify myself to him; besides, it was my afternoon off. “And why do you want to know that?”
“Touché!” With a wolfish grin, he leaned back in the armchair and watched me as his thumb pondered over his lower lip. “I had already told you that I would like to get to know you better. Maybe you didn't understand my intention behind it. I don't like to share.”
My mouth became dry again and I swallowed the non-existent dust in it. What did I expect? A man like Tensington was not pushed into a corner. He was aware of who he was and what he wanted. And he was very direct. But why did he want me?
Anne Rumsfield
Seattle was a hole. I would never have come here of my own free will, but my job had landed me in this city – not a holiday, where sightseeing would be a top priority. I had the chance to circumvent landing on the bottom of the heap. The good times lay long behind this place of horror. There were few newly-built houses, and those that had avoided the destruction that took place during the vampire wars looked more like they were about to collapse due to old age. The population had been severely decimated and the resettlement programme had failed. A few companies had settled here, along with the local university; otherwise, the city was threatened with extinction. This was the case for many of the former big cities, because the mob had hidden there. There had been enough food for the vampires, and for the humans there had been quite a few who couldn’t think things through enough to hide. Or, romantic ideas that had been planted in their brains by vampire romances, had clouded their minds.
Something good had come of the wars – mankind had been thinned out and only the strongest and most intelligent had survived. Darwin’s Law of Evolution. Natural Selection: first, by being selected in the split into the two subspecies of vampire and human, and then, with the destruction of the vampires, a new selection had taken place. Only the strongest and most intelligent humans were left. After the last major survey, it was rumoured that only twenty percent of humans had survived the wars, but there were no official statistics. Presumably, nobody wanted to whip the world population into an additional frenzy. The media normally only broadcast positive news. Freedom of the press had not existed for a long time. However, it wasn’t only students and industrious factory workers who lived in the big cities; the dregs of society also came back here, and they were just in places like this that were doomed to die. Crime surfaced and the police fought fiercely against it, but nobody found out about it. Unless they worked for the government, like me, and belonged to the inner circle. It did not look good for our planet. Democracy and all the achievements of humanity were on the verge of collapse.
I had done my homework well and found out everything there was to know about Seattle. In terms of research, I was like a vicious hound chasing its prey.
The autopilot of my car stopped in front of the hotel, which definitely suited the rest of the city and had certainly seen better days. Nevertheless, it was the only thing worth me considering.
I quickly pulled out the small bag from behind the seat and entered the hall.
“Good evening, Miss. Can I help you?” the concierge said, with a nasally voice and a prim-and-proper tone. He was just pretending to work in a posh hotel.
“Ross. I have a reservation.” Nobody here would associate me with Rumsfield, the elite soldier; my complete change in looks alone would distract from everything else.
After a short search in the computer, he apparently found my booking. “Ah, Miss Ross. A single room for one night? Wouldn't you like to take a closer look at our nice little town?”
“One night is correct. I don't plan on staying any longer.” I looked the older man in the eye with disdain. He finally realised that I wasn't interested in small talk and picked out the chip card for my room. In other more modern hotels, they only worked with fingerprint sensors and programmed the doors of the rooms to the guests’ dactylograms. Not here. It wouldn't have been impossible to manipulate those kinds of scanners, but I didn't want to take any risks, so I had decided on this accommodation.
When I left the foyer, I silently smiled to myself on the inside and flung the long hair of my blond wig over my shoulder.
Everything was going according to plan.
Robert Tensington
At the beginning, I’d been furious at her because she had wanted to corner me so much, but the next moment the situation amused me enormously.
I had quite simply turned the tables. And now she was sitting in front of me and her pretty face had taken on the colour of a ripe tomato, which clashed a little with the green of her eyes and the light blue of the armchair. A true explosion of colour. I couldn’t get enough of it. What a pity her fiery mane remained hidden under this monstrosity.
“Perhaps I should go further and warn you. I don't just not like sharing, I never share.” I hadn't missed a single blink of her eye. I had absorbed every detail of her facial expressions or gestures, like a thirsty man in the desert. Where had she been hiding for so long? Why had no one ever told me that there was a young woman living in Seattle who seemed so bewitching to me? Was I the only one who could see it? Was I the only one who detected this subtle smell of apricots, which clouded my senses?
She was speechless for a short time and stared at me with a frowned forehead before leaning forward, displeased. “And what makes you assume I would get involved with you?”
The conversation was refreshing, this woman was refreshing and I hadn't had such fun in a long time. As if she had any chance against me and would not bow to my wishes. She really believed she had a choice. How amusing.
