Layers

by Sigal Ehrlich

  “Miss Grace …”

  “Please, call me Hayley.” I try to not get annoyed, though my words come out with an irritated bite.

  “Your appointment is with a Miss Gladys.”

  Who? I search my memory for whether Daniel mentioned meeting anyone but I’m quite positive he didn’t.

  “So, would you like anything to drink?” she asks again.

  “No thanks, I’m good,” I mutter, baffled. Next I knock on Daniel’s door and let myself in, only to find an older lady standing beside an empty chair by Daniel’s desk. A big black leather bag sits next to her. What the hell?

  “Hello Miss Grace,” she greets me.

  “Hi.” Suspicion saturates my answer.

  “Would you like to start?” she asks next.

  “Start what?” I can’t hide my dismay.

  “The blood test,” comes her velvety response. I look at her, completely surprised. “Blood test?”

  “The HIV blood test,” she says in an even softer voice, trying not to look directly at me as she does so. Oh my god, he arranged for me to be tested at his office? Is he seriously insane? I feel my face heating up as I stare at her, utterly embarrassed, hoping my thoughts aren’t too obvious. Did you ever think to share this info with me, Mr. Stark? Give me a heads up; perhaps ask if I was okay with this? Demented nutcase …

  “Miss Grace, you may sit here, and please place your right hand on the table.”

  I watch her as she ties the rubber string above my elbow and runs a cool alcohol-soaked cotton ball over my slightly visible veins. As I play a pleasing stream of murder scenes in my head, I’m distracted by Daniel entering the room, talking on his mobile. He looks so delicious in his casual, long-sleeved, white button-down shirt, and jeans. I frown at him as I catch his eyes. He smiles at me, then his eyebrows knit for a brief moment and he shrugs. Do you really have no clue as to why I might be frowning? He walks my way and bends to kiss my head. Disregarding my scowl, he continues to pace the room while talking. Business as usual. As if having a surprise HIV-test party is just another day at the office.

  “So I’m going to insert the needle now, Miss Grace. It will sting a little,” says the woman at my side.

  “No, Chris,” Daniel says in a clipped tone.

  I shift to look his way; his back is to the room as he stares out the window. He turns to face me slowly, his stare fixated on mine as he leans on the window frame.

  “Which part of no did you not understand?” he asks, annoyed. It amuses me.

  Could he be any less impatient?

  He listens, looking exasperated, and then replies, “I am not letting anyone fuck me at their own will and appointed time.” Saying that, he points his index finger at me and mouths, “You,” then bobs his head in approval, mouthing “can.” A wicked smirk appears on his handsome face.

  Oh, I can fuck you at my own will and appointed time, Daniel? I blush, looking under my lashes at the lady next to me, hoping she didn’t notice Daniel’s “romantic gesture.” She bites her lips awkwardly and looks as if she’s trying to refrain from smiling. I blush deeper. Way to go, D, super, you’re on fire today. Daniel holds the phone between his head and shoulder and starts folding his right sleeve up above the elbow.

  “That will be all, Miss Grace.”

  “Thank you.” I smile at the woman. When I stand up, Daniel takes my place in the chair. He’s having the test too? Right now? I turn to walk, looking to stand by the window, but Daniel’s grip stops me. He says to the phone, “Hold on for a sec,” and tilts his head up to face me.

  “Stay next to me, I’m scared,” he murmurs, smirking, and then snaps to the phone, “I’m back.”

  I stand next to him, highly amused, shaking my head, and then sigh. As Miss Gladys inserts the needle through his skin, he puts his free hand on my butt and starts caressing it, all the while talking on the phone he holds between his ear and shoulder.

  “My work here is done,” says Miss Gladys to both of us, though her stare is directed Daniel’s way. A thought of what she might be thinking of this unusual “delivery service” crosses my mind and I try to push it away as it makes me feel nothing but unease.

  “Thank you. It is much appreciated, especially on such short notice,” Daniel responds. “And I should expect the results via email this evening?”

  “Sure, Mr. Stark, as you’ve agreed with the clinic. If that’s all, I’ll let you get back to work.” She eyes the two of us, not so discreetly twisting her mouth.

