by Colet Abedi
See that mocking look in his eyes.
It’s too much.
Breathe, Abby. Just breathe.
Is this some sort of fun torturous game for him, I wonder? What is he doing to me? Flirting, turning me on…
And now he’s my boss.
My phone rings for the first time. It jolts me out of what could have been a quick spiral into fantasyland, a dangerous place that I know can only serve to further torture me.
“Michael Sinclair’s office,” I will my voice to be calm and professional.
“I’m waiting.” The sound of his sexy voice on the line jolts me right to my core.
My boss.
My tormentor.
My fantasy lover.
I put the phone down, pick up his calendar, and make my way to his office. I walk inside and try to leave the door open, but he stops me.
“Shut it.”
Lord.
I do as he says and stand next to the leather couch he’s sprawled on. His arms are stretched out over the top of the couch and the look on his face is playful.
“Have a seat.”
I sink into the chair opposite him.
“How has your day been?” he asks politely.
“Wonderful,” I return easily. “Mrs. Lions and Danielle couldn’t be more helpful. And I have to say, what you’re doing here is pretty impressive. You should be proud of the work you’ve accomplished.”
“There’s still so much that needs to be done,” Michael returns.
“But you’re helping make a change,” I tell him. “That’s a step in the right direction.”
“Are you complimenting me?” Michael gives me a teasing smile.
“Yes, I am.”
“Thank you,” he says softly. “It means a lot coming from you.”
It does?
“Have you had lunch?” Michael suddenly asks, changing the topic.
“Actually, I haven’t had a chance yet,” I shake my head. “Time flew by and I completely forgot. I wanted to acclimate myself with everything before you got here.”
Before I know what he’s doing, Michael picks up his cell phone and makes a quick call.
“I’d like a club sandwich and Caesar salad brought to my office,” he orders into the phone.
“That’s totally unnecessary,” I argue, but I’m touched by his thoughtfulness.
“It’s my job to keep you satisfied.”
I think my stomach flips over.
Michael throws the phone on the couch and folds his arms. I can’t decipher his look.
“How was your night?” I don’t miss the mocking tone in his voice.
“Fine, thank you,” I barely manage as I think about how he saw my vibrator last night. Talk about a giant elephant in the room. A vibrating one at that. I grip his calendar in one hand and click my pen hoping he’ll keep things professional and ask me to write something down.
“And yours?” I ask politely.
“Unsatisfactory.”
Don’t ask, Abby!
“Why?” Clearly, I’m glutton for punishment.
“I find myself to be in a state of acute frustration,” he tells me quietly. “It’s a feeling I don’t particularly enjoy.”
“Are you in the middle of a deal?”
“Fortunately, I closed the deal,” he says as his eyes blaze into mine. “I’m just working out the terms. It’s always the most tedious part of any negotiation.”
“Should I be familiar with it?” I ask him.
“You will be.”
The way he says that… it’s almost like he’s about to be in control of something.
Or someone.
“In fact, it will probably take up most of your time.” His voice is commanding.
“Is there any reading material you can give me?” I’m trying to keep our conversation as professional as possible. “I can take it home with me tonight and get up to speed.”
“You’re not ready yet,” he tells me, his eyes settling on my mouth, causing it to go dry. “But soon. Very soon.”
I think I hear a warning in his voice, but I can’t be sure. His gaze flicks down to the calendar I’m clutching.
“I take it Danielle filled you in on your job requirements.”
“Yes,” I’m happy he has changed the subject to something that feels safe.
“What did she tell you?”
“That I’ll be scheduling your meetings and seeing to your personal needs—”
Did that even come out right?
“I mean—” I stutter. “I’m taking care of whatever you might need outside the office.”
Michael grins.
“My extracurricular activities, you mean?”
“Yes.” I look down at the book again. I wonder if discussing his personal life will ever get easier with time. “Setting your dinner dates, making sure your life is in order. The usual duties of a PA.”
“And how are you feeling about everything?” Michael continues his cross-examination.
“Fine,” I say, plastering a smile on my face as I meet his gaze. “And appreciative, of course. Thank you again for giving me this chance.”
“Don’t thank me,” Michael says cryptically. “I never do anything I don’t want.”
“Still.” I know my voice sounds nervous. “I’m happy to be here, and I’m just looking forward to diving in.”
Michael watches me for a moment before a broad smile sweeps across his face.
“Perfect,” he says. “Then let’s get to it.”
CHAPTER FIVE
The next couple of weeks go by in a blur.
After a few hiccups my first few days, I finally begin to understand how Michael likes things done and what a force of nature he is. His mind goes at warp speed, jumping from one project to another, it’s a wonder he can keep up with the fast pace of his life and remember everything that’s going on.
But he does.
