Keep Me Going: An Office Romance

by Ford, Mia

  “I asked her for a favor,” I assured her as sadness filled her eyes. “I haven’t slept with her for a long time and I don’t give a fuck if she wants me back. I’m here for you, Soledad.”

  “What do you mean?” She asked as I reached out to cup her face gently in my hands. I leaned forward, pressing my forehead to hers as she breathed in harshly. “Alexander?”

  “Call me Alex,” I whispered before pressing my mouth to hers gently. Soledad gasped, and her mouth parted as I tilted my head. I didn’t get involved with women I worked with normally, particularly assistants. That was the reason I’d lost a few. They wanted me far more than I wanted them. I slipped up one time and regretted it for years to come. Soledad groaned against me and I pulled her against me, feeling the heat of her body. She was different.

  We kissed for moments or hours. I couldn’t tell but eventually she pulled her face back and breathed in deeply. “I’m your assistant, Alexan-Alex. We shouldn’t do this.” Her words were soft as she gripped my shirt underneath my coat.

  “I’ve wanted this since your first day if not the interview. I hired you for your experience, Soledad. I knew that you’d be good for the team and you are. This is separate.” I kissed her again as she slipped her arms around my waist and pressed closer to me. I could feel how swollen her lips were as she leaned back against the wall, sucking in her breath. “Are you going to move in?” I watched as she stared at me. “It’s a legit offer, Soledad. I’ve sent a lot of people here to rent from her. Carly is doing just fine.” She was another trust fund baby and could charge nothing for these units and be fine. I told her to be generous with all the extra money I’d made for her over the years.

  “I really like it,” she looked around at the furniture slowly as she stepped away from me. “Is it staged?”

  “Some units come furnished and this is one of them. It’s easier for people that are new to town,” I told her as she took in the comfortable bed. “You can decorate to your tastes around all of this. I’d imagine that Lindsay might want a pink room or something along those lines?”

  “Purple,” She replied as she walked over to the window and looked out. “I love it. I think I’ll take it. Lindsay… she deserves it. Thank you, Alex.”

  “It wasn’t a problem.” I promised her, walking forward, and wrapping my arms around her waist. “Let’s go set up a date for you to move in.” I took her by the hand and locked the door before leading her downstairs and back to the office. Carly took in our joined hands and I was pretty sure she scowled at Soledad’s swollen lips.

  She paid the deposit and arranged to move in the next weekend. Carly gave her all the required paperwork and we left with Soledad grinning about her move. “I can’t wait to tell Rosie and Lindsay!”

  “Rosie?” I asked as she giggled and slipped into my car.

  “She lives near us now and cares for Lindsay when I am at work and well… now. I asked her to move with us, so it would be easier for everyone.” Soledad explained as I leaned in to kiss her.

  “You’re a good woman,” I whispered as she smiled.

  “She’s all I have here. We came alone.” That thought made me sad and I wondered why she didn’t have family here. I walked to the driver’s side and asked where she lived now, driving her to the run-down hotel before I stopped in front of her door.

  “Soledad,” I said as I looked around. It wasn’t the worst place in town nor was it somewhere I wanted her staying along with a little girl.

  “I know. I didn’t have a lot of money when I moved here, and it worked for the time being.” She said as she turned to face me. “I’m getting a new place thanks to you, Alex. I can’t thank you enough.” We kissed like teenagers for a while before she pulled away and fixed her face.

  “Can I pick you up for work on Monday?” I asked her as she opened the door to the car.

  “Sure,” she agreed as I watched her walk up to a door, tapping on it gently. It was already close to nine and I played back the few hours we’d spent together. I was falling for her sweet nature and her determination to take care of her daughter. I watched as she waved before closing it, taking another look around the lot before backing out.

  I was glad that she’d be out of here soon. It would be worth the shit that Carly was sure to give me and possibly Brent. It would out me to him, but he knew I felt something for Soledad. I hadn’t told him in any detail but growled every time he mentioned her in a way that made me want to punch him. I was showing my possessiveness and I knew that Brent was waiting to call me out on it.

