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Joe leaves the room.
“Chris, a word, please.” I say as he is about to follow Joe out.
Everyone is clearing the room and Sara is looking at us with a frown on her face. “You too, Sara.”
She just nods and stays seated. Chris huffs and sits beside her. I guess they are trying to present a united front.
When the room is cleared, I start, “I have no idea what happened here today but I expect more professionalism from the both of you.” Their mouths hang open and they start talking at the same time.
I raise my hand to shut them up.
“I’m sick and tired of certain attitudes and behaviors I’ve either witness or been told about. You two have now been warned. This is a place of work. My company. And I won’t tolerate anyone who hurts our work environment or our work overall. This company is a ship, and it needs to run like one. I have no problem throwing any dead weight overboard. Do I make myself clear?
“But…” Christ tries.
“Mr. Thatcher…” is Sara’s attempt.
“This is not a dialogue. This is me laying down the law, so it’s a yes or no question. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?”
They huff and puff, but say, “Yes, sir.”
“Good. Now get back to work.”
Without a backward glance, I leave the room.
I hope this is enough to keep them in check. I know both of them still give Noelle a hard time, and Sara is still acting like a man-eater sometimes, so this is a way to maybe draw a line and if any of them steps on it, there will be consequences. I just have to consider which ones when the time comes. But like I said, I’m not above firing them if it comes to that.
I’m about to take the elevator to my office when Noelle strides in before the door closes.
“Hey you, going up?” I ask casually, sliding my hands into my suit pocket.
She nods.
“What floor?”
“Uh, fifteen.”
We ride in silence. I take my time to admire her in the elevator mirror. God, I can still remember the kiss we shared in this elevator this morning. And she looks so hot today. Her alluring lips are coated with a shimmery pink gloss and make-up on her eyes that seemed more defined than before. There’s a small amount of cleavage protruding from her silk blouse under her black blazer.
Glancing below at the bulge slowly rising in my pants, I mentally shake my head.
Keep it down, son. Keep it down.
I try to get my mind off the insane idea of throwing her over my shoulder and taking her back to my office to make her mine. Own her. Mark her. Make her beg for me. So, instead, I say, “You look beautiful.”
A smile paints her lips as a hint of red blushes her cheeks. “Thank you.”
Keeping my voice neutral, I continue, “How has your day been? Any trouble so far?” I know Chris and Sara can’t have bothered her yet, since they have been busy being pains in my ass, but there are her parents and Abbie that I know she worries about.
I can’t help but admit to myself that I’ve been pining for Noelle. I crave everything about her, her eyes on mine, her body, her smile, her smell, her touch. I want to hold her so bad it hurts. But unlike when we got here, just before office hour, this time we can be interrupted at any time and I want us both to present a professional front. But maybe just a small kiss…
“Noelle—"
Just then, her phone rings. Digging into her bag, she peers at the caller ID on the screen. She frowns before she answers, “Hello? Yes?” Her back stiffens and she looks like she is expecting bad news. I reach out to put my hand on her back. Show her my support. Remind her I’m here for her.
I never do touch her, because at that moment the elevator doors open at her floor and she runs out.
What the hell was that about?
