Chapter Four
Christine hung her head in dismay. Her morning was not going well. Of the one week she had been working at Blackwood Enterprise, she hadn’t had one good day, and it was all thanks to her senior, Nancy Coleman. The woman was vicious and found any excuse to dig her claws into Christine. At the moment, she was going off about a minor typographical error that wasn’t even Christine’s fault.
“I hired you because I thought you were smart. I guess I was wrong,” Nancy jeered.
Christine wanted to ask how her intelligence had come into play relating to an error that was Nancy’s fault. She kept her mouth shut and took the berating because she couldn't afford to lose the job.
Nancy continued, “I chose you out of the many women because you didn’t seem too engaged in your appearance. I assumed you would be a good worker. But it seems now that you have seen what your boss looks like, you’re all about flaunting yourself. What are you hoping? That he’ll notice you? I hate to disappoint you, but you’re not his type.” She eyed Christine with hatred. “He goes for much thinner women.”
Outraged, Christine finally spoke, “I have no interest in Mr. Blackwood and I don’t see what that has to do with the error you’re blaming me for.” As far as she was concerned, if Nancy wanted their boss she could have him. She was well aware that he wouldn’t give her a second look anyway, so she was in no way trying to get his attention.
As for her new wardrobe, Keira had convinced her to go shopping. She huffed. She was happy with the way she looked. The well-fitted attire she wore nowadays didn’t make her feel like a frumpy old lady and it gave her confidence quite a boost. Her new confidence, however, had just been stomped on by the very tall, thin and glamorous Nancy Coleman. It was like high school and living with her mother all over again.
Nancy grunted, “Well, it’s good to know you don’t have your eyes set on Mr. Blackwood. You can go now.”
Christine whirled out of the office and stomped past her desk. Angry tears burned in her eyes and she blinked rapidly to keep them at bay.
“Are you alright, dear?” Margaret asked, concerned.
Christine didn’t stop. “I’m fine, Margaret.” She continued down the hallway and into the lounge. Glancing around the room, she sighed, glad to find it empty. Walking to the window, she sniffed as a tear streamed down her cheek. Damn it. She was annoyed with herself for letting Nancy get to her.
***
Ethan pushed open the lounge door. He didn’t usually frequent the room, but he had seen Christine storm past and disappear behind the door. He frowned when he saw her standing by the window with hunched shoulders.
“Christine, are you alright?”
She yelped and spun around, her eyes widening when she saw him enter the room and close the door. “Mr. Blackwood, I- uh yes I’m fine.”
Lifting an eyebrow, he asked, “That’s why you’re crying?”
She sighed quietly. She had obviously hoped he wouldn’t notice. Averting his gaze, she responded, “It’s nothing, really. I’m fine.”
She looked so vulnerable as she stood there. He felt a strong urge to protect her, to take her into his arms, to make her happy. He frowned, stepping closer. “I don’t like seeing you upset, Christine.”
Ethan’s lips twitched. She was gaping at him with a confused expression. She was no doubt wondering why he cared. He was just as confused as she was. Unable to resist the urge to touch her any longer, he lifted a hand to trail his thumb across her wet cheek.
Christine drew in a breath, immobilized by shock. But before she could recover, his head acted on his own accord and descended, his mouth covering hers. His lips moved slowly over hers. After her initial shock had worn off, she parted her lips slightly, as if she liked it too. The close proximity to her allowed him to take in her feminine, sweet scent. He felt almost intoxicated. His tongue darted between her lips, jolting her back to her senses.
Abruptly pulling out of his grip, she stared up at him in horror, her chest heaving.
“Christine-”
“Uh, I-I’m sorry. I have to go.” She stumbled backward and then turned to rush out the door.
“Christine, wait!” Ethan let out a curse and wiped a hand over his face. “Real smooth, Blackwood,” he murmured. He didn’t know what had come over him. The need to kiss her had been too great. He could only hope she didn't press charges for sexual harassment in the workplace.
***
Christine was out of breath when she got back to her desk. Oh my God. I kissed my boss. He was the one to initiate it, but she had kissed him back. And I liked it, she thought with horror. She had been attracted to him since first laying eyes on him. But, given the way Nancy had acted, it was safe to assume they had something going on. She fully intended to stay away. She didn’t need another reason for the woman to target her. A shadow appeared over her and she looked up. Ethan loomed over her desk with his hands in his pocket. She groaned inwardly.
“A word in my office, Ms. Morrow,” he ordered softly.
She glanced toward Nancy’s office. “There isn’t anything to discuss. What happened was a mistake. It won’t happen again. For the second time, I apologize,” she said, trying to keep her voice down.
His brows lifted, “I believe I was the one who kissed you, so you have no need to apologize. I’m not sorry for kissing you, by the way.”
