I lifted the emptied plates from the bed. “Well, in that case we’re definitely relaxing here tonight as well,” I said and hopped back on the bed, tickling her sides.
She began giggling uncontrollably, begging me to stop. “Chris, quit it!”
“What are you gonna do about it?” I paused and gave her a suggestive look.
Her eyes widened and her mouth turned into a smirk as her hand found the bulge in my boxer briefs. She appeared surprised when she realized that I was already hard. Reaching for the band, she slowly pulled my boxers down, my erection springing free. I let out a gasp as her lips found it, taking me into her warm, wet mouth. I laid down on the bed, looking in her pretty, green eyes as her head bobbed up and down along my shaft.
“You look so beautiful sucking my cock,” I moaned and she smirked at me, twirling her tongue on the tip.
Right before I thought I wouldn’t be able to bear it anymore, she stopped. “Don’t think you’re done yet,” she winked and climbed on top of me, slowly lowering herself on my cock. My eyes rolled back from her warmth surrounding me. A gasp escaped her lips when she had taken all of me and I reached to squeeze her full breasts. She started grinding her hips, emitting quiet moans and my hands moved down to her hips, grabbing onto them and synchronizing our movement. She was getting wetter around me as our pace quickened and I was thrusting up to meet her hips. I was gritting my teeth, fighting hard to savour every single stroke. Before long she started contracting around me and yelled out my name as the orgasm overtook her.
“Fuck,” I hissed out when she collapsed on top of me and I released into her.
THE NEXT MORNING WE flew back to Seattle, both of us tired but content from the weekend. On the drive back to her apartment, we talked and agreed to continue dating each other exclusively. We decided to keep it professional at work, though. I kissed her goodbye in the car and drove off after making sure she got inside her apartment safely.
OVER THE NEXT COUPLE of weeks, my life seemed to settle on a new normal. The company was steadily growing, proving that some of my new strategies were working. Nicole and I managed to keep our relationship a secret at work. We spent most evenings together and surprisingly, I didn’t miss the wilder lifestyle much at all.
On Friday, just before Christmas and a few weeks after our Los Angeles trip, I received a last minute invitation to a new restaurant in the center. Why not, I thought to myself and proceeded to send Nicole an email, asking if she’d like to skip staying in and instead have dinner there. A few seconds later I received her two-word reply: ‘I’m in’.
After getting ready at mine and two glasses of wine later, we finally left for the restaurant. Nicole was dressed in a long-sleeve, dark green velvet dress and I in my standard black suit.
A line of people were waiting outside the door when we arrived. It seemed like the opening was a bigger deal than I had initially thought. We walked up to the bouncer and after I told him my name, he quickly let us in.
“It’s good to be Christopher Chase,” Nicole chuckled and winked at me. Before either of us knew it, we had been seated at one of the best tables, with a bottle of their best wine.
“I guess you’re right. But I’d say it’s pretty great to be the person dating me too,” I grinned at her cheekily.
She rolled her eyes playfully and laughed, grabbing a menu from the table. Soon after we had decided what to eat, a waiter came around to take our order.
We had an amazing time talking about absolutely everything. The food was so delicious that we devoured it all, down to the last crumb.
“Oh my god, I think this was the best meal I’ve ever had,” Nicole sighed, taking one last sip of wine from her glass. She dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin and then playfully patted her stomach.
I let out a hearty laugh. “I definitely feel you on that. What do you say, should we go home to work this meal off?”
Her eyes found mine and her lips curled up into a naughty grin. Even though we’d been together for a few weeks, we were still acting like horny teenagers around each other. I got up from my seat, left a hefty tip on the table, and escorted us out. As soon as we stepped outside, I was blinded by a flash of light. My hand automatically flung up to cover my eyes and the other grabbed a hold of Nicole’s hand.
“Mr. Chase, who’s the lucky girl?!” I heard a man shout. The realization dawned on me: the paparazzi had found us.
I ushered us into the car and took off as fast as possible.
“Well, that’s a first for me,” Nicole said, still processing what had just happened.
“Welcome to the life, baby,” I joked. A momentary silence allowed my thoughts to roam freely. “Actually, I just realized something. I know we’ve been planning to officially notify the company about our relationship once your probationary period is over. But I think we should do that on Monday, since these guys could already put the pictures of us in the tabloids.”
She looked at me, biting her lip and thinking. “I think you’re right. Better not to risk it,” she smiled. “Does this mean we’re officially a couple now?”
“I think it does..if you want to?”
She looked at me smiling. “Of course I do.” I squeezed her thigh with my free hand and she leaned over to plant a kiss on my cheek.
A few minutes later I pulled into a parking spot inside my building and we got out, making our way to the top floor. We’d barely stepped out of the elevator when Nicole’s hands were already around my neck, her mouth finding mine and kissing it passionately. I picked her up and she wrapped her legs around me, my hands gripping her curvy thighs. I slipped one of my hands inside the hem of her dress and looked at her with a surprised expression on my face.
