by A. E. Neal
The last headline she'd seen, stated Trenton had finally checked himself into rehab after losing his girlfriend to a heroin overdose; that was four years ago. After Quinn left, he moved on with some supermodel named Lola, who was gaining popularity by the minute, causing the spotlight to shift from Trenton to her. That was until her life came to an abrupt end. After that day, Quinn had finally found comfort knowing he'd stopped looking for her. Sure, she'd seen the news over the years and actually listened to a few of his songs, but never once had the slightest regret about leaving him.
It wasn't enough to dream of lying on a beach somewhere, she longed to get out and see the world. She would have done it in a heartbeat too if it weren't for her father. Since she was the only relative who cared about his well-being, she'd spent her life savings to make sure he could have the best care in the world, which happened to be a nursing facility just outside of Phoenix, Arizona. It had been almost a year since she'd last seen him, but always found it too hard to visit him when he didn't recognize her face any longer. He seemed happy and the nurses assured her that he was the life of the party on BINGO nights. Knowing he was in a safe place made it easier for her to not feel as guilty for not taking care of him herself.
Quinn's mother died in a car accident when she was three years old, so she didn't have any memories of her except for a old Polaroid photo taken the day Quinn turned two. Her dad raised her on his own in their little suburban Los Angeles home. As a psychology professor, he'd always lecture Quinn on the importance of finding herself and she never really knew what he meant by it. Being the rebellious teenager she was, she moved out on her own when she turned seventeen, destined to become a Hollywood actress, but after being rejected by thirty different agencies, she finally realized she needed to find a new calling.
She knew she should have listened to her father's advice the day she met Trenton. But at the ripe age of nineteen, she quickly found herself getting caught up in the excitement of all he had to offer. She was completely enamored by his presence on stage and equally so with the way he made her feel off stage, and like clockwork, she found herself falling for every trick in Trenton's book instead of finding herself.
Chapter 7
Quinn glanced at the time on the computer screen, noting she only had an hour left at work. She responded to a few emails and noticed one that had come through only a few seconds earlier.
From: Jaysen Beckett
To: Quinn Langley
Subject: Meeting Request
Miss Langley,
Please accept my sincere apologies for my behavior earlier. I have some portfolios that require your attention. Are you available to look them over?
Regards,
Jaysen Beckett
CEO, Beckett & Associates
She let out a snort as she read his email. Seriously, who did this guy think he was? she thought. She clicked 'reply' and began her well thought out response.
To: Jaysen Beckett
From: Quinn Langley
Subject: RE: Meeting Request
Mr. Beckett,
I accept your apology, however, I have plans as soon as I get off work tonight. Unless, these files just can't wait, I will meet with you first thing Monday morning.
Thank you,
Quinn Langley
She hit 'send' and instantly received a reply.
From: Jaysen Beckett
To: Quinn Langley
Subject: RE: Meeting Request
Miss Langley,
They require your immediate attention. Please come to my office as soon as you are finished with your work.
Jaysen Beckett
CEO, Beckett & Associates
She stared at the screen for a moment, contemplating if she should type out yet another response to make herself clear, instead, she huffed. Heat blossomed over her cheeks as she read it again.
"Shut the front door! You have a meeting with Mr. Beckett?" Hannah shouted as she peered over Quinn's shoulder.
She quickly exited the email program and shot Hannah an unwavering glance. "Yes."
"Oh my God, oh my God," she said bouncing up and down in her chair.
"Calm down. I just have to go over a few things with him. That's all."
"Doesn't sound like that's all from the way you're blushing right now. Have you met him already and you haven't told me?"
Quinn shot her another glance to let her know she was done talking about it.
"Well, have you?" Hannah asked.
"Yes," she replied as she gathered the files on the desk and prepared to head up to Hollingsworth's office before her meeting with Jaysen.
"Is he as hot as they say? You have to tell me, we're cube buddies."
"No."
"No? He's not hot?" She stuck out her bottom lip and pouted.
"No, I don't have anything to tell you."
"But, Quinn," she whined. "Seriously, I'll keep it a secret. You know me. I'd never say anything."
Quinn laughed. "Uh-huh."
"Promise I won't."
She pulled the files to her chest and pushed the chair under the desk. "I'm dropping these off with Hollingsworth. Have a good weekend, Hannah."
"You suck, you know that?"
Quinn glanced over her shoulder at Hannah, who had her arms crossed over her chest, still pouting. "Bye, Han. See you Monday."
Not another word from Hannah as Quinn hurried to the elevator.
As the doors opened, she hurried towards Hollingsworth's office. Tracy was nowhere to be seen, so she tapped lightly on his door and took a deep breath.
"Miss Langley, you're early. Were you expecting to sneak out of here without me knowing?"
"No sir."
"Well, I didn't ask to see you until five. Why don't you be a good girl and go back down to your desk and wait until then? I don't have time for you now."
That was it. She'd had enough of his bullshit. It was now or never, she thought as she balled her fists under the files she was carrying and let out the breath she'd been holding.
