by Kat Long
I dropped my shoulders under the hot spray and breathed deep, fucking my hand would never be as good as feeling her under me, on top, on her knees, on my desk, or in my bed.
Goddamnit! I rolled my shoulders and turned off the spray, stepping out and wrapping a towel around my waist. My phone was still charging, and I picked it up when I heard it vibrate, running a hand through my damp hair. There was a text from Warren that I missed last night, and a text from her with several reminders. I replied to Warren, saying I’d call him later before focusing on what had my attention.
Blue: Reminders synced to your calendar, coffee with extra cream?
Max: Yes, thanks Blue.
Blue: Annaleigh at work, please.
Max: Blue suits you.
Blue: You’re going to be the reason I drink today, aren’t you?
Max: Then should I bring the coffee?
Blue: I got it, but do you want to explain that nickname to Jake or ELISE?
Max: Fair point, but we’re not there, are we?
Blue: Touché. See you at work. I’ll be the one in blue.
With that one sassy remark, my frustration turned to irritation, then anger. She was trying to be professional by insisting I call her Annaleigh but threw in the blue comment like a tease. I finally had the catalyst to move from Chicago, and this distraction could not jeopardize my job. But regardless of how angry I was with my inability to focus, the flirty banter bullshit was proving to be the highlight of my day.
When I tore myself away from the fantasies and made it to work, I rushed up the stairs, pretending I didn’t see her silhouette in Jake’s office and shut my door.
Annaleigh walked in a little later with a coffee while I held up a picture, trying to figure out where to hang it, oblivious to the pull she had, which pissed me off even more. She didn’t knock, just swept into my life like she had always belonged there.
“Good morning, Max. Why not center it over there? If you plan on keeping the table, it will draw the eye, especially if the frame is the same shade as the table. Here,” she said, walking over to show me and placing a mug on my desk.
There was a noise I couldn’t place. It took me a second to realize she was humming quietly, unconsciously, like there was a song playing in the background of her mind.
Pushing the sappy thought from my head, I saw she had brought me coffee in my mug. That coffee mug was a present from Warren and said, MBA...When Your BS Can’t Take You Any Further. She took it upon herself to come into my office and get my favorite mug. It was thoughtful, sweet, and something she had done every day. And that small gesture, for some reason, had me furious.
I couldn’t explain it, but the need to lash out at her was overwhelming. I felt like if I didn’t push her away, I would pull her into my arms and drown myself in her blonde hair and citrus scent.
“What do you think, Max?” she said, turning to me with a smile. A smile that lit up her face and made her jade eyes sparkle.
“Why don’t you just do the rest of it?”
“I’ll be glad to sit with you and Elise.”
“Why don’t you just do it? I don’t have time to worry about petty decorating.”
“Petty decorating?” She shook her head and crossed her arms, taking a step back and looking at me. Her posture stiffened like she was ready for whatever I was going to say. Good. If she hated me, I wouldn’t be tempted to spend my days working to see her smile.
“Yes. Did I stutter, Annaleigh?” I purposely spit out her name, pushing the coffee to the end of my desk.
“Excuse me?” Her eyes bored into mine before she rolled them, stepping forward like she was up to the challenge of calling me out for being an asshole. Maybe I was, but her hold over me was infuriating.
“You’re the assistant, right, so assist and handle it.” Yep, I was an asshole.
“Why don’t you keep the dumbfuckery to a minimum today and focus on your job and not lame attempts to pick a fight, Maxwell.”
She stressed my full name, and damn if it didn’t turn me on. And I was sure she used another immature word just to goat me.
“Dumbfuckery?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Did I stutter? I’m sorry, Max, you seem to have mistaken me for a woman who will take your shit.”
“You could have just said yes. There was no need to release the flying monkeys. You are my assistant.”
I stressed the word assistant, and she put one hand on her hip, not giving an inch. Come on, Blue. Push me away.
“Damn straight—I’m your assistant, the best one you’ll ever have. But I am not your punching bag for when you’re in a bad mood. Don’t personify your shit on me because you forgot how to be a decent human being.”
“Your job, Annaleigh,” I started, itching for an argument.
“Stop this, now!” she interrupted, stomping her foot on the tile with a loud click. “I can’t work like this, Max. One day we’re bickering like children, and the next, you’re sweeter than sugar. Something has to give. We need to get everything out in the open, then move the hell on!”
I wanted her in just those heels, legs up in the air, looking at me with the same heat I could see swirling behind her eyes. Stalking closer, I flexed my arms and rubbed the back of my neck. I could feel a vein throbbing in my forehead. “I hate that I can’t stop thinking about you!”
“How is that my problem, you arrogant ass? I hate how sexy you are!” she said back, balling her hands into fists.
“I hate how good you smell, like fucking oranges and sunshine!”
I was sure it was a mistake admitting that, but a slight blush was slowly creeping up her neck to her cheeks, robbing me of basic reasoning skills. Being around her was maddening. She was like a stiff drink at the end of a long day, and all I wanted was to sip from her lips, savoring her flavor.
