14. Maeve
It’s beenten days since I learned who Trey really is. We’ve settled into a reluctant boss and employee relationship. I say reluctant because neither of us wants to be a part of this situation, but our hands are tied.
So far this week, Trey’s been spending a lot of time in meetings, acclimating to being the new owner. When we’ve been together in his office, I’ve been putting the rules my friends and I came up with to use, and it’s somewhat helped. But aside from a few accidental touches, he’s also been on his best behavior. Which is surprising and, to be honest, confusing.
Maybe he changed his mind about being attracted to me? It wouldn’t be the first time a guy has sent me mixed signals or his feelings flipped with no warning.
I don’t know why I’m having mixed feelings about him keeping his distance. If anything, I should be thankful he’s making our situation easier.
My phone rings, and it’s Trey’s line.
Speak of the devil.
“Hello,” I say.
“Maeve, I need you to work late and help me with something.”
“Did I miss a ‘please’ in there somewhere?”
“Will you please help me?” He softens his tone.
“Yes, I will.”
“Thank you. I’ll order food. I know you can’t yell at me if your mouth is full.”
I can think of another way to fill my mouth.
I ignore my slutty subconscious that wants to make up for all the years of dull sex I had before I met Trey. “Sounds good.”
I hang up and send Sheryl a text.
Help! Trey wants me to stay late and help him with something. I couldn’t say no. What should I do?
Undo the top three buttons on your blouse and see what happens.
Now isn’t the time for jokes!
Who’s joking? I’ve seen the way he looks at you. All that pent-up desire has to go somewhere.
You’re not helping the situation any.
Sorry. Just don’t sit close to him. His dick can’t reach you if you’re more than nine inches away. Am I right? Or is it ten inches?
She’s not wrong, but I need a new work friend. I need someone serious and pious in my life. Someone who’ll talk me out of doing inappropriate things instead of encouraging me.
Fine, don’t tell me. I’ll remember this when you want details of one of my hookups.
That’ll never happen.
Some things are meant to be private.
I put my phone away and get back to taking care of the emails I didn’t read earlier. When I’m done replying to all of them, it’s after five o’clock, and I’ve procrastinated long enough.
Dammit. I don’t know why I have a bad feeling about this.
He’s been nothing but professional this week, so why would tonight be any different? If he tries something, it’s not like I can’t say no.
I just don’t know if I’m that strong.
I miss James and Mae so much. My chest aches with longing. But that version of us is gone.
I log out of my email and head to Trey’s office. With the door open, I see him staring at his computer, looking bleary eyed.
“Knock, knock,” I say.
He doesn’t glance away from the screen. “Come in and close the door, please.”
I do as he asks, and walk over to the front of his desk. “What do you need my help with?”
“I’m arranging a retirement celebration for my dad and I have to figure out the guest list. I’ve enlisted my mom’s help and she sent me the names and addresses of their closest friends. I need you to track everything on an Excel sheet or whatever method you want to use.”
“Sure, I can do that.”
“Also, I need you to help me make this celebration amazing. Whatever details or personal touches you can come up with would be a huge help. The first thing we need to do is find a venue to hold it at. And it needs to be ASAP because, apparently places get booked like a year in advance. Who fucking knew?” He shoves his fingers through his hair.
“I could’ve told you that,” I say. He unblinkingly stares at me. “What? Don’t you know anyone who’s planned a wedding? A good venue is hard to find.”
He shakes his head. “Fucking fantastic.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure we can find somewhere that’ll work.”
A knock interrupts before he can reply. I walk over and open the door.
“I have a delivery for Trey,” the young man says.
I smile. “I’ll take it, thanks.” He hands over a bag and disappears down the hallway. I nudge the door closed with my hip and deposit the bag on the coffee table. “What did you order?”
“Cheeseburgers, fries, and onion rings.”
“I haven’t had a burger in ages.” My stomach rumbles with anticipation. I immediately empty the contents of each bag onto the table and sit on the couch. Trey joins me, passing over a bottle of water. “Thank you,” I say, placing it on the wooden surface.
I slide a box with a burger and fries toward him and take the other for myself. The onion rings are situated in the middle of the table for sharing. “Have a napkin,” I say, placing it on his leg. It’s the closest I’ve come to touching him since he became my boss.
“Thank you, Maeve.”
“It’s a napkin, not a venue for the party,” I joke.
“I appreciate you staying late with me. Especially on such short notice.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m getting a delicious dinner out of it.” As if to prove my point, I bite into the juicy cheeseburger and chew.
Trey adds onion rings to his burger before taking a bite, and it looks delicious.
Why haven’t I ever tried that?
I add a few to mine and take another bite.
Holy Mother of God.
He watches my reaction and grins. “Good, right?”
“Yes, amazing.” I don’t say another word until I’ve eaten every single bite of my meal.
Trey cleans up our trash while my eyes eagerly drink in the way his dress pants hug his ass as he walks to the trash bin. He unexpectedly peers over his shoulder, and my gaze leaps away, but I’m busted. He saw me ogling him.
“Are you checking out my too-tight pants?” he teases. My cheeks flush with embarrassment at being caught, and for the reminder of the drunk texts I sent him last week. Damn him.
I focus on peeling the label off my bottle of water. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He laughs as he approaches the couch. I’m ultra cognizant of his proximity as he lowers next to me. His thigh presses to mine, burning through my thin skirt like a brand on my skin.
He cups my chin, turning my face toward his and locking eyes with me. “You’re fucking adorable.” He smiles, but then his lips flatten, and his expression turns serious. I suck in a startled breath as his mouth dips toward mine, then sigh with relief as our lips meet.
All the reasons we shouldn’t be doing this vanish with the sweep of his tongue against mine. He pulls me closer, winding his arms around me as our kiss deepens.
God, I’ve missed this.
His mouth moves to my neck, teeth raking down to the curve of my shoulder. “Wish we were in my bed.” His words trigger a momentary blip of reality to flicker through my kiss-fuddled mind.
We can’t do this.
Slipping my hands between our torsos, I press my palms to his chest. “Pizza.”
Trey draws back, freezing in place. “Are you okay?”
I nod. “We can’t kiss each other anymore. It’s not right.”
“You’re right. I got carried away and I’m sorry.” He moves over, placing more distance between us. Leaning forward, his hands dangle between his knees. “We should call it a night.”
“We can finish up first,” I say.
“We’re done for now. It’s for the best,” he says. His tone leaves no room for disagreeing.
“Okay.” Rising, I make my way across the room. “See you tomorrow.”
“See ya.”
As I pull the door closed behind me, I chance a final look at Trey. His head is lowered in his hand, and he looks as disappointed as I feel.
I didn’t want our kiss to end, but had we continued, the situation would’ve escalated until neither of us was strong enough to stop.