Against the Rules

by Ella Goode

  “Lucia—“ Monica starts to say.

  “Sanchez,” I finish.

  Lucia’s complexion is unnaturally pale and her hand is cold when I take it in mine. Her eyes are glued to the floor and I have a feeling she wishes the ground would open up and swallow her. As for me, I must have done a very good deed in the past to be rewarded like this.

  I turn to Monica. “Cancel the first agenda item and come into my office. We need to make some human resource changes.” I drop Lucia’s hand before I kiss it—and her—in front of all the new hires. In a few steps, I reach my office door. Monica jumps out of the way so she’s not hit when I open it.

  “Are you firing Ms. Sanchez? I just hired her. It took me five weeks to find her,” Monica wails.

  Lucia must hear her because she turns a shade whiter.

  “No, no one is fired.”

  I slam the door shut.

  Chapter 4

  Lucia

  “What did you do?” I look over to see Kevin staring at me. I think that’s his name. They’d introduced everyone during orientation. I open my mouth but close it because I’m not sure what to say. Do I tell the truth? That I slapped the boss a couple of times the other night because he thought I was an easy lay?

  “Maybe it’s her outfit.” The girl on the other side of Kevin leans forward to look at my suit. Her nose is scrunched up in disgust as her eyes roam over me. I didn't think my outfit was that bad. I was trying to cover up. I wanted to look different. I thought maybe he wouldn’t recognize me if I dressed in this shapeless getup. No such luck.

  “Don’t be a bitch,” Kevin says to her. Her eyes leave me and pin him. Her look of disgust has now changed to one of anger.

  “I thought after college I’d be done dealing with you. I’m going to my office.” She stomps off. A few people follow, going to their designated areas. I have no idea where I’m supposed to go. The only thing I know is that I need this job and I guess it’s a good sign that he hasn’t fired me yet.

  “Ignore her. She’s a spoiled daddy’s girl. I think your suit is-” He trails off. I snort a laugh because I know this thing I’m wearing is hideous, but I meant it to be exactly that.

  “It’s not the best. Believe me, I know.”

  “You’re pretty so I think you could get away with wearing a paper bag. That’s why Becky is being an asshole. She can’t have anyone prettier than her around. It’s some immature high school crap.”

  “Thanks.” I fidget with my hair, not sure how to handle that compliment.

  “Lucia, right?” He holds his hand out.

  “Yeah, you're Kevin, right?”

  “Yep. I work in accounting. What is it that you do?” I look to Finn’s door. He did say no one was fired so I guess I still have a job. For now at least. Maybe it was all a misunderstanding and he realizes that he was wrong. That he’d gone a little too far the other night in assuming that I would throw myself at him. The thought of doing exactly that has me squeezing my legs together. I shake my head, reminding myself that he’s my boss and a wealthy man who thinks he can take whatever he wants. He’s a jerk. But one that is really easy on the eyes. Too easy.

  “I’m supposed to be one of his assistants.”

  Kevin lifts his eyebrows. “I’ve heard he’s a nice guy. Maybe he has-”

  “Don’t say it.” I laugh, shaking my head.

  “What?”

  “A case of the Mondays?” I finish for him.

  “Lame, I know. It’s not every day I get to talk to a pretty girl.” He winks at me. “Come on, I think your area is over here.”

  I start to follow after him until someone calls my name.

  “Ms. Sanchez.” I turn to see a tall man with better fashion sense than I’ll ever have. “You’re with me. I’m assistant number two but you can call me Cesar.” He holds his hand out.

  “I’m Lucia.”

  “Oh, that’s different. I like it.” He nods his head. “We’re over here.” He leads us over to two beautiful desks that face each other. “We work together a lot so we share space.” He motions toward one of the desks, the one that’s fairly empty. His is filled with pictures and other knick knacks. Cesar has a liking for pandas and a handsome man with a beard.

  “It's nice.” I look around as I take a seat. All the other offices are off to the sides. Some doors are open and some closed. A little way down from us are a few giant tables. I’m guessing they are for the meetings.

