Skin of the Night: Book One of The Night series

by Claire D. Bennett

  “Morning, love,” he greeted. “You’re here early,” he continued but surprised me when he proceeded past my desk. “I thought you could work in my office today,” he said with a grin when he noticed my bewildered facial expression.

  “Your office?”

  “Yes. We’ve got plenty of material to go over today, so I thought it might be more efficient. Bring your stuff.”

  Heeding his command, I charged up from my seat and began to gather my things. Once I’d collected everything, I headed towards his office, where he stood waiting by the door.

  The closer I drew, the more intense his gaze seemed, so a faint blush had smeared my cheeks by the time I reached him. Too shy to look up at him, I walked in while mumbling, “Thanks.” My own shyness unsettled me somewhat. I couldn’t recall having felt this way around a man – ever. Too shy to look him in the eye? What on earth was going on with me?

  As I dropped my things on one side of his desk, my eyes investigated the surrounding chaos for a second. Myriad files covered nearly the entire surface of it, and it made me swallow. So this was what I had in store? How did he keep track of all this? Then again, he did strike me as an organised man.

  Recalling his flat, I remembered how tidy it had been. I hadn’t noticed a speck of dust anywhere, but perhaps he had someone to do his cleaning for him – a maid, for example. With his schedule, I couldn’t imagine he had time to spare for chores like dusting.

  He shut the door. A heartbeat later, I heard his graceful footsteps approach. “I’ll get this out of the way,” he said as he rounded his desk. “Here.” He extended a cup of coffee to me. Although shyness still dominated my feelings, I was able to meet his gaze and offer a smile of gratitude.

  “You don’t need to do this every day, Will. I appreciate it, but you know I’d be happy to do it instead, right?”

  He chuckled as he dumped his brown leather bag in his desk chair. “I don’t expect you to bring me coffee, Cara. The shop’s in the same building as mine. It’s part of my routine to stop by every morning.”

  “Expensive habit,” I commented.

  He raised a brow at me. “I can afford it,” he said, and from his tone, I was reminded that he didn’t enjoy drawing attention to his wealth.

  “Time-wise, too?”

  Amusement swam in the corners of his tempting mouth. “It hardly takes a minute.”

  “If you insist.”

  “I do.”

  “Did you bring coffee for Charlotte every morning as well?”

  He shook his head. “Never occurred to me.”

  My ego appreciated hearing that, as it made me feel special to him.

  “Suppose I should start doing it once she returns,” he added then, which punctured the boost my ego had just enjoyed.

  Scared he’d notice, I avoided his eyes as I focused on setting up my computer while he cleared his desk. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.”

  He might as well have said ‘enough small talk’ when he proceeded to change the subject. “Anyway, we’ve got quite a lot of work to do. As you know, you’ve got to fetch the files from Clifford Paints later. For now, I’ve got to continue my work on the DD for the deal between Porter BioScience and Elixerion Pharmaceuticals. I’ve got a meeting with Violet shortly after lunch to go over it.

  “While I work on that, I thought you could have a go at drafting up the mutual non-disclosure agreement for the merger transaction between Clifford Paints and Craft Interior. I’ve got a few templates you can use to help you get started. I’ll of course look over your work, but if you have any questions, don’t be shy. Please ask, and I’ll be happy to help you out.”

  While nodding, I pulled a chair over so that I’d be working across from him. “Right, to summarise – and correct me if I misunderstood anything,” I said as I descended into my seat. “First, you want me to get started on drawing up a draft for the non-disclosure agreement. While you’re meeting with Violet after lunch, I’ll head over to Clifford Paints to collect the files, and I suppose you’ll want photocopies of those. Then, whether it’s today, tomorrow or next week, you’ll go over the draft of the NDA I’ve written?”

  He stared at me for a second, but I couldn’t gauge the look in his eyes. “Yes,” he said then, and a slow smile climbed to his mouth.

  “Okay.” I nodded. “Why don’t you email me the templates and I’ll get started at once.”

