Anything To Be With You

7. Eye Fucked

Eye Fucked

Dani

This is the third time in half an hour I’m getting Luke coffee. No one drinks that much coffee. The first one had too much sugar, the second, not enough. They both have one teaspoon of sugar. Either he can’t tell, or he can and he’s just being an asshole.

I knock and march into his office, putting his mug in front of him. Luke’s eyes flick to my chest for the fifth time this morning before snapping up to mine. And I know what he’s looking at. This dress does not fully cover the burn mark Josh so ‘lovingly’ gave me when I found out I was pregnant.

"Anything else?" I ask.

Luke’s arm swings out, a folder in his hand. "I need this proofread, typed, entered into the system and printed. Three copies of each, and I need you to add these dates to my schedule," he adds a sticky note on top of the folder. "I'm assuming Carrie showed you how to enter everything into the system."

"She did." I tell him and take them from him, our fingers brushing, and a jolt of electricity runs up my arm. I shiver, meeting his ice blue eyes. Vulnerability flashes in his eyes before a hard mask moves into place. Tucking the folders under my arm, I walk towards the door.

"Daniella," Luke calls. "Finish those by noon."

I nod and say, "as you wish, Mr. Archer." Before turning around and shutting the door behind me.

I slump behind my desk and draw in a calming breath before opening the file. "Oh. Wow." I whisper.

I read through the file, seeing where Luke has scratched out one thing and added something else. I don’t know how he deals with this, some of it is stupid.

My desk phone rings, scaring the bejesus out of me. I reach over and tear the receiver off the base. "Lucas Archer’s office," I answer.

"Office." Is all he says and hangs up.

I walk my ass into his office, not even bothering to knock. He waves more papers at me. "Three copies of each."

I take them from him. "Will that be all?"

He slides his mug over to me. "One sugar this time."

I swipe the mug off his desk. "Anything else?"

"Always knock, Daniella," he barks.

"Of course," I answer in a sugary sweet tone.

I’ll knock all right.

Knock him into next week.

I smile and walk out.

One sugar I mock in my head. I’ll give him one fucking sugar; I’ll spit in his damn coffee. I drop the new papers on my desk and head into the breakroom. I pour a fresh cup and walk back into his office, placing his mug on his desk.

"Where are my copies?" he demands, taking a sip of his coffee. Those ice blue eyes roam over my body slowly, like a soft caress.

I’ve heard of people getting eye fucked, but I have never experienced it. Until now.

Areas of my body I thought were long dead are waking up. My temperature rises to an unbearable level. My mouth dries and a bead of sweat rolls down my back. A man has never looked at me this way. However, it doesn’t last long, and a shield slides back into place, turning them from lust filled to ice cold. Maybe I’m mistaken. Maybe it’s just first day jitters.

"Getting on that n—now," I stammer over my words and rush out.

I grab the papers off my desk and walk the ten steps to the left of my desk into the alcove where all the supplies, copier and printer are kept and start making copies for his royal Majesty. I’m almost finished when the copier starts blinking at me.

Son of a bitch.

Out of ink.

I grab my chair and wheel it over. Standing on it and praying it doesn’t slide out from under me, I stretch up to grab the ink cartage.

Fuck, too short.

"Thanks for the short genes, Mom." I mutter.

"Need help?" I turn to find Mark standing next to me.

"Please. I’m too short to reach the ink cartage," I answer.

He helps me off the chair and grabs the cartage. Even changes it for me too.

"Thanks. I take it not many short people have worked here."

Mark laughs as he hit the start button. "You are the first. How’s your first day going?" he asks.

I met Mark this morning. He’s a child support and custody lawyer.

"Archer is a demanding asshole," I answer.

Mark chuckles, placing a hand on my shoulder. "He is. But if you’re ever in a bind, he’s got your back," he says.

I don’t care about that; I just care about not being treated like a piece of shit.

Mark’s hand slides down my back and he shoots me a wink as he heads back to his office which I now realize faces the alcove. Nice guy, but handsy. I haven’t decided if it’s creepy yet but it’s definitely not warranted.

I grab the copies and head in to give them to his royal dickweed.

"Why aren’t they stapled?" Luke demands.

"I didn’t know they needed to be." I reply honestly.

"That is something you should automatically do when you make copies or print something out. Use your head, Daniella." He says condescendingly.

My temper rises to the surface. It takes a lot to get under my skin, however, that did it. I staple the papers together with trembling fingers and hand them back. But before letting go, I lean in and say, "I don’t appreciate being talked to as if I’m a child. Do it again and I’ll staple your dick to your leg." I look at him and jerk back.

