AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He would be on the interview panel. The thought sent a flutter through my stomach. It was a strange mix of nervousness and anticipation. Would his presence affect my performance? Should he excuse himself from the panel? No, that would only raise questions we were not ready to answer.
I shook my head slightly, trying to push the thoughts away. This was about my potential promotion, about taking the next step in my career. I couldn't afford to be distracted, not even by the tantalizing memory of our secret.
With one last look at my reflection, I nodded approvingly. The outfit was simple, yet professional, perfect for the look I was aiming for. As I gathered my papers and headed out the door, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. Whatever the outcome, it was going to be a game changer.
As I left my house, the memory of Tony and our secret lingered in the back of my mind. The thought brought a slight blush to my cheeks and a determined spark to my step. This was going to be an interesting day indeed.
Transitioning back to mere colleague from steamy lover was a tricky line to navigate, especially with Tony being part of the interview team. The fantasy dreams were deliciously naughty, laced with remnants of our time together in the cabin, making it increasingly difficult to separate the professional from the personal. The boundary blurred even further when I found myself alone, vibrator in hand, the fantasies becoming a reality of their own in the privacy of my bedroom.
But as alluring as thoughts of Tony were, I had to stow them away. I refused to let the memories of our time together be a stepping stone to this potential new job, to this possible new chapter in my career. I wanted to secure the position based on my qualifications, my abilities, and my merits, not because I had been intimate with one of the panelists.
As I walked into the hospital, the familiarity of the environment grounded me. My route hadn’t changed, I was still heading to my floor greeting familiar faces, but the journey had an added layer of anticipation.
“Jude, you look fantastic!” Sally, ever the effervescent spirit, greeted me with a broad grin.
“Thanks, Sal,” I replied, smoothing down the green blouse I had chosen. Her compliment was appreciated, her enthusiasm infectious as always.
“That blouse really brings out your eyes,” she continued, giving me a once-over. “Though you could’ve shown a little more leg, just to charm them,” she added with a wink.
I laughed at her suggestion, shaking my head. “I’m here to land the job with my skills, not my legs,” I teased.
“Well, you never know what could help,” she retorted with a wink, her tone playful. Sally had always had a flair for pushing boundaries with her humor, and in that moment, her lightheartedness was just what I needed to quell my nerves.
“Thanks for the advice,” I responded with a laugh. “But I think I’ll stick to my qualifications for now.”
Sally gave me an exaggerated sigh, but her eyes twinkled with amusement. “Alright, just remember though, a little charm never hurt anyone. Good luck, Jude!”
I thanked her and headed toward the elevator, feeling a little lighter. My encounter with Sally had managed to shift my focus from Tony and our secret to the task at hand. As the elevator doors closed behind me, I took a deep breath, ready to face the challenge head-on.
Leaning against the cool metal wall of the elevator, I inhaled deeply, my fingers nervously smoothing down the fabric of my blouse. My heart pounded in sync with the ascent of the elevator, each floor adding to the weight of anticipation settling in my stomach. It was not just about the job anymore; it was about facing Tony in a professional setting while our personal secret hung in the air between us.
As the elevator chimed, indicating someone had called for it, I took another deep breath. The doors slid open, and there he was—a perfect embodiment of my dilemma, standing just a few feet away.
Chapter 14
Tony
Ihadn’t seen Jude since she left the cabin. It wasn’t all that strange, considering she didn’t normally work in my OR. I’d found myself wanting to request her on my cases, only to dismiss the idea quickly, knowing it would only arouse suspicion.
However, the lack of contact hadn’t helped quell the undercurrent of desire that hummed in my veins whenever I thought of her. An itch I couldn’t scratch, and tension that made my routine elevator rides seem far longer than they should be.
As if the universe were playing its part in our bizarre romance, the elevator doors slid open and there she was. The sight of her was like the first sip of water after a walk in the desert, a sudden, overwhelming relief. I didn’t realize just how badly I’d wanted to see her until that moment.
I stepped into the elevator, a quiet gasp escaping her lips as she registered my presence. My eyes were drawn to theOshape her mouth formed, the memory of how those lips felt against mine flashing vividly in my mind.
“Hello,” she managed to say, a soft greeting that bounced off the steel walls of the elevator. As the doors closed, her scent wrapped around me like a warm blanket. A mixture of vanilla and something uniquely Jude. I couldn’t help but draw in a deep breath, my senses soaking in the essence of her.
Her appearance struck me like a bolt of lightning. She stood stoic in a sharp, professional outfit that was a stark contrast to the wild, untamed persona she’d shown at the cabin. A crisp, tailored blazer wrapped around her figure with a green blouse beneath. Black slacks that hugged her curves and a pair of black heels completed her outfit.
The color of the blouse accentuated the verdant hue of her eyes, bringing them out in a way that captivated me instantly. Her hair was pulled back into a neat bun, a few wispy strands framing her face, lending her a sense of softness amid the rigid professionalism of her attire.
I’d seen Jude in scrubs, in casual clothes, and in nothing at all between the sheets. But seeing her like that was something altogether different. The juxtaposition of this polished, put-together woman against the passionate, vibrant lover I’d spent those unforgettable days with, made my heart skip a beat. There was something incredibly attractive about seeing that side of her, a side I hadn’t been privy to before.
I wondered if it was the Jude that the rest of the world saw—a competent, confident woman, fully in control of her domain. It contrasted so vividly with the raw and intimate vulnerability we’d shared, but it didn’t detract from it. If anything, it made me appreciate the layers of complexity that made up the woman standing before me. It made me want to explore them even further.
“Are you ready for the big interview?” I asked, breaking the silence. Her professionalism stood like an impenetrable fortress around her, cool and calm. Yet I found myself yearning for the candid, passionate woman I’d gotten to know over the long weekend in the cabin. I had made a promise though, and I intended to keep it.
“I am,” she replied, her voice steady. “I assume you’re on your way to the interview room?”
