The Reconstruction of Cyprian

by Michelle Love

  “Sure, I’d like that,” I told him as a handsome smile graced his face. I wanted it to do something for me, but sadly there was no reaction inside that didn’t have to do with Damon.

  “We’ll talk at work tomorrow and plan something.” Devin leaned down and brushed my lips with his so softly that there was barely any contact. It was a good move, but again, I felt nothing. “I’ll see you to your door. “ He kissed me again at the door after I unlocked it and I told him good night before I closed it and locked it.

  I walked quietly through the small rooms and cleaned up in the tiny bathroom before sliding through my door and out of my work clothes. I always slept in a big t-shirt, and I glanced over to make sure that Melody was asleep. She was. I could hear the sound of the ocean waves that she preferred going to sleep to when she was alone as well as the noise from the street below. I slipped under the thin covers and found my headphones under my pillow. I plugged them into the phone and wondered what to do with the throbbing between my legs.

  I clipped one over my ear and played some classical music as I brought up the internet. My plan sucked anywhere other than here where I had Wi-Fi, and I had to make the best of the situation.

  I pulled my knees up and searched for erotic stories, thinking that might do the trick. I liked the books that I’d read in the past, but I wasn’t about to pull one out right now. There had to be something online to read.

  There! I found something that seemed to offer erotic tales as well as a variety of something else. I chose the hottest thing I could search for and scanned the titles and descriptions as I wondered what Damon was into. He looked like he would know just what to do with a woman and I found a story that involved spanking before I clicked on it.

  It was immediately hot, and I bit my lip as I read about the woman bent over the desk as her skirt was lifted, conveniently showing a thong. I never wore those, but it suited the story, right? I let my hand trace over my conservative cotton underwear as I devoured the words and started to stroke myself. I was careful to stay quiet and bit down hard on my lip as she was getting pummeled by his hand as I imagined the hand belonging to Damon as I was on the desk. Holy shit, what was wrong with me? I’d never even done anything near to this in bed since my one encounter with a fellow nerd in his room during high school had been awkward and not enjoyable. It was at the point that I chose to focus on school.

  God, my thighs were burning, and I slid my hand under the cloth as I moved onto the part of the story where he was taking her on the desk, all of her clothes ripped off as she clawed his back. I kept my body still, only moving my hand as my body tensed up with every press of my fingers.

  Oh, God.

  I came when the woman screamed his name, tempted to scream out that I pressed my arm against my mouth and bit down. It hurt, but I came harder from that as I closed my eyes and remained quiet. If I lived alone, I’d do that every night. It was incredible. I glanced over at Melody once I recovered to see her still sleeping and wiped my hands on my shirt.

  Just for fun, I read another story that made me repeat the process, slower this time and just for the release. I bookmarked the site and plugged my phone into my charger before I continued to listen to music.

  I guess I fell asleep at some point because it seemed like five minutes later that my alarm was going off. I groaned and hit snooze out of habit before I rolled over and pressed my face into the pillow.

  Reality took over after the alarm went off again and I opened my eyes to see that the room was empty. I must’ve slept harder than I thought not to hear Melody get up for class. I took a deep breath and stretched before standing up and grabbing my robe. I showered quickly and dressed in the usual jeans and shirt for school before I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail. I grabbed another skirt and sweater with some flats and placed them as neatly as I could into my backpack before I left for class.

  I grabbed a large coffee today and blended in with the students as I played the night before through my mind again. It seemed surreal, knowing who I was. I was working at a fantastic place with a possible future if I didn’t screw up, but attracted to the boss who seemed to like to follow me around town. That was creepier than I was allowing it to be and I tried to reason with my normally logical mind.

  I needed this internship and needed it to lead to a job. That was my future, not some dream about the CEO of the company that would make all of my hard work pay off for myself and my mother. What was Damon going to do…sweep me off of my feet and make everything right in my life? No, because this wasn’t Pretty Woman and people in the real world worked for what they had.

  My thoughts drifted to Devin, a more likely scenario. He was a great looking guy, and he was going to be successful in life. Devin was also close to my age, and it would be natural to settle into something with him as I worked towards my own career. It would be realistic if I felt something for the guy. Would that come later, after a few dates or perhaps a few more kisses? I wasn’t stupid enough to think life was like the books or television shows but it seemed like I should feel something.

  I walked into class and sat near the front as I unloaded my notebook. I wanted to ask my mom about this, but our time was precious when we talked, and I didn’t want to sound selfish. I didn’t want to seem like I was ready to move on and leave her behind. She never did that to me.

  I managed to focus enough to take notes, and I felt a bit more normal when I left the campus for the day. I could handle all of this and concentrate on the prize at the end of whatever twisted tunnel this might be. That was who I was and what I did. I ordered some lunch at a campus deli and changed into my other clothes in the bathroom while I waited for the food. I added some mascara and a little lipstick to my face and noticed the weird look on the guy’s face that was calling out my order. I blushed and took my tray to a corner table as I tried to study some notes before I went in for my shift.

