“Or not.”
Jon looked at her with an expression of confusion. “You enjoyed it before, didn’t you?” He still caressed and cupped her behind.
“I did. You know I did, but we have to get ready for work and I would really like to be able to sit down without looking like I am in need of medical attention and . . .” she allowed her voice to trail off.
“And what?” he asked curiously.
“Nothing, forget it.” She blushed, struggling to find the courage to utter the words in her head.
“I don’t want to forget it. Please tell me what you were going to say.” Possibly pre-empting that Steph might walk away, his grip on her tightened.
“No, it’s embarrassing.” It was, but she also felt shame washing over her so dropped her eyes.
Jon tilted her head back up so she had no choice but to meet his eyes. “What can you possibly say that would embarrass you after all we have done?”
“Please, Jon, I am dying here. Let’s have some breakfast and then we can get ready for work. I daren’t be late or Dave will have a fit.”
“Okay, I’ll leave it, for now,” he said as he headed into the kitchen to make more tea. “I think I owe you an apology,” Jon said, confusing Steph who spun to face him from the other side of the breakfast bar.
“For what?”
“I’ve been thinking about what you said the other day, about me invading your life.”
“Right,” replied Steph nervously as she considered just where this conversation might go. He had invaded all areas of her life and although she liked it, as she’d told her sister, she was also scared about exactly what that would mean for her in the long-term. She had no illusions about Jon leaving his wife and making a future with her, although she could admit to herself that if he was able to offer her that she would jump at the chance.
“Yeah. I care about you and for you and as such I want to keep you safe. To ensure you have the best of things and that your skills and abilities are recognised and rewarded, but in facilitating that; the job, the flat, the car, everything, I kind of forgot about your feelings.”
“I see. It does scare me shitless, Jon, this, us. I worry that if, when things end between us I will have nothing left that is mine,” Steph admitted to him in what she hoped was a calmand even tone that wouldn’t betray her inner emotional state or worse still that the tears she was keeping locked in would break free.
“Darling, I promise I won’t fuck you over, no matter what happens. Your employment contract is safe, I swear, and I really do value you professionally. Even if I hadn’t fancied the pants off you, I would have done everything in my power to have you on my team. The flat lease is legally binding and the car is all registered in your name. But I still owe you an apology for treating you like a commodity in the way I simply did things without consultation, so, I am sorry.”
Steph smiled at his expression as much as his words. “You’re very sexy when you’re contrite.”
“Just when I’m contrite? Because it’s not my default setting and I was hoping you’d find me sexy more frequently than you’ll find me contrite.” He winked making her flush.
“Even when you’re being a dick I still find you sexy.”
“Hmm, I hope that’s not an inference that I am only ever contrite or a dick.”
Steph shrugged and then shrieked as Jon dashed towards her until she was pressed against the wall with his mouth covering hers.
Twenty-Nine
Steph was relieved that Dave had not been around on Monday or Tuesday and although they had no plans to see each other personally until Wednesday night, Jon had text her several times and ensured that she left the building no later than five o’clock, but had left her to work alone in the conference room which she was glad of because she had still managed to avoid discussing her dismissal of a further spanking. Although the conversation they had managed had made her feel better, a little more secure, she was in no doubt that when things ended between them she would struggle to be in the same building as him.
She had arranged to meet up with Lindsay on Thursday to discuss a girly holiday and her sister, Jess, had called her to say that the whole family were still singing Jon’s praises after Sunday lunch and none seemed to suspect that he was married or anything else, although she did disclose that Paul had figured out that Jon was seriously minted, which Steph thought was in itself not necessarily a bad thing.
As she entered the car park on Wednesday morning a message was received on her phone.
Good morning, am so glad it is Wednesday. I can’t wait to see you tonight. Do not bring that fucking laptop home or I may throw it in The Thames! I have a meeting first thing, but should be in the conference room with you and Dave no later than 9.30. Jon x
I missed you too. Ok, no laptop. Will c u later, try not to be late and leave me with Dave for any longer than you have to. He really doesn’t like me you know, Steph x
Steph had beenin the conference room for about half an hour when Dave appeared and although she smiled and uttered a token, “Morning,” he completely ignored her.
Returning her attention to her computer screen, she smiled as she looked up and saw Andrea coming through the door, then panicked slightly as she thought that maybe Jon had been delayed and wouldn’t be able to join them after all.
“I am putting tea and coffee on for when Mr Brooker arrives and the canteen are providing breakfast shortly,” she explained.
