?m going to be sticking around a long time. Don’t do anything to get on my radar. Your work is invaluable, but I will not condone attitude for no good reason.” He was trying to smooth troubled waters with words when it would’ve been more prudent to use actions.
“I’ve been with you for the past five years and I haven’t heard you complain about my work ethic. I would never presume to stay somewhere where I wasn’t wanted.” If anybody had a reason to threaten Knight, then Rachel would be a prime suspect.
“I hope you don’t take this the wrong way. I don’t want to be disturbed for the next couple of hours. I’m going to personally debrief Payton. It’s not how it sounds and I just want to make sure she’s up to speed.” I wasn’t sure she believed him. She wasn’t the only one.
“I’ll be sure to put a do not distort sign on the door like you see at a motel. Perhaps, it would be better for you to put a sock on the doorknob. It’s a universal sign to indicate to others you are getting busy.” She was stepping over a line and I wasn’t even sure she was aware of her biting tongue.
“I don’t need a cat fight and I thought we could remain professionals. We had one night, but we both knew it was a drunken mistake. Besides, you were the one that ended it. Telling me in no uncertain terms you’re not interested gave me the freedom to stop any kind of advances toward you.” I was standing there during this exchange. I was on the verge of saying something.
“I apologize, but you’ve never brought one of your conquests into the office before. It’s highly unusual and you have always been a man who separates work from private life. I can’t help it and this is a little awkward for me.” She was dressed to seduce. If that was the way she always dressed, then her intention was pretty clear. The red leather skirt did not project professionalism, but she wore it like our own personal shield against invading forces to her heart.
“We both have some adjusting to do. I’m the one to blame for all of this. There’s no reason to cast aspersions on Payton.” I wasn’t very good at apologies and I didn’t feel like I had anything to be sorry for. I was the one invited, but keeping quiet was only going to alienate his staff.
“I’ll learn to live with it. Make sure she stays out of my way and doesn’t interfere with the day to day business of running this empire of yours.” I would have gladly taken every piece of the blame if he wanted me to
“While she is here, you will afford her the same respect you give any of my colleagues. If you can’t do that, then I will have to make a more permanent conclusion. I don’t think I have to paint you a picture of what I’m talking about. Your continued employment comes with a sacrifice of keeping your mouth shut. I don’t care if you think you’re right.” I wasn’t used to somebody coming to my rescue. It was usually the other way around.
“I know where I stand and maybe it’s about time I look for some other line of work. I’ve always been happy here, but I mistakenly thought we could have something more. I thought if I gave you time you would come to your senses, but you haven’t. This is a cold reminder of how heartless you can be. I have to thank you for making it very clear. Don’t be surprised if you find my two weeks notice at the end of the week.” She was a little hot under the collar and she was saying these things in the heat of the moment.
“I would be very careful about saying something you can’t take back. I don’t want to lose you over some kind of silliness. Take the rest of the day off and think about things. When you find a different perspective, come back and we can forget this ever happened.” It was pretty big of him to rely on somebody that would have loved to seen him fall flat on his face. Rachel had some demons and I was the one that was going to uncover them. It was my job to keep him safe. I had to do it without raising suspicion.
Chapter six
“Have you always been in a position of power over everyone? It might explain why somebody is out to get you. I’m looking at these letters and this is someone who is treating this personal. The vocabulary does not remind me of a woman scorned. You might be right and somebody feels like you have done them some disservice.” I’d taken the time to go over all the letters and immerse myself into the tone.
“Am I overreacting or is there something to worry about? I could be finding trouble where there isn’t any.” He was behind me looming closely and making me feel a little uncomfortable in my own skin. Whenever I felt that way, I would always go off the handle and teach somebody a lesson.
The big difference with him doing it was my body was craving some more of his presence. I could feel the wild horses underneath the hood pressing against my shoulder blades. He purposely flexed the piece of pipe between his legs to distract me from what I was doing. I was tempted to turn in his swivel chair and face a dilemma of getting one out of the chamber.
“Ahem...there is definitely something here. This person is going to escalate and it’s just a matter of time before he gets his hands dirty. I’m only using the gender biased opinion of him being a male because everything points towards it. It could easily be a woman, but I really don’t think so.” I’d had my fair share of boyfriends who had gotten a little too clingy. They realized their mistake when they were walking doubled over. They tried to put their hands on something they believed to be their merchandise. I was nobody’s property.