“No panties, huh? You’ve been very naughty,” I winked, carrying her over to the kitchen table. I put her down and bent her over the table, taking my belt off as she turned her gaze to me, biting her lip. My belt made a clinking sound when it made contact with the floor.
I unbuttoned my pants and stepped out of them. My erection was pressed against the fabric of my boxers, throbbing from desire.
“Lay down,” I whispered to Nicole, guiding her head down on the table and spreading her legs open. I pulled up her dress, revealing her naked lower-body, and gave her ass a soft slap. She winced and then moaned from the sudden sensation, the pooling wetness visible between her legs. I took off my boxers and positioned myself behind her.
“Ready, baby?” I asked and she nodded in anticipation. My tip rubbed against her folds, finding her warm opening and then plunged deep into her as her mouth let out a loud moan.
Chapter 16
Nicole.
Monday rolled around after spending another lovely weekend with Chris. I was scared to admit it but I was really falling for this guy. Life finally felt so great after a long time of it just being so-and-so. For the first time in my life, I had an amazing career and an amazing boyfriend. Previously I’d only managed to achieve one of those and even that turned out to be a fluke.
This day had me on the edge though. I wasn’t really fond of the fact that we were having to disclose our relationship to the board, even though I knew it was a necessary one. But at least my heart had melted when Chris told me he really wanted me as his girlfriend.
He dropped me off at my place late Sunday evening and I went straight to bed. I got up extra early the next morning to make myself breakfast and soothe my nerves over coffee. I felt like I was walking into a job interview again. However, I’d been able to ace the first one so I hoped the same would happen with this one as well. After my breakfast, I got dressed in the same suit I wore on my first day and made sure I looked up to par with my role as an executive. I wanted to get to the office early, so that I could get a headstart with my tasks.
The early morning hours went by fast with me focusing on our newest project. In between working, I’d sneaked a peek at some of the tabloids and to my relief hadn’t found anything on us. I was making lunch plans with the marketing executive when
Linda showed up at my desk.
“Conference room in five,” she said and strutted off.
My heart began fluttering out of fear or excitement — I wasn’t quite sure which. There must have been a change of plans as it was only 11 p.m. and we had scheduled to meet with the board at 1 p.m. I quickly gathered my notes and made my way to the conference room.
Chris was already sitting there, surrounded by the other board members, all seated around the table. I spotted the only available seat, closest to the door and sat down, squeezing my notebook.
“Alright, now that Ms. Miller is here we will begin,” one of the men informed. I glanced at Chris questioningly, not knowing what was going on. He gave me the exact same look back, scratching his head in confusion.
“May I ask what is the purpose of this meeting?” Chris questioned.
“It has been brought to our attention that our CEO and one of our executives have engaged in an intimate relationship.”
A sinking feeling took over my body.
“Yes, I am very aware of that, having been one of the participants of this relationship.” Chris remarked. “Coincidentally, it is the reason I’d called for a board meeting this afternoon. We wanted to disclose this relationship with the board to avoid it being used against the company.”
The man cleared his throat. “Yes Mr. Chase, while we do appreciate the effort, the fact remains that the information has found us before today, and that is the real issue here. You have been engaging in this relationship for however long now without informing the board and many people will see this type of relationship between a CEO and an executive as a conflict of interest.”
I looked at Chris fearfully, hoping he could clarify the situation to all parties.
He fixed his tie and faced the man. “While I do understand your concerns, I assure all of you that all of the necessary steps have been taken to avoid said situation. Everything that has taken place between us two here at Chase & Partners has been fully professional and absolutely no favors have been made. Quite frankly, I take that as an insult because you as the board should know better than all people that I do not condone that type of behavior.” Chris said, his voice filled with frustration. “And in fact, we had intended to bring the issue up with everyone today and sign all the necessary contracts. ”I have them printed right there in my office.”
The man listened to Chris intently, his expression hard to read. I couldn’t tell for sure whether he believed any of the things Chris had told him, even though they were completely true.
“I’m sorry Mr. Chase and Ms. Miller, but we are afraid the damage has already been done. Someone in the company has personally come forth with negative feedback and we have to take it very seriously. The reputation of Chase & Partners is at stake here.”
“Who is it?” Chris asked, shaking his head.
“We cannot reveal anything for confidential reasons, I’m sure you understand. The person has wished to stay anonymous. But from what they have told us, we have to stop this before it gets out of hand.”
Chris stood up, his face burning red from irritation. “Whoever the person is, they are lying! There has been no conflict of interest, period.”
“Before we have evidence that states otherwise, we have to treat this information as truthful. Unfortunately, the best way for us to handle this situation is to terminate Ms. Miller’s contract effective immediately.”
My heart stopped beating and all feeling left my legs. This was not possible. This had to be a nightmare. I wanted to be woken up right at this minute.
Chris banged his fist on the table, rage visible from his eyes. “You can’t do that!”
“Well, we can. She is still on her probationary period. As a company, that fact allows us to disassociate ourselves from her and the incident, the cleanest way possible.”
Tears welled up in my eyes from his words. I couldn’t believe it. As much as I felt like bursting into tears, I forced myself to hold them back. I refused to give these men the pleasure of seeing me cry.