  “Brilliant.”

  § § §

  One of several things which I appreciated about shadowing William was that we worked exceptionally well together. In that regard, he reminded me of Aaron. We hardly ever spoke while we worked, and if we did, it was always with a razor-sharp focus that intensified my excitement about getting things done. We seemed to speak the exact same language, perfectly synchronised. Neither of us was prone to beating around the bush. Instead, we were direct and efficient in our communication, and since neither of us were sensitive people, we never had to fear that our clipped tone would offend the other party. William was also remarkably pedagogical, so whenever I’d voiced any concerns as I worked on the NDA, his explanations had been easy to grasp.

  Overall, working with him was an exhilarating experience. I hadn’t thought we would be so compatible in areas relevant to work, but we obviously were. To be perfectly fair, I couldn’t recall having had such a good partner in anything before.

  It was nearing time for lunch when I received a call from the reception. Adjusting the hands-free device attached to my ear, I answered, “William Night’s office, Cara speaking.”

  “Hello, Cara, it’s Debbie. Would you please inform Mr Night that Francesca Strafford is here to see him?”

  The world crashed down on me all at once, and I froze. Suddenly, I lost every train of thought I’d had today and stared blankly at the document I was working on. Francesca? He was still seeing her?

  For some reason, I hadn’t expected this, and the news struck me like a bucket of cold water. Suddenly, my whole body tensed. Breathing hurt.

  Seeming to notice my sudden rigidity, I sensed William’s eyes on my profile.

  “Cara?” Debbie prompted.

  Her voice dragged me back to the present. “Of course.”

  As soon as I’d hung up, I drew in a long breath to steady myself. The idea that he was still seeing Francesca was more painful than I’d anticipated. Then again, why was I surprised? I’d rejected him. Of course he’d moved on since then. I had no right to be upset about this – he wasn’t mine. This pain was entirely self-inflicted.

  “Are you alright?” William asked me then. The sound of his alluring voice only intensified the sting of my loss.

  “Yes,” my voice nearly cracked, so I cleared my throat. Without looking at him, I continued professionally, “Francesca is here to see you. She’s in the lobby.”

  “Is she?” He sounded surprised, but I wasn’t sure it was genuine. I could sense his eyes on me, inspecting, and it perturbed me. To be put under his microscope was the last thing I wanted right now, because I was experiencing feelings that I hadn’t seen coming. Now more than ever, I wished he’d look away, and I also wished he would order me to call Debbie back and say to her that Francesca wasn’t welcome. But instead, he asked, “Collect her for me, please, would you?”

  Exerting every ounce of my self-discipline, I nodded and refrained from exhaling the ton of air that I desperately wanted to.

  “Of course.” I stood.

  “You might want to bring your computer out,” he warned, and I thought I detected a hidden message. Had he tried to say, ‘I intend to fuck her, so you might want to step out for that bit’?

  I frowned at the thought. He wouldn’t go that far, would he? Surely, he was above that sort of behaviour. No, I refused to believe he would do such a thing. He couldn’t be that unprofessional.

  Though I avoided his gaze, I could sense t
hat he was still scrutinising my reaction. However, I denied him the satisfaction of correctly identifying my conflicted state by feigning nonchalance.

  With my heart in my throat, I collected my computer to bring it with me, and I didn’t so much as look at him while I exited. It felt like I was in a trance when I approached the available desk beside Elisabeth. After leaving my computer on it, I gave her a vague nod of acknowledgement before I went to the lifts. While I waited for one to arrive, I tapped my foot, my arms crossed as if to protect myself from harm.

  Francesca. Francesca Strafford, William Night’s what? His girlfriend? His plaything? What was she to him? Were things getting serious between them?

