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ChapterEight
Angelica
Iwake up the next morning, cranky and disappointed. I don’t like going to work when I’m sexually frustrated, even when the job itself is usually such an excellent distraction. I’ve got a hangover from a dream, and I’m not even sure it was a good one. I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and down a couple of painkillers.
After I’ve finished getting ready and I’m walking out the door, I glance at the sketch from last night still sitting on my coffee table. I sigh, feeling somewhat guilty about this weekend.
I’m sure Lycus means well, but I don’t like the way he’s suddenly always pestering me. We never even spoke outside of work before and now, ever since he showed up unannounced on Thursday, I feel like he’s everywhere. I should never have texted him. Now he has my number. I’m an idiot.
I make my way to work, trying to shake off my sour mood. The sun is shining with that cold, watery springtime sun, and the streets are busy with people.
As I walk, I start to feel better, the fresh air and exercise waking me up. By the time I get to the office, I’m almost back to my normal self.
Sadly, it doesn’t last long.
As I enter the office, I notice a commotion near Mr Mortimer’s secretary’s desk. Lycus is standing there, his arms crossed over his chest. My stomach lurches, and a sense of dread washes over me. I wasn’t prepared to see him so early. I’m usually one of the first ones in the office, so what is he doing here? Popping up unannounced to spoil my day once again?
As I approach the desk, Lycus turns to me and smirks. “Good morning, Angelica,” he says, his tone dripping with false sweetness.
I can feel my cheeks flush with anger and embarrassment. I try to ignore him and focus on Stacy, but I can’t concentrate. Lycus keeps distracting me with his lingering gaze. I feel like I’m suffocating.
Finally, I snap. “What do you want from me?” I hiss at him while Stacy’s distracted.
Lycus’ grin widens, and he leans in closer to me. “What do I want? Oh, Angelica, you have no idea.” His voice is low and dangerous, sending shivers down my spine.
I take a step back, trying to put some distance between us, but he follows me. “Stop following me,” I say, my voice trembling with fear and frustration. Fear because I’m scared of my body’s reaction to him.
Lycus chuckles, breath on my neck as he steps in close behind me. “I can’t help it. We work together.”
I turn around, ready to give him a piece of my mind, but Stacy clears her throat. I tear my gaze away from Lycus’ and turn back to her.
“Sorry, Stacy,” I say with a grimace. I’m always professional at work, and I don’t know what’s come over me. Actually I do. It’s Lycus. Seeing him outside of work and all of the craziness at the weekend, and now facing the reality that we’re going to be in each others’ faces for the foreseeable future…it’s all a bit much.
“I was just going to say, now that you’re both here, Mr Mortimer wants to see you both in his office.”
I resent that statement and the implication that I’m late. I’m in the office more than an hour before I have to be, and usually I’m the first one here. What is Lycus doing here so early? He usually swans in ten minutes before we’re due to start and wastes fifteen making a fancy Italian coffee from the new machine he brought with him.
Everyone loves that damn machine and the women in the office use it as an excuse to fawn all over him every time they make a damn cup. There was nothing wrong with the old machine. Nothing.
“Here, we’d better go,” Lycus says, holding out a to-go cup towards me. I stare at it like it might bite me. “I got you this, knowing we’d be dragged into the office first thing.”
“I—”
“It’s okay, you’re welcome.”
“I didn’t say thank you,” I grind out, my jaw tense. “I was going to ask how you know my coffee order. Are you a creeper or something?”
Stacy laughs and Lycus grins, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “I pay attention to details, Angelica. And I don’t have to be a creeper to know what my coworkers like. I have been here for six months after all. Take Stacy here, she loves a caramel latte with an extra shot of caramel because she likes her drinks as sweet as she is.”
He winks at the receptionist, who simpers and I have to resist the urge to gag.
I shake my head, snatching the coffee from him and taking a sip, so that I don’t look rude in front of Stacy. It’s good, better than I make it, but I still don’t like the way he’s acting. Since when does he bring me coffee?
I take another sip and freeze. Maybe he’s put something in my drink. Laxatives or something. I vow not to drink anymore, just in case. No matter how good it is.
As we make our way towards Mr Mortimer’s office, I can feel Lycus’ gaze burning into my back. I try to ignore him, but it’s impossible. His presence is like a physical force, and I can’t escape it. My body reacts to him too, my nipples straining against the lace of my bra and my thighs becoming slick.
Fuck.
