Wrong Number

by R. L. Kenderson

  “Holy shit. What does it say?”

  “I’ll tell you everything later,” I promised. “But all he has to do is look out his office window to see us talking. I don’t want him to know I told you.”

  Leslie was quiet a minute. “Okay. I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.” She looked over. “And I want to read every word later.”

  “Duh,” I said.

  She smiled and turned back around. “I can’t wait,” I heard her say.

  I picked up my phone and bit my lip. I didn’t know how to respond. He could be flirting with me, or he could just be acting like a boss as he had when we’d talked.

  There was only one way to find out.

  Me: I was thinking about you being inside me.

  I looked up at him, only to find him on his office phone.

  Ugh.

  He probably wasn’t going to read it for a long time. So much for my experiment.

  Buzz.

  Cal: Fuck, Indy. You can’t write stuff like that to me.

  Me: Because you’re my boss now?

  Cal: No. Because I can’t do anything about it. You don’t know how badly I wanted to lay you down on my desk and take you right there.

  Me: You sure didn’t act like it.

  Cal: Of course I didn’t. I’m your boss. My new assistant would have called the Chicago office in a second.

  Me: I don’t know about that. Keith is pretty loyal to his bosses.

  Cal: I don’t think he’d be loyal if he knew the things I wanted to do to you.

  Me: Like what?

  Cal: I can’t talk about that right now. I was already hard the whole time you were in here. I need to concentrate.

  Me: Whatever you say. You’re the boss.

  I waited for him to respond again, but nothing came through.

  Suppressing my disappointment, I set my phone down and got to work.

  Cal

  Not responding to Indy was tough, but I couldn’t risk not paying attention to the immediate conversation.

  I was on the phone with one of our biggest investors, and he needed me to reassure him that nothing was going to change with the incoming new management.

  But it was really hard to concentrate.

  Seeing Indy walk through my office door had been like a punch in the gut. Or more like a punch in the dick.

  When I’d left her house Sunday morning, I hadn’t thought I’d ever see her again. Unless maybe either one of us needed some no-strings sex, which I wasn’t exactly counting on.

  It was a good thing I’d had some warning before she walked in, but I still hadn’t been fully prepared.

  When my assistant had told me that one of my staff that I was supposed to meet with had gone home sick, he’d given me her name and info. Indy wasn’t a common name, and two minutes on the internet confirmed that one of my new employees was the woman I’d had sex with the weekend before.

  I told Keith that I wanted to see Indy right away that morning. I suspected she hadn’t really been sick and had left early when I made my introduction the day before. I needed to talk to her and let her know that I was aware of her existence. I wanted her to know that I considered her a part of the team and no different from any other employee.

  That was the plan anyway.

  But when she walked in, I wasn’t ready for the instant attraction to hit me again. Or the memory of our night together. It didn’t help that she looked sexy as hell.

  She was dressed like any other coworker in the office, but I knew what she looked like underneath those clothes.

  I was still determined to keep a professional distance—until she turned red and squirmed in her seat. She looked turned on, guilty, and embarrassed, all at once.

  I’d just had to know what she was thinking.

  I picked up my cell as I pushed my office phone between my head and my shoulder. “Yes. Yes, sir, that’s right,” I said as I unlocked my phone and looked at her message again.

  Indy: I was thinking about you being inside me.

  I groaned as the blood rushed back to my groin. My dick had just started to go down after I read the message the first time.

  “Mr. Callan, are you listening to me?” the investor demanded, sounding like a pompous asshole.

  I had already confirmed what he wanted to know. Twice. I wasn’t going to go through this again.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but something just came to my attention. I’d best take care of it. We wouldn’t want your hard-earned investment going to waste.”

  “No, we wouldn’t,” he reluctantly agreed.

  “Have your assistant call mine, and we can set up another appointment.” I ended the call and hung up the phone. “Keith?” I called from my open door.

  Keith popped his head in the door. “Yes, Mr. Callan?”

  Even though Indy had told me not to bother, I corrected him, “It’s Cal. And when Mr. Bernard’s assistant calls to set up an appointment, please don’t schedule it for this week.”

  Keith smiled. “Sure thing, Mr. Callan.”

  “You can send in the next person for me to talk to.”

  “I’ll be right back with Leslie Hale.”

  I pulled up her file while Keith went to get her. She was in the same division as Indy, and when I looked up to watch where Keith had gone, it looked like the two women sat next to each other.

  They exchanged a few bits of conversation before Leslie came back to my office.

  “Mr. Callan, Leslie Hale is here,” Keith introduced her.

  I stood. “Welcome, Leslie.”

  She marched up to me with a smile and held out her hand.

  I shook it, and she looked disappointed.

  “Damn,” she said after she let go.

  I raised my eyebrow, more wondering what she’d expected than her use of a curse word in the office, but I was a little impressed with her boldness.

  “Pardon?” I asked.

  She leaned forward and whispered, “I wanted to see if I felt a spark.”