Christine flushed a bright shade of pink and glanced around frantically. Margaret was a distance away, studying them with interest. “Can you keep your voice down?” She hissed.
"You won't have to worry about anyone hearing our conversation if you come into my office."
She sighed, “Okay, okay, you win.” Standing up she followed him reluctantly.
Christine watched with her heart racing as he closed the door and turned the lock. She gulped as he stalked toward her, causing her to take an involuntary step back. “I have wanted to kiss you for a while, Christine.”
“Err, you have?”
He nodded, his lips twisting into a grin. “I must say, I liked it and I want more.”
She let out a nervous whimper. “Mr. Blackwood, this is highly inappropriate.” She couldn’t help glancing at the door.
He let out a laugh and drawled. “It is, but I have never cared much for propriety. I have been trying to avoid you for a week, Christine, but you are just too damn tempting.”
“Look, it was never my intention to capture your attention or seduce you, no matter what Nancy says.”
He paused, a frown appearing on his face. “What does she have to do with any of this?”
She gave herself a mental kick for letting the words slip out. “Uh, nothing, forget it. But, I’m not like every other woman under your employ Mr. Blackwood. I don’t desire any attention from you.”
His lips curled in amusement, “I like that about you. Do you deny that you are attracted to me?”
“I’m not attracted to you.”
Ethan inhaled, taking in her scent of arousal. He could hear her heart pounding and feel the heat emanating from her body. “Liar.” His eyes bore into hers, daring her to deny her attraction to him again.
Averting her gaze, she shrugged. “So what if I am? Nothing will come of it.”
“The fact that I too desperately want you means that something will definitely come out of it.”
Taken aback, Christine wasn’t sure how to respond. He wanted her? “I was told I’m not your type.”
“What?”
“Never mind.”
He stepped closer, his eyes roving over her from head to toe. “You are exactly my type.”
“Oh.” She sucked in a breath, feeling her knees go weak. Oh, my. It was now evident to her that she had no chance of resisting his charms.
Ethan grinned, “Just oh? Is that all you have to say?”
Before she could answer, her feet were lifted off the floor and she was seated on his desk. Stepping between her thighs, he cupped her face and studied her intently, as if he was trying to figure out a mystery. “I have wanted you before I even met you.”
Her brows knitted. “What are you talking about?”
“I first spotted you in a club on the dance floor. You were the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.”
Christine stared at him as if he had instantly sprouted two heads. That wasn’t a compliment she got very often- or ever. Her gaze dropped to his lips, wishing for him to kiss her again. As if reading her mind, his lips crushed hers. Desire overrode her reservations and she wound her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. His mouth moved roughly and his tongue delved between her lips to explore her mouth.
Letting out a low moan, Ethan dropped his hands to slide up her skirt, hiking the material up inch by inch. She gasped. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to make you mine right here,” he murmured.
Alarm seeped in, replacing her good senses. “What? No, you’re my boss and we’re in your office.” Not to mention that it was broad daylight and the building was packed with people.
“I don’t see why any of that matters.”
“Are you being serious?”
“Quite.” He continued to kiss the sensitive area along her neck causing her to let out a groan. “No one will know.”
She shook her head, “I can’t risk losing my job.”
Seeing her concern, he sighed and stepped back. "Have dinner with me then, this evening."
Christine froze. He was asking her out on a date. The entire ordeal was surreal. She didn’t get asked out by sexy billionaires nor was she passionately kissed by one in his office. This must all be a dream.
"I won't take "No" for an answer."
She gulped, knowing she would probably live to regret it. “Okay.”
His lips curved into a satisfied smile and he offered her a hand to assist her from the desk. With a deep blush, she adjusted her clothes, refusing to meet his gaze. “So um, should I meet you somewhere?”
“I’ll pick you up at your place at seven.”
“Okay.” She walked quickly to the door, desperate to get away from the intense penetration of his obsidian-like eyes. Hands on the knob, she turned, intending to give him her address.
“I already have your address,” he announced with a smile.
“Right. See you then.”
Pulling the door closed, Christine shut her eyes tightly. See you then? I’m so lame. She scurried back to her desk before Nancy would pass by and see her leaving the boss’ office. I can’t believe I just agreed to go out on a date with my boss. She knew she would suffer the consequences at some point. But she felt oddly exhilarated. Never being the one to take risks, she had always played it safe. A smile appeared on her lips. Making out with her boss in his office was definitely not her usual behavior, but she liked how it made her feel. It was even more enlivening knowing that he was actually interested in her.
Christine bit her lip to contain her excitement. She couldn’t wait to get home and tell Keira she had a date. Her roommate would no doubt flip out. She had been working overtime to get Christine to start dating again.