The Total Sum of Two

Chapter 3

After dashing out to the Fed-Ex box you walk back to your desk only to find Gregory sitting casually in your chair.  He’s looking at your photos and touching your plants, a small grin on his face. Your brain says you should be freaking out with how he’s invading your space.  But somewhere deep inside, a little voice is saying no, it’s all good, let him explore.

Without turning he says, “Are you going to stand there all night or are we going to go eat?”   He spins in your chair to face you and continues.  “It seems my stomach has decided it’s as famished as yours.  Are you ready?”

He stands as you walk over to shut things down and grab your items.  Without looking at him you ask, “Enjoy yourself?”

He grins, shoves his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels.  “Extremely.  I find it necessary to know all about the woman I’m interested in.”

You look up quickly, only to find yourself trapped in a very intense, earnest gaze.  “Excuse me?”

He steps closer placing his hands on your desk, leaning forward, coming within mere inches of you.

“I said, Samantha,” you pull back as your name rolls seductively off his tongue.  “I am interested in you.  Romantically, intellectually, and sexually,” his eyes drop to your chest, slowly gravitating back to your eyes.   His pupils dilating with each inch.  “Would you like an action confirmation?  Some women don’t trust words.”

Your breath hitches at his words, your body instantly reacting.  Remembering his touch from this morning sends an awkward ache.   A slow smile begins to spread as his eyes continue to darken.  He reminds you of a predator and you his dinner.

You break away from his gaze by looking down and clearing your throat.  You absentmindedly lick your lips with nervous tension.  A low growl sounds and you look back up, realizing it came from him.

“What was that?”  You ask as you back away, sending your chair spinning.

He lowers his head for a moment then stands straight, his hands coming up and to his sides in compliance.

“I apologize.  Please don’t be afraid.”  He puts his hands back in his pockets to show he isn’t going to hurt you.

“I heard that this morning in the parking garage.  I thought it was the neighbor’s dog and that I was going to be attacked.  You scared me to death!”

He nods, “Yes, I’m afraid that was me also.  It’s genetic, something that makes my family unique.  Think of it as a purr, if you will, when I see something desirable.”

“A purr?  Like a cat?”  You laugh at the thought.  “You’re telling me your family purrs like a cat when sexually aroused?”  You shake your head and look at the ceiling.  “And I thought I’d heard them all.”

His lips twist, nose scrunching at the word cat.  “Not a cat.  More like a dog or a wolf perhaps.  And not just when aroused but when angry or protecting those we love.”

Your eyes widen.  “You’re really sticking with that?”  You shrug and shake your head, not believing your ears.  “And I was told you were an intelligent man, seriously?” you mutter to yourself.

“I am extremely intelligent, and have excellent hearing, thank you.  I’m not just book smart but can read people.  I’m also smart enough to know a good looking, intelligent woman when I see one.  I’d be a fool to not want to get to know you better.”

You give a nervous giggle. “You must think I’m a fool if you think I’m buying this.”  You grab your bag and water bottle while moving your keys into a defensive position in hand.  “There was nothing attractive or intelligent about me this morning.  Did you do your homework on our company?  Find out who the employees were? Where we live?” 

You tilt your head to the side, your eyes squinting over at him. “I’m not sure what game you’re playing at Mr. Hansforth,” the coldness in your tone removing his relaxed posture.  “But I don’t play games and I don’t like being played with.”  You move from behind your desk to the hallway facing him the entire time.

"You picked the wrong employee.  I’m not sure what your company wants or needs but I don’t have access to any important information that could help you.”  You see him lower his eyelids a little, his head lowering.  “We will have to work together for the next six months, so I think I’ll skip the dinner offer and go home to sort this out.  Good night.”

You turn and begin walking down the hall.  He hasn’t moved but has let you continue to walk further away.  Knowing you shouldn’t but unable to resist, you look back over your shoulder.  He’s still standing where you left him with his hands in his pockets, watching you walk away.

You make it to your car and head home without further incident.  Relieved but still skittish, you continue looking over your shoulder.

Throwing your bag on the couch, you walk to the fridge shaking your head at yourself. 

Well, for a little while it was nice to have the attention of a hot man. 

You close the fridge and open your Door Dash app.  You deserve comfort food after the day you’ve had and by hell, you’re going to treat yourself to it.

In shorts and a giant hoodie you retrieve your dinner from the porch and put your shake in the freezer.  Flipping through channels you land on a romantic comedy. 

Mindless, you think to yourself, just what I  need to forget today.  Boy meets girl, girl hates boy or has significant other.  Boy confesses to girl, girl dumps significant other and the two live happily ever after.  You snort and almost choke on your hamburger.  Right, if life were only like the movies or fairy tales.