  “Yeah, we work out here so we have access to everyone. We’re Mr. O’Hare’s left hand. We do odds and ends. Monica is his right.”

  “She’s nice.” She did my interview. She also didn't want Mr. O’Hare firing me. I like her even more now. Unless he tells her about the slap. Then she might change her mind.

  “She is. You can learn a lot from her and she is always willing to teach. She’s great to work with.” Caesar places a folder on my desk. “I need you to fill these out.” He flips the folder open. “Then you’ll need to read over this. It will give you an idea of what you’ll be doing for the most part, though we often get curve balls thrown our way and we have to be quick on our feet. Mr. O’Hare doesn’t like to wait when he asks for something. He expects it to get done.”

  “Okay.” I fish out a pen from my purse and start filling out more paperwork. I glance over it, quickly realizing it’s more of the same office policies and procedures that I did previously. I thought I was done with all that. I guess these bigger companies need to make sure everything is exactly right when it comes to legal things. It doesn't take me long. Honestly, I can barely concentrate on what it says because my mind keeps drifting back to Finn. Cesar snags them from my desk as I start to read over the other stuff. My eyes keep flicking over towards Finn’s door, wondering what is happening.

  When I saw him coming down the hallway earlier, he looked to be in a good mood. I’d go so far as to say that he looked almost cheerful. And of course he looked beyond handsome. He smelled good too. Damn it. He’s a jerk, I remind myself for the hundredth time since I laid eyes on him today.

  Do not be that girl who crushes on the asshole. You need to focus on crushing on nice people like Kevin. The type that won’t barge up to you and assume that you will bow down to their every demand. One that is a gentleman. Not someone who acts the way Finn had the other night.

  “Yes, Mr. O’Hare.” I look up to see Cesar talking on his phone. “Everything is signed and I’m sending it to HR now.” Crap, I must have zoned out while thinking about Finn. It strikes me odd that Mr. O’Hare would care about the menial paperwork for HR but I don’t ask about it because I’m already on thin ice around here. “I will, sir.” I watch as Cesar disconnects the call.

  “Everything okay?” Worry settles in my stomach.

  “Yes.” Cesar looks perplexed by whatever request Mr. O’Hare had made. “Slight change of plans. Mr. O’Hare will be finishing your office orientation personally.” I swear it takes everything I have not to gasp out loud.

  Chapter 5

  Finn

  Lucia hesitates at the threshold of my inner sanctum as if she’s afraid the floor is made of lava or there are other dangers lurking in the shadows.

  “Come in.” I gesture toward her. “It’s not booby trapped.”

  At the suggestion that she might be frightened, her nose comes up and her shoulders straighten. “I didn’t think it was.” She steps in and takes a look around, her gaze stopping at my massive desk. The eight-foot-long structure is custom made out of mahogany and is sturdy enough to withstand an earthquake—or a really good fucking now that I think about it. It’s the perfect height for bending her over and taking her from behind. The skirt would make it easy. I’d sit in my leather chair and ask her to come over and grab my letter opener. She’d reach across and her tits would hang down like ripe plums. I’d let her rub up against me until her nipples distend and harden. She’d suddenly exclaim that it was very hot. I’d tell her to feel free to take off her jacket, but she’d decline because she got u
p late and didn’t have time to put on a blouse. She’d be naked underneath the jacket—and the skirt. When she bent over the desk, the skirt would ride up, exposing her juicy cunt lips. Her pussy would be wet and, because I’m a kind and generous boss, I’d let my fingers slide between her legs, fingering her lightly as she got all my paperwork in order.

  “Cesar said you were going to finish my office orientation?”

  My attention slides from her well-covered ass to her gorgeous face. There’s a slight pink riding high on her cheeks. Is my erection that obvious? When I asked about the sexual harassment policy, Monica told me that I could not ask for sex in exchange for anything, which I knew. I was also to keep my lust to myself, which meant no walking around with a hard-on in front of poor Lucia. I glance down surreptitiously and am relieved to see my suit coat is still disguising my desire. It’s likely the long silence. Those are always uncomfortable. I clear my throat. “This is my office. You’re welcome any time, even if the door is closed.”

