by C. C. Brown
Mr. Rolston's light brown skin was framed by very thin and well-kept sideburns that traced down to a very meticulous goatee. He looked me in my eyes, sending them pummeling down to my feet, and reached his hand out for mine.
"Hello, Cara. I've been expecting you," he said. My breathing picked up and I felt a chill hit my now sweat coated cheeks. I shouldn't have been ogling my new boss, but honestly, he was ridiculously good-looking, and I wasn't sure how I would make it through my days having to work so closely with him.
I threw my limp hand out to him, and he took it into this his own.
"Hello, Mr. Rolston," I managed to murmur. Amanda nudged me with her elbow.
"William is fine," he said, with a deep voice that could melt chocolate. "We will be working close together, so I think a first name basis is the way to go." His smile was panty wetting, but I remained composed and simply nodded my head.
"If you don't need anything else, Mr. Rolston, I'll be on my way," Amanda chimed in, smiling at the two of us then turning and walking out of the office.
I watched her leave, and secretly longed for her to return. There was nothing predatory about William, but I didn't trust myself to focus where he was concerned. This could turn into a real problem for my long term employment goals.
"So, Cara, what did Amanda fill you in on?" I looked into his light brown eyes and smiled a real genuine smile.
"Not much. She whisked me away in here before she was able to tell me anything." He nodded his head in approval, as if Amanda had passed some sort of test. He walked around to take a seat in his chair and lounged back, easing me into comfort.
"We just picked up a very large marketing account for an amateur basketball team. I know it doesn't sound like much, but this is a million dollar campaign. You are going to work with me on this campaign and as it takes off, I will hand more and more of the reigns over to you. I need you to be punctual, professional, lenient with your time, and free flowing with your opinions. The upper management picked you and a couple others, but told me you were best for my team." His laid back demeanor, juxtaposed with the rigidity of his words, told me he meant business. "Are you up for the challenge?"
"Yes. I'm very ready, but I thought I would be going through orientation today?"
"You are. I just wanted to run this by you and hand some of the documents to you so that you can familiarize yourself with the team and the campaign." He scooted his chair up to his desk and pressed a button on his office telephone. A few seconds later, Amanda was knocking and making her way into his office.
"Yes, Mr. Rolston?" she pronounced, stopping just shy of where I was standing.
"Please take Cara to HR. They are expecting her for orientation." He stood and shook my hand. I shook his, feeling much stronger than when I had first entered his office and fumbled with myself like a love struck teenager.
"Yes, sir," Amanda said. I turned with the documents in hand, and walked out of the office with Amanda. We walked leisurely to the elevators. After pressing the up button she asked, "So what did you think of Mr. Rolston?"
My newfound crimson complexion told her all she needed to know because she laughed wildly and threw her head back while saying, "He has that effect on women. Don't be shy about it. I would think you were weird if you didn't have that reaction."
"How long have you worked for him?" I asked, curious as to how long she'd had the pleasure of coming to work every day to look at such an impressive man.
"Four years now. Best damn job I've ever had."
"How do you stay focused?" I blurted out before thinking.
Amanda laughed again. "Mr. Rolston is all business. He's awesome eye candy, but working with him is an experience all its own. I've learned so much about this business from him, and I'm just his assistant. I think it's his competence that is the best thing about him--you'll learn that. Plus, my husband wouldn't be too happy if I left him for Mr. Rolston." She laughed again as we walked into the elevator.
Amanda was incredibly welcoming and her quick wit made me feel like I had known her for a lifetime.
"How old is he? I was expecting a grouchy old man."
"The tyrant, right?" She looked over to me and smiled. "People say that because he is very demanding. They've never worked for him so they go by what they see. He demands punctuality, professionalism, leniency with your time, and the free flowing of your opinions." She had just spouted his mantra that he had given me not even ten minutes ago. "And he is thirty-five, so no--you don't get the grouchy old man."
"Wow. I'm impressed. I think I'm going to like it here," I retorted, now feeling like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
"Do you have a boyfriend or anything?" Amanda asked, and I was a bit startled by the forthrightness of her question.
"Um…no. I did, but we broke up."
"Well, that might be good. Mr. Rolston will have you quite busy breaking you in to this business, and a boyfriend won't really understand."
We stridently walked towards the HR department up on the fifteenth floor, and unpleasant thoughts of Jason not understanding my work commitments filled my head. It seemed like affirmation that I took to this new job as a single girl. After meeting William and Amanda, I knew I would have to keep a clear head in order to do well.
<>
My time in orientation went by rather slowly. I spent more of my time browsing the documents that William had supplied me with earlier that morning than actually listening to the speakers speaking and videos being played. I learned that the team was an amateur basketball team, trying to break into the semi-professional world of sports. The benefactor was not listed, however, there was a footnote stating that the official announcement would be made at the marketing campaign party. I thought about the elbow rubbing that I would be partaking in, and while I never thought this would be me, I relished the idea of being pulled out of my comfort zone.
