Stranded with My Stepbrother Chapter 45

-Jacey-

“I don’t like it.”

I glanced up at Caleb’s thunderous expression as I finished adjusting his tie. “I know, love. I know. But it’s not like we have a choice. Dad’s ecstatic.”

“Of course he is.” Caleb blew out a long breath, then thumbed the collar of my red blazer. “I don’t want you pulled into this mess. I –”

I leaned up and kissed him, then wiped some of my understated red lipstick off his lips. “You’ve said. I’ll be okay. Besides, you’ll be there.”

“I know.” Caleb hugged me hard.

“Caleb, you’re going to wrinkle both of us,” I scolded him. But I wasn’t really mad. I was terrified and happy for the hug.

Caleb didn’t let go right away. “I love you so much. If anything were to happen to you…”

“You’d go scorched earth. I know. I feel the same way,” I replied.

Caleb finally released me. We both patted and smoothed each other down, then looked in my mirror again.

“Mr. Killeen, you look quite dashing today,” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

Caleb gave me a small smile. “And you, Miss Collins, look quite fetching.”

I put my hand in his and let Caleb lead me out to his Prius.

“Have fun, you two!” Jeanie called.

I almost cringed. Yeah. Fun.

My father was already at work, but we’d received similar well-wishes the night before. “Just think how good it will look on your resume!” he’d crowed at dinner.

I’d rather burn my resume and live in a box for the rest of my life than work for Mr. Masterson. But I also liked Caleb and me to be alive and breathing. Hence: Internship.

Caleb buckled me in, his aftershave wafting over me, then went around the other side of the car and buckled up himself. Then, whether we liked it or not, we were off.

When we got to MacMillan Masterson, Caleb glanced around, a suspicious look on his face. He seemed to spot someone, and a scowl came over his features. He put a strong arm around me, looking off at that someone I couldn’t identify in the crowd, and escorted me hurriedly into the building.

“That’s Jessica,” he whispered when we reached the front desk. “She’s the head of HR. She’s not exactly friendly, but she is knowledgeable.”

“Okay,” I said, glad for the overview.

“Caleb, you can go upstairs now. I’ll handle Jocelyn,” Jessica told Caleb in a clipped tone.

“Jacey,” I corrected her with a smile.

Jessica’s eyes narrowed on me. “J.C.? As in Jocelyn Collins? What are you, a rap star?”

“N-No, ma’am…” I stuttered. “It’s actually just a shortening of Jocelyn. J-A-C-E-Y.”

Jessica snorted. “That’s no way to start out in business. You are Jocelyn here. Besides, you’ll be working with Lacy. Lacy and Jacey sounds like the name of a flower shop.”

I wondered what was so terrible about a flower shop, but I just nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Jessica,” Jessica corrected me. “Caleb, were you planning on getting to work anytime soon?”

“Sorry.” Caleb gave me a sympathetic look, then scurried off to the elevator.

I swallowed, left alone with Miss Congeniality.

Jessica got me a visitor’s pass and explained some of the features of the building but quickly brought me up to the 150th floor. There, I saw a perky woman with blonde hair, blue eyes, who was pleasantly plump sitting behind a long, fogged glass reception desk.

“Lacy, this is Jocelyn Collins. Jocelyn, Lacy Everson. I have some work to do downstairs, so I’ll leave you to it. Lacy is very proficient and will have you set up in no time,” Jessica said.

I could have fainted with relief. Miss Congeniality was leaving.

With some clipped clicking on the floor, and the ding and swoop of the elevator doors, Jessica was gone.

Lacy bounced out from behind the desk and shook my hand. “It’s so great to have some help! I’ve been swamped for months. Ever since Mr. Masterson’s last assistant left.”

I liked Lacy right away. “I’m happy to help,” I replied honestly.

“Great! Now, first of all, are you really Jocelyn? That’s not what Caleb calls you,” Lacy said with a wink.

“Miss Congeni-er-Jessica thought Jacey was unprofessional,” I responded with a wince.

“Lacy and Jacey. I like it,” Lacy decided. “Come on over. I’ll get you set up on your workstation, and then we can start slogging through all the backed up paperwork and mail and stuff. By the time you leave for school, we’ll be current, and Caleb will know the ropes.”

I nodded and sat down. For the rest of the morning, Lacy got me set up in the various systems I would need to use and the processes I would need to perform. My mind was exploding by the time lunch rolled around.

“I’d ask you to lunch, but I’ll bet you’re eating with Caleb. He seems like a great big brother. Is he single?” Lacy asked.

I blushed. “Um… he’s my stepbrother. My parents got married when I was thirteen, and he was seventeen. So we ended up spending a lot of time together and… stuff… and then one thing led to another…”

Lacy’s mouth formed an O of surprise. “You’re dating your stepbrother!”

I cringed. Her voice really carried. I looked around and, sure enough, heads had popped up from their desks like meerkats. “Yes.”

“Oh, girl, I am so jealous,” Lacy continued and I relaxed fractionally. At least she hadn’t said it was gross. “What a hunk of man meat.”

“Uh… yeah…” I hesitantly agreed.

“Well, you get going.” Lacy gave me a laughing little shove in Caleb’s direction. “But just so you know, there are cameras all over the place in this building. Except in the bathrooms. So, no after hours desk sex.”

I blushed to the roots of my hair. “No. Wasn’t even thinking about it.”

“Girl, you have something like that on the line and you didn’t even think about it?” Lacy gaped.

“Uh… no?” I said.

