Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
MAGNOLIA
I spent Sunday the usual way—errands, groceries, cleaning the apartment, and visiting my dad. He didn’t know me, but he was pleased to meet me, telling me about his wife and little daughter. He assumed I was a worker since I brought him sandwiches. I sat with him as he ate a roast beef one, thick with meat and mayo, exactly the way he liked it.
“You won’t be in trouble, sitting with me?” he asked, wiping his mouth.
“No. I’m finished for the day.”
“You must work in the kitchen,” he mused. “Best sandwich I’ve had here. Not as good as my wife’s. She’ll be along later, and I’ll tell her.”
I nodded, my throat thick. I would never get used to him not knowing me, or thinking he was simply here for lunch and was waiting for his wife. Some days were better. A few, he knew me, but those were rare. But he was treated well here, and it was worth every penny, knowing he was getting good care. At least on days like today, he spoke. Even if he didn’t know me, hearing his voice helped.
I shook his hand as I left, knowing today wasn’t a good day to ask for a hug. I stayed busy with laundry, blushing a little when I found Bane’s missing sock from yesterday. I sat down, looking at it, recalling having him here. Eating sandwiches and talking. Having sex on the love seat, in my bed, even the small shower. The man was highly inventive.
I wasn’t sure how I would react the next morning when I saw him in the office. We agreed to be professional and keep our personal lives separate.
But now, I knew what was under his expensive suits. The way his muscles rippled as he thrust inside me. The sound of his voice, low and rough for an entirely different reason than yelling. I knew how his mouth tasted and how it felt to be surrounded by him.
I hadn’t heard from him today, and I was a little sad about that, yet not surprised. He was a busy man, independent, and his life was mapped out. He had kissed me sweetly before leaving last night. Part of me wanted to ask him to stay, but when he stood in the early evening, saying he had to go, the words died in my throat. Instead, I watched him dress, laughing as we searched for the errant sock. He tucked the other into his pocket, kissed me, and departed. With him, he took all the happiness I had been feeling, and the doubts and worry set in.
I had slept with my boss. Had wild, crazy sex with him in the office and again here. More than once. I didn’t recognize the brazen woman I was with him. I hadn’t known sex could be that good, and once I got a taste of it, I wanted more. I wanted him.
I was going to have to maintain my distance. It would be difficult, but knowing Bane, he would lead and I would follow. I was sure he would have a far easier time separating the two issues.
Recalling what he said about the way I dressed, I got ready with extra care, wearing an outfit I hadn’t worn before. I looked in the mirror, unsure, then remembered how Bane had described me. Sexy.
No one had ever called me sexy before. Cute was the norm. Pretty on occasion. Chubby or full-figured was used. But sexy… Only Bane. And he had proved it a few times on the weekend.
I wondered if he would like this outfit.
I picked up my bag containing the sandwiches I had made and left for work.
I guessed I would know soon enough.
BANE
Lawson and Anderson walked around the model, nodding in appreciation. “It looks amazing, Bane,” Lawson murmured. “Between our buildings and your landscaping, it’s another winner.”
I leaned against the desk, my ankles crossed, arms folded over on my chest. “I think so.”
Anderson laughed. “The client will as well.” He looked my way. “You know they’re already planning resort number four?”
“Where?”
“Banff area.”
I whistled. “Big bucks. Land there is scarce and expensive. Tons of environmental issues and guidelines.”
He mimicked my stance, leaning on the back of the sofa. I tried not to think of the last person who had leaned on the sofa. Myers had looked far sexier doing so. I blinked to clear my mind.
“They’ve bought an existing resort. They want to overhaul it, bring it up to today’s standards.”
I chuckled. “Even more expensive.”
There was a knock, and I looked up to see maintenance hovering in the door. “Mr. Bane, I’m here to look at your desk?”
“Oh. Right.” I indicated the damage.
“What happened?” Lawson queried.
I stuck with the story I had come up with. “I was working, leaned back too far, and the chair broke. Sent me crashing down, and the wood got damaged.”
“You hurt?” Anderson asked with a frown.
“No, just my ego. Scared my assistant. She came running in to see what happened.” I chuckled convincingly. “She thought I’d knocked myself out.”
“She was working on a Saturday?”
I nodded, keeping my face neutral. “She’s been a big help on the project.”
“So Laura is gonna have to pay up soon?”
I joined in his laughter. “Yep. I picked a great assistant.”
Todd from maintenance picked up the box the chair pieces were in with a shake of his head. “I can fix the desk later. I’ll patch it up. I’d be careful with that chair you picked out. It had issues as well.”
“Myers is going to order me a new chair.”