I spent my lunch in the orientation room. Having lunch provided was welcomed, which gave me more time to dive into the documents detailing my new assignment. I was excited to work with such seasoned professionals, and learn all that I could.
By 4pm, my day had come to an end. I ran into Amanda as I walked out of my office and into the lobby. We strolled past a still sour faced Sunny on our way out to the parking lot.
"What's the deal with Sunny? Why is she here if she hates her job so much?"
"Sunny doesn't hate her job, Sunny hates you. Well, temporarily anyway."
"Huh?" I asked, unsure what she meant by that.
"Sunny and Mr. Rolston have a thing. It's nothing serious. He doesn't want it to be and she is desperate enough to just take what he gives her. She knows since they aren't exclusive--he can and does turn his head to other women from time to time."
"Wait, so she thinks I want him? He's my boss."
"I wouldn't put too much thought into her. She'll feel you out for a while and then she'll drop it. I had to tell her that, while Mr. Rolston is a beautiful piece of ass, I am happily married, so she could put her claws back in. He definitely woos other women. She just doesn't know who they are."
I took all of this information in. Amanda was right--William Rolston was a beautiful piece of ass. However, he was too old for me and was my boss. I wasn't going to let Sunny ruin the newfound happiness in my life.
<>
Strolling into my empty condo, I bypassed the roses that Jason had sent for me. Besides the brief thought of an angry outburst from him, he hadn't been consuming my thoughts and I was thankful for it.
I took a long, soothing bath while relaxing to some slow, instrumental jazz. The aroma of jasmine from the bubble bath and vanilla from the flickering candles relaxed me. I lay back and fell asleep into a state of euphoria.
Just as I was getting out of the tub and drying myself off, my phone rang. I checked the caller ID and found Chelsea calling me, so I immediately answered it.
"Hello, Miss Bride to Be!" I shouted.
"Well hello to you, too. What's got you so damn
happy?" She retorted with playfulness in her tone.
"Oh, nothing. I started work today and I fucking love it."
"Wow. Must be some damn job. Do tell."
I laughed as I went into my ridiculously long tale about the bitchy receptionist who thought I wanted the man who wanted to do nothing but sleep with her. I also told her that the incredibly good looking man also happened to be my boss. While he was orgasm inducing, he was also very professional.
"Damn. Too bad you didn't pull out a sexy bad girl in this new found you, Cara. Fucking your boss would probably be pretty hot," she joked.
"Chels, you disgust me."
"I know and you love it."
I shook my head, even though she wasn't able to see it.
"So, where are you? And why are you on the phone with me?"
"Um, duh, Cara. You're my best friend. I couldn't see you off, or indulge in wine with you this afternoon, so I had to do the next best thing--I called."
"Well thanks, Chels. So where has Hunter rushed you off to?"
"We're in Coronado. We'll be back Friday morning, so block off Friday night for us. We want to take you out to celebrate your new job."
"Thanks, Chels. Joint celebration of engagements and jobs--sounds good."
"Alright. I've gotta go. Heading out to dinner. See you Friday."
"See ya."
After hanging up, I lay down in my bed and answered the text messages from Chase, Ryan, Mila, and my parents, all asking about work. There were two missed calls from Jason that had come earlier in the day, and while I had no intention of calling him back, I was curious as to what he had to say in the message he had left on my voicemail.
Voicemail from Jason
Hello, Gorgeous. I'm sure you're swamped at work with learnin' the ropes and everything, but I wanted to make sure you got my flowers. I also wanted to wish you a wonderful first day, and let you know that no matter what, I still love you very very much. You mean the world to me and I can't wait for the opportunity to tell you this in person. I know you need your space and I will give it to you, but I won't forget about you, and I know you can't forget about me. I'm here when you're ready.
I love you, Gorgeous.
I didn't want to hear those words from him, but I had to admit that they felt good. I wasn't ready to see him. Actually, I wasn't sure if I would ever be ready to see him, but I went to bed with his words being the last words I heard. The slow, sensual southern drawl in his voice sent a tingle through my body that I hadn't felt in a while.
Chapter 6
Friday morning came rather quickly. Good morning and good night text messages from Jason started and ended my days. I went from being annoyed and wanting to tell him to piss off, to almost giving in and calling him just so I could hear his voice. I missed him. I didn't want to miss him. In fact, I wanted to hate him, but my heart wouldn't allow it.
I'd realized through my relationship with Jason that sometimes two people could lust over one another so deeply to the point of the relationship turning toxic. I loved Jason. Hell, I was still in love with him, but after everything that I had been through--the lies…the secrets-- I wasn't sure if he truly loved me back. Stacey had been a sticking point, but the revelations about Heather were the churn to my stomach.
My thoughts were interrupted when the front door opened and in walked Chelsea and Hunter.
"Well look at you, Ms. Workin' woman," Chelsea said, throwing her bags down on our overly expensive bamboo floors.
I shook my head and blushed a little, then shoved a spoonful of Special K cereal into my mouth. "Welcome home you two. How was the trip?"
"It was nice, but it's back to reality now and I've got to go," Hunter said, checking his watch and then kissing Chelsea before strolling out the door.
