AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know you’re good. You’re an awesome, strong woman. I love to watch you kicking ass and taking names. But I also want to be there for you.”
She kicks back in her chair and gets to her feet, stomping over to her window to stare out of it. She’s shutting me out and I don’t fucking like it. I thought I was making some headway when she told me about her ex the other day but she’s got her shields back up even stronger today.
I prowl across the room and stand behind her, my eyes locked on the luscious curves of her ass.
Lord, she’s got me hard as hell and all she’s doing is standing. If I ever manage to get her under me, I might actually combust just from touching her.
“Dammit, Drake! I’m not a project for you to pick up and play with when you’re bored.”
I turn her around and glare down at her. “That’s not what this is and you know it. I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re like an obsession to me.”
“Obsessions are bad things, Drake,” she whispers, her eyes fluttering down, her long dark lashes hiding her eyes. “Obsessions lead to bad places. And that just can’t happen. We work together. The worst thing you can do is get involved with someone you work with and I’ve already got so much going on right now that I just can’t.”
My chest aches and I can’t see straight. Can’t breathe. It feels like a dagger straight to my heart.
“Is that really how you feel, Promise? You think that what’s going on here is a mistake?”
I hold my breath, hoping that she’ll smile and tell me that she’s just joking. Because if she’s serious and there’s no hope. Then I don’t think I can stay here. Don’t think I can bear to see her bright red hair and sweet smile that doesn’t crop up very often but when it does? It makes my fucking day.
She sighs and her eyes lift and I can feel it in my soul before she even says it. Shaking her head, she whispers, “This can’t happen. No matter what you think you’re feeling, what you think is between us, it’s wrong. We’re co-workers. That’s all.”
And just like that it feels like all the air is sucked out of the room. Like a gut punch that hurts so fucking bad I don’t think I’ll ever recover.
Sucking in a shaky breath, I hand her the card I pulled out of my wallet on the way in here. “Here. This is my friend’s shop. He’ll give you a good deal.” I hold up a hand when she opens her lips to protest. “No! It’s a tip. That’s all. There’s no strings attached. Just get the damn car fixed.”
And before I can beg her to rethink her decision, I stumble blindly out of her office and down the hall to Alexander’s office.
“Can I talk to him, Karen?” Her wise blue eyes study me curiously.
“Sure. Go on in.” She pushes a button and I pull my shoulders back.
“Hey, Drake. We haven’t had the meeting yet and I’m not giving you any hints,” he laughs.
“That’s not why I’m here. I wanted to bow out. I’m looking at some other offers. I’m afraid I might need to look for a new position with a new company.”
He leans back in his chair, his eyes knowing. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hoped that you and Promise would be able to work things out.”
My lips twist wryly. “Hard to do when you’re working together and competing for a promotion.”
“Is that why you’re talking about quitting? Because you’re uncomfortable with the situation?”
“Not all of it. But yeah, some of it.” That and she just ripped my heart out and stomped on it.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Drake. I don’t want to push you to stay but I believe I can safely say that you were the frontrunner.”
It doesn’t make it any better. It means nothing to me.
“I’ll turn in my two-week’s notice this afternoon. I’m sorry about this. I’ve really enjoyed my time with this company.”
But if I don’t get the hell away from Promise I’m going to lose my damn mind.
I already lost my heart.
CHAPTER5
Promise
“Hey, mom! There’s a guy outside! He’s walking around the car.”
