My brother and I are so different it’s scary, if we didn’t look alike, you could say we were from an entirely different gene pool. Whereas I’ve always been a little closed off, Hayden is way too trusting. I told him years ago it would come back to bite him in the ass.
I was right. Penny, that bitch, she literally took him for everything he was worth and left him with the bank loan she had taken out to pay off her gambling debts.
Margie brings me back from remembering my brother’s darkest days with her soft voice. “So, if you could just sign those, I’ll get them scanned over to Mr. Hicks.”
Pushing the papers toward me, I take my pen and one by one sign my name on the dotted lines. I gather them up neatly and pass them back to her. She’s shifting from foot to foot like she’s nervous. “Are you okay, Margie?”
“Um, yeah.” She nods as she nibbles on her bottom lip.
“Are you sure?”
“Well, I just wanted to say that if you ever wanted to have a coffee anytime, I’m around…” I feel my eyes widen with surprise at this offer. “I was thinking at the weekend or something, of course, you don’t have to, but the offer’s there if you ever do.” The words rush out of her mouth and she holds the papers against her chest, wrapping her arms around herself. She spins on her heel and leaves the office. My mouth is still open as I watch her through the glass partition. She uses a finger to push her glasses up her nose and tucks loose strands of hair behind her ears before turning her focus back to the computer.
There’s absolutely nothing I could have in common with this woman except that she’s the same age as me.
I have one girl friend, and that’s Ruby. I can’t see myself extending that circle anytime soon. If I compare Margie to Ruby, there’s completely no comparison. I don’t even remember how to make friends.
Margie must feel my eyes on her because she looks right at me but quickly turns her face away. I feel like a bitch for not answering her, but I have no idea what to say. Maybe I’ll wait and see if she brings it up again.
The hours have sped by, and while I’m deep in concentration, the chatter rises in the office, making me look up to see what’s happening. With a scowl on my face, I stand and go to the window and push back the vertical blinds. Strutting through the office is Everett, casually nodding to my employees. What the hell is he doing here?
I sit back down and wait for either the phone to ring to announce his presence or a knock on the door. Everett isn’t one for rules unless they’re coming from him, so it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. Will he just come barging in, or will he obey protocol and go to my assistant first? With a single knock on the main office door, he walks in and up to Margie’s desk. He rests his hands on the desk, leaning over, and I just know he’s working his charm on her. Margie stands from her chair and holds out her hand, forcing Everett up to his full height as they shake hands. She glances into my office more than once and I feel the need to rescue her. Going to the door that adjoins our offices, I pull it open and lean my shoulder on the frame, folding my arms across my chest.
“It’s okay, Margie. I’ll take it from here.” I turn my attention to Everett. “Mr. Brooks. To what do I owe the pleasure of this little visit?”
He smirks as his gaze runs over my form more than once, then turns back to Margie. “Thank you…Margie, is it?” She nods her confirmation. “It’s good to meet you, Margie.”
Standing away from the door, I open it wide so he can waltz through. “Can you hold my calls, please, and make sure I’m not interrupted?”
With a firm nod of her head, Margie takes her seat and I close the door, before taking my seat in front of him. “So, what’s the occasion?”
“No occasion. Can’t I come by and see you?”
My greedy gaze runs over his perfectly styled hair and the neatly groomed stubble on his face that showcases his lips before dropping down to the expensive navy suit he’s wearing. Everett wears a suit so well, but he hardly ever wears a tie unless he’s going into a meeting with an important client. The top button of his shirt is left undone and his leg is pulled up with his ankle is resting on his thigh. Seeing him sitting here in my space, my domain, is a heady feeling, and one that I can’t hide as I cross my legs under my desk, clenching my thighs together.
“Not unless it’s by appointment, no. I’m a busy woman, and you’re just as busy, if not busier, than me.”
“I thought I’d drop by and see my girlfriend, is that so bad?”
“Well yes, it is. Since, officially, I’m not your girlfriend, just your fuck buddy.”
“Hey. I’m exclusive to you, no one else.” He winks and paired with the cocky smirk pulling at one side of his mouth, I can’t help but smile back.
“Ev, we have different views on this, let’s not hash it out here.”
“So, your assistant seems alright.” He changes the subject pretty quickly, which tells me I’m right. “She wasn’t going to let me in here without speaking to you first. I’m impressed. It seems like you’ve found a good one.”
With a not so ladylike snort my arms fold across my chest and I lean back. “Thank you.” Everett doesn’t give many compliments unless it’s about sex, so I’m going to eat it up while I can.
“She asked me for my ID. Me. Does she not know who I am?”
“Obviously not.” I can’t help my smirk. “But don’t worry, Ev, I’ll fill her in and make sure she knows so you don’t feel so unimportant in the future.”
“That would be good.”
“I’d hate for your ego to take a hit.”
His gaze sears into mine as his long fingers drum rhythmically on his leg. “Do you have plans later?”
“If I said I did?”
“I’d say change them. I want to see you.”
As much as I’d like to say no, I can’t. I get up and grab us both some water. Just as I’m filling the first cup, I feel him behind me, his hard length brushing against my back.
Turning to the windows, I see the blinds have been closed. I didn’t even hear him do it. My breath hitches as he grips my hip.
“You know, Rae, I’d love to take you over that desk and listen to you scream my name.” Smoothing his palm over the globes of my ass, he gasps. “No panty line. You’ve been a good girl, sugar.”
As much as I try to fight the need to drop my head back on his shoulder, I can’t. Wetness begins to pool between my legs as his other hand brushes my side and reaches for the paper cup I’m still holding. Taking it from me, he moves to stand in front of me and takes a sip before licking his lips and putting them on the sensitive skin of my neck. “I’ll come to your place later. I need to be inside you.”
My heart beats erratically and I swallow hard. “Is…is that all you wanted?” I manage to spurt out.
He places his paper cup on the top of the cooler and walks around until he’s behind me again. His forearm settles across my chest, holding me captive against him, and he whispers in my ear, “Remember not too long ago you said I wouldn’t come downtown because I had to keep my hands to myself?” With his other hand, he runs his palms from my waist up to my neck and cups my chin, turning my head toward him. “It seems I can do whatever I want.”