Fury lines his face.

Fury that’s directed at me.

My stomach drops to my feet while a chill runs down my spine as his cold eyes look through me. I swallow thickly as he exhales hard through his nose.

"Daniella," Luke snarls.

"I’m sorry." I breathe and walk out, shutting the door behind me.

Sitting back behind my desk, I lean my head back and close my eyes. I need to get it together. I can’t speak to my boss like he’s some random guy who cut me off in traffic. I’ll lose my job before the day is over.

I take a calming breath, putting myself back together and continue reading the file he gave me, fixing the mistakes and typing them up. It takes me longer than I want it to, but his handwriting is like chicken scratch. I entered everything into the computer and managed to print the last one right at noon.

"For fuck sakes," I grumble.

Now the printer's flashing at me.

Out of paper.

Back on the chair I go.

A muscular forearm catches my eye as it reaches past me to grab the paper. I turn and meet the most beautiful blue eyes. It’s like looking into a cloudless summer sky. He smiles and I almost fall off the chair. Next to Luke, this guy is the most handsome man I have ever been this close to. Sky blue eyes, long golden blond hair that sits just above the widest shoulders I have ever seen, not including Mason’s. And he smells good enough to eat.

"Thought you could use some help," he says.

Shit, his voice is deep.

He holds his hand out to me, and I take it, helping me off the chair. I’m wearing heels and I stand just below his very large pecks. Pecks that look like they’re going to bust out of his dress shirt if he moves his arms too much.

"Thanks. I’m too short to work here," I state.

His eyes run the length of my body. "I’d say you’re the perfect height," he winks, and I flush.

He breaks the package of paper over his muscular thigh and loads the printer for me. It whirls back to life, spitting out what I sent. The desk phone rings, and I reach over to answer it, feeling the mystery man’s eyes on me. "Lucas Archer’s Office."

"Files finished?" Luke demands.

"Finishing now. The printer ran out of pap—"

"I don’t care," he hangs up and I flip off the window to his office, hoping he sees it.

Tall, blond and pantie dropping handsome laughs, handing me the papers. I staple them and walk into his office.

"Knock, Daniella," Luke growls.

I knock on his desk intensely and slap the papers in front of him. "Anything else?"

"No."

I walk out, finding the mystery man perched on the edge of my desk. I sit and open Luke’s schedule to update it. "Did you need something, or are you here just to look at me?" I question, not taking my eyes off the screen.

He stretches over and takes my hand in his, kissing it. "Looking at you is a bonus. I’m Gabe, Luke’s brother," he introduces himself.

I really look at him then, seeing the similarities between them. From eye colour to body size. Gabe is larger but not by much.

"Dani. Your brother’s assistant. He’s a douche nozzle," I say pulling my hand back and buzz his office.

"Lucas Archer."

"Gabe’s here," I say.

He slams the receiver down in my ear, making me jump. What in the hell is his problem? He’s been an asshole all morning. I understand it is hard when you have a new employee and you both need to get used to each other but he doesn’t need to be a fucking dick towards me.

His office door opens, and Luke steps out. "I told you to wait at CeCe’s desk," he says, arms crossed over that impressive chest of his.

I’d bet my whole pay cheque he’s built like a God under that expensive suit. All hard muscle and rough skin. I shudder at the thought of those calloused hands running over my heated skin.

Gabe smiles at me and takes my hand in his again, turning it over and kissing my palm. Right over the scar that’s there. "I was just introducing myself to your stunning assistant, Dani," he says with a wink.

Oh, this guy is smooth. I yank my hand from his grip and Gabe smiles, popping out one single dimple in his left cheek, giving him a boyish quality.

"Get inside," Luke orders, thumbing over his shoulder towards his office.

Gabe smiles at me again and swaggers his fine ass into the office.

Luke turns to me; arms still crossed. "You called him over from Carrie's desk, didn’t you?"

I flinch at his tone. A man accusing me of something I didn’t do triggers my fight or flight response. I’m not that scared teenager anymore, flight is no longer my go to.

"Why in the hell would I call him over? I didn’t even know who he was until a few seconds ago," I bark back at him. "Plus, I didn't even hear him walk over."

Luke inclines his body, placing his fists on the desk. I meet his eye. If he thinks he’s going to intimidate me, he thought wrong. I’m not going to back down.

"Why do I find that hard to believe. Gabe is not a small man." He says in a deep voice.

"I don’t care what you believe." I snap.

