Ashlei
A couple hours after Erin’s emergency meeting, I’m swinging through the doors to one of the tallest buildings downtown with the biggest smile on my face.
The click clack of my stilettos on the marble floor of the lobby comfort me, a calm, soothing sense of home washing over me as I make my way toward the elevator.
That elevator will take me all the way up to the thirty-second floor, back to Okay, Cool, back to a place where I feel confident and respected, back to opportunity.
And back to Brandon Church.
A shallow breath fills my lungs as I press a hand to my stomach at the thought of him.
I run my fingers over the buttons on my rose-pink blouse, biting my lower lip against the smile threatening to break on my face.
When the elevator doors open, I step inside confidently, a blush creeping over my cheeks at the memory of my first time inside it.
That was the day I met Brandon Church.
That was the day everything changed.
I sigh, giving into my smile as the doors start to close, but just like last semester, a hand darts in to stop them.
Only this one isn’t the strong, dark hand of the CEO who makes my panties drip with want. It’s a lighter hand, more feminine and delicate, with long, shiny, black pointy nails.
The silver doors open again, and the last person I expect to see greets me with a wicked smile.
“Hello, Ashlei.”
“Kimberly,” I manage as a response, straightening as she steps onto the elevator with me. I wait for her to choose a different floor, to explain what the hell she’s doing back in this building, but she simply smiles wider at my apparent confusion.
Kimberly Marks was an intern with me last semester, and it was no secret that she absolutely hated me. She started rumors about me and Brandon, and although they weren’t completely untrue, they also had no proof to back them up. Most of the associates couldn’t stand Kimberly — me included.
So then why was she on her way back to Okay, Cool with me?
Kimberly had cut her hair since I’d last seen her, the long, brown locks of curls chopped high and tight into a masculine fade.
It accents her high cheek bones and slender nose even more, and leaves her slender collarbone exposed in her simple, scoop-neck, black dress.
Her heels are a matte black, too, making her entire appearance dark and commanding.
She’s taller than me by several inches, even though my heels are higher than hers, and she seems to take pride in the way she gets to look down her nose at me to answer the questions I haven’t even asked aloud.
“What?” she asks, one thin, dark eyebrow raised in pity.
“Did you think you were the only intern they invited back for another semester?” She clucks her tongue, turning back toward the elevator doors.
“They asked me to come back, too — and unlike you, I wasn’t asked to extend because of the quality of my blow jobs. ”
The corner of her red-stained lips quirks up at her little comment, and though my first instinct is to shove my stiletto heel up her ass, I simply smile back in a bless your heart kind of way, just like Mom always taught me.
“Well, congratulations, Kimberly. I look forward to working with you again,” I lie through my teeth.
And just as the elevator dings, letting us know we hit the thirty-second floor, I step forward, making sure she understands her place behind me.
“And thank you for the compliment on my skillset. It’s so nice to have the support of another professional, mature businesswoman. ”
As the doors slide open, Kimberly steps up right behind me, her next threat hot on the skin of my neck.
“You were the top intern last semester, Daniels, but it should have been me. And now that I’ve been invited back for a second chance to prove that, you better believe I’ll do whatever it takes.
I’m on to you,” she seethes. “So watch yourself, because I’m not backing down, and I won’t be overshadowed by the office slut again this semester. ”
Her words sting, even though I try not to give them power. Still, I don’t offer her so much as another glance, let alone more of my time. I simply click and clack my way off that elevator and back into the place that feels like home — and I don’t bother holding the door open for her on my way in.
“ASHLEI!”
Mykayla throws her arms around me as soon as I make it inside, her ginormous breasts pressing against my stomach as she nuzzles into me.
“I’m so, so happy you’re back. I’ve missed you so much! How was your break? How’s the sorority? I love that skirt on you, and oh, my God, you’re so tan.”
I chuckle, pulling back from our embrace with a smile that mirrors hers. “I’m happy to see you, too, Mykayla.”
Kimberly slinks by behind us, narrowing her eyes at me and Mykayla as she makes her way to our section of cubicles. Mykayla notices the ugly look and scoffs, pointing her thumb over her shoulder at where Kimberly’s back just disappeared around the corner.
“What the hell? What is she doing back here?”
“Hell if I know,” I say on a sigh. “She seems pretty fixated on my demise, though.”
