Breaking the Rules

by L. K. Lewis

  “Do you know the bartender here?” Amanda asks while raising her eyebrow in her famous “tell me everything” look.

  “No, I’ve just ordered two drinks. I had my head down playing games on my phone the whole time.” I fail to mention that I noticed my new boss sitting in the corner, and that’s most likely who the shots are from. I think I’ll keep that to myself for now.

  “Fruit Ninja again, Morgan, that game is starting to consume you! Did you tell your mom you were coming here? Buying you a round of girly shots is exactly the type of thing she would do.” Amanda is right, this is exactly the type of thing my mother would do, except I haven’t spoken with my mom since before my lunch meeting.

  “IDK my BFF Amanda, they are not from my mom. But the shots came directly from the bartender, so I don’t see any harm in throwing them back and shaking it a little on the dance floor, I’m ready to drop this week like a bad habit!”

  “I hear that my BFF Morgie, bottoms up, then booties shake!” Amanda giggles.

  We down our shots and hit the dance floor just as the band begins to play. I don’t remember their name, but they play some really fun covers and soon after we start dancing, my mind starts erasing all thoughts of my week. What I love about Amanda is that she is so carefree. I am always able to loosen up and be myself around her. I smile and giggle more, and act a lot more like a 24-year-old should, and less like the perfectly manicured doctor’s wife my mother did her damnedest to mold me as.

  A slow song has just begun, and I am about to make my leave and grab a cold beer from the bar when a warm body presses against my back, and a pair of masculine arms wrap around my waist. I am about to gracefully twist out of the unwanted embrace to go get the much needed cold beer, when I get an all too familiar whiff of a certain deliciously broad shouldered man. A quick glance at his hands confirms that it is Drake’s arms I am in. Thank the gin-soaked heavens, I feel like my prayers have been answered. All I could think of all week is what it would feel like to have Drake’s arms wrapped around me. It had taken all of my willpower not to go over to his table earlier and say hello. I knew I needed to stay away and forget about the strong feelings I had already developed for him. He is so close now. I can feel his breath on my shoulders as I lean my head back into his chest. No words are uttered as I reach up and wrap my arms behind me and around his neck. His hands make their way down to my hips, squeezing them and guiding them back and forth to the slow beat. I feel his arousal press into my lower back, and I drop my hands down to cover his at my waist and pull him closer to me. As the song progresses, the growing heat and attraction between us becomes palpable. Thank God one slow song has faded into another because I was not ready let this moment end. Words have still not been uttered, but unspoken passion definitely has, when Drake gently brushes my hair to the side and begins to slowly kiss my shoulder, moving slowly and deliberately up my neck before he starts nibbling on my earlobe. I moan softly as I feel my body ignite under the soft touch of his lips. I want to feel those lips all over my body. I spin around in his embrace, wanting so badly to have those lips on mine as our eyes meet. I tremble slightly in his arms as I take in his beauty at close range. My God, he is so beautiful. I am in his arms, staring into his eyes, doing my damnedest to stay on my feet. One of Drake’s arms tightens his grasp on my waist holding me close as the other hand lifts my chin slightly. My eyes close and my lips part as Drake leans in close, his lips almost touching mine.

  “Cheers, Morgan,” is all that he whispers softly before turning swiftly and abruptly exiting the bar, leaving me alone on the dance floor, more confused than ever. I feel like I should be mad at him for leaving me the way he did, but I find my interest in Drake Baylor only inflamed.

  “Holy shit, who the hell was that guy? I thought he was going to lay you down right on the dance floor and have his way with you, but then he just turned and left!” Amanda shouts in my ear as the band’s volume kicks up a notch.

  “That guy is the reason I needed to drink tonight. Oh, and he’s also my new boss,” I say as I pick Amanda’s chin off the floor.

  “What is his problem? Why did he just leave you like that?”

  “I have no clue. He’s been hot and cold like that all week.” I shake my head, trying to make sense of all that has just happened between us … again.

