3. Eliza
ELIZA
“Yikes,how long were you trapped for?” my best friend Melanie asks as she pops a cheese cube into her mouth.
“Twenty minutes,” I reply with a groan. “But it might as well have been twenty years.”
My other best friend, and current roommate, Willow, laughs and reaches for a cracker. “It wasn’t that bad, was it?”
I take a sip of water, trying to soothe my still-dry throat. “Well, normally, I can manage. Except my boss was trapped with me.”
“Wait, the hot boss?” Melanie’s voice spikes to a pitch that earns us a few curious glances.
“Yes, the hot boss,” I hiss, glancing around to see if anyone overheard. Leaning closer, I reply quietly, “Now, would you please keep your voice down?”
Melanie giggles. “Sorry. But come on, you have to admit it’s kind of a romantic setting.”
“Romantic?” I raise an eyebrow. “Getting stuck in a small metal box with no air conditioning or cell service is your idea of romance?”
Willow grins mischievously. “Well, it’s definitely a bonding experience.”
I roll my eyes. “More like a claustrophobia-inducing nightmare.”
It’s Saturday night, and my friends and I are sitting in a corner booth at the Pitcher’s Brew, a local bar in town owned by Melanie’s boyfriend, Jake. The place is packed, as usual, and the music is loud enough to make conversation difficult. But I’m still trying to avoid broadcasting my embarrassing elevator ordeal to the whole bar.
Melanie pats my arm sympathetically. “So, what did you and the hot boss talk about for twenty minutes?”
Before I can elaborate further, Jake walks up to our table, interrupting our conversation.
“Sorry to keep you ladies waiting. Place is packed tonight.” He gives us a sheepish grin and pulls out his notepad and pen, ready to take our orders. “What’s the poison tonight?” His gaze dances over each of us before landing on his girlfriend. “How about we start with you, gorgeous?”
Melanie blushes. “I’ll have a margarita.”
Willow taps her chin, glancing at the cocktail menu. “I think I’ll go with a mojito.”
Jake writes it down and turns to me. “And for you, Eliza?”
“I’ll take a gin and tonic, thanks.”
Jake nods and tucks his notepad into his pocket. “Great choices, ladies. I’ll have these ready for you in a few minutes.”
As Jake heads back to the bar, Melanie leans in with a smirk. “So, back to the elevator. Did Mr. Hot Boss say anything interesting?”
I shrug, trying to downplay just how awkward those twenty minutes had been. “We mostly talked about opera.”
Melanie wrinkles her nose. “Opera?”
“Yeah,” I reply sheepishly. “He was trying to… comfort me.”
My friends exchange puzzled looks, and Willow probes further. “What do you mean?”
“You two know I’m claustrophobic.” I feel my cheeks heat up as I mumble out the truth. “And when we got stuck in that elevator, I sort of freaked out. So Drew...held me. And we talked about opera.”
Melanie and Willow gasp simultaneously, their eyes widening in shock. “He held you?” Willow repeats.
I nod mutely, my fingers twisting anxiously at the hem of my cardigan as I recall the sensation of Drew’s hard muscles pressed against me—a memory that sends an unexpected jolt of pleasure straight to my core. But that’s a detail I keep to myself.
“Yeah, I can see why you haven’t spilled the beans about your secret job to your family yet,” Melanie muses. “Fiona would kill you if she found out you were sleeping with the enemy.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not sleeping with him.” But my words are drowned out by the sudden vibration of my phone on the table.
As if summoned by our conversation, my phone dings with a new email notification. The screen lights up with two words that make my heart leap into my throat: Drew Donovan.
Instantly, I swipe my thumb across the screen to reveal the message. Then I blink at the email, rereading the words to make sure they’re real.
“Eliza,” it starts, and I can almost hear his deep voice in my head, “in light of Virtual Assistant Appreciation Day, I would like to extend an invitation to lunch. My treat.”
Willow peers over, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Ooh, what’s that smirk for?”
“It’s Drew,” I reply, fidgeting with my straw. “He, um...he invited me out to lunch for Virtual Assistant Appreciation Day.”
Melanie nearly spits out her drink from laughing. “Virtual Assistant Appreciation Day?”
“Is that even a real thing?” Willow giggles.
To be honest, I have no idea if Virtual Assistant Appreciation Day is a real thing. But the fact that Drew thought of it and wants to take me out for lunch makes me feel like it should be a real thing.
Maybe I wasn’t imagining the way he was looking at me in the elevator this morning.
Melanie claps her hands together. “This is getting good! You two are practically going on a date now.”
“It’s not a date,” I insist. “It’s just lunch.”
My heart flutters at the thought. Spending more time with Drew is dangerous, especially after what happened in the elevator. But the opportunity to get to know him better is too tempting to resist.
Willow squeezes my arm, her eyes soft with understanding. “It’s okay if you want to go, Eliza. Just be careful.”
“I know.” I sigh, staring into my glass. “The thing is, I can’t figure out why he’s suddenly so interested in me. We’ve barely spoken since I started working for him, and now he wants to take me out to lunch?”
“Maybe he’s finally realized what he’s been missing.” Melanie winks at me.
My phone buzzes in my purse again, and I pull it out to find a new email from Drew.
