His Obsession (Alpha Security 3)

She startles at my question. “Well… I guess she’s never had one. She’s even enlisted Johnny to give her ‘dating’ lessons.” And when she uses finger quotes when she says ‘dating,’ my whole body tightens up and she gasps at the look on my face.

My hands wrap around the corner of my desk and my knuckles go white. The thought of Johnny anywhere near her makes me want to hurl my computer off the desk. “Okay, that will be all,” I tell her shortly.

“Look, if what I did interferes with her job – which I don’t see how it could – but if it does, I’m sorry. She had been down on herself and I knew I could help her. I …”

Interrupting her, I open the door for her. “No, I’m glad you helped her. Nothing is going to interfere with her job.”

She looks at me for a minute and I swear I see mischief in her eyes. But she shrugs her shoulders and walks out the door.

Carrie

The day has gone by slowly and I blame it on the fact that Mike has not been out of his office at all today. I almost work up enough nerve to go and check on him when the pager on my desk buzzes. “Carrie, can you come in here?”

I grab my pad and pen and walk into his office.

He walks around his desk and leans against it. “Have a seat.”

I sit in a chair and he’s standing right in front of me with his pelvis right in front of me. I can’t stop myself from looking at him appreciatively.

When he clears his throat, I look up at him and then quickly look down at the pad of paper in my lap, as if I’m ready to start taking notes.

“I’m ready, sir.” He gasps when I say it. I don’t know why I did. I’ve always called him Mike, but today, I called him sir. His nostrils flare and I can’t tell by his look if I’ve ticked him off or well, what that look means. “I mean, Mike.”

He sits down at the chair next to me. “So, I don’t know how else to do it but just say it.”

Instantly, my heart sinks. I press my palm to my chest. He’s firing me.

He rushes out in one breath, “I don’t want Johnny to give you dating lessons.”

My mouth falls open. “How did you know? Did Johnny tell you?”

He puts his hand on mine that is still holding the pen. “No. Charlie told me, but only because I pressured her to. Please don’t be mad at her.”

Struggling to get ahold of my thoughts, I jump up from my seat. “This is so embarrassing.” I drag my hands down my face to cover it and take a deep breath. “Of course, of course, it was inappropriate for me to ask him. I…I…”

“Carrie, stop.” He grabs my arms and pulls me back to the chair I just jumped up from. “Sit down,” he orders me.

I sit down but I can’t bring myself to look up at him.

Squatting down, he pushes the hair back from my face. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea… for you two to date and work together.”

“No. Of course not. We aren’t dating. We are friends. I got to talking one day and just mentioned that I never had been on a date and wouldn’t know what to do. I asked him if he would help me. But of course, you’re right. It’s not a good idea. I will tell him.”

I brush at the tears rolling down my face and try to look away from him.

He holds onto each of my shoulders and grips them tightly. “Honey, stop, don’t cry. Why are you crying?”

I try to get myself together and try to pull away from him. “Nothing. Nothing. I’m fine.”

He tilts his head to the side. “Why do you feel like you need lessons?”

Fidgeting and squirming in my seat, I look everywhere but at him. “Well, I uh, well – no one has ever asked me out and I think I should know how to act is all. I was raised by a single dad and stuff that is normal to other people – I’m finding out – is not normal to me.”

He furrows his brow and tightens his fist on my shoulders. “I’ll do it.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I don’t think this can get any more embarrassing. I shrug out of his grasp and stand up, almost knocking him to the ground. Walking to the door, I don’t stop until he grabs my hand to stop me. “I said I’ll do it.”

I draw a breath and release it. “No, that doesn’t make sense. You’re my boss. Why would you want to help me?”

He winks at me. “You should learn from the best.”