Tatalee, moaned softly as her thighs parted allowing the experienced hand to bring her to the brink over and over and within minutes her body shuddered. Her soft flesh quivered on his finger and he smiled as she leaned her head on his shoulders and struggled to catch her breath.
"Tatalee. I asked you if you wanted dessert."
Tatalee opened her eyes. Nick was still sitting in his chair calmly using his napkin to wipe his lips.
Feeling like a fool, she slumped back in her chair and mumbled, "Who cares?"
"What Tatalee?"
"I said let's try those little pears."
Nick smiled. He wondered if she had been thinking of him. He wondered if she knew she was sitting there panting like a thirsty dog. Had she had thought he was going to try something in public? He needed her to be private where no one could hear her scream. Besides, his wife might even know the owners of this restaurant. Although he had never taken her there, he was sure she had her spies.
Their body language to each other had slowly changed as the days went by and each time she saw him at work or thought about him at home her patch of black carpet grass got wet in anticipation. The thought of him feasting or just simply just touching her on her arm or shoulder so sensually or even casually made her want to climax in a blink especially if she felt his breath near her neck. The private feelings that she had for Nickolas slowly were becoming more urgent just as Naomi had said. She wanted to feel him inside her. His fingers had ignited something deep and it was as if only he could put out the desires that were stirring.
She loved going into work early on a Monday and July 8th was no exception. But her smile faded when Nickolas walked into her office at half past seven in the morning with a very unpleasant disposition.
"Hi," she said in her most feminine tone complete with all the sexual hormones and pheromones that would make most men instantly horny.
It seemingly had no effect on him being grumpy, and instead of responding pleasantly he said, "I need to speak to you in my office now."
"What the hell!" Tatalee muttered. She had not even gotten a 'good morning'.
He waited for her to enter his carpeted office. She saw the new orchid that she had given him two weeks ago as a gift had started to bloom. The red and white flower lifted his office.
"What's up boss?" she asked and smiled.
"There is nothing to smile about," he said sternly." A few weeks ago in dealing with the Romario Group I distinctly told you to prepare the forms not get them approved Tatalee. I can't believe that you went behind my back and did that. Father called and told me it was approved, but I feigned my pleasure. However, now I am hearing there is a hiccup. If this falls through Tatalee it's your head on the platter that will be served."
"We trusted you Tatalee and now this. . ." a scratchy voice echoed in the room.
"We? Who is the 'we'?" she asked her temper rising.
"Yes father is on the speaker phone."
Tatalee swallowed hard. She felt the floor opening up beneath her and a sinking feeling in her stomach.
"Ok," she replied sheepishly.
Tears ran down her face and bubbles of snot formed in her left nostril.
"Dad, I'm so sorry about this but I told her to just fill out the forms and I will deal with it when I got into office. I will deal with her on the matter. Do not worry, you can rest assured it will not happen again. The Romario group will get their disbursement today for the loan, but we may have to absorb the cost of the difference in processing fees, it also means that she will lose her commission."
"Ok Nick I see you are dealing with the matter appropriately."
The click of the handset signified that the old man had already lost interest and he had moved on to other things.
"Tatalee, you have left me no choice, I am being placed between a rock and a hard place. In any relationship trust, is paramount and when it has been shattered it is difficult to rebuild."
"Nickolas, you told me what you needed me to do and I acted just as you instructed, to get the loan approved for the greater amount but utilise the lower figures for the sureties."
"Did I give you that in writing Ms Hobson?"
"No sir."
Her throat constricted and she could feel heart stumble as she tried to breathe. How could this be happening to her? Why was he acting this way towards her? Her hand trembled and she reached behind her and lowered herself into a chair. He towered above her, his eyes flashing.
"Well evidently you misunderstood what I was saying."
"What does this mean Nickolas?"
She felt as if her world was ending. Everything around her receded and all she could think about was how she could fix everything and they could go back to normal.
"I have to suspend you for two weeks while the matter is investigated by the auditors effective immediately, so don't even start working this morning."
Tatalee squirmed in the chair, the tears she had valiantly tried to stop, started pouring down her cheeks unchecked. She felt as if her heart was being torn out of her body. How could he do this to her?
"So don't I get the chance to defend myself, you are judge, jury and executioner Mr. Stern?"
"You had that chance in the meeting when the president was on the phone and you chose to waive your rights and said nothing, Miss Hobson. Besides what would have been the point, for you to say that I told you to do it? That would have been counterproductive."
"What Nickolas?"
She knew he was talking but there was a buzzing in her ears and she felt light headed. She raised a hand to her aching head. He looked at her as if she was a specimen under his microscope. There was no emotion in his gaze and the temperature in the room seemed to drop to below zero. He continued speaking without commenting on the pallor of her skin or the glaze across her eyes.
"I'm sorry Tatalee, security will be here to escort you from the office shortly. At least I am giving you ample notice to avoid the embarrassment."
"Is this really necessary, Mr Stern?" Tatalee asked with tears streaming down and splashing on her white inner blouse. He regarded her when she spoke with a cool expression of disinterest in his eyes.
Before he could answer, she felt an overwhelming desire to leave, she stood up on unsteady legs and ran out of his office. She grabbed her hand bag and car keys and trotted through the door in her flip flops on her stockinged feet. She thought he would have defended her but he had turned his back on her instead to save himself.
She sat in the parking lot and with trembling fingers, typed a text to Naomi:
You were right, he whispered sweet nothings in my ears and played with me like a yoyo. He had me at his fingertips and when the time came for him to be a man, he had no spine at all.
She felt bile rise up in her throat.
I hate him. . . I hate him. I wish I could die right now, she thought as she pounded her fist on the steering wheel. She glimpsed the necklace she was wearing that only days earlier had been given in happier times. Her lip quivered as she bent her head and her hair swung forward as she rested on the steering wheel.
She whispered, "But I loved him too."