Once I'm inside the elevator I press the floor number the receptionist told me I'd find Mr Stone. I can't believe she had the nerve to ask if I'm sleeping with my boss. Like seriously. I mentally roll my eyes. When I reach the top floor I exit and I walk the short distance down the carpeted hallway. Kace lives in a nice apartment but this building looks way more luxurious than his. Just saying.
Is this a competition of some sort or something Claire.
I swallow hard realizing what I just did. Mr Stone is not good for me. He knows quite well that I have a boyfriend yet he's busy stealing kisses and asking me to come to his hotel room for what reason I don't know. Let's not forget that I've made bad decisions because of him. One reason why I should steer clear of him.
When I reach the door I find it ajar and the nerves start kicking in. This is not how I imagined this meeting going. I was supposed to get here knock on the door and when he opens I throw the file at him and run back to the elevator. A little dramatic I know but can you blame me. Maybe I should close the door and knock cause I don't want to enter this hotel room. The thought just suffocates me.
Maybe he's here with somebody else. That would be even better. With new found hope I push the door hesitantly.
"Hello. Mr Stone" I call out. When I don't see anyone I go inside.
"Over here" Mr Stone pokes his head from the sliding doors that lead to the balcony.
Shaking like a leaf I make my way to the exit. The plan is still in place I hand him the file and leave. It's that simple.
"Good day Mr Stone. I came to drop these" I stretch my hand with the file towards him.
He doesn't make any effort to move from where he's sitting around a table filled with all types of mouth watering delicacies.
He's dressed casually in dark jeans, white polo shirt, sneakers and he looks so damn good. He looks way younger than he really is in that outfit and his muscled arms are on display. He looks so handsome and less serious than when he's dressed in a suit and tie.
"Join me" he gestures for the chair across from him.
Do not accept his invitation Claire. You know that he's gonna use you and when he's done he'll move on to the next woman breaking your heart.
"Thanks but I'm fine" I decline.
You're doing good Claire. Stay focused.
"Please Claire. I feel bad about what happened yesterday. Consider this a peace offering"
Did he just say Please. Mr Stone doesn't say please.
Do not accept. Don't even think about it. Just give him the file and leave.
"Please..." he repeats. Yep he said please. Twice.
I'm just gonna have a salad because I can't stomach anything heavier. I'm so nervous right now.
"Okay" I give in and take a seat.
You know what maybe I'll also have the wrap, doesn't that steak look delicious, don't get me started on the lasagna...okay I'll have everything. I mean it smells so good I can't resist.
"Thank you" he smiles.
Is that smile directed at me or somebody behind me. I look behind me but don't see anyone. Silly me of course he's smiling at me. This is totally another side of Mr Stone that I like. I've only seen him smile at me when bloody Zoe Jones was around. He wouldn't have invited me if she was here. She's that possessive.
I munch on the yummy food accompanied with the view of the blue ocean which I must say is ama-zing. I've never been to this side of the Island before as the hotels here are always occupied by people who come here for vacations. I never knew it was this beautiful. I love that the ocean breeze is caressing my face making everything just perfect but I need to leave like now.
"Um why are you in a hotel?" my mouth says before my mind can comprehend my thoughts.
Oh man I didn't mean to say that out loud.
"What do you think" he looks up from his phone his eyes flashing with amusement.
"I don't know hence the question" I look down at my food hiding my face with my hair knowing my cheeks have gone pink.
"I live here" he leans back on his chair sipping on his juice.
"You-you live here" my eyes almost bulge out.
If I was a cartoon character they'd be hanging off my eye sockets that's for sure.
"I own a chain of hotels Ms Miller. What's one hotel room" he states.
"And the invitation?" this time I look him in the eye hoping maybe I could read his mind.
"We both need to unwind. It's been a hectic week" he puts on his shades looking off into the ocean.
As if I can't do that on my own. Why's he hiding behind those shades. Is he scared I'd read him. Is he a lonely man is that why he's been keeping me at work till late so he doesn't have to be alone. That's just sad.
"And whose fault was that?" I mumble to myself draining the contents in my glass.
"What was that?" his brow raises behind his glasses.
