by Kiru Taye
“Also, we offer counselling to victims of abuse and sexual assault. I know that most victims don’t call the police when they are attacked. But we have a phone number that people can call when they want to talk confidentially. We listen, offer advice, and provide support. Read the pamphlet. It provides advice on how to spot early signs of abuse.”
Lara took the pamphlet but she didn’t talk.
“I know it’s a lot of information to absorb so take your time to read everything I’ve given you. Also—” Jocelyn reached in the drawer of her desk and pulled out a card, “—this has my personal number on it. You can call me anytime on it. I know what it is like to feel ashamed and hide something terrible.”
“You do?” Lara’s body hunched.
“Yes, I lived with a physically abusive father. We never talked about it in my family. At the age of nineteen, I got married to an abusive husband. My husband’s abuse wasn’t physical, but he mentally and emotionally abused me until I felt I had no self-worth unless I was with him. I lost all my friends and had no contact with my family. At the age of twenty-two, I had a mental breakdown.”
Lara’s mouth dropped open. That couldn’t be right. “But you’re a medical doctor. You look normal.”
Jocelyn smiled sadly. “I’m normal today only because I got the right help. I had to undergo treatment and most of all, I had to tell someone about what had happened to me. It was only then that I started the slow journey to healing. It’s the reason I went to medical school and specialised in psychiatry. I wanted to offer others the same opportunity to heal from mental illnesses.”
Lara swallowed and nodded.
“So if there’s anything, it doesn’t matter how long ago it happened. I can help.”
“Thank you.”
***
A week later, Lara was fiddling with the leaflet the doctor had given her about the counselling service. The thought of talking to someone about what had happened to her years ago felt daunting. She’d kept it a secret for so long. What would be the point of sharing it now?
A doctor had told her once that she lacked emotional responses at crucial moments. She agreed because for years, she’d locked everything up inside. She hadn’t gotten angry or cried in years until she met Ike again. To be honest, she didn’t want to unlock any of those emotions, as she was afraid of the avalanche that would crush her.
She had a good job and her life seemed to be falling into place. Why should she rock the boat? Anyway, it wasn’t as if she would ever get justice.
“Good morning, Lara.”
At his level, business-like voice, her heart skipped a beat and her head snapped up to see Ike standing in front of her desk. She shoved the leaflet into a drawer as guilt made her cheeks heat up. She didn’t want him seeing the pamphlet and perhaps deciphering her thoughts, especially since he’d seen her at her most vulnerable almost two weeks ago.
Anyway, what was he doing here? She hadn’t seen him since she fell asleep on her bed with him talking to her.
“Good morning, Mr. Thomas.” She stood up, smoothing her skirt suit with her hand. Her lips suddenly felt dry and she licked them worriedly, tasting her strawberry lip-gloss. He had a way of making her feel self-conscious simply by being there.
“Please sit. You have to call me Ike. We are a close team up here and work on first name basis. I’m sure Olu or Jane would have told you that already.” He waited for her to sit back down and walked round, sitting on the edge of her desk. “How are you settling in? Do you have everything you need?”
She’d been at TI for a week and she’d managed to avoid seeing him in that time. This morning, he looked especially handsome in his tailored charcoal suit that exhibited his athletic frame superbly. Having him this close was quite distracting and she suddenly found it difficult to think coherently. She diverted her eyes back to her laptop screen before she could speak and hoped her voice wouldn’t let her down.
“Yes, thank you. I have all I need.” She bit her lip nervously.
“Good. Olu is away on a conference in Abuja. While he is away, I’ll be dealing with any issues on the project directly and you would report straight to me. First thing though, I would like you to join us for the leadership team meeting this morning. I want to introduce you to the rest of the directors and divisional heads.”
“Oh, sure. When is it?” Her nervousness rose higher. It was worse than she thought. She was going to report straight to Ike! Meaning she would be seeing more of him that she had originally thought. Was she really ready for this? She had looked forward to having Olu as a buffer between her and Ike so that she didn’t have to deal with him directly. But no. She was being dropped straight into the deep end—into Purgatory.
“It starts in five.”
He stood up, his movement so graceful that momentarily, she forgot where she was as her eyes clashed with his cool mocha ones reminding her of a jungle cat she’d seen on National Geographic channel stalking its prey. The thought of herself as Ike’s prey sent shivers down her spine, raising her anxiety level, and she lowered her eyes hastily.
Lara, think...don’t get distracted!
Coughing, she managed to dislodge the lump in her throat, allowing her to speak when her brain eventually got back into gear.
“What do I need to bring along with me?” Her voice still sounded croaked.
“Just yourself.” He paused and looked at her, smiling reassuringly. “And Lara, don’t worry. You’ll be absolutely fine.”
Glad that he seemed to have confidence in her ability, she hoped she wouldn’t let him down. Things had ramped up pretty quickly and she hoped she could keep her mind on the matters of business and not on her enigmatic boss. There was only one way to find out, though. Taking the plunge and praying it paid off in the end.
