Chapter 3 Sidestepping #2
“Jackson asked me to check in on Cici. He’s worried about her. Said her parents still won’t talk to her and are keeping an eye on things through the assistant. I figure I’ll swing by and catch her in action… invite her to lunch.”
“Stop being a pussy and insist she go with you. How long will you keep this nice-guy shit going before you take what you want? Have you learned nothing from me?”
“How soon you forget that I’m the reason you got anywhere with Lily. I distinctly remember lecturing you on the art of dating, little brother,” I jest.
“Well, it’s my turn to lecture you now. Stop being a pansy-ass bitch and make your move already.”
“Fuck off. Just wait—my slow play will win in the end.”
“Yeah, good luck with that. Now get the fuck out so one of us can work.”
I flip him the bird and chuckle as I retreat, hearing him scoff behind me. But he has a point. I think it might be time to put a little pressure on the woman.
Stopping at the florist around the corner, I decide to grab a gift for her temporary office.
It’s the perfect reason to swing in and won’t look as suspicious.
My mind runs through possible outcomes on the drive over.
Will she be happy I’m there or frustrated at the unannounced visit?
I’ll play it by ear on inviting her to lunch.
Who knows? Maybe we won’t even need to leave the office for what I have in mind.
I walk in and head back to Cici’s currently empty office.
The staff up front knows me since I’ve been here a few times to visit Jackson.
He and I met through business a couple years back and became friends.
However, I’m unfamiliar with the most recent temporary assistant after Mia left, since his regular one is still on maternity leave.
“Well, hello there. We haven’t met, so I’ll introduce myself. I’m Eli Dubree, and you are?” I hold my hand out as the lady in question blushes. Yes, I do have that effect on women.
“Oh, hi. I’m… R-Rebecca,” she stammers while placing her hand in mine.
I lift it for a kiss, making her cheeks go a deeper shade of pink.
“Pleasure to meet you, Rebecca. I’m here for Cici, but I see she’s not in. Will she return soon?” My voice oozes charm.
“Yeah, she just ran for coffee. She shouldn’t be much longer. Can I help you with anything?” she asks seductively.
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll just wait in her office. I’d like to surprise her.” I make the sssh sign with my pointer finger to my lips, leaving no room for argument as I walk into Cici’s office. My lips curve upon hearing Rebecca’s stuttering acceptance as I shut the door behind me.
I look around a bit before settling into one of the chairs in front of the desk and placing the plant down.
If I didn’t know Jackson was gone, I’d think he was having an incredibly chaotic day with the files scattered everywhere.
He’s more of a neat freak from what I’ve witnessed the few times I’ve been here.
However, the desk is currently cluttered with papers of all sizes, handwritten notes, and files galore.
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say Cici is not the most organized individual.
I hear the door open and turn to the lady in question, who is standing at the doorway, talking to Rebecca with her head turned that direction.
I take her in while she’s distracted. Her business attire—something I don’t witness by the time she makes it to Sebastian and Lily’s—is a black pencil skirt and white silk blouse with the sleeves rolled up.
Her hair falls in waves over her shoulders while two buttons open to reveal her creamy golden skin with the mounds of her well-endowed cleavage tempting me.
I’m dying to get my hands on her again. This will be interesting with no audience and an impossible chance for her to make an abrupt exit, considering this is her office.
She finishes talking and turns around, her eyes going wide.
“Oh. Eli, I didn’t know you were here.” She turns back to Rebecca, and I can only imagine the daggers she’s shooting her way while Rebecca relays my request to surprise her.
“Ah. Well, surprise accomplished,” she states cooly, lips in a thin line while she shuts the door.
I stand before she makes it around the desk and gently grab her arm.
“Hey, cutie. Where’s my proper hello?” Without giving her a chance to respond, I pull her into me.
“That’s better,” I say, rubbing her back as she takes a deep inhale.
It’s impossible not to feel the electricity buzzing between us.
I find myself nuzzling the side of her head, breathing in her scent, knowing it’s more than that for me.
There are feelings involved that seem to grow stronger each time we’re together.
“Eli, what are you doing?”
“Hugging you. Isn’t this how people normally greet one another?”
She retreats and sits behind the desk, ignoring my answer. “So what brings you by?”
“I wanted to stop in, say hi, and bring you a gift for your office, even though it’s temporary. I knew Jackson didn’t have much in here to lighten the mood.” I nod toward the fuchsia-colored orchid between us.
“Thank you, that’s really sweet. And it’s gorgeous.”
“I also thought I’d check in and ask how life is treating you these days,” I say casually, unsure if I should bring up lunch or take a sly approach.
“You could have saved yourself the trip and just texted or asked next time I’m at your brother’s.”
“I could have, but I’m sure you would’ve said the same as all the other times I tried: you’re fine, you’re keeping up on everything, you’re happy to help your brother out.
Or when you answer by text? Good is the only response you give.
But I want to hear how you really feel.” My mouth curves up on one side along with my right eyebrow, insinuating I’m not buying it.
“It is how I really feel.” Her annoyance is evident.
“And like I said the other night, I have a lot I’m juggling between both jobs, so I don’t have much time to chitchat, unfortunately.
I’m sorry, Eli,” she says, shuffling files around in what appears to be an attempt at making order in the chaos and clearing a small portion of the desk.
“What I see is you trying to avoid answering the question.”
