Nathan tapped his fingers against the table, glancing towards the door upon hearing it open. His stomach bottomed. It wasn't her.

The weekend had dragged. Even a trip to his club had brought him no pleasure. But now it was Monday. Checking the time on his phone. 12:20pm. She was late. Where was she?

Was she sick?   Had she been in an accident?

Damn! He hated his imagination, palming his forehead.  Despair tore shreds from his gut. Why hadn't he followed her on Friday? Walked her back to wherever she was heading. Why, where this woman was concerned, did he act out of character?

She's not going to show. You blew it. Asshole.

Pulling a few dollar bills from his insides jacket he left them under his still full coffee cup. Fuck. He pushed himself up from the table, taking one last look at her usual spot, hoping as if by some miracle she would appear.

He messaged his driver to tell him to head back to the office. He would walk today. Perhaps the fresh air would clear his irritation with himself for hesitating on Friday. He only hoped when he returned tomorrow, fate would once again shine on him.

~ ~ ~

"Good Afternoon Mr Knight."

Nathan looked up to see Harry on the front desk. "Hey Harry. Good?" Nathan made sure he spoke to everyone who acknowledged him. No matter what position they held in the company. If they worked for Knight, they were family and deserved his respect. His father had drilled that into him and his brother from a young age.

"All good Sir," Harry replied, tipping his head.

Offering a rehearsed smile, he headed towards the elevator. His phone pinged as the elevator door closed.

A reminder in his calendar

1-15pm. Head to Forensic Accounting twenty-eighth floor.

The conversation came back to him from Friday with his father. Frank Jenkins Junior Forensic Accountant.... Rayne Winters.  The name didn't ring a bell. Resigning himself to put all thoughts of her from his mind, he pressed the button for the twenty-eight floor, leaning against the elevator wall, resting his head.

~ ~ ~

Rayne's day had started the same as every workday... with one minor difference. Today there had been a green-eyed man in her fantasies, no longer a faceless person. Her cheeks flushed at the recall of naked bodies, entwined limbs and heated kisses.

Sadly, her joy was ripped from beneath her feet the second she stepped inside her workspace.

Miss Spruce.

Rayne's heart twisted and her stomach sank, sucked into the pit of despair.  Attempting to assemble coping strategies, her mind suddenly was ineffective.  Festering guilt of perceived failures dominated as rushes of overwhelming feelings and negative compulsions came flooding to the surface. It took a sharp bite to her inside cheek  and many deep breaths to gain a small semblance of control. 

Could she hold out till lunch?

Yes.  She wouldn't disappoint Mr Jenkins or Dr De-Luca.

Miss Spruce had been anything but friendly. Thankfully, following an hour of being talked down too and stared at strangely, she'd left her alone to attend a meeting.

Glancing at the old clock that hung above what was Mr Jenkins' desk. She knew Miss Spruce was due back any minute.

It was 11:54am. One... two... three... four... five... six.

Over and over she counted. It wasn't helping. Should she ring Dr De-Luca?  No!

Pressure building, she needed something... anything.  Reaching under her skirt, almost to the top of her thigh, she hesitated. Just this once.  Inhaling sharply, a gasp escaped as she pinched the fleshy sensitive part of her inside thigh. Closing her eyes, the sting was welcome, refocusing her thoughts.

No, no. no.  Releasing her skin, self-loathing thoughts turned inward. A heaviness swept through her chest.

You're a stupid, stupid girl. The only feeling I have for you, my bratty girl is revulsion. I cannot, nor ever will, love you.

Rayne shook the dark thoughts from her scarred mind. Chastising her weakness, she rubbed over the tender skin, scrambling to reverse what she'd done.

One... two... three... four... five... six.

Focus on the time.

In three minutes, she could leave for lunch. Three whole minutes and she could relax for a short time. Sharply removing her hand, straightening her skirt, her head snapped towards the door; a rush of warm, centralised air forced her to blink.

"Ah, Miss Winters."

"Miss Spruce." Returning her gaze to her screen. One... two... three... four... five... six.

