Chapter 3
Jason
Is it possible that for the first time in months, I feel almost excited to be at work?
For the past several years, I felt like I was drowning myself in work. I was taking on more clients and unfortunately, spending more time in the office than at home. I tried not to think what had changed in the last month, but I knew the answer to that. Her .
My calendar was organized, I didn’t have any double-booked meetings. Even a few of my high maintenance clients commented on my behavior. Which was an improvement according to them. But, fuck them. I wasn’t paid to be nice. I was paid to design them multi-million dollar buildings.
While going through some final details for a new amphitheater in Nashville my cell starts ringing.
I don’t have time for personal calls right now, so I call out to my assistant.
“Vivienne!”
“Yes, sir. Did you need something?”
Well, actually I do need something. I need to bend you over my desk and strip your panties slowly down your thighs, while licking…
“Sir?”
I quickly shake my thoughts and silently will my semi hard cock not to get any fucking harder right now. I clear my throat, “Yes, can you grab my phone off the desk and see who called please? I’m almost done with the details and I don’t want to break my concentration.”
“Of course, sir. Whatever you need.”
Fuck! If she only knew what it did to my cock to hear her say sir .
Vivienne strides across my office to my desk and leans over slightly to grab my phone. Her tight, black pencil skirt hugs her ass perfectly.
I really need to get laid soon. Admittedly, it’s been a few months.
I watch her from the corner of my eyes for a moment before turning my focus back to the model of the amphitheater in front of me.
“Um, Mr. Blackwood? It’s Jace’s school counselor on the phone. They really need to discuss some things with you.”
School counselor?
I get up and cross the room, grabbing for my phone.
“This is Jason Blackwood.”
As the counselor carries on about how Jace has been acting out in class, my gaze lands on Vivienne with a concerned look on her face. She gives me my privacy and slowly leaves my office with a look in her eyes that I can’t quite decipher.
Once I’m off the call, I sit at my desk and run my hands down my face.
“Fuck!” I whisper-shout. I had no idea why he was acting out and how long had this been going on.
Am I emotionally distancing myself from everyone around me? I reflect on the past ten years after Leslie died. I thought I was doing my best where my boys were concerned.
I worked long hours to provide for them and even though my mother was still around to help out, was I really neglecting my kids? It was a hard pill to swallow.
I needed to get out of here. I needed to talk to my mom.
I press the intercom button, “Vivienne, I need you reschedule my afternoon appointments please.”
Instead of answering me, she slowly walks to my office. I keep my office door closed most days, but occasionally I leave it open. Maybe more so in the last month, if I was being honest with myself.
Vivienne, stuck her head in and softly knocked.
“You can come in.”
She nodded her head and briefly looked behind her, before closing the door.
“Is everything okay Mr. Blackwood?”
“Jason. Please call me Jason.”
“Of course, Jason.” She said with a soft smile.
God I could get lost in her smiles.
I briefly told her about what the school counselor had explained to me about Jace’s behavior.
Vivienne surprisingly reached over and placed her hand on my arm as she offered her encouragement and support. She slowly looked up into my eyes and we just stared at each other for what seemed like hours, but in reality was maybe only a minute.
As if just realizing she was still touching my arm, Vivienne quickly retracted her hand and gave me a sheepish smile.
I couldn’t help but feel at ease in that moment and found myself opening up more about my struggles on being a single father. I debated about telling her about Leslie, but decided that now was not the time to be dwelling on the regrets of my failed marriage and late wife.
◆◆◆
Vivienne
As I watch Jason gather his things to leave, I couldn't help but think of my own family. While I love my husband, Robert, I could’t help but yearn for something more.
He’s such a hard man, but I’ve stuck by him for so long, he’s all I’ve ever known. It’s what I’m used to. He’s a provider. But let’s face it, there’s never been any compassion or that all consuming passion that leaves you breathless.
I return to my desk to shut down my computer before leaving for the day. I take a longing glance at Jason’s office door and walk to the elevators.
Upon exiting, Jen glances up from her desk with a sly smirk, “It’s kind of funny that you’re leaving so soon after Mr. Blackwood. One would think that the two of you were sneaking off somewhere together.”
Twisting on my heel, I glare at her and toss my purse over my shoulder.
“Jen, get over yourself. Mr. Blackwood had to leave for personal reasons and he said I could leave for the day. Not that it’s any of your concern. But keep in mind that I am married and have been with my husband for over twenty years. It’d be in your best interest to keep those comments to yourself.”
Before she could say a word, I marched out of the building to my car. I sat there for a few minutes before leaving to head home. I couldn’t help but feel guilty as I stewed over Jen’s words because she wasn’t wrong in her assumptions. The longer I worked with Jason, the more I started to feel this connection between us. A connection that I’ve never felt between Robert and myself. And for that thought alone, my emotions drowned in guilt and a forbidden desire built within me.
I was fucked.