They had both returned to their daily routines of small talk on the commute to work and general pleasantries around the house. Bennet had been traveling quite a bit more and staying at the office later. Maddie wasn’t sure if it was a tactic to avoid her but figured it most likely had to do with the recent acquisition of all of the Larson business.
She had just settled back into her desk to work on some designs when an IM from Bennet popped up on her screen. Hey there, do you have some time in the next hour to swing by my office?
She always felt like she was in trouble when these requests came in, she had no reason to actually worry but she couldn’t help but feel nervous. Yeah absolutely, just finishing up a design and will be up in the next 15 minutes.
"Miss Strickland is here to see you Sir," Janice said into the buzzer as she smiled at Maddie. She was just about to ask how her weekend went when Bennet’s door opened.
"Hey come on in." He seemed a bit melancholy today. She had noticed on the drive in he was buried in his email with a permanent look of consternation on his face. She waved bye to Janice and followed Bennet into his office.
"Sorry for the short notice but I was going through some of the plans for the Larson file and wanted to speak with you about it. I’d love to throw some of this your way and just have you run with things but that would mean some changes." Maddie sat on the edge of her seat trying not to visible wring her hands. Bennet walked around and sat on the edge of his desk right in front of her. “I'd like to move you off of Vince’s team and have you work directly for me. I’ve already spoken to him and he’s very understanding and agrees that your abilities far exceed his design team."
Madeline couldn’t hide her surprise, "Wow! Work directly for you in what capacity?" “I'd like to have you handle our top clients. I’ll let you build out your own team but I want you to be the creative director, essentially a department head."
Madeline sat in shock…department head?! I’m only 23 and this is my first job! She thought to herself. "Seriously? Why?" The worlds slipped out before she could stop them.
"Madeline you are not only extremely talented but you have an aptitude for business. The way you presented your designs to the Larson team last month was outstanding. You not only showed them metrics on how their return on investment could be tripled with this campaign you also convinced them to move all of their business over to my company."
She was happy to finally hear Bennet address her presentation. "And while we’re on the subject I wanted to apologize to you for not expressing my gratitude for all of your hard work on that presentation and how impressed I was." He looked down at his hands for a moment before he spoke again, "I do have one other concern or question rather."
Madeline swallowed as she waited for him to spit it out. "I don’t know if you are engaged in a relationship with Jared Larson at all but it could cause a conflict of interest in this position. If you are that’s fine I would just need to find someone else to handle their file."
Maddie was shocked and then angry. "What?! Why would you think I’m in a relationship with a client? That’s unethical and absolutely unprofessional!" She could feel her face flushing as she tried to keep her voice even and calm.
"Well I saw him give you his card and offer to take you out sometime so I think it’s only natural that I would ask that question.”
"So because a client gives me his card I’m sleeping with him?!" Maddie couldn’t hide her anger anymore. “He simply asked me for a drink which I never took him up on and speaking of this subject, you’re the one that made a rude comment about me seeing him on Friday nights!” She sprang to her feet and pointed a finger at Bennet, "I have nor will I ever sleep with or date a client and you should know that Mr. Windsor!"
She walked swiftly to the door and opened it. "I would prefer to stay on Mr. Thomas’ team please. Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it." She said as she shut the door and practically sprinted to the elevator before the tears began streaming down her face.
After several deep breaths and some cold water on her face Maddie gathered herself and looked in the mirror, letting out a long sigh. She had let the tension of Bennet’s comments about Jared build up…she knew she should have dealt with them when they happened but she had gotten so caught up in that kiss she let her feelings get pushed aside.
"Ok so I might have overreacted a bit." She took some deep breaths before deciding she should probably apologize to Bennet for her reaction but she also wanted to clear the air between them about Jared. She wasn’t convinced about the promotion though, she just didn’t have the same faith in herself that he did and was terrified what this could mean if she failed.
Maddie took a deep breath and straitened her posture as she opened the restroom door. She took the elevator back up to Bennet’s floor and walked swiftly towards his door with confidence in her step.
"Oh perfect I was just about to call you!" Janice said causing Maddie to spin around on the ball of her foot.
"Me?" She asked Janice in confusion.
"Yes, Bennet had to run out early but he said the car will be waiting for you after work."
Maddie was confused but just thanked Janice for the info and headed back to her desk. Maybe an intense boxing session would help her clear her head and prepare herself mentally to apologize when she got home tonight.
Chapter 14
So what’s going on with you? You have been weirdly quiet and punching insanely hard tonight." Jazmine removed her wrist wraps as Maddie stretched.
"I snapped at my boss today." Jazmine stared back at her in silence, "And? Are you going to elaborate?" Maddie explained the situation as Jazmine listened intently.
"Well I think the apology is definitely the first step. What else is going on with you that you reacted in such a hormonal fashion?"
Maddie rolled her eyes, "It wasn’t hormonal, I was just caught off guard by it. I don’t like being accused of something I didn't do. Besides just because someone hands you their business car doesn’t mean it’s an offer for sex and it certainly doesn’t mean I threw myself at the guy!”
