Chapter 7 Are you uncomfortable being in my arms again, Miss Tanner

CHAPTER 7: Are you uncomfortable being in my arms again, miss Tanner?

Sarah marched through the pristine hallways of Huxley Corp's towering skyscraper, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor-though her feet ached and burned because of her sprain, and there was also an occasional falter in her strut. Her sprained ankle protested with each step, but her frustration burned hotter than the pain. She was almost seeing red.

She had reckoned that it would be difficult to work with Edward, but she had not anticipated that he would begin to make things so difficult for her so early on in the project.

Edward Huxley had changed the terms clearly agreed on and stated in the signed agreement between the two companies. The man who had once humiliated her, and then discarded her, as if she were nothing but a piece of rag,was now ensuring that they worked under the same roof.

A deliberate move. A calculated power play. It was still the same with him after all this time.

Sarah had no intention of being anyone's pawn. No one could push her around, or take her for a fool or a dummy-least of all, him.

Inside the conference room, Edward stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back to the room, a cup of steaming coffee held firmly in his hands. He was staring outside the window at the panoramic towering view of the city. But his mind was not on the view before him, but a certain person.

Sarah. Sarah Maxwell, now Sarah Tanner.

The woman had changed so much. The naive impressionable girl he met that night, was now a bold, independent, and highly attractive outspoken woman. Something about her beckoned to her, Edward could not put his hands on what it was.

Maybe she was back for revenge, he didn't know. But he was going to find it. He was going to keep a close eye on her. For that he had made the changes he made to ensure that.

And for that Edward knew that the lady ws not going to take it easily. Even now, he knew she was going to walk in soon demanding answers.

He knew women like that-they never took anything at surface level.

As if on cue, there was a knock, and the door was pushed in, then he heard the sound of heels clacking against the polished marble.

Edward turned as she entered, his expression unreadable.

"Miss Ford," he greeted smoothly, as if he hadn't turned her life upside down. He walked back to his desk, and placed the untouched cup down, before unbuttoning his coat, and lowering into his chair behind the desk.

Sarah's lips pressed into a thin line. "Mr. Huxley."

His gaze flickered with something unreadable at her curt formal tone, but he gave nothing away.

Sarah was so angry that one might even see smoke coming from her ears and head. She was angry that he could upset an entire agreement, and other people's plan,but still have the time to enjoy a cup of coffee by his expansive window, so early in the morning

She didn't bother with pleasantries. "I was informed last night that you changed the terms of our agreement." Her voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it.

Edward leaned back against his desk, arms folded. "And?"

Sarah wondered if the man was being serious right now. Her jaw clenched, and her eyes flashed. "You know exactly what, Mr. Huxley. The liaison officers were supposed to be our point of contact. But you suddenly go against the contract, and have them scrapped. Now, we have to work directly from this building. That wasn't part of the deal."

His lips twitched-barely. "It is now."

Anger flickered in her eyes. "Excuse me?"

Edward leaned back against his seat. "I believe you heard me,Miss Maxwell."

A muscle twitched in Sarah's jaw. "It's Miss Tanner, Mr Huxley," she gritted, almost losing her cool.

She knew he was doing this intentionally to get to her. She was beginning to regret not listening to Benicio. She had no idea how she was going to deal with this insufferable man for a long time, without snapping.

Her nails dug into her palm. She shit her eyes, and reopened them. "Change it back."

His amusement was subtle but infuriating. "No."

Edward loved that he was getting under her skin. She was not suddenly made of steel like he had thought.

Sarah exhaled sharply. "This isn't professional-"

Edward interrupted, his voice dangerously smooth. "It's completely professional. This merger is too important to be filtered through intermediaries, or third person liaisons.Its a highly important venture that requires the utmost best, and I want direct oversight. So is there a problem, Miss Tanner?" He added with a raised brow.

Yes, you, she thought. "You don't need to oversee me, Mr. Huxley," she replied, shifting her weight around because of her leg.

Sarah was beginning to regret wearing heels today. She should have gone for more comfortable shoes.

A muscle ticked in Edward's jaw. "Don't I?"

Their gazes clashed; a silent battle of wills. To an onlooker, it might appear a battle of egos,or power at a place of work, but the two were both simmering because of what happened in the past, though none of them would ever admit it, especially Sarah.

Sarah refused to be the first to look away.

Edward was the one who broke the moment, his eyes sweeping down to her ankle, because he noticed she was alternating her weight between both legs-favouring one leg over the other. "You're limping."

She stiffened. "It's nothing," she replied, her lips drawn in a thin line.

Edward raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "What happened?"

"I tripped. Are we done?"

Edward had no idea why he was even interested. He barely had time to notice what was going on with other people.

"Tripped?" The corner of his mouth curved slightly, but his eyes stayed sharp. "Sounds like you can be quite clumsy, miss Tanner."

Sarah's breath hitched, but she masked it quickly. I sprained my ankle while worrying about my child you asshole.

Sarah wished that she could say that out loud,but instead she pinned him with a sharp fiery look. "You don't know me at all, Mr. Huxley," she said coolly.

Something flickered in his gaze, at her comeback -a dark amusement, or perhaps something deeper. She was always quick to imply that he did not know her, or was a stranger to her.

"Is that so?" Edward hushed.

Sarah could hear the silent statement–or rather, point, he was trying to make, but she was not going to indulge. She turned away, signaling the end of the conversation.

Edward, however, had other ideas. "Come on, I'll show you to your new office."

She frowned. "I can find it myself. You don't need to do that. Or you can instruct your assistant to show me the office."

"I insist."

Edward was already up from his seat, and heading for the door. He held the door open, and Sarah reluctantly walked ahead, only for her ankle to betray her again. She swore under her breath as she slowed her pace, her limp becoming more noticeable.

The pain in her ankle was becoming very unbearable.

Edward who was walking behind her saw this. He wondered why she had worn the tiny high heels with her injured ankle.

Without warning, he stepped closer to her, and scooped her up into his arms.

Sarah was shocked, and aghast when she suddenly saw herself lifted into warm firm hands and held against a hard sturdy chest. She was mortified when she saw that she was in Edward's arms.

How dare he?

"What the hell? Put me down!"

"You're too slow." Edward said, then cocked his head to the side. "Are you so uncomfortable being in my arms again, miss Tanner."

Sarah could not believe he just said that. Her eyes flashed, and she pressed her hands against his chest trying to keep a distance between their bodies. But he held her effortlessly, as if she weighed nothing.

"Put me down this instant, Mr Huxley!" she hissed, her cheeks flaming.

"Stop squirming," he ordered through clenched teeth. Her close proximity, scent, and soft warm body were doing things to his body.

Sarah immediately stilled, but the fight was not completely gone from her.

As they passed through the hallways and offices, there were exchanged whispers among employees. There were curious eyes that were still cautious about being caught by the boss.

The employees were shocked to see their ruthless CEO carrying his new business partner like a new bride.

Edward, on the other hand, heard and saw everything, but he looked infuriatingly unaffected.

As soon as they got to Sarah's office, she quickly got down, as if his touch and body burned her, keeping a huge distance between them. Edward's jaw clenched, but before he could say a word, a familiar voice sliced through the air.

"What the hell is going on here?!"

Sarah turned, and found Veronica standing by the desk, her arms crossed, eyes blazing with shock and fury.