When I had told her about my night with Jeremiah the day after it had happened, it had taken almost twenty minutes of convincing her it was true. She didn’t believe me until I shared a few specific, sexy details that involved his length and my mouth. Once she had gotten over her disbelief, she had whistled loudly in proud awe. But then, a few days later, I had to tell her the reality of my impulsive decision, and reveal the mystery man was now my boss. Another shock to her system.
“He’s an asshole,” I muttered, keeping my voice low in case anyone heard, but as I looked around the office, I realized I was alone. The desks around me were empty. Computers stared back at me with their black screens. The silence settled in around me, a loud reminder that this was my life now.
“Besides that…” she started.
I knew what she was getting at.
“There’s nothing going on between us,” I said.
“Well, then why are you there so late?” she asked with an annoyed sigh. “You should at least be getting some from your hot billionaire CEO.”
“Gabby!” I said, fighting back laughter.
“What?” she asked innocently. “He has your toys hostage up in his tower. Asshole. The least he could do is provide a little fun for you himself.”
“No. That’s done,” I said, with a shake of my head. I was annoyed at the disappointment in my voice.
It was done. It had been just over a week since he had come into that elevator with me, sucking the air out of it, along with my better judgment. I swore I could still feel his lips against mine, as if they’d left some sort of painless bruise. I touched my lips now, remembering how good it had felt until I came to my senses and scrambled out of the elevator as fast as I could. I regretted it immediately, but knew my regrets would be far worse if I had let it continue. So I had left him there with that hungry stare that made my knees weak.
Since that night, it had been all business. Well, almost. There were the rare times I would find Jeremiah’s eyes on me, icy blue and intent. They sent every hair on my body into static, aware of any and all parts of me he ran his gaze over. I wondered what hewas thinking, and if his thoughts ever dipped into the dangerous territory mine often did.
“Too bad,” said Gabriella. “An office fling is just what you need after what happened with Nick.Asshole.What’s he up to, anyway? Have you heard from him?”
“God no. He’s probably still living in our old place and toying around with that blonde.”
“Seriously, Sadie. I don’t know how you let him get off that easy—”
“Look, I have to go,” I said, interrupting her. I didn’t want to talk about Nick or the fact my best friend was just another person who thought I was weak. I knew she meant well. I knew she wanted what was best for me. I was just too tired to talk about the mess that was my life.
“Okay,” she said. “Look, I didn’t’ mean to…”
“It’s okay, Gabby. Really. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I hung up before running my hands through my hair. I looked across the way into Jeremiah’s empty office and at the city lights glowing just past the large windows. I let myself enjoy it for a few moments before getting back to work.
I went through all my notes from today’s meetings, making sure they were organized, before attaching them to an email to send to Jeremiah in the morning. I scheduled the email to be sent at 7 a.m. just in case he beat me to the office. I also put in hislunch order at the nearby deli. A pastrami on rye with barbecue chips and an iced tea. I had it scheduled to be delivered by Uber Eats at his usual lunch time. Lastly, I sent out reminders to all the clients he had meetings scheduled with, including employees from our office.
As I hitsendon the last reminder, I wondered if the meeting with the junior associate would end in dismay. He had been firing people with such ease since he got here, and I had been on my toes to make sure I wasn’t next. I couldn’t afford to be another one added to his list of wrath.
I double-checked my calendar and to-do list to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I figured if I did all of this prep work, then tomorrow morning, I could jump into whatever he had for me. I often wondered if he just thought them up in ways to test me. I was sure he did. Now that I had asked for more money. I hardly believed I had worked up the nerve to do it. I never did with my previous boss, and he was harmless. Yet, I thought I could go toe-to-toe with Jeremiah Mason.
He just pissed me off so much sometimes. It was like I saw red when I was with him, making me lose my cautious mind. It had worked, though. I was now making more money than I ever imagined I would. He gave me a generous raise, right there on the spot. But not before threatening that he could easily take it away, which was why I was still here at the office.
This money would help me get out from under the suffocating debt in six months if I made all my payments. I went over all the numbers on my lunch break today. It would be tight, but I could do it. It would be easier if I wasn’t paying so much for my Airbnb.I was still trying to find another place to live, but the market was impossible. If I couldn’t find a more affordable, long-term place, then I would still be able to pay off my debt in eight or nine months. Either way, I didn’t feel like I was drowning anymore.
Though it did mean I had to work with Jeremiah for nine more months than I really wanted to. I planned on leaving as soon as I was debt-free. I couldn’t quit now. No other place would pay me my new salary. I had to stick it out, even if it meant seeing him almost every day, and being ordered around without so much as a thank you. Barf.
My stomach churned just then. I placed my hand on my stomach and sucked in a slow, deep breath. I had been queasy since lunch. I wondered if the leftovers I had brought had soured. Another wave of nausea came. I clutched my desk tightly, knuckles turning white. Another wave. I pushed away from my desk and stood up suddenly. With one hand on my stomach, I rushed toward the bathroom, my legs on the brink of collapsing beneath me. Shakily, I pushed open the bathroom door and ran to the nearest sink. I clutched the white quartz countertop and bowed my head, trying to catch my breath. I shakily reached for the tap and turned on the cold water. I cupped my hands underneath and lowered my face to the bowl of the sink, splashing the cool water against my skin. The nausea passed and I let out a shuddering sigh of relief.
I turned the water off and looked up at my reflection in the mirror. My face was drained of color and my lips dry. I reminded myself to throw out any and all leftovers in my fridge when I got home, which was where I was heading now. I patted my face dry with a paper towel before tossing it on my way out thedoor. I stopped short when I saw Jeremiah standing just outside, leaning his back against the wall.
What the hell?I thought everyone had left. He looked at me, his face unreadable. I wondered what I had done wrong now. I was in no mood for a lecture.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
I nodded. “I-I’m fine. Whatever it was passed.”
He looked at me stoically, his back still leaned against the wall, his arms crossed at his chest. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, embarrassed by my disheveled appearance after almost puking my brains out. I just wanted to go home. I slipped past him, but his hand caught my arm. His fingers gently wrapped around me and I forced myself to look up at him. There was concern in his eyes that caught me off guard.
“Are yousureyou’re okay?” he asked, his voice edged with the same concern in his gaze.
