Fighting for her Life

Chapter 11 - Skye

I am crazy nervous this morning and keep going through everything I have prepared for the meeting.  I have made a call to marketing to find me a picture of a bike from Customz. I get them to make me a mockup ad, numbers are great, and statistics are winners, but seeing is believing and I expect if I have something to show them it will take us over the top.  Once that is in my hand and everything is as good as it's going to get Jess comes out of his office.

"Ms. Anderson are you ready?  The client is here and waiting in the boardroom," as I glance up at Jess, I suddenly feel ill.

"Ms. Anderson now is not the time, you need to shut your emotions off, this is a business and you have worked really hard on this project and I have no doubt that it is going to be a success." I gather everything, stand up straighten my back and become the fighter I am, I have this.  I take what I want, and I want to prove I deserve this.

"You are absolutely correct Mr. Royal let's give Customz everything they want."

The meeting runs late, and it was amazing and perfect. Tyler loved everything that we presented, the projected numbers are sound, and the fact that we have a mockup ad as a visual was the finishing touch.  Life is great, and the fact that Jess keeps looking at me like I'm so precious and the air he needs to breath is making dozens of butterflies hit full speed in my stomach. When our eyes meet, I feel a pull to him that I do not want to run from, but now I need to figure some stuff out thanks to Johnny.  Once everyone is gone, I start cleaning up in the boardroom, with so much chatter happening in my own head I didn't hear Jess approach.

"Leave this for tonight Ms. Anderson and head home, by the way great job today." As Jess turns to leave, I suddenly jump into action.

"Thanks Jess." As soon as I use his name, his head snaps up, he is looking into my eyes waiting for something. Suddenly he breaks our contact, hit! he's still heading for the door, so I continue quickly.

"I don't know about you, but I could go for some dinner unless you have other plans of course."

Keeping his hand on the door frame and without looking back he replies "Dinner sounds perfect grab your stuff and meet me at the elevator, we can head out together."

Jess

I don’t turn around to reply to Skye's dinner invitation because she will see my s**t-eating grin. I have worked hard on not pushing her all week, keeping it professional.  Last night I almost broke having her in my office preparing for this meeting. I was making up bull s**t changes just to keep her longer with me. When I dropped her off at home, all I wanted to do was lean over and kiss her goodnight.  It seems my little brother was right, taking it slow worked. Now she came to me, this is the perfect end to the perfect day.  As I wait for Skye to arrive, I remember I was supposed to meet Johnny at the gym, so I send him a quick message before she arrives.

So, you are now the man I want to grow up to be.  Can’t make it tonight Skye asked me to dinner.

Talk to you later.

I swear this man always has his phone in his hand because he replies within seconds.

Keep it slow, do not f**k this up.

Good Luck!

As I place my phone back in my pocket and I see Skye approaching and f**k, she is beautiful with that smile on her face.

"Well Ms. Anderson since you suggested dinner, where did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking just hitting the pub next door, Friday they have a live band, and they have the most delicious nachos." She is too much she actually looks excited to hit the pub and have nachos.

"Nachos? You want to go for dinner and have nachos, seriously?" As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know I said something wrong she looks like I've just slapped her.

"Oh… of course you probably like the finer places, where ever you want to go is fine with me," ah and there is my answer.

"Ms. Anderson just so you know, I love that pub and the owner is actually a friend of mine so let's go and get you those nachos."

Throughout the night I am the perfect gentleman, opening doors, pulling out Skye's seat, introduced  her to the owner Dylan when he came over to him.  I’m starting to enjoy our time, we have never seen each other outside of work except that one time at her apartment and it looks like she is having a good time as she watches the band playing in the corner.

"How are those nachos Ms. Anderson?"

"They are the best you have to have some" she slides her platter to me so I can have some and try them, even though I have had them before, she is watching my every move waiting for my verdict, but I wait and see what she will do.

"Jess! Are you going to tell me what you think or not?" I love hearing my name come from her mouth and it makes my d**k stand and take notice.  It has been taking notice a lot this evening, she has been back and forth with this Mr. Royal  to Jess s**t so many times I'm starting to get whiplash and I have been very consistent on addressing her as Ms. Anderson all night.

"They are really good, thank you for allowing me to try them Ms. Anderson," as soon as I call her  by her last name something crosses her eyes and I'm not sure if it's hurt, anger or defeat. Either way it makes no sense, so I ignore it and have some of my beer.  Within seconds Skye is out of her seat, grabs her stuff and then drops money on the table, what the f**k is happening right now?  My confusion doesn't take long to receive its answer.

"What the f**k Jess? I am trying really hard here, and you are acting like this is a business dinner, I didn't ask my boss to join me for dinner I asked YOU JESS! with that said Thank You Mr. Royal for your company this evening and I will see you on Monday."  She pulls out her phone and heads for the door.