  So be it.

  I drove home and walked into my loft, looking around the generous space. It had a large, open living room and chef kitchen with three large bedrooms. It was more than I needed now, but it was a great deal when I bought it. I figured I’d grow into it or sell later. I imagined a faceless girl in my mind before blinking. I was losing my fucking mind over a goddamn kiss. I hadn’t even slept with her and I might not. I dropped my keys on the counter and grabbed a beer from the fridge, settling down on the couch to stare at whatever scores were playing on the TV. I thought ahead to her move and how happy Soledad was about the apartment. I’d never let her know that I pulled more strings than she knew about. I’d pressured Carly about giving her this deal after overcharging a lot of new employees of mine. Soledad made close to what some of the others did but she was a single parent. She deserved to get ahead and feel safe all at once. She deserved to feel like she was giving a good life to her daughter.

  I passed out on the couch, waking up to my phone chiming beside me. I blinked and rubbed my eyes before reaching for it, seeing Brent’s name on the screen. “What’s up?” I asked groggily as he laughed on the other end.

  “Still sleeping at nine. Who are you?” Brent demanded as I rolled my eyes.

  “I fell asleep on the couch. I don’t think it was the best sleep.” I murmured as I closed my eyes.

  “Want to meet me at the gym and get a long workout in? Play some ball?” Brent asked as I sighed slowly. There was a big part of me that wanted to stay here like a sloth on my couch. I wasn’t feeling all that motivated yet. I knew that it would be better to go.

  “Can we make it an hour? I need to wake up.” I told him, hearing my best friend agree and then end the call. I rose and went to the bathroom for a shower. It was quick, and I ran a hand through my damp hair before pulling on work out shorts and a muscle tank to wear to the gym. When I went there, fitness was my focus and I wanted to be ready for it. I would put in a few hours and work some of this confusion in my head. I poured some coffee, sipping it on the drive as I forced myself to concentrate on the present.

  Brent was just inside as I checked in. He held his gym bag and grinned at me as I approached him. “Hey, sleeping beauty.” I glared at him. “Were you out late last night?”

  “No, not at all. I guess I was just tired,” I replied, wondering if he knew what happened at the complex.

  “Britt called me late last night. Carly is salty about you showing up to her building with another woman. What gives, Alex?” I rolled my eyes as I headed into the cardio room for a long run on the treadmill.

  “I got Soledad a deal on a place there. She’s living in a hotel right now,” I explained as Brent took the machine beside me. “I’ve sent a lot of employees there.”

  “Carly has never been this bent out of shape. Are you getting with her?” Brent asked as I considered my answer.

  “I haven’t been with Carly in months. I don’t see why she even gives a shit.” I told him as we started on a brisk run. I loved these times at the gym when I could work out everything from the week. I worked out enough to stay in good shape and I stared forward as I felt motivation filling me.

  “Maybe she sees something you don’t. Is something happening with you two?” Brent asked as I took a slow breath.

  “I think it is. I don’t know what yet, but I like her.” I replied as I slowly turned to meet his eyes.

  “She’s an employee. Your emplo
yee. You remember what happened last time you went there,” he reminded me as Lola’s face flashed through my mind. She worked with us five years ago and was Brent’s assistant. We started talking at a bar after work and before I knew it, I was waking up in her bed. We managed to keep it going for a few months, but Lola got pissed off that I was seeing other women and caused a bit of a scene at the office.

  It was then that I swore I’d never sleep with someone at the office again.

  “She’s not Lola and it’s not gotten that far to begin with.” I assured him as we ran in silence for a few minutes.

  “I knew there was something going on. I’ve never seen you push me away from a woman like that before.” Brent told me as I nodded.

  “I know how you are and she’s better than that,” I shot back as he laughed.