“Good plan. I’ll be back later.”
He left, and a moment later, I heard the door open again. I braced myself, knowing it would be Myers. It was after eight, and she was later than usual. She stopped by her desk, appearing in the doorway, breathless and looking worried. “I apologize, Mr. Bane. I missed the bus.”
I waved my hand. “It’s fine, Myers. But I need coffee. Black.” I looked at my partners. “You two want anything?”
They both said no, and she hurried off. I heard the closet open, and I knew she’d stopped to take off her coat. Then the outer door closed, and she was gone.
Anderson laughed. “It’s barely after eight, and she’s late? I’m lucky if Annie shows up by nine.”
“Like I said, I’m very pleased with my choice.” I kept my voice cool.
We talked a bit more about the model and the meeting tomorrow. The door opened, and Myers appeared again, carrying my coffee. I had to look away, locking my body down as she walked toward me, set down my coffee, and headed back to the door, pausing.
“Anything else, Mr. Bane?”
She was wearing pants. Black, slim ones that hugged her ass. Her choice of a tweed vest was form-fitting, and an ivory silk blouse with lace at the cuffs and neck made it perfectly acceptable. Feminine. With her hair up and flats on her feet, she was the perfect assistant. Poised, professional, and ready to work.
Every inch of her was covered from neck to foot, yet she screamed irresistible. Sexy. Provocative.
And I wanted her naked and alone.
Now.
Screw everything else.
It took everything in me not to react. I lifted my coffee and took a sip, barely smiling. “I need the numbers for the Baylor file. ASAP.”
“Of course.”
She headed to her desk, and I set the mug on the desk, not trusting my hands to remain steady.
“You’ll be at the meeting tomorrow?” I asked my partners.
“Of course. Eight-thirty, right?”
“Yes. They have a plane to catch, so they requested an early meeting. I’ll have Myers look after refreshments.”
We shook hands and they left. I stayed at my desk, drinking my coffee, watching Myers. She was busy, her head bent over her keyboard, typing, her lips moving as she tapped the keys.
She lifted her head, our eyes meeting. She frowned. “Do you need something?”
“Yes.”
She came into my office, bringing with her the notebook. Always ready. Always professional. She sat down, her pen poised.
“What can I do for you?”
“You look lovely today.”
“Oh.”
I ran a finger over my bottom lip as I studied her. “Very fetching.” I paused.
She frowned. “Oh.”
“Something wrong?”
“We said professional,” she whispered.
“That was before you wore pants.”
“Pants?” she echoed.
“You’re much too sexy to be working in this office today, Myers.”
“You think my pants are sexy?” She looked bewildered.
“I think the way they hug your ass is sexy. It reminds me of the way I held it?—”
She jumped up, shaking her head. “Stop it.”
“I want to peel those pants off and have you on this desk again.”
Her eyes widened. “Bane,” she protested.
“Alex.”
“Bane,” she repeated. “I am wearing pants like many other women in this office. It’s not a big deal.” But she looked happy with my reaction, and I had a feeling she had chosen her outfit hoping I would notice it. It was impossible for me not to notice it, or her, now.
“It is on you. And I told you to call me Alex.”
Her eyes flared. “When we’re intimate. Which we are not going to be right now. It’s business hours, Bane. I am not calling you Alex. It will only encourage this behavior.”
I leaned closer, stroking my finger down her cheek. “Okay, Magnolia, have it your way. But come closing time, all bets are off. So are pants. And I’ll be watching you all day.”
She glared at me and shrugged. “I can solve that problem.”
She turned and walked away, giving me an eyeful of the way the pants hugged her ass. She pulled the door shut behind her. “Watch that, Bane,” she called.
I began to chuckle. Today was going to be interesting.
I went through my emails, addressing the ones Myers had left for me to handle. There weren’t many—she was too efficient at her job.
I sent her a request for refreshments for the next day. She promptly replied, telling me it was already handled. I sent her a fast response.
Excellent work, Myers.
She didn’t reply. I waited a while, then sent another message.
I need lunch. And coffee.
Even with the door shut, I heard her sigh. But I also heard her leave to go get my coffee. I sat back, waiting. A few moments later, she came in carrying a tray and slid it on my desk. “Your lunch.”
“You didn’t knock.”
“You didn’t knock,” she mimicked. “Of course I didn’t. You told me you wanted lunch.”
My eyebrows shot up, and I stared at her. The action no longer made her quiet.
“You can’t do this. Be hot and cold. Come here. Go away. Nice ass. Knock on the door. Decide which of your personalities is in the office and hold on to it, Bane. I’m not jumping.”
