The Boss Crush

“That’s why we’re all here, right? For you and Sandy to celebrate?” Holding up my glass of water, I smile. “This is a big night for you guys.”

“This isn’t just for Sandy and me.” His lips crinkle as his lids lower, and he leans in really close, almost resting his lips on my ear. “This is all for you.” His cologne swirls up, and I inhale his scent, making as much room as possible for it to fill my lungs.

Holy shit he smells fucking incredible.

Pulling my face away, I force my body to let go of his cologne and inhale clean air. I need to think straight, I can’t let him take over all my senses.

Flicking my eyes between his, I take a small step back. And he notices. He doesn’t say anything, but I see the question on his face.

“Me? Why me?” I ask, tapping my fingers against the outside of my glass. The surface is cold, droplets of condensation slip effortlessly, chilling my hand.

I notice the coolness of the water because my skin is so damn hot. I’m on fire already and he hasn’t even tried to touch me yet.

“Because you deserve to be recognized.” Lyle looks out into the room, fanning his arm from wall to wall. “All of this is for you, it’s to celebrate you, and everything you bring to this place.”

Shaking my head, I swallow hard, and rest my hand against my throat. The lump in my throat goes down slow, making my jaw push out to give it more room. “No,” I say with a hiccup of air. “I didn’t do anything. I just did my job, that’s what you guys hired me for.”

His eyes follow the muscles of my neck as I swallow, moving over my chest and back to my face. I catch the little twinkle as it bursts in his eye, and I know exactly where his head is going.

Biting down on his bottom lip, he smirks. He’s been caught, and he likes it. He drops his eyes, and licks his lips.

“And you did your job beautifully.” Lyle’s eyes penetrate me. “It’s almost like you were meant to be here, like we were meant to find each other again.”

An intense burning strikes me down, and as I look just over Lyle’s shoulder, I see Sandy giving me the Devil’s stare.

Too close. We’re too close right now.

“Excuse me,” I say, my heart racing inside my chest, and my stomach filling with a million butterflies for two different reasons.

I love the way he’s flirting with me, and I hate the way she’s glaring at me. It’s like she knows when we’re together, as if it’s her sixth sense.

Turning, I scurry to the bathroom, leaving Lyle to wonder if he’s frightened me off or if I’m just freshening up for him.

The door shuts behind me, and I walk to the sink, gripping the white porcelain as I hang my head. Sandy is holding my career in her hands; she can end it or make it explode in ways I could never dream of.

Out of nowhere, the door flings open, slamming against the wall. Sandy takes long, angry steps inside, her eyes black, and set on me.

“You lying fucking whore,” she barks through clenched teeth.

Peering at her through the mirror, I furrow my brows. “What did you just call me?” Spinning on my heels, I turn to face her.

“You said you’d stay away from him, you promised me. But it looks like you just lie through your teeth to get what you want. So,” she says, pausing for a second as she smirks lightly, “you’re a lying fucking whore. Looks like it’s just as easy for you to lie on your back as it is for you to lie through your teeth.”

“He came up to talk to me. What did you want me to do? Just walk away? I am carrying his baby, or did you forget that?”

Sandy’s jaw snaps to the side as she throws her finger up in my face. “Do you know who you’re fucking with? Do you realize what I can do to you?” She takes a firm step in, thinning her mouth. “I’ll get you blacklisted from every agency, do you understand that? When I’m done with you, no one will want what’s left.”

Our eyes are set on each other, and I catch hers as they glisten with hate and jealousy. I don’t understand her. Why does she hate me so much?

“How come you’re like this? How can you be so cruel?”

Sandy smirks, tipping her head. “Now or in high school?” The way she says it sends a chill up my spine.

I always had my suspicions, but hearing her actually ask me, is confirmation.

“I knew it was you,” I say, my voice thick and harsh. “Why would you do that? What was the point?”