14
Chloe
It was so easy for Bryce to mess with my senses and reason. Even though I had tried to put some distance between us, for the fear of losing my job was taking quite a toll on me, it wasn’t easy to ignore how I felt whenever he approached me.
My pounding heart and clenching mound reminded me whom I really wanted, making me feel worse because I couldn’t let myself fall more for him if I was to lose my job and never see him again. It was bad enough that we were having sex together, but actually expecting him to put his heart on the line for me was outrageous. Or so I had thought.
This morning, Bryce showed me that he cared for me more than I could have imagined, doing all he could to help me stay on my job, and I felt so grateful to him.
I had to admit that I hadn’t been fair to him. He had told me he wouldn’t let me lose my job, but I hadn’t believed him, spending these last two days sulking and going over all the grim possibilities in my head. I was already preparing myself for the tedious round of interviews as I tried to find something that would be as good as this job, which was almost an impossible mission.
I didn’t want to lose this job, and I didn’t want to lose Bryce. But hearing I wouldn’t lose my job after all raised my spirits, bringing me much-needed relief.
So when Bryce invited me out to dinner, I gladly accepted, growing more and more excited about it. After work, he sent me a dress and roses, completely taking me by surprise, and I couldn’t stop admiring the flowers or the short red dress that looked like it cost a fortune. I decided to wear it tonight, pairing it with black-red high heels.
Looking myself in the mirror as I applied makeup, I contemplated about the possibility that Bryce liked me too. Why would he try so hard and send me flowers and a gorgeous dress if he didn’t want something serious with me? Maybe this was a start of something real between us. Just the thought of being Bryce Evander’s girlfriend made me tickled pink.
I was unusually nervous when I got out of my building and found him waiting for me, leaning against his Audi. His eyes skimmed over the dress I was wearing, stopping on my bosom that was accentuated with the low cut of the top, and my pulse sped up.
“You look beautiful, Chloe,” he told me when he approached me and kissed me, putting a halt to all my thoughts.
I responded greedily, realizing just now how much I had missed kissing him these last two days, and wrapped my arms around his waist to bring him closer to me. Our tongues clashed against each other, our mutual hunger growing stronger the more we spent time in a heated embrace.
“Fuck. You have no idea how much I needed this. I needed you.” He pecked my forehead, looking at me with adoration. “Thank you for wearing my dress. It looks amazing on you.”
“Thank you. Also, thank you for the dress and flowers. I love them. How did you know that roses are my favorite?”
He flashed his sexy smirk. “It was a lucky guess. Now let’s go before I decide to take that dress off you before we even had dinner.”
The place he’d taken me to was exuding money and elegance. It was furnished with the most expensive furniture and serving the richest people around, if their expensive clothes were anything to go by. Bryce looked like he was in his element, acting confidently, which was totally sexy. We ordered our food and wine, unable to stop staring at each other as if we had been separated for months.
“I’m sorry, Bryce. I’ve been difficult since our trip, and I wasn’t being fair at all. I was really afraid I was going to lose my job, and even though you assured me that wouldn’t happen, I was still freaking out and thinking about the worst-case scenario.”
He cupped my hand with his, his beautiful green eyes peering into mine. “I understand. I just wish you talked with me about it. I want you to believe in me, Chloe, because I care about you.”
My heart picked up its pace immediately. “You care about me?”
“Yes. I care about you, and I won’t allow you to stay without your job no matter what. I want you to advance your career and become more successful, and I believe you’ll be able to achieve that if you stay in my hospital.”
I was floored, his highly encouraging words giving me a boost I needed.
“So even though I’m stepping away from the board and focusing more on my patients, you’re set for at least a year. They assured me they will keep you on the same position for the transition and when the next president comes. They will present you a new contract in a few days, which will contain this new clause. Of course, as I mentioned, I believe that if you keep working like this, you’ll be promoted soon.”
I smiled back at him, exhilarated at the prospect of being promoted. Even though it was early to talk about this, knowing that Bryce believed in me spoke volumes. I was relieved that I wouldn’t have to worry about my job, and now, after everything, I wondered why I had ever made such a fuss about his decision, jumping to conclusions too quickly.