“You’re being rather brave today, Myers,” I drawled. “Talking back.”
“I talk back all the time—you just don’t hear me.”
I had to agree. “I bet you do.”
“Enjoy your lunch, Mr. Bane.”
She started to walk out, and I called to her. “Wait.”
She turned around and I smiled. “Thank you for lunch, Magnolia. I’m sure it’ll be delicious.”
She returned my smile. “You’re welcome.”
I heard the outer door open, and she groaned when she saw who it was. “Again?” She walked into the office. “Take them back. I do not know a Tyler. And I don’t want flowers from—” There was a pause. “Oh, aren’t they pretty?”
She sat down at her desk, and, curious, I went to the door. Today’s flowers were pale pink roses and baby’s breath. Small, delicate, and fragrant. She touched a petal, smiling and looking up at me. “I keep telling them to stop, but they keep arriving.”
I had noticed the other flowers at her place on the weekend. Small little bouquets slowly starting to die, yet she kept them.
“Someone wants you to have them. Might as well enjoy,” I huffed.
“The delivery guy won’t even take my tip. Says it’s been looked after.”
I didn’t say anything, returning to my lunch. Her mysterious flowers arrived every Monday, but I had no time to ponder them. The rest of the day, I watched her. Listened to her talking to people. Heard her low laughter. The polite way she dealt with clients on the phone. Other members of the office. Never short or condescending. I liked her voice. I liked how she represented me and this office. The bottom line was, I liked everything about Magnolia Myers. Probably more than I should. I had already crossed the line. Blew past it, even. Thrown out every rule I had ever set for myself. There was nothing in our policies about dating within the office, but I had always steered clear of anything personal in my business.
But as I discovered, it was impossible to remain impersonal with her.
She came in around six, handing me some files and sliding another sandwich on my desk.
“What is that?”
“I heard a rumor that you always work late the night before a presentation. Tweaking, adjusting, making sure it is perfect.”
I sat back. “Maybe.”
“Well, that is dinner.”
I looked at the plate, knowing it would be better than any takeout I ordered.
“I’ve arranged for an added bonus in your checks to cover the cost of these.”
She frowned. “You didn’t have to do that.”
I walked around to where she was standing in front of the desk, taking her hand. “Magnolia,” I said, pausing so she knew I was talking to her, not my assistant. “Not a single person has cared about me, or what I ate, for years. That you do, and you make these incredible sandwiches for me, plus your damn tasty coffees, means more than I can say. My company can afford to make sure you are compensated. So please accept it.” I stroked her cheek. “That’s my way of taking care of you.”
Her expression softened, her eyes becoming liquid chocolate. “Okay,” she whispered.
“Okay…” I lifted my eyebrows in expectation.
“Okay, Alex.”
I smiled. “Good girl.”
Then I pulled her close and kissed her the way I had been wanting to do all day. She whimpered as she kissed me back, winding her arms around my neck and melting into me. I loved how she felt pressed against me. Warm and soft, her curves aligning themselves to my harder planes. I groaned, gripping her nape and cupping her ass. “You have been driving me wild all day in this outfit,” I growled against her neck. “I want it off.”
I slid a hand between us, tugging on the small brass buttons of her vest. I covered her mouth with mine, swallowing her sighs as I hitched her leg around me, grinding into her. I wanted inside her again. I wanted to feel all of her against me. Her bare skin rubbing on mine. Her scent in my nose, her taste in my mouth. She made me lose control faster than any woman before her. She had from the first moment I’d met her, although I had held back.
I began to lift her when the outside door opened. Instantly, she was on her feet. I rushed to my side of the desk as she dropped into the chair, grabbing her notebook.
“I need those tomorrow, Myers,” I instructed, my voice still raw with desire.
“I’ll order them,” she said as Lawson walked in, carrying a takeout bag.
“I brought supplies,” he said cheerfully. “Oh, am I interrupting?”
Myers stood, regret in her eyes but a firm smile on her face. “No, we were just finishing up.” She picked up the sandwich. “You won’t need this. I’ll put it back in the refrigerator.” She met my eyes, and I hoped she saw the disappointment I was feeling. “Have a good night, Mr. Bane.” She smiled at Lawson as she went by. “You as well, Mr. Lawson.”
My cockblocking partner sat down in the chair she vacated. “I got Chinese and some scotch. Much better than a sandwich. I thought we could eat, and I would leave you to your puttering.”
I smiled and nodded, not able to say what I was really feeling. I would rather have spent the evening nibbling on a sandwich and Magnolia than eating Szechuan with him and sipping scotch.
Magnolia would be much more delicious.
We would have to try again tomorrow.