"In here, gentlemen," commanded Miss Spruce.

Rayne's head turned to see two men dressed in work overalls. She'd never seen them before today.

"May I take my lunch please Miss Spruce? I always take my lunch at twelve on the dot. Mr Jenkins agreed." Rayne glanced at the clock. It would take her a minute to retrieve her coat and smooth down the creases, fasten the buttons.

"No, Miss Winters. I'm quite aware of your routine, but today lunch can wait. We have more urgent matters."

Rayne's breathing escalated, her counting ran at the pace of her quickened heart. "Please Miss Spruce. I have to leave for lunch now." Desperately she attempted to quell her panic. Why was this woman being so mean?

Miss Spruce ignored her request, turning her attention elsewhere, eyes narrowing. "I want that desk moving over there and then my desk placing where Miss Winters currently resides. I want the view of the window. Quickly move Miss Winters. These gentlemen have a job to do and they don't have all day!"

No, she wouldn't... she couldn't. Anguish hit like a brick to the head.

One... two... three... four... five... six.  Over and over she repeated. 

"Miss Winters. I gave you an instruction."

Rayne could not move. The words lodged in her throat.

"Miss Winters!"

Jumping from her skin, heat rushed to her face. She felt the panic rise, like a cluster of spark plugs in her abdomen. This was wrong. Mr Jenkins had known this was the right place for her desk to be. It was six steps to the coat hook and six steps to the door. The words rushed out on an exhaled breath. "You can't move my desk. This is where it needs to be." Swallowing hard, shocked that words had escaped her own mouth. She drew in a sharp breath and counted.

"You will stand and move yourself Miss Winters. Do I make myself clear?"

Rayne's small hands squeezed into fists; neatly trimmed nails embed into her palms. The sting was welcome. Comfort flooded her fragile mind; albeit temporary.

"Now. Miss Winters, before I have you removed."

You're pathetic, Rayne. A nasty, horrible girl. No one will ever want you. What did I do to deserve such a daughter? You should have died, why didn't you die? I wish you had died. God was cruel the day he took the one I loved and left me with you.

No, no, no.  She had to detour from her self-deprecating thoughts.

What would Dr De-Luca do? He would instruct her to breathe and step from the situation—but she couldn't do that.

One... two... three... four... five... six.

"This is your final warning, Miss Winters."

Focusing on her breathing, slowly she rose from her chair and side stepped. The ache from her embedded nails offered no more relief.

The removal man cleared his throat. "Excuse us, Miss, but we're going to need you to move back a little further. Sorry, we don't want to hurt you."

His gentle words brought her back to the present. His eyes were warm with a kindness that few others offered. He reminded her of kind Mr Jenkins.

"Just stand there Miss and you'll be okay. Yes?" He pointed towards the back wall.

"I will not tell you again, Miss Winters."

The sharpness of her tone cut Rayne to the bone as she watched the mans' chest heave at Miss Spruce's harsh words. He smiled sadly at Rayne.

"It's okay. We won't be long." He gestured with his hand, motioning again where he wanted her to stand.

His huge but gentle presence gave her focus, distracting her thoughts. Slowly Rayne turned her head. She mentally pictured the required steps. Six... If she took smaller steps. Hesitantly smiling, she could do this.

"Good." He answered without her saying a word.

She turned. One... two... three... four... five... six.  With each measured, unhurried step, Miss Spruce's angry glare burned into the back of her head.

Rayne heaved a sigh when she reached the sixth step. Inches from the wall, she tentatively turned but kept her head down.

The pattern in her mind continued, her attention on the dull pain in her hands, almost numbed with the pressure of her whitened fingers. She bit back her tears but couldn't stop the trembling in her knees. This was wrong. Her normally tranquil space was turning into a living, breathing nightmare. One that would never be the same.

~ ~ ~

Nathan exited the twenty-eighth floor. Unable to remember the last time he'd ventured to this level. Looking left, then right. A gold rimmed plaque caught his attention at the end of the long corridor.

Forensic Accounting.