"I have a meeting with Mr. Beckett," she snapped, shoving the files at him. "He requested to see me personally. You wouldn't want to interfere with your boss' orders would you?"
He stood mouth agape, completely stunned. When he didn't take the files, she set them on his desk, then turned on her heels and walked out of his office. "Have a nice weekend, Mr. Hollingsworth."
Quinn's blood spread through her veins like wildfire and she hurried to catch the elevator before he could stop her. Once inside, she let out a laugh and congratulated herself on giving him a piece of his own medicine.
The fourteenth floor couldn't come fast enough. As Quinn watched the numbers light up over her head, sudden panic washed over her. She hadn't even bothered to check herself in a mirror before leaving her desk. She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear and smoothed her skirt. The elevator doors opened to the foyer she'd seen earlier that day. She half expected to be met by armed security guards, but as the doors opened, there Jaysen stood, beaming from ear to ear.
"Miss Langley," he said sweetly and her breath caught as he held out his hand to her.
His warm brown gaze met hers and if she hadn't gotten so worked up in the elevator, she was sure her legs would have given out underneath her. She took his hand and once again, something sparked between them. Jaysen sensed it too and smiled.
She dipped her chin and smiled shyly. "Mr. Beckett."
"Please Quinn, call me Jaysen. Mr. Beckett was my father and I'd hate to think I turned out anything like him."
She knew he had a good point; he wasn't much older than her, so she figured it would be rude to keep up the formalities.
"Okay. Jaysen it is." It was the first time she'd said his name aloud, but it was like someone else had said it altogether, she didn't even recognize her own voice.
With their hands loosely entwined, he guided her towards his office and she followed. Her body was humming with nervous excitement, but now that she was holding on to him, her
thoughts were occupied with only one thing: the gorgeous man she'd met earlier that day was holding her hand and it made her giddy.
"Lisa, you can go now. I have everything I need. Have a good weekend."
"Thank you, Mr. Beckett," Lisa replied, gathering her belongings before retreating into the elevator.
"Please come in and have a seat."
Jaysen's office was much more organized than it had been earlier that day and Quinn wondered if he cleaned up just because of her. He didn't close the door behind them, since there wasn't anyone else on the floor, so she took a seat, as did he. This time, behind his desk.
"I thought I would need a code to get up here," Quinn blurted, wondering how she was able to reach the floor without one.
"I informed my security team you'd be meeting me."
"Oh."
"Would you like something to drink, Quinn?"
Yes, a double shot of you, please, she thought. In addition, a side of you repeating my name over and over again. She was beginning to enjoy the way her name sounded coming from him; so decadent, like an expensive French wine.
"No, thank you."
"Did Hollingsworth give you a hard time when you told him you were meeting with me?"
"No, not exactly...but how did you know I said anything to him?"
He turned his flat screen monitor towards her. It was divided into several black and white squares and she realized they were images from surveillance cameras throughout the building.
"Ah, I see."
"I like to keep a close watch on my business," he offered and clicked the mouse so one of the squares filled the screen. The feed was coming from Hollingsworth's office. The overweight, bald man sat at his desk, rummaging through files, looking pissed off.
"You saw me." It wasn't a question. He'd actually been watching her and she was stunned and flattered all at the same time.
Another click of the mouse and there was a wide view of the cubicle farm on the floor where she worked. Another click and the camera zoomed in on her cubicle. Hannah was long gone. She had most likely ducked out when Quinn left.
"Wow. You really are kind of a stalker," she said and immediately slapped her hand over her mouth. "Sorry."
He chuckled and turned the screen back around out of her view.
"It took me a while to find your desk this morning with this thing, so I had the maintenance team adjust the camera while you were at lunch."
Was he for real? Stalker much?
"That's a little weird, you know? Spying on employees and such."
"I told you, I like to know everything going on in my company."
"I guess so."
He laughed again but didn't speak. He was struggling to find his words and needed to approach her in a delicate manner, but quickly found himself at a loss. He leaned onto the desk, propping his elbows and clasping his hands together. Quinn was afraid to interrupt his deep thought, so she crossed her legs and watched him carefully. His beautiful golden gaze hadn't left hers for one second and it was as if he was trying to read her just by looking into her eyes. The feeling was intense, it wasn't like anything she'd ever experienced before. He didn't make her feel uncomfortable in any way, it was just like there she was, trapped in a wonderful dream and his eyes were the ones keeping her there, holding her in their grasp.
"So, Quinn. I bet you're wondering the real reason I asked you here."
"I assume it wasn't to go over client's portfolios?" she asked playfully.
"No, I guess not." He leaned back into his oversized chair and fiddled with a pen between his thick fingers.
"Where are you from, Quinn?"
"I live in LoHi."
"Where'd you live before you moved to Denver?"
"LA."
"Huh, I didn't really peg you as a California girl."
"Is that so?"
"I would've guessed New York or Boston since you're so quick on your toes. A girl who grows up in a big city, can usually handle herself. You seem to handle yourself pretty well."