"So he took it upon himself to walk over," Luke snarls.

This man is getting on my fucking nerves. "Yes. He’s a grown ass man who can think for himself."

"I beg to differ on that." Luke states.

I stand and lean in, inches from his face. "I don’t give a shit."

"Daniella."

"Archer."

"Mr. Archer. Don’t make me tell you again," he growls.

I shiver at the tone of his voice and my stomach flutters anxiously. Taking a deep, calming breath, I reach out, grabbing his tie and pull it out of his jacket. Running my fingers along the silky material. "How much do you like this tie?" I ask, snagging his gaze with mine.

"Daniella," his voice takes on a guttural tone and a chill races down my spine. Why does his voice cause such a reaction within me?

I yank on the tie, putting him off balance and causing him to stumble over the desk. I lower myself back into my chair, keeping my death grip on the silky material.

"Keep treating me like shit, Archer , and I will strangle you with this beautiful tie. You feel me?" I threaten.

Luke grips the edge of the desk and drags himself across, knocking everything onto the floor, and leaving only hairs width between us. I can feel his warm breath dancing along my lips.

"You strangle me with this tie, Sweetheart , and you’ll be out on your fantastic ass," Luke says as he straightens, taking his tie with him. "You feel me?" he pivots and swaggers back into his office, shutting the door behind him and leaving me there with soaking panties.

"He likes you," Carrie sings.

I jump, barking out a yelp. I didn’t even hear her walk up behind me. "Who?" I question; skin flushed. His cologne still lingering in the air.

"Luke. He likes you."

I glare at Carrie, who is smiling like Pennywise and beginning to freak me out. "No, he doesn’t. He has been treating me like shit all morning."

Carrie laughs and twists to where all the supplies are kept, moving them down a shelf so I can reach without having to stand on a chair.

"He’s not used to women talking back or challenging him in anyway," she shivers. "They watch him like they’re in a trance. It’s creepy. Like Children Of The Corn creepy." Carrie arranges everything one shelf lower. "You don’t. He needs that."

This day is getting weirder by the second.

"I see you threatened to strangle him with his three-hundred-dollar tie. Good on ya girl, he loves that tie." Carrie says and turns to face me, smiling.

"Three hundred dollars!" I cry. "That’s more than the dress I’m currently wearing."

Carrie giggles as she props her hip on the side of my desk. "My girlfriend, Elle, and I have a bet going on with you two," Carrie says, "she says you two will fuck in two months, make-out in one. I say you two will fuck in one month, make-out in two weeks."

I start laughing, slapping a hand over my mouth when I start snorting. I can’t believe this. "Yeah, that’s not going to happen."

"And why not?"

"I have a mirror; I know what I look like. I’m not the type to catch his attention. And besides, I would rather smack him in the face with my shoe than make-out with him." I say.

"What the fuck are you talking about!" Carrie sputters. "You’re beautiful, Dani."

I duck my head, embarrassed. I don’t take compliments well.

Carrie grips my shoulders. "Why don’t you think you’re beautiful?" she whispers.

I turn my head, blowing my hair off my face when I exhale. "That’s a long story, and not one I’m comfortable sharing."

Carrie drops her hands. "Understood. I’m sorry I pushed. We’ve just met, I shouldn’t expect you to give me your life story on your first day," Carrie gives me a smile of apology.

I squeeze her arm. "Thank you for understanding," I breathe. "Maybe one day I’ll tell you why."

Gabe’s laugh cuts through our private moment. We both smile at the sound. He has a nice, deep, belly laugh. It’s comforting, like a hug from an old friend.

"Well, Gabe’s always down for a roll—or fifty—in the sack," Carrie says, firing me the finger guns and heads back to her desk.

The desk phone rings, causing me to jump. "Lucas Archer’s office."

"Office." Luke barks, hanging up on me. He needs to knock that off or I’m going to rip the receiver from the phone.

I walk into his office and stand next to the chair Gabe’s sitting in.

"Daniella, we talked about this," Luke says.

I drop my head back and groan. I walk out of the office, knock, and walk back in, throwing my arms in the air.

"Happy?" I question.

"Mostly," Luke mutters.

"Moron," I mumble.

"What?"

"Nothing."

I cross my arms over my chest. "What do you want, Archer."

"Mr. Archer. This is your last warning." He snarls.

Gabe chuckles from his seat. "Don’t listen to him, Dani girl, he secretly loves you calling him Archer."

Luke mutters something under his breath. He hands me a piece of paper and a credit card. "Lunch order."

