Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
office party
REY
Kaia raises her glass. “Never have I ever … stepped in a dog turd and had to walk around school all day.” She laughs, which is a first, and everyone blinks at her. She’s the only one who drinks.
All the new starters, plus a handful of the other under-thirties from the development team, have gathered in the bright pink and yellow breakout area on the ground floor.
We must be over twenty people here. Some of us are lounging on the massive wool couch, some seated by the cafe-style tables surrounding us, and others scattered on pouffes and beanbags, but we’re all playing this silly old drinking game.
And while some drink beer, others wine, most of us are enjoying a new (to me, anyway) herbal drink that’s meant to boost our energy yet make us feel calm and present.
It tastes like a negroni, which I love, so I’ll take it.
There’s no way I’ll risk making a fool of myself in the office, and because Silas is here, drinking. He seems to get the wrong idea even without alcohol involved, so I’m taking no chances.
The main reason is I want to see Mark later.
We haven’t agreed on anything, but I’ve stayed at his place every night this week except yesterday, and I can’t imagine another night without him.
It’s been strange sneaking around, but it’s the only way. I’m deliriously happy when we’re together, but once we’re apart, I’m reminded of all the reasons this is a risk for him. What happens when he’s not comfortable taking it anymore? Can we sneak around until my internship is over? Then what?
He’s so attentive, so sweet. And this week has been hot. I thought the first few times were the best sex of my life, but it’s just getting better. More intense.
I know why. For me at least.
Because I’ve fallen.
Hard.
How could I not? He’s simply the most wonderful human I’ve met. Should I tell him tonight? Is it too soon?
It’s bursting inside me. I could shout it across the room.
I’m in love with Mark Becker!
Tomorrow I’ll be working at Millefleuré, and he’ll be a guest. Will it be weird to tell him after that?
Someone snaps their fingers in front of my face, and I realise it’s Noor. “Earth to Rey,” he croons, and I shake myself back to the present. “Your turn!”
“Please give us something juicier than turds and losing bets,” one of the guys on the couch adds to a roar of agreement from the group.
“What makes you think I’ll have anything juicy?” I ask, all innocence, hoping no one has learned to read minds.
“You must have, you always emanate such confidence and sexuality,” Kaia says, leaning in. “I wish I could be like you,” she whispers, red wine on her breath. “I’m so shy.”
There’s a murmur in the group, and although I’m body confident and have no problem with being sexy, that’s in my other job.
Not here. Their eyes are on me, including Silas’.
He’s not hiding that he still likes what he sees, and it makes me uncomfortable in my red dress.
It’s a soft wrap dress, which hugs my curves, and when I move it shows off a bit of leg.
But I didn’t think that would be considered ‘emanating sexuality’.
I decide to play along, as the best defence is a good offence, isn’t that what some sports movie said?
“Alright, you want sexy?” I ask, crossing my legs and leaning back on the rounded pink couch. “Never have I ever…” I think hard, tapping my chin with a finger, “had phone sex.”
Surprisingly, about a third of the group drinks, and as I sip my herbal concoction, there’s a tingling sensation on my skin as if I’m being watched.
There’s movement in my peripheral vision, and I turn, looking straight at Mark, who’s leaning against the wall on the other side of the breakout room.
I spray my drink in surprise, making two of the guys seated next to me yell out.
“Sorry,” I say. “I—” I’m about to come up with a lie, but Mark pushes off the wall, and the sound of footsteps makes everyone turn, and there’s a smattering of gasps.
He strides towards the group in that straight-backed way of his, but he’s left the jacket off his three-piece suit, and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.
His hair is messier than normal, as if he’s run his hand through it too many times.
I seriously think I just heard someone say ‘oh, swoon,’ but maybe it was my libido, because bloody hell that’s a delicious man.
The man I’ve fallen for, who now holds my heart in his hands.
My core clenches, knowing what those hands can do. Knowing what those forearms feel like, holding me tight while I quiver from the orgasm he just gave me.
“Hi all, are you having fun?” he asks, smiling, and while the normal humans around me confirm they are indeed enjoying themselves, my uterus hums in tune with my throbbing clit.
I lift a hand to check I’m not drooling.
His gaze flicks to me, down my front where I can feel my nipples hardening.
I’m sure they’re on full display in this soft fabric.
