Flawless Desire

It’s like I’m lost in a haze of desire, powerless to resist.

Take me, I want to say, dizzy with pleasure. Take everything, right now.

Then a noise comes from outside the office. Voices, loud. Close.

The sound is like a shock of cold water, reminding me where I am.

What I’m doing.

Who I’m doing it with.

Oh my god!

It was only meant to be a distraction, not… this! I duck out of Caleb’s arms, gasping for air. “I…I… ” I stammer, flustered. Panting.

Wet.

And Caleb just lounges there against the desk, looking at me. Smirking that smug, satisfied smile.

Inviting me to come back for more.

But I can’t.

I mustn’t!

“I’m sorry!” I yelp, then I do the only thing I can think of.

I turn on my heels, and run.

* * *

“I’m totally getting fired.”

Hours later, I’m sitting on my sofa back at the apartment, buried underneath an afghan, stuffing my face full of rocky road ice cream. It usually makes everything feel better, but not tonight.

“You won’t.” Kelsey reassures me.

“You didn’t see it. This wasn’t some grandmotherly peck,” I say, red even at the memory. “This was a kiss. Tongues and teeth. Panting. Hand up my dress. That kind of kiss.”

Her jaw drops. “On your first day at work? You made out with the CEO? Jules!”

“I know.” I wince in shame.

“I’m so proud of you!”

“What?”

“You were the one who said you could tell a lot about a guy by the way he kisses.” Kelsey beams. “And look at you, doing your research up front. So?” she leans closer. “Is what the ladies at the salon said true?”

“The whole blessed-in-bed thing?” I sigh wistfully, unable to keep the smile from my face. “Let’s just say… He’s blessed in a whole lot of ways.”

She lets out a shriek and claps her hands excitedly, as if I didn’t just announce the implosion of my career. “That’s so hot. What did he say?”

You’re fucking delicious. Those words have been cemented in my psyche ever since I bolted from the office. I can’t seem to get them out of my head.

“It doesn’t matter.” I insist, taking another spoonful of ice cream. “It’s over. I shouldn’t even report for work tomorrow because I’m definitely fired.”

Kelsey sits up straighter and grabs my phone. “Are you sure? Have you gotten an email stating the fact? Because it’s not over ‘til the fat lady in HR sings. And this is Caleb Sterling,” she adds. “I doubt you’re the first woman so overcome with lust that you threw yourself at him.”