  I knew they had been seeing each other for months by now. While I was curious to meet her, I also dreaded it. It wasn’t jealousy, but it felt wrong to look her in the eye while knowing that she was completely unaware of the fact that I’d also seen him naked once – that I’d also been on the receiving end of his divine sensual care. Like her, I knew what his vulgar mouth could do. Like her, I knew how delicious it felt to have him buried within. But she had no idea I’d experienced that side of him, did she? I couldn’t imagine he would have mentioned me to her. Sure, he’d clearly told Violet, but I suspected their friendship was to blame for that. William’s conduct with Francesca didn’t strike me as friendly in nature. Then again, what did I know?

  My thoughts continued their unpleasant voyage while I travelled down to the lobby to collect her. Once the doors slid apart, my heart skipped a beat. Beyond the security gates stood a tall Black woman with a slender frame. Drawn back into a high ponytail was caramel coloured and wavy hair. Her skin was light brown with a golden shimmer to it, and she was immaculately dressed into a bright yellow and elegant summer dress of expensive fabric. It was undoubtedly a designer dress, but I’d never cared for brands.

  When she turned towards me, my breath caught. She was nothing short of stunning.

  At the centre of her face was a small, round nose, and her hazel eyes – set slightly wide apart – glanced curiously in my direction. Somehow, the distance between her eyes made her look all the more attractive. She was an intriguing beauty. Not the type you saw in makeup commercials, but rather that of Vogue.

  Was she a model? She could be, I thought, if she wanted. She had the height and build for it.

  “Hello,” I called and forced forth a smile as I exited through the security gates to greet her. “I’m Cara, a new trainee. Mr Night’s assistant, of sorts,” I explained and extended my hand to her. “I’m here to collect you on his behalf.”

  Not a trace of a smile was present on her face when her limp hand reluctantly reached for mine. “I see. How’s his mood?” she asked, startling me.

  Did he tend to be in a bad mood around her?

  “He’s… William?” I gave her a lopsided smile, but she was not amused.

  “Shit.” She sighed and folded her arms.

  “Something the matter?” I tilted my head.

  “Well, he’s not expecting me, so I’d hoped to find him in a good mood. Suppose luck’s not on my side today. It’s just…” She waved a hand in the air. “I’m headed for a job in Spain, so I wanted to say goodbye.”

  It was tempting to ask if she were his girlfriend but, of course, I refrained. It wasn’t my place, regardless of how badly I wanted to know. “Right. Well, he sounded happy when he asked me to collect you,” I said, hoping to reassure her.

  Hope ignited in her eyes. The same moment I saw it, I knew she was in love with him. Was he in love with her, too?

  “Really?” she asked, and finally, a small smile flirted with her lips.

  I nodded. “If you’ll come with me?” I proposed and ushered her towards the security gates.

  Her mesmerising legs moved with such elegance that I was further convinced she must be a model.

  “Spain’s lovely,” I said to create small talk while I scanned my card to let her past the gates.

  “It really is, but it’s sweltering during summer. Third time I’m there this year.”

  My eyebrows climbed higher. “Travel a lot, do you? I’m jealous.”

  A smug smile decorated her mouth. “Yeah. Occupational hazard, you might call it.”

  “What’s your occupation?”

  She shrugged. “I’m a model.” And I was correct.

  “To be honest, I suspected,” I replied, amused. “You’re absolutely gorgeous.”

  Her smile transitioned into a full-blown grin upon my compliment. “Thanks, but you should have a look in the mirror.”

  I chuckled. “Oh, I do that every morning. Don’t you?”

  She laughed. “You know what I meant.”

  I grinned. “I do. Anyway, so you get to travel for work. I’d have loved that, I think.”

  She cocked her head from side to side while we headed for the lifts. “It gets a bit tiresome. I sleep in hotels more often than I sleep in my own bed.”

  “Really?”

  She nodded. “Makes it hard to maintain relationships – and friendships,” she murmured, and I found myself wondering whether she was alluding to some sort of difficulty with establishing a relationship with William.

  Once we were in the cage, I sensed her do a visual sweep of my body. “So, how long have you been on the job, Cara?”

  “Two days.” I turned to smile at her. “This is my third.”

