Maddie set her things in her cubicle and headed to the kitchen for some coffee. The morning commute had been just like every other morning. Their professional relationship had resumed and she was back to focusing on finishing up her quarterly projects at work.

It was actually beginning to feel like spring in Chicago and she was looking forward to having lunchtime walks and eating outside. She hadn’t yet worked through Bennet’s promotion offer in her head and last night’s activities had certainly complicated things.

How was she supposed to have both? She felt like it would be completely wrong and unethical if people found out she was sleeping with the CEO and got a major promotion. Not to mention how would she ever gain their trust and respect? She knew she wanted Bennet, not just because he looked like the perfect specimen but because she had stupidly began to develop feelings for the man.

She was of course wildly attracted to him but his personality brought out a side of her she wanted to explore…a side she felt was hidden until now. She wanted to know what it was like to lose yourself with someone physically. To put aside all sexual hindrances and be confident in what she wanted.

She tried to focus on her work…she had been doing so well today until the promotion had popped back in her head. If she was honest she had completely forgotten about that offer until just now. She was tempted to text Jaz and see if she could meet for lunch to discuss it. She quickly put that thought aside when she realized that it would most likely end with Jazmine telling her it was a decision she would need to make on her own. She groaned and cradled her head in her hands.

"Anything I can help with?" Jason popped up over her cube wall like that whack-a-mole game.

"Oh hey, no just finishing up some quarterly projects. How are things going for you?" Jason launched into a long winded story about how his new designs were rejected by Mr. Thomas because he just doesn’t "get millennials." Maddie nodded along trying not to get lost in the abundance of details and unnecessary diatribe. Just then a few other coworkers walked by discussing lunch plans and distracted Jason from his rant.

"You guys going out today? Where?" he yelled after them.

"DMK, leaving at 12 sharp don’t be late!" One of the guys responded as he walked by.

"Great see you there then? Split an Uber?" Maddie sighed…she could use the midday distraction.

"Sure sounds great." She said, trying to sound enthusiastic. Until then she needed to keep her head down and get some work done.

The rest of the day flew by. She had managed to put the Bennet debacle out of her head and make serious headway on some deadlines she had looming overhead. She was just packing up for the day when Mr. Thomas stopped by her desk and asked her to step into his office before she left. She knew it was about the promotion, Bennet had said he’d already discussed it with Vince.

She closed his office door and took a seat in front of his desk. “I'm guessing you know why I’ve called you in here. Let me preface this by saying you will be greatly missed on my team but I fully agree with Bennet on this one. You are wasting talent down here on the design team."

Maddie smiled sweetly, "Thanks Mr. Th-Vince, I truly appreciate your feedback and your confidence in me. I haven’t decided yet if I’ll be taking the position. I do realize that it’s a great opportunity; however I’m not sure if I would feel better learning more on this team first." Vince nodded his head and leaned back in his chair.

"I understand it’s a huge step and a bit of a leap of faith but Madeline I think this is an opportunity of a lifetime. Bennet won’t just hang you out to dry, he’s very invested in his employees and will make sure you are operating at a level that you feel comfortable in. Just know that whatever you decide we will all support you ok?" "Thanks again Vince, honestly I really appreciate the support here at Windsor and especially your guidance over these past several months. I’ll be sure to keep you informed as soon as I make a decision."

Maddie wished him a goodnight and headed to the elevators to meet Bennet in the lobby. She knew she needed to talk to him tonight about the promotion and figure out what she wanted to do. As nervous as she was about it all she knew that Bennet was respectful and professional enough he would honor her wishes no matter what.

He was waiting by the car as usual, he looked particularly handsome tonight…She wasn’t sure what it was, maybe because she could still feel him on her lips and smell his cologne as he nibbled on her neck. She smiled to herself at the memory as she exited the building and ducked into the waiting car.

"What are your plans tonight?" Bennet ran his hands through his already tousled hair as he looked over at Maddie.

"No boxing class tonight so just taking it easy I guess? What about you?"

"Well since we are both taking it easy tonight how do you feel about grabbing dinner?" Realizing this would be a great neutral environment for her to discuss the promotion she agreed.

"Yeah sounds great…as long as we can go to that new vegan place in Wicker Park."

Bennet jokingly rolled his eyes, "You and your demands, we’ll see how far you get with those." His last comment made a shiver run through Maddie’s body and settle in her lower belly.

Bennet was making small talk about the restaurant, Maddie cleared her throat as if she were training to muster up some confidence. "Um Bennet can we talk about the promotion you had mentioned earlier this week?" He took a large swig of his beer while nodding his head enthusiastically.

"Of course by all means!" She took a deep breath and proceeded to explain that while she felt so grateful for the opportunity she wasn’t sure if she was ready for such a leap of faith in her career.

"What are your concerns or fears rather about taking the position? Do you think I would set you up for failure?" He asked in earnest.

"No I don’t think you would leave me to just fail in the position but I also feel that I have so much to learn. I’m young, just out of college and new to the industry. I feel like you would be doing yourself and your company a disservice passing up someone else who has the experience required for the position." Bennet listened intently, he could see she the passion in her eyes and the intonation in her voice, she gestured with her hands and leaned into the conversation.

"Madeline," She knew he was serious when he threw a solid "Madeline" at her. "You have exactly what my company needs. You are driven and not jaded by the industry. You do bring a new and fresh energy to the firm and you have more business savvy than you realize. Will you please give it a chance? Trust me that I won’t let you down and I’ll teach you and help you?"

Maddie stared at the table…she somehow knew he’d talk her into it. The biggest part of her wanted to take the job but her fear was what was driving the doubt.

She let out an audible sigh…"Fine! I’ll do it." Bennet burst into a loud laugh and raised his beer, "Good girl, I knew you’d come around!"