The Total Sum of Two

Chapter 4

The scent of the flowers on your desk is intoxicating and keeps distracting you from your work.  When was the last time someone sent me flowers?  You ponder.  A small smile emerges as you stretch your fingers out to touch a soft petal.  You searched for a card but didn’t find one.  Perhaps it fell out in the car.  There isn’t even a tag anywhere to let you know what shop they came from. 

When lunch arrives your mood is better than it has been in days.  You decide to give Mr. Hansforth a break by you taking him his lunch, instead of the flirty receptionist.  You knock on the door, immediately opening it without waiting for an answer.  His eyes instantly rise, meeting yours in question.

“I thought I’d save you from the unwanted attention of being the new office hunk that all the females want a bite out of.”

 His eyebrows rise as he sits back in his chair.  “All of the females?”  He asks, looking very pointedly at you.

 You have the grace to blush but refuse to answer.  Oh sir, I want to do more than bite you.

His lips quirk slightly as if he read your mind.  You clear your throat and hand him his lunch.  “Lunch was delivered and um,” you stutter.

“Um what?” he asks as he removes his different dishes. 

“I’m embarrassed to ask but you didn’t send me flowers did you?”

He looks around you, through the open door to your desk and lets out a quiet growl.  You flinch and step backwards.  Reigning himself in he holds up a hand, “I’m sorry it was a slip”. 

“So that was an unhappy growl?”  His eyes move back to you.  “Alright then, I’ll take that as a no, they weren’t from you.  I’m sorry for disturbing you, enjoy your lunch.”

“Samantha,” his use of your full name does weird things to you.  You wish you could explain it.  You turn back at the door.

“Yes?”

“Is it normal for you to receive flowers?”

You laugh.  “My normal doesn’t even include standing in a smoking hot mans office.”  Your eyes widen before shutting tightly.  I said that out loud? s**t! s**t! s**t!

Expecting him to gloat, your eyes open in confusion at his words.  “An iris symbolizes ‘hope’,” he states as he points out the different flowers in the arrangement.  “It’s quite unique to see one added into an arrangement.”  After a few more seconds he continues.  “The lavender symbolizes healing.”  He leans back in his chair, his hand stroking his lips as his thoughts turn over.

“I wish I had sent them.  They seem to be saying all the things that I’ve been sitting here trying to figure out how to say to you.”  He stands and walks around the desk, leaning back on it for support.

“What is there to say?  I think we covered most things last night.”  You shift awkwardly, not prepared to be discussing this again so soon.

“You talked.  I listened and then I stayed up all night ‘sorting’ it out, as you said.”

The look of surprise on your face pulls a small smile from him.  His dimples making your heart ache.  

"I apologize for making you uncomfortable and letting my hormones take over yesterday.  Your presence seems to make me want to forget my regular decorum.”  He folds his arms and crosses his legs.  “My intent wasn’t to frighten you or make you think I was playing games.”

His head lowers for a minute before he looks back up with a sheepish grin.  “I was just as shocked by you running into my arms when I arrived, as you were.  I must say, it was the best welcome I’ve had at any company I’ve visited.”  He chuckles at your now very rosy cheeks.

He straightens and places his hands back in his pockets.  “I’ll be honest.  I had resigned myself to an evening of wandering the complex grounds, hoping to catch a glimpse of you.  I was simply blessed to have you walk straight into my arms.”

 As you open your mouth to argue, he raises a hand to stop you.  “I take full blame.  I rounded the corner and stopped.  I couldn’t believe you were just sitting there, like an apparition.  I could have moved.  I should have moved, but I didn’t.”

You rub your lips together, biting on the top, not knowing what to do with his confession.  When you glance over his eyes are closed and his face is tight in concentration.  After a minute you release your lip and place your hand over your mouth, gasping.  Removing it you ask.

 “Biting my lips?”

 His eyes snap open, his pupils receding quickly to their normal size.

 Your head turns as you remember.  “I was nervously biting my lip each time you growled."  You look directly at him for confirmation.  "I’m right aren’t I?”

 He rubs his chin and rolls his neck with a depreciating smile.  “There are many little nervous ticks you have that I find…overly…stimulating.”

“Why?”

He laughs, covering his mouth with his fist.  “Why?  Well, I guess that’s the real question isn’t it?”

He steps towards you, gently brushing a stray hair back behind your ear.  

“Perhaps we could start over?”  His eyes look eagerly into yours, awaiting a positive answer.  You simply nod.  Your ability to speak lost somewhere in his eyes.

His gorgeous smile appears and you can visibly see the relief on his face.  His hand drops and he holds it out for you to shake.

“Gregory Hansforth, C.F.O. of Lycan Construction.  I’m pleased to meet you.”

