8. Jarvin
CHAPTER 8
Jarvin
I walk into the office the next morning, juggling my briefcase and a cup of coffee. The scent of fresh brew mingles with the faint aroma of polished wood and leather that permeates the place. My mind is still buzzing with strategies and numbers when I stride past the reception area.
Suddenly, my eyes catch sight of her.
Lucy sits at her desk, typing away. She looks up, and our eyes meet. The world seems to slow down for a moment. Neither of us speaks. The air thickens with unspoken words and unresolved tension.
Her vibrant eyes quickly look down, breaking the contact. She pretends to be engrossed in her work, her fingers flying over the keyboard as if her life depends on it.
"Lucy," I finally say, my voice breaking the silence. The sound of her name feels like a lifeline, grounding me in this surreal moment.
She glances up again, just briefly, her face flushed. "Mr. Thraknar," she responds in a tone that's all business, but I can see a flicker of something more in her eyes. It's a spark, a hint of the connection we both can't deny.
I want to say more, but my office beckons with its mountain of tasks. The responsibilities never end. "Carry on," I say, more commanding than I intend to, thrown off from our brief exchange.
Inside, I close the door behind me and let out a breath. The intensity of that kiss that still lingers on my lips. What I’d give to go back to that moment…
I set down my briefcase and coffee on my desk, staring blankly at the stack of papers waiting for my attention. My mind refuses to focus on anything but Lucy's face, her eyes avoiding mine in that awkward exchange.
Damn it. This is going to be harder than I thought.
I take a deep breath and try to push those thoughts aside. There’s work to be done and I'm nothing if not professional. Yet every fiber of my being wants to walk back out there, sit down beside her, and pick up where we left off.
I stare at the stack of papers on my desk, knowing they require my attention but finding it impossible to focus. Lucy’s presence in this building, just a few steps away from me, makes the numbers and graphs blur together.
Finally, I push my chair back and stand up. This can't wait any longer.
I walk out of my office, trying to appear casual. Each step feels deliberate as I approach her desk. She’s engrossed in her work, her eyes glued to the computer screen, fingers tapping away at the keyboard. Her dark hair cascades down her back, catching the light in a way that almost distracts me.
“Lucy,” I say, stopping just beside her desk. Her name feels like a warm secret on my lips.
She looks up, surprise flickering across her face before she masks it with a professional demeanor. “Mr. Thraknar,” she responds, her tone clipped and formal. Her eyes, though, betray a hint of curiosity.
“It’s such an odd thing for us to cross paths here, isn’t it? What a small world.” I flash a warm smile, hoping to break through the wall she’s built since we last met.
For a moment, she seems taken aback. Her eyes search mine as if looking for something beneath the surface of my words. “Yes, it is,” she finally says, her voice softer now but still guarded.
I lean in slightly, lowering my voice. “I was beginning to think I made a bad impression.” I chuckle, trying to keep the mood light. Her lips twitch, almost forming a smile, but she catches herself.
“Not at all, Mr. Thraknar,” she replies, her tone still formal but less rigid. “Just busy. You know how it is.”
I lean slightly against the edge of her desk, keeping my posture relaxed. “How are you settling in? Everything going smoothly?” My eyes stay locked on hers, trying to gauge her reaction.
She nods, glancing down briefly before meeting my gaze again. “Everything’s fine. Just… getting used to the new environment.”
Her answer is polite but distant. The playful banter and easy connection we had at the airport is nowhere to be found. But I’m not ready to let it go just yet.
“I hope you know,” I begin slowly, choosing my words carefully, “that you can come to me if you need anything.” I try to keep my tone light and open.
She replies, her tone respectful and professional. "I'm here to do my job, Mr. Thraknar. If you need anything, please let me know." Her formality stings a little, but I can’t blame her for setting boundaries. Still, I can’t help but miss the easy laughter we shared before.
Her words are like a wall, sturdy and unyielding. The playful spark from our airport encounter is buried beneath layers of professionalism. I respect her resolve, but it also frustrates me.
I feel a pang of disappointment but also a deep respect for Lucy's professionalism. I nod, accepting her boundaries for now. "Of course, Lucy. I just wanted to make sure you're settling in okay."
She maintains eye contact but with a cool detachment that feels foreign after our previous interaction. "Thank you. I'm adjusting well."
It’s clear she’s drawing boundaries. I respect that. She deserves space, especially in a new job where the stakes are high for her.
"Good," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. "If you need anything, my door is always open."
Lucy nods once more, her expression softening just a fraction before she returns to her work. I linger for a moment longer than necessary before turning away and heading back to my office.
The walk back feels longer than it should. My mind races with thoughts of how to approach this delicate situation. Lucy’s guarded demeanor is a stark contrast to the laughter and easy conversation we shared at the airport bar. I can’t help but wonder if I’ve already lost whatever connection we had.
Back in my office, I sit at my desk and stare at the papers scattered across it. I understand why she’s cautious; mixing personal and professional life is always tricky.
But damn if it doesn’t make me want to break through that wall even more. Seeing her pull back seems to fuel my determination.
I want to see those green eyes light up again, to hear her laugh without reservation. I’m not just her CEO; I’m an orc who can see that she’s more than just my secretary, and I’m not about to let her slip away because of hesitation.
I take a deep breath and force myself to focus on the tasks at hand. There’s work to be done and clients waiting for decisions that only I can make. The weight of responsibility is something I'm used to, something I thrive on.
But even as I dive into spreadsheets and reports, a part of me remains fixated on her—the woman who walked into my life so unexpectedly and now occupies both my thoughts and this office. Lucy Bennett.
I can’t let this go. Not by a long shot.
I can understand why she’s cautious; mixing personal and professional life is always tricky. But damn if it doesn’t make me want to break through that wall even more.
"Alright," I mutter under my breath, pushing the papers aside for a moment. "How do I do this?"
I need a plan—something subtle yet effective. Something that respects her boundaries but allows me to get closer to her.
I poke my head out of my office door. "Lucy," I call, my tone brooking no nonsense.
She looks up and walks over, her demeanor reserved and controlled. "Yes, Mr. Thraknar?"
"I need you to make sure that when you are handling reports intended for me, that the files are organized and that you make sure you give them to me personally."
I'll respect her boundaries, but she’s going to have to interact with me, and hopefully she'll warm up to me like she did when we met. This coldness is bound to thaw at some point.
I watch the sharp intake of air she inhales before she replies. "Of course," with the control of a saint. It’s almost infuriating watching her shut me out, after she so willingly let me in even for a little bit the day we met.
I nod, with half a smile to dismiss her so I can reconcile the boss I need to be with the way I want to feel her lips against mine once more.
The thought of her personally handing me every file in my office brings about a certain thrill. It’s too soon for drastic measures, but I’m hoping that with time she'll be reminded of the easy rapport we found at the airport that ended with the most memorable fucking kiss of my life.
Satisfied with this first step, I return to my work with renewed focus. There’s something exhilarating about this challenge—navigating the delicate balance between respecting Lucy’s professionalism and wanting to know her beyond these office walls.
But one thing's for sure: I'm not giving up on Lucy Bennett. Not by a long shot.