Intractable Souls : Book 1 of the Bound for Ireland Series (7 page)

He’s sure that Scott is not being honest
with him and it’s starting to piss him off. After all, she already
admitted to having a date with some guy tonight. “Are you trying to
tell me Olivia is a Lesbian?”

It does sound a little outrageous and Rachel
will probably kill him but he says it anyways. “That’s entirely
possible.”

The conversation ends and thirty minutes
later Scott pulls into the parking garage of the high-rise office
building downtown. Both men get out of the car, grab their suit
jackets and brief cases, and head for the elevator. Their footsteps
echo as they make their way through the structure that’s dimly lit
with florescent lights. Standing near the door, an older woman
waits. Her silver hair and eccentric clothing making her look
suspiciously out of place there. Scott and Ethan look at each other
as she approaches them.

“I thought that security is supposed to keep
the crazies and the panhandlers out of here?” Ethan looks at Scott
with concern.

“They usually do.” Scott reaches into his
pocket for his wallet, expecting her to be looking for a handout.
She shouldn’t be in here, but he just doesn’t have it in him to
ignore her.

Smiling as she approaches them, she locks
eyes with Ethan and doesn’t break her stare. When she stops in
front of them, she speaks only to Ethan, ignoring Scott and his
wallet all together.

“It’s about time you got here. What took you
so long, boy? We’ve been waiting a long time for you.” Her voice is
warm and friendly… almost familiar. The hair stands up on the back
of Ethan’s neck. Looking at Scott awkwardly, he freezes, not
knowing what to say.

“Why are you looking so lost child? You know
why you’re here.” She insists.

Scott and Ethan exchange nervous looks,
knowing that they should just walk away, but they’re stuck where
they stand. Scott discreetly takes out his phone and texts
security, giving Ethan a silent nod to indicate that they’re on
their way.

Her smile is warm and friendly and it’s hard
for Ethan to fathom that she’s completely insane. She obviously is.
“I don’t know actually. Why am I here?” Ethan has no clue what to
do other than play along until security arrives.

Reaching up, she touches his cheek with her
cold hands. “Your soul senses her.” Fear glazes across her tired
grey eyes. “You better find her quickly, boy. I sense that she’s in
danger.”

Ethan’s muscles tense and his stomach
squeezes into knots. Who is she talking about?

The door slams heavily and she turns to see
the uniformed security guards heading her way. She turns back to
Ethan, drops her hand to her side and smiles. Walking between them,
she heads towards the exit. Rushing towards them, security calls
out, forcing Scott and Ethan to step out of the way, as they pursue
her. Turning to watch the commotion, the boys are shocked to see
the officers standing a few feet behind them, one of them
scratching his head. The elderly, silver haired woman… GONE!

Reaching the elevator, they wait silently
for the door to open. “What the hell was that? Scott finally
asks.

Ethan doesn’t look at him. It was a bizarre
and awkward experience. “I have no idea, but don’t tell anybody
about it and we’ll just pretend it didn’t happen.”

“Deal.” When the door slides open, both men
step in and turn, watching the security guards wandering through
the parking structure searching for the silver haired woman between
parked cars. Neither one of them wanting to admit that she simply
vanished into thin air.

When the elevator door closes, Ethan puts
his case on the floor between his feet and produces a tie from his
jacket pocket. Pulling it over his head, he adjusts the knot and
smoothes the front to make sure it lays flat. Scott texts his wife
to find out when she’ll be back in town and tries to think of a way
to tell her that he just wrongfully OUTED Olivia. Maybe not telling
her would be easier.

Ethan fidgets with his smart phone, checks
his emails and then tucks it back into his pocket before rolling
down and buttoning the cuffs of his shirt. He hasn’t said a word to
Scott since they got into the elevator. As they near the top floor,
Scott breaks the silence.

“Ethan, about Olivia…” They are only two
floors away from the penthouse office and he rushes his comment,
wanting to get it out in the open before they officially begin
work. “You have no intentions of dropping it, do you?” Scott hopes
for a miracle. Ethan is a ruthless negotiator and when he decides
he wants something, he doesn’t give up. In addition, if things
don’t go his way, Scott has seen him absolutely lose his mind in a
fit of rage. That’s NOT the kind of guy he wants Olivia to be
around EVER AGAIN!

