TWO
“So, Carla, when do you think you might start thinking of me as a human instead of an ogre you need to minimize contact with?”
Carla looked up from her computer, trying hard to look like she didn’t know what he was saying.
“You work at this office, in this company and for me, you really can’t avoid seeing me around,” Jackson said, a disarming smile on his handsome face.
And don’t I wish! Carla thought. It would make so many things simpler if she could just do her work and she could avoid him while at it. She wished she could wipe that smile off his face too.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Daniels, did you want something?” she asked in a very serious tone.
He sighed heavily. “It’s been two weeks…”
“Eight working days,” Carla interrupted.
“… don’t you think everything should be water under the bridge already? Come on, Carla, we used to be friends – at least, I had the impression that we liked each other.”
“That was before you and your brother bargained over me like I am a piece of furniture!” was what Carla would have liked to say but all she said was, “Except you’re talking about the heavy rain last night, there is no water under anywhere that I can see; no bridge either. Did you want something, Mr. Daniels?”
She deliberately dragged her eyes back to the screen of her computer and began working on the file she had opened on Corel Draw. It was an elaborate blueprint for a hotel that Clegg and Hyde was contracted to build. The engineering department had come up with a design and she was to critically appraise the result. She had been having a great time seeing the sketches until the boss himself walked in. Carla dragged in a breath, it was too early for any sort of confrontation.
She heard Jackson draw in a long sigh too. “Alright,” he said at last. “There is a conference on the EPE project in Seattle this week, I would like for you go with me.”
The EPE project stood for the Emile Parkwood Estate project and when the details were finally concluded, the project was going to be a big one. Several multinational companies, including Clegg and Hyde had come together to build EPEs in several countries around the globe. Very recently, some NGO had published the result of a broad study into the lives of the destitute. They had identified housing as one of the major challenges that the poor population faced and so, they had begun to reach out and were getting crazy support to build low-cost, modern housing that would be given out at very subsidized rates to members of the public. Before the commencement of the construction (which Clegg and Hyde will be majorly in charge of), lots of logistics – such as the government of each country had to be sorted. The project itself was a wonderful idea and at any other time, Carla would have been flattered at being asked to attend the conference. At the moment, she just wanted Jackson to stop taking up her breathing space.
“You’re the boss,” she murmured. “I go where you want me to go.”
“Come on, Car-”
His mobile phone rang, interrupting him, and he fished in his pocket for it.
“Hi Stephanie,” he smiled into the phone. He raised a finger to indicate that he would be back and moved to a corner to talk on the phone.
Only when she was sure that he was engrossed in his conversation did she dare to look at him. Of course, nothing had changed about her new boss. Jackson Daniels still had the cocky, lazy grin on his face. His shoulders were still as broad as the ocean and his voice as he spoke must be doing wonders for ‘Stephanie’, whoever she was.
Stop it Carla.
Carla stopped staring at him abruptly. If she was honest to herself, she would admit that the main reason she couldn’t simply be free with him since she began working at Clegg and Hyde was because she couldn’t seem to take her eyes off him. When Jackson used to come to Heights, she was aware that she admired him greatly but seeing him every day as she did here was not the same thing. The man was larger than life. Whenever he walked into a room, he took up every available space. He greeted every one of his staff with a smile, even the janitor. Two weeks was enough to see that he worked hard and played as hard. The weekends always found him in hotels, bar and clubs with different ladies on his arm but during the week, he was all business in suits and ties.
He was also too arrogant, too handsome for his own good. Mostly, it would seem he was done with the ladies as soon as the weekend was over. Every other day, cast off lovers would come to the office looking for him while some called his office line. Part of Carla’s job included fielding those calls and denying unwanted visitors access to his office. In two weeks, Carla had sent off six women, she didn’t even want to begin to count the number of calls. None of those settled well in her belly and she was really bothered that she cared. Of course, he didn’t know – he thought she was still angry that he manipulated his way into having her to come work for him. She let him think what he wanted; it was safer for her that way.