  Useless. I threw away my trash and shoved everything back into my backpack before I caught the bus to the office. I reasoned that after a few weeks of doing this, it wouldn’t feel so new. Coming to work would just be a daily thing where I did what I needed to do without any confusion or ridiculous attraction. Maybe I’d like Devin and have something going with him by then, something that would fit well with the rest of my life.

  As I walked into the building, I saw Damon talking to someone by the elevators as he held his phone in his hand. He looked angry, and I bumped into a man being so focused on him. “Sorry,” I apologized with a beet red face as the suit looked down at me with a scowl. I looked at the floor and pressed the up button as I longed for the floor to open up and suck me into it. As the door opened, I couldn’t help but to lift my eyes and saw Damon’s eyes dark as he stared past me. I glanced over to see the man that I bumped into and looked back at Damon with wide eyes.

  He moved his gaze to my face and locked eyes with me before I walked in and pushed the button to close the door. I leaned against the wall and took a deep breath as I thought about the intimidating look in Damon’s eyes. He looked like he wanted to kill the guy, but why?

  Damon

  I found out right away that the intern in question was named Devin and he had an impeccable record, much like Elisa. They’d probably be a great couple, but I didn’t want him to have her.

  I wanted to have her in every way that I possibly could. I wanted to own her, but that would wreck my tidy life of work and pleasure being completely separated. That could wreck my very foundation, and I read his information again. Devin wasn’t working with Elisa or seeing her regularly as far as I could tell. What they did outside of the office was fair game, but I didn’t even want that.

  Heat flooded my veins as I thought about her and I closed my eyes.

  It was possible to fire an intern, but in this case based on what? I’d be the laughing stock of my friends and managers if I admitted that I was jealous of a workplace relationship, something I abhorred otherwise. I always told them to never go there, and as far as I knew,
they followed my advice. He’d been here just a few days like Elisa, and I doubted that Devin messed up significantly, enough to be let go. I wasn’t even going to go down the road of inquiring about him since I knew how selective we were as a company when it came to bringing on interns.

  I closed the screen and opened my email to read through as I drank my coffee. I remembered that I had a meeting for lunch with a major client and was glad that I wore one of my best suits today and I knew that I needed to adjust my attitude. I had a few hours, and spent the time in my office, not seeing a thing in my company as I normally did. It felt antisocial and strange, and I left for lunch early just to get some air and avoid the temptation to go stalk Elisa.

  I arrived early to the bistro and sat at the bar to have a drink as I waited for Stephen. He was one of the biggest clients that I had, and I couldn’t blow this. We needed the income and the good word around town. The whiskey calmed me some, and I felt loose and relaxed when Stephen showed up, and we headed to a corner table.

  He presented the idea of several hotels all over the world, hotels that he wanted us to design. We ate steak, and I looked over the plans, well-aware that this could be the contract of the year. It would bring in millions if not billions, and we’d be in every magazine again, earning us more clients. He was going to give me a week to talk to my managers and get together a skilled team to get things started, and we shook hands after I took care of the bill. It was an expense that I was willing to write off, given the money I was going to make. I had another drink at the bar, something I rarely did making me fuzzy as I made my way back to the office. I ran into one of the security guards who wanted to talk about an issue with one of the security cameras, trying to focus as I covered my mouth and tried to make eye contact with him. I noticed Elisa out of the corner of my eye and watched as she bumped into a tall man that glared down at her as she faltered and looked up at him.

  I lost the conversation that I was involved in as I glared at him before I moved my eyes to her face. She was embarrassed, and I could see that she wanted to be anywhere but here as the elevator opened and she ducked inside. I walked away from the security guard and towards the man as I felt someone grab my arm. “Mr. James? I was talking to you.” The guard looked confused as I pushed a button and slipped into the next elevator and hit the button for the fifth floor.

  I stepped out to see Elisa getting off and turning to go left before I called her name. “Miss Moore? A word, please.”

  “About what?” Her voice was quiet and tense as she looked at me and back towards her office. I stared her down until she approached me and leaned against the wall.

  “Are you alright? I saw your…interaction down there,” I told her as she frowned and let out a sigh.

  “Of course. I bumped into him, and he was a jerk. Nothing more than that,” Elisa explained as she looked at me with a sharp gaze. “Why did you look at him that way?”

  “I hate when men treat women like that,” I admitted as she leaned closer to hear me. I remembered why I avoided drinking at lunch now and pinched the bridge of my nose as I closed my eyes for a moment.

  “What’s wrong?” Elisa asked me as I heard the elevator open behind me. Glancing around, I saw that it was empty and reached out to pull her inside and close the door for some privacy. I knew that alcohol weakened me and made me lose my inhibitions and I stared at her scared face. “What are you doing?”

  “I just need a taste,” I explained before I cupped her face and kissed her soft lips. Elisa had protested for a moment before I felt her hands cover mine as she returned the kiss slowly. I reached back and pressed the button that would take me to the roof, where I found a private moment every now and then. Our lips crashed together as we rode to the top and I heard the ding before I turned around and took a deep breath. The door opened, and I surveyed the light area to see that we were alone as I took her hand and led her outside.

  I knew that I was feeling a little intoxicated and that this was a bad idea, but I needed more.

