by A. Gorman
***
Aedan
What the fuck was I thinking staying at her house until this time of morning? I should have went to work after I saw she made it inside of her house, but I couldn't. I don't know why I am stressing myself out like this because nothing has happened yet. She doesn’t even know I will be the one meeting her tonight.
I need to think about tonight. How is she going to react when she discovers Levi is me? Rejection or acceptance? I’m hoping for the latter, but if that’s the case, I’m afraid that everything she has worked hard for will be all for nothing.
I will have to be honest and tell her everything, even that I know about the contract, to give her a fair chance, to let her make the choice of going against her father or holding up her end of the contract. At this point, I don’t plan on telling her dad about how I veered away from his plan and invented my own unless this situation gets out of control.
I want to be more than an arrogant asshole to her. I hope she doesn't run away from what may be a really good thing.
I need to think of what I am going to say, how I’m going to make her stay and work all this out, because I can tell she is attracted to me, at least a little. I study people for a living, I understand how they work, but with the contract looming over her head, she is afraid to act on her feelings.
I know I probably sound like a psycho or a stalker, but when you are ordered to watch one of the three of your boss’s most prized “possessions,” who happens to be a smoking hot, curvy redhead, you kind of get a thing for them. Not in an unhealthy way, but in an “I will soon have my chance and you’re damn right I'm going to act on it” way.
Shit, shit, shit. I need to call Jesse to throw her off or something so she doesn't realize I'm not in the office and that I’m behind her. I have her cell number, so I will call her and ask her to pick up some breakfast for the meeting I’m having at nine in the morning with corporate security. I have to discuss the security updates on the computer servers. She doesn't need to know that the meeting is also to deal with the email she received.
“Siri, call Jesse McCoy.”
“Calling Jesse McCoy, Aedan.”
“Um…hi?” Jesse answers in an unsure voice.
“Hi, Jesse, it's Aedan. I have a favor to ask of you. And I hate to spring this on you last minute, but is there any way you can stop by Panera and grab two dozen bagels with cream cheese and two boxes of regular coffee? I just arrived to the office and realized that we have a meeting and I’m in desperate need of refreshments.”
“Yes, of course. I’ll be a little late then. Give me about forty minutes, and I’ll be there,” she says pleasantly.
“Wonderful. Thank you so much, Jesse.”
I hang up, hoping that my plan throws her off of me trailing her. Now to haul ass to the office before she realizes I’m not there. I’m hoping traffic stays out of my way this morning.
Chapter
eighteen
Jesse
Laney looks at me questioningly as I press the end button on my phone, but I’m not going to say who it was; I’m going to let her stew. I’ll look up the number while her curiosity eats at her.
“Out with it. Who was that?” she asks.
“Umm…Aedan. I need to pick up some food for a meeting. I’m going to call Panera so they can have it ready hopefully by the time we get there,” I say, getting ready to dial the number to the restaurant.
I’m glad Laney likes driving, because I could really get used to being a passenger. Luckily, traffic is on our side and we make it to Panera in twenty minutes. They have everything I need ready. I grab the boxes and bags, with Laney’s help, and get everything in the car and head to the office.
We pull up and Laney offers to help me up to the boardroom. The room is on the same floor as my desk. Aedan’s office is half the space and the boardroom is the other half. My desk is in the middle of the diamond shaped office, but you have to go down the hall to get to his office and the boardroom.
Security holds the door for us and gets the elevator for us. We make it up to the forty-ninth floor without any problems. Laney helps me get everything situated on the table for the attendees of the meeting.
I feel someone watching me. I look up and Aedan is standing at the entrance of the room, staring at me.
“Hello. Is this okay?” I ask, pointing at the setup for the coffee and bagels.
“Um…hi,” he says, staring at me. “Yes, yes. That is fine. Thank you so much for picking up all this for me this morning.”
“Not a problem. Please let me know if you need anything else. I need to get to my morning work,” I say as I walk past him since he’s standing in the doorway. He still hasn’t moved.
I get to my desk and look back toward the hallway. Aedan is no longer standing there. I can’t help but think he looks attractive this morning. I turn on my computer because all the lights have already been turned on. I am assuming Aedan turned them on after he called me this morning.
I think about his behavior. He acts like he’s bipolar. One moment, he’s nice. The next, he’s up my ass like my father. I think I’ve done well to avoid a confrontation with him, but all this with Aedan is new. I’m not saying it’s not totally unwanted because, as much as I hate to admit, I’m totally attracted to the guy, but it’s not the right time. If my father finds out, I’m fucked, in all caps.
I get busy checking my emails and slowly people start filtering past my desk and into the boardroom. I notice a few of the guys have worked in security with Aedan for a long time. They must be in the IT part of security. Maybe I should ask one of them about the email instead of waiting on Aedan? I’ll have to remember to stop them on the way out from their meeting.
My father has emailed me. He wanted to let me know that he is extending his trip in New York City. He is taking a vacation the second week because Chantelle wants to do some more sightseeing. Spend my father’s money is more like it.
