zipping his mouth shut. We make our way up the stairs and into the foyer where Josie, again, looks at Aiden lovingly and eyes me cautiously.
"I think she's totally in love with you." I get into the elevator, while he looks over to her and grins.
" Morning, Mr. O'Connell, " she yells out before the doors close.
I take his hand so she sees, and he shakes his head. She frowns and exhales.
"You're mean."
"No, I'm not; I'm showing her what's mine."
"I'm yours, am I?"
"No shit Sherlock, you better be."
"Okay, okay, I got it."
I lean up and kiss him on the lips. He pulls me close to him, kissing me strongly, his tongue entering my mouth, his hand caressing my face, the other holding my hand. I feel my core reacting with the need to be with him again. I kiss him back strongly. The elevator chimes, but he doesn't let go of me like I thought he would. The doors open, and Alistair and Brielle are standing in the foyer waiting for us, because we're now half an hour late.
"Uh-hum." Brielle clears her throat. We part, and I stand back, feeling somewhat embarrassed looking down at my shoes. I hear a loud huff as we walk out of the elevator and past Alistair. I can't look at him. I'm scared of what I'll see.
"Father."
We walk past Alistair, hand in hand to my desk. Still looking down, I sit down and turn on my computer. Aiden continues to his office.
" Aiden! My office, now, " Alistair yells, making me jump. Alistair starts to walk toward his office; Aiden follows and shuts the door.
Oh crap. I wonder what's going to be said. I sigh and look over at Brielle, who's smiling.
"You two are cute."
"Thanks, I didn't mean to still be kissing him when the elevator door opened. Do you think your father's mad?"
"Hmm, yeah, I'd say so."
I hear a muffled conversation coming from Alistair's office. I can't quite make out what's being said, but it does get louder and louder, making the conversation crystal clear.
"This is a place of work, not a brothel! You should know better. What if the clients arrived early and saw your little stunt?"
"Right, so now Jeni's a hooker? Nice, Father!"
"She may as well be, and a bad one at that. She isn't even pretty, son. Remember what I said. Women are conveniences, and one you don't need right now. Now is your time to shine at work, not in the bedroom."
" Oh my god, what is wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me? It's her. That's what's wrong with me. You're so good at what you do. You're extremely clever, son, with a very bright future ahead of you. She's a distraction. You don't need a distraction in your life, especially a woman; they're more trouble than they're worth. Trust me, Aiden; I know what I'm talking about. You need to get rid of her now. I don't mind her being your PA, if she's good at it, but this whole girlfriend business has got to stop right now."
" Father, stop! She has a name. It's Jeni. She's the love of my life, and I'm not going to give her up. We live together. She's more than just a fling. Love does exist. It's not a convenience, as you so badly put it. Get over it because if you don't, I'm gone."
I look at Brielle in a state of shock and feel tears welling in my eyes.
"What do you mean, you're gone?"
"I mean if you keep this up, I will quit."
"Ha, then you'll both be jobless. You won't quit, boy. You don't have it in you."
Brielle stands up and rushes to the door before Aiden says something he'll regret. She swings the door open.
"That's enough, you two. We can hear you out here, and I'm sure three floors down can hear you too. The Andersons will be here soon."
Aiden looks at me. I try not to cry, but I'm feeling overly emotional. I look away from him and concentrate on my computer. My bottom lip quivers as I try to control myself. He walks out of his father's office and slams the door shut, leaving Brielle and Alistair in there.
"I'm so sorry." He makes his way to me, while I continue to look down. I feel him swing my chair around, and he pulls me up from my seat.
Sonya Sones
Jackie Barrett
T.J. Bennett
Peggy Moreland
J. W. v. Goethe
Sandra Robbins
Reforming the Viscount
Erlend Loe
Robert Sheckley
John C. McManus