  “In that case, should I warn her away from you? We’re a lot alike, my friend.” Brent said as I thought about his words. We’d been that way in our twenties for sure. I think we slept with every girl that would let us and sometimes together. We weren’t above sloppy seconds in those days, either. I shuddered at the idea of doing any of that with Soledad.

  “I am not going to rush this along. I won’t see her until Monday and she might have moved on by then.” I made my tone a joking one and increased the speed of the treadmill. I needed a reason for my heart to be beating like this other than my emotions getting the better of me.

  We ran for an hour and then hit the racquetball court for another hour. We were brutal when it came to competing against one another and not left with a few aches and pains. Brent asked me if I wanted to grab some lunch and we headed to a deli around the corner from the gym. We chatted about lighter subjects and made plans to go to a friend’s house that night before I headed home to shower again.

  I arrived home late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, depending on how you looked at it. I was drunk but alone and Brent told me I had it bad when I turned away some women at the party. I just didn’t want the complications after thinking about the problems it had already caused me. I took the day to relax and catch up on sleep as I considered getting a hold of Soledad. I had the number to her work phone and it would be so easy to send a quick text, but I shouldn’t. We could face this tomorrow and see how we felt.

  I did head to the store to stock up on some groceries that afternoon. I passed a park along the way and stopped at the red light as I looked over at the swings. I smiled when I saw Soledad pushing a little girl with a huge smile on her face and took them in for a moment. Her daughter looked a lot like her and something about Soledad’s joy in this moment got to me. I heard someone honk and glanced ahead, moving forward with a jerk as I brought myself back to reality. I kept going and bought some food for the week, keeping it all clean and healthy. I’d given in to temptation this weekend and eaten complete shit and drank too much.

  Chapter Five

  Soledad

  I couldn’t stop thinking about Alex all weekend. Everything happened so quickly on Friday night and I swore that my lips were still tingling on Sunday night. I had no idea how to act with him on Monday, but I was a big girl. I could make this work with my job and my boss. Of course, I’d pick the job between the two for the sake of Lindsay.

  I was surprised when Carly called me Sunday afternoon and asked if I’d like to take the week to move in. I barely had anything, but she didn’t know that, so I took her up on it. I brought Lindsay and Rosie along with me, so they could see the place, not surprised by Carly’s slightly aloof attitude towards me. She was professional to the naked eye, but I could see past that and merely thanked her for the keys and left the office.

  I led the way to the unit and Lindsay babbled about the three large pools and pretty flowers that were planted everywhere. It rained a lot here, but the color was nice when the sun was out. Being that summer was just beginning, we should have a few good days of that. I led the way up the stairs, reminding my daughter that she needed to be careful when walking up the four sets of cement steps. I also told her that she needed to be quiet when she was home and to not disturb the people living underneath us.

  “Oh, Soledad. This is gorgeous,” Rosie told me as we walked into the foyer. We’d made a deal that she’d help with groceries with her small retirement and disability coming in, but I’d pay the brunt of things due to the fact that she was my sitter. That would cost me half of my salary in one of the learning centers scattered all around Seattle. I was happy to have Rosie with us.

  “It is,” I agreed with a smile as I remembered how Alex’s lips felt on mine Friday night. I sighed when Lindsay picked the room to the left of the hallway without a balcony and allowed Rosie to take the one to the left of that. That left the room that I’d been making out with Alex in and I walked inside and looked around at the familiar furniture. The bed was large against the wall and I let my imagination roam for a moment, picturing myself under the covers with Alex. I knew from his kisses that he would be great in bed and shivered at the idea.

  “Mommy?” I smiled at Lindsay. “I love my room.”

  “I’m glad, baby girl.” She’d been sleeping with me for the last several months and I wondered if she would transition well to having her own space. It was a gorgeous room with plenty of room for her to add clothes and toys to her small collection and offered a beautiful view of the courtyard. Now that I had a reasonable place and this job, I’d be able to build something for us again.

