An amused glint flashed in Asher's pale blue eyes, " Wouldn't dream of it", Asher said as he stood.
" I mean it Asher, she is completely off limits", Henry warned, " I don't want her filing harassment charges against you because then I'd have to fire you"
Asher gave him a dubious look, " You're gonna go with that reasoning, huh?"
Henry narrowed his eyes as his friend, " There is no other reason", he bit out.
Asher looked skyward and shook his head, " If you say so", he chuckled before walking out.
Henry banged his fist on the desk in irritation. He hated Asher for being so perceptive. Yeah, he didn't want Claire filing charges against Asher, but he also didn't want another man's hands on her. Henry had no claim to her, but he felt suddenly possessive. Claire wasn't his and never would be. But she was his assistant and he wanted her undivided attention. She wasn't going to have time to be cuddling up to any man.
12:30 rolled around, slower then Henry would have liked. He was starving, but had gotten caught up on the phone with a client. He headed down the hall to Claire's office. He could see her through the windows as he walked up. She was sitting at her desk, elbows propped up, head resting in her hands. Henry sighed. She was overwhelmed. Usually he wouldn't give a shit, but something about Claire tugged at his heart.
Henry knocked on her door then opened it. Claire immediately straightened, blinking her big blue eyes at him. Henry gave her a gentle smile, " Are you ready to go grab some lunch?", he asked.
Claire relaxed a little and gave him a hesitant smile, " Yes, I am", she said.
She grabbed her purse then came out from behind her desk. Henry moved out of her doorway and let her go ahead of him. Henry shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from touching her. He wanted to put his hand on her back and guide her like he did earlier. But he didn't think that was a good idea.
He also kept his eyes firmly away from her behind. He could not be caught checking out her ass while they walked through the office to the elevators. He did catch sight of Asher sitting at his desk in his office. The damn fool winked and blew him a kiss. Henry shot him the finger behind Claire's back. Asher's big booming laugh could be heard even with his door shut. Claire turned her head and looked over in Asher's direction. Asher waved to her. Claire smiled and waved back. Henry sneered at the man and drug his thumb across his throat, letting Asher know he was a dead man. Asher only laughed harder.
Henry quickly dropped his hand and pasted on a smile when Claire turned to look at him. Claire narrowed her eyes at him. " What is Mr. Hirsh laughing about?"
Henry shrugged. " No idea, he's insane"
Claire smirked.
They made it to the elevator and Henry hit the button to go down. They only had to wait a minute for the car to make it to their floor. Once on the elevator, Henry hit the button for the lobby. The doors closed, locking the two of them in the small confined space.
Claire shifted beside him and he caught a whiff of her perfume. Henry closed his eyes and willed his cock not to react. She smelled so good. It wasn't a fragrance that he's ever smelled before. But it was very enticing. He wanted to bury his face in her neck and inhale her wonderful scent.
Henry cleared his throat, " So Claire, what is your son's name?", he asked, hoping the subject would take his mind off of how good she smelled.
Claire's face lit up, stopping Henry's heart, " Ethan", she said, the love for her son clear in her voice as she said his name.
" And you said he's two?", Henry replied.
" Yes, he's a crazy little boy, definitely a handful, do you have any kids Mr. Beck?", Claire asked, her voice was so sweet.
" Ah no, no kids", Henry said, shaking his head.
" Are you married?", Claire asked, innocently curious.
" No", Henry said shortly. He wasn't really comfortable talking about his personal life with employees, but he couldn't seem to not answer Claire when she had asked.
Claire nodded, rolling her lips in. She seemed to have noticed his discomfort. Which he guessed was good, she would stop asking questions like that. The air in the elevator had suddenly become tense. They remained silent all the way to the deli, which was a short block away.
Once at the deli they got in the short line, Henry turned to look at Claire. She was looking over the menu that was hanging above the counter. Fuck, she was gorgeous. He had the sudden urge to explain himself to her. But that was ridiculous. He didn't explain himself to anyone. She didn't need to know his life story to be able to work for him. And he didn't want her knowing more about him then was necessary. Because then emotions got involved. The more you knew about someone, the more likely you were to care for them. Henry didn't need anyone to care for him. Or so he kept telling himself.