by Brenda Ford
I graze my fingers over my throat, picturing his lips there, sucking and licking. Then I tweak my nipple, his teeth tugging and teasing me, driving me wild. I plunge my other fingers deep inside of myself as if it’s him taking me. This isn’t a sweet virginal fantasy. It’s raw and intense, full of passion and desire. It’s hot and sweaty, wild, primal, animalistic. The sort that I never got with Daniel, even when things were good.
He never wanted me like that, I can see that now or it would have happened with him. I know now that I want the person who I give myself over to, to feel like he might die if he can’t have me. Someone like Brad who knows what he’s doing, who knows how to fuck, how to use a woman’s clitoris to make her feel everything…
“Oh shit!” I scream out as I balance myself on the knife edge of desire, my touch flickering wildly as I touch myself in the way that I just know I love. I might be a virgin in reality, but in fantasy I’ve been with all kinds of men. “Brad, fuck me. Just take me already.”
I see him teasing me, driving me over the top and pulling away just as I’m about to fall. Being the boss in the bedroom as well as the board room. Shoving me as far as I can before I really lose my mind. The intense pressure consumes me, filling me up, fizzing through my veins until I can’t handle it for another second longer… until I fall. I can’t contain myself for another second longer.
As I tumble, head first into the swirling, powerful, fiery pleasure, my body bucking and writhing wildly, I can’t even curse Ruby aloud for making me feel this way because right now it’s fucking incredible. I can just imagine that actually being with him would be just as amazing.
Chapter 2 – Brad – Monday and Tuesday
“You’re late,” I point to Oliver as I find him at the computer in his office. “Lots of number crunching?”
He glances up and smiles at me, bleary eyed from staring at the computer for too long. “Oh yeah, you know what I’m like. I find it really hard to delegate because I want to get it all right.”
“That’s why I’m glad to have you here working all the numbers. I wouldn’t cope without you, bro.”
Oliver is next in line in the long list of my five brothers, but there is still a thirteen year age gap between me and him. I was born a long time before the others which is why it was left for me to take care of them when our parents died. I was nineteen years old and they ranged from two to six years old.
It was also left to me to take over the family company and each of my brothers was given the chance to work for me but only Oliver and Angelo chose to do so. The others are chasing their own dreams.
“Why are you still here? It isn’t like the big boss man to stay as late as me.”
I chuckle and take a seat on the other side of his desk. “I’m just sorting stuff out. You know how it is. Actually, I’m glad that you’re here now. I need to talk to you about Angelo. Angelo and his new plan.”
“Are you talking about Tami?” He immediately knows exactly what I’m talking about.
“Yes, I am. I don’t get why he’s made her to be my assistant for the week. I don’t need her, and he knows that. She’s a creative, just like him, so I don’t get what she can do for me.” I throw my hands in the air in frustration. “He basically forced her on me, and I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Surely, there are things she can help you with! You have so much filing…”
“I like to do it myself. I’m like you, Oliver. I don’t like to delegate.”
“But you are the boss.” He shrugs. “You are supposed to delegate. This is probably a good thing. Maybe that’s what Angelo is trying to tell you. I mean, we all see how much you throw yourself into this business, but maybe you’re doing that a little too much. You don’t have any time for other things.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I groan. “I am sick of you lot talking about my love life…”
“Why? We’re only wanting what’s best for you. We only want you to be happy.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, I am happy. I don’t need a girlfriend for that. Plus, it isn’t like any of you have amazing love lives to talk about, is it? Angelo is the only one with a girlfriend that I know of. And before you say it, yes, I know that I’m older than all of you, but that doesn’t mean I need to settle down right now.”
Oliver doesn’t say anything for a beat too long. He really does believe that I need to be toed to a woman. Yes, deep down, I would like to meet someone and start my happy ever after, but that isn’t my main priority.
“Brad, maybe that’s why Angelo has asked Tami to be your assistant. He has been talking about knowing the perfect woman for you, hasn’t he? Maybe his assistant is the one and that’s why…”
“Tami is much too young for me,” I shoot back instantly. “She’s in her early twenties.”
“Right?” Oliver shrugs. “And what does that have to do with anything? What does it matter how old she is? It doesn’t change what sort of person she is, does it? Why would that make any difference?”
“Because… well, of course it does, doesn’t it? You can’t deny that age is a huge factor. What would we even have in common? There are so many ways in which we are poles apart.”
“But Angelo wouldn’t have recommended her if he didn’t think that you were perfect for one another. Would he? Angelo and you are very close, he probably knows you better than anyone. He wants what is best for you as well. If he has suggested Tami, then you should at least give her a chance…”
“No.” I shake my head hard. “No, you’re being silly. Even if that was Angelo’s intention, it isn’t ever going to happen. If I’m going to be with someone then it needs to be a woman who has life experience, who understands me and what I have been through. It can’t be some college graduate.”
“Do you think that she is attractive?” Oliver surprises me by asking.
“Erm, I don’t know. I suppose so. She is beautiful, but that doesn’t mean…”
“So, talk to her. Just get to know her a bit. See what Angelo was talking about. Aren’t you at least intrigued?”