  “What if you have...someone in here?”

  “You’re my assistant. You see all the documents and know my entire schedule. There aren’t any secrets happening inside these four walls that you won’t be privy to.”

  The pink turns to a yellow-ish green as if there’s something about my business that is a turn off to her. I frown. Is she morally opposed to my company? “What made you decide to apply to O’Hare? You didn’t think it was the airport, right?”

  “No, of course not. It’s known for being a good company with good benefits. I think you were going to give me a tour of these benefits?”

  “Yeah.” Too bad that can’t start and end in my pants. “There’s a washroom through the door to the left. You’re free to use that at any time.” I clamp down on my brain before it can delve too far into wet and wild Lucia. The image of her leaning under the rain head with water sluicing over her ripe tits while I eat her out flashes across my eyes and nearly sends me to my knees.

  “Why do you have a shower in your office?” That hint of something—is it disapproval?—is back.

  “Not to scare you off, but sometimes a deal requires constant vigilance and I end up sleeping here.”

  “Hmmm,” she mutters.

  “There aren’t many nights like that,” I reassure her. Although, with her around, maybe I can find new ways to work late. I’ll have to check with Monica to see if that falls under the no category. “Let me show you the rest.”

  Regretfully, we have to leave the office. Monica watches me with narrow and suspicious eyes. I wave cheerily at her. “We’re all in one piece,” I say.

  “She needs to be back at her desk in an hour,” Monica tells me.

  “Yes, ma’am.” I salute her. “Monica’s in charge of you,” I inform Lucia.

  “She seems great.”

  “She is. Go to her for anything. Our fitness center, lunchroom and lounge are on the top floor,” I say and punch the up button.

  “I’m surprised your offices aren’t on the top floor.”

  I hold the door open while Lucia steps into the elevator car. “Employees are the most important part of any organization. Treat them well and you’ll prosper. You’re free to eat anything in the cafeteria at any time of the day. The fitness center is open twenty-four hours as well. The rooftop garden is accessible only during work hours unless we’re hosting a party. It’s for safety reasons,” I explain.

  “That sounds reasonable.”

  “Doesn’t it, though?” She seems to be relaxing. I go on to explain about all the other perks even as half my lizard brain keeps undressing her and shoving her into a nearby corner so I can kiss her pink lipstick off.

  “When you say that Monica’s in charge of me, what does that mean?”

  “She assigns you tasks. You answer to her.”

  “Not to you?”

  “I mean, the tasks are to meet my needs.” Too bad I can’t have you do them in the nude. “But hiring and firing is done by committee only here at O’Hare.”

  “What do you mean? You don’t get final say?”

  “Only with the hirings, but not the firings. That’s up to the team.”

  “Oh. So Monica and Cesar?”

  “And a few others, yup. As long as you’re a good teammate, then most people will want you to stay.”

  Her shoulders sag in relief. She likes this plan. I’d thought it up on the fly. An hour ago, the O’Hare policy was that I could fire anyone, but my limited human resource knowledge told me that would be a problem when it came to Lucia because I’m going to want to fuck her repeatedly both in the office and out of it. From the power of her slap, though, she doesn’t seem prepared to jump at my offer. She has to have the right to say no and not worry that the job is going to be imperiled, hence my new committee firing idea. Monica loved it and said it would go a long way toward team building. That was the one thing she liked in our impromptu personnel meeting. The rest of it—me telling her Lucia was going to be Mrs. Finn O’Hare by the end of the next quarter—she wasn’t keen on.

  Monica said that to avoid a lawsuit, I’d have to keep my hands to myself during work hours, so I will. No touching. That doesn’t mean I can’t let Lucia seduce me.

  Chapter 6

  Lucia

  “So? How is it going so far?” I can hear the sounds of the restaurant's kitchen behind her. She must have gone in early today.