I didn't want to take away her belief that she could decide for herself. The game would be much more fun if she came to me of her own free will. “Of course I can't assume that, but I can hope so. You can't deny me that.” With pure delight, I’d registered that she hadn’t categorically rejected me. Just at the thought of Olivia Morgan in my arms, I had to move to the side a little in the armchair, so that she didn’t immediately notice my body’s reaction. Could this really be possible after so long?
Her gaze fixed on mine and then she smiled coldly. My confidence shattered like glass when she stood up. I had completely misjudged the situation. I had completely misjudged her. Or rather, I had overestimated myself. And this made me speechless for a moment.
“Goodbye, Mr Tensington.” With her head held high, she left the cosy little café and I had to suppress the urge to run after her with all my might. Desire, lust and greed would not make me grovel in front of a woman. Ever!
* * *
I had her monitored; she was accompanied on her every step by one of my men and had been for a week now. They were the best staff I had and they would tell me everything and still remain invisible to Olivia Morgan. Basically, I just had to sit back, but som
ething was pulling me to her. An inner turmoil was torturing me and I wasn’t able to think clearly. The hope that she was as attracted to me as I was to her was obviously unfounded. Every evening I worked overtime in the office in Seattle. It was completely pointless, because everything I had to do could have been done from my private laptop. The staff weren’t present at that time of day to answer my questions. Olivia Morgan was there. Every damn evening I could feel her presence. She was there and yet she didn't come to me; instead, I just got to see this Sally, who in some mysterious way was dear to Dark. The Dark that generally had no heart. Although I couldn't attest to that one hundred percent anymore, because the real reason Dark wanted me in Seattle was because Olivia caught his attention. Just the thought that he might be interested in her caused an unbridled jealousy in me. He had told me confidentially that there was something about Olivia Morgan that might be interesting for our company. Nothing more, as we were interrupted. So far, I hadn't asked him what he meant by that. I didn't want him to notice how much this red-haired woman controlled my thoughts.
“And here you have the side view of the building.” The architect looked at me indignantly, while a redheaded whirlwind buzzed around in my brain and laughed at me. “Mr Tensington?” With his eyebrows contracted, he pointed to the projection. I looked up. The impatience in my eyes made the man recoil and take a step backwards. Satisfied, I noted that this man had indeed recognised the danger. From time to time I could still get by with what the dear Lord had given me. Unfortunately, not all too often anymore. “Send me your entire exposé; I'll decide by the end of the week!” I pushed the chair back, ignored my conversation partner and left the meeting room.
“Get me a safe line to Dark,” I instructed the pretty secretary, who had been working for me for five years and whose name I still didn't know today. Why should I? I had seen so many come and go – was I supposed to clutter up my brain with all that? She worked well and fast, kept quiet and earned twice as much for it as any other executive secretary on the planet. Once a year, she had to do a lot of overtime, otherwise we just talked on the phone. I knew what she looked like and that was enough.
Tensely, I dropped down onto the comfortable sofa and just the thought of Olivia Morgan lying on this piece of furniture elicited an irritated groan. How was it that I was so obsessed with this woman?
Within a minute, my mission had been carried out and I had Dark on the phone. “Boss?” As always, the guy didn't spend time beating around the bush, which is what I liked most about him. Dark would have to do another job for me that wasn't on his official payroll. In two days I had to be in New York and leave Seattle behind for the next few months. And like hell was I going to give up this fight. In my life, I had always got what I wanted. If necessary, this time, I would violate all the principles I had imposed on myself and not wait until she came to me of her own free will.
“I want the woman in my loft tomorrow evening. I don't care how you do it.” My good intentions were implicit: not to give Dark any indication of my state. My weak body had zeroed in on Liv and I could no longer fight it. The animal in me had awakened and was demanding what he thought was rightfully his.
Olivia Morgan
One name was constantly whizzing around in my head and everywhere I looked I saw his face, framed with dark locks of hair. Every evening I struggled against the enormous urge to storm into Robert Tensington's office and throw myself around his neck. I hardly recognised myself.
He was there today, too; light was burning in his room as it had every evening of the previous week. As soon as I came close to the impressive building complex, I could pick out the bright lighting. Top floor, far left, the office with the huge terrace. It almost looked like an invitation. As if the big boss was calling me personally. Which he wasn’t doing. He had probably long forgotten me and was consoling himself with another woman. Soon, he would be travelling to one of the many offices on this continent which he called his own, and not waste a single thought on the plain Jane that had only temporarily caught his eye.
I was nervous; the feeling of being watched had been bothering me for days, yet I hadn't been able to spot anyone anywhere, not for one single moment. My overwrought nerves were probably playing tricks on me.