Of course, there was also the hectic work at Clegg and Hyde. The construction company was on top in the United States and Jackson worked hard to ensure that it remained so. There was always something to do and Carla soon found herself up to her neck deep in work. The last assistant was on six months maternity leave (it was no wonder Jackson was looking for a replacement) but the heavily pregnant lady had been kind enough to take two days to walk Carla through. But two days was barely enough to learn the ropes and it certainly took less afterwards to have her table bombarded with all sorts of files.
That must be it, Carla thought. The hectic work was responsible for her mood around Jackson.
Now, Carla immersed herself in her work and put her new boss firmly out of her mind. She had to admit though that she enjoyed her new job at Clegg and Hyde. Although she majored in administration, she had a bit of a building and construction background and she was glad to finally be able to put it to good use. Of course, she wasn’t going to tell Jackson that. He was already cocky enough.
Murmurs and bits of his conversation on the phone frequently flew to her ears but she remained inflexibly busy on her computer. When he finished with the call and came back to her table, she did not raise her head even though she was aware of every breath he took while he stood in front of her.
“So, will you be available to leave on Wednesday morning?” he asked her. “The conference begins at noon same day and ends on Friday evening with a banquet. I can send the itinerary to your inbox.”
“That will be fine,” she told him in a smooth voice. “That gives me two days to wrap up everything that I’m working on, which should be enough time.”
“That’ll be great,” Jackson said. “Do you want us to fly back the same night or should we wait till Saturday morning? I wouldn’t want to interrupt with any plans you have for the weekend.”
Carla shrugged. “I have nothing fixed for this weekend so either way is fine with me,” she told him.
“I’ll just send you the itinerary and leave you to book the accommodations and flights then,” he said.
She said nothing else. Only the taps of the keyboard filled the air and she concentrated on typing out her recommendations on the basement rooms in the hotel as if her life depended on it. The hotel wanted to have rooms in the basement specially dedicated for members of the government. It would be nice if the walls were soundproof too…
Jackson took the hint and left her to her work. She watched him walk into his office from the corner of her eyes. She found herself ogling his butt as he disappeared into his office beyond. He had such a nice ass too. She could imagine digging her nails into the flesh while he pumped into her, driving her wild.
Her phone alarm beeped, and Carla started. It was time for her lunch break. Her fingers shook as she swept imaginary hair out of her face. She felt a little hot. Really, what was wrong with her? She had been imagining having hot, steamy sex with her boss!
“It’s his fault for being so damn sexy in a shirt and tie,” she murmured to herself.
However, Carla was wise enough to know that nothing could come out from her imagination except perhaps a heart break. And it would be over her dead body before she became one of those women who came to the office to beg for his attention.
“What you need is sex, Carla,” she said to herself. “You need great sex to make you forget everything about Jackson Daniels.”
Indeed, it had been so long since she had sex. It was a good thing her on-and-off boyfriend, Brad Summer was going to be in town later today.
****
Carla moaned loudly as Brads hardened length penetrated her. She dug her nails into Brad’s back and raised her hips to meet him half-way. Carla always enjoyed sex and tonight was no exception. Brad had his face between her breasts and with his tongue teasing her nipples, his cock drove her over the brink again and again.
Suddenly, Brad stopped mid-stroke. She began to murmur her complaint, but he flipped her over so fast she couldn’t blink. Smiling, she raised her butt in the air before he could position her himself. It was his favorite position. She clutched the bed sheet as Brad slid in between her legs. His wet mouth fell on her mound and she sucked in a painful breath.
“Oh,” she groaned.
“You like it?” he murmured.
“You know I like it when you have your mouth on me,” she gritted out above him.
She clutched the sheets tighter when his tongue delved further and found her clit. His arms curved around her waist, pulling her even closer and she bucked wildly. Oh, this was exactly what she needed, – sex that made her forget about honeyed voice, broad chests and the most beautiful brown eyes. Carla threw her head back in ecstasy and tears stung her eyes as one of Brad’s fingers joined his tongue. The rascal knew just how sensitive she was right there.
“Ohhh,” she moaned again.
Once again, Brad caught her off guard as he pushed her into the bed and with one hand curled around her waist, lifted her butt high in the air.
