One Little Letter: A Bad Boy, Second Chance Romance (Office Escapades Book 1)

by Robin Edwards

  "You know, we could save time if we just both hop in the shower together," Marlena said, leaning into her as one side of her mouth pulled up into a crooked smile. Susan didn't hesitate to grab her hand and lead her to the bathroom and into the shower. She may not get that coffee after all, but she would trade coffee for a naked Marlena in the rain any day.

  Chapter Six

  The past couple days had been amongst the best of Marlena’s life. She hadn't been able to wipe the smile off her face throughout the whole conference on Friday, even when guest speakers shared their personal experiences with the consequences of failing to adhere to the Bank Secrecy Act's guidelines.

  They were heading back home today, and Marlena couldn't shake this sinking feeling that had taken up root in her stomach. Monday they would be going back to work in the Corporate Headquarters building of Carolina FCU, and Marlena was scared that Susan would leave everything they had just experienced together back in Virginia.

  Instead of what happens in Vegas, it would be what happens when away for the conference stays away. Marlena knew that they hadn’t known each other very long, and they had never even gone out on an actual date, but she couldn’t deny she felt something for Susan. When she was with her, she felt like she could just open up and be herself and Susan would accept her as she was. She felt a connection to the other woman, but what if the feeling wasn’t mutual. I mean, a lot of people were perfectly fine with having sex just for the physical pleasure of it. She hadn’t pegged Susan as someone who was okay with random sexual flings, but she couldn’t be sure, especially not after one weekend.

  Even if all of those fears were pointless, and Susan was just as drawn to Marlena as she was to Susan, there was still the fact that they work together. The credit union's policy on fraternization between employees was very clear, absolutely no romantic relationships between employees were allowed, even if they worked in different locations. Because Marlena collaborated with Susan almost daily, and Susan was technically Marlena's superior, there was no way the credit union would turn a blind eye and just accept their relationship and trust that they wouldn't allow it to affect their work.

  Marlena sucked in a deep breath in an attempt to calm her sudden rising emotions. The wave of sadness that washed over her at the thought of never having the chance to be with Susan again, or see what their relationship could grow into had Marlena's eyes filling with tears that threatened to spill over making it impossible for her to hide the inner turmoil and anxiety her thoughts had caused. Looking out the window, Marlena rolled her eyes upward in an attempt to fend off the tears and took one more calming breath.

  “Hey, what’s wrong honey?” Susan was rubbing her hand up and down Marlena’s arm in an apparent attempt at calming Marlena’s inner turmoil. Marlena couldn’t help the small smile that her mouth was formed at the endearment when Susan called her honey. Even if Susan hadn’t meant it to be a show of her affection, Marlena was going to relish every moment she could right now on the very likely chance that their relationship would go back to the way it had been before this trip.

  Marlena turned to Susan, taking in her features as the sunlight illuminated her face. She shook her head admonishing herself and her negativity. Susan had not even remotely shown her anything but affection since their first night in Virginia when she kissed Marlena after waking up and finding Marlena's hand running through her hair.

  "I'm fine. Just tired and ready to get out of this car. We have done a lot of driving in just a couple days. I am looking forward to not going anywhere tomorrow, and just staying in my comfortable pajamas all day while I relax and maybe read a book."

  Marlena smiled, trying to reassure Susan that she was okay, but even without being able to see her face she knew that the smile hadn’t reached her eyes, and Susan’s expression told her that Susan knew she was full of shit.

  Susan’s eyes narrowed as she said “Marlena, don’t try to bullshit me. Something clearly has you upset. Now just tell me what it is; talking about it might make you feel better sweetheart. Speak to me.”

  As her last few words left her mouth, Susan’s expression softened and was replaced with a look of concern when she glanced over at Marlena. Marlena took in a deep breath and sighed trying to release the tension in her shoulders.

  "It's just, I don't know what this is." Marlena gestured between Susan and herself.

  "I had a great time with you these past couple days, and I just, I like you, which scares me. I mean, we work together, and you're basically my boss, and there is no way the credit union would overlook a relationship between us. I know I am pretty new so it wouldn't be a big deal for me to find other work, but you have put in years building your career to get to where you are now, and I wouldn't want to be the one to jeopardize everything you've worked so hard for."

  Marlena was feeling emotional now, and she couldn't stop the tear that rolled down her face as she laid her feelings and fears out like an open book for Susan. The fear of rejection was immense, and she fought the urge to cry openly.

  Susan was quiet. She hadn't so much as made a peep the whole time Marlena went on laying everything out for Susan. A rest stop was up just ahead, and Susan hit the turn signal and veered off the road and into the parking lot of the rest stop. She drove around to the back as far away from other vehicles as she could get. Susan parked the car, snapped off her seatbelt, and turned to face Marlena.

  Before Marlena could question what she was doing Susan grabbed her face and crashed her lips against Marlena's. This kiss was intense like Susan was trying to brand herself into Marlena's lips. When she pulled her mouth away, she rested her forward against Marlena's closing her eyes while she let her breathing calm back down.