“And what repercussions will there be for Mr. Chase?” I asked, trying to steady my trembling voice.
The man turned to look at me straight in the eyes. “For now, we have not decided on any disciplinary actions. Our main priority is to have Mr. Chase avoid any negative critique resulting from this incident. With the damage control we are now doing, by relieving you of your duties, our goal is to put this incident behind us and move ahead with the expansion of the company as per usual.”
I was so taken aback by his words that the sadness and fear that had simmered inside me were replaced by outrage. The tears in my eyes evaporated completely within seconds. I looked at Chris and saw him slump back to his chair, looking defeated. Seeing him behaving this way only made my anger grow, from a simmer to a blazing flame of rage.
I sat up from my seat. “Fine, I can understand the first part. That this relationship between two people is against company policy. But what I cannot and refuse to understand is how a relationship between two people results in only one of said people getting reprimanded for it?” My pitch grew higher as I spoke the last words.
“Ms. Miller, please calm down. We know this is unfortunate for you but you are young, we’re sure you will find another company suitable for you and your needs.”
The way he emphasized the last words were the final straw for me. I couldn’t believe that I was getting punished for this relationship, while the other party escaped completely unscathed.
“Please watch your tone. I do not appreciate the innuendos and I refuse to be spoken to like that. Especially without a valid cause. You people are acting like I am the only one at fault here, even though it takes two to tango.” I glanced at the man and stared at him fearlessly. He looked away.
I got up from my seat and started walking towards the door. “And alright, fine then. I suppose there is no use in trying to reason with you all. You shouldn’t be using me as your scapegoat. All I can say is I hope you’ll someday come to the realization that we are living in the 21st century.”
With those last words I exited the room and briskly walked over to my desk, gathering my things. I refused to give these people the joy of seeing me crumble. I just couldn’t believe that this relationship had cost me my dream job. I was revolted by the board’s actions and thinking about it caused a shiver to run down my spine.
Within minutes I had managed to pack all my things and made my way to the elevator. As much as I’d loved working here, that memory was now partly stained with what had just happened. And truthfully, I wouldn’t want to work in a company like this if they treated women this way. I shook my head in disbelief as the doors closed.
I got out of the elevator, gripping the box with all of my things and made my way to the doors. The doorman gave me an apologetic look and held the door open for me. I stepped outside to the curb and placed the box on the ground, focusing on getting a taxi.
“Nicole!” I heard Chris yell out and saw him run to me from inside. “I’m so sorry about that. I can’t believe they would do that to you.” He said, his eyes filled with sadness.
“It is your company Chris, isn’t it?” I sneered, unable to empathize with him. He got to go about his career while I was the one who would have to go looking for a new one.
He looked lost. “It is, but I had no idea something like this would happen.” He gripped his hair in desperation. “I’ll find a way to get you back to your rightful place, I promise. Just please don’t walk away from me. These past weeks have been the best ones of my life and I don’t want to imagine a life without you.” I could see tears glistening in his eyes.
It took me every last bit of strength to force my eyes away from his. As much as I liked him and agreed with everything he said, the fact remained that my relationship with him had just cost me something truly important. And I was so conflicted about that.
“Chris, I really like you, I do. In all honesty, I don’t know what to say or do. I just lost my dream job at
the company that you own, because of a relationship that I have with you. And it sounds even worse when I say it. I need to think about this whole situation between us. I just don’t know..,”
A taxi pulled up and I picked up the box, opened the door and stepped inside. Chris just stood there, at a loss for words. I had to leave, there was no other way, I tried to convince myself.
The taxi took off and my eyes found him, just standing on the curb, looking even more defeated than in the conference room only minutes before. My heart was breaking and I was holding back the tears.
TEN MINUTES LATER THE cab stopped in front of my apartment and I climbed out, making sure I had all of my things with me. For the entire duration of the drive I had been fighting back the tears and I couldn’t wait to get inside to just let them run free. I needed that emotional release more than anything.
The sadness within me was now accompanied with a stabbing pain in my chest. I knew the source of it was Chris..and what I had just said to him. Did I make the wrong decision by telling him I needed time to think? I wasn’t sure if I’d made the wrong decision by telling him I needed time to think. All I knew was that once in my life I had abandoned everything for the sake of a guy — and we all know how that turned out.
I took my keys out of my purse and got inside my apartment. I placed the box with all of my things on the kitchen table and sunk into one of the chairs. Tears welled up in my eyes and I felt them break free of their chains, running down my cheeks. All I wanted at this moment was to feel his embrace. I wanted him to tell me that it was going to be okay.
Suddenly, I heard a knock from the door. Hope filled me. Maybe it was him coming to tell me that distance was the last thing we needed. I used my sleeves to dry the salty tears from my face and got up from the chair. Taking deep breaths I walked towards the door. I mentally prepared myself to reveal something to him — something I hadn’t been able to admit to myself yet. That I was falling in love with him.
Forbidden Attraction: An Office Affairs Romance (My Billionaire Boss Book 1) Page 7