“I am taking you home,” he murmured right before he drove into her.
His thrust was so strong she flew forward and hit her head against the headboard. But she didn’t even feel a thing. She cried out his name even as she soared in empty space.
****
“You’re the only woman I know who looks most beautiful fresh out of the shower.”
Carla batted her eyelashes at Brad as she joined him on the bed. She had just left the shower while he had a smoke – Brad always smoked after sex. Now, he stubbed out his cigarette and opened his arms, so she could sit in between his legs. They had an agreement; he wouldn’t smoke in her presence and being an honorable man, he stuck to it. It was one of the reasons she liked him.
Brad was a good lover too. They had met at a friend’s birthday party two years ago and the chemistry had been instant. Carla wasn’t one to have casual sex, so it took a few weeks of dating before they ended up between the sheets. The only issue was that Brad was a doctor in Seattle and he only came to Manhattan when he was on vacation to visit his mom. They had not spoken of any permanent relationship, but Carla knew she had his attention whenever he was in town. For now, it was enough.
Pulling her with him, he rested his head against the headboard and fiddled with her hair. “You have the loveliest red hair I’ve ever seen, such a brilliant shade,” he murmured.
“You’ve said that a hundred times already,” she smiled. She leaned her head into him and closed her eyes. Sleep was coming already.
Slowly, his hands snaked around to her front and he began to unwrap her towel. She slapped his hand away.
“No, I have to be in the office early tomorrow. We aren’t all on vacation,” she scolded him.
“Mmm hmm,” was the only reply she got as his swept her wet hair away to kiss her throat.
“Come on Brad,” she said weakly.
Her towel was undone already, and he tweaked a nipple in between his fingers. She hissed.
“They’re still sore from your rough handling,” she whispered.
“But you love it,” he whispered even as he pulled again.
She moaned in response. Really, she had missed sex. Brad coming to Manhattan only every few months was not doing her sex life a whole lot of good. When she got back from Seattle this weekend, she was going to have a long talk with Brad. Perhaps, they could arrange for him to come to Manhattan more… It would have been great if he was going to be in Seattle too this weekend but well since he was here, she might as well have round two.
She snaked a hand around to touch him. He was still naked, and his cock sprang into her hand, hard as a rock.
“That’s my girl,” Brad whispered into her ears.
Before long, she was on top of him, face to face and riding him. Her hair flew around and he had his hands on her butt, taking her in with his thrust of her hip. When she reached orgasm, she screamed out his name again.
****
“So, who is this Jackson?”
Carla’s eyes flew open. She had slowly been drifting off to sleep in Brad’s arms but now, she was wide awake. She had thought he was sleeping too. Obviously not.
“Huh?” she asked slowly.
“I want to know who this Jackson guy is,” Brad said into the darkness.
Carla reached over and got the bed lights. She searched Brad’s face and saw no traces of sleep in his eyes. Instead, his blue eyes were fixed on her face, looking at her steadily.
“How do you know Jackson?” Carla asked.
“I don’t,” Brad said shortly. “You tell me.”
Carla shook her head. “I don’t – I don’t understand.”
“Well, I don’t either, but he must be one hell of a guy if you can scream out his name when I was deep inside you.”
Brad’s voice was deceptively calm, but Carla knew the importance of his words.
“I – I did?” she stuttered.
“Yes, both times,” Brad said very quietly. “I know we aren’t solid here, but I thought we promised to be faithful.”
Carla had nothing to say in her defense. How could she explain that she had only met the man barely two months ago and had nothing to do with him other than work? She hadn’t even been aware that she had screamed her boss’s name during sex with another man. How had she let him get under her skin so? What the hell was wrong with her?
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Brad was already getting out of bed. “Me too.”
Too dazed to do anything, Carla could only watch as Brad dressed. He was at the door when she said very quietly, “It’s almost midnight.”
“I’ll be fine,” he said right before he left her room.
She heard him open and close the front door, yet she did not rise from the bed. She heard him drive off in his car, but she still did not move.
She had known all along that working for Jackson Daniels was going to be a nightmare. It would seem the nightmare had begun.