“You work in IT, Damian. You fix the computers for the entire office.”
“I just feel like I deserve some recognition,” he insists.
“Perhaps we can talk about this after the holidays when we go back to work. We can schedule an appointment.”
I try for another escape, but this time, I find my ass pressed against a hard wall, and I hadn’t realized that this whole time he’s been backing me into a corner.
“I think we should discuss it now. After all, thisisa work function, right?”
“I don’t discuss work outside of business hours, Damian. Now if you don’t mind.”
I forcefully try to push past him, but he’s quicker than I am and this time pins me against the wall. I look over his shoulders, trying to search the crowd for Monica or Jerry, someone who can get me out of this situation, but I can’t see them anywhere.
“You can give me five minutes, Liam. I deserve that much.”
“Fine!” I say. “What do you want to talk about?”
“This,” he replies.
“What?” I inquire, confused.
“This … sexual tension between us.”
“Excuse me? What now?” I blurt out.
“No need to play coy with me. I’ve seen the way you look at me in the office.”
This guy has some serious issues going on.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Damian.”
“Bullshit, you don’t. Every time I wander past your desk, or see you in the lunchroom, you’re always looking at me like you want to fuck me.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” I say, this time I manage to pull him off me and I begin to walk away.
“Perhaps HR would be interested in seeing all the dirty emails you’ve sent me during office hours.”
“What dirty emails? I haven’t sent you any dirty emails.”
“I know that … but HR doesn’t. And working in IT, it wouldn’t take much for me to manipulate an email and send it to them.”
This guy is seriously deranged. I knew there was a reason I didn’t like him. Keeping my gaze locked on his, I inch toward him, and with my free hand, I raise it above my head, ready to deck the guy, when I feel someone grab hold of my arm and stop me. I turn around and find Dylan standing behind me. He shakes his head, and I immediately understand. I give Damian a death glare and snarl at him as I turn and walk away with Dylan.
“Fucking pussy,” I hear Damian say from behind.
I stop walking and turn around, then take a step toward him.
“Liam, don’t!” Dylan warns.
I stop in my tracks and pin Damian with my death glare. “You know what, Damian? Why don’t you go and fuck yourself. You’re fired!”
“You can’t fucking fire me,” he snarls back at me.
I turn around to face the man now inching toward me. Dylan remains close and has a firm grip on my arm.
“I’m the boss, and I can do whatever the hell I want. And I certainly don’t need to justify myself to you. I will see to it that your stuff is sent to you via courier. Now I suggest you make that drink your last and get the hell out of here before I have security throw you out.”
He opens his mouth to speak but then stops himself, obviously noticing my facial expression. Dylan pulls at my arm and we walk away. I don’t turn around to check what Damian is doing. Instead, I take another sip of my drink and then Dylan takes it from my hand and props it down on one of the tables.
