C4
Muttering a curse under her breath, Clarissa realized she had stumbled upon an illicit affair. She was about to back away when the man's eyes snapped open, fixing her with a devilish gaze.
Her heart pounding, Clarissa blinked rapidly, unable to look away from the man, who seemed to relish her attention. He pressed his hand against the back of his companion's head, his movements bordering on an intimate caress. The dark eyes on his shadowed face shone brighter than stars, mocking her with their sparkle.
Feeling a shiver run through her, Clarissa dropped her gaze and turned to head downstairs.
"Stop right there." The voice from behind made her scalp tingle. She didn't want any trouble, especially not with these high-powered, wealthy individuals whose reactions were unpredictable.
After a moment's hesitation, she turned back around, bowing respectfully. "Good evening, sir. I'm terribly sorry for intruding on your private moment," Clarissa said, gesturing toward the security door that led to the sixth floor. "I was called to clean room 606. It's purely coincidental that I'm here, and I apologize for the interruption. I hope you can forgive me."
The man seemed intrigued rather than startled by her abrupt tone. "A cleaner? And so young?" His eyes roamed over her with a seductive curiosity. "Heading to room 606?" Before Clarissa could confirm, he beckoned her. "Come with me, I'll show you the way."
"Ah?" Clarissa gave the man a puzzled look but, after a brief pause, followed him.
She recognized the woman with the man as Hannah, a new model. When Hannah saw the man enter the security door, she trailed behind.
He stopped abruptly and turned to Hannah, "I said I'd take her, not you. No need to follow."
Hannah pouted flirtatiously. "Young Master Reynolds, you're not being very caring..." Mid-sentence, a check appeared before her. Young Master Reynolds offered it with a grin. "Can you leave now?"
Hannah's eyes sparkled, her nasal tone vanishing as she happily accepted the check and thanked him.
Clarissa saw through the charade. Young Master Reynolds might have been smiling as he handed over the check, but his eyes gleamed with derision. Sensing Clarissa's gaze, he lifted his lids, his eyes wickedly locking onto hers. "What's the matter? Fallen for me?"
"Ah?"
Young Master Reynolds exuded a muscular confidence, closing in on Clarissa. She wasn't tall, and his proximity only accentuated her small stature.
With a sly squint, Young Master Reynolds looked down at her, his voice a low murmur by her ear. "Have you truly fallen for me? Is it me you love, or is it my money?"
A rush of warmth flooded Clarissa's ear, turning it a deep shade of red. Instinctively, she stepped back, forgetting her injured leg. She stumbled, bracing for a fall, but a strong hand at her waist caught her just in time.