She gets a scowl that only makes me want to place a kiss right between her eyes to remove it. “What’s the question?”
“How is life treating you, Cici? Are you happy being back home? Or is something… missing?” As in me…?
She sighs dramatically. “Yeah, my whole life is missing, since this isn’t my home anymore.
I’m happy in Bozeman, and I miss it. I love being here with Lily, but it’s not where I belong.
I have a job, my condo, friends… a whole other life, and it’s difficult to be away.
I didn’t want to come back, and if it weren’t for Lily…
I’m not sure I would have. Does that answer your question? ”
“Thoroughly.” After my obvious innuendo, it’s apparent she truly has no interest in becoming more.
What the fuck was I thinking? “I’m sorry, Cici.
It sounds like you made quite the sacrifice.
Jackson’s lucky to have you. It can’t be easy with the rift between you and your parents either.
” I might as well get to the heart of Jackson’s concern so I can let her be.
She may still want me as badly as I want her, but that’s where it ends—for her anyway.
“It’s not the greatest feeling in the world, but I’ve come to terms with it and don’t let them bother me anymore unless Rebecca mentions them.
But now that I’ve asked her not to tell me when they call, it’s been better.
” She must read the skepticism on my face and continues, “Really, I’m fine.
I’m glad to spend time with Lily and help with the wedding way more than I could have from home.
And besides, it’s not forever. The two months I agreed to are already halfway over. ”
“You realize it might take longer than that to find Mia’s dad, right? Or will you tell him he has to quit looking and come home?”
“Okay, Mr. Pessimist. Of course, I wouldn’t. I also can’t stay forever.”
“What’s your endgame, then?”
“What does it matter right now? I thought you came to ask how I’m doing, not stress me out more, geez almighty.”
I run my hand through my hair, frustrated in so many ways. “I just don’t want you to be blindsided if he needs more time. It’s not an unlikely scenario.”
“Got it. I’ll make a mental note.” She points to her temple. “Anything else you’d like to know or make sure I’m aware of?” Her anger is bubbling under the surface, and if I push any more, she’ll go batshit.
“Sorry, cutie. I didn’t mean to come here and cause you grief—just to pay a visit.
I care about you. And to be honest… I may have had an ulterior motive.
You’re here. I’m here. We’re fire together, and I’d love nothing more than to rekindle the flame.
” She opens her mouth to talk, but I stop her.
“However, you’ve made your objections clear, and I’ll accept your decision.
I’ll admit, it won’t be easy, but I’ll let you be. ”
“Thank you. And anyway, aren’t you too busy running your billion-dollar company to take time wandering over to my neck of the woods? I have a feeling that if I gave in to you, you’d be here more often than not.”
“I’m never too busy for you. My job is mostly oversight, and I’ve got it down to a science.
Lucky for me, Sebastian is a workaholic, so he does most of the heavy lifting.
I’d feel bad if Lily weren’t one floor away from him all day in the marketing department, but we both know he’s where he wants to be.
I’d have all the time in the world for you, and if I didn’t, I’d make time. ”
“Eli. Stop being so damn perfect. You’re making it very hard to resist. Ugh. Listen, I’m leaving soon. We’ll both regret it if we cross the line only to say goodbye again. Hey, let’s enjoy being friends. You are practically my brother-in-law.”
I laugh with a shake of my head. “Yeah, no… I will never think of you as my sister-in-law, but nice try.”
She laughs. Seeing her smile lightens my mood and brings a semblance of peace that’s sure to disappear the minute I leave, but then I have an idea.
“Since we are friends, could you help me out with something next week?” I ask nonchalantly, not wanting to give away how hopeful I am that she’ll say yes.
“Depends. What do you need help with?”
“There’s a restaurant in our portfolio that’s looking to change their menu, and they want us to pop in to taste the new dishes first. I set something up for Monday when they’re closed, but Sebastian had a conflict.
You could be his stand-in. You’d be doing me a solid—plus, it’s your favorite… Italian,” I say enticingly.
“Hmm, it’s tempting.”
“Come on, you’d be helping me out. If I’m the only one to show up, they may not take my word for it. And it would be awkward eating by myself.”
“What time on Monday?” she asks, still sounding unsure.
“Since they’re closed, anytime. Tell me what works for you, and I’ll make it happen.”
She checks her schedule before answering, “Okay, fine. I can leave a little early that day. Let me know when, and I’ll block it out.”
“All right, I’ll text you a time and let you get back to work.”
“Sounds good. Hey, thank you for the plant.”
“You’re welcome, cutie. And stop avoiding me now. I’ll back off. But know you can call me for anything.” I can’t resist…. “And I mean anything.” I wink.
“God, you’re such a pervert. Get out of here before I change my mind.” She throws a pen at me, laughing.
I catch it, then stand, holding it out for her to take, giving me an opportunity to caress her hand. Walking to the door, I turn to say goodbye. “See ya Monday.”
“See you then. Shut the door on your way out.”
So much for fucking like rabbits this afternoon.
Instead, I have some finagling to do in order to make this restaurant tasting happen.
It’s good to have friends in a variety of fields, but first, I’ll call Jackson on the drive and fill him in on Cici.
It’s clear he doesn’t have to worry about her.
She’s one tough cookie and determined to come out on top.
When she puts her mind to something, she’s a force to be reckoned with, that’s for damn sure.
Her boycott of my bed is a perfect case.
But I’ll take what I can get at this point.