Chapter 8
Riley
I made a point of arriving at work earlier today. When I walked in at 7:45, I went straight up to the top floor. Like yesterday, the elevator was full of men and the scent of cologne. Wow. So much masculinity here.
As I step off the elevator I look to my right and see Kaz coming out of one of the big offices on this floor. I think it’s one of the partners, one of the twins maybe? I give her a small wave and smile, curious about what she has to do for them from an HR perspective this early in the morning.
“Hi!” She greets me as she gets closer. “Happy second day!”
“Thanks,” I say. “I’m curious about how things will go. I hope I don’t disappoint anyone.”
“Riley, please. You’ve got this. You’re here for a reason. You’re qualified and completely capable of changing the ‘men only’ vibe on this floor.
I smile. Glad someone thinks so.
“Typically this first week most of the interns are expected to read over case files and familiarize themselves with upcoming deadlines and any paperwork their boss may need for the next two weeks.” She says as she keeps walking. “Let’s go to your desk.”
“You don’t have to escort me Kaz, I’m okay!” I say, though I do appreciate the kindness she’s shown since I started. I don’t have many girlfriends, getting married so young really limited that girl bonding that seems to happen for other girls. They establish friendships through college, as roommates, sorority sisters, and all those other ‘normal’ things.
My sister, Corrine, is really the only one I consider a ‘girlfriend.’ Though she’s a few years younger than me, she has always been someone I could turn to when things were shitty. I think Corrine watching me fall for Nate in high school left her a little wary of romance. She never brought it up then, but I think she knew that he wasn’t always the most gentle of guys.
Corrine worked her ass off in school and received a scholarship to a small liberal arts school in upstate New York. She works full time here in the city as an event planner/fundraiser/whatever else the art museum she worked at needed. She is busy as hell, but seems to love it. She’d got this artsy, sophisticated crowd of friends. It seems like if she isn’t helping plan some gala she is attending one, dressed in masquerade or something else wild like that.
“Us girls gotta stick together,” Kaz says to me as I sit down at my desk. “Let’s grab lunch later today?” she asks.
“Of course. I’ll see you later.” I smile at her. Maybe working will be more than just making ends meet. Maybe I’ll get a friendship here too.
It’s late morning and I’m overviewing some of the cases with another one of the interns, Kyle. He’s younger than me, probably late twenties, and it must be a prerequisite that you’re attractive to work here because Kyle is definitely attractive. He’s tan with longer blonde hair. He’s well built, as if he spends time outdoors being adventurous, rather than lifting weights in the gym.
“There’s a stipulation that will allow us to fight for the client, and Jamison wanted me to track down other cases with the same outcomes,” Kyle’s saying to me. I realize he’s been talking for awhile and I likely tuned out. I need to get more sleep.
“I’m sorry, say that again?” I say to him.
“Oh it’s not important,” Kyle says. “What’s more important is…what do you think of the big boss man in there?” He nods toward Sebastian’s office. I look over and see that Sebastian’s blinds are open and he’s standing next to the window. It’s hard to tell but it almost looks like he’s staring right at me. Uh oh. Is he pissed? He looks more pissed than he did yesterday.
“Good question,” I half chuckle as I turn back to Kyle. “I think I need to check in with him today and find out what kind of expectations he has around work hours and deliverables. I get the sense he may be pretty particular.”
Kyle laughs as we see Sebastian close his blinds. “Not sure ‘particular’ sums it up,” he says. “Drop dead gorgeous may be more accurate.”
Oh, so Kyle likes men. Good to know. Maybe we can chat later about Sebastian’s terrifyingly large arms and the way his shirt clings to his body.
Good lord where did that come from?
“Wish me luck,” I say, and walk toward Sebastian’s office door.
I knock lightly. No one answers for a few seconds then I hear his voice.
“Yeah?” he calls through the door.
“Hi, um Sir. It’s Riley. Riley Green?” I squeak. Jesus Riley you sound like a little girl.
“Come in Riley,” I hear him say. Shit. Okay. Be calm, this is just another professional encounter in my new office. I can handle it.
I walk into his office and look around. There are no pictures lining his shelves, no knick knacks on his desk. Damn, he’s not very easy to read. Normally I’d be able to make some guesses about his personal life by the things he brought to his office. Guess I can’t ask him about his recent travel or whatever else I would expect to see pictures of in an office.
I stop surveying the room and look directly at him. He’s seated at the desk. His suit jacket is slung on the chair behind him and his white button down is crisp, and so tight I can see where muscles are etched through his torso. Then I notice his gaze. He’s not looking at his computer, he’s looking directly at me. Actually, I think he’s undressing me with his eyes. His eyelids look heavy and if I didn’t know better I’d assume I’d caught him in the act of pleasuring himself.
“Um, hi Sir.” I begin. My cheeks are burning. Why is this happening? It’s like there’s a hot flame burning down my throat into my lower belly. Is this what it’s like to be physically attracted to a man again?
“I was reading through some of the upcoming needs for the month,” I continue. “Would it be helpful if I helped depose the witness in the Pierce case?”
Sebastian smiles. Wow. I don’t think I've seen him smile before. He went from somewhat terrifying to even more gorgeous and terrifying. His teeth are white, and perfectly straight. Is this man always perfect?
“Yes Riley. And actually, I have some additional things I’ll need support on this week. I’ll need you to stay late today.”
“Late?” I say. “Uh, of course.” I stammer. I can’t just say no. I’m an intern for Christ’s sake, I think I have to say yes. “Any idea what time we may be done, Sir? I just need to let my husband know.”
His eyebrow rises slightly. “We will just see how it goes. Maybe tell him to figure out his own dinner plans,” he says and turns toward his computer.
Okay. Well, that’s not going to go over well with Nate. But I guess I’ll just have to manage that later.
“Umm ok, I’ll just go back to overviewing files with Kyle,” I reply when he basically dismisses me without another glance.
All I get is a grunt in response as I leave his office, gently closing his door behind me.
Kaz and I walk a couple blocks away from the office to a cute bodega for lunch. She ordered this beautifully displayed charcuterie board and two bottles of mini champagnes.
“Seriously?!” I all but gasp. “Miss Human Resources is going to drink on the job?!” I laugh and shake my head. “No way, I am terrified of Boss Bolt finding out!”
Kaz tilts her head and pops one of the little champagne bottles open. As she fills the flute next to me she says “What the men don’t know won’t hurt ‘em.”
Fuck it, I think. It’s time I got to have a little fun in life. I already know later today will be a shit show. I still haven’t texted Nate to let him know I won’t be home for dinner. I think I’ll just embrace this moment while I can.
“Alright then. Cheers,” I clink my glass with hers. “If I get fired, I’m saying it was your idea.” I say and take a sip of the bubbles. Everything about this week makes me feel like maybe I’m not destined to a life of miserable encounters with my husband. Perhaps I can find more pleasure. And fun.