Cole
I drop my head to her shoulder, panting and still wanting more of her. I don't quite understand my emotions where she is concerned but I do know for certain, this girl is different. At the first thought of letting someone in, I ran. Or rather, pushed her out the door. I tried to do the right thing and end this before it even got started but I can't stay away from her.
I find myself looking for her in the lobby, sneaking glances of her on the CCTV at work, and now pouncing on her in the copy room. It's like I can't get enough of her. And now that I've had a taste, I don't think I can turn back…
I pull back momentarily and look into her gorgeous eyes, the ones that haunt my sleep every night "Why won't you talk to me?" I sulk. I have never had anyone defy me like she did in that message, and it seems to spur on these feelings I'm having when she does.
I still haven't let go of her. I have her pinned to the counter, legs wrapped around my waist, and I'm tempted to take her again over the table. Hell, I want to fuck her in every corner of this building. Starting my office, then her new office. Shaking my head to rid the thoughts, I decide to let her down. I help he off the counter and smooth out her dress.
I can see the hurt flash in her eyes. Her shoulders sag and she whispers, "You made it clear, I was a mistake Cole".
God, I'm a dick. That is not what I meant at all. I was so caught up in my own fear and emotions, I never thought how that would make her feel. I'm scared. I went through hell with Courtney and all her crap. Plus, there is the fact that I'm pretty sure she's too sweet for my world. People that run with these crowds are cruel, they don't hesitate to lie, cheat and steal for their own advances. She's to pure for that. But I have this insane need to keep her as close as possible.
"Piper, I don't know what this is, but I know I don't want it to end."
All these thoughts are swirling in my mind like an out-of-control storm, and I just don't understand the logistics from here. I have my parents and their outrageous standards plus the fact that she is my subordinate. That just looks bad all the way around and if my parents caught wind of that, my dad would be hell bent on defending the company's image at the expense of my happiness, and I can't say I blame him.
She saunters over to me, places her small hands on my chest and peers up at me with those eyes…." I don't either".
Lord help me, she will be the death of me. I wrap my arms around her in a possessive hold and smash my lips to hers, laying claim to what is mine. Mine. It sounds so natural.
I grab her hand and lead her over to the elevators. She doesn't resist, it's like she'd follow me anywhere. Not going to lie, I kind of like the thought. I smash the up bottom on my personal elevator before turning to her with a smirk "We need to go over some details for the project".
She tries to protest but I'm just in a hurry to get her alone in the elevator. As soon as the doors shut, I'm all over her, like it was our first time. She mumbles "All my paperwork was in the copy rooo….". I swallow her worries with my lips. My tongue swiping across her parted lips asking for entrance, which she readily allows. I find myself lost in her again, the elevator ride goes by to quickly. I pull back and stare at her before smoothing out her hair.
Until I figure out how to keep everyone off our backs about this, I need to be more careful; she definitely has that freshly fucked look.
The elevators doors slide open. Clara starts to greet me before she stops, she has spotted Piper behind me, our hands intertwined. Her gaze goes icy then returns to me and she starts to say something before I put her in place "Is there a problem here Clara? If so, I can have security show you out!".
Clara quickly checks her emotions and that God awful facial expression before she responds "No sir. No problem at all".
I feel Piper squeeze my hand and a newfound sense of calmness washes over me.
"Good. I need you to go retrieve the papers Piper was printing in the copy room on her floor and bring them to my office" I bark at her before turning on my heels and beaming at Piper "Shall we". I place my hand on the small of her back ushering her into my office as tingles shoot through my fingers where our skin touches.
The feeling never gets old.
As soon as we are in the safety of my office, I lead her to the couch. She takes a seat before I follow. I have a million thoughts swirling around in my head and I don't even know where to start. I need to know what this is and where it's going. But I don't even know myself what I want…I look up into her big green, emerald eyes before taking her hands in mine and telling her the truth "I don't want to put a label on this, but I do know I want you to myself. I don't want to share you with anyone".
She blinks a couple times and appears to be studying me, deciphering my words before she responds "Cole, we are from two different worlds. I'm not sure how this would work."
I'm not sure if it's a statement or a question but hell will freeze over before I let her walk away from me again. I scoot closer to her before responding "Let's just keep this between us and see what happens then. You will have full access to me wherever, whenever you want and the same for me". We don't have to answer to anyone, right? I'm a grown damn man, taking what he wants. "Besides, we will have to be spending a lot of time together with the project, so let's just not fight this" I murmur while winking at her.
She smiles, the most beautiful smile and I know, I'm already in over my head. I just hope she doesn't break my heart.
~
Clara arrives with the paperwork shortly thereafter. She knocks before entering and when she pushes the door open, she takes in Piper relaxing on the couch scrolling on her phone. I am 900% sure I see a tinge of envy in her eyes before she pans to me and delivers the paperwork. By now a good scowl has crept onto my face in the need to protect what's mine. I turn to Clara and offer a reminder "You should remember what I said earlier".
Clara's eyes bulge as she realizes she is walking a thin line. She turns to scurry out of the office as I yell to her "Don't interrupt us the rest of the afternoon". Clara stills before she replies "Yes sir" as she closes the doors.
I feel bad being so forceful with Clara, but she needs to know her place. And right now, that is out of my personal business.
I shift gears over to work mode. I make my way over to Piper. She is snuggled up on my couch, like she does this all the time. She is beautiful and has my heart racing with anticipation at just being close to her. As I plop down, she looks up "So, the contract we are fixing to work on is a big one. I don't want to put a lot of pressure on you, but you were hired to help me solely on this project."
"No pressure, right?" Piper laughs.
I tell her about the ins and outs of the project, the money that this will bring into our company with this collaboration, along with the pressure I am getting from the board and my father. By the look on her face, I would say she wasn't aware of the magnitude that this contract held. She quickly recovers and goes into marketing mode, showing me all the research she had done so far on the competition as well as marketing avenues we can take to incite brand loyalty between the firms.
I have to say, I am impressed. She hasn't even been here a week and she has already done more than most of the marketing department. I find myself thinking beyond this contract, long term…she could be a real asset to the company.
I can't help the smile that graces my face, a sense of pride in her as I break the rules just for her "We aren't supposed to disclose details of the contract because of information getting leaked but this contract is huge. It's with the Vanderpool Holdings out of California".
I go on to tell her that the son recently took over from his father, much like I did. He is wanting to rebrand the company and expand the market. And we are hoping the collaboration will do good for both firms that are in similar situations. I finish my spill before I realize her eyes are the size of the golf balls that I drive around the green on Sundays.
"What is the name of the guy" she whispers as she is wringing her hands in her lap.
I smile "Tristan. I think you will really like him".
Her face looks like I just murdered her kitten, and not in a good way. I'm puzzled by her actions, but her response really leaves me guessing "Cole, I don't know if I can do this".
My smile fades as quickly as is entered "What do you mean?". I'm trying to wrap my head around this and understand what is going on. But her next statement leaves me with even more questions "he's my ex"...