  “He’s absolutely the hottest thing I’ve ever seen, Morgan, but you don’t need that shit. Especially when he’s your boss at the company you just started working for this week! I know he’s gorgeous, but Morgie, you have worked so hard to get where you are, maybe you should just forget him and try to focus on your new career.” Amanda was absolutely right.

  “You’re right as always, this is why I love you. I think I just need to go home and clear my head, though. Do you mind if I cut out early?”

  Amanda shakes her head and gives me a big, reassuring hug. I pay my tab and catch a cab home. I’m not sure what the rules are about leaving my car in the company car garage overnight, but right now I don’t care. I’ll just run down tomorrow and pick it up. Maybe that will give Drake a reason to call me into his office Monday … hmm, a girl can hope.

  Drake

  That was too close. Way too close. I tried to keep my distance at the bar, I really did. I sent the shots over to Morgan and her friend for two reasons. The main one being I hoped she would figure out it was me who sent them, and come looking for me. Maybe she would ask me to join her with her friend, or maybe she would even ask me to dance. Either would have been great if that meant spending time with her wrapped in my arms. The second reason being that if she mentioned to me Monday that she had in fact seen me at the bar, I could simply state that I saw her as well, and sent over the shots as a way of saying hello, without interrupting the fun she was having with her friend. Either way, in that scenario, I would come out looking like the good guy, the cool new boss.

  Instead, she didn’t figure it out, she started dancing and swaying her sexy hips and I couldn’t help myself, I was lost to the sight of her. It was almost an out of body experience. One minute I was sitting on the bar stool, the next, I had my arms around her, was kissing her neck, and nibbling her ear. That sexy little earlobe I’ve been fantasizing about all week was just as delicious as I imagined it. I woke up from my trance luckily about a half a second before making the complete mistake of kissing her, only to act like a complete bonehead and bolt. I was smart enough to tell her cheers before I bolted indicating that I was the one who sent over the shots, so hopefully that will be some sort of saving grace come Monday. Like that will really help.

  Chapter 7

  Morgan

  This last week at work has been interesting to say the least. The Monday morning after the incident on the dance floor, I try to play it cool around Drake and pretend it didn’t happen, as he remains his usual hot and cold self. At our regular Monday staff meeting, Drake acts like I don’t exist. When the meeting finishes, I quickly make my exit to the elevator to escape to the safety of the 15th floor.

  I am about to push the door close button when Drake steps in. Before I can even come up with something clever to say, he has my back pressed against the wall. Drake’s lips hover over mine, and our breath marries as we pant together in anticipation. My eyes lock with his, and I can see Drake struggling. The moment of hesitation is short lived, however, and suddenly his lips crash against mine. Drake kisses me as I’ve never been kissed before, as if this would be the first and last time our lips would ever meet. I reach my hands beneath his suit jacket, feeling his broad shoulders before running my fingers over his chest, then trace my hands down his rippled abs to his waist. Again I can feel his arousal press against my belly, and I pull him close, letting him know my need to have him is there as well. His tongue dips into my mouth, and I let out a small moan. He slides his hands up my arms, lightly grazing the sides of my breasts. My nipples harden and my pulse races at that slightest touch, and Drake immediately cups both of my breasts, gently massaging them. “Perfect, they’re so
perfect,” Drake mumbles into my mouth as he deepens the kiss.

  “Ahhhh” is all I am able to respond. I drop my hand down below his waist and feel his erection through his pants. Drake is large, very large. My panties are instantly wet and my need for him to be inside me flames. As if reading my mind, Drake slides a hand down the waist of my skirt, applying pressure to my clit to dull the ache.

  “Oh God, Morgan, I’ve been dreaming of getting you in the elevator since I saw Adrian sneak in with you on Friday. Tell me nothing happened with him, I couldn’t take it if something happened.”

