by Ruby Rowe
“That’s a relief since you’ll be seeing me often.” I snicker, and it’s only because I’m nervous, but now it’s awkward as they exchange glances.
Greyson looks at me, and I notice he’s grinding his jaw.
“I already had IT get a new laptop for your office. Why don’t you go set up your login info while I have a word with Andrew?”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
“Don’t call me sir, and you’re welcome.”
I nod. “OK, Greyson.” I scurry from the room to escape the tension that has filled it like thick smoke, making it hard to breathe.
I thought with Greyson and I dating now, working for him would be less complicated, but I’m getting the vibe that’s not the case.
When I wasn’t his, he was protective, but since we officially became a couple, he’s taken it to a whole new level. If only I could be a fly on the wall inside Andrew’s office.
Greyson
“Please help Sasha get familiar with the software, and while she’s working this summer, teach her all you know about marketing. Use her help, and make her time here productive.”
Andrew swallows. “Of course.” He must feel the same tension I’m feeling, and I wonder if he understands where it’s coming from because I sure as hell don’t.
I leave his office, and as I march to mine, the walls of the long hallway feel like they’re closing in around me. I tug on my tie.
What the fuck has my adrenaline pumping? I’m agitated, a little fearful even, and I don’t like it. Slamming my office door shut, I jerk off my tie and sit down at my desk to call Ellis.
“Hi, man. What’s up?” he asks.
“Something’s wrong.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s Sasha’s first day back at work, and I’m not feeling right about it.”
“Do you think she’s not well enough? Did she do something wrong already?”
Falling back in my chair, I rub a hand over my face.
“No, we just got here. She hasn’t even started working yet.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know.”
“Information is typically dragged out of me, not you. You have to give me something here to help me understand.”
“Everything was fine until I took her to Andrew’s office. That’s when this anxious, agitated feeling came over me. Andrew’s my marketing manager, and Sasha’s going to be working with him all summer.
“Maybe she should go back to filing. I think I’m worried this job is too challenging for her. I mean, what if it stresses her out and she takes off again or turns to drugs?” Ellis is silent on the other end. “Do you think she’d do that?”
“No, I don’t think the new position would make her do either of those things. I heard her tell Camilla Saturday that filing was boring, so I imagine she’s up for the challenge.”
“Yeah, she told me that, too.”
“This guy she’ll be working with, what’s he like?”
“He’s single. I think he’s twenty-seven. Went to CU in Boulder, and he’s pretty good at his job. I guess he’s cool.”
“Why did you say he’s single?”
“I don’t know. It was the first thing that came to mind.”
“Would women find this guy attractive?”
“The females here do. They’re all giggly around him and shit.”
“You’re jealous.”
“What?”
“I said you’re jealous. You don’t want him spending time with Sasha.”
“That’s absurd. I’ve never been jealous of anyone.”
“Did this start after they were in the same room together?”
“Yeah, and you should’ve seen the way the asshole checked her out. She’s in this tight navy skirt. I mean, it hits right above her knee, but it’s snug, showing off her curves, and then her white top is too low-cut for the office. Anyway, he was checking out the goods, and I walked her right into the lion’s den.
“He’ll be sitting next to her at times, and she’ll be close enough for him to smell her perfume, which gets me hard most days. He’ll be able to see down her top when he’s hovering over her, and they’ll be exchanging ideas, having shit in common since she’s interested in marketing now—”
“Greyson.”
“What if she starts to look forward to seeing him each day? Maybe I should have a talk with him.”
“Greyson, shut up. Do you even hear yourself? You’re fucking jealous, and although it’s kind of funny, it’s also annoying. You’re not twelve. Sasha worships the ground you walk on, and after everything you’ve done for her, she’s not going to stray.”
I groan. “Damn, I am jealous.”
“And there’s no need for it, so be the bigger man, and let this go.”
“All right, cuz. Thanks for listening. Oh, and please don’t tell Camilla about this.”
“I won’t.”
“Cool. I’ll talk to you later.” Hanging up with him, I rub my forehead. “Be the bigger man. I’ll be the bigger man all right.” I hurry to put my tie back on before I charge to Andrew’s office.
Good, he’s alone and not hovering over my girlfriend, looking down at her tits inside her blouse. I shut the door behind me.
“Hi, I was getting ready to go help Sasha.”
“About that… I hadn’t planned on sharing this with my employees anytime soon, but to ensure there’s no conflict between us later, you need to know that Sasha and I are dating. Actually, we’re more than dating; she’s living with me.”
Andrew smiles. “OK, cool, and your secret’s safe with me.”
“I’m telling you this because I saw the way you were checking her out the second her heels crossed your doorway. Keep it professional. Always. Do you understand?”
His smile fades, and he nods. “Of course.”
“Good.” Leaving his office, I head to Terrence’s. “I need a favor,” I say before I shut the door.
“Good morning, and what would that be?”
“Oh, sorry. Good morning. If you ever see Andrew putting the moves on Sasha, will you tell me? I made it clear to him that he better not, but just in case he’s stupid, I want you to let me know.”
