Ash's POV :
As I was expecting, the jerk was up to no good when he offered me this job.
It's not even two days and he's been nothing but a tormentor. He keeps pestering me with weird jobs.
Every task he gave me was humiliating and frustrating. And upon that, I don't know what has gotten into him but he keeps teasing me, not letting go of any chance to get under my skin.
Every day, he found new ways to push my buttons, to make me squirm under his intense gaze and unwanted touches. I hated how my body reacted to him, how I couldn't help but shiver when he whispered in my ear or brushed his fingers against my skin.
Currently, I have prepared his coffee. FOR THE FIFTH TIME!!
Because he didn't like the first four coffees. He just wanted to nag me.
"Here's your coffee," I slammed the tray on his desk with a tight smile.
He looked up with a raising grow, eyes twitching with amusement.
"Ah, my favourite coffee boy."
How satisfactory would it be if I just threw this boiling on his face? Fuck! I'm so tempted to do it.
"I'm your secretary, not a barista."
Elijah chuckled, leaning back in his chair, his eyes rolling over me from head to toe making me a bit awkward. "You look adorable when you're flustered. By the way, I need you to fetch me lunch later. Something exotic and unique. Umm..you know what? Surprise me."
I glared at him, feeling my frustration rise. "This isn't in my job description. Get your own damn food, Elijah."
His smile only widened. "Oh, but it is. You see, as my secretary, your job is to attend to my every need. And it's either sir or boss and not Elijah. I may be your husband at home but here I'm your boss."
I bit the inside of my cheek holding back a savage comment. I wish I could shut his mouth permanently, it's the most annoying sound on earth.
"What do you want for lunch, Sir?"
"Are you on the menu?"
"No, Sir. I'm way out of your league."
He shot me a wicked smile, head tilting innocently. He traced every line and curve of my face with a playful look. "Oh, I could make you very available for me to taste every inch of you if I want."
I stood there shocked and made a lot of speeches. This man…this crazy hungry dog.
"You know…you're proof that even god makes mistakes," I turned and walked out before he could continue his stupidity.
It's moments like this that are unbearable around him. Even yesterday when I went to the copy room to make copies of some important documents. He suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
He stepped in while closing the door behind him. The space felt even smaller with his presence. "Need any help?" he asked with a devilish smirk.
"I've got it under control," I told him, not daring to look up and trying to ignore the warmth of his body so close to mine.
However, he moved closer, his hand brushing against mine as he reached for a paper clip. "You missed a page," he suddenly whispered, his warm breath brushing against my neck, making the hair on my skin stand at the mere attention shamelessly.
I tensed and took a step back from him. Taking a struggling deep breath, I muttered. "Thanks. I can handle it from here."
But instead of moving away, his hand lingered on mine, his fingers squeezing mine gently. "Are you sure?"
I pulled my hand away hastily, my face heating up. "Can you please give me some space?"
He finally backed off. "If you insist. But remember, I'm always here if you need a hand."
I hurried to finish my task and escape the stifling atmosphere. Later that afternoon, I was organising papers on his desk when he decided to invade my personal space again.
I was bent over the desk, sorting through a pile of papers, when I felt a pair of hands on my hips. I tensed, knowing exactly who it was from his tempting Cologne.
I straightened up but his hands tightened their grip on my waist pulling me back against him. "Elijah, I'm working."
He chuckled, his fingers squeezing my hips. "So am I. Just in a different way."
I felt my pulse quicken, my skin tingling where his hands touched. "Let go."
My breath hitched when his hands slid down and I roughly pushed him away because it was too much to handle. I don't want him to see my body reacting to his touch and seek pride in it.
"You're crossing the line," I scowled angrily.
His lips curled into a crooked grin. "Maybe. But it's a line I enjoy crossing."
He grabbed my hand and our fingers touched, and I felt a jolt of electricity shoot through me. My breathing quickened as Elijah moved closer, his thigh pressing against mine.
I shifted uncomfortably, my breathing growing uneven. His hand rested on my lower back. "You know, you make the office a lot more interesting."
