Chapter 21
Ian
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you. I didn’t realize anyone was still here.”
I reached down and picked up her sketch pad that she dropped when I startled her.
“What’s this?” I asked, gesturing at the page that had fell open with the book.
“Ummm…that’s just a doodle. I haven’t been happy with anything I’ve drafted yet and sometimes when my mind wanders I just doodle. I honestly don’t even remember drawing that,” she chuckled as she took the sketch pad out of my hands.
“Well your doodles are amazing. Instead of calling them doodles you should probably call them masterpieces.”
Her blush was adorable. I’d been trying to give her space since she started, letting her get acclimated and get to know everyone. Standing this close to her, looking at her beautiful face, I had to wonder what the hell had given me the bright idea to stay away.
“It’s getting late. Are you planning on leaving soon?” I was probably here for the night, trying to meet a deadline for a new client. I secretly hoped Adalyn would say she’s staying longer. Just knowing she’s somewhere near me, even if I can’t see her, made my body and mind more relaxed.
“I don’t know. I was actually thinking of making some popcorn and watching a movie in the theater room. I’m too wired to relax right now, but I need to get my mind off this project for a bit. Is that okay?” She was looking down and fidgeting with her hands. I’d noticed she did that when she was nervous. Every time I saw her doing it, it took everything in me not to put my hands over hers to calm her.
“You don’t have to ask my permission to do anything here, Adalyn. Consider this your second home. There are no rules here.” She just nodded, mumbling an apology. This shy, insecure version of her was a sight to be seen. As much as I hated her doubting herself like this, and as much as I loved strong, confident Adalyn, I couldn’t help my fascination. I found myself wondering how many people had been witness to this side of her. I also found myself hoping that it hadn’t been very many. That I was special to her in some way.
“Okay, great, well…I guess I’ll head over there. Have a good night,” she said as she waved awkwardly. I had to bite my lip to keep from grinning at her obvious discomfort. “Unless…”
“Unless, what?”
“Unless…you want to watch a movie with me? I mean, I’m sure you’re really busy. Never mind, of course you’re busy. Plus it’s late. Sorry, I don’t know what I…anyway, have a good night.”
She tried to run off, but I grabbed her by the elbow. I waited until she turned to look at me before I moved. Then in one swift step toward her, I brought my face inches from hers and looked into her dark, beautiful brown eyes. I heard her breath catch and her body stiffened. All I would have to do is lean a fraction in her direction and our mouths would touch. She was staring at my lips and I could tell she was anticipating me to do just that. So I leaned in close enough so that she could feel a ghost of my lips across hers, breathing into her parted lips as I whispered, “I’d love to watch a movie, but I get to pick it.”
Then I took off running towards the theater, leaving a stunned Adalyn in the dust. Glancing back at her, I saw a slow smile creep across her face. And then she was running after me.
The theater room was essentially a small movie theater. Maybe like the quarter of the size of a normal one. There were three rows of plush, reclining chairs. Then a row of couches made of the same materials, and then another three rows of chairs. They were all extremely comfortable. I would know - I’d fallen asleep in them many times.
I wasn’t tired tonight though. I had let Adalyn pick the seats since I got to pick the movie, and much to my surprise and delight, she had chosen one of the couches. We were sharing a bucket of popcorn, so despite the size of the couch, her body was right up next to mine.
“This movie is so stupid,” she scoffed, right as one of the actors got massacred.
“What are you talking about? Quentin Tarantino is a genius. This movie is awesome.”
“Some of his films are, but this one’s just dumb,” she laughed as I threw popcorn at her face. It caught in her hair and I leaned over to pull it out, letting my fingers linger a little longer than necessary, enjoying the softness of her long, dark hair.
The air between us seemed to thin and suddenly felt electrified. We had been joking at laughing at all the cheesy parts of the movie, completely relaxed, and I was truly enjoying myself. The moment was there again, she wanted me to kiss her. Her breathing picked up and she stared at my lips. I leaned toward her, easing my body against hers and she went with it, lowering her back to the couch.
When she was laying flat and I was hovering over her, I reached my hand towards her face and her eyes closed in anticipation of my touch. But I didn’t stop, I kept going, and grabbed her sketch book off the seat. She opened her eyes, looking confused and surprised, as I sat up and started flipping through the book.
“Hey, those are private! You can’t see those until I’m ready. Give it back.”
Oh, this flirty, cat-and-mouse game we had going on was such a turn on. Knowing how much she wanted me to make a move only encouraged me to prolong the anticipation. I wanted to get her to the point of needing me so badly that she was begging. If I could hold on that long, because right now she was reaching her whole body against mine, reaching for the sketch pad I was holding above my head.
Yep, I was twelve again. I may as well pull her pigtails while I’m at it. I couldn’t help it though. She was giggling and rubbing her stomach and breasts against me as she continue to grab for her drawings. It was a half assed effort, she could have grabbed it ten times by now. No, she was enjoying this as much as I was, and I was not about to stop her.
I lost my balance and fell back a little and her body moved with mine, causing her to be practically on top of me. Her eyes went dark and I felt my pants tighten from my arousal. I saw the moment she felt it, a myriad of emotions crossed her face and she pulled away quickly. She cleared her throat and mumbled something about using the restroom.
Sitting up, running my hands through my hair, I was mentally kicking myself for not kissing her when I had the chance. I just hoped I would get another opportunity. And soon.
Adalyn never came back to the theater. I waited thirty minutes before I went looking for her. I found her huddled in a far corner of the break room, her knees pulled up to her chest as she looked far off, lost in thought. As I approached her she looked up to me, and I could see her body shaking slightly as if she were on the verge of crying.
I sat down next to her and placed my hand gently on her knee. “What’s wrong, Adalyn?” I said a silent prayer in that moment that this wasn’t because of our flirting. The thought of her closing up on me again made my chest tighten.
“I just don’t want to mess up, Ian,” she whispered as she looked away. I pulled her chin up to face me so I could look in her eyes, my confusion apparent. “I…I’m happy here. I actually really want to be here. I want to do well. For the first time in maybe my entire life, I actually want to try and it scares me to death. I just…I don’t want to mess up.”
And I knew what she was talking about. She wasn’t talking about the job, she was talking about me. About us. Whatever was happening between us, she felt it too, and she was afraid it would jeopardize her job here.
I could have assured her that it wouldn’t. I could have pleaded with her to trust me and to not fight the inevitable, but words didn’t go far with Adalyn. I had learned that the hard way. No, the only way to get through to her would be to give her space as she needed it and show her that I wasn’t going anywhere. That she could feel safe here. With her job, and with me.
So as much as it pained me to do so, I pulled my hand away from hers and nodded. “I understand, Adalyn. I think you’re doing great and you will go far with this company. I appreciate your dedication and I’ll let you get back to it. Have a great night,” I said, giving her a tight smile. It was forced and not at all believable, but the effort I was making didn’t go unnoticed. She returned my smile with a forced smile of her own, and I couldn’t help but notice her body relax the further I got from her. All the way to my office I tried to convince myself that it wasn’t killing me that distance was what she needed from me.
No, that didn’t hurt at all.