Chapter Three
Mia
Everything seems to be working against me this morning; even the walk back is hectic only making me want to just call in sick for the entire day. Unfortunately, that’s not an option.
I rush back to my apartment, fumbling with my phone as soon as I hit the door so I can call to let the office know I’ll be late. The irritation in my boss’ voice makes me feel guilty, even though it’s not all my fault. I don’t make any excuses and let her berate me for my lack of enthusiasm about having a job, even though she’s completely wrong.
I should’ve left earlier; I really do need this job. I’ll just have to start leaving an hour before work each day just to make sure I’m never late again.
My clothes are still dripping with proof of my wicked fate this morning, so I strip them off in the kitchen, allowing the tile to get messy over the carpet in my bedroom. I rush through a shower and opt to pull my hair into a twisted knot, still managing to get a classy look even though it only took me seconds to do. My makeup takes the longest, but the ease of my dress and matching heels makes up some time.
I glance out the window and notice the rain has stopped. Grabbing my bag from the counter, I start the same path I just took when everything went so wrong.
This time the walk is peaceful… probably because somewhere in the midst of rushing home covered in disgusting water and right this very moment, I’ve decided not to fret over things I can’t control. Yes… I need a job, but that doesn’t mean I have to have this job.
Mine. He said it as if he was claiming me. I’m sure the sudden glare he got from me told him different.
The doorman opens a single glass door, giving me a wink and a smile as I pass by. I simply give him a nod, allowing my lips to curve just slightly as I keep moving through the building until I get to my desk.
“We have a meeting right now… I need you to follow me.” My boss, Rita moves quickly past my desk just as I sit, confusing me when I look up and see that she’s talking to me. I’ve been here almost a week… and I’ve never been called away from my desk or asked to join in any of the company meetings.
“Me?”
“Yes. Unless you’d like to tell me another reason why you can’t do work this morning.”
“No. I… I’m coming.” I scurry to grab a notepad and pen, attempting to look half prepared for whatever it is I’m about to walk into. She doesn’t fill me in or even speak as we take the elevator to the top floor and I can feel my anxiety climb as we do. It’s almost suffocating me when the door finally opens, sending a burst of new air and awareness against my face.
The lobby is different on this floor… everything is rich in color and spacious without all the cubicles filling the area up like the other floors I’ve been to.
I’d love to be the naive woman who has no idea why she’s up here… but I already know what I’m being called to a meeting. And I know exactly who has requested me in this meeting.
I follow Rita, accepting the fact that I’m about to see the man who caused me to be even later than I was going to be this morning. The man that looked at me like he was ready to eat me alive without a single apology. The man that still has my body tingling even after the extra time I took to try to get him out of my head.
I’m only a few steps behind her when she opens the solid door to a corner office. “Rita… thank you. You can leave now.” She stops mid-step, only a few feet inside the room when the sting of his words humiliates her. I nearly walk into the back of her when she comes to an abrupt halt. I’m sure we both catch the wave of serious masculine power and determination as it consumes us the second we enter the room.
He’s standing in front of his desk, leaning against it with his arms crossed. A stance of purpose and power all wrapped together, making it almost overwhelming to even be in the same room with him.
“Yes, Mr. Briggs. L… Let me know if you need anything else.”
He doesn’t respond to her. He actually doesn’t even look at her when she walks to his desk and drops a folder on the corner of it.
His stare pierces my insides, forcing me to look away and purposely focus my attention on Rita as she moves through the room. I don’t miss the death glare she gives me as she walks by before his deep rumble startles me. “Close the door behind you.” Her hair falls in her face as her eyes move to the floor in front of her as his words fall over her.
I turn as she closes the door behind me, not wanting to face the intensity of his gaze that hasn’t left me since I stepped into this room. There’s at least twenty feet between us in the giant space… but I feel him as though he’s standing against my body. His chest against me… his face in front of mine, taking the air as I try to breathe.
