Something about you

I had just gathered my things, ready to leave the office and head home when I was halted by Paula Jefferson, one of my coworkers. Annoyed, I turned around hesitantly, bewildered as she sprinted toward me near the exit. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her, thinking maybe I should have met her halfway. "You're a fast walker. I didn't think I'd catch up to you in time," she gasped, thanking me for stopping. With a forced smile, I asked, "What can I do for you, Paula?" Deep down, I was frustrated because all I wanted was to leave and be done with this place. Instead, here I was, stuck in the lobby, engaging with a coworker who felt like a stranger. "You were running over here like the building was on fire. Something wrong?" Paula shook her head. "No, it's not me. Mr. Kincaid needs to see you," she revealed, instantly accelerating my heart rate with just the mention of his name. It was his last name, not even his first, that had such an effect on me. God, how pathetic could I be when it came to that man? "He stopped me as I was leaving and asked if you were still around. I told him you had just left, but I thought I could catch up to you, so I told him to wait. Long story short, he wants to see you in his office." "Now?" I asked, feeling my anxiety grow. Paula nodded. "Right now." Damn it! I didn't have time for his nonsense tonight. I wanted to go home, rest my pounding headache, and I despised driving in the dark. I couldn't afford to waste any more time lingering here, and certainly not if I had to be alone... with him. Oh, please, if there's a higher power listening, help me out of this. "If it's any consolation, he sounded calm when he spoke to me," Paula said, but I was too consumed by impure thoughts of my boss to pay her much attention. "I don't think it's anything bad that he wants to discuss." "Let's hope not," I muttered, hastily considering my options. I could leave right now and make up some excuse tomorrow morning to explain why I didn't go see him. Or I could lie and say I never ran into Paula, so when he inevitably asked me about it later, I could claim ignorance. But who was I kidding? I knew the kind of man he was. He would see through my lies in an instant. There was no escaping Rafael Kincaid. He was relentless, like a boomerang that always came back, no matter how far you threw him. I had tried hiding, dodging, and running away countless times before, to no avail. He was dedicated to getting to me, one way or another. "The longer you stand here contemplating, the more time you waste getting home," Paula advised before bidding her farewell and exiting the building. Part of me desperately wanted to follow her, but my feet wouldn't budge. Instead, I found myself retracing my steps down the hallway and stepping into the same elevator I had just gotten off moments ago. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake Rafael Kincaid from my life. After all, he was my boss. But things shouldn't have become so complicated between us. There were so many things that had escalated to this point. I shouldn't be calling him by his first name in private, and he shouldn't be summoning me to his office after work hours to discuss non-work-related matters. As I make my way to the top floor, I can feel the turmoil within me. The situation is a mess, and I'm at a loss for how to improve it. Thoughts of resorting to physical violence against this man consume me, but I remind myself to stay in control. I focus on my breathing, inhaling and exhaling, attempting to calm my racing pulse as I press the button to go up. Reluctantly, I step out of the elevator and approach his office. The grand mahogany door, adorned with his name in bold font, serves as a reminder of his overpowering presence. Knocking twice, my anticipation intensifies with each passing moment. Impatience takes hold, and I whisper, "Damn it, Rafael, what are you doing in there?" I knock for the third time, this time with more force, hoping to convey my frustration. The effect this man has on me, on women in general, is unparalleled. Despite working here for some time, I can never fully acclimate to his magnetic charm, his alluring appearance, and captivating aura. As a simple girl from a mundane town, I am constantly entranced by Rafael Kincaid, a man of charisma and seduction. I have to maintain my guard in this environment, working harder than ever to resist his allure. Giving in would make me just another victim, another woman seduced, used, and discarded by him. I despise the conflicting feelings I have for him—liking him one moment, wanting to lash out the next. "Get it together, Kathy," I try to encourage myself. "This isn't the first time you've been up here." And deep down, I know it won't be the last. As I stand outside his door, waiting for his response, a wave of negative thoughts floods my mind. How many women before me have been in this position? How many have fallen prey to Rafael Kincaid's enchantment, only to end up broken and shattered? The answers to those questions terrify me, but at least I can say I haven't crossed any lines with my irresistibly attractive boss. I was aware of his reputation before taking this job, and I made sure to keep my distance. However, that hasn't stopped him from persistently pursuing me. I have managed to resist his advances, though not without difficulty. Perhaps that is why he is so determined to win me over—I might be the first woman to reject him. "You can come in now, Ms. Summers," he eventually calls out, interrupting my thoughts. His voice sends shivers down my spine, and I scold myself for the effect it has on me. Placing my briefcase on the floor, smoothing out my dress, I mentally prepare myself before finally turning the doorknob and stepping into his office. The office is grand, spacious, and adorned with exquisite decor. It