Undercover Heat

Chapter 5: Freedom at First Sight

POV: Reece

I'm bored and unhappy. It's late afternoon on my second day, and I'm sitting at my desk in Father's outer office with very little to do. Is this job a win for me, or Father?

I jump when I hear a rapid knocking at the door as I grab a folder from the corner of the desk and look busy.

"I'm sorry, I'm looking for a Canyon Young."

The door closes.

I look up to see him.

Joseph?

He nervously smiles. It's the lopsided grin I've stared at every time I open his file.

Joseph.

As a smile tugs at my lips, I feel a butterfly sensation in my stomach.

Joseph approaches my desk.

I look busy, "yes, may I help you?"

"I'm looking for Canyon Young," he stammers as he continues, "I'm the new maintenance guy for the Southgate property."

Ten, nine, eight...

After my silent ten-count, I make eye contact with him.

My heart skips a beat.

Joseph's not staring at me. Instead, his gaze lingers on my face as if he's thinking some naughty thought.

'Dude, say something.'

Joseph shifts in his stance and looks away. Then, he clears his throat and says, "I understand I don't have an appointment."

"Is there something that I can help you with," I pause, debating whether to say his name, then continue, "Joseph?"

He raises his left eyebrow and studies me, "do we know each other?"

'Not as well as we will,' I think and grin at him.

Joseph leans forward, staring at me, looking confused. "I definitely would remember meeting a beautiful woman like you."

As I lean back, a shot of adrenaline rushes through me as s****l desire washes over me. I bite my bottom lip and look away. The only thing I can do is chuckle.

"Maybe I can help you. But, unfortunately, Mr. Young isn't here."

"I'd love for you to help me," he leans back. "Unfortunately, you're not my boss."

"You don't think women can be bosses?"

Joseph chuckles. "Yes, women make great bosses. You, on the other hand, maybe a tough taskmaster."

This time I laugh, unable to think of a good comeback.

"You have a great laugh," he tells me with a wink.

The office door opens and shuts, making us jump.

Joseph steps back as the postman opens, grabs a box from his bag, and it to me along with a stack of envelopes.

The postman quickly leaves.

I stare at Joseph, and my smile falters.

He looks serious.

I frown.

Joseph slides his hands in his jean pockets, nodding at me. Then, he stares past me, asking, "When will he return? I'm looking for some quick work."

"If you're wondering," I try to reignite the conversation and wave his file. "I'm not clairvoyant. But, you have a...memorable face."

Joseph looks down, hiding his face for a moment. Then, finally, when he looks at me, he rubs his bottom lip with his index finger and asks me, "Can I make an appointment?"

Joseph looks tense. 'Are you in character or something?'

Do I try again or leave it alone? The s****l energy that swirled around our conversation minutes ago has dissipated. I want it back so bad because I want to indirectly ask him about his life and how he left Dean's grip. Maybe I can—

The door opens.

"Man, there you are."

We look at Eddie and Father enters the office. Eddie points to Joseph, saying to Father, "This is the guy I told you about, Mr. Young."

As I hold Joseph's file in my hands, I press my lips together and watch Father give Joseph the once over.

Joseph extends his hand towards Father. "Nice to meet you, sir. Thank you for bailing me out of jail on and giving me a job based on Eddie's recommendation."

Father steps back, giving Joseph a dirty look.

"Ever killed a man?" Father coldly asks, "Joseph."

Joseph tells him, without hesitation, "Only the ones who tried to kill my boss."

"Grow up wealthy or poor?"

"Wealthy."

"Where did you grow up?"

"California. I got into trouble early and went to juvenile hall. My wrap sheet is sizeable, but misdemeanors."

Father looks away and scratches his neck.

"Eddie."

Eddie steps next to Joseph and blocks my view of Father.

Father tells him, "do what you need to do and put him in touch with who we spoke about earlier."

Father stomps to the door.

After Father closes the door, Eddie playfully hits Joseph on the shoulder. "Hey, hey, man, I'm telling you that your girl did you a solid by telling you to apply here."

My breath catches in my throat, and my heart sinks. I want to hide under my desk and succumb to the embarrassment.

