“What has you leaving the office midday?” he asks, mildly suspicious and genuinely curious.
“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. CanIhelp 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 thessshsign 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 Ican 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?Goodis 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 Idon’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.”