Aedan has forwarded me a few things to learn since I don’t have a lot to do now that my father is gone. Nothing major. Just security protocols that are standard for every McCoy business transaction.
I read over them in about twenty minutes. I decide to login to my school account to see what I need to work on. Maybe I can go ahead and get something completed here at work. I check my school email and I notice there is an email addressed to Mrs. Boston. The email grabs my attention and I open it. I quickly cover my mouth to muffle the gasp I let out. The email contains a picture of me nude, tied up, and spread wide open for the entire world to see. I quickly close it out.
My office desk phone starts ringing. I answer it. “Pearse McCoy’s off—”
“Listen to me, whore,” the raspy voice on the other end of the call tells me as they cut me off. “Your father’s company will be mine. Do you hear me, bitch? Mine,” the voice seethes into the phone.
I start to reply and all I hear is the dial tone. Whoever it was hung up on me. What in the hell was that? Who would threaten me like that? Chet is a possibility, but who am I a threat to? Chantelle would be the only person since I’m working my way to becoming CEO.
That phone call makes no sense to me because Chet hasn’t been in my life for years, and I try to have a good relationship with Chantelle. I am assuming the caller is probably behind the offensive emails I’ve received too. I need to figure out who sent the first email. Maybe that will help me figure out who is out for me. In instances like this, I wish my mom were here to give me her amazing advice.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t tell if it was a man or woman on the phone. The voice was hoarse and raspy. I’m still staring at the screen when the meeting ends and people start leaving the boardroom. I completely forget about asking Mr. Stanly and Mr. Hackett for their advice. Aedan comes up to me.
“Jesse, are you okay? You don’t look like you are feeling well,” he asks with concern in his voice.
Do I tell him or not? He’s kind of in this mess now since he is my go-to person with my father not
being here. “I, um…I…I…” I look up at him and then around the office to see if anyone is still up here. Everyone’s gone. Only he and I are left. “Aedan, I’ve, um, been receiving emails, umm, with explicit pictures of myself. They aren’t recent pictures, but they are of me in compromising poses that could cause me problems, possibly the company as well. And after I opened the last one, I received a phone call telling me that the company would be theirs,” I say as tears threaten to spill down my cheeks.
Aedan looks like he could kill someone. His face hardens and his pupils slightly dilate. He starts to say something to me but stops himself. His phone is going off. He checks it and then looks at me.
“Don’t go anywhere. I need to take this and we need to finish this conversation,” he says as he walks back to the boardroom and shuts the door.
There goes my awesome mood. None of this is making sense. Tears fall freely from my eyes. At least I still have my “date” tonight, the one thing where I don’t have to worry about phone calls, emails, or looming contracts.
I lay my head on my desk and close my eyes, waiting for Aedan to come back and finish this discussion…
***
Aedan
“What do you have for me, Craig?”
“Sir, that email had a similar virus attached to it, but the photo wouldn’t come off the server as easily because it was in Ms. McCoy’s school email. I am working with the school’s IT department to get all the information on it that I can. I hope to know something within the next twelve to twenty-four hours.”
“How did it get pass our firewalls?” I ask, trying to control my temper.
“It’s like they know everything about our security. And I mean everything,” Craig deadpans.
I almost can’t believe what he’s telling me. “Well, it looks like we need to put in some new measures that only the three of us knows about. McCoy is going to be pissed.”
“And you don’t sound too happy yourself,” Craig says.
“That’s putting it mildly. Keep me in the know with any new developments,” I say, then I hit the end button.
Whoever this fucker is knows all of the security protocols we have in place in IT. The bypass of the protocols occurred with the first sent email. As she told me about the emails and the phone call, my heart broke for her. I wanted to pull her into a hug and never let her go. I wanted to tell her everything will be okay and that I will protect her.
Now we have another email that has somehow gotten around all of the new implementations from over the weekend. How in the hell is that possible? Our IT people are some of the best in the entire fucking world. This shit isn’t kid’s play.
Now that I know that someone has skirted the newest set of protocols, it has to be somebody inside the company who is terrorizing Jesse. But who? After I became the head of security, I handpicked each one of the security team members. Turnover is very low, so we build a strong relationship with everyone.
I take a deep breath as I get ready to open the door and finish the conversation with Jesse. I open the door and walk down the hallway. I see her at her desk with her head down. Her cheeks are stained with tears, her eyes closed. She hasn’t looked this at peace in a while; nothing is bothering her in her sleep. I promised McCoy, and myself, I would do whatever I could to make sure she was never hurt again, and I will keep my promise.
I walk over to her and gently touch her shoulder.
Chapter
nineteen
Jesse
I feel a warm hand on my shoulder. The warmth from the touch sends a shiver down my spine.
“Jesse. Jesse?” I hear Aedan say as he gently rubs my shoulder.
“I’m sorry. I must have dozed off for a minute. Stress makes me so sleepy,” I say. Embarrassed, my face heats up.
“It’s okay. Do you want to have lunch with me so we can talk about what happened this morning and about anything else that you think might correspond with the emails and phone call?” he asks with a concerned look.
