Sweet Escapes: Romance Story Boxed Set (5 page)

"We keep this located down here because it houses the most sensitive data and computers for the company." Gordie spread his arms to indicate the rows of computers glowing in the dim light, "We don't really need to come here much so it's not too inconvenient for us".

Gordie glanced at his watch, "It's nearly 5:00 but if you don't have to rush off, I can show you where everything is and how to access the files."

"Oh, I've got nothing to rush out for tonight, I was going to stay late and do some work anyway." Ayla's stomach churned with anticipation as she realized the files she needed might be right within reach.

"Ok, well the main console is here," Gordie stepped over to a computer terminal set on a table against the back wall. "The login changes every week and you have to get the new one from the security staff.  Not too many people need to login here, so that gives security a pretty good idea of who is getting access."

Ayla's stomach tightened into a knot. 
How would she get the password from security without a real reason to need it? 

Gordie pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket and placed it beside the keyboard
. "
This week the password is Miy$53ErB*823ui.  We're not supposed to have it written down anywhere so don't tell," Gordie gave her a conspiratorial wink.

Ayla crossed her heart and held up her right hand, "Your secret is safe with me," she laughed.

Gordie typed the password on the keyboard and the screen came to life with a series of file cabinet icons. 

"The directories are labelled just like any other system, but in order to get inside some of them you need an additional password.  You shouldn't need to worry about that because if it's necessary for you to be in there that password will also be supplied."

The door clicked open behind them and Ayla and Gordie turned to see Seamus enter. 

"I thought I saw lights on in here," he smiled graciously. "If you guys are working late, then why not join me in the executive dining room?"

"Thanks Seamus, but I gotta head out, it's my daughters 5th birthday today and I don't want to miss that!" 

"I should say not," Seamus turned to Ayla. "What about you Ayla?"

"You mentioned you were working late anyway, and the food up there is second to none," Gordie winked at her. "I'm sorry I'm missing out on it myself."

Ayla felt like a trapped rabbit. The last thing she wanted to do was dine with Seamus McDonough. 
Why did she have to mention that she was working late to Gordie?
  Now she had no excuse to duck out. 

"That would be great," she forced a smile.  "I'll just log off here and follow you up." 

She saw Gordie glance nervously at the side of the keyboard where he had put the piece of paper with the password on it, but he need not to have worried that Seamus might see it - the space was empty, the little piece of paper safe and sound in Ayla's pocket.

***

The executive dining room was sumptuous ... and empty.  Ayla had expected a glut of employees, but it was just her and Seamus.  Almost like a date.

Ayla was surprised to find that it was like a restaurant with waitstaff and a limited menu.  Apparently all the profits from her fathers stolen ideas had paid the company well.  She swallowed the bile that rose in her throat and dug into her meal.

"How's the steak?" Seamus nodded towards her plate.

"Delicious," Ayla mumbled around a velvety mouth full of savory steak tips and garlic mashed potatoes.

In between bites, they talked about the usual things - the weather, sports, their childhoods.  Ayla was surprised at how easy it was to talk to Seamus and even the occasional silences were comfortable.

Seamus finished his meal and dabbed his lips with a linen napkin.  He settled back easily in his chair and Ayla started to relax in spite of herself.  The food really was delicious and Seamus was a good conversationalist and certainly easy on the eyes.  Ayla was finding it hard not to let her guard down completely.

"So tell me about your last job, I hear you were instrumental in designing the software for the Artemis project over at Devlin."

Ayla felt her cheeks grow hot.  She
had
been instrumental in that but didn't like to take the credit.  "It was a team effort," she looked down at her plate and busied herself by cutting off a small piece of steak.

How did he know about her last job?  Had he been checking up on her?

"So, no kids or husband to rush home to?"  Seamus kept a light tone to his voice, but the truth was he desperately wanted to know if she was single.  He hoped he wasn't being too obvious.