“Same, Max.” Her shoulders sagged, and she looked at me.
The way she said those words was like she’d admitted defeat. Like she was giving in, yielding, and honestly, it scared the fuck out of me. Witty banter? Sign me up. Flirty innuendos? Duh. Heated arguments? Yes, please. But looking at me like she was, like she could see straight past my facade, wasn’t something I was prepared to handle.
“I smell like oranges too?” I said, trying to lighten the mood because the energy was changing, crackling, and I had the urge to adjust my cock, again.
She stepped closer and took a deep breath. Her eyes flicked down as if she felt it too, and her ears were turning the same delicious shade as her neck.
“It wasn’t oranges,” she said in almost a whisper.
“It was that bad?” Again, I tried to lighten the mood and pretended not to see the desire peeking through those soft, green eyes.
“No, it was... It is... Really, good. Like spicy mint and sandalwood.”
Her words were breathy as she moved closer, close enough to touch, close enough for me to see the rapidly fluttering pulse in her neck.
“Oh.” I met her eyes and moved closer, her citrus scent making me lightheaded.
“Max, I need…”
“What? Tell me, Blue,” I said, purposely using her nickname to gauge her reaction.
Her pupils got wide, and she sucked her lower lip into her mouth, driving me wild and leaning further into my space.
Annaleigh was unknowingly putting my broken pieces back together. I hadn’t been the same since I left Nicole, like something inside me had broken. But whenever I was with her, I felt complete. And out of control, like I needed to lash out again. But hearing my name softly on her lips soothed whatever anguish I felt.
“I need to finish getting your workstation setup,” she said, breaking the moment. She took a step back and put a hand on her stomach, giving me a strained smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “If you want your desk in a different position, we’ll need to add additional power outlets
on the floor. With the renovations, it’s an easy add.”
There was a slight quiver to her voice that made me want to cage her in my arms and demand to know what was going through her head.
“I like the desk where it is. The view is breathtaking.”
She looked out my windows, then back at me, realizing I wasn’t talking about the Cooper River or the Ravenel Bridge.
“Move to the front of the desk, please,” she said, blushing and stepping out of her heels.
Her hips swayed seductively as she moved around me, pulling out my chair. Without her heels, she only came up to my shoulders and looked like she would fit perfectly in the crook of my arm.
“Trying to get rid of me already?” I said, stepping to the side and cuffing my sleeves.
I took off my glasses and pulled my tie from the vest, cleaning them. She tracked the movement, and one corner of her mouth ticked up. Bending down, she opened my bottom desk drawer, took out another handkerchief, and handed it to me. I looked at it, then her, before tucking my tie back in my vest and taking it.
“Not likely,” she said, smiling as I tucked the handkerchief in my pocket, “I need to switch out your docking station and plug everything in, and I’m not bending down here with you standing next to me.”
Bend down? Bend down? Christ, she was going to crawl under my desk in a skirt. Visions of this morning popped before my eyes, making me curse quietly and move towards her, despicably hoping for a peek.
“I’ll be glad to...”
“No, I don’t want to risk you scuffing those Ferragamo’s, excellent choice in shoes, by the way. And love the vest.”
She bent down and got to work. I stood back and watched, useless. I needed to keep arguing, needed to stop glancing down at her, needed to buy a thousand more vests, so she kept looking at me like she had, and I needed to lock myself in the bathroom and take care of this persistent hard-on.
“Max, ready for our call?” Jake said, walking in just as Annaleigh popped out from under my desk like a sexy as hell jack-in-the-box. A wisp of hair came free from her bun, and I wanted to reach out and brush it behind her ear.
“Jake, I’m going to finish setting everything up here. Am I good to sit this one out?”
“That’s fine, no new business, just more introductions,” Jake replied, looking to her on her knees and back to me. I took another step back, keeping my eyes anywhere but on her.
“Thank you for your help, Annaleigh,” I said, meeting her eyes as I followed Jake out of the room.
“You’re welcome, Max. I’ll have your mask choices when you get back. Oh, and Jake, I picked up a new one for you. The one you had doesn’t match Katie’s.”
“We can’t have that, can we? Thank you,” Jake said, smiling and walking out. He motioned for me to follow. I looked back one more time, but Anna was already looking away, setting up something underneath my desk.
The call was a welcome distraction, and an hour later, she walked back in with a box, removing the tissue paper to show me four masks. One was gold with black, covering close to half of the right side of my face, very Phantom of the Opera, and a silver mask, barely covering my eyes that tied with a black ribbon. There was also a wide black metal filigree mask with dark gray detailing, and another one colored a deep metallic navy with detailed silver fleur-de-lis’ on it.
All four were great finds. I wondered if she had a secret mask connection within the city, meeting someone in a back alley at three o’clock in the morning for the deal to go down. My eyes moved back to the gold and black design.
“I agree,” she said, following my eyes and not missing a detail. I could see why Jake speaks so highly of her—her ability to read people was second nature. Or maybe that was just her ability to read me.
“Pair this one with gold cufflinks. You’ll also be able to wear your glasses comfortably.” Wow, I couldn’t believe she took my glasses into account.