“I…yes, um…that would be nice. Thank you,” I say. He stands back and removes his hand from my shoulder, and I instantly want to grab his hand to regain that warmth. I grab my purse, stand up, and push in my office chair.
I turn around to face Aedan. He extends his arm and says, “After you.”
“Thank you,” I say with a quietness in my voice.
“You’re welcome.” He hands me his handkerchief as we stand next to each other, waiting on the elevator. “You have mascara under your eyes.”
“Oh, I’m a mess. Thank you.” I start digging in my Coach purse for a mirror.
“You’re a beautiful mess,” he practically whispers.
I turn and look at him. “What?”
“I said you’re a beautiful mess.” He looks straight into my eyes. His eyes, the fire in them, I could get lost in their intensity.
The elevator dings. Our moment is lost. He puts his hand on the middle of my back to guide me into the elevator. The ride down to the lobby is a silent one as I get the mascara off my face and I try to make myself look presentable to the public. The elevator dings all too soon. I finish getting the last bit of mascara off my face as the doors open.
Aedan’s hand goes to the small of my back again as he guides me through the front doors and to his car. He doesn’t take his keys out, but the doors automatically unlock. He opens the door for me and allows me to situate myself in the seat before he closes the door. He walks around the back of the car before he gets in himself.
“What sounds good to you? It’s a little early, so hopefully wherever you pick won’t be too busy so we can talk.” His voice is soft and caring.
“Honestly, I’m not picky. A juicy hamburger sounds good, so anywhere that serves a good hamburger and a vanilla Coke and I’ll be happy.” I need some comfort food, though a beer and greasy bar food sounds good.
“I know the perfect place. It’s a little bit of a drive from here but since I’m your boss, I’ll allow you to extend lunch.” He looks at me and winks.
He pushes the button to start his car and it comes to life. This car is amazing. I love my car, but this newer Volo puts mine to shame. I look out the window as Aedan pulls out of the parking lot and onto a busy city road. He heads toward the interstate and gets on 87 South. The traffic on the interstate is a lot better than in the city.
I put my head back against the headrest, close my eyes, and think about the emails and the phone call I received. I try to keep my life private. Maybe Saturday was a little over the top, but it was the first time in a long time I’ve gone out and had fun. I’m twenty-four. I should be able to go out and have fun with my friends.
I sigh. Aedan rests his hand on my leg and I let out a small gasp. I should push his hand off since he is technically boss, but I find his touch comforting. I don’t open my eyes. I keep them closed as I think about this mess and try to relax by thinking about tonight.
***
Aedan
I can’t believe I had the strength not to pull over and take her in my arms after she sighed. She almost sounds defeated. All I could think of doing, without completely freaking her out, was lay my hand on her thigh. She gasped softly.
If I move my hand toward her knee, I’d be touching her stockings and bare skin, but that would be too much. I want to feel her skin. I can’t wait to feel her skin tonight and I hope I can get her to that point. I know I shouldn’t go, but I need to. I pray that I can get this all to work out because now not only is my happiness on the line, but so is my job, along with Jesse’s.
I decided that I am going to take Jesse to a burger place in Englewood. The restaurant is far enough outside of downtown that we shouldn’t see anyone we know, but close enough we can be back to the office at a decent time.
When we arrive at Timmy’s Burger Palace, I gently shake Jesse’s leg to get her attention. The place is slow. I can tell by the lack of cars in the parking lot.
“Jesse? Jesse, we are here,” I say as soothing as I can. I don
’t want to startle her.
She yawns. “Oh my God, I’m sorry I keep falling asleep,” she says to me, looking embarrassed. “Yum. I love Timmy’s!”
“Me too. One of the best places around,” I say before I get out of the car.
She waits for me to open her door. As I do, I extend my hand to help her get out of my car and she thanks me. We walk in and the server tells us we can sit wherever we wish, so we pick out a booth that isn’t near anyone. The server comes and takes out drink orders, two vanilla Cokes.
“So…what can you tell me about the emails? When did you receive the first one?” I know about it, but I want to hear what she has to say. I have to play clueless.
She looks at me, ashamed. “Well…the first email was sent to my work email last week. It was instant, almost like a flash picture. It was of me in a very compromising position, posing for the camera in an extremely racy and pornographic pose. I remember that night. It was crazy and I was very drunk. Chet had a guy come over and join us for some fun,” she says with tears falling down her cheeks.
I grab her hand. “Jesse, it’s not your fault.” I hate seeing her like this. “Do you know anyone who would have access to that picture or even the newest one you received?”
“I didn’t even know those pictures existed, so I am assuming Chet has them or this guy. I don’t even remember his name. I forgot about that night because I was wasted.” She shudders.
“I hate to ask, but what was in the picture from today?” I didn’t see it, but it’s sitting in my email.
“It’s me tied up in bed, with everything exposed for all to see.” She looks at me, mortified. “I don’t remember this night at all. I can’t even tell you if it’s something I did with Chet or not because I was pretty wild at IU.”
