thoughtfully.
“Umm, thanks Cherie. You also,” I sputter, trying my hardest to keep my eyes trained on her and not the devilishly handsome man sitting to my left.
It’s useless. His gaze scorches right through me. He could be clear across the room and I would still feel the warmth those clear jade eyes of his instills within me. It doesn’t help that I’m still reeling from the frenzy he worked me into yesterday. Pushing down my ramping hormones, I glance around the room once again, taking in the extreme craziness of it all, and letting out a nervous laugh.
“What is all this?” I ask, directing my question to Cherie.
With a roll of her eyes, she gives me an awkward smile, which does nothing to ease my nervousness. “I guess you could call this your going away present.”
My eyes blink in surprise. This can’t be happening . I turn to Daemon, expecting him to jump in and help me, instead I find him reclined in his seat, acting as if everything is fine, and my world is not combusting in front of my face. Taking in his smug smirk and confident posture, I want nothing more than to smack the hell out of him. Instead of turning to violence, I laugh. It’s not a happy sound. In fact, my voice sounds unnaturally high pitched and hysterical. That is exactly how I feel. Not to mention, pissed, angry, sad, and close to losing it.
I fist the sides of the chair. I work at putting my jumbled thoughts together so I can get the words I need to say out.
“You just had to step in didn’t you? Thanks for nothing,” I huff. I narrow my eyes on him, making him see the hurt and fury running though me. I should have stopped him yesterday. I knew him going to Cherie and demanding to keep me on his project would only lead to more trouble. I don’t want to lose my job.
Deep down I know he is not the only one at blame. I went to him on my own. I chose to accept his gifts, sleep with him, invite him into my life, and fall in love with him. Despite all that, I can’t push past the anger coursing through me. I screwed up and this is my punishment. Through the buzzing in my ears I can hear Cherie trying to talk to me, but I can’t make out her words. I blink against the black spots blurring my vision. I think I’m going to faint.
Shit. Shit. Shit
I close my eyes and concentrate on my breathing. I’ve got to get control of myself. Someone starts gently shaking me and rubbing a soothing hand up and down my back. I turn my head and see Cherie’s face. She has squatted down beside me to try and calm me. Her face is etched with worry and I instantly feel bad for dragging her into the middle of my problems.
The slow breathing is helping. Pushing through my initial panic, I sit upright in my chair, push a hand through my hair, and lick my now parched lips. I don’t have to turn around to know he is close behind me. I can feel him. I’m thankful he hasn’t touched me. If he does, I know I will fall apart, and that definitely won’t help in getting my job back.
“Cherie,” I begin, giving her a small smile. “Please give me another chance. I know I screwed up and broke office policy, but I am one hell of an interior designer, and I promise to follow every rule from here on out.”
I want to say more, but Cherie is already shaking her head back and forth, urging me to stop. I don’t want to stop! I need this job and if I have to beg and plead then so be it. I would prefer not to do it in front of Daemon, but screw him. The bastard has yet to say a damn word to help me out.
Asshat!
“ Kelly, I’m sorry,” Cherie begins, not giving me a chance to speak. “I messed this all up. I should have worded that better.” I stare at her more confused than ever. “You’re not being fired, sweetie.” She stops and pats my knee, letting her words sink in. “Kelly, you’re going on a company trip for a two weeks. I hope you like Spain,” she says grinning from ear to ear.
“What?” I yell whisper. This is not making any
“Umm, thanks Cherie. You also,” I sputter, trying my hardest to keep my eyes trained on her and not the devilishly handsome man sitting to my left.
It’s useless. His gaze scorches right through me. He could be clear across the room and I would still feel the warmth those clear jade eyes of his instills within me. It doesn’t help that I’m still reeling from the frenzy he worked me into yesterday. Pushing down my ramping hormones, I glance around the room once again, taking in the extreme craziness of it all, and letting out a nervous laugh.
“What is all this?” I ask, directing my question to Cherie.
With a roll of her eyes, she gives me an awkward smile, which does nothing to ease my nervousness. “I guess you could call this your going away present.”
My eyes blink in surprise. This can’t be happening . I turn to Daemon, expecting him to jump in and help me, instead I find him reclined in his seat, acting as if everything is fine, and my world is not combusting in front of my face. Taking in his smug smirk and confident posture, I want nothing more than to smack the hell out of him. Instead of turning to violence, I laugh. It’s not a happy sound. In fact, my voice sounds unnaturally high pitched and hysterical. That is exactly how I feel. Not to mention, pissed, angry, sad, and close to losing it.
I fist the sides of the chair. I work at putting my jumbled thoughts together so I can get the words I need to say out.
“You just had to step in didn’t you? Thanks for nothing,” I huff. I narrow my eyes on him, making him see the hurt and fury running though me. I should have stopped him yesterday. I knew him going to Cherie and demanding to keep me on his project would only lead to more trouble. I don’t want to lose my job.
Deep down I know he is not the only one at blame. I went to him on my own. I chose to accept his gifts, sleep with him, invite him into my life, and fall in love with him. Despite all that, I can’t push past the anger coursing through me. I screwed up and this is my punishment. Through the buzzing in my ears I can hear Cherie trying to talk to me, but I can’t make out her words. I blink against the black spots blurring my vision. I think I’m going to faint.
Shit. Shit. Shit
I close my eyes and concentrate on my breathing. I’ve got to get control of myself. Someone starts gently shaking me and rubbing a soothing hand up and down my back. I turn my head and see Cherie’s face. She has squatted down beside me to try and calm me. Her face is etched with worry and I instantly feel bad for dragging her into the middle of my problems.
The slow breathing is helping. Pushing through my initial panic, I sit upright in my chair, push a hand through my hair, and lick my now parched lips. I don’t have to turn around to know he is close behind me. I can feel him. I’m thankful he hasn’t touched me. If he does, I know I will fall apart, and that definitely won’t help in getting my job back.
“Cherie,” I begin, giving her a small smile. “Please give me another chance. I know I screwed up and broke office policy, but I am one hell of an interior designer, and I promise to follow every rule from here on out.”
I want to say more, but Cherie is already shaking her head back and forth, urging me to stop. I don’t want to stop! I need this job and if I have to beg and plead then so be it. I would prefer not to do it in front of Daemon, but screw him. The bastard has yet to say a damn word to help me out.
Asshat!
“ Kelly, I’m sorry,” Cherie begins, not giving me a chance to speak. “I messed this all up. I should have worded that better.” I stare at her more confused than ever. “You’re not being fired, sweetie.” She stops and pats my knee, letting her words sink in. “Kelly, you’re going on a company trip for a two weeks. I hope you like Spain,” she says grinning from ear to ear.
“What?” I yell whisper. This is not making any
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