“We’ve got to work on your imagination. You two have fun,” Lacy giggled with a wide smile when Caleb came over.

Caleb slipped his arm around my waist, and we headed toward the elevator. “There’s a nice sandwich shop downstairs,” he told me. “We can get lunch there. My treat.”

“It’s a paid internship,” I reminded him.

Caleb shrugged. “I’m still getting paid more.”

With a sigh, I leaned my head on his shoulder. “I suppose I can’t argue that point.”

We went down to the sandwich shop. I smiled when we both got salami on Italian bread with provolone cheese, lettuce, and mayo.

Caleb picked up a soda while I went for water, though. I supposed we had to be different in some ways. That’s what kept things interesting.

“What was all that about this morning when we got to the building?” I asked Caleb once we were sitting down.

“What was all what?” Caleb responded, taking a bite of his sandwich.

“You were looking at someone. And you didn’t seem happy about it,” I said.

Caleb grimaced and put the sandwich down. “It was the FBI,” he informed me in a low tone.

“The FBI?!” I hissed back.

Caleb gestured for me to keep my voice down. “They tried to recruit me to spy on Mr. Masterson and his business, but I said no. I didn’t want them trying it with you.”

“Oh. Good plan,” I replied. “I think we’ve had quite enough of law enforcement. And I’d rather not be dumped in a barrel in the middle of Lake Superior for getting caught spying.”

“Exactly.” We both picked up our sandwiches and ate.

Back upstairs, Mr. Masterson was standing at the front desk, chatting with Lacy. Caleb squeezed my hand, but I gave him a double-squeeze back to let him know it was all right.

Caleb reluctantly let go.

“Jacey. Caleb. How nice to see you,” Mr. Masterson smiled.

“It’s… nice to see you again, Mr. Masterson,” I said.

“I wonder if you might accompany me to my office, Jacey,” Mr. Masterson requested. “There’s just some paperwork and things I think you can help with.”

“I’ll go,” Caleb interrupted quickly. “I am your assistant, after all.”

Mr. Masterson laughed and shook his head. “I like the initiative, Caleb, but I’m sure Jacey can handle this.”

Caleb’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I’ll be at my desk.” He gave me one last look, then started toward the desk outside the two big wooden double-doors to our left.

“You just come after you’ve put your things away,” Mr. Masterson said and walked the same way.

As I was tucking my purse under my desk, Lacy leaned in. “Just lay back and enjoy it,” she whispered quickly. “The money’s good.”

I turned to her and paled. “Excuse me?”

“And don’t tell Caleb. That will just cause problems between you,” Lacy said.

“Are you… are you saying what I think you’re saying?” I asked.

Lacy nodded. “The money’s good. Just remember that, okay? You don’t want to lose this gig. Mr. Masterson can make it so you never work anywhere ever again. I’ve seen it happen.”

I swallowed and looked at Caleb. God, what was I going to do?

“Or worse,” Lacy said, dropping her voice even lower and giving a shiver.

Worse? There was something worse than…

“I-I can’t!” I gasped. “Caleb’s the only man I’ve ever been with, and I want it to stay that way.”

“Then girl, you’re both in trouble,” Lacy responded. “You go ahead and go tell the boss that, though. He’s waiting.”

I took a few deep breaths then squared my shoulders. Mr. Masterson was not going to mess with me, I told myself. I wasn’t going to let him.

Caleb gave me a worried look as I passed his desk, but I forced a smile. I walked through the wooden double doors with my head held high.

“I’m sure Lacy told you the deal,” Mr. Masterson said from behind his desk.

“Yes. And I’m here to tell you no amount of money will get you in my pants,” I replied firmly.

Mr. Masterson chuckled. “I highly doubt that. But I had a feeling that’s what you’d say. So I have a different deal for you.”

I frowned at him, suspicious. “What deal?”

“Let me cum on your tits, and I won’t have Caleb beaten down for talking to the FBI,” Mr.Masterso said.

My frown turned to a scowl. “He didn’t, and you know it.”

“Do I? I think I should interrogate him, just to be sure,” Mr. Masterson grinned.

My breath came in angry little puffs. “You’re disgusting,” I said.

“Come on over here. I’m ready.” Mr. Masterson showed me his hand glistening with precum.

I thought for a moment. I knew Caleb would rather take a beating than allow another man to touch me.

And since I’d never be able to keep it a secret from Caleb even if I wanted to, I sent up a silent apology to him, turned on my heel, and walked out of Mr. Masterson’s office.

“You’re making a mistake,” Mr. Masterson called out behind me.

“No,” I responded. “I’m not.” I pushed the doors open and strode out.

Caleb was up and around his desk in seconds. “Jacey. Your face is all flushed. What happened?”

“That monster just–” I began.

“Caleb!” Mr. Masterson shouted. “Get in here right now! Jacey, you may go back to your station.”

I swallowed and touched Caleb’s cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Caleb asked.

“CALEB!!” Mr. Masterson bellowed.

I gave Caleb a kiss, then trudged back to the front desk.

“What’s he going to do?” Lacy asked as I sank into my chair, shellshocked.

I whispered. “He’s going to hurt Caleb.”

Lacy shook her head and gave me a sympathetic look. “I told you there were worse things.”

I shrugged. “If I’d done it, Caleb would have killed him. That would be a worse, worse thing.”

“True.” Lacy handed me a box of tissues as I started to cry.

I gave her a grateful nod and looked toward the wooden double doors. They were probably soundproofed as well.

What was happening to Caleb in there?