  I pull away from Drake, and stare into his dark brown eyes with a dumbfounded look, unable to speak. Did he really insinuate that I was the type of girl who would fool around with two different guys in a company elevator in a matter of days? Is that the kind of girl he is used to?

  “Morgan, that’s not what I meant,” he sighs as if reading my mind. “I meant to say I was jealous of Adrian riding the elevator alone with you Friday when I had been dreaming of all of the things I wanted to do with you in here all week. I don’t think anything went down with you and Adrian, I was just jealous of the fact that there was a chance for something to happen and it wasn’t me who had that chance with you.”

  Before I can say a word, the elevator comes to a stop, and the doors open. I don’t respond to what Drake has just said, I need time to think of what it all means. I quickly retreat to the safety of my office. I grab some sparkling water from my mini fridge, take a huge gulp, and slump down into my desk chair. I really thought there was something between us. The sexual tension is definitely there, but these last two weeks I thought I could feel some kind of bond forming. I haven’t been able to figure it out with his hot and cold mood swings, but I definitely thought it was more. I want it to be more. My moment of silence is quickly broken by a soft knock on my door …

  “Morgan, may I come in please?” Drake asks with a quiet voice.

  “Of course Mr. Baylor,” I add with a tinge of annoyance.

  Drake slowly enters my office, gently closing the door behind him. He walks around my desk and takes a seat before me on the desktop.

  “I’m sorry for what just happened in the elevator, and I’m even sorrier for what I’m afraid might have been a misunderstanding of what I was trying to say to you. I’ve been doing my best to keep you at a distance since you started, but I’m finding it impossible to do so. My position in the company does not afford me the ability to fraternize with any of the staff, and as much as I’d like to take you right here on your desk, doing so would result in both of our terminations. That being said, I’d like to clear up what I should have said in the elevator.” Drake slides off of my desk and crouches before me as I remain seated in my office chair, closing the space between us. He places his hands on my crossed legs, gently stroking my knee with his thumb, and raises his gaze to meet mine as he continues.

  “You are the most beautiful and intelligent woman I have ever met. I find myself completely awestruck at your understanding of our clientele and the insight you have given as to how to meet their needs. You have definitely proven that you have the brains to get the job done. I’ve done my best to actually listen to you during our meetings, but quite honestly, all I can really do is think about your soft sweet lips and how I want to hold you and kiss them for hours at a time. I steal little glances into your eyes, but have to tear my eyes from yours when those glances meet because their intense hazel color makes my pulse race. I want so badly to be with you. To get to know you. To make love to you. To feel your breasts in my hands. To taste you. I was jealous of Adrian on Friday because I felt a familiarity between the two of you, and I want us to have that. When he got in the elevator with you, I suddenly felt my chest tighten with the fear that he had the chance to do everything with you that I can’t, and it tore me in two. I never meant that I thought you could be the kind of girl who fools around with multiple people at her workplace, or anywhere for that matter. I was simply trying to ask you to put me out of my misery and assure me that nothing had happened, ‘cause frankly that is all I could think of all weekend and it killed me.”

  “I don’t understand …” I start speaking after a few moments of sending up silent prayers not to start crying. “I catch you staring at me in board meetings, then in the next moment your tone is so curt and your body language is cold. How can you be saying that you want to get to know me and be with me when you act like you hate me? You were so cold to me all week, then the incident at the bar happened, and you threw me for a loop completely. It felt so good dancing in your arms, to know that you want me as much as I want you, but then you turned on a dime and left me standing on the dance floor like an idiot. What exactly are you saying here? What do you want from me?”

  “That’s exactly the problem, Morgan. What I’m saying exactly is that you are all I can think about, what I want from you is all of you. But that can’t happen. I am your boss, and my father owns the company. I am so sorry for what happened in the elevator, and I’m so sorry for what I have just said to you. I should have stayed in control but I cracked. I meant it when I said I want to get to know you. We’ve never had a conversation that wasn’t work related, yet just being in your presence, I feel like I’ve known you my whole life. I’m drawn to you, Morgan.” Drake then stands, pulling me with him into a tight embrace, throwing his hands into my hair, and kissing me hard once more. He turns swiftly and starts to walk to the door, but I grab his hand to stop him.