"Well he wasn’t accusing you Maddie he was asking a question and it seems like you didn’t even give him the chance to explain anything. Also he didn’t suggest you threw yourself at him...so again, what is going on with you that you let something that you could easily clear up get you so wound up?"
Maddie let out a long sigh. She knew the confusing kiss she had shared with Bennet was to blame along with his underhanded comment. It was exciting and to her wonderful but he acted like it didn’t even happen and then asked if she was dating someone else. She wasn’t ready to share that with Jazmine though, "Ya know I really hate when you’re always right."
Maddie grabbed her things and walked outside with Jazmine. "Thanks for being a voice of reason tonight and for being a great friend…even when that means telling me what I don’t want to hear." She gave Jazmine a quick hug and ducked into the backseat of the waiting car to head home and face Bennet.
As the elevator door opened the house was mostly dark, just the glow from the city streaming through the windows. She had hoped Bennet would be home so she could apologize and get rid of this tension in her shoulders. During her workout and the trip home she had practiced in her head what she would say. She placed her bag on the floor and hung up her coat then headed to the kitchen to grab some water.
As she walked past the living room she was startled to see Bennet sitting on the couch. He was leaning back with one leg draped over the other and glass of amber liquid in his hand resting on his knee.
She stumbled a bit and then met his eye line, she couldn’t make out what his mood was with the shadowed lighting.
"Hi, um do you have a minute?" She could hear the nervousness in her own voice. He let out a low sound of agreement as he lifted the glass to his lips and took a long sip. Maddie slowly approached him, realizing she was once again half dressed in only a sports bra and leggings. She hugged her arms to her chest as she stood in
front of him.
"About today…I wanted to apologize for my overreaction and my emotional outburst. I was upset and I handled things completely wrong and inappropriately and I’m sorry." She wasn’t sure what else to say, she had a lot more planned out in her head but her nerves had jumbled her thoughts. She rang her hands waiting for him to say something…anything at this point! He removed the glass from his knee and placed it on the table as he placed his foot on the floor.
“I appreciate the apology Madeline but honestly I’m the one that should be apologizing.” She was about to protest but he held up his hand to stop her. “I didn’t behave like a gentleman or a boss, I let my emotions dictate my reaction and I’m sorry. You were absolutely incredible with your presentation like I knew you would be and when I saw Jared Larson giving you his card I immediately thought he was trying to poach you.”
Maddie felt a tinge of disappointment, she had secretly hoped he was jealous that another man was asking her out. She now realized how ridiculous that thought was. Bennet continued to thank her for hard work and dedication and praised her for landing such a huge contract deal with the Larson firm.
The conversation lulled a bit and finally Bennet broached the other uncomfortable topic…”Madeline.” He paused and dragged his finger across his lower lip as if he were searching for what to say next. “I also want to apologize for kissing you the other night.”
Maddie’s heart sank. She could feel her stomach tighten in disappointment as Bennet’s face had the mark of regret. She didn’t know what to say back so she stood there uncomfortably, clutching her arms to her chest.
“I was completely out of line and if I’m honest I don’t know why I did it. You are my employee and now roommate and I completely took advantage of your trust. I hope you can forgive me and that it won’t cause you to question your decision to work with me.”
She stared at the floor unblinking. He sat waiting for her to say something, “Don’t worry about it, honestly it wasn’t a big deal and it didn’t make me question anything.” She said flatly as she turned and headed back to her room. She wasn’t about to let him see the hurt on her face.
Once inside her room she leaned against the shut door and slid to the floor. She knew better, why did she think for one second that he had any interest in her outside of work? She had let her stupid fairy tale emotions get wrapped up in on silly kiss that meant nothing to him.
Chapter 15
Maddie was back to herself after a few short days. She was great at pushing her feelings aside and trudging on. She went straight back into work mode and channeled all of her energy and focus on her current projects and put anything to do with kissing Bennet far out of her mind.
If Bennet noticed that she seemed distant he certainly didn’t mention anything. He had spent the weekend with his family and she had spent the weekend calling every city office she could get ahold of to get a status on her apartment situation.
“So how do you feel about this as inspiration on your next design approach?” Bennet passed his tablet over to her on their commute in to work. She flipped through the photos, studying them before making a decision.
“If I’m honest I feel like they’re a bit too abstract. I have a few files I was drawing from, I’ll send you when we get to the office.” Maddie had developed a bit of a new found confidence in Bennet’s rejection of her and found she was making more definitive decisions. She figured even if she wasn’t the type of girl he wanted she was going to be the best damn employee he could find.
“Great, actually head up to my office once you get settled in, I’d like to get the ball rolling on this.” He replied as they walked in the front door of their office building.
The next several days seemed to roll into one another. She spent most of the morning in Bennet’s office going over drawing boards and campaign designs for the next big Larson gig. Their commutes were pretty quiet and work related and the evenings were spent with her hiding out in her room.