“He says the company limo will pick me up from my apartment at noon,” I tell my friends.
“Limo, huh? Looks like Fit Mountain’s most eligible bachelor is pulling out all the stops.” Melanie raises her glass in a toast. “To Eliza’s hot date with destiny!”
And for some reason, I can’t help the cheesy grin that spreads across my face.
I wakeup Monday morning with a flutter of nerves in my stomach. Today is my lunch date with Drew, and I still can’t quite believe it’s really happening.
Willow had an early shift at work today, so I’m on my own this morning. I roll out of bed and pad into the bathroom, hoping a hot shower will wash away my anxiety. As I step under the spray of water, a million thoughts swirl through my head.
I know it’s wrong to lust after Drew. He’s my boss, I’m his secretary. Boundaries exist for a reason.
But then there’s that elevator memory that won’t fade. The feeling of his strong arms around me, the way he calmed my panic in the dark.
Since then, an ache has set up residence between my thighs. My body craves him – his touch, his strength. He’s sparked something within me I’ve never felt before.
It’s a war between what I want and what I know is right...and right now, what I want is winning.
Once I get out of the shower, I spend an inordinate amount of time picking out an outfit.
I want to look cute without seeming like I’m trying too hard. Finally, I settle on a floral sundress and cardigan, pairing them with strappy sandals for a casual yet put-together look.
But when I glance in the mirror again, I notice the outline of my thong showing through the thin fabric of my dress.
Shit.
I hate it when my panty lines show under my clothes. Not to mention that Drew will probably think I did it on purpose.
I decide to go commando, sliding my thong off and tucking it into my purse. Then, I head outside. Perfect timing, too, because just as I walk out of my front door, a sleek black limo pulls into the parking lot of my apartment complex.
My eyes widen in surprise at the sight of Drew stepping out to open the door instead of the driver. He looks even more ruggedly handsome than I remembered, his green eyes sparkling in the bright midday sun.
“Afternoon, gorgeous,” he calls out as he holds out his hand to help me inside the car.
Does he call all of his staff gorgeous?
“Hi, Drew.” I give him a shy smile, slipping my small hand into his much larger one. “Thanks for picking me up.”
“Of course,” Drew replies as he glides onto the seat next to me. “Just think of it as one of the many ways I plan to show my appreciation today.”
I swallow hard. One of the many ways?
“I thought we’d start by trying that new Italian place on Main Street for lunch,” he continues nonchalantly as the limo pulls out of the parking lot. “I hear their Bolognese is excellent.”
“That sounds good,” I reply, trying to sound calm despite my jittering nerves. “I’ve never been there before.”
“That’s what makes it an adventure.” He grins at me from across the seat. “And speaking of adventures, how are things going on the volunteer front at the opera? Opening night is this Saturday, right?”
I blink in surprise. He remembered?
“Um, things are going really well,” I reply. “My sister actually sent me a video from the dress rehearsals last night.”
“Can I see?”
I pull out my phone and show Drew the video of the singers on stage, their powerful voices soaring through the theater. “I can’t wait to hear it live on opening night,” I say dreamily. “Even just watching the rehearsal video, it’s like the music just carries me away. “
“Is that what you want?” Drew murmurs. “To get carried away?”
I look up and meet his gaze, shocked by the hunger I find there.
This is dangerous territory, but I can’t bring myself to care. All I want is to get lost in the moment and explore whatever might unfold next.
I don’t think. I act on instinct alone, tangling my fingers in his hair and pulling his mouth down to mine. The kiss is hungry and demanding, fueled by months of pent-up longing.
Drew groans, the sound reverberating through me, and kisses me back with enough passion to burn away all doubts and leave only scorched earth behind.
He slides his hands down to grip my ass, grinding my hips against his. The friction sends sparks of pleasure skittering across my skin. I whimper into Drew’s mouth and he swallows the sound, deepening the kiss until I’m dizzy from lack of oxygen.
When he finally breaks away, we’re both panting.
“Fuck, babe. I knew you’d taste as sweet as you look,” Drew rasps as he reaches between my legs, his fingers sliding easily over my soaked entrance. His eyes widen slightly. “No panties?” A wicked grin spreads across his face. “Did you plan this?”
I bite my lip as I hold his gaze. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” He arches a brow, his fingers digging into my inner thigh. “You’ll have to do better than that.”
I swallow hard. “Yes. I planned it.”
“Big mistake, sweetheart,” he growls. “I don’t share what’s mine. I had plans to make you come in the limo. But since you’re not wearing any panties, now you have to be punished.”
My cheeks flame hotter as arousal coils tight in my belly.
I’ve never been one for games, but the intensity in Drew’s eyes and the promise of what’s to come unravels my restraint. I want this—want him—more than I’ve ever wanted anything. And if indulging his fantasies is what it takes, I’ll play along.
“What’s my punishment?” I whisper.
His breath coasts against the outer shell of my ear. “You’re going to come for me today, Eliza. As hard as I want. As many times as I want. And by the time I’m done with you, the only word you’ll remember is my name.”
Thenhe calls out to the driver, lowering the partition a fraction of an inch.
“Hey, Hector? Change of plans. Take us back to the office.” He gives me a wicked grin. “I’m eating lunch at my desk.”