  Daniel nods and adds, “Thank you.”

  As soon as Miss Gladys leaves the room, I confront him. “Did you for one second think to run this by me?”

  His eyebrows lower above squinted eyes. “Run what by you?” He reviews something on the screen at his desk. Are you for real?

  “Telling me that I’m coming in for an HIV test, for starters.” I pout. My voice clearly conveys my growing irritation.

  “You are so hot like that, angry and flushed,” he says, unbuttoning the upper buttons of his shirt. He steps my way, choosing to pay no attention to what I’ve just said. Which does a great job heightening my annoyance.

  I look at him, upset. “Well? You didn’t answer my question. And what the in the name of f …” I almost choke, “are you doing?” His expression morphs into pure sin, a wicked side smile sent my way as he presses a button on his desk phone. “Anne, cancel my next appointment and hold my calls.”

  “You have John Westwood next. He came from Texas to see you.” Alarm and stress emanates from her high-pitched voice.

  Daniel sighs. “Well, tell him he’ll have to wait.” His shirt is wide open now. He unbuckles his belt, looking at me with a predator’s glee.

  My insides tighten and I swallow hard, murmuring, “What are you doing, Daniel?”

  “You.” One simple word that makes me tingle where I shouldn’t at this time of the day. His targeted, slow, graceful steps are directed my way, his stare deep in mine. He licks his lip, right where the scar is, causing the rhythm of my breathing to noticeably increase.

  “Aren’t you locking the door?” I swallow hard again as what’s about to follow sinks in.

  “Believe me, baby, no one will dare open it.”

  That I can believe, psycho.

  Facing me he tips his head and kisses me with fervent, tantalizing passion, making my entire body lose balance. Heat switches into a different kind of heat. He turns to my neck, lavishing it as his leg parts my legs. He presses against me and I pant.

  “I want you on my desk.” His husky tone caresses my ear.

  “You can have me wherever you want,” I say under my breath, willing to surrender to any desire he might have.

  He smirks with a devilish delight, looking pleased, sweeps some papers out of the way and lifts me on his desk. He drops to his knees in front of me, taking off my right sneaker first and then the left.

  “Unbutton your jeans,” he commands in a rough, bossy voice. I gladly obey. He yanks my jeans and panties off in one pull, making me slide to the edge of the desk. “Perfect.” He chuckles with a lustful gaze and next his mouth is on me. I tremble, leaning back on my elbows, letting him work my desire into a peak. While I’m still a turmoil of lust and hunger he stands up and pulls a small aluminum package from his pocket.

  “Always prepared,” I say, smiling through uneven breaths.

  “I knew you were coming.”

  “You knew I would come?”

  His eyes radiate at me wickedly. “Do you want to play the hidden sexual innuendos word game now, or you want me to project you, Hayley? What will it be?” His face reflects both humor and desire.

  “Project my brains off, Daniel, please do.” Closing my eyes I arch my back as I sense him filling me with his uncontrollable appetite.

  ~~~

  When our pulses return to a conventional rate, I get dressed as Daniel buttons his shirt up. He mutters, “We should be doing this on a daily basis,” all smug grin.

  “But of course, by all
means, have Anne put it in your schedule as your regular noon booty call.”

  He laughs and murmurs, “I wish.” And then adds, “You amuse me.”

  “That I know, D.” I smirk at him.

  “And much more …” he says quietly. I look at him under my lashes and he rewards me with an expression of tenderness. Checking my watch I immediately stress up. Back to corporate reality …

  “What is it?” Daniel observes me, concerned.

  “I’ve been out for too long, this is so bad.”

  “Actually I think it was divine.” His lips stretch in a naughty smirk.

  “Seriously, I’ll get fired with only two days of seniority.”

  “So come work here.” He is still in high spirits.

  “Not for all the money in the world, even if I have to work the streets.”

  He looks at me, entertained.

  “And why is that, Hayley Grace? Please do tell.”

  I radiate my sweetest smile at him. “Because you’re kind of … psycho. You know … insane …” And that is an understatement, Mr. Stark.

  He lets out a husky, low laugh, and then steps over to wrap me in his embrace.

  “You are just too sweet.”

  I smile at him and kiss his mouth. “I need to go now, Daniel.”

  “Did you eat lunch?” he asks before I step out the door.

  “Didn’t have time, I was engaged in some burning projects.”

  He shakes his head, lips lopsided.

