Page 18 of Beautiful Sight
Instead of dwelling on the problem, Jefferson took Tessa’s hand. “So, my lovely mate, are you ready to go out and meet your pack?”
He wasn’t sure what to make of the lightning quick flash of uncertainty that crossed Tessa’s face before she smiled and nodded. “Yes, my mate. I’m ready to meet your people.”
Wrapping her hand around his lower biceps, Jefferson led the way out of the apartment, careful of where he was going so she wouldn’t hit any walls or doorways. The elevator was directly across the wide hall.
He gave her a few minutes to walk back and forth, then showed her where the call button was located. “This is our private elevator. No one but us and the security team can get into it.”
Once the elevator opened and they stepped inside, he said, “Say what floor you want, tigress.”
“What floor I want?”
“Yes. Say you want to go to the lobby.”
“I want to go to the lobby,” she parroted.
She grabbed him with both hands when the elevator began its rapid descent to the lobby. Once the elevator stopped moving, an electronic voice said, “Lobby,” just before the doors slid open.
“Now say, ‘I want to go to floor twenty-four’,” he instructed.
“I want to go to floor twenty-four.”
The doors slid closed and they were moving up again.
“How?”
“My tech guys added it so you can use this elevator without having to touch the buttons. It’s programmed to respond to your voice, and only your voice.” Jefferson led her out of the elevator onto the floor where his office was located.
“You did that for me?”
Jefferson reached up and stroked the back of a knuckle down her cheek. “Of course. You aren’t a prisoner here, tigress. I figure once you get the lay of the building and meet some people, you’ll want to get out and do things without me.”
A worried look crossed her face. “I’m not sure about that. I’ve been pretty housebound since I lost my sight.”
“Well, maybe we can find someone to help you learn what you need to become less housebound,” Jefferson suggested.
Before she could agree or argue, the elevator stopped. As the doors slid open, the voice said, “Twenty-four.”
Jefferson led her out of the car and turned them left. He started down the hall at a leisurely pace, though his mind was already shifting to what chaos awaited him. “My office is at the end of the hall and Marla’s desk is just outside.”
“Can we go back to the elevator for a few seconds?” Tessa asked, sounding distracted.
“Of course.”
Once they were back at the elevator, he watched as she crossed the hall and back to the elevator door again several times. Once she had figured the hall was ten feet wide, she reached out to him and they started down the hall again. He didn’t say anything, knowing she was counting steps as they went. He had watched her explore the rooms of the apartment and for a woman who had not been taught how to deal with her blindness, she had adapted well.
Though it might take time, he knew she would adapt to being the alpha’s mate and all that the position entailed.
Chapter Ten
Tessa was so caught up in counting her steps, it took a moment to realize they had stopped.
“Tessa, I’d like you to meet my assistant, Marla Fletcher. Marla is the best executive assistant I’ve had the pleasure of working with.” Jefferson made introductions, sounding very proud of the woman. “Marla, this is Tessa Dubois, my mate. I’m hoping you’ll help her get situated in her new role.”
Tessa turned to face the woman who remained at her desk, not even bothering to stand at their approach. What had been a warm, almost sultry warmth that radiated from the woman, quickly cooled to a spiky, icy blast. This woman was definitely not happy to meet her.
Behind the cold came a feeling of evil. Of danger. Toward her or Jefferson she could not be sure, so she would keep her feelings to herself until she learned more about Marla.
“Hello, Marla.”