I still had about a half hour before I had to leave for work and Chelsea wanted to know everything about my new job and my super sexy boss.
"So, does Mr. Boss Man know that he wets your panties just by looking at you?"
I laughed and slightly choked on my cereal. Being engaged and swept away to beautiful Coronado didn't cause Chelsea to skip a beat.
"Um, it's not like that, Chels. He is drop dead sexy, but he is much too old and he's screwing the receptionist."
I think I'm going to love your new job," she giggled. "How did you find that out?"
"William's executive assistant…" she held up her hand, and closed her eyes, shaking her head. I stopped briefly before continuing. "Mr. Rolston's executive assistant, Amanda filled me in. Sunny…" Chelsea's pleading eyes begged me to tell her who I was referring to, "the receptionist, is a nasty little thing and Amanda just filled me in on why she was so rude to me."
"Well, if you've been going into work every day looking the way you do now, I see why Sunny was so nasty. You look fuckin' hot, Cara."
I looked down at my ensemble, but didn't find anything overly spectacular about it. I was wearing a fitted black dress with a red lace cardigan and a pair of black heels. Maybe it was the hair? Even I had to admit that my hair added a more sophisticated look, so I guess that was what the fuss was all about.
"Well thanks, but I don't care what it is. I love my new job, I don't want William, and I just want to make a name for myself there."
"And you damn sure will." Chelsea loaded up her bags and lugged them towards the stairs. "Let's do dinner tonight."
"Sounds good to me. Text me." I shouted back. I drank the last of the milk from my bowl and, after dabbing my mouth with a napkin, reapplied my lip gloss and walked out the door.
<>
Sunny was on the phone when I walked through the door. She had the same shit stain scowl on her face even while listening to someone speak. I was beginning to think that she was just a miserable person. I bypassed her quickly and made my way to the elevators, where I had to scurry in order to make the car that was quickly filling up. I was the last person to enter the packed car, and as I tried to squeeze my way into a rather tight spot, I caught a glimpse of a pair of the most striking greenish- grey eyes that I had ever seen. I caught myself staring so I hurriedly turned and faced the closing doors.
My mind kept telling me to turn around, but thanks to my embarrassment, and the fact that we were packed into the elevator like sardines, I wasn't able to. As the elevator ascended, the passengers began filing out. I had to check in with William every morning before making my way up to HR for orientation. When we reached the fifth floor, I casually stepped out, but not before sneaking a glance at the pair of eyes that had damn near stopped me in my tracks. The man smiled seductively, causing me full on embarrassment. He knew I was looking at him and slightly pursed his lips to acknowledge the fact.
"Good morning, Cara." Amanda said cheerfully, but her smile quickly faded the closer I walked. "Are you okay? You look… flustered."
I ran my fingers through my hair and tried to compose myself. I really shouldn't lose my cool over a sly grin. "Yeah, I'm fine. What's the plan for today?" I wanted to focus on work. It was the only thing keeping my sanity in check.
"You are done with orientation. Mr. Rolston needs you today so I'm going to help you get your office set up and then he will do with you whatever he sees fit."
I knew she meant nothing by the statement, but with the impressive good looks that William was blessed with, one could easily infer all sorts of innuendo with words like those.
Amanda showed me to my office. It was nothing in comparison to that of my boss's, but it was my first official work space and the sight of it excited me like no other. On the heavy wooden door, a golden name placard was fixed to the outside reading: Cara Pinkston SMM.
I looked at the sign and ran my fingers over it, grinning like a loon. Amanda led me further into the office space and while she began to unload files into my espresso wood colored file cabinets, I sat down in my plush office chair and swiveled around in it.
The San Diego harbor sat off in the distance, and even though I was only five floors up, I had a spectacular view
of it. I walked over to the window and stared out, amazed that a little over a week ago, I was a college student, and now, I was a Marketing Manager for a very prestigious sports marketing firm. It felt surreal.
I must have gotten lost in my thoughts because when I finally came to, Amanda was standing in front of the desk calling my name.
"Cara… Cara."
I shook my head and turned in her direction.
"Mr. Rolston would like to see you in his office."
"Oh, yes. Sure thing."
I turned and walked out of my space, making a right and walking down to my boss's office. The door was slightly ajar, so I lightly knocked. William welcomed me in and, I tossed aside the enamored expression that had overtaken my face, fixing myself into the serious businesswoman that I was expected to be.
"Take a seat, Cara." The seriousness of his voice had me wondering if I had already done something wrong. "How is your office? Has Amanda helped you get settled?"
I discreetly released the breath held hostage in my throat.
"Yes, she has, and I love it." I tried to look him directly in the eyes when answering his questions, but his impassive face made it difficult.
"Have you had an opportunity to look over the files for The Tide?"
"Yes I have, sir. I think this is going to be an excellent project to get my feet wet."
"Well, let me remind you that, I may be your boss, but we are a team, so please call me William." I nodded. I would have to remember and make myself comfortable about using his first name in his presence. "What are your plans this weekend?"