tech department was brusque, cold, and commanding. In contrast, Charlotte seemed reluctant to abuse her power and was far less difficult to have a civilized conversation with. Yet, they seemed close. He was willing to bet that there was history there, and he was sure he'd learn about it in due time.
“Christ, what time is it?” Straightening from her perusal of the open cube on her desk, the blonde woman stretched and glanced at the clock.
It was ten-thirty. David had agreed to overtime when Adeline had suggested, demanded really, that he change his schedule to accommodate Charlotte's busy mornings. Unbeknownst to her, the change in time suited his methods far more than earlier in the day. So, of course, he hadn't complained.
He never complained. “I'm exhausted, David. What about you?”
“I could certainly use some sleep,” he agreed. His words held no dishonesty. Ever since he'd started working at the company, he'd worked long days. Luckily, Adeline had agreed to an advance of his salary, and he'd been able to get someone to come to the apartment to take care of his mother. Within the week, he wanted to start taking her to see a psychiatrist. He hoped a doctor could succeed in breaking through to her where he had failed.
“Let's call it a night, then. I'm sure Addy can't get too mad. I feel like I learned a lot today.”
“You did.” The tall man nodded his approval. “Pretty soon we'll be able to move on from the MCube to bigger and better things.”
The blonde arched her brow in intrigue. “There are better things than the MCube?” David only shot her a mysterious smile. She laughed, reaching for the suit jacket she'd draped over the back of her chair. “Alright, alright, I'll be patient.”
“Thanks for that,” he said, teasing her gently, and she merely shook her head, feigning disapproval.
“You know...you are a marvel. I'm sure your parents must be pretty proud to have such a brainiac in the family.”
At her comment, David's gut twisted. For a moment, he fought to maintain his calm. He couldn't let her see how his emotions affected him, and he certainly couldn't give up the game so soon. He forced a smile. “Yeah...they're pretty over the moon.”
She grinned, turning to switch off the lamp on her desk so they were plunged into darkness. Never before had he been so grateful for a reprieve. Stepping forward, David closed the MCube deftly before packing it into its velvet bag, taking a breath to recover.
“Are we walking out together?” she asked.
David turned to her, his expression neutral. “Actually, I have to run this back down to the lab. I want to look over a few things while I'm there. I might be a while.”
When she opened the door to her office, he followed her out into the deserted lobby. Its only occupant was a security guard standing near the door. He immediately stood at the sight of them and said, “Done for the night, Miss Mathers?”
The blonde smiled winningly at him. “Finally. Thanks for looking after the place, Charlie.”
“No problem at all. Have a nice night, Ma'am.”
“Same to you.”
The ease with which she interacted with everyone who worked for her was enviable. His entire life, David had only a few friends. He simply hadn't had the time to make them. It was hard when one was constantly working, studying, and supporting his parents.
As they stepped into the elevator, Charlotte drew her jacket around her more tightly. “Wow. It's chilly in here.”
“Would you like my
“Christ, what time is it?” Straightening from her perusal of the open cube on her desk, the blonde woman stretched and glanced at the clock.
It was ten-thirty. David had agreed to overtime when Adeline had suggested, demanded really, that he change his schedule to accommodate Charlotte's busy mornings. Unbeknownst to her, the change in time suited his methods far more than earlier in the day. So, of course, he hadn't complained.
He never complained. “I'm exhausted, David. What about you?”
“I could certainly use some sleep,” he agreed. His words held no dishonesty. Ever since he'd started working at the company, he'd worked long days. Luckily, Adeline had agreed to an advance of his salary, and he'd been able to get someone to come to the apartment to take care of his mother. Within the week, he wanted to start taking her to see a psychiatrist. He hoped a doctor could succeed in breaking through to her where he had failed.
“Let's call it a night, then. I'm sure Addy can't get too mad. I feel like I learned a lot today.”
“You did.” The tall man nodded his approval. “Pretty soon we'll be able to move on from the MCube to bigger and better things.”
The blonde arched her brow in intrigue. “There are better things than the MCube?” David only shot her a mysterious smile. She laughed, reaching for the suit jacket she'd draped over the back of her chair. “Alright, alright, I'll be patient.”
“Thanks for that,” he said, teasing her gently, and she merely shook her head, feigning disapproval.
“You know...you are a marvel. I'm sure your parents must be pretty proud to have such a brainiac in the family.”
At her comment, David's gut twisted. For a moment, he fought to maintain his calm. He couldn't let her see how his emotions affected him, and he certainly couldn't give up the game so soon. He forced a smile. “Yeah...they're pretty over the moon.”
She grinned, turning to switch off the lamp on her desk so they were plunged into darkness. Never before had he been so grateful for a reprieve. Stepping forward, David closed the MCube deftly before packing it into its velvet bag, taking a breath to recover.
“Are we walking out together?” she asked.
David turned to her, his expression neutral. “Actually, I have to run this back down to the lab. I want to look over a few things while I'm there. I might be a while.”
When she opened the door to her office, he followed her out into the deserted lobby. Its only occupant was a security guard standing near the door. He immediately stood at the sight of them and said, “Done for the night, Miss Mathers?”
The blonde smiled winningly at him. “Finally. Thanks for looking after the place, Charlie.”
“No problem at all. Have a nice night, Ma'am.”
“Same to you.”
The ease with which she interacted with everyone who worked for her was enviable. His entire life, David had only a few friends. He simply hadn't had the time to make them. It was hard when one was constantly working, studying, and supporting his parents.
As they stepped into the elevator, Charlotte drew her jacket around her more tightly. “Wow. It's chilly in here.”
“Would you like my
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