“Great options, Annaleigh.”
“Thanks, Max. My back-alley mask connections always come through before events.”
She winked and ran her hand over the black ribbon of one mask. I guess we were back on a level playing field.
Wait. What? Her back-alley connections? She was too far in my head, creeping into my brain like my favorite song on repeat.
“Damn,” I said, touching the buttons where my cufflinks would normally be.
“What?”
“My gold cufflinks, I didn’t bring them with me.”
I knew exactly where they were, still in my top dresser drawer back in Chicago, or maybe at the bottom of Lake Michigan by now. I’d almost prefer Lake Michigan. I’m pretty sure those were a gift.
“Can someone overnight them for you?”
“No, absolutely not. Not worth the trouble,” I said.
Her eyebrows drew together, and I sighed, knowing this would come out eventually—the fewer words, the better when it came to my past.
“The cufflinks are residing in my old house, with my ex, who I have no desire to speak to, ever.”
“Ah, I see. In that case, I’ll pick up new ones for you before Saturday.”
“That’s unnecessary, Annaleigh,” I said, taking off my glasses and reaching for the handkerchief.
“Max, this is my job. I’ll be happy to pick some up. Is there anything else you are missing?”
“Um, well, yes, but personal errands are not part of your job description.”
“They are, actually. I assist with anything that makes your life easier. I won’t even go into everything I’ve done for Jake these last few years. What else do you need?”
She said that last part with a reassuring smile, letting me know she didn’t mind.
I’d doubt she’d be smiling if she knew the dirty thoughts going through my head on all the ways she could make my life easier. Starting with relieving the pressure in my cock.
“I need dress socks. My washer and dryer were just delivered, and I haven’t hooked them up. And where did you get the Chinese evergreen? I’d like another for the opposite corner over there,” I pointed, and she followed my finger to the empty space in the office.
“There’s a nursery close to my house with a great selection. I’ll take care of everything. What’s your shoe size, and do you prefer a particular brand?” she asked, pulling her phone out to take notes.
“No, and twelve,” I said, glancing at my computer and seeing it was time to leave for my meeting.
“Of course, they’re a twelve,” I heard her quietly say under her breath.
I should let it go. I shouldn’t instigate, but once again, my body seemed to outwit my mind. “What was that?”
“Oh, nothing I should have said out loud. I’m sorry, Max. Honestly, I’m still distracted.”
“Why? You still haven’t told me why, Blue.”
“Max, you know why.”
“Do I? Tell me.”
It was a command, a plea on my lips. I was back to my basic instincts, needing her words like oxygen. I wanted to crowd her space, tangle my fingers in her hair, and make her yield, make her mine.
“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it, Blue.”
“No, Max. Don’t do that. Don’t use someone else’s words.”
Once again, she called me on my bullshit, this time picking up I was quoting Oscar Wilde. Damn this woman.
“Aren’t you tired of this? The back and forth, the bickering?” I said, moving closer.
“How do you expect me to answer that? Nothing has changed, Max. You’re my boss.”
“But what if I wasn’t?”
Her mouth opened to respond, but I stepped back and held my hands up, not wanting to hear her justification. I got it. I did. But some unexpected force kept pulling me to her. I’d never ask her to break the rules or compromise her job, but I also couldn’t preten
d that I wasn’t attracted to her. I couldn’t pretend that I didn’t want more.
I put distance between us and crossed my arms. With a shake of her head, she walked out, closing the door behind her.
- 8 -
THE MELODY
Annaleigh
I walked back to my desk in a daze. How could he go from maddening to sexy and back so fast? I was getting whiplash from his constant hot and cold. Max was like a gas-station burrito. So hot he burned your tongue with one bite, and in the next, your teeth chattered because it was ice cold. And all you’re left with at the end was an empty wrapper and indigestion.
Oh my God, but what was it about this man?
I was not the kind of girl to get all squishy over a guy, but here I was doing exactly that. And I definitely did not get weak in the knees and wet in the panties. I was a strong, successful woman, but being on this pheromone-charged rollercoaster was infuriating! I felt out of control, distracted, and so damn turned on.
We couldn’t continue this act, whatever it was. What if we got involved and it ended badly? He would have to leave, or I would, and neither of those options was acceptable. I needed distance and carbs.
My phone beeped with a text from my cousin Alex, asking me to come to lunch at B’s. I said yes right away. I dropped my phone in my purse and went to close my laptop when it pinged with an instant message. I saw Benjamin’s name and slumped down in my chair, not wanting to deal with his bullshit.
Benjamin.Whitney: Go out with me this weekend.
Annaleigh.Mackey: No, thank you.
Benjamin.Whitney: Playing hard to get, I like that.
Annaleigh.Mackey: No, thank you.
I saved the message and closed my laptop, shaking my head. I was getting tired of dealing with his passive-aggressive comments. One of these days, he was going to say something that would cross a line, and I would get human resources involved. Until then, I’d save the messages and send them to Jake to document. I stood up and stretched, slipping my heels back on and purposely not looking in the board room as I walked to the elevator.