The Total Sum of Two

Chapter 8

Gregory has magically produced a cane from the trunk of his car when you arrive at the office.  You gratefully accept the loan, it's a magnificent piece of art.  It has intricate designs burned into it with a silver wolf head on the top. The scenes are so detailed they look like a real life painting.  Colorful and spiraling down, an image of the moon on a cloudless night stands at the head, under the handle. You'd swear, from the corner of your eye, it looks as if the images move.

"Are you sure you want to loan me this?  It looks like an heirloom."

He rubs his hands lovingly over the handle, smiling secretively.  "It is.  It's been passed down from father to son for several generations in my family."  He places it in your hands, "I can't think of anyone better for it to serve."

When you walk in the office, your boss is rounding the corner and almost plows you over. 

“Oh!  There you are!  I thought you were already here, your car’s down in the parking lot.”

He looks between you and Gregory, “You came to work together or met up in the elevator?  Do we need to have a meeting?”

He’s not even letting you get a word in.  You wait patiently for his next tirade.  “Where’s your other shoe?  What the hell have you done to yourself?  If you’re injured why didn’t you just stay home?”

You can feel Gregory’s anger begin to boil.  You reach quietly behind you and touch his hand.  

“My turn?” you finally get to say.

Your boss and Gregory both start to say something at the same time but you hold your hand up to silence them.

“I will answer in the order inquired.  Firstly, I went to dinner with our client, Lycan Construction’s CEO and CFO, upon their request.  I left early and left my bag in the CEO's car so yes, my car was here when you arrived, I was not.  We've discovered that Mr. Hansforth is renting a condo three doors down from me.  He was kind enough to offer me a ride and bring me my bag from his boss’s car.” 

You take a quick breath because any longer and your boss will start in again.  “Secondly, I am aware of the fraternization policy since I helped write it and since Mr. Hansforth does not work here, there is no need for any discussion.  Also, I’m a big girl.  Lastly, I had an unexpected accident last night and sprained my ankle. I’m happy to take the day off, are you offering to finish up my financials?”

You look up at him hopefully, a smile plastered to your face.  He instantly deflates and Gregory reaches between the two of you and pinches your butt in amusement. With your boss standing directly in front of you, you try to pass off the jump and noise as a hiccup.  

"Pardon me and if you'll excuse me gentlemen; I have a lot of work to finish and I'm already starting the day with a handicap."  You wave the cane at them and limp off towards your desk.  The two men are left standing, staring after you.

“Very well," you boss states.  Acknowledges Gregory and continues off down the hall, destination unknown. 

"Mr. Hansforth.”  

Gregory mock salutes him and saunters down the hall towards his office.  As he rounds the corner his eyes are on you.  He detours over to your desk, leaning down with his hand resting on your monitor.  

“Do you have everything you need?”  a devilish grin on his face.  Without even looking up, you open your desk drawer and pull out your ruler.  Reaching up you rap his knuckles.

“Hey!”  he exclaims as he pulls back and rubs his knuckles.

You look at him over the top of your reading glasses.  

“Actions have consequences,” you repeat, batting your eyelashes.

He nods and grins, “You’re right, my fault.”  He stretches his hand out to you, “Kiss it better?”

You scowl and raise the ruler again.  “Go to your office and work, I’m busy!  If you keep distracting me, I’ll use this on your rump!”

You close your eyes at what just came out of your mouth.  Daring a peek at him you see a very bright, smile with waggling eyebrows.  “Promise?  I'll put it down for later.”

You grab a rubber band to shoot him with but he quickly side steps  over to his office and hurriedly shuts the door.

***

You’ve figured out that if you take a ream of paper with you every half an hour to the printer, that you can replace the paper and collect your printed ream on the top.  Then you just have to divide it out.  The problem is having the desk space for the different reports you need to divide.

You have to admit, having a desk chair with wheels definitely has benefits.  You’ve scooted to the copier, the printer, and back multiple times.  No one will ever say you missed 'leg day', just that you missed one leg's day.  

The fact that you’ve almost run over your boss twice, have deliberately bumped into the flirty receptionist “Oops, my bad, I can’t control this thing!” and run over Gregory’s toes a few too many times are just bonus points for the day.

As work is finally finished, you puppy dog eye your boss into taking your packages to the Fed Ex box and now you can head home.  The door to Gregory’s office is closed, should you knock?  

Isn’t that what people in  relationships do? Inform the other when you’re headed home?  We agreed to get to know each other does that mean we’re actually in a relationship? I mean, so far he has a pretty good knowledge of my calves, feet, lips, tongue, and teeth.  And honestly, high praise for his dental hygiene, it's superb.  Lord can that man kiss!  You nearly swoon from the memory when his office door opens and there he stands.

“You think really loud.  Get in here, I’m almost done.”

You look up and down the hallway for stragglers when he simply reaches out, grabs your arm and pulls you inside, shutting the door behind you.

“Ankle!” you wince and he has the grace to look ashamed.

“Sorry.  Here, sit down, let me see how it looks.”

He pulls an armed chair up close to the desk and places your leg on top the desk.  You simply look over, “Well, it’s a good thing I’m flexible!”

He looks up from unwrapping your bandage and smiles.  “Duly noted.”

You blush and shake your head, Men!  But you have to smile.  It feels nice to be flirted with and to have someone actually pay attention.

You wince at the dark purple and green bruise that decorates your ankle.  He pokes at it and receives a smack on the back.  

“Sorry,” he mumbles, bends over and kisses it.  You just stare at him; did he really just kiss your bruise better? The bruise on your foot?  You’re shocked into silence.

He sits back a minute then finally turns.  “I think we’ll leave the bandage off for a bit, let it air out and get some circulation.  Besides, you’ve created a masterpiece, inspired by me.  I think you should show it off.” 

You roll your eyes, at this point your eyes are going to be lodged in your skull soon. But you have to smile in response to smirk, its addictive.  “Well, you’re in an awfully good mood.  I take it work has gone well?”

“Absolutely not!  The more I dig the more frustrated and angry I get at my discoveries.”  He grabs his suit coat from his chair and holds out a hand to help you up.  “However…what I thought was going to be a dull, boring day, started out pretty amazing."  

His smile spreads from ear to ear.  "A beautiful, naked lady fell into my arms.  I got to get my hands on said lady with a fantastic rubdown, if I do say so myself.  And then my fantasies came true." 

He bends down and places a peck on your lips.  "Besides, I seem to remember a promise of being punished tonight.”  He pulls you tight against him, dips his head to your neck and places a kiss right below your ear.  Shivers start and then spread as he whispers in your ear. “I’ve thought of nothing else all day.”

He insisted on following you home since it was your right ankle you sprained.  Driving home was painful but you weren’t about to admit that to anyone.  As you grab your bag and turn to exit the car, he takes your bag and loops it over his shoulder.  As soon as you’re standing he snaps you up in his arms and slams the car door shut with his foot.

You look into his beautiful eyes, now only mere inches away.  “I can walk,” you protest. 

“Lock the car,” he says as he starts towards your apartment.

You try again, Gregory, really, I can walk.”

He stops in the middle of the sidewalk and stares into your face.  “And I can carry you, so why would you want to?  I know your ankle hurts and driving had to have made it worse.”  He starts walking again, only stopping at your door.

“Unlock please,” he says cordially.  You lean down and unlock the front door to which he proceeds to carry you through.  He kicks the front door closed, same as your car door.  

“Besides,” he says as he looks down at you, “I’ll take any excuse I can get to hold you in my arms.”