"Have you even thought of what people will think? Michelle asked, putting one hand up as though to ward off an outburst.
"That didn't seem to be a problem when I was with you" he replied
"Ours was different." she said. "We didn't have to work so close to each other...As you well know, I didn't say anything to the manager, of course, but can you imagine if I had told him you weren't there because it was more important to be with that...tart? A faint flush of pink stained her face. "Can you?"
"I can". He replied calmly.
"But you don't care, do you? It doesn't really matter to you what people think. You lock yourself away in your own world, and nothing or anyone else exists"
Daniel stared at her, wondering where the hell all this was coming from. She had been fine with ending their relationship back then.
"Look Michelle," he said. "I think we both knew it wasn't going to work out betwe
Everything was going the way she wanted. Monica thought.Now, on her way home from a perfectly wonderful dinner with Tom, she hoped he felt the same way. She realized she liked him a lot.Decked out in her new green sweater, black leather skirt and matching boots, she had dressed to get laid tonight, and, judging by the way Tom had stared at her throughout dinner, she was well on her way to achieving her goal.But… But what?She tried to dismiss any negative thoughts. There were no buts. Everything was fine.There was a time when she wanted to be single. But she was done with that now. She knew what she wanted now. Back then she had thought she would be a fool to let fascination with a guy spoil her happy life. She figured that she didn't really want or need a man in her life.But now she knew she was done with all that. She wanted to share her life with someone. She wanted to be ha
Was she really having this conversation with this man? Monica thought. This man who she had once said wasn't her type. This man who she had once said was too nerdy for her. If she had known she would enjoy a date with him. She would have asked to go out with him a long time ago."Wait a second," she said, then went in search of a box. In the pantry, there it sat. A box of four flavored syrups.She grabbed it and tore open the packaging, then placed each bottle on the counter next to Tom.French vanilla, mint chocolate, hazelnut and raspberry."Which one do you want to try first." she asked."Honestly, I don't want any coffee." he said"I don't mean in coffee. I mean, try on me." she said smiling, thinking of all the things she wanted to do to him."Try on you?" he repeated. This woman was something else. Tom thought"
"I think we should leave now. I had a great time but it's really getting late" Emma saidBen Sanders stood up next to Emma and stretched to his full height. "Alright. Let's get you home. I wish we could stay longer though" he said"I know" Emma replied. "But you know we didn't bring a car, so we have to walk""And who brought up such an amazing suggestion?" he asked"Stop" Emma said laughing. "I wanted to walk. Kinda helps clear my head""Clear your head?" he asked. "Anything bothering you, Emma?""No, not really... I guess it's just work stress" she repliedShe remembered her phone conversation with Daniel the previous night. It did not go well... At least for Daniel. She had agreed to go out with him but after seeing him with Monica, she had changed her mind. There were this nagging feeling that told her Monica wasn't just a business associate of his and she didn'
"That doesn't answer my question. I gave you time, Emma... And space... You have absolutely no idea how hard it was for me to stay away. But I thought that was what you wanted...after that night. And yet you still act this way. I want to understand you, Emma. Why do you choose to fight me? I'm not going to hurt you. He said."You say that and yet here we are" she said. "everything was fine until you came along."He smiled. "That's because you keep fighting me" he said, and then he promised too quietly, "If you will cool down, my tender little wildcat, you will see that there is a lot going on between us?"His low, intimate tone brought Emma's chin up and tightened her fists. "between us? The only thing between us is a bad employee-boss relationship. You can leave now and take it with you. You know you can't just show up at my place whenever you want and act like you own me."Feather light, his finger swept her hot c
"Okay..." Daniel said. "You have said a lot of things to me... But I gotta say...I was not expecting you to say that.... What the hell does that even mean?""Nothing" Emma replied, angry with herself for saying something. Angry at herself for letting him know just how much seeing him with Michelle had affected her. "It didn't mean anything. Forget I said that""Oh I won't... You can't just say something like that and expect me to forget it... I won't forget you said that... So just answer my question... What made you say that?" he asked"I said forget it". She repeated. "I don't care anyways""I hate to point this out, honey, but it sounds like you do".He smiled when she didn't reply. He stepped closer."All that passion brings out your fabulous color. You are fascinating, Emma. All woman. I'm concerned about you. That is a new one for me". He said with mild surprise.
The next morning, Emma was awakened by the loud buzzing of the bedside digital clock. She pushed down the snooze button, restoring quiet, then rolled away from the clock, groaning."I wish you would ring ten hours later, not just ten minutes" she saidA few moments later, she threw back the covers, heaved herself out of bed, slipped into her bedroom slippers, and padded into the kitchen.She glanced the at the wall clock and saw it was five thirty. A full day of work lay before her. And another encounter with Daniel Rohan. She sighed.She hadn't been able to sleep that night. Thinking about him, the stupid conversation from hell, him leaving angrily. She didn't want to hurt him. She thought. But she didn't want to get hurt either.Some clothes lay on top of the washer. She couldn't get to them when she got home yesterday as she had planned. After Daniel left, she just took off her clothes and went s
Daniel did not look happy.He was angry. He looked even angrier than he did last night. Well... She was angry too. Emma thought. And it was all his fault. Good thing he shared some of that anger."I'm sorry I made you come late, Emma" Tom said as he walked beside her. "The boss doesn't look so happy today""It's alright" she replied. "I can handle Mr Rohan""You know it's really good to hear you say that... Because I'm not walking up there with you. You are on your own, sweetheart" he said as he moved away from her.Emma rolled her eyes. Now she was going to face him alone. Daniel looked even more intimidating as she got closer. His upper body thrust back at the lean hips, his legs spread apart. His stare darkened as Emma approached."Good morning, Mr Barrett" she said.Emma glanced at Barrett and stalked past Daniel."Hold it, lady" he ordered in a
Both men stared down at her as though they had just remembered her existence.Daniel was the first to recover. "Tom". He said. "If you don't want your pay docked, you will get to work now"Emma touched Tom's tense forearm lightly. "I'm okay. Go on, now" she urged softly."Fine". Tom said.He walked stiffly from the room. After the door slammed behind him, Daniel faced her."Now, where were we?" he drawled.Emma stared at him. She looked like she was going to hit him. He wouldn't blame her if she did. He thought. He was being a jerk on purpose. He wasn't really going to dock her pay. But he was mad about the previous night... And also worried."I apologize, Emma". He said formally. "I was out of line just now. I should have asked you why you were late."He rubbed the back of his neck. "This is no place to discuss... Will you meet me after work today?