I guess I am and that’s the problem. But I have tried to talk a little bit to Tami today and we’re just uncomfortable with one another. Surely, you aren’t supposed to be awkward with ‘the one’… if that concept is even real. Having not seen any evidence of it myself, I’m not totally convinced.
“Urgh, I don’t know, Oliver. Life is simpler when you’re single, isn’t it?”
“Is that the reason you haven’t ever had anyone serious to be with before? Because it’s easier? But if I’m honest, Brad, it seems like one night stands aren’t really working out for you either. Some of them have created all sorts of drama, haven’t they? Wouldn’t it be better to meet someone nice for a change?”
“Maybe, but I have a lot of responsibilities. I don’t have time for something long term…”
“You need to stop using that as an excuse, Brad. It can’t hold you up forever. We don’t need you as much as we used to. It’s time for you to start living your life for yourself, for a change.”
I nod and rise to my feet, needing to leave Oliver if he isn’t going to blindly just agree with me that I’m right. I wanted someone to vent to, someone to tell me that yes, Angelo is being a pain. I don’t need to be over analyzed and to go too deep about my feelings and life choices. I have enough going on right now.
“Well, I’m off now,” I say quietly. “But I will see you tomorrow if you’re staying.”
“You headed out?” he knows me all too well. “Going to the bar?”
Normally, I would but his lecture about one night stands has caught in my throat and I don’t know how to feel about it. I’m not quite as in the mood as I should be. Maybe it’s because they do often bring drama along with them. The older I get, the harder it is to have no strings attached fun without any trouble attached.
“I don’t know. I’m pretty tired. I will probably just go home. Get a good night of sleep.”
“Oh right.
” Oliver’s eyes open wide with shock. “Right well, see you tomorrow then.”
What is it? I think as I lean back in my office chair and I watch Tami doing some filing. Why does Angelo – and Oliver so it seems – think that this woman is perfect for me? I can’t see that at all.
It doesn’t help that I’m shattered. But not from a night of debauchery and fun, from lying in bed all night long and thinking about Tami. I hate to admit it, but I suppose Oliver is right. Angelo does know me best and if he thinks that Tami is perfect for me then maybe I should try and work out why. He did hint that’s why he sent her to work for me, so I guess I should just try and figure out what he’s up to.
I just need to stop looking at her and admiring her beauty and actually talking to her. Find out what Angelo thinks we have in common because we must have a connection somewhere. But where the hell do you start with someone who you don’t know anything about? Before now I have only seen her in and around the office. It wasn’t even me who interviewed her and gave her the job in the first place. That was all Angelo, since it’s his department.
“Do you need help with anything?” I ask, my voice sounding strained. “The erm, filing I mean.”
“Oh no, I got it, thank you. I get Angelo organized all the time.”
“Ah, so you’re one of those rare organized creative people. That’s good to know.”
As she giggles and she tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ears, I find my eyes darting down to her silky thighs. The black skater dress she’s wearing grazes the top of her legs, making my heart race much faster. She does seem to wear these kind of dresses a lot, but it’s the first time I’ve really thought about underneath her dress…
Shit, not that I should be thinking about underneath her dress. That’s not me getting to know her. It’s like thinking about her body in a way that I shouldn’t. She can’t be a one night stand. No one from work can. That’s where I draw the line. There’s no way I can deal with all of that drama in the work place.
But those lips of hers… oh my God, I would love to kiss those sexy plump lips of hers…
“Do you need to keep this document?” She takes a step closer to me, closing the gap with ease. The awkwardness is still there between us, but it’s definitely less than yesterday. Maybe we’re getting more comfortable or perhaps it’s just because we’re one day down in this week already. “Or should I shred it?”
“Erm…” I inhale deeply and the soft scent of her perfume hits the back of my throat. It’s a sweet smell that speeds my pulse up. “Yeah, er…” Fuck, why is it so hard to focus? “I think it’s best to keep it.”
“Sure.” Her sweet smile manages to light up the whole room. “I will file it then.”
“Right, yes. Perfect.” Then if I need to chuck it away, I will do so later. I can’t make a decision like that right now while I’m so close to her and my brain is like mush. “Thank you, Tami.”
As our eyes lock, I can’t help but wonder if she’s feeling the same chemistry as I am. It’s sizzling, undeniable, almost overwhelming. But as she takes a step back, it all vanishes and I find myself able to breathe so much easier. It must have just been a moment, that’s all. Oliver and Angelo getting into my head.
“You know, it is easier with you here,” I muse. “Maybe I do need an assistant full time.”
I see her eyes pop, as if she’s afraid that I might ask her to be my full time assistant. Nope, I guess it’s just me then. She isn’t feeling anything at all, or she would want to spend more time with me. Okay, well that’s probably a good thing. If we were both feeling the same way, then it would be about to get a whole lot more complicated. Instead, I get to tell Angelo ‘nice try but it didn’t work out’.
Then it’s time to take control of my own love life. If I want something more permanent and to leave the quick fling life style, then I should do it myself. I should start to make more time for myself – even if that does feel impossible – and to try some actual adult dating to see where that leads.