“Okay. Lead the way,” she said defiantly and straightened up. She picked up her notepad and pen, following Ike into the board room, tendrils of excitements twirling in her belly.
***
“Has the quantity surveyor given you his estimate yet?” Ike asked.
He’d taken his jacket off and rolled up the sleeves of his baby blue shirt to just below his elbows. The clothes clung to his lean, masculine body. The sight of him took Lara’s breath away.
They were in his office discussing the progress of the project. The more time she spent with him had the old feelings she had for him resurfacing. Now more than ever, she wanted him. Every time she was in his presence, her pulse quickened and her body tingled.
She licked her lips. “Yes, and I’ve spoken to the suppliers who say they can deliver the materials on time.”
“What about manpower? Do we have enough people to complete the project?”
“Yes, I’ve been talking to the resource manager who has been liaising with the contractors and agencies. We should have everyone on board in time.”
There was a knock on the office door.
“Come in,” Ike said.
Jane pushed the door open and two men walked in with aluminium trays laden with food and drinks. They set them down on the low table where the bank of sofas was located in Ike’s large office.
“Your lunch is ready,” Jane said.
“Thank you,” Ike said.
The men left with Jane and she shut the door.
“Let’s head over to the sofa,” he said as he stood up.
“Perhaps I should leave you to have your lunch and come back later,” Lara said.
“No.” He came around the desk and took her hand. “The lunch is for both of us.”
“Both of us?” Her heart lurched. She tried to pull her hand away. “We can’t.”
“What’s wrong with two friends having lunch?”
“It’s okay. I’m not really hungry.”
He frowned. “You’re not? Then perhaps you’ll eat a little because I want you to do so.”
Excitement flowed through her veins at the possibilities couched in his words. Perhaps this was the opportunity she’d been hoping for. In
the aftermath of the disaster that had been their relationship, she was the one who’d lost out the most. Perhaps this was the chance to even out the playing field.
“And if I do that for you, what do I get in return?” She raised her brow.
He smiled the boyish smile that had always made her heart race.
“What would you like?”
“I want you.”
That was the truth. Had always been.
He frowned and pulled his hand away. “Me? What exactly do you mean?”
She looked up at his face and met his gaze. “If I eat the food, then as my reward, I want you to fuck me.”
“What?” His whole body went still. “You’re joking, right?”
She shook her head. “I’m not. I reckon you owe me, anyway. A long time ago, you promised you would after my exams and then you backed out on our deal. This time around, if you want us to be friends—” she did air quotes around friends, “—then you have to fulfil the deal we made.”
“No. I’m sorry. I can’t do it.” He moved away.
She clenched her fists and loosened them. Then she glared at him.
“Then I’m sorry, too, because I can never be friends someone who doesn’t keep his word.” She packed up her notepad and headed to the door. “Enjoy your lunch, Mr. Thomas.”
“Wait.”
Ike’s word had her freezing by the door, her heart racing.
“I’ll do it,” he said. “Just don’t go.”
Chapter Thirteen
What was he doing?
Ike’s breath hitched and his heart raced. Sweat beaded his forehead although the office was cool.
Why did he just agree to have sex with Lara? Hadn’t he decided that he wouldn’t go there with her? That there was too much at stake again to dredge up all those old feelings?
He closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath, his mind whirling.
He couldn’t let her walk out on him feeling like he’d let her down again. He’d already hired a private detective to investigate what had happened five years ago. He’d given out the names of everyone he could remember who had been at that party, both the university students and the final year high school students from Hillcrest who’d been there. He didn’t know where most of those people were these days. But if they were alive, then they would be found, he’d been promised. Apparently, with the popularity of social media and smart phones, it was easier to keep track of people.
The important thing was that he would find out what had happened to Lara, and he would get her justice one way or the other.
Jocelyn had already started the ball rolling in terms of Lara’s mental health. And the ball was now in Lara’s side of the court to seek the help she needed. Nobody could force her to talk if she didn’t.
But he needed to be vigilant and he couldn’t do anything that would set her back. He was being brilliantly surprised daily by Lara’s eagerness and enthusiasm with the job. She was like a sponge soaking up everything thrown at her, learning at a pretty fast rate, and already producing sound ideas.
Then again, he shouldn’t have been surprised. She was an intelligent woman. He had found out five years ago when he was her tutor how smart and entrepreneurial she was. She had topped her class in the subject and won several awards for her projects. Last week, when the pain of seeing her again had gripped him and he’d momentarily lost his bearings, he had wondered at Olu’s wisdom for hiring her. However, today, after monitoring her actions for the past few days, he was glad she was a member of his team.
During their meetings, she always presented herself as competent and composed. There was no hint of the woman who’d broken down last week in her apartment. It seemed she had gotten good at hiding the other side of her.
No one else knew about them, their past. At least, it looked that way. She didn’t seem keen to talk about it. To talk to him, even. They needed to deal with the past before they could move on. The whole thing had been plaguing him for days. Images of Lara had been whirling around in his mind. Like he’d acquired a virtual stalker—wherever he went, she was there.
