Forever Lies

24

Our exchange at her apartment had been reassuring. She was scared, but she wasn’t beyond my reach. She was just as much a victim to the magnetic pull between us as I was. I craved to be near her when she wasn’t around, and when she was, all I could think about was getting inside her. All of her. I wanted to sink my c**k inside her and penetrate that sharp mind of hers. I wanted to possess her inside and out. I wanted to know why she exercised such strict control over all aspects of her life and how she’d remained so naïve and innocent in the City That Never Sleeps. There were monsters everywhere, and I was one of them. I hadn’t targeted her only for her luscious body and intriguing mind; I needed information from her. I’d been telling the truth when I said I hadn’t planned to want her. She had likely given her own meaning to the words, but the truth was, I had initiated our little elevator encounter for a purpose, which had nothing to do with my d**k. Had I just walked up to her on the street and tried to strike up a conversation, it would never have worked. She was entirely too wary for something like that. I had to come up with an in, a way to slip under her outer walls. There was something intimate about elevators. It had been the perfect way to freeze time and connect us in a shared moment. I had needed a contact inside Triton, and Alessia had seemed perfect for the job. Then I hit snags, one after the other—the least of which was my growing need for the woman. She was an unholy seductress without the faintest clue of her effect on every heterosexual man who crossed her path. I wanted every ounce of that latent sexuality for myself, feeling the need to pluck the eyes from every other man who dared look at her. I wanted her, but there was more to it than that. When she discovered I had ulterior motives, and she undoubtedly would, I’d have a fight on my hands. I was going to have to find a way to get what I needed without losing her in the process. Just like I’d said, she complicated everything. OceanofPDF.com 12 Alessia The morning after Luca came by my apartment, I had no idea what to expect. Our conversation had eased my mind somewhat, but I still didn’t have any answers. He knew I was worried and had urged me to trust him. I knew he had secrets but had been soothed by his assurances. Nothing had changed. I was still uncertain about Luca, but I wasn’t actively pushing him away. There was no deadline to make a decision, so until I had more information, I would try to guard myself and move cautiously forward. We hadn’t spoken since he’d left, which meant I wasn’t sure if he was picking me up or where things stood between us. I carried on as if it were any other normal day, except for my choice of outfit. In the event I would see him, I wore a silk blouse that was more low-cut than I would ordinarily wear to work. My desire to appeal to Luca apparently outweighed my concerns about him, not to mention the risk of Roger putting on the moves. Luca hadn’t said anything about giving me a ride, so I kept my scheduled appointment with Leo to drive me. Instead of feeling despair over not hearing from him, I was relieved and reassured Luca had heard my request to slow down and was making an effort to give me space. His actions went a long way to ease my concerns about his domineering tendencies. Knowing I had a say in the relationship and he respected my wishes was just as attractive as his assertive, controlling nature. The only way for it to work was if the two were mutually inclusive. I wasn’t sure a kind, respectful man with no backbone would stir my interest, just as an egotistical control freak would make me crazy. There had to be a delicate balance between the two, and it appeared Luca could walk that fine line. My morning went smoothly, answering emails with few interruptions. Feeling a bit more at ease about the Luca situation, I was able to focus on my work and accomplished several tasks that had fallen to the wayside. I was so in the zone, I almost didn’t notice when Roger stepped into my office. I was sitting at my desk, looking over printed drafts of a commercial storyboard when he approached, walking to my desk and standing over me, rather than taking one of the empty chairs. “Hey, Roger. What’s up?” I asked without the customary pep I might normally infuse in my voice. His gaze lingered on my chest, making me realize he could see down my already revealing blouse from his vantage point above me. Embarrassment flooded me, my cheeks burning in frustration and outrage. I cleared my throat and leaned back in my chair, lifting my shirt to cover myself as I moved. “I wanted to ask about the ‘coming soon’ signage on the DMV building,” he said distractedly. “It’s scheduled to go up on the eighteenth.” He nodded, his eyes dropping back down to my chest. “You always put on a show for me, don’t you? You like to tease—I know the type. One of these days, I’m going to f**k those t**s, and you’re going to love it.” His thin lips lifted in a lecherous smile before he walked out of the room. I couldn’t move a muscle. I was in shock. You’d think it wouldn’t surprise me after dealing with the man for a year, but he’d never been so directly lewd. Roger’s harassment was getting worse. Almost just as upsetting, I realized I’d completely forgotten to go down to HR and file a report. How could I have forgotten? I felt like I had been drenched in a bucket of ice water as a full-body shiver wracked me head-to-toe. He made me feel so f*****g dirty and ashamed, even though I knew I’d done nothing wrong. Roger terrified me, and it made me so angry, I couldn’t see straight. I could picture myself beating him relentlessly with a baseball bat, and I had never so much as harmed a fly—that was how deeply he upset me. I wanted him out of my life so I could live in peace. Taking a couple deep breaths, I stood on shaky legs, bracing myself against the desk until I felt steady enough to walk. With my chin held high, I walked down to the ninth floor to Human Resources. The door to their suite was locked, a sign taped to the window, “Out all day for training.” God damn it! Of all the f*****g days.