Page 61 of The Echo of Forever

“Ms. James, I caught you at the right time,” Millicent said, following me to the elevators. “Do you have room in your schedule today to meet with the new rec—”

She stopped once I stepped into the metal box, but blocked her from getting on.

“Have your assistant call or email mine,” I said, turning to face her as I pressed the button for my floor. “Take the next one up, I need to think in peace.”

But instead of thinking, I pulled out the phone burning a hole in my back pocket and dialed Demetrius.

“Do you hate me?” I asked the second the line connected, before he could speak.

He chuckled.

“Can’t hate the love of my life,” the smooth bastard said. “How can I fix it?”

I couldn’t help but smile.

Fuck me for being so easily moved by this man.

“You don’t even know the problem.”

The elevator doors slid open, and Carmen was waiting for me on the other side. She started to speak but stopped after spotting the phone to my ear.

“Tell me the problem.”

It was obvious he didn’t give a fuck about it, only the solution to said problem. But still, I liked that he wanted to go at my pace, no matter the issue.

“There’s a woman in my building who bothers my spirit now.”

He hummed.

“My offer stands.”

Carmen pretended not to be listening, but she was hanging on to my every reply, now that we were standing in front of my office door.

“That offer messes with your plans.”

He was silent for a moment, and I wondered what was going through his mind.

“Plans change, my forever,” he finally said. “I’m at your beck and call.”

I sighed.

“You don’t disappoint. Is there anythingIcan do foryou, Demetrius?”

Carmen’s eyebrows shot up, and I tipped my head. She and I needed to have a talk, a real one.

“Stay with me again tonight.”

That was easy enough; he made sleep so much better.

“I can do that.”

He hummed, but this time I heard his smile.

“I hate to end this very satisfying conversation, but there’s something I need to take care of. Keep this phone close, alright?”

Demetrius was gone before I could agree, almost as if he expected me to follow his directive.

“Let’s have a chat,” I said to Carmen, pushing my office door open and waving her inside.