"No. No one" Ayla gave a silent prayer of thanks that she had continued to use her married name after she had divorced several years ago.  If Seamus was checking on her, he wouldn't be able to link the last name to her father.  "And you?"

Seamus smile faltered as he thought about his wife.  "My wife, Adrianna, was killed in a plane crash 4 years ago".

Ayla's features softened.  She had known this already, of course, but hearing him say it and seeing the look on his face touched her.  Could a man who obviously loved his wife so much be all that bad?

On impulse, she reached over and touched his hand.  "I'm so sorry."

"Thanks," he shrugged. "That was a long time ago and one has no choice but to move forward."

"Tell me about McDonough International." Ayla changed the subject to a less personal topic, and one where she might be able to glean some information. "You must have quite a technical team to keep coming up with these great technologies and innovations."

"My sister, Victoria, deserves most of the credit for that.  She manages all the ideas and innovations.  Of course, we do have the best scientists and technologists on staff to help her out." 

"Oh, I'm sure you're just being modest, surely you have a lot of involvement in bringing out these products, like your biggest product - GreenGas.  That must have been years in the making."  Ayla glanced at Seamus out of the corner of her eye, waiting to detect any uneasiness or sign of guilt.

"That one was close to my heart," Seamus beamed with obvious pride.  "I love to create new products that help the environment as well as people.  But I must give the credit to Victoria for making it happen so fast. She was able to put the right people in place and get the job done in years instead of decades."

Ayla studied Seamus.  He seemed truly proud and not at all repentant about stealing the technology. 
Could it be that Seamus McDonough had nothing to do with stealing her fathers work? 

Ayla felt conflicted, she had focused on hatred and getting her revenge for so long that she couldn't accept anything else.  Yet, a small part of her wanted Seamus to be in the clear.

"I didn't realize it was so late," Seamus glanced at his watch.

Ayla's eyes widened as she looked at her own.
Seven thirty? Had she really been so engrossed in their conversation that 2 hours had gone by?

"Oh, gosh, I should get going. I guess I won't be getting any work done tonight after all."

"Is your car in the parking garage?"

Ayla nodded.

"I'll walk you to it then. It can be dark in there and most everyone else is gone"

Ayla waved him off. "Oh no. I'm sure I'll be fine."

"But I insist." Seamus came round the table and pulled out her chair for her. "I've kept you this late and now I feel responsible for seeing you to your car safely."

Ayla's lips curled up in a smile as she tried to ignore the warm glow she felt, "Ok, then, I'll just need to stop by my office and pick up my things."

***

The parking garage was dimly lit and empty.  Ayla's car was parked on the other side from the stairway entrance and she was grateful Seamus had come down with her so she didn't have to navigate the space alone.

He stood beside her and as she opened her car door, Ayla realized he was close.  Too close.

She turned to thank him and her breath caught in her throat as he put his hand on her arm, his head leaning down towards hers.  Ayla's heart thumped against her chest as his lips gently touched hers.

His kiss was hesitant at first. 

Ayla felt her lips responding, almost as if they had a mind of her own.  Her brain was telling her to push him away, but her body was sending much different signals.  Her body won out, and she moaned as she snaked her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his.

Seamus plunged his one hand into her hair as his other hand cupped her bottom, pulling her even closer.  A low groan escaped his throat as her lips parted for his probing tongue.

Slam!

Ayla and Seamus jumped apart at the sound of the garage door slamming shut. They both turned to see who it was, but no one was there.

Seamus turned back to Ayla and cleared his throat, "Thanks for a nice evening."
Was that all he could think to say? 
The truth was that Seamus wasn't very good at this sort of thing and he didn't really know what to say.  He had surprised even himself when he had kissed her and was now at a loss for words.

Ayla felt panicked, she needed to get away fast.  She quickly slid into the drivers seat and looked up at Seamus from the open window. 

"Thanks for walking me down." 

"Well, I'll see you  later then," Seamus backed away from the car and started off towards the door.

Ayla's hands shook as she tried to line her key up with the ignition. 
What was that all about? 
Surely she couldn't be falling for the man that had betrayed her whole family ... or could she?