Joseph slaps Eddie on the shoulder and looks in my direction. Then, he winks at me and tells Eddie, "Ex-girl. Remember, she dumped me."

I smile.

"Let's go, man. We've got a busy night." Eddie briskly walks to the door, opens it and leaves.

Joseph strolls to my desk and slides the file from my hands. He opens it and stares at his picture for a few minutes. Then, Joseph chuckles and looks at me as if he would say something.

Silence.

We stare at each other.

I push my hair behind my ear, trying not to look away. The loud pounding is my heart beating super fast.

Joseph's blue eyes sparkle as he gives me a saucy look.

"You're single?" I hear myself say in the strangest, high-pitched voice. "I mean, she dumped you, right?"

Joseph places his closed folder in front of me. He breaks eye contact but leans forward—his stare changes to an intense one, which makes me wonder what he's thinking.

Joseph's eyes narrow.

Now, he looks like he's mentally wrestling with something.

I resist the temptation to break the silence. Instead, I lean forward.

He leaned closer.

I smell his vanilla musk cologne. Slowly, I lick my bottom lip.

Joseph lowers his stare to my lips and clears his throat. A few seconds later, he gives me a challenging look, saying, "I'm here to complete a job, not get a relationship."

I don't look away. Instead, ignore the s****l ache between my legs as I struggle not to daydream about Joseph making love to me. Instead, I rise out of my chair to lean closer to Joseph.

His expression softens.

So, I stand, scoop up his file and ask him, "If that's true, why are you still here?"

Joseph slowly stands.

As I walk to the file cabinet to the left of my desk, Joseph closes the gap between us. I bump off of his rock-hard body and stare up.

"Hey man," Eddie walks into the office.

We separate.

Joseph follows Eddie out of the office.

***

"Uh, Mr. Young, I'm glad to catch you."

I hear a sudden voice outside my office door. I grab my salad and bottled water and head overwhen I think I hear Joseph's voice. Slowly, I place my salad and water to the sideand listen.

"You are… who again?"

"Joseph, sir."

I silently open the door. But, unfortunately, I can only see Father, who stands a few feet away from my office. My shoulders sag. I wish Joseph were standing in my line of vision.

"I'm looking for more detailed work. Maybe I can work on a project you have. Eddie tells me you have a security detail—"

Father scratches his head, looking scatterbrained.

"You know about Pope."

"Pope?" Joseph asks, "You mean the Vatican?"

"Yeah," Father answers, "No priest becomes the pope if they campaign for the job."

Joseph stays silent.

Father points at him, "let's not speak about this again."

Father walks in one direction. When Joseph exits the building, I open the door. After looking both ways, I hear Father slam his door.

I rush out of the building and see Joseph walking down the street.

"Joseph," I yell, rushing, in heels, to catch up with him.

He glances back and slows his rapid pace to a stroll.

When I catch up with him, I catch my breath and say, "You don't take rejection well, do you?"

"Is your side job listening to conversations?" Joseph gruffly asks.

He stops, exhales and shakes his head. Then, as he looks at me, his expression softens and he lifts his hand towards my cheek but doesn't touch me. "I'm sorry."

I frown, then smile because I don't hear apologies very often. Then, as I wave my hand, and joke, "Knock it off with the sarcastic comments."

Joseph chuckles. "Promise."

I clear my throat and look away. Suddenly, I'm nervous as hell. Then, when I make eye contact with him, he's staring at me, making me even more nervous.

"If you want more work, I can get you more work."

He steps back. "I appreciate the offer, but you can't get me the type of work I need."

As he walks past me, I ask him, "How naive do you think I am?"

Joseph faces me, looking perplexed.

I cross my arms over my breasts and forcefully ask, "You want more work or not?"

"Listen…" he pauses.

"Reece."

Joseph nods. "Listen, Reece, I—"

The squeal of tires interrupts him.

I look past him to see a red car wildly turning onto the street. The car's passenger points a gun out of the open window. I freeze.

Joseph turns to me. He pushes me to the pavement behind a parked car.

I hit the pavement hard, losing the ability to breathe as Joseph lands on top of me.

A rapid popping sound gets louder.