Claimed by My Steadfast Soldier

Chapter Four

Hali’s POV

Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap! Someone please tell me that i'm still in bed and didn't do what I think I've done? I surreptitiously pinch my leg, HARD and it damn hurts but I'm still right here in the foyer of the building I'm trying to sell with the familiar looking yet completely not familiar man I have verbally assaulted. It’s not Harrison, the man in front of me is not the surly man who hired me to first find his dream house and then to find the perfect office space. Oh God, I just ripped apart my only client’s twin brother! I am so fired! What the hell do I do?

I’m freaking out, my rent is due, the car needs fixing, and I just blew any chance of selling to the Cadell’s that I had because of my own stupid fat mouth and for not bothering to ask his name before we started. Though, Harrison never mentioned that his brother was his identical twin, or that he was the one meeting me so really, it's not my fault! Oh who am I kidding, it doesn't matter that I didn't know, Gage is going to go back to his brother and tell him what I said. They’ll never work with me again, hell, they’ll never recommend me to anyone else that might be looking for property!

I feel sick, the room is starting to spin around me, and I suddenly can’t seem to get enough oxygen into my lungs for some reason. I feel a hand on my back, another curling around my upper arm as I’m guided out of the building, the freezing air slamming into me, asnd I gulp down deep breaths that burn my lungs.

‘It’s OK Miss Montgomery’ I hear Gage saying though he might as well be talking through a tunnel with how far away he sounds.

I force out a laugh that comes out more than a little manic even to my own ears, which is obviously not missed by Gage Cadell as he raises his eyebrows in surprise.

Pulling away from him, I grip my bag to my chest like a life line, smiling much wider than anyone has ever smiled before, or that is how it feels as I stare up at the handsome man, trying to get myself under control.

My feet automatically move me toward the front door, my fingers sliding the key into the lock and turning it, tugging on the handle to make sure it’s locked before turning back to the ridiculously sexy man who is also the brother of my client, and who I am sure is standing much closer than he needs to be.

God, how is he so handsome? I never noticed it with Harrison Cadell, well no that’s a lie, I knew he was good looking, but I didn’t really notice it in a 'wow he's hot' kind of way, more of a 'he's has a nice face,' if you see what I mean. But this Cadell brother? He seems to have invaded my senses, I mean, does he seriously have to smell so good? Did he bathe in eu de hormonal invasion this morning?

Gage looks like he’s about to say something, his lips parting as he inhales, but I quickly cut him off, not wanting to deal with what is no doubt going to be a scolding for the unprofessional way I just spoke to him. S.hit, did I swear at him? I can’t remember! God, I hope not! I know I can be a bit crass, but I try not to let it out when I'm in professional mode.

‘I’m fine, it’s fine’ I trill, starting to back away from the front door and him, precariously balanced on my heels on the icy tarmac.

‘Sorry! I had no idea . . not that it matters, I mean you should have introduced yourself . . not that I’m blaming you! But you should have, it’s only good manners . . .’

My mouth doesn’t seem to be able to stop spewing words as much as my brain keeps telling me to shut the hell up.

Gage takes a step toward me in concern, but I hold up a hand warding him off.

‘Honestly, I’m absolutely and completely fine! You can stay there, I don’t need any help. Or you can go back to your car, I mean I'm not here too you what to do? You are a grown man and you make your own decisions. And I wasn't trying to do that, I was just . . . anyway, as I said, I'm totally fine.’

I can tell that the Cadell brother is unsure about what to do, I must be coming off as a completely crazy lady. I laugh to myself, I'll bet he’s just started to realise just how much of a bullet he just dodged, I showed him that I’m a psycho before he even wasted a few dollars on a drink for me.

Backing up further I give an awkward wave, ‘well it’s been a pleasure to meet you Mr Cadell’ I say, my voice still unnaturally high, ‘I hope you liked the property and I hope to speak to your brother in the coming days about hopefully making an offer? Please tell him to call at any time, he has my office number and my cell, I never turn that off so I can be reached at any time, day or night . . ’

Gage just stares at me wordlessly, his brow furrowed in confusion which makes him even more damn attractive than he already was.

‘Well . . . bye!’ I almost yell at him before I turn on my heel and race as fast as I can without falling on my ass, because that would just top off my mortification wouldn’t it, stumbling out onto the sidewalk that hugs the main road, and around the corner, away from one of the most embarassingly, humilitaing momonts of my life.

I hurry down the road, not looking back over my shoulder, terrified that Mr Cadell might randomly chase after me, wanting to rip me a new one for the way I spoke to him.

I make it three blocks before I finally slow down, leaning against the wall of one of the shops and draw in deep breaths, willing my heart rate to slow.

As I start to calm down, mortification hits me all over again, I basically called the guy a cheating scumbag! I am so very fired, Harrison Cadell is not an easy man, there is no way he’s going to let me verbally attacking his brother slide.

A tear slips down my cheek as I try to come up with a plan to get out of this. Maybe I could send them something as an apology? A fruit basket or some chocolates? I choke out a laugh, I can’t even afford to buy myself a sandwich for lunch let alone an expensive gift for my only clients.

My shoulders drop in defeat, I’m screwed, I vaguely wonder if I groveled enough, would my old firm take me back. Was Darren’s attentions really that bad? Sure, he pinched my ass every time we were alone in the kitchen and he once tried to corner in a supply closet, not to mention the never-ending s****l innuendoes or the squeezing past me so his d**k would brush my ass . .

I shudder in revulsion, hell no, I’ll live on the street before I go back to that p*****t and his asshole grandfather who thinks he can brush away any wrongdoing because he has money.

I push away from the wall, squaring my shoulders with determination, OK I lost the Cadell’s, but there are other people out there that need a realtor. I’ll walk the streets and post a flier through every door in the city if I have to.

‘You are a kick-ass business woman Hali Montgomery’ I tell myself sternly, ‘this is a setback, but it’s not the end of your story. Now get your ass back to your office and start finding more clients!’

I nod my head, plan made and turn in the direction of my office, determined to have a new client on my books by the end of the week.