  "Marlena. You're not the only one who loved our time together the past few days. I had felt drawn to you since the very first time I saw you when you came strolling into that meeting flabbergasted that no one had told you about my habit of getting started early. The only reason I never acted on it was that I didn't think that I had a chance in hell of gaining your interest in that regard.”

  “First of all, I am almost 20 years older than you, and even if that wasn't an issue, I had no indication you might be attracted to women. Once I found out you lived with your boyfriend, I knew that I didn't have a chance in hell of capturing your interest. I don't give a shit about the credit union's stupid policy. I have been lonely for way too long because instead of dating and trying to find someone to love, I dedicated myself to that place and to being fruitful and furthering my career. If you're in Marlena, so am I. I want to keep exploring this connection between us and see where it leads. So don't worry yourself or get upset over something that isn't going to happen, not if I have any say in the matter. If you want me, I'm yours, and I hope you will be mine too."

  Now, Marlena, had steady tears rolling down her face. This time, they were happy tears, not sad, because Susan had just said everything she had been hoping to hear but had been afraid would never be even remotely close to the reality. This time, it was Marlena who initiated the kiss, showing Susan with her actions that yes, she wanted to be hers too, just as much as Susan wanted to be hers.

  Chapter Seven

  “Hey Susan, can you look over these projections for next week’s auto loan event?” Heather walked into Susan’s office placing charts on Susan’s desk and taking a seat.

  "Sorry Heather, I am actually on my way out. It is closing time and Friday; you should be getting out of here too. Go home, enjoy your weekend and we will look these over Monday morning. The event isn't until Saturday, so that will still give us plenty of time to review these."

  The look of surprise on Heather's face wasn't surprising at all. Susan had not left work on time in a long time. Susan couldn't remember ever leaving on time before. She was always the first one in and the last one to exit the office every day, but that was before.

  Before she had a reason to leave, when the only thing she had in her life that she cared about, was passionate about,
had been her career. It was that single-minded drive that had led to her solitary life outside of work, but that was all before. Before Marlena.

  “Wait, this is a joke, right? You're messing with me aren't you, because I have never seen you leave at 5:00. Hell, you leave so late I don't know how late you stay here most nights." Heather was obviously not taking her seriously.

  "Nope. No joke Heather. I have plans, so I am going home. I think my days of staying here after hours are coming to an end altogether. No one should make their whole life about work. It took me a long time to figure that out, and someone special to help me see the truth of those words. Now, get out of here so I can go home and get ready for my date."

  Heather and Susan were walking out of her office when Marlena came around the corner, a bright smile on her face that lit up her eyes.

  "Hey baby, did you decide what you want to do for our first official date night?"

  When Marlena saw Heather, she stopped dead in her tracks. Her smile was immediately gone, and her skin had gone ghost white. Susan knew what she was thinking. She was thinking about that damn policy again that says co-workers cannot be romantically involved. Susan had told her every day this not to worry about it. This place needs her; she runs the majority of its critical operations, and they would be up a creek if they let her go. As far as Susan was concerned, she knew that her credentials could help her get a job anywhere, but the way Marlena made her feel was something that came along once in a lifetime, and she wasn't giving that up or hiding her feelings for this woman for any job.

  Walking over to Marlena, Susan took her hand and entwined their fingers. After she had placed a brief kiss on Marlena's mouth, she straightened back up looking her in the eye. Marlena's face was red now as her blush ran up her cheeks.

  "Yeah honey, I was thinking Hibachi for dinner, and then a movie. You said you wanted to see the new Tarzan movie the other day, so I figured we could see that tonight."

  “Um, yeah, that sounds great.” Marlena was still nervously glancing back and forth between Susan and Heather. Susan was smiling when she turned back to Heather who was trying to keep the look of shock off her face.

  “Well, goodnight Heather. We’ve got to go; see you Monday.” Susan didn’t wait for a response before turning back to Marlena and motioning toward to the door.

  Susan kept Marlena’s hand in hers all the way to the parking lot as she walked Marlena to her car.

  “I’m just going to run home to take a shower and change into something more comfortable. I’ll be by your house to pick you up in about an hour.”

  "Sounds good," Marlena replied, and Susan kissed her quickly before heading to her vehicle in a hurry to get ready so she can pick up Marlena for what she hoped would be a great date night.

  Susan was surprised to see two cars in the driveway when she pulled up to Marlena’s home to pick her up for dinner. Making her way up to the front door, Susan was about to knock when she heard yelling. “Get your fucking hands off me Jeff!” she heard Marlena yell. Susan was relieved to find that the door was unlocked as she yanked the door open and ran inside.

  She got inside just in time to see Jeff shove Marlena up against a wall holding her in place by the throat with one hand as he raised his other and backhanded her right across the face. Susan saw red and did not hesitate as she reached into her purse pulling out the small pistol she kept in there. When you were a woman and had been living on your own as long as Susan had, you needed to be able to protect yourself.

