Chapter 7
Scarlett
I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was a lovely table setting, and everything looked almost romantic. The daisies on the table added a hint of floral fragrance to the mix, making the room feel like a peaceful garden. I stepped forward and ran my fingers across the small table. I could feel the warmth of the candles and the softness of the tablecloth and looked at Graham. He stood beside me; it was clear that the romantic scene before him had also taken him by surprise, and I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement and curiosity in response.
I smiled at him. “Georgia?”
He nodded in affirmation and laughed. “I hope it’s alright. I just wanted to have a little time without all the others around to talk and have lunch.” He spoke with a softness in his words that matched the gentle glow of the candles, and his desire for a quiet moment alone was as palpable as the scent of the daisies.
“I love it,” I said as he led me toward a seat and pulled out the chair. “Things have been such a whirlwind these past few days that I’m not even sure what to do.”
“I got that. It’s why I thought you could use a quiet lunch today. It has been sort of chaotic.”
My mouth watered at the sight of the food on the table, and I could almost taste the succulent flavors. The thought of having a peaceful, private lunch with Graham made my heart skip a beat.
“I can’t wait for this day to end, if I’m being honest. I don’t even know how it got to be so late.”
“We’ve been busy, that’s for sure,” he said, taking his seat across the table from me and offering up the wine.
I lifted the crystal glass that scattered the warm glow of the candles with its smooth surface. He poured a stout fill of the deep red wine. Holding it up, I looked through the almost translucent color in the dim lighting. Its rich aroma and the promise of indulgence brought a surge of emotion, causing tears to spill down my cheeks in a cathartic release. I had no idea why, but I just needed to cry. And yet, amidst the confusion and vulnerability, there was a sense of gratitude, a deep and sincere appreciation for the simple act of pouring a glass of wine. For in this moment of chaos, it was the small gestures of kindness that brought solace and comfort.
“Thank you,” I whispered, with a sniffle.
“Oh, Scarlett. Is everything alright? I’m sorry. Did I upset you with lunch?”
“No. Oh, no. It’s wonderful, really. It’s just that you’ve been so kind, and I don’t deserve all you’ve done for me.”
“Listen,” he said, rising from his chair and kneeling beside mine to hold my hand. “You deserve the job. Felicia kept you down and used you. I didn’t give it to you out of misguided pity. I gave it to you because you showed your writing and organizational skills. In my opinion, I promoted the best person for the job.”
I looked into his eyes, and I could see the emotions swirling within them, clear and revealing the vulnerability and emotion that he tried to hide. They showed understanding, kindness, and a hint of sadness. But above all, they showed genuine care and compassion.
“I just can’t thank you and everyone else enough for everything. I never wanted anyone to know what happened to me. But you knew, which somehow made you safe. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate everything you’ve done.”
His touch was like a soft summer breeze, gently caressing my skin and sending waves of warmth and comfort through my body. With a tender kiss, he reassured me that I was safe then returned to his place at the table, a subtle gesture in the midst of chaos that brought a sense of calm and normalcy to a tumultuous moment.
“Let’s eat.”
My hunger was palpable, a gnawing sensation in my stomach that was quickly satisfied by the warmth and comfort of the food in front of me. He’d had lunch brought in earlier, but my nerves would not allow for more than a couple of small bites. As I devoured each bite, I could feel my body relax and my mind became calm. When we’d both finished, he suggested we move to sit on the sofa with our wine to chat about things.
I’ve never been uncomfortable with him or close proximity to him, which in and of itself was unusual ever since the attack that sent me into my year of hiding. But now I was feeling something different as he handed me my refilled glass, his fingers brushing against mine, sending tingles down my spine. He felt it too, I could see the look as he sat down beside me on the sofa.
For the first time, I really saw him. I’d always noticed him, and all the ladies talked about him. But now I saw him, the real him. Being a wallflower had its benefits, I heard and observed things that most people missed. It used to tick me off the way they spoke about him as though he were just some kind of playboy when he’d never done anything to lead anyone to that conclusion. He was professional at all times.
I repositioned myself to turn toward him. I noticed more about him than his handsome face, shoulder length hair tied back, or his stature. More than professionalism or even the way he walked. Looking at him leaned back sipping his glass with one arm stretched across the back of the sofa, he looked different to me now. All along, he’d been the big boss, someone I never dared speak to. Then he became my immediate supervisor, not just some dude in a tower office, but someone I worked closely with and still never dared even look at.
It was a subtle but unmistakable shift, like the changing of seasons or the turning of tides. He went from being an untouchable figure to a trusted ally, a confidant, a friend. One who escorted me to the event, gripped my knee for support and even had such a lunch prepared for me. For me…
Now, he was more and the beating of my heart filled my ears, drowning out all other noise as my feelings for him grew. I gazed at him in a different light and in that moment, he was no longer just a figure of authority, but a captivating presence that filled the room with an alluring aura. With every passing second, my heart fluttered and my mind was consumed by thoughts and feelings. As I looked at him, bathed in a new light, I couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline and wonder at the possibility of something more between us.
