15. LYCA
Chapter 15
LYCA
“ T hanks for picking Lucas up,” I said to my mom over the phone. “Sorry, I don’t think I can come yet. I’m swamped with work.”
“Oh, dear! I think you’re working too hard!” she exclaimed with worry.
“It’s just that time of the year, and you know I’m in a new job position so I’m still adjusting somehow. But I’ll follow, I promise. I’ll be there around eight-ish, okay?”
“Alright, Lyca. You won’t eat dinner here anymore?”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll just grab something on the way there. Send my hugs and kisses to Lucas.”
“Okay, see you later.”
I put the phone down with a sigh before slipping back into my chair to face the pile of documents on my desk. For the next hour, I worked in silence, trying to focus on the task at hand. But from time to time, thoughts of Xander would creep in, especially the way he’d acted so strangely earlier today.
As I stared at the blinking cursor on my screen, I couldn't help but replay our interaction in my mind, analyzing every word and gesture for hidden meaning. Despite my best efforts to push him away in the workplace, I couldn't deny the undeniable pull I felt toward him.
Sometimes I think it would have been easier if we’d stayed enemies.
“It doesn’t need to be complicated, though,” I could hear my best friend, Jessie, saying. That’s exactly how she had reacted when I had called her a while ago. “Maybe you should give yourself a chance to build a new relationship with someone. And this someone could be Xander. You said it yourself. He’s not the person you thought he was.”
She does have a point , I thought. But he’s my boss.
But as much as I longed to give in to the allure of his presence, I knew that I had to tread carefully. The scars of past heartaches reminded me to protect myself, to guard against the pain that had once consumed me. I couldn't afford to let my emotions run wild, not when so much was at stake.
I glanced up from my computer screen as the soft knock on my door broke the silence of the office. My heart skipped a beat when Xander's familiar voice floated through the doorway, his head poking in with a casual yet inviting smile.
“Hey there,” he greeted, his brown eyes twinkling with warmth. “I saw that your light was still on. I brought some coffee—thought you might need a pick-me-up.”
My heart raced. Speaking of the devil…
And yet, I couldn't help but smile at his thoughtful gesture, a flicker of surprise crossing my features as I accepted one of the steaming cups he offered. “Thanks, Xander,” I said gratefully, the warmth of the cup seeping into my chilled fingers. “I thought I was the only one left in the entire building.”
He chuckled softly, stepping further into the room and closing the door behind him. “Seems like we both have deadlines to meet,” he remarked, his gaze sweeping over the cluttered desk before settling on me. “Still working on your reports?”
I nodded with a groan. “Yes! There’s more paperwork in my new position. But hey, I’m not complaining. The promotion and salary raise are great.”
Xander chuckled, his eyes twinkling and connecting with my soul. I could feel the bond between us strengthening. “Yeah, I’m new to this manager thing too, so I’m still catching up. I don’t know about you, but I sure need a break. Mind if I join you?”
“Sure, have a seat.” I gestured to the empty chair opposite me. Despite the exhaustion that weighed heavily on my shoulders, I couldn't deny the flutter of excitement that stirred within me at his presence.
As Xander settled into the chair opposite me, his easy charm and infectious energy radiated through the room, instantly making it feel warmer and more alive. And as we sipped our coffee and exchanged easy conversation, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and ease wash over me, the tension of the day melting away in his presence.
The coffee in my hand was almost empty. I was actually having a good time, and I’d even begun to relax.
But there was an undeniable chemistry simmering beneath the surface. I found myself leaning in slightly, my heart pounding in anticipation as I met Xander's gaze. His brown eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and something more, something deeper.
“I thought you had somewhere to be tonight?” he asked softly.
“Yeah, my mom’s. Lucas is there now, but I have to finish this first.”
“Can I just drive you there later?” he offered.
I hesitated but then found myself looking forward to it.
Suddenly, he leaned closer to me and it felt like there was an invisible force bringing us together, drawing us near. Our lips brushed together in a delicate yet potent connection, igniting a spark that sent shivers down my spine.
That was it. I lost all my self-control again.
In a few seconds, he’d managed to move around the desk, take off my panties, and pull up my skirt. And once he started giving me explosive oral sex, I couldn’t stop anymore. I wanted more.
He brought my hand to the top of my pussy, encouraging me to touch myself, to add to the pleasure that he was already providing. I gave in, shifting to a state of carnal desire and gratification. And he looked satisfied and much more eager to please me.
After I reached my climax, the intense pleasure rolling all over my body and making my temperature rise as I quivered uncontrollably, I found myself taking off his belt and unbuttoning his pants. Soon enough, I had his hardness in my mouth. I used my lips and tongue to lick, suck, and stroke his shaft, causing it to get harder and longer. Gently I wrapped one hand around it and moved up and down to stimulate it further. At one point, I looked up and met his smoldering gaze. We were both on fire, and we could not stop.
Soon he turned me around and entered me from behind as I clutched the edge of the desk in front of me. A surge of energy pulsed through my core, intensifying the heat coursing through my veins. I felt like I was engulfed in flames from head to toe.
“I want you so badly, Lyca,” he whispered in my ear as he caressed my breasts and shoved inside me over and over again. “Say you want me too.”
“Yes, I want you, Xander,” I murmured between gasps and breaths.