“Thank you. You know, I’ve been lost before, searching for an adequate job that never came, so when I started working for you it was heaven-sent. I’ve finally found something that suits me and makes me happy, so hearing I won’t lose my job makes me ecstatic. Seriously, thank you.”
“No need to thank me, sweetheart. If there is anyone who should be thanking right now, that is me. You’re the one who made me see that I want more interaction with patients and time to do research. You helped me remember my real dream. I want to save lives. I want to do what really fulfills me instead of just chasing more money.”
My smile grew huge, my chest expanding with powerful emotions. I wanted to reach out to him and kiss him senseless. “Really? I helped you?”
“Yes. You reminded me that money doesn’t really make me happy. Saving people’s lives does. Research and working with patients are more important than money.” He palmed my cheek and caressed it languidly. “I was able to change thanks to you, and I can’t even explain to you how much you helped me.”
“Oh, Bryce.”
I was elated. I was thrilled to see him like this—to see that spark in his eyes as he talked about medicine—and I wanted nothing more for him than to do just that. He would be truly happy, and nothing else mattered.
“Remember when I told you I researched about you? Well, I’ve read one of your interviews and I remember you said there is nothing better than saving a life. It makes me happy that you reflected on your choices and decided to make a difficult but the right choice. And I was so wrong for thinking you should stay at your position.”
I’d been selfish, thinking that maybe resigning from his position was unnecessary, without even considering what actually mattered to Bryce. I was thinking about my own future, completely disregarding the fact that Bryce would remain unhappy if he stayed in the charge of the hospital.
In the end, I couldn’t actually be happy if he was in the place that didn’t bring him what he needed.
“That was selfish and you didn’t deserve it—especially my cold treatment. So I’m sorry for how I acted these last few days.”
He slid his hand over my arm and across my neck, reaching my cheek. I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes as I basked in the feel of his skin against mine.
“You don’t have to apologize. I understand. So I just want you to relax now and enjoy this time with me.”
“I always enjoy spending time with you. And I’m so happy for you because you’re able to get back to what you really love.”
His gaze was incredibly soft, his fingers brushing past my lips on their way to my neck. I grew warm immediately, unaware of anyone in this place but him.
“There was something I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t have a chance. You got angry at me, and I kind of lost my opportunity...”
My breath hitched in my throat, something in the way he looked at me telling me he was about to say something truly important...
“Yes?” I encouraged him to continue.
“You made me feel something I’ve never felt before. These days you made me laugh, happy, relaxed, and so many other things I can’t even give a name to. You make me feel. So, this has quickly turned into something more.”
My mouth fell open. “What do you want to say?”
“You’re not just my assistant. You’re not just my lover either. You’re something much more to me, and I can’t get you out of my head. I want to spend all my time with you and see you smile.”
His thumb brushed my lower lip, making me shiver. “You have a beautiful smile, Chloe. You’re all beautiful.”
My heart was pounding too hard now, and I wasn’t able to say a word as I waited for him to continue...
“You’re so cute, smart, diligent, competent, and I can’t imagine my days without you. I fell for you, Chloe. And I want to be with you.”
I was stunned, searching for the right words to say. He was actually confessing. This was something I had hoped to hear—something I had thought I would never hear—because I felt the same. And I wanted to be so much more to him.
“I feel the same, Bryce. When I’m next to you, I’m able to experience something that makes me feel alive. It makes me feel like everything has purpose, and I’m happy.”
His face lit. “So is that a yes?”
“That’s a big yes.”
Not caring that we were right in the middle of a restaurant, he jumped up from his chair and went around the table to kiss me. I giggled in between our kisses, captivated by his lips and tongue that brought fire to my insides.
“I think the people are watching,” I said, amused that several pairs of eyes were following our every single move.
“I don’t care,” he muttered before he returned to his seat. His face was distorted with desire, rendering me breathless. “I want you.”
I squirmed on my chair, my pulse getting faster. The atmosphere between us had changed quickly, revealing just how much we were hungry for each other. “I want you too, Bryce.”
“Now, as much as I wish to stay here and talk with you, I’m afraid I can’t wait for much longer.” My smile was replaced with chuckles. He was insatiable indeed.
“So what do you want to do about it?” I asked him seductively.
His eyes turned darker. “Let’s go to my place. Right now.”
“You don’t need to say it twice.”