Tomorrow I’ll be working at Millefleuré, and he’ll be a guest. Will it be weird to tell him after that?
Someone snaps their fingers in front of my face, and I realise it’s Noor. “Earth to Rey,” he croons, and I shake myself back to the present. “Your turn!”
“Please give us something juicier than turds and losing bets,” one of the guys on the couch adds to a roar of agreement from the group.
“What makes you think I’ll have anything juicy?” I ask, all innocence, hoping no one has learned to read minds.
“You must have, you always emanate such confidence and sexuality,” Kaia says, leaning in. “I wish I could be like you,” she whispers, red wine on her breath. “I’m so shy.”
There’s a murmur in the group, and although I’m bodyconfident and have no problem with being sexy, that’s in my other job. Not here. Their eyes are on me, including Silas’. He’s not hiding that he still likes what he sees, and it makes me uncomfortable in my red dress. It’s a soft wrap dress, which hugs my curves, and when I move it shows off a bit of leg. But I didn’t think that would be considered ‘emanating sexuality’.
I decide to play along, as the best defence is a good offence, isn’t that what some sports movie said?
“Alright, you want sexy?” I ask, crossing my legs and leaning back on the rounded pink couch. “Never have I ever…” I think hard, tapping my chin with a finger, “had phone sex.”
Surprisingly, about a third of the group drinks, and as I sip my herbal concoction, there’s a tingling sensation on my skin as if I’m being watched. There’s movement in my peripheral vision, and I turn, looking straight at Mark, who’s leaning against the wall on the other side of the breakout room. I spray my drink in surprise, making two of the guys seated next to me yell out.
“Sorry,” I say. “I—” I’m about to come up with a lie, but Mark pushes off the wall, and the sound of footsteps makes everyone turn, and there’s a smattering of gasps.
He strides towards the group in that straight-backed way of his, but he’s left the jacket off his three-piece suit, and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. His hair is messier than normal, as if he’s run his hand through it too many times. I seriously think I just heard someone say ‘oh, swoon,’ but maybe it was my libido, because bloody hell that’s a delicious man.
The man I’ve fallen for, who now holds my heart in his hands.
My core clenches, knowing what those hands can do. Knowing what those forearms feel like, holding me tight while I quiver from the orgasm he just gave me.
“Hi all, are you having fun?” he asks, smiling, and while the normal humans around me confirm they are indeed enjoying themselves, my uterus hums in tune with my throbbing clit. I lift a hand to check I’m not drooling. His gaze flicks to me, down my front where I can feel my nipples hardening. I’m sure they’re on full display in this soft fabric. His gaze is so fierce it feels like he’s touching me. Those hazel eyes darken, and he looks away, putting his hands in his pockets and widening his stance.
“It’s getting late,” he says, and someone calls out ‘boo’ from the back, to hushed chuckles. He ignores it and continues. “Reception called me saying they’d prefer if I got you out, when I’m already here. The security team had some trouble the last time there was a party. I’d recommend you make your way down to the pub now.”
“Woo!” someone yells, and everyone laughs this time.
“Take care of yourselves,” Mark says, and turns without looking at me again. I stare after his gorgeous shape as he disappears around the corner. Does he want me to come with him tonight? I can’t follow him here, so I’ll have to go with the group to the pub and figure it out from there.
We all leave together, and creepy Silas sidles up to me as we exit the building. I skip to catch up to Tolu, Noor, and Kaia so I’m not left alone with him at the back.
“That was fun,” Silas says, and I link my arm in Tolu’s, making sure they’re included in the conversation.
“Yeah,” we both answer at the same time. My phone buzzes in my purse, and I fish it out while we’re walking. There’s a message visible from Robin on the lock screen.
Upstairs, now
I stick the phone back in my purse, heart racing. He wants me to come back. It was such a short message. Is he upset? Myadrenaline rushes at the thought of seeing him and with a hint of anxiety at the tone of the request. I’m frantically thinking of an excuse to leave the group without raising suspicion.
“Who’s Robin? Upstairs where?” Silas asks.
Shit, he saw the message? Fucking sneak.
Thank fuck I never changed the name on the contact.
“Robin is Rey’s boyfriend,” Kaia slurs from in front of us. She turns around and sticks her tongue out at me with a glint in her eye. I know she’s trying to be funny, but I really prefer the sober, monotone version of her.
“I didn’t know you had a boyfriend,” Silas says, sounding hurt. As if I owe him anything.
“Yeah, I actually need to go. Have fun, everyone!” I announce, and the few who hear protest, but I wave them off. Silas moves the people onwards, waving back at me.
I decide to put on a little show in case of curious eyes. “Oh shit, my charger,” I say, louder than normal, searching in my purse. I facepalm, slump and sigh. When I look up, they’re all still walking towards the pub, so I dash back where we came from as fast as my high heels will let me.
I step out of the lift into the dark hallway and see the light from Mark’s office. His door is ajar. Automatic lights flicker on as I make my way down the hallway, like a spotlight following me.
