Skeleton Key of Desires

Team building

Here it was again, another Monday morning. The never-ending cycle of work weeks. Most people had Monday morning dread, but Jewel looked forward to hers. To her, this meant five consecutive days of seeing Ezra in a row and, even better, now she was the team leader on a project directly underneath him.

Jewel sauntered into the office with her head held high, that was until she saw the yellow post-it note stuck to her desk.

Meet me in my office when you get here. Ezra Gunner.

Though she knew there was no reason for the worry that was building inside of her, as soon as she saw his name, memories flooded her mind.

"You are never a bother, my little mouse," said Ezra.

Jewel's hand lifted to touch her plump pink lips as she recalled her daydream of Ezra crashing his lips into hers. If only he would take her like that in reality. In a true lover's passion. As her hand moved from her warm lips to the cold key, she knew his love would only be a figment of a daydream, existing only because of the stupid hunk of metal around her neck. Nothing is real when she is doomed to be cursed. She wasn't so sure her promotion was a part of her reality.

The air was thick, smelling like a forest filled with cedar trees, reminding her of a smoldering fireplace. Of course, only he could produce these unique, delicious smells. She clamped her legs together as the smell slammed into her face. Ezra glanced up from the computer, making eye contact, which all but helped her situation. Jewel dropped her head quickly, only watching each step she made as she walked closer to his desk.

Ezra had never seen her behave in such a manner before. He thought maybe Henry was bothering her again. To his better judgment, he stood up from his desk to meet her halfway. The collision was unavoidable. Jewel, wide-eyed, looked up in enough time to see Ezra's strong arms wrap around her to keep her from falling flat onto the floor. The movements were quick. She wasn't paying attention and tripped over his foot. Her lack of balance sent her falling. Now his face was inches from hers. She felt his hot minty breath fanning onto her face. He was leaning over her, holding her up with only his arms, looking like a couple straight out of a romantic drama. One more inch and those lips would be hers. She raised her arms up and wrapped them around his neck and closed her eyes. She started to pull, and she felt it. The soft graze of his lips for a slipt second, then, it was over.

"I'm sorry," Ezra said, clearing his throat.

He stood her up gently on her feet. Jewel straightened her outfit while Ezra fixed his crooked tie. Their actions resembled children who just got caught being naughty. Ezra shook his head at his thoughts of not being able to kiss the beautiful woman standing in front of him. This was a first for him. He pulled up the chair for Jewel and gestured for her to have a seat. He did call her into his office for a reason, even though his mind was clouded by his other thoughts.

"I wanted to personally congratulate you on your promotion," Ezra said.

"Thank you, CEO Ezra,"

"First, I need you to build your team that you will personally work with. You will report to me everything you do before a final decision is made."

"Yes sir. I can do that."

"That's why I said that number was important. It's my cell. Keep it, and don't share it."

A smile grew in Jewel's mind that she tried not to let show on her face. The last thing she wanted to do was show the middle school girl's excitement she had when she received a man's number. Jewel clasped her hands on her lap and sat up a little straighter. She swallowed the lump in her throat and swallowed all the forbidden thoughts right along with it.

"Is there anyone, in particular, you had in mind for my team?"

"I can introduce you to some talented people," Ezra said.

She actually valued his opinion, and that excited him. The last person who took the team lead built their own team with no experience, and he cleaned up the mess.

Jewel stood up from her seat and stuck out her hand.

"I'm happy to be working with you," she said.

"Let's make this a great project," he replied, shaking her hand a little longer than he meant to.

Jewel sat down at her desk and made her list of people she knew she would work well with on the team. She only had a few as she would need Ezra's help with the rest. The problem right now is her lack of concentration. Her fingers rested on her lips every two seconds. She licked her lips, hoping she could still taste the lingering connection with his. Though only for a second, it was enough to send shivers down her entire body. Enough to send her into a dimension of a new existence.

Jewel slightly slapped her face, bringing her focus back into reality. This was not the place to daydream about Ezra. She could do that when she gets home. She focused back on her work, trying to build her best team to impress her boss.

Ezra sat at his desk trying to centralize himself on his work, but his mind focused on those green eyes and plump pink lips. He tasted those pink lips for the first time, and he was hooked. Like a favorite food, he could taste those lips forever. Her skin felt like velvet the first time he touched her, and he found out today that her lips matched. Ezra leaned over his desk. He needed one look at the woman. Then he could focus on his work again.

The metal of the key heated on Jewel's chest. This time, it singes her skin. She grabbed hold of it, burning her hand, searching the room for the cause. Then she spotted it. Henry walked out of the men's room, waving at her with a toothy grin slowly creeping across his face.