His days are spent in and out of meetings with heads of companies he targets for his non-profit work, and on nonstop daily conference calls. I find myself growing more respect for him as the days go by. He is genuinely passionate about all the causes he puts his name, money, and time behind. I also quickly learn his employees respect him deeply and speak very highly of him. Anytime I’ve happened to overhear a conversation about him, someone is usually singing his praises about some miracle he’s been able to get done even with the odds stacked against him. The respect he’s managed to garner from his employees is a testament to who he is as a man and only makes him that much more attractive to me.
I thought the job would just be that—a job, where I’d clock in and out and not get invested in anything going on around me. But that hasn’t been the case at all. I’ve found myself reading more about the causes the Foundation has put so much into. I’ve become invested in what’s going on and gone through the whole gamut of emotions Danielle told me I might experience when I started—the outrage, the sadness, and the hope that we’re part of something bigger, something that’s actually making a change.
Since I had never been part of a team before and am an introvert by nature, I thought I’d be on my own. But it’s been the opposite of what I expected. Danielle has taken me under her wing and has become my constant companion here at the job. She is a godsend, and we’ve grown close in the short time I’ve been at the company.
She patiently answers any question I might have and has helped me navigate my way through my new job. She’s looped me in on office gossip, included me on coffee runs, lunches, and has really gone out of her way to make me feel welcome. What’s more, through Danielle, I’ve learned bits and pieces about my enigmatic boss/cousin through marriage.
Apparently, the last steady girlfriend Michael had was over a year ago and was an actress I’ve actually heard of.
I’ve never really been a fan of her work, and I swear it has nothing to do with that fact that she dated Michael. I swear!
Since he ended it with her, there hasn’t been anyone
significant. For the most part, Michael’s known as a serial dater and playboy. Danielle also confirmed my suspicions about the women in the office being as obsessed with him as I am, and as far as she knows he’s never dated anyone who works for him.
Cue the sad music.
Other than the first day when we had the strange energy between us, there have been no other overt sexual teases thrown my way by Michael.
I’d be lying if I say I’m relieved by it.
“So what do you think of this for our centerpieces?” Danielle asks me as we sit in her office on a Friday and share a late lunch.
Danielle is the bride I should have been when I was going to marry Dimitri. She’s thoroughly engrossed in every detail and wants everything to be perfect. A bit of bridezilla peeks out every so often, but it’s nothing too dramatic. Seeing her enthusiasm for her impending nuptials only reinforces the fact that I made the right decision.
She shows me a few pictures of different flower arrangements and I point at the one I like best.
“This is my favorite,” I tell her, choosing the simple white flower display.
“Mine too! It’s a bit more than we wanted to spend but I feel like if I’m going to splurge on any day, this should be it.”
“You should choose whatever makes you happy,” I tell her as I take in a spoon full of my pea soup.
“You’re right, it’s my day.” She puts the pictures away into one of her many wedding folders and digs into her pasta. She has a whole color coordinated system going for her wedding that I find pretty damn impressive.
“God, Abby, I’m going to have to start my wedding diet soon. But the problem I’m having is that my nerves are making me want to eat more.”
“What?” I laugh in disbelief. “Trust me, you don’t have anything to worry about. You don’t need to diet. Your body is perfect.”
“You haven’t seen me with my clothes off.”
“You’re crazy.” I shake my head.
“Regardless of whether I’m crazy or not, it’s what all the brides do. A bride is supposed to look emaciated on her wedding day.”
I burst out laughing. “Who says?”
“My mother,” Danielle tells me, rolling her eyes. “Now, if there’s one thing that’s driving me crazy about this wedding, it’s my mother. It’s like she’s possessed or something.”
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear you say that.”
“Why?”
“It’s good to know I’m not the only one who’s cursed with an overbearing mother,” I commiserate with Danielle. “For years I thought I was all alone.”
“Was yours a nightmare when you were planning your wedding?”
“Nightmare doesn’t even begin to describe what she put me through.” I cringe at the horrible memories coming back to me. “She was the absolute worst.”
We share another laugh.
“So I’m going to have to go there and ask,” Danielle says after a moment of silence. “How long has it been since you broke it off?”
“Five months.” I can’t believe it’s only been that long. It seems like a lifetime ago.
“Can I ask why you broke it off?” Danielle’s voice is cautious.
“I wasn’t happy,” I reply honestly.
Danielle has such good energy that it’s so easy to let my guard down with her. When I was growing up, I didn’t have many girlfriends I could relate to or felt like I could really confide in. And when I was going through all of my misgivings about Dimitri, there was no woman in my social circle that I could talk to because they all believed I found the perfect match.
It’s nice to talk to a woman who has her life together. And who comes from a world where love trumps pedigree.
“Well that’s a reason if there ever is one,” Danielle agrees. “Happiness should always be your first priority.”
“I just couldn’t see how I would ever be fulfilled with him—if I’m being honest, we didn’t share any love or passion between us—and I couldn’t imagine that being my life forever.” I can feel the suffocating feelings come over me just by remembering that time in my life.
“I just couldn’t go through with it. Not even when I thought about what it would mean for my future or who it would hurt. I had to be selfish.”
