I’d done something wrong, but it wasn’t just my errors. A pit formed in my stomach when I thought of my breasts in his face. Yet he hadn’t even looked.
It took me over an hour to correct my mistakes because the release was already as concise as I’d thought possible. This time, I e-mailed it to avoid disturbing him.
He stayed locked in his office until well after six. I stayed too. There was plenty to do since I’d barely made it past the second page of Grace’s list. Every few minutes as I worked on a task, my mind would float back to me in that position, and how he’d commanded me there. Had it been harmless? Was I making something of nothing?
Right before seven o’clock, a message from Dean popped up on my screen.
Mr. Brittany
Open the door.
I rose slowly and brushed an invisible wrinkle from my skirt. I’d assumed he’d forgotten about me and wouldn’t realize it until his way out of the office. I turned and walked to open his door. Reclined in his leather chair with the phone to his ear, he didn’t look up. His tone was deep with authority as he spoke into the receiver. Since he gave me no further instructions, I returned to my desk. The back of my neck tingled as I imagined him watching me from his seat. That feeling remained until I received another message.
Mr. Brittany
You forgot the comma.
My heart skipped. I’d forgotten a comma? On the press release? But I’d been careful, making sure the release was just the right length, and—my fingers curled into fists. He was right. I’d been so concerned about the length, I’d forgotten to go back and add the comma. I unleashed a string of curses in my head as I stared at the screen, no idea how to proceed. I could still hear him on the phone, his words calm while my heart raced.
Mr. Brittany
Come in here so I can show you.
He’d shown me earlier. I didn’t need to see it again. But I silenced my nerves, stood up and entered the office. When I passed through the doorway, he glanced up. His eyes were heavy, staring at me as though he’d never stop. Like there was nothing else in the world to look at. Something about his expression slowed my steps. It was a few stretched moments until I reached him. I stood in that spot, waiting. He pulled out the press release from his pile.
“Give it until tomorrow,” he said into the phone with his eyes still on me. “If it’s the same, place the order.” He nodded at the paper. I looked between it and his face. Finally, I bent over, resuming my earlier position.
“And if it drops lower, buy double.” He hung up the phone without another word and looked at me. “Remember what I said earlier, Alexandra?”
“Don’t bring it to you until it’s perfect.”
“Is this perfect?”
“No,” I said softly.
“How do you suggest I handle this?”
He stood suddenly, and my heart jumped against my ribcage.
“Are you going to fire me?” I asked, my voice small.
He chuckled and came around to my side of the desk. “That’s a little extreme, don’t you think?”
“I-I don’t know.”
“And I don’t think your dad would appreciate it. What are some other ways we can ensure this doesn’t happen again?”
I went to straighten up and face him, but his hand touched my shoulder, keeping me there. With another step, his hips were within inches of mine.
“Um…” I couldn’t see his face—it was unnerving. My entire body tensed, alert as if danger were near. My mind searched for a response. I’d been careless. I would’ve been upset if I weren’t so thrown off by my position. And, in a way, I was more curious about how he’dhandlethis. “You could punish me,” I said. “Take away my lunch break?”
“I’m not sure that’s incentive enough. I could take away your chair so you have to stand all day.”
There had to be laws against that. It seemed ridiculously unjust for a measly little comma. Only, I knew it wasn’t about the comma. It was deeper than that. It was about my inattention to detail, when details meant everything to Dean. The punishment had to be a grand gesture on my part to show him I understood. Forfeiting my pay for the day? Offering to work a weekend? My eyes focused on the spot where the comma should be. “I’ll do whatever you need me to,” I said. “I’ll even—”
A hard sting landed against my backside. I cried out in surprise. What was happening? Had he justspankedme? With his hand? “Dean,” I rushed out, my mind spinning faster than I could keep up. “What—”
“Mr. Brittany,” he corrected calmly and delivered another slap.
