AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I hated to admit it, but the thought of being without this job scared the shit out of me.It had been a part of me for so long. Hell, it was basically my whole identity. If they stripped it from me, who would I be then?
You’d be the guy that gets the girl.
“It won’t be your choice if this is discovered,” Ben said, his eyes pleading with me to take his warnings seriously.
“They won’t get rid of me,” I insisted.
“Yes, they will! Don is gunning for one of our jobs. You don’t think he sees the way he’s being pushed out? He’d jump at the chance to get rid of you. He has friends on the board. How do you think he’s survived the scandals?”
My jaw ticked with irritation. I hadn’t thought about that.
“Don’s not going to—”
“Knock. Knock.” Don’s voice boomed through the closed door before he opened it without any invitation.
He leaned against the doorframe, his sleazy smile permanently affixed to his face. Jesus, this guy gave me the creeps. How was it possible that such a slimy guy founded such a genuine dating service?
But I knew the answer to that: money.
“I thought I saw you two in here talking,” he continued as if he had every right to be here.
“Don,” Ben greeted, not showing the slightest bit of discomfort.
“Everything ready for the big launch?” he asked, taking a seat.
“Yes,” I said, not caring to elaborate. He could read the many updates Charlie and I had sent if he wished to learn more.
“What about the big party?” Ben asked. He had his fake friendly voice on that he always used with the board.
“It’s all set up. Going to be a wild one.” He winked at me as if we were in on the same inside joke.
“In a professional way, of course,” I added through clenched teeth.
Don guffawed. “We’ll see about that.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Don’s only responsibility for this launch was to set up the party and invite a few media outlets.
Ben and Don continued to discuss details while I waited for them to leave.
While he blabbered on, I studied Don. He didn’t seem like a threat, but it irritated me to know that he was the sole reason I had to hide Charlie. His indiscretions initiated the policy, and now he could use it against me by being the first to report me to the board.
What could I do? I had told Charlie I’d come up with a solution, but it wasn’t as clear as I thought it’d be. I wanted nothing more than to have her on my arm at that party, but instead we’d have to sneak glances at each other across the room.
Was she actually going to stick around for a part-time relationship just to save my full-time job?
Wrappingup my last review for the day, I looked up to see Charlie gathering her things and heading toward the elevator. We didn’t have plans tonight, and I couldn’t stand the thought of not talking to her—really talking to her—all day.
I hit save and shut my laptop before throwing my things into my bag. Seconds later, I raced for the stairs to the left of the elevator. Tearing down all five flights, I threw open the exit door and ran through the lobby. The cold December air hit me. I thought I would despise this winter weather, but there was something about the sharpness of the air that made me feel alive.
Spotting a mess of waves a block up, I quickened my strides to get to her before the light changed. Stealing a quick glance around to ensure we were alone, I snagged her around the waist and buried my face in her neck.
She gasped before turning in my arms. Her genuine smile at seeing me had my chest tightening in that possessive way I had become familiar with.
“Hey,” she said, melting in my arms. “We should be more careful this close to the office.”
“Fuck it,” I said, dipping down to taste her.
I wished I felt that sentiment wholeheartedly. Instead, I was just confident that nearly everyone had already left for the day, leaving us without witnesses. Ben’s lecture hung more heavily in my mind than I cared to admit.
