“Never touch me again!” She told him shakily, dark brown eyes slumberous. Her lips were swollen, and he felt the need to sink deep inside her, battling with the horror of what he had done and what he was feeling.
“Get the hell out.” Releasing her, he stepped back and went to stand behind his desk as if needing a shield.
Without a word, she turned and walked out, slamming the doors behind her.
Moving from behind the desk, he strode to the cabinet to pour a generous amount of scotch into the glass. Walking over to the window, he stood there with the drink in his hand, staring at the city’s lights, his expression grim.
He had played a game, and now the joke was on him. He was aching. His entire body was like one gigantic erection. He had wanted to put her in her place, but it had backfired. He was attracted to her. God helped him; he was attracted to a woman he loathed with every fiber.
She was not his type. She was rude and disrespectful and thought too highly of herself. He preferred his women to be ladylike and willing. And she was an employee. That was unacceptable. He was not going to get involved with someone who worked for the company, which would be a career suicide.
His phone ringing had him jumping reflexively and belatedly, reminding him that he had promised Jayne he would call her.
*****
She was trembling so much that it took her several tries to push the start button. Finally, she got the vehicle to move, shoved the lever into reverse, and backed out of the large parking lot as if the devil himself was after her.
Ignoring the tears streaking down her cheeks, she concentrated fiercely on the minute drive to her house. Traffic was light on the highway, so she could make it home quickly.
Turning off the busy road, she took the exit that led her straight to turn off where her home was. Driving into the yard, she switched off the engine and sat there staring in front of her.
She had done it again.
Three years ago, she had kidded herself into thinking that her boss was interested in her. At her previous company, she had been happy and settled and told herself she was in for the long run. Then she met Gregory, who had convinced her to work alongside him to iron out some things.
That had meant working late hours and having meals in his office, leading to them becoming close. He had told her about his failed marriage and how he had been doing his best to try and make it work.
She had fallen under his spell and believed him when he said he was getting a divorce.
It had continued for a year, during which he had insisted they be discreet. Whenever she asked him about the divorce, he had put her off, saying it was not the right time. “Just be patient with me, darling,” he had urged. “I want to be with you, but I want to wait for the right time.”
She had believed his lies and fallen for his BS until someone in upper management called her into his office and set her straight. “You are not the first person he has done this to, Jacinth, and I am telling you this because I like and respect you.”
She had discovered that he had been stringing her along and had painfully brought it to an end. Afterward, she gave her two weeks’ notice and took some time for self-reflection.
And it was happening again, and this time, it was even worse. He was her boss’s son and in a position of immense power. He was also a rich white guy who would never dream of being with someone like her unless it was just a casual fling.
When she got the job offer, she was so excited to work at this huge company that she vowed to make this her final job. She loved the hectic and frenetic pace and was learning so much about investment banking.
“Oh God, what am I going to do?” She whispered. She wished she could return to the first meeting, respond politely and professionally, and, afterward, try her best not to rise to his bait. But now it was too late.
She felt as if he had branded her. The taste of his lips on hers would be something she would have to live with for a long time. Greg had been a passionate, selfish lover, but nothing in their year-long relationship had ever come close to what she had experienced tonight.
Scrubbing the moisture from her face, she decided. From now on, she was going to avoid him; if that’s not possible, she would put on her best professional demeanor and try to ride this out.
*****
“Reginald won’t be in today. He is working from home.” The words had the effect of deflating her anxiety and giving her a reprieve. She had spent most of last night twisting, turning on her bed, and chastising herself for being a bigger fool this time.
The only saving grace had been that her aunt had gone to bed early.
“I see.” She said carefully as she stepped into his office armed with her device. She felt drained, and the lack of sleep made it even worse.
William glanced up from the portfolio he was studying. “Are you all right, my dear? I hope you are not coming down with anything.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I am fine. Just a little headache, that’s all. What shall I do about his meetings?” She could not even bring herself to call his name.
“He will be meeting with them at some point today.”
“Shall I clear his schedule for the rest of the day?”
“He will be handling all of that himself. Just concentrate on my stuff for the rest of the day.”
He told her with a smile. “And Jacinth?”
“Yes?”
“I know I foisted my son on you without much notice, and I also know that he is not easy to deal with, but you have done well so far.”