  “How do you like it?”

  “I love it. It’s hectic and demanding, but definitely riveting.”

  “I bet. How’s having Will as a boss?”

  “He’s brilliant. I’m very lucky to be shadowing him.”

  “I can imagine. He fits the role, doesn’t he?”

  I chuckled again. “That he does.”

  We continued to chat about William, and it was an odd experience because whenever I tried to change the subject, she continued to make him the centre of our conversation. I therefore got the impression she was a bit obsessed with him. If she were, I could hardly blame her. He was certainly a beguiling man, after all.

  Though, I did wonder whether she persisted in talking about him because she felt possessive of him and perceived me as a threat. If she did, I pitied her. I had no plans to pursue him, so it saddened me to think that she might be worried about it. Even so, I thought she was a sweet girl, so I could understand the appeal. We were quite different, however, but perhaps that was why William had chosen to stick with her.

  “I suppose you know the way?” I said once we exited the lift.

  She glanced in the direction of William’s office, and suddenly, I thought she looked a bit nervous. “I do.”

  “Well, then. It was lovely meeting you, Francesca.” I offered my hand, and when she took it this time, her grip was firmer. “I hope you’ll have a wonderful time in Spain and that you won’t melt in the hot weather.”

  Her wide smile revealed her bright white teeth. “Thanks, Cara. Best of luck to you.”

  “Thanks. I’ll need it.”

  When I’d found my seat, Elisabeth murmured, “She stops by every Wednesday she’s in town. She won’t be leaving for at least half an hour,” and I could hear she was amused.

  My brows knitted as I turned to regard her. Quietly, I said, “You sound like you think they’ll have sex.”

  She tittered and looked rather charmed, which bewildered me. “Oh, you are so new to this.”

  “New to what?”

  “An actual workplace.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Her smile was patient. “Love, I hate to burst your bubble, but do you really think people don’t do questionable things at work? People cheat on their spouse left, right and centre. Not everyone, of course, but definitely some. Sometimes, people have sex here, too. This is the real world, Cara. Your naivety is charming, but this really shouldn’t surprise you. I’m not
saying what they’re doing is acceptable, but it’s absolutely to be expected. Humans are stupid, and we like to pretend we’re above animals, but the truth is, several of us are not.”

  I shook my head. “It’s not that I don’t expect it. I just don’t expect it from Will. It’s not my impression of him.”

  The curve of her brow disclosed her disagreement. “Well, what do you think they’ll do? Talk? They don’t need to meet up in person for that, especially not during work hours. Besides, had you seen what I have – the state of her when she’s left his office in the past – you’d suspect the same. It’s clear as day they’ve had sex.”

  Hearing that, I found myself quite appalled by his lack of work ethics. What sort of professional would have sex in their office in the middle of the day when they had work to tend to? “Just seems a bit unprofessional. I hadn’t thought Will was like that.”

  “Hey,” she frowned, “don’t be so sanctimonious. Cut the man some slack. Honestly, he deserves it. He practically lives in his office. I’m sure that’s the only reason. I’ve often wondered why he won’t just invest in a bed. That way, he’d never have to leave. Though, upon second thought, that’s probably why he hasn’t. If he did, he’d actually never leave. This way, he’s got to.”

  I didn’t want to talk about this anymore, so I got back to work without further ado. Gossip was definitely not my thing, but it was clearly Elisabeth’s. Still, she hadn’t lied. Francesca departed half an hour later, and the whole time she’d been in there, I’d struggled to remain focused. I had so many questions.

  My eyes dashed to her figure the moment she exited William’s office. Her long, wavy hair cascaded down to her shoulders now. He’d obviously made a mess out of her ponytail.

  Amused by William’s lascivious behaviour, Elisabeth struggled to stifle a giggle and shook her head. I didn’t share her amusement. I was disappointed in him. To add to it, I was slightly gutted that he’d moved on. However, this was what I had intended for, so I tried my hardest to quell my unruly emotions.