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Kane stepped closer and crouched down, placing his hands on my arm and with a gentle tug, he guided me back up onto my feet.
“Again, I’m terribly sorry. Are you alright? Are you hurt?”
“No,” I replied, finally finding my voice. His touch seared through the light fabric of my blouse and burned so hot it was as if he was touching my bare skin. “I’m not hurt. Just terribly, terribly clumsy today it would seem.”
“We all have those days,” Kane chuckled. His touch slid from my upper arm down to my elbow and even though he took a step backward, the contact remained. It was oddly grounding, considering we were strangers, and I quickly smoothed down my skirt as I steadied myself.
“I’m sorry. I should have looked where I was going, but I was in such a rush.”
“Somewhere to be?” The corners of Kane’s eyes crinkled when he smiled and only when I smiled back did he remove his hand from my elbow.
“Yes, actually,” I chuckled as warmth returned to my cheeks. Now that the shock was fading, embarrassment was rearing its ugly head. “You.”
“Me?”
Holding out one hand, I smiled brightly. “Kane Lewis, welcome to Crane Enterprises. I’m Callie Everheart, Mr. Crane’s assistant.”
Recognition bled lightly across Kane’s face and he nodded, then he gently took my outstretched hand and shook it.
“If this is how Sawyer introduces people, should I prepare for a Rugby tackle when we reach his office?” His brow lifted and his lips teased into a smirk.
“Perhaps,” I grinned. “Best get your pads in order, just in case.”
“Understood.”
“This way.” With a soft chuckle, I began to lead the way to Sawyer’s office but Kane stopped me immediately with a touch.
“Are you sure you’re not hurt?”
I flashed him a warmer, more genuine smile and nodded. “Trust me, that’s not the first tumble I’ve had today.”
“Just what kind of work happens here,” Kane mused with a light laugh, talking mostly under his breath as he followed me through the office.
His presence at my back was oddly comforting, although I couldn’t decide if that was because he had been so gentle or if I was simply slotting back into my role and accepting the familiarity of it. Either way, the walk was short and after I waved him toward the waiting area, I hurried into Sawyer’s office with a short knock on the door.
“What?” Sawyer barked, not lifting his head from his desk.
“Mr. Lewis is here,” I announced.
Sawyer’s head snapped up, then his eyes narrowed slightly and I could have sworn I saw something akin to concern flash in his eyes.
“Why do you look so… frazzled?”
“Me?” I straightened up and self-consciously smoothed one hand down over my abdomen. “Well you see, I ran into Mr. Lewis in the hallway. Accidentally of course but he’s here early and I had already been a little thrown by what happened?—”
“Are you alright?”
I paused, and an uncertain sensation bloomed through my chest. That was the second time he had asked me that question, but this time was different. Getting a read on Sawyer was like balancing on a knife's edge, but there was definitely a shadow of concern in his eyes.
“I’m okay,” I assured him, fighting a small smile. “I fell but you’ve already seen how bad my balance is today.”
Sawyer’s eyes dragged slowly down me and then he nodded.
“Anyway. Kane is here, sir.”
“Show him in.” Sawyer stood and his eyes locked onto Kane through the two-way glass that lined the wall between Sawyer’s office and the main floor.
I faltered slightly at being interrupted but it was common for my rambling to get away from me. With a nod, I retreated back to the waiting area.