“Sit.” His voice stern and demanding, strikes me quickly with annoyance.
“Is this business related?” My own words sounding pathetic inside his oversized office. His lip slides up just slightly on the right as he sends a smirk my direction, acknowledging the challenge in my response.
“If that’s what you require.” What I require? What I require? It sounds ridiculous even when I say it to myself.
I try not to laugh at his response… or at my lack of even knowing what I expect to happen after this morning. He hasn’t exactly tried to hide that he’s interested in me, so him calling me up here probably seems justified in his own mind.
He lowers his head, purposely focusing his eyes so that I can feel him deep inside my body… his way of chipping away the wall I’m trying to hold up between us while he works against me.
“I’m not really sure what you want from me? I’m new here and just trying to do my job.” He takes a few steps before he begins to speak.
“We can pretend I want you to let me take you on a date. I could pick you up and play the dreadful game of getting to know the surface of you… and I’d be every bit the chivalrous man you pretend to want.” He stops in front of me, crossing his arms while his eyes make me feel ripped open and exposed for him to analyze.
“Or… I could get to know the real you. Undress you here, sliding that sexy fucking dress off you so slowly that you’d be begging me to hurry. Kissing your soft skin as my hands spread warmth over every inch of your sensitive body. Once you’re stripped bare of everything hiding you from me, then we can really get to know each other before I take you on that date.”
“That’s very presumptuous of you. What makes you think I’d do any of that?”
“The way you look at me.” He’s back in front of the desk and moving his arms to grab the ledge at his sides. “The way your breath hitches every time I move.” He catches me watching him again. Dammit. I look down, my heart practically in my throat and my nerves forcing the tension in my body to freeze any form of response to his words. Clasping my hands together, I take a deep breath and wait for his next attack. I’m not generally the shy type… but his aggressive approach makes me anxious.
“Do I make you nervous?” I lift my eyes to meet his, trying to avoid admitting that he does even though I know my body tells him otherwise.
“I don’t date co-workers.” He slowly steps out from in front of me, no longer towering over me… taking some of his intimidation with him.
“Fine. You’re fired.” The word fired jolting me back to life, angry as ever I stand facing him. Even with a desk between us he manages to nearly suffocate me with his look.
“What? I need this job. You can’t do that just because I won’t agree to your ridiculous request.”
“I can do what I want. I own this company. You’re simply being let go so you can explore better options.” He looks so proud of himself for coming up with this scenario.
“Who’s to say this is a better option? Why can’t you just let me do my job and pretend this morning never happened.”
“You still think this is about this morning?” His question leaves me speechless and confused, wondering where this conversation is headed.
“What else would this be about?”
“I’ve seen you before.” He props on foot on the desk, leaning back in his chair just slightly. His cocky demeanor still thick in the room.
“Where?”
“At a benefit a few weeks ago.” A jolt of embarrassment flows through my entire body as I realize what he’s talking about.
“I don’t recall meeting you that night and I really think I should get back to work.” I silently pray that he won’t bring up the single worst night of my life, but I’m sure I couldn’t be that lucky.
“I already told you that you’re fired, so there’s nothing for you to do here.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Mia… I’m very serious. I’m a man who’s used to getting what he wants, no matter the cost. So… name your price.”
I stand instantly. The thought of him trying to buy me is repulsive and honestly disgusts me just enough to be bold with my response. “Mr. Briggs… If you think I’m for sale… you know nothing about me and don’t deserve another second of my time.”
I storm out of his office and don’t even glance back until I turn around in the elevator. He’s watching me as the doors close and it’s in this exact moment that I realize I’ve just fucked myself out of a great job. I can’t help that I have standards, and him treating me like that isn’t even in the ballpark of my morals.
I’m not dealing with an asshole again. I’m still not over the fiasco the last one cost me. And fuck this guy to have been there that night and actually ask me what my price is. Fuck him.