You put your burger down.  Well, now I’m depressed.  You roll your eyes and grab your throw pillow to hug for comfort.  Why do all the weirdos have to be so hot and all the nice guys so…EW.  You burrow your face deeper into the pillow.  Perhaps it has the answers for you since you certainly aren’t coming up with any on your own. 

You feel you should be freaked out or angry…but you aren’t.  You’re simply depressed and blaming yourself.  Am I not good enough to be loved for just me?  Why not? I’m always someone’s pawn or play thing.  I’m always a second choice, never a first.  Just once, I want to be someone’s first choice.  The reason their smile lights in their eyes, the reason their eyes darken with desire; their first and last thought of the day.

Mesmerizing liquid brown eyes come to mind.  Their twinkle when he smiled, the corners creasing in delight.  The way they darkened when he talked about wanting you, in every way.  You close your eyes, trying to reign in your emotions.  Just the memory of his touch and the way he looked at you is tightening your gut, making you clench your thighs together.

What am I?  A virgin teen-ager?  Granted, I  haven’t had s*x in a while but still body?  Your subconscious argues back.

But he was hot, damn hot and you turned him away!  He was willing girl!  Did you see that look in his eyes?  Oh and don’t even get me started on that growl.  Damn, I almost made you growl back in response.  You want a piece of that and you know it.  So what if he wants to play games!  You can play your own game and get a little yum-yum fix at the same time.

You roll your eyes and say out loud.  “Great!  Now I’m arguing with myself!  As if talking to myself wasn’t bad enough.  Maybe I just need to go to bed.  I’m tired, that’s it.  That has to be it.”

***

You can feel his hot breath on the back of your neck, sending goose bumps down your arms and legs.  His arms slip around your waist and you’re pulled back against his hard chest.  His desire for you is evident as he holds you tight against him.  You lay your head back on his shoulder as his lips find your neck.  Licking, nipping, and kissing. He’s found a G-spot and he’s attacking it full throttle.  Just that one spot on your neck is driving you wild and he knows it.  One hand continues to hold you tight against him while the other begins to wander.  It’s headed south and you’re sure once it reaches its destination, you’ll burst into flames.

Beep…Beep…Beep

Your hand slams down your alarm but this time you rollover, pulling your pillow over your face and scream.  Your neighbors would call the police if they could hear you; thinking you were being murdered.  Well, I am!  Who wants to wake up overly frustrated in the morning?  Two more minutes, that’s all – just two more minutes and I’d have woken up with a big smile on my face.  s**t, here’s to another cold shower.

***

You make it to the office without incident. Nothing fell, no new scrapes or bruises, it is a regular boring day.  And it has you smiling.

Passing by his borrowed office, you can hear voices but the door is shut.  It remains that way for most of the morning.  By lunch you feel accomplished.  No one bothered you, your phone barely rang, and you were able to finish, print, and send out four additional financials.  Perhaps cold showers are the way to start everyday, you think to yourself and then shake your head in disgust. 

The receptionist stops by your desk with a local menu.  “A bunch of us are ordering in, want to join?”

Right on cue your stomach answers with a growl.  “I guess so,” you smile at her, taking the menu and making your selection.  With all the weirdness of the last day, you ran out the door early without breakfast or packing a lunch.  You were trying to leave before ‘5C’ but his car was already gone.  The receptionist breaks into your thoughts.

“Do you think that hot new guy would like to order with us?”

You glance up and over at the closed door, then shrug.  “I don’t know, I haven’t seen him today.  I guess you could just knock and ask.”  Like hello, why are you asking me?  I’m not his secretary.

She blushes, turns and timidly knocks.  You roll your eyes and start your next set of financials.  Midway through the third bank statement reconciliation your phone buzzes.  Without looking you reach over to answer it.

“You have a delivery up front.  He says you need to sign for it personally.” 

The mailman usually comes directly back here, you sigh.  “Very well, I’ll be right up.”

Rounding the corner all you can see are legs and a beautiful bouquet of flowers to the side of the front door.  The timid little receptionist smiles as you approach.  You’re looking for a mail package when she points to the flower delivery with a smile.  You look at the flowers and then back to her in confusion.  She hands you his clipboard to sign.  Next to the signing X, your name and your work address appear. What in the hell?  Someone must have gotten confused somewhere.

You sign and walk over to the delivery man.  “I guess those are for me?”  You trade him the clipboard for the bouquet.  Not able to help yourself you sniff the beautiful arrangement.  A deep voice brings you back to the present. 

“This is you?”

You look up to find yourself trapped in the brightest pair of green eyes you’ve ever seen.  “Yes, that’s me.”

He looks you up and down, smiles a crooked grin, tips his hat and walks out the front door.  Okay, that was weird. You’re even more confused as you watch him throw his hat into the backseat of a luxury sedan.  What?

A broad, sexy smile crosses his face as he looks up at you, putting his phone to his ear.  His other hand salutes you but than gets in and drives away.