The Company You Keep

“Are you firing me?” she asks, standing up and moving to the door.

I shake my head because I couldn’t do that to her. She’s a great assistant. I’m glad I picked her to do the job even though she was the receptionist and had no administrative assistant experience. “No, Piper. But from now on, you leave at five like everyone else. I’ll find someone else to work with me at night.”

“I’m really sorry, sir.”

“Now’s not the time. Go get your coat,” I order, leading her out of the office and to her desk. The rest of the staff, scurry out with their coats on. Why did they do fire drills on cold days? We’re grown ass adults, not some kids who need help getting out of the building. I don’t own the building, or I would have done it on a much fucking warmer day. It’s twenty-one degrees out. Fuck, tomorrow is supposed to be thirty-three. I keep my eyes on Piper even though I intentionally stepped farther away from her than I would have liked. At least I could use the freezing temps to keep my cock down.

I watch Dave from marketing step up to her. I don’t like the smile on his face. He’s married with kids according to his file, but he’s always talking to the female employees too closely. I wonder what that’s about, but I don’t like the way he’s purposefully crowding my woman. I move between the staff and stand directly behind them without either of them seeing me.

“So from the looks of it, you and the boss are on the outs,” he says, clicking his tongue. “If you’re looking for a rebound fuck, I’m around.”

“I’m not screwing the boss. And I’m not interested in your old married ass. You’re disgusting, and if you want to keep your job, you’ll quit harassing me,” she warns him in a hushed threat. Fuck, she’s even sexier when she stands her ground.

“Mr. Dow, I’d like to see you in my office.”

“Mr. Smith, um. Okay.” He cowers, but the damage is already done.

***

I make quick work of Dow once we get back inside. He’s escorted out of the building before noon. I won’t tolerate sexual harassment especially against my future wife and mother of my children. We haven’t spoken since this morning, but she’s been on top of all her work. Instead of pleasantly interrupting me in my office, Piper emails me. It doesn’t feel right, but in truth, it’s the right thing to do.

She knocks on my office door at five on the dot. “I just wanted to let you know I’m leaving.”

“Goodnight, Piper.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Smith,” she whispers with her sad eyes dipping downward. I ache to drag her back and tell her I was wrong to let her leave, but that’s not in the cards. Luckily, I called in a favor from my brother-in-law Rob. His office is down the street, and he owes me a solid for knocking up my sister without talking to me about it first. He’s sending one of his security team members to follow Piper safely home. I’m not big on having someone else keep an eye on her, but since I can’t do it, I have no choice. I won’t be able to work without knowing she’s safe.

Chapter 2

Piper

I close his office door and feel like I closed all hope and happiness I had. Why am I in love with my boss? It’s stupid and wrong and just like he’s proved today, totally unwelcome. I’m lucky I wasn’t fired. Although right now, the thought of never showing my face again is looking better and better. I can’t afford to lose this job no matter how badly I want to because I got lucky that he scooped me up from my lower paid position. Because of the position I was able to afford a better car and a nicer apartment without roommates.

I moved here two years ago from Iowa with just a couple thousand in my bank account and the well wishes of my grandparents. I love them, but I needed a life outside of my small town away from the hundred people there who are too damn nosy for their own good. I think it’s what I love and miss sometimes. Here, in a city with millions of people, I have no one. Well, at least I thought I had one friendship or something with Mr. Smith. Fuck, I’ve never called him by his first name. How could I even consider us friends? Stupid, foolish farm girl. He’s right to distance our connection, but I’ve never felt so alone than I do now. Maybe moving back to Iowa is what I should do.

I get in my car and pull out on the road. Holy shit, traffic sucks at this time. I can’t believe I forgot that. It takes me an hour to get to my apartment in Bridgeport. Damn. I think I’ll take the train from now on.