Urgh, that feels fucking terrifying. Completely out of my comfort zone, but that is something I’ll need to do if I want to turn my life around. I just need to get through this week first…
Chapter 3 – Tami – Wednesday
“Is that… Ronnie Milsap?” I can’t help but ask as I step into Brad’s office, feeling far more comfortable than I did on Monday. I think I was just freaking out, because Brad doesn’t quite seem like the arrogant pig that I thought he was on my first day with him. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt your musical moment.”
Brad is much less chaotic, and I can relate to that much easier. He needs me as well. More than he knows. He seems like he has it all under control, but he definitely needs someone to keep him organized.
There are other reasons why I like it in this office too, but I’m not quite ready to admit that to myself yet.
“Yes, it’s Daydreams About Night Things. How do you know this song? Isn’t it a bit before your time?”
He turns it down, not quite switching it off, as he gives me a narrow eyed confused look. I guess it makes sense because this is a really old song… older than him, I’m sure. From the seventies.
“It was my dad’s favorite song, so I always listen to it when I miss him.” I force myself to smile thinly.
“He… isn’t around anymore?” Brad looks at me with that serious face which used to scare me, but now I realize it only comes out when he’s really thinking about things. Yesterday when we actually started speaking to one another I started to see a different side to him. So far, it’s been an eye opening experience.
“No, he died three years ago. It was Cancer that got him in the end.” I gulp the thick ball of emotion down.
“Hmm, my parents aren’t alive anymore either. They both passed away in a car crash when I was younger.” His eyes fall to the floor. This is still hard for him. “When all of us were younger, so that wasn’t easy.”
“Angelo told me.” I’m not sure if this is the right thing to say, but it’s truthful and I figure honesty is best. “He said that you raised all of them afterwards. So, that must have been very hard for you.”
“It wasn’t easy, but we all had one another to rely on, so that was good…” He looks at me once more, his eyes basically burying into my soul. I don’t know what it is about his gaze, but it penetrates me, sending a shiver down my spine. It’s like he sees me in a way that no one else does. “Do you have any siblings?”
“Nope,” I reply, popping the P. “It’s just me on my own. Even more so now that my mom has moved to Texas to be with her new family. But I’m good on my own. I enjoy the life here. I have my friends and my amazing job which I’m so grateful for…” I trail off, wondering if I’m saying too much here.
“I don’t think you should be an assistant.” His shocking words make my blood run cold. I should have been less honest; it seems like a few days with Brad are enough to get me fired. “You’re too good for this position. Once this week is up, you’re getting a job that suits you. You should be doing so much more.”
“What?” I gasp out, completely stunned by his words. “What do you mean more? I’m happy…”
“I mean I have already seen what you’re capable of, and I also went back through your resume as well. You should be higher up in the company, doing something more important.”
I want to scream and shout, to dance like crazy. I want to kiss Brad to thank him, to run into the other room and toss my arms around Angelo too. This must be what his plan was all along. This is why he basically forced me on Brad, because he wants me to go far. I can’t believe that it worked as well. Brad thinks I’m so much more worthwhile.
I’m grateful. This is everything I have ever wanted and more. This is my career finally coming together. I left college expecting to have to work for a long time to make anything of myself… but it’s happening already. I don’t know what I did to end up being so lucky, but I’m so happy for it. I can barely catch my breath.
&n
bsp; “Oh wow, that’s…” I clutch my chest. “I don’t know what to say. I’m blown over.”
“Well, you deserve it.” He nods, satisfied. “I was going to wait until the end of the week to tell you, but now feels right. I want you to be in charge of your own creative accounts. You’ll be great at it.”
There’s a moment where I really don’t know what to say. I’m all choked up with happiness.
“Now, I should probably turn the music off, shouldn’t I?” Brad gives me that heart stopping smile once more. “It’s work time and we need to focus. Although I could listen to Ronnie Milsap all day long.”
“Do you mind leaving it on for just two more minutes?” I plead with my hands clasped together. “It’s making me remember all the good times with my dad. It’s been so long since I really thought of him.”
Brad nods sharply and he leaves the music on while I take my temporary seat. I slide my eyes closed for a moment to just really listen to every part of the song, to remember what my life was like when I had my daddy around, when everything was perfect, and when I pop them open again, I see that Brad is doing the same thing.
“Does this song mean something special to you as well?” I ask without thinking. That probably isn’t exactly the best question to blurt out, to ask my boss. “Sorry, I didn’t mean… I was just…”
“Yes, it’s actually the song I remember listening to with my mother. So, I will always love it.” He grins. “And don’t feel like you can’t ask me anything. I’m an open book if you want to talk.”
Wow. That is something I never expected my boss to say. He has always seemed very closed off to me. But it seems that I have been wrong about him in a lot of ways. Maybe we do have something in common after all…
“Hey, guys…” I jump as someone knocks on the door, reminding me that there are other people in this building. I jump backwards as if I’ve been electrocuted or caught doing something naughty.
“Oh, Angelo.” Brad nods at his brother as he turns the music off. “Come in.”