“We’ll hire someone else to answer the phones.”
He doesn’t understand. It’s not the calls, but the fact that they’re out there. Even if he were to tell the world he’s serious with someone, I don’t think it would prevent women from pursuing him. That’s how it was with Bobby, and evidently it was too much to resist. I don’t want to be a part of that competition again, because eventually I’ll lose. I lean my head on his shoulder and kiss his chest.
He sighs. “It doesn’t have to be difficult. We keep things normal at the office, and at night we enjoy each other.”
I don’t want this to end, but I can’t manage another devastation like Bobby. I just don’t see how there’s a way. “I need to think about it.”
He nods and gets out of bed.
I watch his perfect ass walk away. On the other hand, he seems focused on me for now, and I do have an exit strategy… What am I thinking? Sex with him is probably the best I’ll ever have. Why not enjoy it a little longer?
He turns and looks at me. “Like what you see?”
“Absolutely.”
He smiles and pulls on some workout shorts, likely heading to the gym in his apartment.
I shower, and as I step out into the fog-filled bathroom and begin to towel away the water, Jackson walks in.
He stares at my breasts and growls, “Do you need help with that?”
I shake my head, because I know if I permit him, he’ll take me here in the bathroom.
He leans down and circles my nipple with his tongue, and I shut my eyes. He parts the towel, causing it to fall at my feet.
“You’re going to make me late for work, and I work for an ogre,” I protest. “He’ll probably fire me before I can quit.” He is so distracting.
“I promise, if he knew why you were late, he wouldn’t mind. He’d probably want to bend you over his desk and take you from behind.”
He makes it really hard to walk away, but despite my few remaining days, I can’t be the center of gossip. “I should go. You have a big day.”
He sighs. “Okay. Dinner tonight?”
“Sure. I can cook,” I offer.
“That sounds perfect.” He gets in and out of the shower while I dress, and I still need to dry my hair and hide the whisker burn on my face beneath some makeup.
He kisses me on the cheek. “I’m going in. I’ll have Brian come back for you.”
It’s not quite seven o’clock, and I don’t usually get to the office until about seven-thirty anyway.
“I’ll get coffee and see you shortly.”
He kisses me and heads out the door. My mouth waters, but my brain reminds me he doesn’t do real relationships. That’s why he dates Barbies. I need to protect myself before I fall head-over-heels in love with him and decide to stay in San Francisco—where I have no apartment or anything to protect myself when the bottom falls out.
My hair is done and my makeup is as good as it’s going to get when Brian alerts me that he’s downstairs. I grab my coat, slip on a pair of come-hither pumps, and as I ride the elevator down to the lobby, I put in our coffee order for a mobile pick up at Starbucks.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m at my desk, pulling up Jackson’s calendar and walking into his office with his coffee.
“Good morning, Mr. Graham.” I leave the door open, just as I do every morning.
“Good morning, Ms. Woods.”
He licks his lips, and his eyes are on my breasts as I approach.
“Nice shoes,” he says. “You’ll have to wear those later.”
“Maybe,” I whisper with a smile. I walk him through his schedule, and before I finish, his phone’s ringing. When the calls start at seven thirty, that means it’s going to be a busy day.
Our work is nonstop all morning, and before I know it, I’m ushering Jackson out for his lunch. I need a break, and Gabby has been bugging me to meet her. I call her, and we agree on a spot halfway between our offices.
When I walk in, Gabby is already waiting for me. Before my coat is off, she starts her inquisition. “So, you weren’t at my place last night.”
“Jackson invited me to a late dinner.”
“Which ended when you got to work this morning?”
“Shush! People I work with eat here, too.”
“You’re fucking your boss and you’re moving. Why do you care? Can he talk you out of running home?”
“No, and I’m not running home.”
“Then what are you doing?” She reaches across the table and grasps my hand. “I want you to stay. Quit your job, find something that uses your degree, and sleep with Jackson as often as you want.”
“I have a degree in political science with an emphasis on environmental policy. I’m using my degree. I could find something else, but it’s not likely to pay any better than what I have now, and I’m done living in a closet. Also, there’s no one who wants to send me poop bombs or destroy my apartment back in Houston.”
I try not to sound too emotional. I enjoy my job. I make shit money, but Soleil Energy is doing something, and while I can’t do the math required for any development, I work as the assistant to the CEO. It’s my way of contributing to the cause I studied in school. Unfortunately, it’s too hard to live in this town and be successful.
Gabby rolls her eyes. “You could find something here if you really wanted to, and you shouldn’t let a crazy lady run you out of town. They’ll find her eventually. Promise me you won’t give up just yet.” She raises an eyebrow, and