He swung me around and carried me easily, with my legs spread around his lower body. He pinned me to a wall and penetrated my entrance, slipping in smoothly and filling every little bit of space with his rock-hard penis. I let out a soft scream.
Looking deep in my eyes, he demanded, “Say it again.”
“I want you, Xander.”
“Again.”
“I want you.”
“You have me now,” he replied, to my surprise. “And I have you.” Then he gave one last push and reached his climax, his moan echoing in the silence of the night. Thick, gooey liquid drizzled down my inner thigh.
I can’t believe it. We had sex in the office.
My eyes searched the floor for my underwear, and I found it lying at the foot of my executive swivel chair, along with a few documents and pens that had fallen from my desk. Fuck. He’s bringing out the animal in me. I’m not so sure if that’s a good thing.
But it’s very good sex , a voice in my head said slyly. The kind of sex you haven’t had before you met Xander.
But what if I’m just a temporary pastime for him? One of the women he’ll check off of his list? Then next week, next month, it’s someone else already.
I hurriedly put on my underwear and grabbed some work stuff. I couldn’t risk my heart for someone I wasn’t sure truly cared for me. I wasn’t just in it for the sex. And I was never one to get into affairs with no strings attached. If I was going to be with another man, I wanted someone willing to commit and be a good father to my son. And right now, I couldn’t see Xander fitting that description.
“I’m sorry I have to go,” I mumbled, taking my bag and laptop too. “I can drive myself, but thanks, anyway.”
He did not have a chance to run after me or utter another word. I was too fast.
The next morning, I walked into the office with determination, my mind set on finding a way to avoid Xander at all costs. I headed straight to the HR department, hoping to explore the possibility of transferring to a different department.
“Good morning,” I greeted the HR representative behind the desk, trying to sound composed despite the turmoil brewing within me.
“Good morning, Miss Taylor. What can I do for you today?” she responded with a friendly smile.
“I was wondering if there are any openings in the marketing department or the research and development department,” I inquired, trying to keep my tone casual.
The HR person furrowed their brow slightly, tapping away at the keyboard before glancing back up at me. “Let me check for you. Could you please give me a moment?”
“Of course, take your time,” I replied, trying to mask the nervousness creeping up on me.
After a few moments of typing and clicking, the HR person turned their attention back to me. “I'm sorry, but it seems there are no vacancies in those departments at the moment.”
My heart sank, disappointment flooding through me. “Oh, I see. Thank you for checking, anyway.”
“Is everything okay, Miss Taylor? You just got promoted to head of the sports psychology department. Is there a problem?” she asked, concern evident in her voice.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. “No, no problem at all,” I responded quickly, offering a forced smile. “I was just exploring my options, that's all.”
The HR person nodded understandingly. “Well, if you ever need anything or want to discuss further, my door is always open.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it,” I replied, mustering up a genuine smile this time. With a heavy heart, I turned to leave the HR department, feeling more confused than ever about my situation with Xander.
I thought he wouldn’t show up today because I’d heard that he was going off to another commercial shoot. But just as I settled into my routine, he burst into my office at lunchtime.
My heart leaped into my throat as Xander barged in, his face etched with a mix of anger and frustration. Instantly, my body tensed, uncertain of what had prompted another sudden intrusion.
“Lyca, we need to talk,” he said cut sharply through the air.
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure despite the knot of anxiety forming in my stomach. “You can’t just burst in here like this, Xander…” I firmly said, my tone guarded. “But anyway, what's wrong?”
“What's wrong?” he echoed incredulously, his eyes flashing with emotion. “What's wrong is that I found out you're trying to transfer to a different department. What the hell? Why?”
My heart sank as his words hit me like a punch to the gut. I avoided his eyes and turned back to my computer. “It’s none of your business,” I said quietly.
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Really? Are you sure? Because from where I'm standing, it seems like you're trying to avoid me.”
“Not everything revolves around you,” I shot back, feeling a surge of frustration and annoyance bubbling up inside me. “You're not the center of the universe! This is about me and my career goals. I thought it might be a good opportunity to explore other departments.”
Xander scoffed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Right, because the timing has nothing to do with what happened between us last night.”
I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, my heart pounding in my chest. “That's not fair, Xander,” I shot back, my voice rising slightly. “This has nothing to do with us.”
“Doesn't it?” he challenged, taking a step closer to me.
Shh," I hissed, rising from my seat to confront him face-to-face.I glanced nervously at the closed door. “Someone might hear you.”
“I don’t care. Let them think what they want to think. You owe me an explanation.”
I stared at him with disbelief, my patience wearing thin. “No, I don’t,” I insisted, getting angry now. “I don’t owe you anything. And there’s no ‘us’.”
“Why are you always dismissing what’s happening between us?” he demanded. “What are you so scared of?”
“Go away, Xander. I suggest you leave before things escalate any further. Just because you’re the son of the owner…”
Xander's jaw clenched, his gaze darkening with frustration. Those final words struck a nerve, evident in his reaction; it seemed he wasn't pleased with the comparison to the company owner. He did not like people to think that he got to where he was just because he was Mr. Steele’s son.
“Fine,” he bit out, his voice cold and clipped. “But don't think this is over, Lyca.”
As soon as he closed the door behind him, I let out a long sigh of relief. Then I buried my face in my hands, not knowing where to go from here or how to face my true feelings.