It surprised him that after so many years, all it had taken was to see her again and he felt like the young man who had fallen for her.
To think that once upon a time, he’d thought she was the one, an angel, the girl to whom he belonged, heart, body, and soul. She had enthralled him, reaching parts of him that were locked to others, showing him the beauty of humanity he didn’t think existed. Now, she was back, and he couldn’t decide if it was a gift or a curse. Because he was about to risk everything again for her. His peace of mind, most of all. He’d never gotten involved with an employee before. Never mixed business with pleasure. Yet, he was about to do it.
Not to mention that there were other reasons he shouldn’t.
He opened his eyes.
Lara stood on the same spot and stared at him, her expression uncertain. He expected her to at least look happy because he’d caved in. Instead, she appeared wary and unconvinced.
“Come and sit down,” he said.
She didn’t move. “Do you mean it?”
He raised his brow in confusion. “Mean what?”
“Did you mean it when you said you’ll do it? You’re not just saying it because you think that’s what I want to hear. Only for you to change your mind. I won’t be manipulated again.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
He sighed. “I’m not trying to manipulate you.”
“Prove it.”
“How?”
“Let’s do it right here and right now.”
He swallowed as his skin heated up. The thought of taking her in his office excited him, even though he knew it was wrong.
“The food will get cold.”
“I don’t mind. Anyway, there’s a microwave in the rec room.”
“Lock the door,” he said, his voice low and deliberate.
She smiled the smile of someone who was about to be granted her wish as she turned around to click the keys into the lock position.
Warmth spread through his chest that he made her smile. She smiled so little these days, compared to the young girl he once knew who used to beam sunshine at him with her smile.
He pressed the button on the intercom. “Jane, I’m not to be disturbed for the next hour.”
“Okay, sir,” Jane replied.
He straightened and turned to face Lara.
“Come here,” he said as he leaned against his desk.
What he was about to do, he’d never done in his office before. There was something forbidden about it. A part of him was thrilled at the thought of Lara being the one who would bring out this reckless side of him that he’d locked away. He’d thought he’d outgrown it.
She strode across to him, her hips swaying in a seductive manner. She had a feline grace to her movements. His pulse rate ratcheted up another gear, his heart thumping hard against his chest. Blood rushed to his cock, swelling it, and it strained against the fly of his trousers.
He hadn’t even touched her and his body was ready to explode. His fingers itched to touch her.
She stopped at arm’s length and he leaned forward, placed his left hand on her arm, and dragged her to him until she collided with his body. His right hand reached for her nape, tilted her head back as he lowered his.
Their lips met in a passionate kiss. In the recesses of his mind, he remembered the first time he’d kissed her. How tentative and chaste it had been.
This time was so different. Nothing tentative about the way her lips opened hungrily for him, as if she’d been starving to taste him. And there was nothing chaste about the way he ravaged her mouth, his lips crushing hers, his tongue thrusting in and out, and his teeth nipping at the flesh.
The sounds of moans competed with the rushing blood in his ears. He wanted more of her. How he wanted more of her.
He tilted her head and deepened the kiss, dominating her with his mouth and his presence. She melted into his arms, rubbing her body against h
is with unrestrained abandon.
He broke the kiss and they both panted for breath and he lifted her and turned her around, sitting her on the edge of the desk. He settled between her legs and her skirt rode up her thighs as he spread her legs.
He kissed her again, feathering her face and trailing his lips down to her neck. She moaned and ground her crotch against his bulge. Then she reached for his fly and started undoing his buckle.
He froze and closed his eyes. This was moving too fast. Opening his eyes, he straightened and held her hands.
“Wait,” he said, his voice husky as he struggled to get his control back.
She looked up at him, her eyes glazed with lust, her lips parted. Although she stopped undoing his belt, she kept her hand on his bulge. Her heat permeated the fabric, making it difficult for him to think clearly.
He sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You understand that this has to be just once. I can’t promise you that we’ll do this again after today.”
She pulled in the corner of her lip. “Yes, I know this is a one-time only deal. But I’ve got you for the next hour, right?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re a fit young man. So I’m sure you can do it more than once in the time we have.” She gave him a sexy smile.
The cheeky girl he’d fallen for back then was back. He chuckled. “I’ll do my best.”
She carried on with his buckle until it came loose. His arousal went through the roof as his anticipation rose. The thought of her touching him was driving him crazy. But he stood still and waited.
Slowly, she slid down the zipper, the sound filling the air. He held his breath as she reached into his boxers and wrapped her slim fingers around him. Heat skimmed his body.
She pulled him out and stroked him gently from the broad head to the root.
Groaning, he closed his eyes and thrust into her hand. This was torture because her grip wasn’t firm enough to make him come, but it proved enough to set his veins alight.
Something moist and warm covered the tip of his cock. He groaned again and opened his eyes.