 Is she f*****g with me right now?  This woman is killing me, grabbing her money from the table and waving at Dylan to put it on my tab I chase down the most frustrating woman in my life.

"Skye, where do you assume you're going? You know you tend to speak your mind and then that's it, discussion over and take your God damn money back!" I wait for her to calm down and take her money.

"There is nothing to discuss Mr. Royal it was a misunderstanding on my part, now if you'll excuse me my ride should be here shortly."  She tries to push her way out, but that is simply not going to happen.

"Well then let's go since I am your ride home."  I push open the door and lead her to my car back at the office.  As we make our way, she pulls out her phone and types away probably cancelling her Uber ride.  The car ride is short and quiet I say nothing, and she says nothing in return. As I pull up to her place she reaches for the door and I go to grab her arm, it's now or never.

"Now that I have you in the confinements of my car and you have nowhere to go since I locked the doors, I have some things to get off my chest.” Lifting a finger, I start “One: You know I want you, there is no denying this information," I make eye contact with her to make sure she's listening and lift the next finger.  "Two: You must feel the connection we have, we are drawn to each other, I sure as f**k feel it." I press on lifting the next finger "Three: you asked me to back off and be your boss unless I missed the memo where you changed your mind?  I believe I have followed the rules you have laid down."  I raise my eyebrow to make sure she understands what I am saying to her, and then I go in for the ultimatum. " Now Skye, I need you to stop f*****g with my head, I am either going to be Mr. Royal and I will stop pursuing you since that is what you will want me to do, or you are going to come to terms with how good we can be together, and I will be Jess, your Jess.  Now I do not expect an answer right now, but I do want to know where we stand on Monday. If you would prefer, I will leave this open until dinner on Monday, so it isn’t done in the office for all the eyes and ears.  Does that seem fair to you, well unless you have an answer for me right now then I will take it now?"  I can see a storm of emotions happening behind her eyes and I pray I made the right move.

"Sounds fair Jess and I will let you know tomorrow, thank you for the ride once again." Before she gets out, I grab her and pull her towards me because if I lose, I will know I gave it everything. I lean in and I kiss her like my life depends on it, and sure as s**t, she kisses me back like her life depends on it.  Once I break the kiss, I say good night and she heads into her place, I guess now I wait.

Skye

I head into my kitchen and pour myself a shot of Patron, that kiss was not just any kiss there was so much meaning behind it.  As I down my shot my fingers instinctually go to my lips like they can still feel Jess’ lips.  I pour another shot because I must admit, everything he said was on point and I seriously need to get my s**t together and figure out what I want. Most importantly I need to let go of that scared little girl who does not trust anyone, especially those that she gives her trust and love too. 

If there is one person that will call me out on my s**t and make me own it, it's Johnny so I down another shot and text my one and only true friend.

Hey, sorry for earlier, if you are still available do you want to meet for drinks?

I don't wait long for a reply.

On my way up, I thought you would want to vent, open the door.

Heading for my door I thank the powers that be that Johnny is in my life.

"Come on in, you have a couple of shots to catch up on." I pull out another shot glass and pour. Johnny has made himself comfy and is waiting for me, so I hand him his shot and sit beside him.

"Thanks. Salute. Now are we going to pretend I'm here because I have nothing better to do or are you going to spill it and let me know what happened tonight?" There it is, him calling me out before I even start.

"After our conversation last night, I went to work this morning and I delivered a fantastic presentation, and the client left the office more than happy. Once the boardroom was empty, and it was just my boss and I, I decided to ask him to join me for dinner. Throughout the dinner we had an amazing conversation, and the food was amazing, but he kept referring to me as Ms. Anderson, so I lost my temper and called him out on it. Before he can reply I grabbed my stuff and left.  You would think that he would just let me go, but NOPE he comes out and tells me that the only way I am going home is with him.  If that was not bad enough after he dropped me off, he decided to lay into me and told me that he was giving me what I requested, and if something has changed, he did not receive the memo. He finished yelling at me by telling me he will give me until Monday to figure out my s**t, and if I decide that it stays as is, then he will honor what I want and be my boss only." I glance over to my friend and he is looking at me like I'm the crazy one.

"WHAT?"

"Skye, you know I will always have your back, but are you f*****g with me right now?"

"WHAT!?"

"You need to tell me what your hang-up here is and help me understand where you're coming from. You obviously want something with this guy, or else you would not be all worked up and drowning in Patron.  So, are you going to let me in so I can help?  Or do you want me to just sit here and listen to you vent?"

