here, arranged into sub-teams that allow them to talk over the cubicle walls if needed.”
Madison nods as she looks around. “And the doors?”
“Offices for team leaders and senior executives. I’ve tried to place them close to their teams as best I can . . . and this is my office.”
I open the oak doors to my office, and I can see Madison’s breath catch, her hand coming to her mouth as she looks it all over. “My God. Are you serious?”
I smile, walking in comfortably and sitting behind the desk. Madison’s steps are tentative as she comes in, her eyes roving around the room. I wonder what she thinks. Does she like the furniture, the view, me sitting in the middle of my world? “The windows are my favorite part. That chair over there is where I do my best thinking.”
Madison moves to the armchair near the bank of windows and runs her hand along the soft leather. I’m jealous of the chair, wishing her touch was chasing along my skin. She sits in my chair, her smile wide and teasing. “How do I look, sir?”
I lean forward. “You look fucking perfect in my office and in my chair.” I see the blush rush across her cheeks and can’t help the whisper that escapes. “Beautiful.”
I rise and move to sit in front of Madison on the big block that serves as a table. “You said to show you more of me. That’s why I brought you here. This is me. Where I spend my days and nights, my time and energy, my everything. I saw your work. I wanted to show you mine.”
Madison looks around the room once again, and I can see her assessment. I hope she doesn’t find it lacking, the room or me. She takes my hand, her eyes meeting mine. “It’s stunning, truly gorgeous, Scott.”
“But?” I ask, because it’s obvious that’s going to be the next phrase out of her mouth. She’s not impressed and it cuts my heart. It’s never enough, not for my dad, and not even for Madison, apparently.
Madison winces, hearing the harshness of my leading question. “But . . . are you happy? It’s pretty, of course, but it’s just a building. An office. Are you happy here? That’s what matters, Scott.”
I can’t answer that, not for her and not for myself. I grip her hand tighter, pulling her to her feet as I stand. “Come on. There’s something else I want to show you.”
Madison’s looking a little unsure of herself as we take the elevator all the way to the top floor, and I can almost read her mind as she quietly watches the elevator come to a stop. She thinks this is a ploy to impress her and get in her pants. That I’m doing this for a quick one-night stand and have probably done this a million times before.
She’d never believe me if I told her otherwise, so I say nothing as the doors open. But I don’t let go of her hand as I lead her out to my dad’s floor of Danger Tower.
“Are we supposed to be up here, Scott?” Madison looks nervous, biting her lip as she looks around. The decor on this floor is more inline with my dad’s taste . . . shiny and minimalist, much like the man. It feels cold, austere.
She looks cute, flustered, and wide-eyed. I’m tempted to take her right here, but this isn’t the place. Not in some hallway.
“Come on, the boardroom’s just ahead,” I say, pulling her along with me.
I don’t say anything as I open the doors to the boardroom. The room is striking in its own way, with white walls covered in hand-selected contemporary art and white leather chairs surrounding a dark wood and metal table.
“So, what happens here?”
“Not as much as you might think,” I admit, looking around. “But this . . . this is sort of the altar of the company. Here’s where final decisions are made, where you sink or swim. So far, I’ve swum better than I’ve sunk, but I’m going to stand at the other end of this table one day. This company is going to be mine. Despite what my father or brother says, I’ll be the one who takes over and leads Danger Enterprises into the future.”
Madison nods and places a hand on my shoulder. “Show me.”
I look over and smile, nodding before going to the front of the table and spreading my hands, placing them on the edge