"I said this juice is rich" I smirk slightly raising the glass with the juice.
"Is that so" his smirk matches mine making me uneasy.
I grab the pitcher and fill up my glass half way.
"Thirsty" I say when I notice him watching me.
"For what?" he questions.
"Juice of course. What else?" I frown.
"Who knows" he flashes a toothy grin.
My heart speeds up. Does he have to be so handsome.
"Are you flirting with me Mr Stone" I shift in my seat uncomfortably.
"Am I? And call me Nash outside the office"
"Okay Nash" the flirt, I finish in my head.
After a moment of silence he finally grabs the file and goes through it.
"Thanks for this" he slightly lifts the file.
"No problem"
He leaves his seat and goes inside. When he's out of sight I let out a heavy breath that I've been holding since I entered this building and finish the rest of my food.
When he returns I'm gonna say goodbye and get out of this place. I get on my feet and admire the view of the ocean. What I'd do to wake up to such a view each morning. Mr Stone is a lucky man.
"Thanks for the lunch Mr Sto- I mean Nash but I need to get going now" I turn and face him when he comes back.
"Thanks for bringing the files even though it's a Saturday" he shoves his hands in his pockets.
As if this is the first time I've had to do some work for you on a weekend I resist the urge to say.
As I start for the door I feel lightheaded all of a sudden. I should take my medication now.
"Did you drive yourself here?" Mr Sto- I mean Nash asks holding onto my waist to keep me steady and my heart speeds even more and shockwaves rush all through my body.
"Yeah why?" I ask my voice small.
It's hard to think when he's this close. I feel like pulling him in for a kiss.
"I don't think you can drive, you don't look okay" I don't miss the concerned look on his face.
"I must have been standing in the sun for too long"
"Come inside I'll get you a glass of water" with his hand on my lower back he leads me inside.
He helps me sit on the cream couch in the living room and leaves the room to get me some water. Why does this have to happen in his hotel room of all places. Maybe I should tell him I'll go wait in my car then once I've recovered I'll drive myself home but I doubt he'll let me. This is not good.
"Here" he hands me a bottle of water and sits next to me, his arm resting behind me on the backrest.
"Thank you" I take out my medication from my bag and take the pills as prescribed.
"I shouldn't have let you drive yourself" he runs his hand down his face sighing.
"No it's not your fault. I should have taken the taxi" goodness, I'm so uncomfortable right now.
I just want to disappear. What if he thinks I'm just pretending so I could spend more time in his presence.
"How you feeling today after you know last night?" he trails circles on my back.
"Better. Thanks for asking" I shift away from his touch.
What is he doing touching me with such familiarity. The room goes silent and I fiddle with my necklace nervous as I can feel his eyes on me. I look up at him and sure enough I find him watching me. Can he like quit acting weird. It's making me feel a lot of things I have no business feeling especially not for my boss.
"I should go now. Enjoy the rest of your day Nash" I get on my feet with my bag in hand.
It feels weird calling my boss by his first name.
"Claire" he too stands.
"Yes" I turn to look at him.
"Stay" he takes my hand in his and my heart begins to race.
I don't like how intimate his hold on my hand is. For some reason I'm struggling to use my common sense because if I was in my right mind I'd have pulled my hand out of his. I'm still in a relationship for crying out loud.
"W-why should I stay?" I ask him my voice barely a whisper.
"Because you're not fit to drive" he caresses my cheek his eyes on my lips.
At this point my mouth has dried like I don't know what. Why's he looking at my lips. He better not be about to kiss me cause I'll kiss him back. He just can't kiss me again.
"I could call a taxi" I let him take my other hand in his.
Why am I'm standing here holding hands with my boss again.
What I should be doing is dialing the number to call a taxi but instead I'm gaping at a man that's not my boyfriend hoping he kisses me again. I can't deny that I'm craving the feel of his lips on mine.
"I'll take care of that" he covers the distance between us and his arms go around my waist.
"Nash w-we shouldn't" I melt into him.
"Please" he whispers on my lips and I give in.
Gently his lips land on mine and we both inhale deeply. How I love this feeling of being in his arms. For the second time in twenty four hours I let my boss kiss me.