Mykayla snorts, rounding the welcome counter back to her chair and plopping down.
She hands me my new name tag and office key fob with a gentle roll of her eyes.
“Whatever. She’s peanut butter and jealous — has been since the moment she met you.
Anyway, the other interns are almost finished in their morning orientation and then we’ll all break for lunch.
Sit with me? Let’s catch up before the afternoon briefing! ”
“You got it. I think I’ll walk around, say hi to everyone before then,” I say, pulse ticking up speed as I glance down the hall at Brandon’s office. The door is cracked, just enough for me to see his strong hand clicking away at his keyboard inside.
“Perfect. Holly should be back by the internship cubes already, if you want to start with her.”
I nod, knowing my manager’s desk should be the first place I stop, but ever since the last time Brandon’s hands splayed the small of my back, since the night I ditched my own formal and opted for him plowing me over the side of his desk, instead — he’s all I’ve been able to think about.
He said it was the last time he’d be able to touch me. He swore we’d have to behave ourselves, that we couldn’t see each other again — not like that.
But it was like telling a bird not to fly, or urging the wind not to blow — impossible, ridiculous, and absolutely futile.
I would have Brandon Church again. Of that, I was sure.
“I’ll make my way back there in a moment,” I finally say, my eyes still on his office door. “Figure I might as well say hi to Mr. Church while I’m out this way.”
Mykayla follows my gaze, shrugging. “Sure. He’s been locked in there all day, I’m sure he’d be happy for a break and a chance to welcome you back.” She smiles up at me, completely oblivious — thank God. “See you at lunch!”
Then, she gets right back to work like I’m no longer standing there, her little smile in place as she files through a massive stack of paper on her desk.
My throat is dry and sticky, my ability to swallow temporarily thwarted as I slowly make my way back to Brandon’s office.
Each step has my heart beating a little faster, and my hands do anything but stay at my sides — they slide over my long, slick pony tail, smooth down the sides of my pencil skirt, fidget with my necklace.
By the time I make it to his door, my knuckles softly rapping on the sleek, cool metal, I’m not sure if I want to smile, dance, or throw up.
“Come in,” Brandon says without looking up from his monitor.
I wedge my hip between the door and the glass of his office window, leaning against the silver pane and crossing my arms casually over my middle. “Good afternoon, Mr. Church.”
His hands stop, his eyes still locked on his screen.
I watch his face, searching for a sign of recognition, of delight, of want — of anything, but he keeps all of his features completely schooled.
His fingers go back to typing, only the slightest tick in his dark, strong jaw letting me know he registered my words at all.
“Miss Daniels,” he says calmly. “Nice to have you back. How was your winter break?”
“Uneventful,” I say, lowering my voice a little. “I was pretty sore, after all the dancing I did the night of my formal. Spent a lot of time recovering from that.”
There it is, I think, noting the slight twitch at the corner of Brandon’s mouth. He wants to smile, wants to tease me back, but he doesn’t. Instead, he clears his throat, keeping his eyes glued to his screen.
“Well, we’re glad to have you back at Okay, Cool. I have to finish this report, but I’ll see you at the briefing later?”
“Are you sure I can’t help with your report?” I ask, voice seductive and laced with intention.
In the next second, I feel like a foolish little girl, because Brandon huffs, shaking his head as he pounds on the keys harder.
“No, Miss Daniels, you can’t help. This is a report being crafted by the CEO, it’s not exactly internship busy work material.”
I snap back at the briskness of his tone, standing straight as shame shades my cheeks.
“Right. Of course. I didn’t mean to… I apologize, Mr. Church.”
He gives a curt nod. “No need to apologize. Have a good afternoon.”
My heart deflates like a sad, whining balloon. Brandon still won’t look at me, and though I knew he was serious when he said he wouldn’t be touching me again, the bigger part of me assumed that was just a cover — a way for him to say he tried to stay away from me once he finally gave in.
Judging by the way he won’t even look at me now, I realize I was wrong. He didn’t say those words last semester as a tease, or a joke, or a challenge.
He meant what he said, and for the first time in my life, I wish a man would have lied to me.
“You, too,” I say softly, dejected.
My heart beats too loudly in my ears as I shuffle my way back to the internship cubicles, my heels clicking along the marble once more.
But now, the sound doesn’t bring me comfort.
It just breaks my heart.