begs to be admired, but I refuse to give him that satisfaction. Roman's ego is inflated enough as it is. "I don't have all night to play with you, Rafael," I say, shutting the door behind me and making my way to the chair in front of his desk. The desk itself is large enough to accommodate two bodies comfortably, but I won't acknowledge that fact. "Let's cut the bullshit and get this over with. What do you want from me? Besides the obvious." Attempting to maintain my composure while his electric blue eyes meet mine becomes a daunting task. His devilish smile nearly undoes me, and when he rises from his seat and approaches me, I freeze in my chair. He stops just inches away, looking down at me, attempting to intimidate. "You already know what I want from you, Katherine," he says, leaning back against his desk and crossing his arms over his stylish suit. His charm and appearance aside, the issue remains. "What I can't understand is why you persist in being so stubborn. Why won't you let me in? How long must we continue this cat-and-mouse game?" I roll my eyes and hold my ground, to some extent. "Listen, I've already told you countless times," I retort. "We will never, ever be together. I won't sleep with you just because you desire it. It doesn't matter who you are or how much money you have. I don't want you in that way, and I refuse to be another one of your casual encounters." I pause to take a breath, frustrated by his nonchalant demeanor as he absentmindedly runs his hand through his hair. "When will you understand that I'm simply not interested?" He laughs, finding my words amusing, which infuriates me. This is what I dislike most about him—he never takes me seriously when I need him to, fully aware of how it annoys me. "You really need to lighten up, darling," he smirks, stepping closer and lowering himself in front of me. Our bodies are mere inches apart, and despite my resolve, I'm tempted to break character when he teases with his tongue on his lip. He knows, deep down, that a part of me secretly desires him intensely. He knows it, and I know it too. We can both sense it. Our connection has reached a point where we can almost read each other like an open book. At this moment, the s****l tension between us is palpable, teasing the limits. "Have I ever mentioned how much I adore that sharp tongue of yours?" he grins, seemingly disregarding my earlier insult. "Most people irritate me when they talk back, but with you... it's strangely appealing." "Jesus Christ, this is all just a game to you, isn't it?" I snap, struggling to maintain composure despite the urge to surrender. "Haven't your past office affairs taught you that mixing business with pleasure is a terrible idea for a businessman?" "Let me clarify, I haven't been involved with any of my employees for the past two years," he replies seriously, interrupting my rant. "And none of them since then have affected me or tempted me like you have. You awakened something within me that I didn't even know existed. I understand that my reputation puts you off, and I can see why. But I've changed, Katherine. You should give me a chance, get to know the real me, before dismissing me entirely. You should listen to your heart and follow its guidance." I gasp as he reaches for my hand. Slowly, I feel myself crumbling under his intense gaze. When I speak, my voice comes out as a weak whisper. "How do you know what my heart wants? Because it isn't you." But who am I really trying to deceive? Him or myself? "Really now? Your words may say one thing, but your body tells a different story, Katherine," he murmurs, his voice low and soft as velvet. "I can see it in the way you move around me. You desire me as much as I desire you. So stop denying it, because I notice every little sign you give. You're easy to read. Look at you right now... biting your lip. Nervous. Anxious..." His gaze momentarily drops to my lap, and when his eyes meet mine again, I almost moan as the sinful desire emanates from his expression. "If you clench your thighs any tighter, they'll fuse together." "That's enough!" I panic, snatching my hand away. He's getting to me. "You're my boss, Rafael, my boss! I won't cross that line with you or any other line. I just can't. We will never happen, so I suggest you give up. I won't let you win." I push away from him and rise to leave. Being in his presence weakens me, and showing weakness in front of a man like him is unacceptable. "Katherine," he calls out sternly as I reach the door. I don't turn to look at him, gripping the doorknob tightly. I can't look back, because if I do... I might not leave this office tonight. "I will win, darling. And I must warn you, I don't play fair." I scoff, irritated by his persistence and arrogant self-assurance. He's the type of person who refuses to accept "no" as an answer. Despite repeatedly rejecting him, he hasn't given up. Perhaps I should feel flattered, but I don't. I'm probably not the first woman he's pursued. Who's to say I won't be replaced next week or next month? Anything is possible with Rafael Kincaid. That's precisely why I can't give in. However, I can't deny that he's wearing me down. I don't know how much longer I can maintain the facade of indifference, as feelings for him do exist within me. I wish he could understand my perspective and comprehend why I won't cross that line with him. While he may not care about his reputation, I value mine. If we were to become involved, I'd just become another story for the tabloids, another woman he slept with. I refuse to subject myself to that, to be his plaything. I won't let myself be humiliated. I won't surrender to him. I won't. "I don't play fair either, Mr. Kincaid. So let the game continue," I assert, getting the last word before hastily leaving his office. I need to escape before I do something with my boss that I'll regret the next day.