  ~~~

  “Hayley, there is a delivery for you here.” The impudent young, pink haired, pierced receptionist says with a prying gaze.

  “A delivery for me? Where is it?” She hands me two takeaway boxes.

  “Thanks,” I say, deliberately disregarding her snooping eyes.

  At my desk I open them both. There is one box with sushi rolls and miso soup; the second contains salad and a chicken wrap. There is a printed note stuck to the underside of the chicken wrap box.

  Though sushi is your favorite, I wasn’t sure if you’d want it again for lunch, thus the second dish.

  P.S—if you don’t want to eat them both, share it, BUT not with that boss of yours.

  D

  I laugh and smile overjoyed thinking of him. You are just so sweet and intense, D.

  Josh’s Colgate grin pops in my cubicle as I take the first bite of my wrap, “Still hungry?” he asks, curious, looking at the feast spread on my desk.

  “It was sent to me,” I shrug with a small curve of my lips.

  “Didn’t you go out for lunch earlier?” His eyebrows pucker.

  “I ended up running an errand instead,” I say, trying to sound casual, and I can feel warmth covering my face. You know, just a surprise sexually transmitted disease test, don’t we all have those from time to time?

  “I see.” He nods in confirmation. “When you’re done, drop by, okay?”

  “I will, shortly.” I nod, echoing him. As I take the last bite of the salad I text Daniel.

  Thanks a lot for lunch, chose the wrap—you spoil me D.

  Daniel: I was just reciprocating after having you for lunch and, sweet H, I like spoiling you.

  How can he do that, make me blush and squirm in my seat at the first part of the message and melt in the second.

  ~~~

  “Josh, you asked me to come over,” I stand in his doorway, waiting.

  “Come in, Hayley, and please sit.” He nods. “Can you go over these?” He hands me some ideas for pitching proposals.

  “I would like you to choose the top three, disregard general concept style and go for content.”

  “Certainly, I’ll do that right away. Anything else?”

  “Well there is—”

  The national anthem playing from the back pocket of my jeans makes him pause.

  “What’s that?” Josh asks, looking at me baffled.

  “That would be my phone.” I smile in discomfort.

  “Nice tune. Original.” He chuckles. “You can go ahead and answer.”

  “I’ll just check who it is,” I say timidly. There is no available number.

  “Just answer, Hayley …”

  “Hello,” I answer, feeling self-conscious under Josh’s securitizing gaze.

  “Are you coming tonight?”

  “Hey Daniel,” I say, and stare down at my sneakers, knowing that Josh will be listening to every single syllable coming out of my mouth now that he knows who it is.

  “Are you coming tonight?”

  “Can I call you later? I’m in a meeting.”

  “Just answer, Hayley.” he snaps.

  Come on Daniel, relax, don’t go all intimidating Mr. Stark on me, not now. I’m quickly becoming exasperated. Two can play this game. “No, I’m not. I gotta go now.”

  “Hayley …” He sounds even more upset now.

  “Later Daniel.” I hang up. I can sense the rush of blood flowing in my veins. I am upset and mad and confused, all at the same time. What are you doing to me, Daniel Stark?

  “Everything okay?”

  Oh, Josh! I forgot about him for a minute. “Ah, sure, everything’s fine.” I put on my best attempt at a smile. “You were saying something before we were interrupted?”

  “I just wanted to tell you that I might want you to accompany me to a roadshow we’re having next month.”

  “I don’t see any issue with that. Of course I will. Where is it?” My stare bores into a small dot on the wall behind him.

  “Canada.”

  “Canada?” I repeat and tear my gaze away to look at him.

  “Yes, that country past the border? Famous for its maple trees and syrup?”

  Does he expect me to answer right now? Sensing my uncertainty, he adds, “This is just a heads up. I’ll give you all the details once everything is finalized.”

  “Oh, okay.” I put on a fake smile. “Anything else?” I raise my eyebrows inquisitively.

  “No, that will be all. Thanks, Hayley.”

  At my desk I try to review some of the designs Josh requested that I look at, but I’m too distressed. I am more than distressed. How can he get me to this state with just a phone call?

  I need to cool down and distract myself from thinking about him. Focus. I need to finish this and go home.

