A Secret Love Affair

Chapter Three

                                                                                        (Emily) 

             Peter was not happy. Head ducked, I hurried to my desk as quick as I could manage without spilling the coffees I juggled in each hand. One for myself, the other for Peter. I would need it. It felt as if someone had taken a hammer to the back of my head. I’d vomited three times already that morning. I vowed then and there never to drink again.

         “Emily. You’re late.”

         I jumped. Coffee splattered all across my desk which earned more than a few stares from the other PA’s and even some of the lawyers the firm employed. Flames licked at my cheeks. At least I had managed not to spill any on my blouse. I took a sharp inhale of air, turning to face him. His eyes were not on my face. My cheeks darkened. Peter was not known for his manners, especially where women were involved. He’d been through many a PA’s in the years before I came along. I needed this job. So, I put up with his stares, with the “accidental” touches, with the verging on inappropriate comments.

         “Late night?” He quipped.

         I managed a shrug. “Not really.”

         He lifted an eyebrow. He didn’t believe me. Was it that obvious? I swallowed the shame that had burrowed its way into the pit of my stomach, forcing a smile to my lips. “What about you? Do anything fun over the weekend?”

         I regretted that question the minute I asked. He went on a ten-minute ramble about some random woman he’d picked up at a bar. I didn’t believe a word of it of course. Peter wasn’t exactly attractive. He was a good thirty pounds overweight. He sweated like a lot and had a horrible comb over that was doing nothing to hide the bald spot.

         To make matters worse, Peter was married. I had met his wife on more than one occasion. She was a nice woman…. too nice to have to put up with the likes of him. I felt bad for her. I recalled at one of the Christmas parties, she’d had a little too much to drink and had confronted him about his mistress. That had been a rough night for all of us. Talk about awkward.

         “Anyway, there’s someone I’d like to introduce you to. You’ll be taking on the role of his PA until we can hire someone for that spot.”

         I inwardly groaned. As if I didn’t already have enough to do! Peter was the laziest of all the partners. I was constantly having to redo paperwork, on top of answering calls from clients because he wouldn’t. Mind you, none of this was in my job description. He’d fired his secretary a few months back. So, now, I had to do her job as well. It was beyond frustrating.

         Peter ushered me into the large office that this new guy now had a claim over.  “Emily. Meet Marshall Evans.”

         He turned. My face drained of all color. It was him. My mystery hookup from the night before. He was as unamused as I was. We stood in awkward silence before he stepped forward. He offered his hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

         I forced a strained smile to my face, placing my fingers in his firm grip. Oh…god. He was even more attractive in the light of day. What the hell was I going to do? After last night, I thought for sure I’d never see him again. When I’d woken up in his hotel room, I had bolted without so much as a goodbye. I’d been too ashamed of myself to face him. And, now, I have to work with him.

         Peter’s phone rang. He excused himself but not before I saw the way his eyebrows arched suggestively. He shut the door behind him.

         “Well…. this is awkward.” Marshall sighed, voicing my own thought on the situation.

         “That is an understatement.” I muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

         “how’s your head? Hangovers can be a real bitch.”

         I winced. “That’s the last time I drink.”

         “Well, that’s good to hear.” He turned, making his way back over to his desk. “I can’t exactly have you showing up to work hungover, now can I?”

         “Are…are we going to discuss last night?”

         He lifted an eyebrow. “What’s there to discuss? We had a bit of fun.” He offered a shrug. “You didn’t know I was your boss, I didn’t know you were one of my employees. The way I see it, no harm no foul.”

         That was not the reaction I had been expecting. A disappointing flutter appeared in the pit of my stomach. Despite him being my boss, and the fact he’d seen me naked, he acted like it was no big deal…. like it was something that happened often. I didn’t know whether to be angry or relieved.

         I turned to leave. “Oh! Before I forget…” He was suddenly behind me. His arm snaked around my waist, lips crushing mine. His tongue immediately shoved between my lips. What the hell was he doing? I shoved against him. He finally released me.

         “What the hell?” I hissed. “Someone could’ve- “

         “Consider that a goodbye kiss.” He replied with a half-smile. “-you snuck out so fast this morning, there wasn’t time for a proper goodbye.”

         “That-that cannot happen again.”

         That same sexy smile appeared on his face, that smile that made my knees go weak. “Whatever you say, Emily.”

         “I’m serious.”

         I wasn’t. We both knew that. If he made another advance, I would be powerless to stop him. There was just something so damn seductive about him. I couldn’t put my finger out it. I wasn’t usually attracted to older men but…. Jesus, I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

         The day went out as usual. Or as usual as it could with Marshall hanging around the office. He didn’t actually have much use for me on that particular day but that didn’t stop him from occasionally pausing by my desk for a chat. Each time, he would make some excuse for a lingering touch. Unlike Peter’s wandering eyes, his touch igniting a flame between my legs that, by the end of the day, was a raging inferno that I knew only he could quench.

         I refused to allow myself to go there. Despite everything, he was still technically my boss. Though interoffice relationships were not outright prohibited, I didn’t want to be labelled as “that” girl…. the one that slept her way to the top. And that’s exactly what would happen should anyone even suspect that something was going on between the two of us. 

         Just when I thought my day was over, the shrill chirping of my phone announced that I had a call. I groaned. The caller ID read in big bold letters “Tanner.” I considered not answering. The building was empty save for a few of the other PA’s still running last minute errands. With a sigh, I answered.

         “Hey, Em.”

         “Hey. What’s up?”

         “Where did you disappear to last night?”

         “That’s not really any of your business.”

         “What’s wrong?” he asked after a few minutes of silence. “We used to tell each other everything.”

         “Things…. well, things have changed.” I cleared my throat, swiveling in my chair so the other PA’s couldn’t see my face. “You’re getting married, Tanner.”

         “Why does that have to change things between us?”

         “I’m giving you space.”

         “When the hell did I ask for space?” He was getting angry now. Angry that I was being the responsible one and putting some distance between us so he could be happy. Here I was sacrificing my own bloody happiness so he could live the life he’s always dreamed of.

         “Look, now’s not the time. I’m at work.”

         “Wait.” He said, knowing just how close I was to hanging up. “Jessica and I are having a small dinner to formerly announce our engagement. We want you there.”

         Say no. Say no. That tiny voice echoed in the back of my head. I knew I would ignore it even before I found myself agreeing. I jot down the details before jamming my phone down into my purse. It was tomorrow. Guess I should buy a dress