Ethan slides his suit jacket over his broad
shoulders, leaving it undone, and picks up his brief case before he
acknowledges Scott. “NOT A CHANCE.” The bell dings and the doors
slide open to reveal a foyer decorated in rich grays and blues. He
steps out of the elevator with Scott right behind him.

“I didn’t think so.” His hopes deflate.
Great, how is he going to discourage Ethan AND deal with his
meddling wife?

The bright neon blue Aurora Technologies
logo stands out proud on the wall of steel grey behind the busty
blonde at the reception desk. “Good morning, Mr. O’Connell.” She
greets him with a smile and a handful of phone messages.

“Thank you, Hannah.” He notices the low cut
blouse she has worn today, no doubt to try and get his attention
with her abundant bosom. Her voluptuous, tempting cleavage has done
that successfully. He immediately draws his gaze back up to her
eyes. “Have I told you what a pleasure it is that you’re the first
thing I see every morning?“

She blushes. “Thank you, Mr. O’Connell.”

Walking towards his office and down the long
corridor adorned with awards and acclamations, Scott matches his
pace beside him. “You’re a human resources nightmare. Do you know
that?”

Ethan laughs. “Probably, but did you see
those tits?”

Scott cringes. “My point proven.” They stop
outside Scott’s office door while he unlocks it. “I have no idea
how you do it.” He turns the knob, opens the door and drops his
stuff on the floor. Spinning the chair around, he sits down and
pulls it up against the desk.

Standing at the doorway Ethan responds.
“What do you mean you don’t know how I do it? I’m irresistible to
women… well, except for your friend Olivia, apparently.”

Scott silently mouths the word.
“LES...BI...AN.” Forming each syllable dramatically. “Just
saying…you shouldn’t waste your time.”

Ethan looks at his watch. “My office at
10am. I want to see the updates on the project you’re working
on.”

“You got it boss!” Scott spins his chair
around and answers the phone that has started to ring behind him.
Ethan leaves him to his call and makes his way to the huge corner
office at the end of the hall. Windows line both the east and south
walls giving a fantastic view of both the city and the lakeshore.
The modern décor of his office reflects the company’s devotion to
new technology and future ideas but Ethan takes a few moments to
admire the architecture of the historic buildings around him. At
times he finds the contrast between old and new inspiring. He
ignores the phones continual ringing and the constant notification
sound of incoming emails. As usual, his business day arrives like a
bull in a china shop, but today he’s not thinking about any of the
projects on the go at Aurora technologies. Today he’s thinking
about Olivia James.

The morning drags on for poor Olivia, making
her feel like it will never end. Minutes feel like hours as the
afternoon ticks on just as slowly. Checking her phone repeatedly,
she waits for a message from Noah but there is no word. She almost
jumps out of her chair when she finally receives an incoming email.
Clicking on the inbox icon, she’s shocked! Incoming mail from Ethan
O’Connell? Why is Ethan sending her an email? Now she’s extremely
annoyed that, on top of everything else, he appears to be stalking
her as well. She opens the message.

To: Olivia James

Good afternoon Olivia,

I hope you have had a great day! Mine, as
predicted, has been extremely dull compared to your lovely smile. I
was hoping that you would allow me to enjoy it again this
evening.

Ethan O’Connell

SVP International Sales and Marketing

Aurora Technologies

Aurora Technologies? He works with Scott?
Well that explains why they were together this morning but why
didn’t Scott just tell her that yesterday? Why didn’t Rachel? Is
that the reason why Scott was acting so strange? Why wouldn’t Scott
want to introduce her to someone he works with? And what makes
Ethan think that it’s ok to send her emails? Her mind is racing
with all these questions when she hits reply.

To: Ethan O’Connell

Hi Ethan. My afternoon has been fine, thank
you for asking. As I mentioned this morning, I have a date this
evening. How did you get my email address?

