Four

 

LUCAS

 

A smirk forms on my lips as I watch her walk onto the floor. The moment I reached for the door knob, I felt the hair on my arms stand at attention, and not from danger. No, it was from knowing she was close.

When my eyes locked on her form moments ago, it took everything in me not to march over there and snatch her into my arms. She thought I didn’t see her looking at me from under her lashes, what she doesn’t know is that I’m aware of everything she's doing.

Ever since I saw her almost a week ago, Operation Mine has been in full swing. Using resources that I shouldn’t have, I had her information pulled from the database at the agency. Each night, I pull the file out and read through it, memorizing everything I can about her. I know it seems like a stalkerish thing to do, but I want to know anything about her I can get my hands on. I need to make sure I have all the knowledge I can on how to make her happy.

If that makes me a stalker then so be it, I like to call it securing my future.

“Lucas.”

My body goes on full alert as her soft voice fills the room. Nervous blue-grey eyes meet mine. Taking a deep breath, I give her a gentle smile and wave her toward the seat in front of my desk.

“Stanley said you wanted to speak with me,” she murmurs as she sits down.

Swallowing hard, she crosses her legs. My hands itch to run up them and under the skirt she's wearing to find out if she has panties on. Her thighs clench together and my eyes snap up to hers and I watch in fascination as red starts to stain her cheeks. Her breathing begins to pick up and my heart starts to beat faster with the realization that she wants me just as much as I want her.

“I did,” I start to say then clear my throat and try to act professional. “I want to talk to you about your dress code.”

“I’m sorry,” she questions before continuing. “Did you say my dress code?”

“Yes, Cara.” I wave my hand toward her outfit. “Skirts, dresses and shorts are no longer allowed to be worn by you. Slacks and button up shirts will be more appropriate. Hell, really a burlap sack might be better.” The last sentence was just murmured under my breath, but by the gasp she gives me I realize that it wasn’t low enough.

“What the fuck?” she retorts before standing up and placing her hands on her hips. “Really, Mr. Fisher, I do believe you’re an asshole.”

“Fuck,” I growl before rushing to the door to stop her from leaving. “Cara, that didn’t come out like it should have. I worry about the girls in the store and the outfits. I’ve watched the past weeks’ worth of security tapes and I noticed a few repeat customers that come in during your working hours eyeing you. You’re a beautiful woman, and I just want you safe is all. I didn’t mean it any other way.”

Actually, dipshit, you got pissed from every man that looked at her. That's closer to the truth, I but know better than to show my cards just yet. However, I wasn’t lying about a few men who've returned each time she was working.

“Oh,” she softly says as her eyes start to glaze over. After a few seconds, she shakes her head before standing up straighter. “Thank you for looking out for me. I’ll keep an eye on things much more. Mr. Fisher, can you tell me what they looked like?”

“First, call me Lucas, not Mr. Fisher,” she nods before I continue. “They're of Mexican descent and tend to have hoodies on,” I tell her before reaching out and moving a stray lock of hair out of her eyes.

The moment my finger touched her ear to tuck her hair behind it, both of us suck in a deep breath and lock our eyes together. The electrical current that runs through my body isn’t one I expected to feel. And by the desire that's starting to burn behind Cara’s eyes, she wasn’t expecting it either.

Before I can lean over and take her lips in a kiss that I'm dying for, she shakes her head and breaks the contact.

“I’ll keep an eye out, Mr —” she stops just as I open my mouth and gives me a soft smile. “I mean, Lucas.”

She exits my office, my name repeating in her voice through my head.

 

CARA

 

It’s been seven days since the office incident. When Lucas, not only told me that I was beautiful, but also brought my body to life like no other man has done before.

I may be a virgin, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t done things.

I open the door to the coffee shop that's next door to my apartment complex, intent on grabbing a cup of coffee before I head into class. I haven’t been able to get that day out of my head.

These past four days I thought over what he said, how he explained some guys kept coming back in during my time. I haven’t noticed anyone I recognized during that time.  Jill and Connie, my co-workers, didn’t have a dress code like I was put on. They're much prettier than me, so with that thought in mind, I decided to go back to my original dress style. I’m not one for slacks. Skirts or jeans, along with a nice top are the only things I normally wear.

“Can I get a white chocolate mocha with extra white chocolate and a touch of caramel please,” I ask the barista when I reach the counter.

“Anything else?”

“Add a black house coffee to that order please. I’m paying,” the deep baritone voice washes over me and causes my body to go on alert.

Lucas.

I stand there not saying a word as he pays for our drinks. After he's done, his hand touches my lower back and the panties I'm wearing begin to feel confining. I now wish I went with a different pair. I wouldn't be terrified they aren't thick enough to catch the wetness that I know is going to get worse the longer his hand is touching me.

“Let’s move over to the end of the counter,” he murmurs into my ear as he guides me.

Complying, I just move as he follows behind, his hand still firmly planted on my back.

“What are you doing here?” I finally ask after we reach the other side.

“I was just in the area,” he answers then smiles at me as he grabs the coffees from the workers hand. “Where are you headed to?”

“Class,” I murmur and grab my coffee from him. “I have a few tests I have to get done today and tomorrow.”

“Do you need more time off from work to study?” his voice is full of concern and my heart warms slightly at the thought that he cares about me and my schooling. “I can call in one of the others if you need it.”

“Thanks, but I’m off work until tomorrow,” I tell him and then take a sip of my coffee.

I close my eyes and moan as the flavor hits my tongue. This is the only place I get this type of coffee from. There's something about their white chocolate that makes this blend much better than other places. I tend to drink this one when I’m doing finals, and then I go to the Bean Cup after my test for my celebratory white chocolate snickers mocha. It's been a tradition that I’ve done since my first final.

The growl that comes from Lucas has my eyes snapping open and I just stare at him. Desire pouring from his expression has me clenching my thighs together again.

Fuck me, that’s hot.

A smirk starts to form along his lips and I close my eyes tight and realize my comment didn’t stay in my mind like I hoped.

“That sounded stupid, of course the coffee is hot,” I quickly stumble over my words trying to explain my fuck up with my mouth running away from me.

“Right,” he chuckles then turns toward the door. “Have a good day at school today and good luck on your test. I’m sure I’ll see you at some point tomorrow.”

I watch his ass as he walks out the door and can’t help but lean against the counter as my embarrassment slowly starts to dissipate now that he's out of the store.

“Girl,” the woman beside me drawls, and I turn to look at her. “If I were you, I'd claim that fine piece of ass before someone else does.”

“There's no way I can get in a relationship with Lucas. Not only is he my boss, but he has a girlfriend already,” I answer her, gazing at the door longingly.

“Why are the hot ones taken or gay.” she states rather than asks before walking away.

Isn’t that the truth.