  “Weird.” I lean up against the wall outside of the lunchroom.

  “Well, you weren't back before I left so I’m going to go out on a limb and say he didn't fire you.”

  “Nope. I thought he was going to but then he was all super nice. He even gave me a personal tour of the place.” As a matter of fact, he was overly nice. The day had gone off without a hitch.

  “Hmm. That’s fishy.” I couldn't agree more. He’d gone from a pig to a complete gentleman. “I guess he knows you won’t put up with shit.” That could be it or maybe he doesn’t remember the exact details from that night. Or maybe he sees me as a challenge now. That would actually explain why he is being so nice.

  “He was more like that man I thought he’d be.” I shrug. I’m still off kilter and can’t place this feeling I’m having about him. I also can’t stop thinking about him. But now it’s not because I’m worried he’ll fire me, I’m more concerned that I’ll fall for him.

  “You’re obsessing.” B.J. says.

  “I am not.”

  “You are.”

  I grit my teeth. Sometimes it’s annoying when someone knows you so well. I can’t hide anything from B.J. I might as well fess up. “I know, okay? I don’t need you to tell me that.” It’s a problem of mine. I can be obsessive about things when I don’t understand them. Finn O’ Hare makes that easy. How could someone not obsess over those gorgeous green eyes and killer smile?

  B.J. laughs. “Hey, leave me some of that special! I haven't gotten to taste it yet.” I pull the phone away from my ear before she blows my eardrum.

  “Do you have to yell into the phone?”

  “Sorry. It’s crab. You know how I get when seafood is involved. What are you having?”

  “There is a nice lunchroom here. I’m going to check out what they have. I forgot my lunch and I was too nervous to eat this morning.”

  “Oh. I thought you packed that for me.”

  I snort a laugh. “It’s all yours.”

  “That’s good because I ate it already.” I shake my head. Kevin walks by, giving me a wave as he heads into the lunchroom. I wave back. I hear someone call B.J’s name. “Hold on.”

  “What time are you out of there? I’m out early tonight.” That explains why she’s in so early.

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Well, hit me up when you leave. Sam’s been asking about you,” she adds. I roll my eyes.

  “Keep Sam far away from me,” I tell her before ending the call. Sam is the owner of the restaurant B.J. works for. I bet Finn might actually know him. If Finn is really like the version of him I met last
night, then he and Sam would likely get along great.

  I step into the lunchroom and see that it’s pretty full. I scan the sandwiches and grab the one with bacon and a fruit bowl. When I turn back around I have flashbacks of high school. People are at every table and I’m not sure where to sit. I could go back to my desk. That’s one idea. I also should make friends with everyone. My eyes brush right over the table Becky is sitting at. I’m going to keep me and my suit far away from her.

  “Lucia.” Kevin calls my name. I inwardly sigh in relief.

  “Hey.” I drop down in a chair. “Nice layout they have here. I can’t believe they provide food to everyone all day.”

  “I know. Everything here has been really nice so far.”

  “Let’s see if the food lives up to it.” I open my sandwich and take a bite. I nod in approval as I chew my bite. I finally let myself relax for the first time today.

  “Mine is pretty good. I scored a brownie too.”

  “Damn, I must have missed the desserts. I’m going to have to go back when I’m finished.”

  “How’s your day been so far?”

  I pop a grape into my mouth. “Good. Everyone is really nice.” Except Becky, but you can’t win them all. She was never going to give me a chance. Her mind had already been made up about me and I’m not going to play her games.

  “You and the boss man-” Kevin stops talking and coughs, looking down. I peek out of the corner of my eyes to see Finn has entered the lunchroom. He seems to be searching for something. I wonder if he comes here every day to have lunch.

  “It’s fine.” I rescue him. He smiles and we both go back to eating our food so we don’t get busted talking about the boss.

  “You need a drink?” I look up at Finn, who is standing next to me. He’s wearing an odd expression and I swear there’s a small tick in his jaw, but it quickly disappears. Maybe he doesn’t like Kevin.