Ayla started the car and headed towards home.  The memory of his kiss burning on her lips and the slip of paper with the password for the main console burning in her pocket.

Chapter Four

Ayla woke the next day after a fitful sleep.  Shaking the cobwebs out of her head, she stumbled to the coffee machine hoping the bitter brew would help her focus on the task at hand.  Today was a big day.

She showered and dressed carefully.  Today was the company party at McDonough International and the "powers that be" had deemed it a "casual dress day".  Ayla picked out a nice pair of jeans and dressed it up a bit with a silk top of silver and lavender which she had been told set off her red hair perfectly.  After a quick peek in the mirror, she applied a swipe of mascara and some lip gloss.
Not too bad
.

Her thoughts strayed to Seamus. 
Was she primping to look good for him?
Of course not, that was ridiculous.  She pushed all thoughts of Seamus... and his kiss... from her head.  She had work to do today and she could let nothing get in her way.  Nothing.

Ayla sat on the end of her bed and put on a pair of Keds.  She wanted to be able to move quickly and silently today. 

The password for the main console would be changed after today and the company party would be the perfect chance for her to slip into the computer room and grab the files she needed without being seen.  Everyone would be busy at the party.  Today could be her only chance to get access to the computer without having to ask for another password.  If she didn't get what she needed today, it could be months before another opportunity arose .

With the password tucked deep into her pocket, Ayla grabbed her keys and headed off to McDonough International.

***

By noon, the party was in full swing.  Ayla had spent the morning doing her "real" job and was now heading out to the sun drenched parking lot where the big barbecue was in progress.

The sun warmed her face, a welcome contrast to the icy cold of the office air conditioning.  The smell of barbecued meat and the chatter of party conversation flooded her senses as she scanned the crowd looking for familiar faces. 

Her heart stopped with a jolt as her green eyes met a familiar pair of brown eyes.  Seamus.  She quickly looked away.  The last thing she needed was Seamus McDonough latching on to her and messing up her chance to slip into the Beta lab.

Spotting her co-workers, Ayla made her way towards the far corner managing to pick up a drink and a burger on the way.  

"Hey Ayla, come join us!" Gordie signaled her with a wave. He was standing in a group with a few of the people she worked with and some others she hadn't met yet.

"Ayla, you know Sandy, Bill and Ginny. This here is Tom and Greg."

Ayla balanced her plate and drink in her left hand while she shook hands with Tom and Greg.  "Nice to meet you. What department do you guys work in?"

"Oh, I'm in Finance and Greg is in Legal..."

Ayla pretended to nibble on her burger and listen to the conversation but her mind wasn't really on the party.  She was too busy thinking about how she could slip back into the building and make her way to the Beta lab unseen. 

Ayla's stomach felt like she had swallowed butterflies and her nerves were a jangled mess as she listened to the conversation drone on and on.   It was hard enough to try and nod and comment at the appropriate times, but she also had to keep one eye on Seamus, prepared to flee if he started to make his way over to her.

Finally, the conversation fell to a lull and people started to drift away. 

Ayla excused herself on the pretense of finding a trash barrel for her plate and headed towards the building, a stealth glance over her shoulder satisfied her that no one was watching.

On the other side of the parking lot, Seamus was busy in conversation with Victoria and a few of the senior managers, but not too busy to see Ayla making her way into the building out of the corner of his eye.  He hurriedly made an excuse to his sister and the mangers and followed her in, but not before Victoria took notice of his destination.

Chapter Five

Ayla slipped into the building. The door closed behind her with a soft click.  A quick wave at the security guard and a swipe of her badge and she was in the hallway.  There was  nothing unusual in her going inside the building. Plenty of people made a quick run in to use the bathroom or pick something up in their office.  Except, instead of turning right towards the office area, Ayla turned left towards the basement hallway and the Beta lab.  She hurried down the hall, her sneakers moving soundlessly on the tile floor.