"Thanks. I think."
"What brought you to Denver?"
"It's a long story. I'm sure I'd just bore you with all the details," she said, desperately hoping he'd change the topic of conversation. She dug her fingernails into her palms to calm herself down. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to him about Trenton. God, please don't ask. Please.
From the way, he shifted in his chair, she knew he could sense her unease and straightened her back, then took a deep breath.
"Alright, I'll bite. Who was he?"
She cleared her throat which had suddenly become dry. "Why do you automatically assume the reason I moved here was because of a guy? Can't a girl just pack up her shit and move if she wants to?" she asked.
"Ah, Quinn. Give me some credit here. I'm a smart man. I can spot a bullshitter from a mile away, it's hard-wired into my DNA," he said tapping the pen on his forehead.
"Why the interrogation, then? It's not really anyone's business why I left. I had my reasons, can we not talk about it?"
He stood up, rounded the desk and sat on the edge of it in front of her.
"Look at me," he said as her gaze followed the definition of muscle under his fitted slacks and glanced up at his eyes, which had darkened over the past few minutes. "I have no right to pry, I just thought...uh...never mind." He ran his hand over his knee and hopped off the edge of the desk. Now, there was no way he could ask her why he had called her up to his office in the first place.
"Wait. Thought what?" He stopped, turned to face her and sat in the chair next to her, scooting it in closer.
"It's nothing, forget I said anything." His mind raced as he tried to rectify the situation.
Quinn swallowed hard. Well, here goes nothing, she thought.
"I left him. I ran away from LA to get away from him. Things didn't work out between us, you know? I'd been so blinded by him and his lies that I didn't see the man he'd become. It wasn't a healthy relationship, so I left."
"Did he hurt you?" His question was a logical one, but somehow, she'd lost the inability to answer him. In her mind, the conversation was taking a turn for the worse and once again, she panicked.
She quickly rose from the chair, tears threatening to fall, she turned and walked out of his office. He ran a hand through his thick hair and groaned. This was his last chance to come clean. He rose from his chair and followed her as she hurried across the marble floor. She heard him behind her, but she needed a minute to regain her composure, so she held her hand up to stop him.
Jaysen stopped in his tracks. He was about to lose her. "Quinn, please don't go."
She blinked away the few tears that had settled in the corners of her eyes and turned around. To her surprise, he smiled, looking apologetic.
As he fought with himself over the right thing to say to her, he came up empty. He'd never been good with words, hell, he never needed to say more than a few at a time to get his point across, so this was uncharted territory and it made him nervous. "Please," he said again. "I'm sorry, I have a habit of wanting to know everything I can about a woman before I invite her into my bed, it's a bad habit, I know. I'm trying to work on it."
"What? What did you just say?" she huffed as she felt the bile rise in her throat. "Excuse me?! I am not a fucking call girl, do you hear me? I'm leaving before I do something I'll regret."
"Fuck," he muttered under his breath. He screwed up and he knew it. There was no way to make things right between them now. She was seething with anger as she rushed to the elevator and punched the button several times, but it wouldn't light up. She whirled around and came face to face with Jaysen. "Let me out of here. I know you're keeping it from letting me leave."
He looked hurt, like she'd jabbed a knife into his chest and truthfully, he was. But she hoped he suffered, after what he'd just said to her. To think, she actually found herself attracted to him. She was fuming as he stood in front of her and did nothing.
"Jaysen, open the door," she command
ed as she stuck a finger out to the elevator button.
"I never should've said that. Please Quinn, I don't know how this shit works. I've never had to chase a girl before, usually I can't get them to leave. Now, the only thing I want, is for you to stay, but I've upset you. Tell me how I can make this right." He was defeated.
But Quinn quickly remembered the one thing her father taught her: never fall for a guy who loved himself more than he could ever love another person. And in her eyes, Jaysen was just that, a conceited, cocky asshole, who was used to getting anything he shook a finger at.
Well, Jaysen Beckett, not this time.
"Maybe you should learn how to treat a girl before you start demanding sexual favors, that might be a good place to start!" she snapped.
"You're right," he said as he swiped his keycard, allowing the elevator doors to open.
She turned to face him as the doors closed. "Goodbye, Mr. Beckett."
And just like that, she was gone. Again.
As soon as Quinn reached her desk, she saw red. She was pissed off, hurt and felt like a two dollar hooker. How could a man in his position be so demanding? Was he really that naive?
She slung her purse over her shoulder and just as she was getting ready to shut her computer down for the weekend, a tiny envelope icon appeared, indicating she had a new email. She knew it was from him and didn't want to read what he had to say, but she clicked the icon anyway.
From: Jaysen Beckett
To: Quinn Langley
Subject: Forgive me?
Quinn,
I made a mistake. I want to make this right. I can't stop thinking about you and it's terribly distracting. I sit here in my office all day. Files, paperwork, contracts and emails all piling up and the only thing I can think about, is the girl on the sixth floor who lit up the room with her smile and made me laugh.
