Lila

Lila rode in the back of the car, reminding herself to continue to look angry and sullen. She'd carried her laptop, tablet, and a ton of file out of the office, making sure her hair looked like it was about to fall out of the twist she'd had it in. She even did two dozen jumping jacks before she walked out so she'd be a little red in the face. Anything to give the impression her job was a hassle, her boss was out of control, and she wasn't happy about it. But inside she was cheering, and her stomach fluttered, full of nervous anticipation.

​​

Dane had done it. Despite all the tensions of the week, during that staff meeting he'd managed to strike the perfect mix between selfish control-freak, and concerned boss. He'd made all of them think it was a new idea, like he hadn't planned this for a week. And he got her a legitimate reason to not talk to anyone for two days.

As long as Becky Hanson didn't show up. It was the only possible flaw in the plan, but they'd both decided it was worth it. Finding a way to keep Chris busy and out of his hair had been the true genius, Lila decided. Because it seemed like it was always Chris either showing up, or sending staff to interrupt Dane. And if she was ready for anything it was a few hours with Dane that weren't potentially going to be interrupted by someone else!

She felt bad that Chris was going to work all weekend. But not bad enough to change the plan.

When the car dropped her off, she practically ran to her apartment, to the bag she'd packed last night, shoved her laptop bag into it, ignoring the lacy little nightgown she'd bought on a whim two days ago, checked her hair, and put out the little automatic cat feeder Dane had thoughtfully presented her the night before.

Everything was ready. With a nervous smile, Lila headed for the laundry room.

She practically ran up the stairs to Dane's Penthouse, but remembering the problem she'd had earlier in the week, once she reached the closet (Dane had left the light on this time) she crept through quietly, checking for voices before opening the door and—

When she slowly swung the door open into his room, Dane stood there, smiling, with a single white rose in his hand. Lila's eyes widened as he extended it towards her. She took it and smelled the soft petals. "Dane, it's beautiful."

"My thoughts exactly," his deep voice rumbled in her chest. "Let me take your bags?"

She frowned, "Take them where?"

He slung her large bag over his shoulder, then ushered her through the room, towards the living area. "I told you, I'm not going to risk getting interrupted this weekend. This time is for us."

Confused, she followed his gesture into the living room, then he passed her, taking her hand, and leading her through the wide, open space of the Penthouse to the third wall of windows that she'd never really explored, because there was a simple alcove on this side of the apartment, along with a door in a wall that she assumed led back into the reception area, but she hadn't used it. It was always closed.

"Remember what I told you about the Laundry?" Dane said, walking towards the alcove. Lila was surprised to see a little fireplace there, and a sheepskin rug on the floor. If she'd known that was there…

She blinked, realizing Dane was waiting for her to answer a question. "Um…That you renovated when you guys moved in?"

"No, about exits."

Lila thought back. "You said you had four ways to get out of the apartment, I think?"

Dane winked. "Welcome to door number two."

She took a step toward the door in the wall, but Dane tugged her back, and instead walked to the mantle around the fireplace. Once again, he put his hand in the corner—this time of the brick framing around the fireplace—and once again, it clicked, then swung open like a door on a hinge.

Lila's mouth fell open. "No wonder we haven't been making the most of the fireplace."

Dane winked. "It works—if you can put up with gas flames on fake logs—but I promise this is better." He stepped through first to another dark little stairwell and reached back to give her a hand as he led her down, pulling the mantle closed behind him.

There was very little light on the stairs, and what came was mainly through grates at the top of the wall that seemed to go directly outside.

Wide-eyed, Lila followed Dane down the stairs to a simple, gray door that looked like it went outside to the roof, or something. Sure enough, when he opened it, they were greeted with street noise. But the door opened to a walkway—a cement bridge with handrails, but completely surrounded by chainlink walls with plastic slats, and covered in what looked to be a corrugated iron roof.

"Dane, what is this?"

"It used to be a maintenance access," Dane explained, hiking her bag higher on his shoulder. "The previous owner owned both buildings, and used the same maintenance team. When he sold me the other building, I gave him a better deal than he asked for, if I got to keep this bridge, and one other lease."

"Lease?" Lila looked around. Did this link with a restaurant or something?

Dane nodded and, letting go of her hand, trotted across the last of the bridge to the other plain, gray door in the other side and, using a key from his pocket, opened it, swinging it wide.

"Welcome to my hideaway, Lila," he said, his voice deep and rough. "You're the first human being I've brought here."

She stopped, staring at him for a moment, her mouth wide, before swallowing and walking under his arm where he held the door open.

He let it swing closed behind her and stepped into the little entryway with her, smiling.

"Oh, Dane. It's fantastic," she whispered.

*** IMPORTANT NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR BELOW -- PLEASE READ ***