Broken

“This whole thing could have been avoided. The office you are standing in was supposed to be mine. Nobody knows it and I can’t tell them without looking bitter. I can’t remember the last time I felt betrayed to this degree. I almost couldn’t breathe when the announcement was made.” I probably would’ve felt the same way had the roles been reversed.

“We can do great things together. This can be a true partnership. I don’t get held up on titles. I reward good work with very big bonuses and company stocks. I want you to reconsider leaving. I know the wound is still fresh, but I need you to think about this company. We’ll order some takeout to get a jump on the current business.” I think underneath she knew I was right, but the anger she was feeling was burning away any good judgment.

“I may have to work with you, but I don’t have to like it. I’m wondering what was going on in your head. How did you think this was going to go? Don’t tell me you were expecting me to jump into your arms with gratitude and acceptance.” My career was living on borrowed time.

I was going to have to make a big splash to convince Mr. Jacobs he had done the right thing.

“I’ve been watching the market diligently and I’ve seen one stock showing potential. I want us to watch this one stock. We can suggest to our clients to trust that we know what we’re talking about. Sell it to them and they will buy with enough financial incentive.” It was innocuous stock but was gaining traction with rumors of a merger.

“You’re talking about the one in Hong Kong.” I had mentioned it, but the merger was going to make it a feeding frenzy.

“Two companies are going to join forces and become a juggernaut.” I was behind her and put my hands on her shoulders to feel her cringe away in disgust.

“I won’t be known as the office whore. I don’t know what this means for our relationship. Getting some distance will help me to formulate the best course of action.” I wanted to make some kind of grand gesture to make it up to her.

“We need to separate this business from our personal lives. I know it’s not going to be easy. Don’t give up on us. I don’t know what you want me to say. I was prepared to decline, but he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I wanted to see what my options were. I found the grass greener on the other side.” I sat down in the chair and felt instantly relaxed which was counterproductive in my opinion to a good working relationship.

I could easily take a nap, but I stood and paced in front of the window overlooking the big apple. It made me feel powerful but socially awkward around my girlfriend.

“I can’t see how to get past this. I still love you, but I don’t like you very much. They say time heals all wounds, but I’m not sure they were referring to this.” I felt her shiver with my hot breath on the back of her neck.

“I will do whatever I can to make this up to you. I’m just going to have to put on my thinking cap. I know you can rise above this for the sake of morale. Working with me tonight will help to solidify our working relationship.” I had pushed her into a corner and she was acting like an animal coming out with her claws bared ready to fight to the death.

“This isn’t going to work. Kind words are not going to cut it. This was a monumental mistake on your part. I can’t even imagine being close to you. I love that you have ambition, but not at my expense.” She moved like liquid fire and I was engulfed in the heat of her anger.

It excited me on a molecular level and I wanted to express myself physically. I couldn’t possibly tell her how much I wanted to take her against the window. The cold surface would awaken her nipples to a hardened state of existence.

“We need to make a concentrated effort to get along. This awkwardness is going to be noticed by the rest of the staff. Our relationship needs to be made a secret.” It was the worst thing I could possibly say with her mind a whirlwind of emotions.

“I don’t think we have to worry about that. This relationship fizzled when you were given this plum role on a silver platter. I can’t even look at you without thinking about what I lost.” I felt my heart sink.

I never considered this move would end the best thing I had in my life.

“Charlotte, I’m going to make you a promise and I don’t do this lightly. Give me a little time. If I can’t convince you to work here then I will gladly step down. I want you to listen to me with an unbiased ear.” I had her undivided attention and my mind was actively trying to come up with a solution.

“You’ve always been full of yourself. I’m actually curious to see what you can do to smooth these troubled waters.” I did have some ideas, but it was better served in the dead of night.

Chapter five

Charlotte

I was fuming and looking for anything to make him suffer for his arrogance. The Chinese takeout from my favorite place was helping minimally to defuse the situation. The papers were scattered on the boardroom table. We were sitting side by side going over the old business and preparing for the changing of the guard.

“I’ve been thinking about this. It doesn’t have to be this way. Working together could be a blessing and not a curse. Let me show you what I mean.” He kissed my neck and my legs instantly clinched together.

“This isn’t going to… work.” The battle was waged and I was on the receiving end of the losing side.

“I know you better than I know myself. We’ve been neglecting this relationship for the sake of our careers. We can turn back the time by treating this like a new beginning. There’s nobody here and we have this whole office to ourselves. There are no cameras in this room.” I had gone home to get a shower and change into something more casual.

My jeans were sticking to me like glue. I had neglected to wear panties in my haste to get out the door. He continued his pursuit to gratify me with long and lingering kisses. The fire was still there but for vastly different reasons. My thoughts had revolved around a celebration where our bodies would be wasted in exhaustion.

“I don’t think this is very fair. Sex isn’t going to change anything. You can’t just expect me to spread my legs and do my womanly duties. It’s chauvinistic and makes me sick.” I could pretend, but my body was speaking in volumes louder than any words coming out of my mouth.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to seduce you in quite some time. I might be a little rusty, but I can pick up where I left off.” The elastic of the yellow shirt spread over my bare shoulders. He tugged and revealed the pulsing presence of my chest.

“I almost forgot what this is like. We’ve been so hell bent on climbing the corporate ladder that we ignored what was right in front of us. I don’t mind saying the feelings you are producing are pleasing me to no end.” I felt tingles of persuasion running up and down my lower extremities concentrating the full brunt of his attack between my legs.

He kicked the chair and insinuated his head between the spread of my thighs. It was a perpetual high to have him in a submissive position. He unbuttoned my jeans and unzipped the fly before pulling it out from underneath me.