“I don’t have the time to constantly look over my shoulder waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’m going to ask something that may not seem like a favorable idea. What do you think about drawing him out into the open? I don’t know how to go about that, but maybe you have a few ideas you can run up the flagpole.” The only pole with my undivided attention was the one that was constantly thumping a beat against me from behind.
“There are always ways but we have a disadvantage. He knows who you are, but we have no idea who he is. To draw him out would mean doing something extreme to get his attention. Flaunting our relationship in front of the staff was a good way to uncover hurt feelings.” Rachel was somebody to keep a watchful eye on, but not for the reasons he would’ve thought.
“I am so tied up in knots. I feel like I’m going to explode. This whole thing has given my business a black eye. If I can’t concentrate then millions be lost. I have a board of directors to answer to. Most think I’m at the highest point on the ladder, but it’s only an excuse to be more in control than I really am. Come to think of it, those board members might be something we should investigate further. They all have a reason to hate me with some more than others.” It was interesting he had gone there and I was curious to learn more of the reason why he would think that.
I felt like I was being watched and my chest flushed by the realization he was looking down my blouse. I was breathing heavily, trying to keep my composure, but failing miserably. This was unlike being in the ring facing an opponent. I was never nervous, but with him, it felt like my whole body was riding on a wave of indecision.
“It would be a good idea for me to see you in your environment. You must have a board meeting coming up soon. I want to sit in and witness your interaction with each and every one of them. Don’t do anything unusual. Keep it strictly business related matters. Anything out of the ordinary will alert the person in the room. We don’t want them to know we are getting close to the truth. We don’t even know if one of them is the culprit. It could be somebody you have crossed paths with doing your routine.” Everybody had a routine and I could easily find somebody on the street and learn a direct path into their private life.
“It’s disheartening to think somebody has these kinds of feelings. They are waiting to act on them. I’ve been holding everything inside. When I’m with you, I can speak candidly with no secrets between us.” It was natural like breathing. All I wanted was a chance to prove my worth to him. I didn’t want to find the person responsible too soon not when I was having way too much fun.
“I don’t think you have heard this enough. I believe in you and you can hold onto me tight and never let go. I will always be near in and out of the bedroom.” He needed somebody to stroke his ego along with another part of his anatomy. It had been hours since we had done something strictly for pleasure.
“I can see your heart is true and you’re not just doing this for the almighty dollar. You may claim otherwise, but I know differently.” His fingers grazed over the surface of my nipples. It caused them to become hard as pebbles. “I can’t help the way I feel. From the moment I saw you fighting in the cage, I was wrapped around your little finger.” His hands moved up to my shoulders and began to give me a very deep tissue massage.
“You keep doing that and I won’t be responsible for my actions.” His fingers had the magic touch and just enough pressure to make me moan and close my eyes. “I hope you know what you’re doing. Lighting that match is only going to end one way.” I was warning him ahead of time, but he wasn’t taking heed which was going to be his undoing.
“I don’t know what it is about you, Payton. You have this raw sexual chemistry that exudes out of every pore. I can hear you calling to me even when you’re not saying something. I don’t like thinking you have this kind of hold on me.” It had been a long day without him touching me the entire time. We hadn’t known each other very long, but the heat between us was like an inferno.
“I’m sitting right here and there’s no other place I wanna be. You have given me something more than a job. We can’t seem to stand more than a few minutes without thinking something physical.” He was sniffing my hair and the growl of enthusiasm underneath his breath was making my whole body tingle with excitement.
I was about to turn and take matters into my own hands, but he beat me to it. I felt the chair move and then I was face to face with his crotch. The lump of his arousal was not easily ignored. I thought for sure he was expecting me to do something, but once again he surprised me. He summarily dropped to his knees and lifted my legs
until my high heels were tapping on the upper part of his back.
“I’ve been thinking about doing this ever since the elevator. I can’t seem to sleep without wanting you by my side. You’re the one that mentioned an arrangement beneficial to the both of us. I had to hear what you said to believe it. It’s obvious you make your own rules.” He had an unobstructed view of the inside of my legs. “I didn’t take you for someone going commando. I have to say it’s a delicious thought. You have been sitting here this entire time with the cool breeze touching your bald mound.” I was biting my bottom lip with my head back and looking at the door to see if we were going to be interrupted.