Because Of Love

Talia’s blood ran cold as she sat frozen in her seat. Then just as quickly her body flushed as the memories of the previous night invaded her thoughts. This can’t be happening! Her mind screamed at her. She wasn’t ready to step into that office again just yet. The shame was still too fresh.

“Why?” she squeaked.

His brows pinched together confused and she realized then it would have been better if she hadn’t sounded like a mouse in a trap when she asked that.

“You’ll find out once you go.”

That was just it, she was scared to. What if what he wanted was that sequel Carrie was so excited over?

“Do I have to?” she asked. The words quietly slipped out without a thought.

“Any reason not to?”

That caught her guilty ass by surprise. What was she doing? The last thing she needed was anyone getting suspicious about her and DeLuca’s… interaction. If she dared call it a relationship, she would be opening doors to possibilities that her career couldn’t afford.

With a jolt of courage, she stood up from her seat and with a forced smile said, “Nope, none at all.”

He gave her one critical once over, a short nod then turned on his heel and left. Talia turned to look at Carrie, silently screaming for help. She shook her head slowly side to side with a shit eating grin on her face.

“You better wipe off that ‘I’m about to get skinned’ puppy dog look off your face if you don’t want to raise any more suspicion than you already have,” Carrie said. She giggled with evil smugness. “Highbrow isn’t as stupid as he looks.”

Talia sighed heavily, dropping her head till her chin touched her collar bone. She was bound to face him at some point; it was best to get it over with now.

“It’s a full building, he wouldn’t risk you getting heard when you scream in ecstasy.”

Talia leveled a withering glare at the snickering witch and said, “Not, funny.”

With that she summed up whatever courage she had left and began her long walk to the crime scene. On her way, she spotted a few females huddled outside DeLuca’s office, all whispering with a particular interest in one thing: for the first time in weeks he’d actually returned a salutation. So he was in a good mood. She was glad for him and the rest of the people who had to work with Mr. Sourpuss. But Talia couldn’t help but worry what this new jolly mood meant for their situation.

Once at the office entrance, she took a deep calming breath then rapped three times on the open door. He looked up and the moment his eyes settled on her face, a slow smile began at the side of his full lips growing into a full blown one that for a moment, muddled her head and turned her knees to jelly. Yup, she was in trouble.

“Come in and close the door behind you.”

Talia stepped inside, she reached for the door and froze. Closing it may not be such a good idea, she thought as she stared at it like a life raft. Yeah, leave it open and risk his loitering fan club hearing about my slutty night? No thanks. With great effort, she pushed the door and watched it swing shut, like a person facing life in prison the first time the cage bars slid shut in their face, the sound of it latching echoing in her chest. Now what?

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to jump you. I just got tired of being watched like a zoo animal.”

Said the lion to the stupid sheep who walked right into his den. She should be relieved with that surety but she didn’t believe it for one second. Keep the topic light and focus, she said to herself before she turned around, keeping her eyes far away from that spot.

“They want to know why you’re wearing a turtleneck,” she said as she approached the desk, proud of how calm and leveled her voice sounded considering her nerves were fried. She’d caught that particular interest as she’d walked by them. Apparently a change of style required an investigative committee.

The side of his lips lifted in a smug half smile as he pulled at the black cloth at his neck. “Someone left this here. Thought it would be best to cover it.”

A little confused, she leaned a little closer to see, only to jump back flush faced. It was a hickey. He was hiding the evidence of last night. She needed out of that office immediately.

“Why do you want to see me?”

“Have a date tonight?” he asked.

If she heard right, there was a warning in his tone. “Why?”

He slowly stood, unfolding all six foot plus of him out of the seat and said, “Say yes and you’ll find out.”

Surprised, Talia took three quick steps back. This was a mistake. She shouldn’t have come here. Forget her phone, she’ll just buy a new one. The proposal, she felt her fingers and toes burn with restless anxiety, there was no way around that. She needed to get them fast and escape that room and the sexual charge that had already begun to fill it before he made good on that threat. This was how last night started and she wasn’t looking for a repeat with his fans on the other side of the door.

Her eyes surveyed his desk until she found them. Her phone and proposal were seated on the far corner of his desk, within reach.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

She looked at him and asked, “You signed it?”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

With a darkening gaze, he took one step to the side and Talia’s hands immediately clenched at her sides. She needed to leave, now! With a mad dash, she grabbed her phone and the proposal off the desk and quickly took several steps back.

“I’ll set up a meeting with finance about the budget,” she rapped out.

When he rounded the desk, she took off for the door. All she needed to do was open it, hopefully. She grabbed the handle, turned it down and yanked it open. She turned just in time to see him come to an instant halt just five steps away. The jerky muscle in his clenched jaw told her he wasn’t the least bit amused by her stunt. She, however, smiled, taking the win to her threatened virtue.

“Have a nice day,” she announced triumphantly, stepping out of the office and leaving the door open as she’d found it.