  “What you are doing isn’t fair. You are drawing me in, making me want you as much as you say you want me, then telling me I can’t have you. Don’t I get a say? The last thing I want to do is throw a career away that I’ve worked so hard for—especially before it’s really begun. I am not the type of girl to take part in an office romance, but right now all I can think about is being with you. I want to get to know you too, Drake.” My voice starts to crack, and tears form in my eyes, threatening to drop but I blink them back. I reach out and pull him into my embrace but Drake steps back, slowly shaking his head.

  “I’m so sorry Morgan,” is all he mumbles before exiting my office. The tears finally come.

  *****

  After Drake leaves my office, I pull myself together and get back to work. I decide to refocus my attention on my workload and aligning Baylor Industries with Thompson Manufacturing. I will wait until after work and give myself time in the evening to think about Drake and everything he said. And I’ll do it with a bottle of wine.

  As I lie in bed, replaying the events of the day, I can’t help but wonder what it really was that was holding Drake back. He had laid all of his feelings out on the line today. He told me he wanted me just after showing me the hottest display of affection I’ve ever seen. I understand the need for company policy regarding relationships in the workplace, but surely that can’t be the only thing keeping us apart. Couldn’t I sign some waiver promising not to file suit if this thing goes south? Maybe I just need to lay whatever this could have been with Drake to rest, and move on. It would be better for the both of us in the end. The problem with that plan is that it will be impossible to move on. He obviously has the same draw to me as I have to him. Drake is fighting the same urges to forget me and move on but we both seem to be losing that battle. This weird unexplainable connection is something special that I’m sure both of us could do without at this point in our lives, but we obviously can’t help ourselves when we are together. My original plan of keeping our relationship strictly professional is now null and void. I won’t pursue Drake outside of work, but I won’t avoid him either.

  Tuesday morning comes and goes as uneventfully as the rest of the week does. My mom calls Friday and confirms our standing brunch date at the club Sunday. A few bloody marys and my mom rambling on about some charity event she attended the night before sounds perfect. Unfortunately, my mom also informs me that my father would also like a little quality time with me, so brunch will happen after an all too early tee time.

 
; Drake

  This week has been difficult to get through to say the least. Why the hell did I go and spill my soul to Morgan like I did? I’ve done such so much to gain control of myself over the last year or so only to throw it all away. The thing is, with Morgan, it doesn’t seem like I’m throwing anything away. Every chance I’ve taken to be within the most miniscule proximity to her has been worth it. She is totally worth it.

  If I screw up the opportunity that my dad has given me, I lose everything. I will have officially severed all business and personal ties, leaving me without any options of employment, or any kind of future. How can I possibly provide a life for Morgan and myself if I don’t have a job, or a family to turn to? Shit, did I really just include Morgan as part of my plans for the future? I hardly know her, this is crazy. I really have never felt about anyone before the way I feel about her. She occupies my thoughts constantly. I have to find a way to include her in my life while keeping my father in the dark about my feelings for her. At least until I can say without a doubt that this thing between us is real. Okay, I know it is, I just have to stop being such an asshole and start convincing her that it is real too ‘cause I know she feels it. Her perfect little body responds to me just as mine does to her.

  *****

  I’m standing right outside my father’s office Friday afternoon, waiting to check in with him before I leave, when I hear him speaking with someone. At first it sounds like he’s in a meeting and I turn to leave not wanting to disturb him, when I realize he’s on speakerphone. Most likely playing with his miniature golf course my stepmother got him for Christmas. I decide to knock before entering when I recognize the voice on the other end of the phone and hang back for a second to listen. Morgan’s father, Jim Lane, is on the phone with my dad and they are discussing their golf plans for this weekend.