“I don’t see what you did as being selfish.”
“Not everyone would agree with you.” I smile ruefully. “My mother and a lot of friends think I’m crazy for leaving him.”
“I can’t say anything about your mother because I think it’s just inevitable for them to always think they know what’s best for you,” Danielle says. “But your friends—they’re supposed to support you no matter what.”
Her words ring true and for once I feel happiness that someone gets me—understands how I feel and is on my side.
“So when did you know?” Danielle continues to prod.
“From the moment I got engaged,” I say my truth out loud for the first time.
“Holy shit, Abby.” Danielle can’t contain her surprise. “Why did you say yes in the first place?”
“Family pressure,” I tell her with an embarrassed smile.
Danielle stares at me in silence
“Sounds crazy, right?” I say.
“Not at all,” Danielle says, shaking her head. “Everyone has that in some way or another. Yours is still a bit old-fashioned and extreme…”
“He was the ideal candidate on paper,” I go on to explain how I arrived in my situation in the first place.
Danielle remains quiet so I rush on to explain.
“I don’t want to put him down in any way because I know he’ll be perfect for someone else. He had many great qualities going for him. He just wasn’t for me.”
Danielle digests my words.
“Well, I think it was incredibly brave of you.” Danielle’s voice carries a great deal of respect. “I don’t know if I would have been able to cut it off so close to the date.”
I shrug off her comment.
“You’d be surprised.”
“So you’re a bit of a rebel, Abby,” Danielle says with a bit of awe. “You’re like the real-life Runaway Bride.”
“I’m not like,” I tell her with a smile. “I am.”
We both burst out laughing.
“Are you dating anyone now?” Danielle continues on after a moment.
“No,” I shake my head. “No one.”
“We’ll have to set you up. I love playing Cupid.” Her eyes glow in excitement. “Tom, my fiancé, has some really great single friends. When you’re ready, of course—are you?”
“Ready?” I question, meeting her gaze.
I think about finally going out with someone. Sharing a first kiss. Holding hands. Feeling cherished and loved.
I long for that kind of companionship. A real relationship.
“I am more than ready.” I’m sure she can hear the longing in my voice. “It’s time.”
“How long has it been?”
“Since I’ve been with a man?” I ask her with a playful smile. “Too damn long, Danielle. Too bloody damn long.”
I watch Danielle’s smile freeze on her face as her gaze moves over my shoulder and settles on whoever is standing right behind me.
My heart sinks in dread.
“Michael,” Danielle says. “Can I help you with something?”
Lord.
He’s standing in the doorway? Right now? Behind me?
“Ladies.” I hear his sultry voice.
Did he hear that last bit about me needing a man?
“I’m sorry to interrupt your lunch, but I was hoping I could steal Abby for a minute or two.”
I slowly turn around and shamelessly stare at his tall body. He usually dresses casually at the office in jeans and T-shirts or long sleeved thermal tops. Today he’s wearing a fitted dark navy blue suit that looks like it was made for his body. My stomach clenches as I admire the way he looks.
“I didn’t think you’d be in today,�
�� I tell him as my heart races. I’m surprised to see him since he had me block off the entire day.
“Change of plans.” His eyes are guarded. “When you finish up in here I’d like you to meet me in my office.”
He leaves us quickly and I let out a breath when he’s gone.
“Strange,” Danielle says, staring after him.
“Must be important,” I tell her as I gather my things together.
“Must be,” Danielle says as she continues to eat. “IM when you’re back at your desk.”
“Will do.” I get up and make my way down the hall to his office.
I knock once before entering.
“Come in.”
The door slides open and I find Michael standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows staring out on the river. I shut the door and wait in bated breath.
“That perfume you wear…” His voice is low and almost husky.
I put a self-conscious hand on my neck and wonder how he can smell the scent clear across the room.
“It’s like fresh flowers on a spring day. It lingers in a room after you leave.”
He turns and faces me, and I’m hit with the full force of his intensity. I try to think of a clever response, but before I can, he pulls the rug right out from underneath me.
“I like it.”
My mouth goes dry. My gaze meets his and for a second I see a glimpse of the fire lurking behind the shadows. And then I know. It’s not in my head. It’s not just my wishful thinking. There is something between us. I don’t know exactly what it is, but it’s there—an underlying sexual tension and it’s not just coming from me, I feel it oozing from him as well.
He’s attracted to me.
And that knowledge fills me with such pleasure that, if I could, I’d dance around the room and do a million cartwheels.
“So how can I help you?” I ignore his compliment and ask the question as soon as I’m able to breathe normally again.
Michael gives me a knowing smile before crossing his arms.
“Do you have plans tonight?”
“Plans?” I shake my head thinking he needs me to stay late for work. “No plans.”
“On a Friday night?” Michael’s voice is curious.
“No plans.” There’s a defensive edge to my voice. “I didn’t have time to make any. I’ve just been too busy here.”
