I kept my face bland and pretended I just noticed his presence. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”

A derisive smile crossed his lips. Then he leaned in, crowding me but not touching me. He lowered his mouth to my ear and hissed, “Bitch.”

I don’t intimidate easily, but I’d be lying if I said that the hate pouring off of him didn’t rattle me. I was the ultimate pleaser, everyone liked me, but not this guy. The urge to lift my knee in a sudden defensive strike almost overrode all common sense. Carson West was a weak man, and I had no doubt that he’d charge me with assault, especially because it would get me fired and he’d finally get the office that he felt was his.

Nope, the absolute best way to win was to show no reaction. No fear. No anger. No emotion of any kind. I tilted my head to the side, away from him, and said, “I’m sorry, what was that? I didn’t catch what you said.”

His eyes narrowed and his lips thinned and he snarled, “You heard me.”

“No, I’m afraid I didn’t,” I said. I shrugged and used the gesture to move away from him. I glanced at the numbers on the elevator and saw that we had arrived. The ding of the elevator had never been such an appealing sound. I glanced at him over my shoulder and added, “Perhaps it’s because I don’t speak asshole.”

The doors slid open and I stepped into the lobby, taking an enormous inhale. I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath, but with his cologne giving off an olfactory assault and his menacing presence crowding me, it was small wonder I’d forgotten to breathe.

“Annabelle, you’re here!” Lexi bounced up from the couch where she was seated.

She was dressed in a charcoal gray skirt and blazer with a black blouse underneath. Her jacket was unbuttoned and she was wearing very high, spiky-heeled pumps. Her hair was fastened in a loose bun at the nape of her neck, and she wore just enough makeup to accent her eyes and lips. She had a laptop bag on her shoulder, completing her woman-of-business look.

I immediately felt like a jerk for being late, especially given that my extracurricular activities with her brother were the reason I was tardy. I felt my face get warm as she opened her arms and gave me a quick hug.

“I’m sorry. You weren’t waiting long, were you?” I asked.

“Not at all. I just arrived,” she said with a shake of her head.

“I was going to get Lexi a cup of coffee, can I get you one, too?” Nyah asked from her spot behind the reception desk.