Rubbing his dark chin, he grins. “Sure thing.”
“I know. I’m pathetic, but she’s worth every second of my desperation and paranoia.”
“She’s living with you. I think it’s safe to say you have nothing to fear.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Even though Whitney thought she was in control all those years, it was me. I was the one holding out on marrying her, and I didn’t give a shit what she did, or who she fucked, but Sasha’s different. If I lose her, I’ll feel like I’ve lost everything.”
“That’s touching man.” Making a fist, he pats his chest with it twice. “Poignant words.”
I roll my eyes. “Shut up, asshole. What can I say? I love her. You’ll understand one day.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Sasha
“How’s your first day in marketing going?” Terrence asks me as I take the seat across from him to eat my lunch.
I frown. “OK, I guess. Andrew’s distant today, so I don’t know how much I’m going to learn. He’s different than when I was here before.”
I motion toward the room we’re in. “See, he’s not even in here when he used to eat his lunch in the break room almost every day.”
With his elbows on the table, Terrence tucks his head and snickers against his hand.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” He lowers his arms and sits up straighter, recovering from whatever he found humorous.
“Screw Andrew,” I say. “I need to talk to you about something, anyway, so I’m glad we’re the only ones in here.”
“What’s up, my friend?”
“I know you’re tight with Greyson, but like you said, we’re friends, right? I like to think we’ve gotten to know each other well.”
“We haa
ave,” he replies in a drawn-out voice as if he’s worried where our conversation is headed.
“I need your help with something, and you can’t tell Greyson about it.”
“Depends on what it is. He’s my boss, and you know I love you, girl, but my job comes first. I gotta eat and pay the bills.”
“It’s nothing that’ll get you fired. I need you to take me shopping. I could tell you had good taste when we went that one time, so would you go with me again?”
His face relaxes. “Sure. I need to find some new threads myself.”
I look toward the windows lining the back wall of the break room.
“I don’t think you’ll want to buy the kind of clothes I’m looking for, but we’ll definitely make time to shop at the stores you like, too.”
“What are you in search of?”
“Lingerie,” I whisper.
He lifts his eyebrows. “You don’t have to whisper that, Sasha.”
“I don’t own any, OK? No sexy panties or bras, either. I know you’re a dude, but Camilla will refuse if I ask her to go. She acts like I’ve poured acid in her ears if I even mention stuff like that to her, and I can’t call my old girlfriend. I don’t feel like it’s been long enough in my recovery.”
I pull my turkey sandwich from its baggie. “I hate that I cut Misty out of my life, but I didn’t know what else to do since she dated my ex’s buddy and was a user herself.”
I shake my head, wishing I hadn’t recalled my past and especially my ex Rusty. “Anyway, I considered Kaylie, but since she works for Greyson, that’d be weird.”
“I work for Greyson.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, but you know our secrets. By the way, I appreciate that you came to see me while I was recovering. It was sweet.”
“Sweet’s my middle name. All right, let’s go shopping tonight.”
“Greyson does have a dinner meeting with a potential new client.”
“Cool, we’ll take my car from here.”
“Thank you, Terrence.”
“No thanks needed. I enjoy hangin’ with you.” The door opens, so I jerk my head back to see who it is.
“Greyson, hi,” I say.
“Hi, how’s your first day going?”
I shrug. “It’s OK. I haven’t done much yet.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner. That call took longer than I expected.” After sitting next to me, he opens a plastic container of salad.
“That’s OK. Terrence and I were catching up. He’s going to give me a ride home this evening since you have that dinner meeting.”
“Oh, thanks, man,” Greyson says before he bumps my shoulder. “Hey, I wrote down that phone number you were asking for this morning and laid it on your desk.”
“Thanks. I’ll call after lunch.”
“Mention my name, OK?”
“You already called, didn’t you?” I slouch and scrunch my forehead at him.
“I only left a voicemail. You can still make the appointment, but you’ll get in faster this way.”
“You worry about me too much.”
“Maybe or maybe not enough.” Leaning in, he kisses my cheek. I should be mad at him for making the call to the therapist after I told him not to, but it was also kind of him. He’s cute, so yeah, I got nothing but butterflies like usual.
It’s time to get some sexy lingerie and make him squirm until he can’t take it any longer. He doesn’t listen, so why should I?
***
“I thought we were going to the mall.”
“Girl, nothing there is classy enough for Greyson. You need to get used to how your life is going to be from here on out. He’s wealthy as fuck, which means you are, too, so you have a higher standard to live by.”
Shaking my head, I pull my purse snugger to my stomach.
“No, I haven’t let him give me any money. Well, he handed over what was left of the cash his brother gave me, but that’s all I’ve accepted. He’s not happy about it, either.”
“He has more than enough to give you, so take it.”
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Downtown. A boutique is where you’ll find the best European lingerie.”
“European... That word alone sounds expensive.”
“It is, but it’ll be worth it.”
