Forbidden Fantasies

Let's start anew(2)

I look over my shoulder, taking a step forward at the same time. "Cheesecake and those cheesy comic books you’re obsessed with? Got it. I will bring them when I visit again."

I know that’s not what he is referring to, but he wants something I cannot offer. That phase of my life is supposed to be over; I cannot involve myself with anyone affiliated with the Bratva if I still want to be alive.

I feel ashamed, especially considering how much Kristof has helped me over the last two years, but it’s better to nip it in the bud. I turn. "By the way, someone at work asked me out."

A flash of hurt crosses his eyes for a split second, but he masks it with a smile. "Oh, Melissa finally made her move. Took her long enough—but I didn’t know you were into women."

"I’m not." I frown. "How did you know it's her? Have you been following me?"

"How else would I protect you?" He knocks my head with the back of his knuckle. "I have to make sure everyone who gets close to you has nothing to do with Grisha."

It feels weird to have someone looking out for me like that.

"So, are you going out with her?"

I’m about to say yes when I remember how bad I am at lying. "I think I’m more interested in the boss."

______

Rhys is nowhere to be seen on Friday morning. On the bright side, Melissa is in one piece when I find her.

"Good, your head is still attached to your shoulders," I say when I meet her in the break room. She’s pouring coffee for her boss, who just returned from a week-long vacation.

"Only this time," she laughs. "How do you do it? I had one foot in my grave by the end of the day. I’d take a week off to decompress if I could."

"That bad?" I laugh awkwardly. Rhys has always been a nightmare, but I’m starting to notice the dark circles around Melissa’s eyes, so heavy that not even her foundation can conceal them sufficiently. What did he do to her?

"Let’s just say I’m officially the person Rhys Redmond hates the most in Phoenix Industries." She waves a hand and stirs the coffee. Setting it on a tray, she gets some cookies from the jar on the top shelf and shakes a few onto a tiny plate. "Want some?"

I shake my head, picking up a mug to pour coffee.

By the time it’s full, I assume Melissa is gone, but I turn to find her waiting. Her smile is a little nervous as she asks, "Did you think about it?"

The date? I realize I didn’t give her an answer. When she asked, I was too stunned to say a word. "Melissa, you’re amazing…"

"Hold that thought." She interrupts. "How about we pretend that conversation never happened? If we ever have a spark in the future, we can set it off."

"Well…" I prefer not to leave any strings attached, especially when the other person doesn’t know what she’s getting herself into. Being close to me would put a target on her back.

I’m about to come up with an excuse when the door to the break room opens and Rhys stands at the doorway, glaring at us. "Do you get paid to gossip during working hours?"

I hurriedly grab sugar while Melissa rushes away, mumbling a brief "Good morning, Mr. Redmond" on her way out.

When I finally have my drink ready, I realize the boss has moved and is now standing in the way with barely any space to pass.

My hand trembles around my cup, my mind already going to all sorts of dirty places. In my stupid imagination, Rhys would have obstructed my path on purpose, ensuring the only way to leave the break room was to brush up against him. I would deliberately let my boobs graze his arm and linger for long enough that he realizes it.

In reality, I do the more practical thing and ask, "May I?"

He stands there looking at me as though he’s about to say something. Just when I think he’s going to speak, Rhys turns and walks off to his office.

Not the strangest thing Rhys Redmond has ever done.

Mr. Grumpy doesn’t stay long today, either. After only an hour, he asks for whatever documents need signing. I print and bring them to his office, standing a few steps away from his desk to wait.

As he scribbles the final signature, he says, "Don’t bother me unless the building is on fire, and it better be a big fire."

That’s a relief. I don’t want to talk to him, after all. "Yes, sir."

The pen in his hand slips, making a long gash across the page he’s signing on. He looks up at me with a menacing glare. "Reprint this page."

He’s in a bad mood today, which is saying a lot considering the number of scoldings I’ve gotten from him since I started working here. At least the page doesn’t take long to print, and when I deliver it to his office, he’s done with the others.

When Rhys puts down the pen, I gather the documents, my shoulders settling with relief. That was close. I’m still alive.

"I’ll be out in fifteen minutes," he says, and I nod.

"Don’t talk to that woman again," he adds.

I blink in confusion, pretty sure the boss doesn’t get to dictate who I talk to. After a brief battle with my thoughts, I decide to voice it. "We are colleagues, and I can’t shun her for no reason."

My answer seems to worsen his mood, but he doesn’t push the matter. I wonder what Melissa did wrong yesterday. Something mundane like messing up his coffee can't possibly be enough to warrant such a huge reaction.

My mind is swirling with possibilities when he adds, "One more thing. Don’t call me sir."