Tensington – not a single man I had ever met had caused such a mess inside me. Not even Connor had created such an invasion of butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. And I’d been crazy about him the whole time I’d been at uni. But in direct comparison to Robert Tensington he looked like a dull, ordinary boy.
Suddenly, I collided with someone – I had been so caught up in my thoughts that I hadn't been looking where I was going. “Hey, watch it, you stupid cow!” Chrissie pushed me back so forcefully that I landed harshly on my behind. “You don't need to strain your neck like that. The terrace is empty, the boss can’t be seen and believe me, he’s definitely not interested in little girls like you.” The women who were standing with her giggled. Chrissie looked at me with big eyes that accentuated her feigned astonishment well. One of her fingers with the long painted nails pointed at me. “Or did little Livvy give her heart away to the gay boss of all people?”
I stretched my chin out a bit and looked at her angrily. “Mr Tensington is anything but gay.”
“Oh, oh! And how does our little dreamer know that? From her daydreams?” Chrissie looked around, seeking approval, and promptly reaped the laughter of the colleagues gathered together.
I felt the humiliation in every fibre of my body, yet I didn't want to explain how I knew. These stupid women wouldn't have believed me anyway, and I didn't want to share the afternoon in my favourite café with Tensington with anyone. Especially not with the women present. I would have preferred to remain sitting on the cold floor. The day had already been exhausting enough as I’d had to complete an additional internship today. I was tired, so infinitely tired. Tears were burning in my eyes, but I didn't want to give in to that in front of this blonde vixen. If Sally had been here, this wouldn't have happened. Even Chrissie wouldn’t have dared to do this in her presence.
All of a sudden, there was movement in the crowd. “Olivia, my darling. There you are, finally. I thought you were going to stand me up, like all the other evenings last week.” I would have recognised his deep voice anywhere – Robert Tensington. What was he talking about? And where did he come from so suddenly? The door to the safety air lock was still locked and he certainly hadn't taken the bus. The car park was on the other side, and between the building and the bus stop there was only the enclosed path, on the floor of which I was sitting. Was he able to fly?
The women immediately fell silent – no giggling and chattering could be heard any more. Only alarmed gasping. All of them stared at the tall, broad-shouldered man from bulging eyeballs.
Conspiratorially, he bent down to me, gently stroked my cheek, then reached out his hand to me and winked. A wink? That didn't suit him at all. Nevertheless, I carefully put my hand into his. His strong fingers immediately closed around mine. A feeling of security gripped me when he pulled me up so I was standing in front of him, much too close. I could feel the warmth of his body, could feel the energy he radiated. Mr Robert Tensington had rushed to my aid: Olivia Morgan, the cleaning lady! Why? And how had he even known that I was in trouble?
As soon as I was standing in front of him, he placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. My whole body began to tingle. I would never have believed him to possess such tenderness. Again, I was aware of suppressed gasps from the crowd that had formed around us.
My eyes were fixed on a spot in front of me – his broad chest. Too confused to even look at any of the women, I let him lead me to the car park, where his car was. Silence accompanied us part of the way, then the excited, incredulous chatter erupted. But at some point they were so far away that even that could no longer be heard. An amused snort next to me penetrated the night. At least one of us found this situation funny.
Shortly before we reached the silver bullet, whi
ch probably cost more than the whole cleaning crew earned in a year, the chauffeur jumped out and opened the back door. Robert pushed me into the car.
“Sam, please find the head cleaner Mrs Sally Michaels and let her know that Miss Morgan will be with me today.” Only then did I realise that I was sitting in Tensington's car, starting my shift right away, and Sally would probably go mad with worry if I didn't get there in time.
“Um... Sam,” I called to the man in the blue uniform. He stopped and looked around for me. Now two pairs of eyes were looking at me, full of expectation.
“Yes, Miss?”
“Tell her I'm fine and that she doesn't have to worry about me.” The smile I gave him made him blink, and he nodded before continuing on his way.
My boss slid towards me on the leather seat. The smell of his aftershave wafted around me and took my breath away. For a moment, the scent even clouded my senses and my heart thumped fiercely in my chest. Pure luxury could be felt inside the car. Everything smelled of lots of money and was polished to a mirror finish.
Many decades ago it had been forbidden to kill animals for leather or fur. Tensington must have paid a fortune for the interior. You could only get such things on the black market. Once again I realised how immeasurably rich and powerful the man next to me was. And what social differences stood between us.
The door of the car closed automatically with a quiet hydraulic noise and it instantly went quiet. Too quiet. It seemed to me that even my breath was too loud when it left my mouth. I tried to breathe shallowly, but as a result there was too little oxygen in my lungs.
There was a soft clearing of the throat next to me. “Would you like a refreshment?” He pressed a button and a small hidden bar opened.