  Susan didn't just go out and buy a gun on a whim either, no, she had taken several firearm courses and practiced shooting at the range regularly. She could shoot, and she wouldn't miss her target either, especially not when her target was as big as the asshole in front of her with his hands wrapped around the throat of the woman she loved.

  "Mother fucker, you better get your hands off of her right now, or I'll put a bullet through your fucking head!"

  Jeff spun around releasing Marlena momentarily shocked that someone else was in the house.

  "Whatever, bitch. None of this is your damn business so just get the fuck out of here before I have to teach you a lesson too. Marlena here just needs to learn who she belongs to, and I am going to make sure she doesn't forget again."

  Jeff turned, clearly planning to go after Marlena again, but he had made a big mistake in dismissing Susan. Before he could even get turned all the way back around Susan took aim and shot him right in the kneecap.

  "FUCK!!! YOU FUCKING BITCH!!! I WILL KILL YOU, DO YOU HEAR ME? YOU'RE A DEAD BITCH!"

  Jeff was on the ground, blood running down in leg and into his shoe. Susan never flinched and kept her gun trained on him, this time, aimed at his head, right between his eyes.

  “Marlena, honey, are you okay?” Marlena just nodded in response. “Okay, get over here behind me. We are getting out of here, now.”

  Marlena didn’t waste any time running past Jeff and to Susan. “Call the police honey. My phone is in my purse right there." Susan nodded at her bag she had dropped to the ground when she pulled out her gun. Jeff moved to try to get up, and Susan made a warning shot that went through the floorboards a mere inch away from his only good knee.

  "Don't fucking move asshole! That was your one and only warning shot. Trust me when I say I never miss my target, and you mother fucker, are my target. So move again if you want, but you better be prepared to die if you do."

  Susan didn't miss the fear that flashed through his eyes before he schooled his features back into the hateful glare he had been throwing her way since she got here.

  It didn't take the police long to get to Marlena's house, but once they were there, it was hours before they all finally left. As soon as they were gone Susan hauled Marlena out of the house to her vehicle outside.

  "Honey, you're okay. He is never getting anywhere near you again. He is going to jail, and I doubt he will be out anytime soon." Susan pulled back looking and Marlena, and was surprised when she saw her smiling.

  "Susan, do you know how many years I wasted with that asshole. I didn't leave for a long time because I thought he might panic and react, well like he did tonight. Then I met you, and I couldn't imagine staying with someone I didn't even like, not when every fiber in me felt like it was telling me that we were supposed to be each other. Now, here you are, and you saved me from him. Thanks to you, I will never have to deal with that jerk again, and I'm pretty sure as long as you're by my side I will be safe."

  "If I have anything to do with it, you will always be safe honey. I'd shoot that asshole again if he were here right now. I don't want ever to see you hurt."

  Susan pulled Marlena back up against her, wrapping her arms around her waist. Marlena did the same to Susan; then she buried her face in Susan's neck. Susan heard Marlena inhale deeply, and when she spoke again, Susan nearly fell as her words made her knees go weak.

  "I love you, Susan. I know we've only known each other a short while, and been together for and even shorter period, but I can't help it. I am in love with you. I've always heard people say when you know, you know, and Susan I know that I love you.”

  Marlena pulled back to look Susan in the eyes and Susan couldn’t stop her tears. “Oh Marlena, I love you too honey."

  Susan pulled Marlena back to her and kissed her with all of the love in her heart. Susan knew Marlena had a point. People would probably call them crazy, declaring their love for such a short time, but Susan didn't care. She was in love with the woman in front of her, and she was not going to waste another minute worrying about other people.

  "Come on honey, let's get out of here. I'm taking you home to my house, we'll take a nice hot bath, and then I'm going to make love to you until we both pass out." Marlena was beaming when she smiled at Susan.

  "Then what are we waiting for, woman! Get your ass in the car." Marlena smacked Susan's ass, and they both laughed and got in the car. Susan had worked for so long to become successful, but at this moment, she knew that she didn't become suc
cessful in life until she opened up her heart and allowed herself to fall in love. She had never been happier than she was right now, and had no doubt that this was just the beginning of a long life of love and happiness thanks to the love of the woman sitting right beside her. Now, her life was truly beginning, and couldn't wait to see what was next.

  The End

  I wanted to thank you for taking the time in reading Her Surprise. We hoped you enjoyed reading this happily ever after story.

  It brought me great joy to write this as I love writing stories that entertain readers and draws them into another world with characters you love and hate. They say great books are those that evoke emotion out of you and I hope that’s what it has done for you.

  Thank you once again, and I’ll see you in the next one.

  Hidden Motive

  A Lesbian, Suspense Romance

  By Elle Crosby

  © Copyright 2016-2017 by Elle Crosby

  and Second Chances Press

  All rights reserved.

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  Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher. Names and persons in this eBook are entirely fictional. They bear no resemblance to anyone living or dead. To protect the privacy of certain individuals the names and identifying details have been changed. This is a work of fiction. Any names or characters, businesses or places, events or incidents, are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.