  ~~~

  As I get inside the car, his car, I get even more irritated. I should give him back the car as soon as possible. I turn up the music to max, letting Mumford and Sons occupy my thoughts instead.

  Chapter 16: Knockout

  “Honey I’m home.” I drop my keys into the bowl on the corridor chest and kick off my shoes.

  “In here.”

  I sigh with relief when I hear Tasha’s reply, glad I’ll be able to vent about my crappy mood. “I am so glad you’re here. You can’t imagine how upset I am with that psycho,” I say, pulling my hair up to a messy bun as I make my way to our kitchen.

  “Hales …” Tasha tries to say something right when I reach her and Daniel. Oh fuck, what is he doing here? I flush.

  “Hey,” Tasha greets me with a crooked I-didn’t-know-I-should-have-warned-you smile.

  “Hey, Hayley,” Daniel says with a small, concerned twist of his mouth. All of a sudden when I see him I just want him to hold me tight, regardless of how I felt about him just moments ago.

  “I’m going to have a bath, see you later.” Tasha passes by me and plants a kiss on my cheek on her way to the bathroom.

  “So, you’re here,” I murmur, looking at Daniel, hoping my face is not revealing any of the emotions I have raging inside.

  “I wanted to see you,” he says. His eyes settle on mine. “So, why are you upset with the psycho?” he asks, combing his fingers through his hair, leaving them there.

  I stare at him, unsure. What do I tell you? That I am head over heels for you after the shortest time? That you drive me crazy in a way no one ever has before, that you are reckless and short tempered, that you turn from sweet and warm to mad and exasperated in no time, t
hat you are overbearing? That I am deeply afraid to fall for you because I know you’ll shatter my heart into a million pieces?

  He tilts his head, deepening his stare. “What is it, Hayley? What aren’t you telling me?”

  Everything. Nothing. I open my mouth to speak and pause, trying to choose the right words, figure out what I want to tell him. He first looks at me, assessing, and then stands. He walks toward me, minimizing the distance between us, then he hugs me tight, wrapping me in a cage of his firmness and warmth; I rest my forehead on his chest. I force out the tight air in my lungs, upset at him and most of all with myself that this is exactly what I wanted since that call. He slightly tips his shoulder so I will raise my head to look at him.

  “What aren’t you telling me?” he whispers, releasing a thousand butterflies from my core to flicker inside my stomach in a tornado.

  “I’m upset with you.”

  He bends his head, pressing his forehead to mine. “Keep going,” he coaxes gently.

  “I didn’t appreciate the way our call was conducted. You didn’t listen to what I had to say.”

  He exhales and says, “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “I am not at your beck and call, you know.”

  “Why would you say something like that?”

  I inhale deeply. “You just act that way.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “If I tell you that I can’t talk, then I can’t. The main point is listening to what I have to say; also, including me in your plans would be a good start.”

  As an answer he pulls me closer to him squeezing me tight, my cheek against his chest. I inhale his sedating scent and relax. I wrap my arms around his waist and lean myself closer, deeper into him. You’re half way to heartbreakville, Hales. Look how affected you are by him, and in such a short time.

  “Look at me,” he whispers to my head, nuzzling it tenderly. “You smell so good,” he adds, breathing me in. I raise my head for our eyes to meet; he bends to kiss me, one sincere, warm kiss. A kiss that tells me he is sorry to have made me feel that way.

  “Come home with me, sleep over tonight.”

  “Okay,” I answer with no hesitation. I want him. I want him and don’t want to let go. Reluctantly I detach from his embrace to pack an overnight bag.