“Your job won’t be threatened. We’ll keep this separate and keep everything professional in that building. I just want to see you outside of the office.” He told me as I licked my lips. “There’s no rules against dating at work. They just don’t want it to get in the way of productivity or cause drama.” Alex searched my face for a moment as I melted inside. He made me turn into a puddle of want and lust. “Can we do that?”
“I don’t have as much free time as you do,” I reminded him as Alex smiled.
“I understand that. I want you to put your daughter first, Soledad. I’d never ask you to so this any differently.” I nodded as he glanced a
t the clock. “I’m a workaholic to begin with.”
“I want you to meet her down the line. She gets attached at this sweet age, so I’d prefer if a little time passed. She already grew up without a dad and I’d hate for her to get her hopes up.” My face twisted with pain as he reached a hand out to cover my skirt clad leg.
“That’s fine,” he assured me before we made our way into the building. We walked beside each other, careful not to touch as eyes took us in. Alex wasn’t breaking any rules talking to me, but I refused to become part of the gossip here. I barely knew anyone else that worked there too well as it was.
I watched as he disappeared into his office. His ass looked great in his slacks and I licked my lips as he paused to turn around, catching me in the act. “Like what you see?” Alex teased as I blushed and dropped my face forward. I made my way around my desk and got situated, turning on the computer and settling my belongings in a drawer.
The morning started as normal as we both caught up on emails and meetings. I also looked at the progress my team was making so I’d have an idea of what to expect later today.
“Soledad? Can you come in for a moment?” Alex called as I gazed at his cracked door. I rose and locked my valuables in my desk before making my way into his office. “Close the door.”
“Alex,” I whispered as I heard the click when I pushed back against it. I saw that his blinds were closed, only offering the view from his window. It was a view that I’d never grow tired of. He gestured for me to join him at his desk and I walked over shyly. He moved me back onto his desk and stood to kiss me hungrily. I moaned as his tongue moved against mine, relieved that my skirt was tight. The feeling of him pressed between my legs was too much to bear. “Weren’t we supposed to keep this professional?”
“It’s just a kiss. Want me to order in some lunch for us?” Alex asked as I pulled back and tried to glare at him. I knew that my eyes were full of the need consuming me and watched as he smirked back at me.
“People are going to start to wonder about us,” I reminded him as he leaned in to brush his lips against mine. I moaned as he pressed harder the second time, getting lost in his lips as I knew these moments would be stolen and precious. I didn’t have the same thing to offer as a woman on her own, ready to date and have fun. He talked me into the idea of lunch, calling out for Thai food. Brent ended up interrupting us and he joined us to eat as he looked from his best friend to me as I twirled my fork in my noodles.
“I assume you’re liking the job?” Brent asked as I nodded with a small smile. He wasn’t flirting at all this time and I wondered if he knew something as I looked at Alex. He was observing me and smiled as our eyes locked. Yep, he told Brent.
I focused on chewing my food, sipping water as I swallowed it down. “I am. It’s been great working with the team.”
“I’ve heard good things,” he said as I nodded with a small smile. I sensed that he was getting to know me as he asked casual questions and listened closely to my answers. Was he sizing me up? Did he think I wasn’t good enough for his friend?
I was relieved when lunch was over, and I could return to my desk. I knew that it was obvious what we were doing before Brent arrived and looked surreptitiously into a small mirror. “Crap.” My lips were swollen from the intense kisses and I rubbed a bit of balm on them before I unlocked the computer. I checked emails for anything critical before going over to see about the team’s progress, smiling when I walked in. “Hey, guys.”
“Hi, Sol,” Nicole smiled at me, tucking a blonde ponytail over her shoulder. We’d gotten to be friends over the last few weeks and I joined her as I looked down at some of her notes.
“I like this,” I told her, reading an idea for the real estate agency that we’d recently picked up.
“Thanks. What’s different about you today?” She asked as I glanced at her.
“Nothing. What do you mean?” I asked as I pretended to look at the table.
“You’re glowing. I don’t know,” she answered as I laughed.
“No reason. Maybe I got some sleep,” I suggested as the others gathered around and prepared to move forward with the plans. We worked through the afternoon and I went to grab my purse from the desk, glancing at Alex’s closed door. He must be gone for the day and I bit my lip. I’d take the bus home and hope that Rosie was there with Lindsay to take me to the new place, assuming we could pack up the car. I headed to the elevator and pushed the button, wondering where he was.
God. We weren’t even dating, and I was already being nosy about his whereabouts. A few great kisses didn’t warrant that, did they? I stepped inside of the car, reminding myself that he didn’t offer me a ride home today. It was just a gesture this morning and beginning tomorrow morning, I could walk the few blocks without a problem.
I walked out and made my way to the bus stop, checking my phone for any messages from Rosie. I felt unsettled and slipped the phone into my purse as I looked up and down the street. I heard a chime when I was headed home and checked to see that I had message from Alex.
A: Where are you?
S: I’m on the bus. Why?
A: I got stuck in a meeting. I was going to take you home.
That made me smile.
S: It’s fine. It’s just a short bus ride, Alex. Tomorrow I’ll be close enough to walk.
A: Are you sure?