"It's not easy for me to trust people, especially men and I know that's not fair. I would love nothing more than to see if there can be something more, but then reality kicks me in the stomach and tells me it can't work he’s, my boss. Plus, there are already enough whispers since he gave me the new account. I don't know if I can live with more whispers." I peer over and notice Johnny wasn't really expecting me to say any of that and I can't help but burst out laughing.

"You said you wanted to know, why do you look so shocked?"

"Sorry crazy girl, but you do realize this is the most you have said to me regarding anything slightly personal, so please give me a moment to relish in this trust you have just given me." When he says stuff like this, I have a little more faith in mankind, maybe there are good people that will not let you down in the end, and within seconds Johnny hits me with his thoughts.

"First, let people talk who cares, they will always find something or someone to talk about and later they move on.  Second, I did not assume you require me to tell you to take what you want. I do think you really want this guy, but just in case may I remind you; you call him an asshole quite a bit. Thirdly, if it is the fact that he’s your boss I may have the perfect solution for you. I’m about to open another gym and I need someone to work as my partner of sorts. You will need to train people and maintain the everyday things to keep the gym functioning. This will now eliminate the one hurdle you think you have.  As for your trust issues, how are you supposed to trust someone if you don't let them in?" As he finishes his phone rings pull it out of his pocket and lifts his finger to me.

"Sorry I have to get this or else my brother will hunt me down." As he talks to his brother, I consider what he just said and the opportunity with his gym. Then decide I really need to focus on Jess and what to do there first.

"Skye, sorry to cut this short but if I do not get home soon, my brother will break down my door.  Think about what I said, and if asked I would tell you give it a shot, see where it goes.” reaching over Johnny kisses my forehead and leaves.

Heading to bed thinking about Jess, how he makes me feel with just a look and the pure bliss that runs through my body when we kissed and let's not forget he is SO. f*****g. HOT. Yes, I'm scared of what could happen and the letdown but if I live like this forever, I better buy some cats since I will be alone.

Jess

After I drop Skye off, I drive around angry at myself for allowing her until Monday, what a stupid thing to say I wanted an answer now, not f*****g Monday, I am an asshole. After driving with nowhere to go I head to my brothers and notice he's not home. Since I am in need of a little brother time, I give him a call and he answers on the third ring which is long for him.

"Hey what's up big brother?"

"You at the gym still?"

"No, just with a friend."

"Friend code for getting some?" I laugh because even if it was a code he would never say it.

"No asshole, do you need something?"

"Well if it's not code, get home I think I may have f****d up tonight after you said not to, and I  I may be going crazy."

"Not surprised, give me 15 I'm not that far."

"I honestly wonder why people assume you're the sweet one, just get your ass home."

After I hang up and know I have 15 minutes before he shows up, so I go and grab us a bottle of Whiskey. Once I get back to Johnny's place he is just pulling up so I get out of the car and head for the door.

"I bought some Whiskey!" smiling and lifting the liquor bag.

"Great more alcohol, you two are perfect together" he mumbles so low that I almost missed it but I didn't.

"What the f**k is that supposed to mean man?"

"First go and pour the drinks it's going to be a long night," not liking where this is going I pour both of us a double and head back to the couch.

"Speak Little brother!"

"I just left Skye's place, and she was serving Patron, and I knew you f****d up when she messaged me for a ride home.  You dipshit, I know I told you to take it slow, but you were being an asshole and you know it."

"So that is it then? You know-it-all, there is nothing I can do, is that what you are saying?"

"No, that is not what I'm saying."

"I thought she was messaging Uber, not my f*****g brother. Instead of admitting that she belongs with me in, she runs inside and calls you, Un-Fuc-King believable!"

"What do you know, can you tell me anything?"

"She is worried about work and you being her boss, I did offer her to come work at the gym as my part-"

"You what? Are you seriously trying to mess with me? She is amazing at what she does, and I don't want her to leave.  I want her to understand that I will protect her which I thought I proved with that dumbass Kim the other day." I get up to pour another drink but then change my mind and bring the bottle over.

"Listen man she never said she was taking the job, I'm not f*****g with you, I thought if this was her big hang (issue)up then I could hand her the solution.  On a more selfish note, I’m hoping that working as a trainer will take her out of the underground."  I can't fault my brother for his reasoning, honestly if it gets her out of the underground alone it would be worth it.

"Thanks man, do you know where her head might be? I should have told her I wanted an answer right then and there, because honestly, I do not know if I can wait till Monday."

"No I don't, and I’m not going to push it either. I'm not comfortable talking to you about what she and I talk about, so this was the last time I will tell you anything about what we talk about if it pertains to you, understood!?"

"Sorry man I didn't even think about the position I was putting you in with her. Do you mind if I crash here tonight?"

"I'll grab you a pillow and blanket, tomorrow I have an early morning at the gym, I have a friend coming to check on Skye's recovery."