“I hope you’re right,” I mumble. “If it’ll entice Greyson, I’ll buy it. I’ll do anything to get him to cave and have sex with me.”
Terrence’s head whips my way. “What? You two haven’t done the nasty?”
“Oh, my god. I shouldn’t have told you that.” I touch his shoulder. “Please, don’t say anything to him. Look, along with the drug use, I suffered some abuse when I was younger, and Greyson is worried about sex dredging up traumatic memories for me. It’s a serious issue to him, so please don’t tease him about it.”
“Damn, Sasha. I’m sorry you’ve been through so much bad shit. I wouldn’t tease him about something like that.” He reaches over and squeezes my knee. “If anyone deserves the royal treatment, it’s you, so let’s go Pretty Woman you up.”
“I love that movie.” Sighing, I gaze out the window at the intimidating cityscape ahead. It’s comprised of grey and brown sky scrapers and towering red-brick buildings that mirror the concrete, dirt, and clay grounds below.
I imagine Richard Gear’s character working in an office building like one of those. I wonder if the boutique employees will throw me out like they did Julia Roberts, all because of how she looked.
I glance down at my attire. At least I’m dressed somewhat sophisticated today and not like a hooker.
We park in the small lot next to the building and walk inside. Lace, satin, ribbons and bows … it’s all crowding my space, and I immediately feel out of my element.
“Hi, may I help you find something?” a blonde, I’d guess to be in her thirties, asks.
“Lingerie. I need all kinds.”
A warm smile curves from her silicone-filled lips.
“Then you’ve come to the right place. I’m guessing you haven’t shopped here before.”
“No, she hasn’t,” Terrence interjects, “so she needs your expertise. I’m thinking everything from sexy chemises to playful ruffled panty sets, and lastly, erotic garter belts with stockings.”
I drag my gaze away from the sensual fabrics before me and look at him with round eyes. Unlike me, he fits in here. His dress clothes are designer, and from how starched they were this morning, they still appear pristine hours later.
The light from the fixture above is casting a glow on his smooth, well-groomed dark skin. Add the fact he knows way too much about women’s lingerie, and Terrence has the makings of a Project Runway host.
“We’ll take exceptional care of her.” The woman’s smile broadens. “I’m Rebecca. Let me grab my measuring tape, and we’ll take your measurements in one of the fitting rooms.”
How about we don’t do that is what I want to say to her, but instead, I bite my bottom lip and give Terrence the stink eye.
“You sure know a lot about this process.”
“Hey, I like lingerie on women, too.”
“But, you–I mean, I thought you only liked men.”
“No, I just happen to be dating a man right now. I’m bi. Although, Quinton sure has done a number on me. He might be the only one in my future.”
“Um, Greyson doesn’t know you’re attracted to women.”
“I don’t believe I’ve dated a woman since I met him. Come to think of it, it’s been years since I’ve had my eye on a woman.”
“Wait, if you’ve been with women, too, he wouldn’t approve of me shopping for lingerie with you.”
“He knows he has nothing to worry about when you and I spend time together.”
“That’s only because he thinks you’re gaaayyy, Terrence,” I say exasperated.
“OK, fine. You don’t have to model the garments.”
My eyes might bug out of my head. “You thought I wa
s going to come out of a fitting room scantily dressed to show off lingerie to you?”
He holds up a finger and taps the tip of my nose.
“You’re adorable when you’re worked up.”
“Are we ready?” Rebecca asks.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I reply before I follow her toward the back of the store where the dressing rooms are located.
The scent of rose petals fills my nostrils along the way, and I see there are vases of pink roses placed sporadically throughout the store.
Once we’re in a spacious dressing room, I’m asked to strip down to my bra and panties, and I’m thankful I wore my nicest pair today.
She works the soft measuring tape around different parts of my body, and while she takes notes, I tremble from the awkwardness of it all.
“OK, now, would you like to get dressed and pick out some items?”
“Honestly, I’m nervous and want this over with as soon as possible.”
Her smile fades. “Oh, we can’t have you feeling like that. You have a beautiful body, so I’m sure you’ll look fabulous in whatever you purchase, and we take pride in stocking comfortable, everyday garments, as well.”
I rub my forehead. “I’m sorry. That was rude of me. It’s just that I don’t own any lingerie, so I have no clue where to begin, and my boyfriend has expensive taste, so that’s only adding to the pressure I feel. Would you mind picking out some things with my friend Terrence? I’m sure he’d love to help.”
“She’s right about that,” he yells from outside the dressing room. I roll my eyes. “See what I mean?”
While Rebecca and Terrence pick out lingerie, I gnaw on my lip until it’s bleeding. I can hear the enthusiasm in his high-pitched, dramatic voice from across the store as they narrow down their selections.
The kind lady is soon pecking on the door, so I crack it open only enough to take the hangers from her.
“Would you like me to help you with any of the items?” she asks.
“No, I’m sure I can figure it out.” I admire the clothing on the eight hangers she gave me, wondering what could be so hard about trying them on.
That is until I hold up the last outfit.
What kind of lingerie is this?