Chapter 1 #2
Once I finish, I quickly duck into the small kitchenette and get their coffees ready for their arrival. I hear the elevator ding just as I finish making them. I place them on a tray and hurry back to my desk, tray in hand. It’s the perfect routine, and it has never failed me once.
Tobias is the first to step out of the elevator.
He is sporting his black suit today, accompanied by a white shirt and silver tie.
His head is bowed, staring at his phone.
He grabs his coffee off the tray without even glancing up at me and strides directly into his office.
Theo, on the other hand, has a gray suit on, and the top three buttons on his white shirt are undone, exposing part of his chest. I have yet to see him ever as polished as Tobias, or in a tie for that matter.
Theo stops, grabs his mug, and takes a sip.
“Good morning, Imogen,” he says with a wink before prowling into his office across from Tobias.
That man reminds me of a giant cat with the way he moves.
I can't help the warmth that spreads across my cheeks and slowly heats the rest of my body. I quickly place the tray back in the kitchen before grabbing the tablet off my desk. I hesitantly stand at the door to Tobias’s office, hoping to God he is in a good mood today.
Just before I knock, his voice sings out. “Are you going to enter or stand out there all day?” His husky deep voice makes me jump before I open the door enough to quickly slip in.
Tobias sits at his desk, fingers typing away at his laptop.
He still hasn’t peered up. I stand there, balancing from foot to foot awkwardly.
I find Mr. Kane very intimidating; he’s always so formal, so serious.
When I don't speak, he finally glances up, eyes pinning me where I stand.
My hands tremble under his intense gaze.
He cocks his head to the side, waiting for me to speak, snapping me to my senses.
I step forward, clutching the tablet in my hands like a shield while I check his schedule.
“You have a meeting at twelve o’clock with Mr. Jacobs.
I have also forwarded the proposals, ready for your meeting, and I’m sending through now the emails received in reply to the conference meeting you held last Thursday.
” I’m proud my voice is still professional and clear even if my fingers tremble.
“Is that all?” He raises a brow, waiting for more.
“No sir, I need you to sign off on the charity fundraiser for the hospital,” I reply, searching for said paperwork. Have I left it behind?
“So where is the document?”
I left the required piece of paper on my desk. I internally facepalm myself. I hold my finger up. Tobias rolls his eyes at me, clearly annoyed by my mistake with his hand open waiting for the document. “Ah one minute sir.”
I hear him sigh, annoyed at me, no doubt.
I duck out and retrieve the document before sliding it on the desk in front of him.
He signs it without even glancing at it, passing it back to me.
His attention is once more fully on his laptop.
I don't exist in his world, so I take a moment to study him.
Stolen moments when I get to observe my bosses are rare, and I always take advantage of them.
I can’t help but notice he looks tired. Dark circles hang under his normally vibrant blue eyes, and his skin is a little paler than his normal golden tan.
I stare off into space, completely forgetting what I’m supposed to be doing, too busy admiring my boss and having another one of those completely inappropriate daydreams. Mr. Kane clears his throat awkwardly, dragging me from my thoughts.
He raises his eyebrow at me, catching me checking him out.
That doesn't usually happen. Have I made some sort of noise?
“Oh, sorry, sir.” I stumble over the words and duck my head to hide my warm cheeks. He shakes his head at me, but I hear a small chuckle. I turn around embarrassed, run from the room, and close the door.
Both men always make me flustered.
I feel kind of cloudy in their presence; I have even forgotten to breathe.
The last time it happened, I passed out.
To be fair, I hadn’t eaten so my brain was already mush.
I awoke to Theo’s concerned face leaning over me, all while Tobias just stared at me like I was mentally challenged.
Like seriously who forgets to breathe? It is meant to be a basic bodily function, and I couldn't even get that right.
That was the day I realized why no one wanted this job. It was incredibly hard to focus on work around them, on the verge of impossible. They could become an instant distraction without meaning to.
