At work the next day, I’m a bundle of nerves.I won’t be able to look Zach in the eye.
It’s just as well that we don’t have any meetings together today.
I keep thinking about last night, how we kissed so passionately, like teenage lovers.Every cell in my body was alive and desperate for him.And then him walking in on me in the bathroom.I can’t deny it anymore.When he let himself into my apartment—hisapartment—it was out of concern for me, for what’s best for me.I could see how conflicted he was, walking in on me, but I wanted him to stay, to make the first move.In the bathtub, naked beneath the soapy bubbles, I wish he’d done something, but he’s too much of a gentleman.
And now I’m so aroused I can’t focus.I hope today will be a quiet day.
An email from Zach lands in my inbox.I glance up and see that he’s sitting in his office.
It looks like he can’t face me either.
I sit up when I read his email.He informs me that we’re having a meeting with Cecil and Katherine in one hour.They want to know how we’re getting on with the client profitability report he tasked me with.He thinks it will be a good idea if we give a quick presentation to them in the boardroom.
Is he insane?
Then he appears, in front of me, close enough that my skin heats instantly and my pulse races like it’s on fire.There’s a low throb between my legs again that I can’t ignore.
“Will you be ready by ten?”he asks, voice calm and collected, but the tightness of his jaw gives the game away.I can tell he’s aroused by the way his gaze lingers and the way he shifts his weight, careful and controlled, like he’s holding himself in check.
“You want me to present to Cecil and Katherine, in less than an hour?”
“You can do it.I know you can.”He leaves, having dropped the bombshell, while I sit there, in a state of arousal and dread, not knowing how I’m going to have the right state of mind to present to them.
I get to work fast, and if there’s one saving grace, it’s that my mind sharpens and focuses on work, instead of replaying what might have happened last night in the bathtub had Zach stayed.
“Ready?”he asks, appearing by my desk close to ten o’clock.Infuriatingly calm again.I don’t answer, but gather my laptop and a few belongings and follow him.
To make matters worse we end up walking into an empty elevator.There’s nothing but stolen glances and a heavy silence between us.I feel the urge to throw myself at him, but just as the doors are about to close, Cecil and Katherine get in.Zach’s demeanor changes and he turns professional in an instant, staring ahead of him, his business face on.
Katherine makes a sarcastic comment about spontaneous meetings, and Cecil is as pleasant as usual, saying he’s excited to see what we’ve been up to.
Zach throws me a quick knowing glance and my insides heat even more.I’m already dreading the presentation.My focus is scattered and I’m going to fall apart in front of them.To make matters worse, the throbbing between my legs persists and my panties are slick.
Once inside the boardroom, I set up my laptop as everyone takes their seats.Zach is the closest to me, and goosebumps scatter all over my skin.I’m standing there, while all three pairs of eyes are on me.I don’t know why he put me in this situation; he’s thrown me in at the deep end.
So that he can watch you.
That thought gets me even more aroused all over, and now I’m tingling from top to toe.He didn’t give me much time to prepare.He said I’d be fine, that I just needed to go up and go through the presentation deck that I’ve quickly thrown together.But I don’t agree.I’m a hot mess.
Now, every time I turn, he’s staring at me, and all I can think about is him seeing me in the bathtub.Me seeing the bulge in his pants.It’s been playing in my head non-stop, on a loop, and I keep wondering what would have happened if he hadn’t left.
I’m determined not to look at him and quickly pull up the slides on the projector.I start talking about client profitability by account, margins, costs, trends, and I walk them through the numbers while Zach explains how he plans to fix things, where to cut waste, where to focus growth.
But despite my resolve to not look at him, Zach and I can’t stop looking at one another.There’s so much heated emotion between us, and I’m starting to get paranoid that Cecil and Katherine might suspect something.
“I like this,” Cecil says.“Tell me, Maya, where did you get the client profitability data?”
“From the finance system and client reports.I also referenced a lot of earlier documents from the archive room.”I’m surprised that I was able to think clearly enough to answer that.
Zach speaks up.“I believe our strategy going forward should be that we prioritize the profitable clients, renegotiate the weak contracts with the big buyers, and stop pouring resources into accounts that drain us.”
They talk some more while my mind drifts again.
“Well?”I turn to find Katherine looking at me expectantly.I think she asked me a question but I have no idea what it was.Zach steps in smoothly, answering about timelines and implementation, saving me without making it obvious.He lays is out clearly, outlining steps and priorities, short-term fixes and longer-term changes.
“This is splendid work, both of you.”Cecil nods, impressed.“I’m extremely pleased with your ideas and the direction.”
“Thank you.”Zach looks suitably proud.“I couldn’t have done it without Maya’s help.”