  Leslie was tall and pretty with long strawberry-blonde hair and blue eyes, but she was right. There was no electricity between us.

  Behind Leslie, I noticed Keith perk up where he stood against the wall. My guess was that he was trying to listen to what Leslie had to say.

  I lowered my voice to match. “I take it, she told you.”

  I didn’t need to be specific. She knew what I was talking about.

  “Yes. She’s my best friend.”

  I frowned. “Are we going to have a problem?”

  Leslie lost her smile and looked startled, which was good. I might be a nice guy, but I didn’t take shit from my employees.

  “No, sir, not at all. I was just having a little fun.”

  I raised my voice to normal. “In that case, you can call me Cal.”

  Eight

  Indy

  By the time I’d left work, Cal hadn’t answered my question. He had only sent me one text, asking if Leslie was going to be a problem.

  I’d basically looked at her and asked, “What did you do?”

  She had shrugged and said it was no big deal and that she and Cal were on the same page. I hadn’t quite believed her and made her promise not to do anything crazy.

  When I got home that night, it finally occurred to me that I hadn’t messaged Joel about how he’d sent me the wrong number. I’d been so consumed with Cal that I’d completely forgotten about the guy I’d gone out on three dates with.

  I also thought it was weird that he hadn’t asked why I hadn’t texted him. It was Tuesday. I had asked him for his phone number on Friday. I had a strong feeling that he’d given me the wrong number on purpose.

  I pulled up the dating app and sent Joel a message.

  Me: Hey. So, I sent a text to the number you gave me, and the person told me I had the wrong number.

  Joel: What? I’m sorry. I don’t know how that happened. I think I had too much to drink at dinner. Maybe it’s better if we just message each other on here.

/>   That was a crock of shit.

  Me: Yeah, I don’t think so. I think you meant to give me the wrong number.

  Joel: No, I didn’t.

  Me: Then, why didn’t you message me all weekend, asking why I hadn’t called or texted you?

  Me: Don’t worry. You don’t have to answer that. It’s because you knew you had given me a number that wasn’t yours, so you weren’t expecting anything.

  Joel: That’s not true.

  Me: Okay. Prove it. Give me your number. Right now.

  Joel: I can’t.

  This guy. I knew something was wrong.

  Joel: It’s my work phone. I can get in trouble.

  Me: Bullshit.

  Me: Goodbye, Joel. If that’s even your name.

  I didn’t wait for him to answer. I just went to his profile and blocked him. Then, I pulled up my Contacts and called Leslie.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey. So, I sent Joel a message when I got home and asked him why he had given me the wrong number.”

  “Oh my God. I forgot all about Joel with all the stuff that’s happened the last few days.”

  “To be honest, I did too.”

  “What did he say?”

  “Oh, you know, he made a mistake, but since he messed up, he thought we should just stick to the app.”

  “You always know it’s a bad sign when he won’t give you his phone number.”

  “Yeah, the dick probably has a wife.”

  “Or he’s a serial killer.”

  I sighed. “Really, Leslie?”

  “Hey, can you tell me he’s not?”

  “Well … no,” I admitted.

  “See.”

  “Leslie.”

  “Okay, okay. You’re probably right. He’s probably married.”

  “Thank you.” I thought I’d just wanted to know I wasn’t totally off in my thinking.

  “And a serial killer,” she added quickly.

  She’d just had to slip that in there.

  “I’m going to hang up now,” I said.

  “No, wait.”

  “What?”

  “What did he text you?”

  I was confused. “I already told you.”

  “Not him. Cal.”

  “Oh.” I smiled. “He asked me what I’d been thinking about in our little meeting because I turned red and couldn’t sit still.”

  “What were you thinking about?”

  “Sex.”

  Leslie burst out laughing. “And what did you tell him?”

  “Sex.” Close enough. I didn’t want to say out loud what I had written.

  “Oh my God, what did he say?”

  I smiled. “He told me I couldn’t write stuff like that at work because it made him hard and he wanted to bend me over the desk.”

  Leslie squealed. “That is so hot. No wonder you told Joel good riddance.”

  “But it’s not like Cal and I are dating.”

  “But you do realize that you’d rather have someone like Cal rather than Joel, right?”

  “Yes. But I’m trying to stay away from alpha males. Or more alpha-like males.”

  “Then, stay away from Cal.”

  “Why?”

  “Today, when I told him I was your best friend and I knew what had happened between the two of you, he looked me dead in the eye and asked if we were going to have a problem. I might not feel the attraction to him that you do, but I swear a shiver went up my spine. He seems nice, but he’s no beta male. He’ll do what he needs to do to get the job done.”

  A shiver went up my spine, too, as I pictured the two of them facing off. I liked it. It also made me slightly jealous. I didn’t like that feeling as much.

  “Besides, no other man is going to come over to some stranger’s house like he did and fuck her the way he fucked you.”

  “I don’t know. My brother would totally show up at some random chick’s house if she said she wanted to have sex.”

  “Yeah, and then your brother would just stand there, waiting for her to make the move.”