I also found Mr. Kane could be quite horrible. I don’t think he realizes the nasty things he says when he is angry.
Luckily for him, I have tough skin and desperately need this job. I also make sure I have my tablet in my hand every time I go into his office on the off chance, he throws something.
Once, I watched him hit the tech guy with a drink bottle when he was in a rage. Seriously, the bloke has anger issues and needs therapy or something. Everyone walks on eggshells around him except for Theo. The tech guy hadn’t been back since. I can’t blame him.
Sitting at my desk, I chuckle at the memory before turning back to my computer.
My job is surprisingly great and easy, plus it pays well.
Not much physical activity is required, unless you count answering phones and carrying files.
The only demanding thing is the hours. I’m literally on call 24/7.
Not just as their secretary but also a personal assistant, not that they get me to do much unless it is work related.
The hours can be ghastly at times, like working until the early hours of the morning before big deadlines.
But at least on those days, I don't have to worry about the cold.
Hitting the print button, I stroll into the printer room that sits off the side of the kitchenette.
I’m waiting for my printed document when the machine makes a beep before an error code pops up.
The paper tray is empty. Bending, I open the door on the printer and remove the tray before going to the drawer to get paper.
The cupboard is empty, so I head over to the storeroom.
Opening the door, I flick on the light and peer around at the shelves.
I sigh when I see where it has been placed.
And yet, I’m not surprised. Some moron has decided to stack it on the top shelf in one giant pile.
I pull the step ladder out from behind the door and sit on it before I take my heels off and climb up.
I have to stand on my tippy toes to reach the box.
I grip it with the tip of my fingers and pull it toward the edge, sending the stack of papers wobbling.
“Need a hand?” Theo asks directly behind me.
I gasp and jump in fright; I teeter as I lose my balance.
Quickly gripping onto the shelf with my fingertips, I right myself and regain my footing.
My heart hammers in my chest over the close call.
Once my heartrate calms, I become quickly aware of the hand grasping my ass.
Slowly, I gaze down at Theo’s hand as he holds me steady by my ass.
His large hand firmly pressed on my butt through my pants, I can literally feel his palm, his thumb nestles between my legs, pressing where my core is.
Thank God, I have pants on today and not a skirt.
His finger would have gotten a bit damp from all those vivid daydreams.
“Um, boss,” I say, peering down at his hand.
He finally notices where he has grabbed me.
A slight smirk creeps its way onto his face.
The feel of his large hand on me makes my skin burn and my insides melt.
An unfamiliar feeling washes over me. What’s wrong?
I have to fight the urge to clench my thighs shut to stop the sudden ache between my legs.
Instead of letting go like a normal person, he runs his hand over the curve of my ass and down the inside of my thigh, pausing to grasp at my ankle.
Only then does he pull his flesh away from me.
My skin flushes with embarrassment at my crushing on my gay boss.
Theo pauses to sniff the air for a second, a sly smile blossoms onto his face at my blushing.
He then reaches over and grabs the box I have painstakingly tried to retrieve, shoving the rest of the paper to the side as he pulls the stupid thing down as if it is easy.
I quickly step down the ladder and put my heels back on before taking the box from him. I avoid looking at his face.
“Were you looking for something?” I ask. I still burn in every area he touched. I walk from the storeroom back to the printer, and he follows me with that same little smirk plastered on his lips.
“Yeah, I tried to print something when I realized the printer was out of paper,” Theo replies, leaning on the bench next to the printer.
I quickly load the paper onto the tray before inserting it back into the machine.
Clearing the error, I hit print. The machine prints out the documents and I swipe mine to get them out of his way.
I staple them together and place them on the counter.
When no more comes out, I turn to Theo. “Are you sure you hit print?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
Theo seems to think before speaking. “I think so.”
I roll my eyes at him and walk into his office. He follows behind me and stands in the doorway, leaning against the door frame, watching me with those eyes of his. I once again feel every bit the prey, but this time I’m excited about it.