  Elisa shivered and crossed her arms as she pulled her hand away. “What are we doing out here? I need to get to work, Damon. This is my job.” She wouldn’t look at me and just leaned against the door frame. “You’re acting weird. Are you drunk? I tasted the alcohol on your tongue.”

  Shame filled me as I stepped back to look at her. Elisa was scared and more than that, uncomfortable. I knew that she’d kissed me, but now she was uncertain of everything. “I had some drinks at lunch. I saw you in the lobby, and I couldn’t let you go, but I don’t think that it’s just alcohol. I know I need to stay away from you, Elisa. I just don’t know if I can.”

  “I need this internship, Damon. I can’t blow this chance because I might never have it again,” She stared at me, and I saw strength in those eyes. “You’re not worth the risk even if I do want you more than I’ve wanted any man. I have to go back to work. They’ll be looking for me.” I watched her turn to leave, opening the door and walking back to the elevator as I remained alone in the shade.

  I felt empty and broken for the first time in my life, at least because of a woman. They would usually do anything for me, anything for that last kiss. Elisa walked away from me, and I walked over to the edge of the rooftop and gazed over the streets at the city that I once felt like I owned.

  Elisa

  I rushed inside and pushed the button for the elevator, turning to look behind me. Did I want him to chase me, to tell me that I could have him and the internship?

  No, that wasn’t my path. I was supposed to finish school and get the best job that I could to take care of Mom and me. I couldn’t lose sight of that because I was attracted to the boss.

  I stepped into the car and pushed the button for my floor. I ran my hands over my clothes and my hair, as I tried to look around to see a reflection of myself. I couldn’t look like I’d done this with Damon, whatever it was. I stepped off and lifted my head as I headed straight for the restroom to find a mirror, and whatever was left of my dignity.

  When I came out, Devin was passing by to go to the men’s room, and he stopped with a smile. I had fixed my makeup, and I knew that I looked back to normal so I smiled back. “Hey, you.” I compared his kiss to that of Damon’s, and it was night and day. Devin’s was pleasurable at best, but Damon’s was like the air that I needed to breathe to survive. I know that I’d lost myself in that elevator and likely led him on, but he was intoxicating and even now, my mouth burned for more. It felt like I would never stop tingling for him, no matter how much time passed.

  “Hi, Devin. How are you?” I asked him as he looked me over.

  “I’m great. I’m really looking forward to Friday,” His eyes searched mine, and I looked at him and nodded.

  “I am as well,” I felt the sweat pooling in my hair as he looked at me and quickly licked my lips. “I need to get to my team, Devin. I was running late due to traffic today, and they’re expecting me. Can we talk after work?”

  “Sure, that would be great. Are you alright, Elisa?” He looked concerned, and I brushed the drop from my forehead and smiled.

  “I’m fine, Devin. I just hate being late.” There was a lot more that I could’ve added to the statement but I left it alone. I didn’t need to give Damon any more fuel than I already had.

  “Get to your team. I’ll meet you in the lobby after work, around six? That’s how long you work, right?” I nodded. Normally it was, but I was willing to stay if things ran late. I already felt like I needed to make up for what I’d done with Damon. “See you soon.”

  I saw Autumn walking over and she watched Devin leave. “Did you guys hit it off?”

  “Kind of. I’m sorry that I’m late, Autumn. There was traffic getting here,” I told her as she shrugged.

  “No worries. You work hard when you’re here, and this is Boston. Traffic is everywhere,” She smiled and pressed the bathroom door open. “Check out the plans!! They’re looking hot.”

  I grinned and headed to our room to greet the rest
of the team. I loved it here. I loved the vibe and the creative flow that just existed here. I didn’t want to risk it for a fling with Damon, even if it would be the hottest thing I might ever do in my life. I needed this for my future more than I needed any man.

  I looked over their progress and admired it. I longed to be a full-time employee here and doing every day, but that would come soon. I just needed to prove myself, and I would have that.

  I threw myself into the project, and we talked about ideas, jotting some down as Michael worked on the computer. Everyone had their place here, and I was going to find mine as well.

  We ended up working until eight before we straggled out of there and I knew I missed Devin. I didn’t care too much, though, which was something that I didn’t want to focus on too much. Devin was the right guy here and the one that I should be with.

  I accepted a ride home from Vince, who lived near me and we talked shop the whole way home. I got out and went inside of my apartment and made a quick sandwich before I went into my room and read a book on my Kindle until I fell asleep. It was exhausting to have a conversation with all of the girls that lived here when we were all home, and I wondered when I’d be able to get my own place. Maybe I could get something nice with Mom, somewhere where she could walk outside and feel safe.

  I dreamed about Damon that night, one in which we didn’t stop with a kiss. I let him take me in that elevator in some alternate universe, let him have me against the walls as I cried out his name. It was rough and intense, and I could hear the sounds of our bodies slapping together as I woke up slowly with a low moan. I pulled my hand out of my underwear and looked over in horror to Melody’s bed, thankful when I found it empty.

  I couldn’t believe that I’d dreamed that and judging from the throbbing between my thighs, had gotten myself off in my sleep. How embarrassing. I needed to figure this out and get him out of my head.