Shit. I poked some soft spot of his, and he was back on the defensive.
“You'll have to check out Buttermilk Falls too.” I squirmed under his gaze, half-anticipating some sort of critique or lecture.
I hadn't done anything wrong and wasn't dressed inappropriately. My black slacks and cowl-neck blouse were more than modest. I avoided lipstick since our run-in, too, the sight of a tube summoning flashbacks of his smeared chest.
“I'll keep that in mind.” He took another step back, stiff as a board.
I turned my attention back to my coffee, the sudden awkwardness hanging over us like a wet blanket. I didn’t want to wade any closer to whatever crazy he had going on. I had enough of my own to deal with.
“Have a nice day, Elena.” He shot me another careful look before pulling his phone from his pocket and turning towards the door.
“You too, sir.”
He left without another word, all but sprinting to get away from me.
Jason
My stomach was in knots as I rushed towards my office, hastily pulling up the Privately app on my personal phone.
I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, everything flicking to panic mode.
Jewels had also suggested I bring a camera along for my run — leaves and all.
I was likely paranoid, given that there wasn't much else to do in the area. Locals probably always used the trails as a go-to recommendation. Regardless, I had to set my mind at ease if I was going to survive the day.
I checked her over a dozen times from head to toe, looking for a hint of Jewels' body. Those damn pants obscured her ass, and her blouse masked her breasts with awkward draping. I always hated the style and more so now that it was fucking with my head.
They were similar in build, but there were plenty of women walking around with the same body type in the world. It wasn't that unusual to be short and curvy. Then again, something made me uneasy.
I was in a cold sweat as I bounded down the hallway, storming by streams of workers shuffling in to grab a coffee before the start of training.
If I sexted with a coworker — a staff member beneath me - Elena Julian - I would have to leave immediately. Fraternization was a massive no-no, a policy laid in stone after a guy was caught fucking an employee.
I'd have to figure it out and avoid detection if that was the case. I'd need a reason to go to Chicago early and complete the task remotely. Illness. Allergies. Anything.
As I bounded into my office and shut the door, locking it for good measure, anxiety had set in. No amount of reasoning could douse the speculation. I had to check Privately.
Jewels couldn't be Elena; there was no way. Elena was quiet and mousy. She was always at work, too, often still tucked away at her desk when I left. She was likely there while I was smutting away with Jewels too.
I flopped down in my cheap rolling chair, its aging frame screeching but holding firm.
As our conversation loaded on the screen, I flicked back in time, looking for a full-body shot of Jewels. As soon as I found one, I zoomed in, studying it, trying to compare.
Jewels was the high point of my day, capping off stressful times with hearty laughs and steamy sessions. She was my only confidant in the city, absolving me of any tension and freeing my mind of Croft's nonsense.
I examined the photo, looking for a trace of Elena, and came up with nothing. I had no definitive proof she wasn't Jewels either, but without solid evidence, I relaxed.
Elena seemed to be paler than Jewels and a little taller. I could have been pulling at strings, but I swore Elena's breasts were larger. I remembered that night at Crow Bar in her revealing camisole all too well. It was the same night I had a spirited session with my hand in the shower to get her and those tits off my mind.
Bear: Miss you, doll.
I fired off the message quickly, needing reassurance. Everything would be fine once Saturday hit.
Jewels: Miss you too, Bear. Saturday is right around the corner :)
I grinned, a calm washing over me. I knew I was being ridiculous.
Bear: I'm so excited to meet you finally.
Jewels: Same!!!
Jewels: I have some work to take care of, though, so I'll message you later, okay?
I forgot she didn’t have the luxury of hiding out in an office to text. From what I understood, she worked in a busy office with little downtime. It seemed like she worked at one of the area colleges with her hours, but I couldn’t be sure.
Bear: That's okay. Hang in there, Jewels.
Jewels: You too. Don't stress yourself out, hon.
Bear: I won't.
It was a lie, but she didn't need to know I was freaking out about the potential of her being another woman. Another woman who I also found incredibly attractive. That was the last mess I needed.
Elena was hot, but she wasn't Jewels. I'd never be able to spend hours chatting her up. She hated my guts and rightfully so. I was an asshole to her from the jump.
A sudden knock at the door startled me out of my head.
“Come in!” I called, closing the app and sliding the phone into my coat pocket.
The handle turned but nothing.
“The door is locked!” a muffled voice called.
Shit. I hurried over and unlocked it, yanking it open to see Elena Julian, eyes wide.
Her draped top's neckline had dipped, revealing a hint of cleavage. I kept my eyes glued on her face, not willing to wander back down that slippery slope again. It was one thing to check out an employee’s tits at a bar. It was another to appreciate them out at work.
“Yes?” I asked, stupefied. She never came to me directly before. At the same time, I was relieved. She couldn't be Jewels if she was outside my door. There was no way