The silence became awkward for me, and I thought I’d better say something. “What…ack…” I choked on my words and coughed. “Sorry, I choked.”
We giggled like teenagers and through the laughter, he asked, “What were you going to say?”
“Oh,” I stammered, willing these feelings to go back where they came from. “I wanted to know what you wanted to discuss.”
“Nothing major. I mostly thought you could use the break, but we can go over the schedule for the rest of the day or something else if you like.”
“That would be good,” I said, but didn’t really want to. The dejected tone must have come through because he smiled warmly at me.
“It is not necessary if you just want to take a little time to chill. We can chat about something else.”
“Like what?”
“Like…” He paused and reached for my hand. “Maybe you would prefer to tell me about your classes in MMA?”
My heart raced as his proximity shifted to be closer and his eyes seemed to look into my very soul. “Ahh… Well, I don’t know.”
“What prompted you to take the classes?”
Suddenly bolstered by the thoughts of MMA and my best friend, the fire in my gut began to settle into a warm ember and I began to tell him. “I don’t know, really. My friend Maddy suggested it. It was funny, I went to the gym but couldn’t bring myself to go inside. I started to run away but a little girl...”
“A little girl?” He sat up and his face was mere inches from mine with curiosity blazing in his look.
“Yeah, Jenny,” I said, sipping my glass, trying hard to breathe normally. “She came up and quite literally dragged me inside.”
He smiled. “I knew I liked that little girl.”
“She saved me,” I said. A tear emerged that I couldn’t fight, and I swiped at it angrily.
He reached up with his napkin and dabbed my cheek, then brushed it with his fingers, dragging them down to my chin. “Scarlett… I…” His gaze had shifted. There was a desire in his eyes that warmed my body.
I hadn’t felt anything for anyone in so long that it was overwhelming. Suddenly, Drake, Brody, and Graham had all awakened something—a fire I couldn’t quelch—desire. Pure desire not for one, but all of them. This has to be April’s doing, I thought and quickly looked away.
He wasn’t having it, and his fingers, soft against my chin, guided it back to face him.
“Scarlett, I know it might seem improper for our work relationship, but I can’t deny what I feel.”
His once curious and friendly expression changed, transformed into a portrait of yearning, a desperate craving that seemed to extend beyond just physical desire. More like a need that radiated from him and drew me in. His brow furrowed and his lips, slightly parted, pulled me closer. I tilted my head to look at him in a different light. He looked vulnerable at this moment, unsure what he should say or do, and it intrigued me.
His hand was warm against my shoulder, his eyes intense and searching as he leaned in. I could see the longing and desire reflected in them, and it made my heart race with anticipation. His cologne smelled warm and musky, filling my nostrils as he leaned in closer, his breath brushing against my cheek before his lips met mine in a tender gesture.
It was like a sudden and unexpected storm, the winds whipping and the rain pouring, the thunder and lightning igniting a primal fire within me. I was shaken to my very core, my senses overwhelmed by a swirl of exhilaration, fear, and longing, all crashing together in a tumultuous wave. They rushed me like a dam had broken loose, and he kissed me again, this time pressing his lips against mine firmly but still gently. Only now, I kissed him back. My heart thumped furiously in my chest, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as the long-forgotten sensations tingled in my core.
I reached for him and pulled him against me, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him forcefully. His hands slid up to grip my face as the intensity of the kiss heated up. The taste of his lips was like a delicious addiction, my mouth hungry for more as our tongues danced and mingled.
Our ragged breathing and the soft moans escaping our lips were the only sounds in the room, accompanied by the occasional gentle sigh as our bodies moved together in an incredible embrace.
Every touch, every caress, every kiss was electric, igniting a fire that burned deep within like a tempest of passion and longing, our lips pressed together in a heated dance, our hands exploring and claiming each other with fervor. In that moment, nothing else existed, just the two of us, lost in a perfect storm of desire.
He pulled away gasping for breath and looked into my eyes. “I want this, Scarlett. More than you can imagine, but not here. Not now.”
I felt embarrassed and turned away choking on my words. “You’re right, of course.”
He reached for me and turned me back toward him. His expression was full of desire but serious at the same time. “I need you to know how I feel about you. To know I need you. I also know what Brody and Drake feel, and only you can navigate this. I wanted you to know.” He swallowed hard, and a heavy breath escaped his still moist lips before he continued. “But I won’t put any pressure on you. You don’t have to choose.” His fingers softly caressed my cheek, and he lightly kissed me again. “You don’t have to choose at all.”