Olivia James

Business Solutions Specialist

Dunn & McLellan IT Consulting

Immediately a reply bounces back.

To: OIivia James

It’s not rocket science Olivia. Any teenager
can figure out how to track down business emails. All I needed to
know was where you worked. Blow off that Noah guy and let me take
you to dinner instead.

Ethan O’Connell

SVP International Sales and Marketing

Aurora Technologies

Olivia sighs. She had worked hard at putting
him out of her mind this morning. She can’t deny that she felt a
compelling attraction to him until the sexy and charming Irishman
turned psychotic control freak in a short walk to the parking lot.
She couldn’t handle a man like that in her life again.

To: Ethan O’Connell

Mr. O’Connell, I thank you again for
breakfast this morning however Noah is a good man who treats me
well and I am looking forward to enjoying his company. I will not
be having dinner with you tonight or any other night.

Olivia James

Business Solutions Specialist

Dunn & McLellan IT Consulting

From his downtown office, Ethan reads the
last email and leans way back in his chair, running his fingers
through his hair and smoothing it back behind his ears. Olivia is
proving to be quite a challenge but he knows that eventually she
will reveal her weakness. Ethan’s business success is largely due
to his ability to negotiate. Everybody has weaknesses and Ethan
always finds them, he just needs to be patient. Leaning forward
with his elbows on the desk and his hand on his chin in a pensive
gesture, he thinks of a response. Grinning, he quickly types a
reply with such enthusiasm that the tapping on the keyboard sounds
like a pounding rain. He hits send and leans back in his chair,
waiting.

To: Olivia James

Olivia, I am disheartened by your refusal to
see me again. I am concerned, not for the lack of physical
nourishment required to sustain life, but rather for my soul that
will endure an arduous fast if deprived of your exquisiteness. I
beg you not to torment me with such a cruel punishment.

Ethan O’Connell

SVP International Sales and Marketing

Aurora Technologies

OH BOY! His poetic words easily disarm her
as she reads his email. She has to remind herself that they are
just words. Words he has probably spoken to every woman he has
tried to seduce. She knows men like Ethan O’Connell; he’s
definitely not a ‘committed to one woman’ kind of guy. She needs to
put an end to this, once and for all.

To: Ethan O’Connell

I know what you’re hungry for, Mr.
O’Connell. I’m sure you will find suitable company for “dining”
among your many admirers. “I” am not one of them.

Olivia James

Business Solutions Specialist

Dunn & McLellan IT Consulting

Ethan smiles when he reads her response. He
has rarely come across a woman without insecurities and she has
just revealed one of hers. She hesitates when she receives his next
reply. Finding his persistence and arrogance so infuriating, she
thinks that she should just ignore him all together. Unfortunately,
curiosity has gotten the better of her and she has to know what he
said.

To: Olivia James

Then I will have to change that Miss
James.

ps. Call the doctor. NOW!

E

Ethan O’Connell

SVP International Sales and Marketing

Aurora Technologies

Putting her hands over her face, she growls
as she turns red hot with anger. Gahhhhhhhhh! Rachel bursts into
her office, startling the hell out of her. “You have a date? What
the hell? Why am I just hearing about it now from Scott?”

“Hi! Welcome back!” Olivia tries to disarm
her with a friendly smile.

“Nice try, James… spill it. Who are you
having dinner with?” Rachel is extremely annoyed and she’s not good
at hiding it.

“Scott didn’t tell you?”

“He said he didn’t want to tell me. That I
should hear it from you. SO… out with it!“

“Geez I figured you’d come home in a much
better mood.”

“I was in a good mood until I found out that
my best friend is going on her first date in three years and she
didn’t bother to tell me about it.” She folds her arms in
disgust.

Olivia feels horrible. “I’m sorry.” She
pouts, hoping for forgiveness. “Noah stopped by to help me bandage
my thigh, and one thing led to another and… well I guess it was me
who asked him out.”

“NOAH THOMPSON?” Rachel is dumbfounded. Noah
would not be her choice for a date with her best friend since he’s
let her down so many times before. For some reason, Olivia always
forgives him and she has never really understood her connection to
him.