His gaze is so fierce it feels like he’s touching me.
Those hazel eyes darken, and he looks away, putting his hands in his pockets and widening his stance.
“It’s getting late,” he says, and someone calls out ‘boo’ from the back, to hushed chuckles.
He ignores it and continues. “Reception called me saying they’d prefer if I got you out, when I’m already here.
The security team had some trouble the last time there was a party.
I’d recommend you make your way down to the pub now. ”
“Woo!” someone yells, and everyone laughs this time.
“Take care of yourselves,” Mark says, and turns without looking at me again. I stare after his gorgeous shape as he disappears around the corner. Does he want me to come with him tonight? I can’t follow him here, so I’ll have to go with the group to the pub and figure it out from there.
We all leave together, and creepy Silas sidles up to me as we exit the building. I skip to catch up to Tolu, Noor, and Kaia so I’m not left alone with him at the back.
“That was fun,” Silas says, and I link my arm in Tolu’s, making sure they’re included in the conversation.
“Yeah,” we both answer at the same time. My phone buzzes in my purse, and I fish it out while we’re walking. There’s a message visible from Robin on the lock screen.
Upstairs, now
I stick the phone back in my purse, heart racing.
He wants me to come back. It was such a short message.
Is he upset? My adrenaline rushes at the thought of seeing him and with a hint of anxiety at the tone of the request. I’m frantically thinking of an excuse to leave the group without raising suspicion.
“Who’s Robin? Upstairs where?” Silas asks.
Shit, he saw the message? Fucking sneak.
Thank fuck I never changed the name on the contact.
“Robin is Rey’s boyfriend,” Kaia slurs from in front of us. She turns around and sticks her tongue out at me with a glint in her eye. I know she’s trying to be funny, but I really prefer the sober, monotone version of her.
“I didn’t know you had a boyfriend,” Silas says, sounding hurt. As if I owe him anything.
“Yeah, I actually need to go. Have fun, everyone!” I announce, and the few who hear protest, but I wave them off. Silas moves the people onwards, waving back at me.
I decide to put on a little show in case of curious eyes. “Oh shit, my charger,” I say, louder than normal, searching in my purse. I facepalm, slump and sigh. When I look up, they’re all still walking towards the pub, so I dash back where we came from as fast as my high heels will let me.
I step out of the lift into the dark hallway and see the light from Mark’s office. His door is ajar. Automatic lights flicker on as I make my way down the hallway, like a spotlight following me.
“Mark?”
I push the tall, heavy door open.
“Hey, you.” His face breaks into a smile, and he comes around his desk to greet me. He wraps his arms around me and groans into my neck. “I missed your scent.”
My heart lurches at the feel of his lips against my skin.
“Phew, I thought you were upset about something. Because of the short message,” I admit, talking into his shoulder. I take a deep breath and sigh. I missed him too. That clean shirt, mild cedarwood, manly as hell scent.
He shakes his head against the side of mine, and then he pulls back, looking at me.
“No, I just wanted to send it as fast as I could,” he says, smiling.
“I’m scared,” I blurt out. Is the herbal drink giving me this bravery?
“What do you mean?”
“Surely you must know. I’m worried you’ll wake up one day and decide I’m not worth the risk. Whatever it may look like.”
He knits his brow, and I hate that I took his smile away. He brushes his thumbs over my cheeks where my dimples pop. I love when he does that.
“I told the chair of the board about us this Monday,” he says, his eyes burning into mine.
“Wow,” I whisper. “What does that mean? Is it—are we okay? I don’t know how boards work.”
“One step in the right direction, but he couldn’t give a clear steer. The board has the ultimate power over the company, so I’ll need to raise it with them.”
His voice is calm, but I can see his Adam’s apple working, his eyes travelling across my face.
“Why didn’t you tell me right away?”
He slides his hands down my neck, over my shoulders and down my arms, following his touch with his eyes.
“There’s something I’ve been wondering,” he says, pulling my attention back to him. “Why do you still do the atmosphere modelling now that you have this role?”
I open my mouth and close it again. It bothers him?
“It’s freeing, and fun,” I say and hear how defensive I sound. “I know it’s hard for others to understand, which is why I don’t broadcast it, but dressing up and sharing my creativity and energy really fuels me.”
There’s a war raging in his eyes. His jaw is working hard.