  “Okay, so I’ve never seen my brother in that situation, but I could totally picture it.”

  My brother was a little on the dorky side and not a lady’s man in the least.

  “And was Cal like that?”

  “No. He pushed me against the wall and kissed me.”

  “Yes. That is what I’m talking about.”

  “When’s the last time you got laid?”

  Leslie sighed. “Too long. Asher’s out of town.”

  I laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “My sweet, sweet Leslie is saving herself for her boyfriend,” I teased.

  “He’s not my boyfriend.”

  “Yet you’re not dating or having sex with anyone else.”

  “Shut up, boss-fucker.”

  I laughed harder.

  “You just wait, Indy. Some guy is going to make an honest woman out of you too.”

  “I can only hope. Unlike some people, I don’t want to be single forever.”

  “I have to go.”

  “Leslie, don’t leave me. I need you,” I cried out.

  “I’m going to hack into your phone and text Cal and tell him you want him to come over right now.”

  “You wouldn’t. Besides, you don’t know how to hack a phone.”

  “But I know someone who can.”

  “You still wouldn’t. You love me too much.”

  “You’re right; I do. But I’m very tempted.”

  “Listen, I really do have to go.”

  “Same. Will you let me know if you hear from Cal again?”

  “Duh. Like you have to ask.”

  “Later, Indy.”

  “Bye, Leslie.”

  After hanging up, I made myself dinner and cleaned up the kitchen. I did some things around the house before I let myself sit down and relax with my phone.

  I’d told myself not to look because I didn’t have a notification, but I checked my messages anyway, just to see if Cal had texted me.

  I really wanted to know what he had been thinking about during our introductory meeting. For all I knew, he’d just said that to get me interested. And this was why I needed to get away from alpha males.

  I watched an episode of a show I’d found on Netflix, read a few chapters in a book, texted back and forth with Leslie, and spent way too much time on social media.

  I had just brushed my teeth and climbed into bed when my phone dinged. Figuring it was Leslie and that she could wait to talk tomorrow, I almost didn’t answer it.

  But curiosity got the better of me, and I picked up my phone. I mean, what if something exciting had happened to my best friend and I missed it because I was too lazy to look at my phone?

  But it wasn’t Leslie.

  Cal: Do you still want an answer to your question? It’s not going to be pretty.

  I knew exactly what question he was talking about. It was the one where I’d asked what he wanted to do to me while I was in his office.

  My heartbeat picked up, and electricity raced through my body.

  Me: Yes.

  As if he even needs to ask.

  Cal: I imagined you getting on your knees and crawling under my desk to suck my cock. Then, after I came down your throat, I’d pick you up and spread you on top of it, so I could eat that beautiful pussy of yours. After making you come once, maybe twice, I’d bury myself inside you so far, you’d cry out in pain. But then I’d fuck away all the hurt—to the point you’d forget how rough I was with you.

  When I finished reading his message, my eyes were wide, and I was stunned. I immediately went back up to the top and read it again.

  And again.

  Leslie was right about this guy being an alpha male, and I found it extremely hot.

  Nine

  Cal

  I waited for Indy to text me back, but after a few seconds, I figured it wasn’t going to happen. I’d warned her that my thoughts weren’t pretty.

  I l
ocked my screen and got out of my vehicle. Instead of thinking about my hot employee, I really should be going to bed or at least looking at the work I’d brought home.

  I’d gone to my parents’ house for dinner, thinking I would be there a couple of hours and then come home and work.

  I hadn’t planned on my brother and sister being there with their spouses and kids. All the people, including three small children, in the house made for a long night. I’d also accidentally seen my sister-in-law’s boob when she was breastfeeding. My brother had just shrugged and moved on.

  It was going to take some getting used to, having so much family around.

  I walked into my dark house and took a minute to enjoy the silence. I loved my family, but they could be a lot.

  I threw my phone on the kitchen counter and walked to my bedroom to change. I pulled on a pair of gray sweatpants and a white T-shirt because if I was going to work this late, I was going to be comfortable. Back in the living room, I turned on the ten o’clock news and opened my laptop.

  I didn’t get very far into my work when my phone buzzed against my counter.

  Indy: I’ve typed out several messages, and I just keep deleting them.

  I frowned. I had no idea what she meant by that.

  Me: Not everyone likes bluntness. I apologize for what I wrote even if it was true.

  Me: I take that back. I apologize if I offended you. But I’m not going to say I’m sorry for wanting what I want.

  Indy: No, I’m not offended.

  Me: That’s good. But was it too much? Are you going to HR?

  I was joking about the last part, but when she didn’t reply, I feared she was going to say yes. I wasn’t going to apologize for wanting her, but maybe I should be careful about getting involved with someone who could get me fired.

  It took her so long to reply that I set my phone down and went back to work. When my phone buzzed again, I almost didn’t answer because I didn’t feel like playing games. I wanted her to just come out and write what she was thinking.

  Indy: Are you a dom?

  Me: A dom?

  Indy: A dominant. Are you into BDSM?