by Ashley Cole
“Holy shit!”, she said, only after she knew he wouldn’t hear her. “What just happened?”, she asked herself touching her now swollen lips. To hell with butterflies her stomach had doubled ten times over what’d she felt before. Taking a deep breath, allowing her heart to stop fluttering, she reached into her purse grabbing her phone to text Scarlett. The only thing she could think to send was ten smiley faces and one heart.
Scarlett called immediately. “Hey girl oh my God tell me how it went. Who’s your bisshhhh??!!”, she yelled. “You are! Girl where did you find that tall glass of milky way? I thought my ass was going to swoon a few times. I’m still in shock”, she replied with sincerity. “So are you going to see him again, you know I’m ready to come and snatch my nephew”, she said laughing. “Of course, I am girl, he’s so dreamy”, they laughed. Naomi let Scarlett know that she’d call her after work so they could make plans for tonight.
Once she arrived back at work Tiana was on her heels following her into her office closing the door. “Ahhhhh!! I would ask how it went, but judging by that huge smile plastered on your face you really like this guy. I still have to ask though, how did it go, tell me tell me tell me”, Tiana begged with excitement. “Tiana, he was so handsome. He was tall, chocolate skin tone, very nice build.”
“He was wearing a pink-collar shirt and it looked so good with his complexion. He was such a gentleman, opening doors and pulling out my chair for me. And before I could say goodbye he kissed me. Girl I melted. It was a good thing he was holding me because my knees were weak. Now normally that would have upset me, but I wanted that kiss just as much as he did and his lips were so soft. We’re going on another date!”, she yelled and they screamed together with excitement. “Aww I’m so happy for you Ms. Archer.”, she smiled.
“Look, if you remain professional at all times I’ll allow you to address me by my first name within the confines of my office. I’m not that old. But when we’re out side of my office I’m Ms. Archer. Can’t have these employees getting beside themselves”, she laughed. “Okay, I’ll have to get used to that”, she replied nervously with a smile. “Practice makes perfect, now get on outta here and enjoy your weekend. Great work today Tiana”, she complimented. “Ditto, Naomi, enjoy your weekend”, she replied heading out to grab her things.
Chapter 18
Scarlett was walking her class to the lunch room when she felt her phone vibrate. She was sure Naomi was probably cursing her out again for setting her up with Monty. She smiled leading her class towards the lunch line before heading to the lounge to warm up her lunch. Hiding her phone as she ducked into the bathroom to check her messages. Laughing to herself she saw that she was right, she’d gotten cursed out again but she’d also received some great news. Dominique loved the shoes and her friend was going to Paris.
Scarlett was beaming with pride for her friend. She was so proud of her and all her accomplishments. No one deserved it more than she. She had worked so hard to reach her goals and now they were coming to fruition. She sent a text before heading to the teacher’s lounge. “Stop cursing me out Naomi and go on the date. I promise you won’t regret it. You’ll be thanking me later. AND OMG!! I’m so happy and proud of you! I knew you could do it. We are celebrating tonight, so get your dancing shoes ready girl.”
Pressing send she made her way to the teacher’s lounge hoping she didn’t see Stephanie. She’d been avoiding her all week still embarrassed about her little incident. She knew it was petty but who wanted to get caught hurting themselves in front of their crush. She felt very foolish. Opening the door to the lounge, she walked towards the refrigerator grabbing her lunch. As she made her way to the microwave to warm her food she heard a familiar voice.
‘Hi Scarlett”, Stephanie said. Scarlett’s mind was racing a mile a minute. Out of all the coincidences in the world, she’d gotten stuck in this room with the very person she’d been avoiding? This was her karma for ignoring her mother, she thought. Turning around, “Hi Stephanie”, she said awkwardly turning back around. She could feel Stephanie staring in her direction as she felt her face getting red. She hoped that was all she had planned to say.
“Are you going to avoid me forever? You usually speak to me every day and now nothing. Did I do something wrong?”, she asked concerned. Scarlett turned looking in her direction. “No, you haven’t done anything, it’s me. Don’t worry about it”, she replied. “Oh my, your cheeks are red. Correct me if I’m wrong, that either means you’re A. embarrassed or B. turned on. I’m pretty sure it’s A”, she joked. “What if it’s both? What would you say then?”, Scarlett countered watching her expression.
“I’d say I’m glad you can’t easily tell what I’m feeling because I feel the same way.” For a minute, Scarlett stood staring at Stephanie in shock. She wasn’t sure if she’d just heard her admit they shared an attraction. Her heart was thumping so hard it sounded like bass drums in her ears. “I think I’m hearing things, can you repeat what you just said?”, Scarlett replied.
Stephanie smiled as she slowly began walking in her direction, running her fingers along the counter as she stopped in front of her. “You’ve been avoiding me, tell me why”, she said lifting her chin to meet her eyes. “I’m very attracted to you, but I didn’t know how to approach you. I didn’t think you’d be interested, so I admired you from a distance until I made a fool of myself Monday”, she rambled.