You can’t help but smile at the silliness but shake his hand in return.  “Welcome, Mr. Hansforth, I’m Samantha, Assistant C.F.O. of One Time Accounting Firm.”

He raises your hand and kisses the back.  Where his lips touch feels like a shock of electricity.  His eyes haven’t left yours as if he’s gauging your reaction to him. 

“The pleasure is all mine, I assure you,” he states.

***

Towards the end of the work day, you raise your arms to stretch your back muscles.  If you’re not careful you’re going to end up looking like a hunchback.  Rubbing and twisting your neck you begin to shut things down for the night. 

You drop your arms suddenly as you see movement out of the corner of your eye.  Someone is heading straight towards you.  You pull your chair closer to your desk and continue with your tasks while watching from under your eyelids.  You can’t help the look of shock or the fact that your head immediately shoots up as the receptionist escorts the ‘flower delivery’ man to Gregory’s office.

As he steps into the office, he turns fully with a snarky smile and again gives you a salute.  The door closes and you’re left with confusion.  Did he lie to me? Oh I’m an i***t!  Of course he lied and I fell for it all over again.  

You smack yourself in the head as the door opens again and the two men walk out.

You lower your hand to your lap and turn your chair towards your filing cabinet.  You're sadly disappointed when they don't walk off down the hall. 

“Samantha”

Velvet, you finally realize. Your name on his lips feels and sounds like velvet.

You take a deep breath and turn with your professional face and cold eyes.  

“Yes, Mr. Hansforth?”

His eyes narrow at your icy reception but he merely continues.  “I’d like to introduce you to Philip Lycan, C.E.O. of Lycan Construction.  My best friend, and the instigator of your flower delivery.”

You look over, shocked at his words, and stand to shake Mr. Lycan’s hand.  “It’s nice to meet you, sir.  I must say I’m confused.  I’ve done nothing to assist Mr. Hansforth that requires a ‘thank you’ from you or your company.  However, they are very beautiful, thank you.”

Oh Lord, this man has dimples too.  Is Lycan Construction full of Gods?  I need to get a grip!.

Your hand is held just a little longer than necessary, must be a thing with sexy men, you think as you hear the beginning rumble of a low growl.  You quickly snatch your hand back as Mr. Lycan laughs and slaps Gregory on the back.  He turns back to you.

“I’m glad you like them.  I confess, I was alerted to the problem between you and Mr. Hansforth last night and felt I needed to help rectify the situation.”

Gregory’s jaw tightens and you can see his body tense.  Mr. Lycan ignores him and continues, “Our Mr. Hansforth has been secluded in our offices for far too long it seems.  Being presented, twice in one day with a beautiful woman, such as yourself, seems to have been a little too much for him.  I take full responsibility.”

Glancing between the two you swear you can see steam coming from Gregory's ears, combined with redness of being embarrassed.   Wait, he told his boss he hit on me and I called him a corporate spy?  Well, s**t!

You clear your throat, moving your eyes back over to Mr. Lycan.  “I’m embarrassed that I caused the situation sir.  I’m not used to being so overly ‘appreciated’, let alone at my place of work.”

At your words his eyebrows rise and head tilts.  “Seriously?  Are all the men around you blind or just fools?”

Your head pulls back, a stunned look on your face.  Not only sexy but a playboy.  Your head shakes unconsciously as you talk to yourself.  Wow, working for them would either kill your self esteem or make you needlessly conceited.

His head tilts and he seems to be examining you.  “You appear to not agree.  Interesting.  Do you not have mirrors in your home Miss?”

You laugh, Miss ha!  “Yes and they paint quite an accurate picture thank you.  Flattery has no effect on me,  Mr. Lycan.   I’m well aware of all my flaws and I haven’t been a ‘Miss’ for a very long time.”

Gregory still hasn’t said anything and you can’t tell if your comments are amusing him or aggravating him.  It doesn’t matter, this whole conversation is becoming ridiculous. You turn to grab you bag;

“I apologize, it seems I’ve struck a nerve, it was not intended.  Please, let me make it up to you.  Would you like to  join us for dinner?”

You turn both eyebrows sky high.  “Excuse me?”

Mr. Lycan slightly bows to you.  “I feel I’ve overstepped and if you'll allow, I would like to understand you a little bit better.  Please.  Join us?”

You glance at Gregory who is finally looking you, a hopeful look on his face.

“Alright,” you say with determination.  “But we won't be just talking about me.”  Your finger moves between the two of them.  “I’m also interested in knowing more about your company.  Like is it full of playboys, such as the two of you?”

 Gregory looks over at his boss who simply shrugs his shoulders and motions for you to proceed them down the hall.