I sucked in a breath, my face reddening to the point I could feel it heating up. I rested my trembling hand over his chest to stop him from getting closer but he closed the few inches between us.
"Elijah, this is inappropriate."
"Inappropriate?" he whispered as his eyes danced with seduction, his fingers tracing small circles on my back causing me to unconsciously arch my back and my chest pressed further into his.
I bit my lip to maintain control and his hungry eyes were quick to follow the action. I watched as his eyes darkened and squeezed my hips harshly.
"Elijah, stop," I hissed as I endured letting out an embarrassing sound.
He playfully narrowed his eyes. "Do you really want me to stop?"
My breathing grew heavier, and my eyes closed for a moment. "Yes…no…I don't know."
He took that as an invitation, pressing his lips to my neck, making me groan softly. My hands gripped his chest tightly, trying to focus on anything but the sensation of his lips on my skin. "Elijah, please."
He pulled back slightly, looking into my eyes deeply with a tempting glee. "Please what?"
I opened my eyes, my gaze filled with confusion and longing. "I…I don't know."
He smiled, leaning in to kiss me gently on the lips. I tensed at first, then slowly started to respond, my lips soft and hesitant against his. He deepened the kiss, making my resistance melt away.
But then, just as quickly, I pulled back, my eyes wide with panic. "No!" I shoved him away aggressively using my whole strength, he stumbled a bit but then balanced himself.
What the fuck did I do? And with him? I wish I could kill myself.
"Keep your hands to yourself!" I warned him.
"But where's the fun in that?" He challenged me and I was a fool to fall for his tricks.
Because I could see in his eyes just what he was trying to do. He's using me just as he promised me. How could I be so stupid to let him do that?
I glared at him. "Stop whatever game you're playing."
I fled out of his office, but the taste of his lips was still present on my lips.
*******
That's how my two days went.
At present, I gathered my things as the workday drew to a close.
Just as I slung my bag over my shoulder, a shy female employee approached me, holding a small gift wrapped in colourful paper.
"Mr. Blackthorn I wanted to give you this," she said, her cheeks flushed with nervousness. "I've always admired you. I never believed those horrible things people said about you."
I managed a polite smile. "Thank you, that's very kind of you."
She shyly extended the gift. "Please accept this."
Just as I reached out to take the gift, it was snatched from her hands. I looked up, startled, to see Elijah standing there, his face twisted in annoyance.
"We're here to work, not to engage in office romance," he snapped at her. "Focus on your job."
The employee's face fell, and she quickly apologised before scurrying away. I watched her leave, feeling a mixture of frustration and sadness. Elijah turned to me with a hard expression.
"I'm taking you home," he said curtly.
I sighed, knowing better than to argue. Since we were now living together, I didn't have much choice in the matter. As we walked towards the elevator, I couldn't help but speak up. "You didn't have to be so hard on her. She was just being nice."
Elijah stopped walking and turned to me, his eyes narrowing. "Are you interested in her? Don't forget our contract. No affairs."
I felt a surge of anger and rolled my eyes. "You're impossible, you know that? It was just a gift. Not everything is about romance or sex."
His expression grew dark, but he said nothing more. We continued to the car in tense silence.
Once inside, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken words. Elijah wasn't his usual irritating, flirtatious self anymore.
Instead, he was infuriating and enraging. I stared out the window, trying to ignore the tension between us.
The drive was quiet, the only sound being the hum of the engine. But then he broke the silence.
"Why do you accept those gifts?"
I glanced at him, surprised by the question. "Because people are just trying to be nice. It's their way of showing support to me."
He clenched his jaw, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. "You enjoy the attention, don't you?"
I shook my head, exasperated. "It's not about enjoying it. It's about being polite. Something you clearly struggle with."
He didn't respond, and we fell back into silence again. I couldn't understand what had gotten into him suddenly. He was so confident, so sure of himself all day.
But now it seemed as if my interactions with others bothered him more than he let on.
Or am I just overthinking?