  We sat in the living room and decided to move in the following evening after I was finished with work. We had just a few bags of our things that I’d moved with and it would be one trip in my old Camry. I drove us back to the hotel and prepared myself for the following morning.

  I selected a black pencil skirt and ruffled red shirt for work before pulling my hair into a low ponytail. I knew that Alex was picking me up and I left the keys to the car and apartment with Rosie, urging her to take anything over today. I didn’t drive on a normal day. I slipped my purse over my body and left the room to see Alex sitting in the parking lot. I smiled and got into the SUV, smiling as he handed me a coffee. “Thank you.”

  “Cream and sugar?” he asked as I nodded. “I watched you make it at work before.”

  “You’re observant,” I noted as he pulled out to the road.

  “I am when I have some interest in something, or somebody,” Alex assured me as I flushed pink. “How was the rest of your weekend?”

  “Good. We got the keys to the apartment yesterday which was a surprise. We’re just going to go there tonight and sleep. It’s so much nicer than my room.” I glanced at him as I sipped the perfect coffee with a smile.

  “That’s a great idea. You don’t have much to take over?” Alex asked as I shook my head at a stoplight. “Need any help?”

  “I told Rosie to go ahead and start moving stuff today. It should be an easy job,” I assured him, appreciating the help. We pulled into the parking lot and he found a spot in a corner before he turned off the engine. I watched as Alex sat there for a moment before turning to look at me.

  “I won’t apologize for kissing you Friday night,” he said softly as our eyes locked. “I wanted that, Soledad. I want to do more of it.”

  I nodded as I played with the cup in my lap. “What about work?” I looked at the brick building across the parking lot and worried in silence for a moment.

  “Your job won’t be threatened. We’ll keep this separate and keep everything professional in that building. I just want to see you outside of the office.” He told me as I licked my lips. “There’s no rules against dating at work. They just don’t want it to get in the way of productivity or cause drama.” Alex searched my face for a moment as I melted inside. He made me turn into a puddle of want and lust. “Can we do that?”

  “I don’t have as much free time as you do,” I reminded him as Alex smiled.

  “I understand that. I want you to put your daughter first, Soledad. I’d never ask you to so this any differently.” I nodded as he glanced a
t the clock. “I’m a workaholic to begin with.”

  “I want you to meet her down the line. She gets attached at this sweet age, so I’d prefer if a little time passed. She already grew up without a dad and I’d hate for her to get her hopes up.” My face twisted with pain as he reached a hand out to cover my skirt clad leg.

  “That’s fine,” he assured me before we made our way into the building. We walked beside each other, careful not to touch as eyes took us in. Alex wasn’t breaking any rules talking to me, but I refused to become part of the gossip here. I barely knew anyone else that worked there too well as it was.

  I watched as he disappeared into his office. His ass looked great in his slacks and I licked my lips as he paused to turn around, catching me in the act. “Like what you see?” Alex teased as I blushed and dropped my face forward. I made my way around my desk and got situated, turning on the computer and settling my belongings in a drawer.

  The morning started as normal as we both caught up on emails and meetings. I also looked at the progress my team was making so I’d have an idea of what to expect later today.

  “Soledad? Can you come in for a moment?” Alex called as I gazed at his cracked door. I rose and locked my valuables in my desk before making my way into his office. “Close the door.”

  “Alex,” I whispered as I heard the click when I pushed back against it. I saw that his blinds were closed, only offering the view from his window. It was a view that I’d never grow tired of. He gestured for me to join him at his desk and I walked over shyly. He moved me back onto his desk and stood to kiss me hungrily. I moaned as his tongue moved against mine, relieved that my skirt was tight. The feeling of him pressed between my legs was too much to bear. “Weren’t we supposed to keep this professional?”

  “It’s just a kiss. Want me to order in some lunch for us?” Alex asked as I pulled back and tried to glare at him. I knew that my eyes were full of the need consuming me and watched as he smirked back at me.