Bennet had started to pick up on her stoic moods and tried to lighten the tension with jokes, so far it wasn’t working. She seemed to be more jumpy lately and hid herself away. He couldn’t help but feel disappointed, he had really enjoyed watching her become more relaxed and comfortable around him. He couldn’t take much more of it, how she almost flinched if he touched her or how withdrawn she had become.
Maddie exited the elevator and made her way to the kitchen. Boxing class had kicked her ass tonight and she was in desperate need for a shower and a cold glass of water. The apartment was dark so she assumed Bennet was out, she stripped off her sweatshirt and stood in just her sports bra and leggings as she downed a bottle of water.
She picked up her coat and bag and made her way toward her room when she saw a shadow in the corner of the living room. “Shit! You scared me!” Bennet was sitting on the couch in the dark again. “Why do you always do that? Sit in the dark like an intruder or a predator.”
She could see he let out a small scoff as he leaned back against the couch. “Maybe I am a predator…waiting to pounce on my prey.” He said with a dark humor.
Maddie suddenly felt nervous, like she was about to get in trouble. He had that same look on his face; that same look the night he kissed her. Like he was a starving lion and she was a delicious gazelle caught in his sights. She let a nervous laugh, “Okay well I’m going to go.” She said as she pointed towards her room.
“Can you come here for a minute please.” He said as he motioned for her to sit on the couch. She wasn’t sure what he wanted but she walked a little closer until she was standing about a foot in front of him.
"Madeline come here." His eyes were burning into her as he motioned for her to come closer. She was unsure where to go but moved to stand fright in front of him, his outstretched legs straddling hers.
Suddenly he reached up and grabbed her hands pulling her closer until she hit the edge of the couch and her top half fell forward. She pulled her hands free of his in time to catch herself on the back of the couch. Her long curls tumbled forward over her shoulders as her breathing quickened and she let out a small squeak of surprise. Before she could register what had happened or form a though Bennet had his hands around her waist and was pulling her lower half to straddle his lap.
Maddie slowly dragged her eyes from Bennet’s chest to his eyes trying to understand what was happening. He looked troubled, like he was doing something he knew he shouldn’t but couldn’t control.
He stared at his own hands on her waist, his chest rising and falling with hers. Finally he removed his right hand from her and reached up to brush her hair behind her shoulders.
"You are so beautiful" he whispered. She didn’t say a word, she was confused and shocked but more than anything she was aroused. She was sure her nipples were showing through her sports bra, she could only hope he couldn’t feel the warmth between her legs.
“You're so disarming and young and innocent." He continued to speak, almost to no-one in particular as his eyes scanned her body and his hand caressed her neck. “It makes me want to bend your will to my every desire, to use you in ways you can’t imagine.”
She slowly removed her hands from the back of the couch and gingerly placed them on his chest. He had removed his tie from earlier in the day and his crisp white shirt was unbuttoned two buttons.
She could feel his hand on her neck pulling her closer to him. He stopped just before she reached his mouth and placed his forehead against hers, his breathing was heavy as if he was wrestling with what to do next. He couldn’t resist anymore, he leaned forward and took her mouth with his.
Just like before he caressed her lips with his own as his tongue slowly began to explore her mouth. He turned his head to deepen the kiss, his tongue massaging hers over and over again as his grip tightened on her waist. Her head was spinning, she could feel herself start to grind against him almost as if it were involuntary. Bennet’s control was wearing thin and when he felt her start to writhe against him he knew he wasn�
��t going to last much longer.
Bennet tore his mouth from hers, "Fuck! God I have to have you." He pulled her down harder on his lap, pushing his firm cock against her.
"Have me?" Maddie stammered between breaths.
Bennet pulled back from kissing her again and looked her in the eyes, "Yes have you Madeline. I want to touch and kiss and lick every inch of you." He said between kisses he trailed down her neck dipping lower and lower.
"But I’m sweaty!" She said as she pushed against his chest. It was the only response that popped in her head.
He could sense her trepidation as he grabbed her hands again, “I didn’t tell you to get up. Don’t fucking move unless I tell you, understood?” His hands were wrapped firmly around her wrists, he tugged them sharply so that her lips were almost touching his.”
"I need to take a shower," she said softly as her eyes watched his lips intently.
“I asked you a question young lady.” Bennet slipped his free hand under her chin and forced her to look at him.
“Yes, I understand.” She said, not completely aware what was happening.
Bennet lifted the tip of her finger to his mouth, darting his tongue out to lick it then wrapping his fingers around it and sucking. Maddie audibly gasped as she felt the sensation run through her body and settle in her lower belly. He pulled her towards himself again and devoured her mouth.
"I want to taste you." She let out a moan at the thought of Bennet's head buried between her thighs, her hands gripping those chocolate brown locks. "Is that something that you want Madeline? Do you want me to slowly lick your wet slit? Tasting your juices as they saturate my tongue?"
Maddie’s eyes grew to the size of saucers, she was incredibly attracted to Bennet, you’d have to be insane not to be but she was so inexperienced. She had never had a man speak to her this way and she’d certainly never been straddling him while he thrust his rock hard manhood against her.
Resisting Her Page 6