"You know they have this thing now called delivery, where you can get people to bring the food to you."

"Yeah, they’re called PA’s," Luke states.

I reach over and snatch the items from his hand, mocking him under my breath.

"Make sure it’s still hot when it gets here."

I roll my eyes. "And what if it’s not?" I argue.

Those ice blue eyes slowly raise to meet mine. "Do you want to chance it?" Luke questions, raising his brow in challenge.

I consider the fact that he probably would fire my ass over something as stupid as cold food.

Gabe’s fingers brush along the burn mark behind my knee, catching me off guard. The nerve of that guy. Looking down into his sky-blue eyes, I say, "hands to yourself big boy."

Removing his large hand and walking out, I hear Gabe laugh and Luke mumble something. I grab my purse and head to Carrie’s desk.

"Carrie, lunch? Archer’s buying," I wiggle the card in front of her face.

That’ll teach him for being an asshole.

She taps her chin with one long finger. "Sure, grab me a chicken teriyaki sub and a coke."

I give her a little shimmy. "Can do."

I walk out and wait for the elevator. I hate elevators. I have an irrational fear of getting stuck in one and then getting cut in half when I’m rescued because the thing starts moving while I’m climbing out. I know the likelihood of it actually happening is slim to nil but it still scares me.

I place myself between two large men and ride the packed car to the parking garage with my eyes closed. The minute the doors ding open, I book it across the garage and climb into my piece of shit, held-together-with-duct tape Honda Accord. I check the paper Luke gave me.

"Ooh la la, Mr. fancy pants." Of course, he would order from one of the more expensive restaurants in the city.

Dropping my purse on the passenger seat, I call Mr. fancy’s order into The Market. The order will be ready for pick up in twenty minutes and comes to a hundred and fifteen dollars. Sweet baby Hades in a tuxedo, do all men eat like they’re heading to the electric chair. Good God.

Tossing my phone on the seat, I head out of the underground parking and towards The Esplanade, hitting up Subway on Yonge Street first. As I wait in line to order mine and Carrie’s lunch, I think about what she said.

I have no problem admitting I am attracted to Luke; however, I find it hard to believe he’s attracted to me. If there is an attraction there on his end, it’s because he doesn’t play with his dick enough and it’s starting to decompose.

I place our order at the same time a text comes in from Carrie, asking if I picked up Luke’s lunch order. Apparently, Gabe is starving and starting to wither away.

Drama queen.

I grab mine and Carrie's lunch and sit in my rust bucket, snacking on the cookies that came with my sub combo as I wait for confirmation from The Market regarding Luke's order. I scroll through my personal email, finding bill after bill that need to be paid by next week. Ugh, money is going to be tighter than it already is until I get my first cheque.

The text comes through five minutes later stating the food order is ready for pick up. I race over, pay the bill, grab the food and I'm pulling into the underground parking when another text comes in. This time from Luke.

Rushing back up to the office, I drop mine and Carrie’s food at her desk. I don’t even bother knocking, I walk into his office and place the food and six pack on the desk, along with the credit card. Gabe snatches one of the bags and pulls out a burger, digging right in.

"Anything else your royal dickness?" I pant, hands on my hips.

"No." Luke mutters.

"Good." I spin on my heels, snagging a bite of Gabe’s burger, and march out. Slamming his door behind me.

"You know you just gave him a boner, right?" Carrie calls from her desk.

"Don’t be gross, Carrie, " I mutter around a mouthful of amazing burger as I grab a chair from along the wall. If she's not going to eat in the staff room, neither am I.

"It’s the truth. Luke likes order," Carrie says as she bites into her sub, dropping mayo and teriyaki sauce all over the wrapper. "You’re a tornado, and he’s loving every minute of it." She says with her mouth full. "Even if he has a funny way of showing it."

I can only shake my head as I bite into my sub. The sound of his office door opening has me rolling my eyes. "I swear to God, if he’s going to complain about the temperature of his food, I’m going to shove it down his pants," I threaten.

Carrie chokes on her pop. "Jesus, Dani." She coughs out a laugh.

"Dani girl, can you come here for a minute?" Gabe calls.

"Looks like Gabe is already taken with you," Carrie says. "He only gives nicknames to women he likes."

I fire Carrie a look as I stand. “Don’t be weird,” I mutter.

She smiles around a mouthful of food.

"If I don’t come back," I fix the skirt on my dress. "It’s because I’ve killed him and am now trying to put his body in the shredder."

Carrie’s laughter follows me into Luke’s office.