Walking towards the office, he was flanked either side by open offices, separated by huge glass panels. He often forgot how many people worked at Knight. Many smiled, approving of his presence.

Focusing his attention forward, two removal men exited his intended destination. Closing the door behind them. He caught wind of their conversation as they walked past him, acknowledging him with a quick nod.

"What a bitch!" he heard one say.

"Yeah, did you see that poor girl?" chided the other. "Such a pretty little thing too."

A dark, empty feeling settled in his stomach as he reached the door. About to knock, he heard a raised voice on the other side. Leaning slightly, he stiffened, listening to the woman rant.  What the fuck?

Miss Spruce was practically frothing at the mouth. "You dare embarrass me, Miss Winters. You will be out of here by the end of the day. I will not tolerate insubordination under my watch. You will wait here whilst I speak with HR."

Like fuck you will.   Without wasting another moment, he burst through the door to see an angry face receive him, quickly replaced with one of shock as she addressed him.

"Oh—Mr Knight. My apologies. Is there something I can help you with?"

Clenching his jaw, he bristled at her words as his eyes darted around the room. Where was this woman she had been yelling at? Peering around the door, his eyes fell upon a petite woman stood silently in the corner, head down with shoulders slumped as if trying to make herself invisible.

His heart raced. He needed no facial confirmation to know it was her.

Motherfucker!   She worked at Knight. How could he not know?

Returning his focus on the woman stood defiantly before him. "You were yelling, Miss—?"

"Spruce, Mr Knight... Jessica Spruce. I'm—"

He held up his hand, silencing her. "Tell me, Miss Spruce. What gives you the right to yell at the woman practically trembling in the corner of your room?"

She wavered, eyes widening.

Nathan desired to throw her out the goddamn window and it took sheer grit to ensure he remained rooted to the spot. How dare she yell at his... he thought back to the conversation with his father. Miss Winters... Rayne Winters—that was her name. Beautiful.

He resisted laughing. It wasn't the slightest bit funny. But here he was, stricken with the idea he may have lost her today and fucked up his chance. When all this time she had been in the same building as him. Walking the same corridors... breathing the same air, using the same elevators. Fate again appeared to favour him.

Leaving the door open, his nostrils flared. Stalking towards Miss Spruce, she stepped back.

Miss Spruce's eyes widened as she noted the vein throb in his temple. Swallowing, she waited, readying her apology.

Nathan wouldn't tolerate anyone being spoken to in such a manner. Only inches away, she would feel his domineering presence overshadow her own. "Miss Spruce," lowering his voice, but intent was clear. "You have exactly five minutes to grab your belongings and vacant this building before I have you removed forcefully."

"—But," she tried to interject.

With gritted teeth, eyes narrowed. His look gagged her. "Five minutes. And believe me when I say Miss Spruce—you do not  want to test my patience."

Miss Spruce peeked at Rayne standing in the corner. Hatred filled her icy veins for the tiny woman. Scrambling, she reached for her bag and coat.

Nathan's head turned; his chest tightened at the sight of his hearts desire stood rigidly with her head down. "Close the door on your way-out Miss Spruce."

As the click of the door signalled her exit. With a drumming to his chest, he couldn't contain his grin as tentatively walked towards her.

Once again, she didn't acknowledge his presence. Reaching out, he placed his finger under chin and gently raised her head. "Look at me, Rayne."

His heart melted as she met his gaze. Her captivating grey eyes were glistening with tears. Without thinking, he pulled her hair free of the hair clip. The memory from Friday, caressing her shoulders fresh in his mind. "I prefer it down," he whispered, gifted with a flush to her cheeks.

His eyes looked upon her lips. She had a mouth to drive men wild and be the envy of any woman. He pictured himself nibbling her two full peaks. Perfect, like ties of a bow. He had to stop himself from leaning in and brushing his tongue against them.

A tear escaped, bringing a huge swell to his chest. Shaped like a raindrop, unique, just like her. He swiped it away with his thumb.

The flush to her cheeks deepened. Bringing up his other hand, he cupped her cheeks. "I've been looking for you, my little Rayne-drop."