“So, let me get this right. You’re avoiding me because you’re attracted to me and you’re afraid I saw you walk into the back of your car?”, she smiled. “Oh God, I knew you saw me. I told my friend you did. I was so embarrassed”, she laughed lightening the tension. “It’s nice to know you’ve been checking me out. I do have a nice ass, don’t I?”, she said bending over to tie her shoe.
Scarlett licked her lips. “What if I told you I want the exact things you want, but I’m just a little shy?” she said staring at Scarlett’s lips as she stood back up. Before she could reply Stephanie grabbed her hair pulling her face close enough that their lips touched. “Do you want to kiss me?”, she asked grabbing Scarlett’s breast. “Yes”, she moaned. “Yes, I want to kiss you every time I—
Stephanie crushed her lips over Scarlett’s sucking and pulling on her bottom lip, leaving her once pink lips bright red and puffy. She traced her jawline kissing her way down to her neck sucking harder and harder not worried about leaving a hickey. Scarlett threw her head back as moans escaped her lips.
Closing her eyes, she floated away into the clouds. Her lips are so soft, she’s everything I thought she would be. Scarlett thought she would orgasm from her touch alone but just as Stephanie reached inside her stretch pants pulling her lace panties to the side she heard a gentleman clearing his throat.
Trying to register what happened she felt Stephanie’s hands and lips leave her body abruptly and suddenly, the room felt like Antarctica. As she tried focusing her eyes she looked towards the door to the main hallway and there stood principal Hunter. He looked mad enough to piss rocks, she thought. “I need to see you in my office”, he said pointing in her direction. “Stephanie I’ll deal with you later, finish eating and get back to class”, he said on his way out.
“Oh shit!”, was all she could think to say, after the door closed behind him. “I’m so sorry Scarlett, I shouldn’t have done that”, she said sadly. “It’s okay I’ll talk to him. I think he likes me. Don’t worry I’m sure it’ll be fine”, she said dismissing her apology. “I’ll see you later ok?”, she said. Stephanie grabbed her hand as she walked away, “I don’t regret any of this”, she said with a sad smile. “I’ll see ya later”, Scarlett replied kissing her cheek.
Scarlett had tried to sound confident in front of Stephanie but the closer she got to Hunter’s office the more she thought she’d puke from the nervousness she was feeling. “It’s okay it was just a kiss, right?”, she said whispering to try and calm herself. Once she made it to the receptionist that sat outside of his office she told Lacy, Hunter was expecting h
er. Lacy dialed Hunter’s extension on the intercom. He then greeted her at the door, avoiding eye contact. “Come in”, he said.
Scarlett stepped into his office and stood in front of his desk as he made his way back to his seat. “Please have a seat Scarlett”, he gestured towards the seat directly in front of him. “I know how this may seem, but--”, Hunter held his hand up stopping her from continuing. “It seems as if the reason you have been ignoring my subtle hints is because you’re interested in Stephanie. Nod yes or no”, he said void of emotion. Scarlett nodded yes and then lowered her eyes to the floor. “Well I have no choice but to fire you both.” Scarlett’s head snapped to attention.
“Please don’t do this Hunter, it will never happen again”, she pled. “You are damn right it won’t. Do you want to know why? Because starting now you are my girlfriend. You will break whatever that is off” he said throwing his hand into the air as his voice began to escalate. He was scaring her and seemed very unlike the person she thought she once knew.
There was a glint of madness in his eyes and it shook her to her core as he continued. “And if you don’t I won’t stop at firing you both, I’ll make sure this shit leaks out to the public. I will destroy you and your family name. You won’t be able to work anywhere else do you understand me?”, he said completely vexed. She nodded yes.
He stood, walking around his desk until he stood directly in front of her. Without remorse, he lifted her chin to face him, before slamming his hands around her throat, choking her relentlessly. Scarlett scratched at his hands attempting to break free but it was useless he was too strong. As she began losing consciousness he finally let go, “Get out of my office and expect a call from me soon!”
“And I mean it Scarlett, I don’t make empty threats, I have your father’s number. I will end your career. Get the hell out of my office”, he waved his hand dismissively as he walked back to his chair sitting down. Scarlett stood slowly, afraid of losing her balance, her legs felt like spaghetti. She watched with crushing fear as he swiveled his chair turning his back to her as she exited his office. Walking on autopilot towards the cafeteria, Scarlett realized that life as she knew it, had changed forever.
Up Next in this Series
The Dirty Truth (Secrets Revealed Book 2)
About the Author
Ashley Cole is devoted to bringing real-life situations & mind blowing romance to readers. Sassy females are her forte and the wilder men, the more she’ll make them fall in love. Experienced at being quite sassy herself, she lives in a huge city but grew up in a tiny city, and devotes her life to writing big stories. Movie fanatic, food connoisseur, shopaholic, poet, romantic, vampire whisperer, zombie lover, well some of this is true.
Sassy Attitudes? Check
Domineering Hot Men? Check
Seductive Scenes? Hold on tight ladies and gentleman, it’ll be a wild ride.