My mind was reeling. I'd put myself out there. Would he let me down?His cologne suddenly felt suffocating. Was he closer? I wanted to slightly open one eye to peek but I knew that would ruin the magic.It was only a few seconds but I felt like a lifetime, sitting in his car with my eyes closed, waiting for our first kiss. Sparks. I felt like I'd been electrocuted when I felt his hand cup my cheek. He grazed over my lips with his thumb. I felt like I was melting. He caressed my cheek and grabbed the back of my neck. I let out an involuntary moan. Shame rose to the top of my mind but I quickly shut it down. In the moment, I didn't care. All I wanted was him.With his hand at the back of my neck, he pulled me closer to him."Remi," he whispered, short circuiting my brain with his hand at the back of my neck."Sir," I managed with my trembling voice.He came so close, I could feel his breath on my skin. "We shouldn't do this," he said as he placed his free hand on my thigh, running up

I felt like I couldn't breathe. What was I supposed to tell him? I should have already told him everything. I should have been free.We rode up in silence with me counting the floors as they lit up above the elevator doors. I swear I usually didn't take so long.Jesse remained silent. I hated the fact that he could outlast me in the awkward silence. It was so uncomfortable. I was at my limit, ready to sing like a canary when the elevator dinged and the doors slid open."We'll talk about this after work," he said as he slipped out.I waited for the relief to flood my system but nothing came. Only a feeling of dread and a lump in my throat.My desk suddenly felt claustrophobic, like I was stuck. I needed to be anywhere but there but I had a job to do.Why was I doing this job? I'd lost track of my motivation to be here. I might as well have just been a secretary at that point.I was going to be at the helm of this company – my company – in under a month. All these people, my coworkers

It was long overdue anyway. I should never have moved back in the first place.I moved into a hotel with what little of my belongings I'd taken from my parents home. I'd much have preferred to move into an actual apartment but I was going purely off instincts that night. Apartment hunting was the next pressing agenda on the list but mentorship meetings were taking up all my time. It sucked sleeping in a soulless room of a soulless chain hotel; no personal touch whatsoever. Of course, I could have stayed until I found an apartment but why would I give dad that satisfaction? And then there was mom. I loved her with my whole heart but why hadn't she ever come to my rescue against dad? She was content to stand and watch, and occasionally offer sympathy. That was all well and good but it was my life on the line. My dreams, my goals, everything had to be put aside to go on someone else's journey. I'd accepted it. What was the point of fighting a losing battle? Tristan had had me showin

For the rest of the week, Jesse would come over after work and we would spend the whole night exploring each other. I started to keep track but eventually lost count of how many times he brought me to a toe curling, back arching, sheet gripping climax.At some point I began struggling to keep up with his strength and stamina. The man quite simply was a machine."So, next week, huh?" Jesse said, as he came out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist.Next week. My coronation, so to speak."Yeah." I was dreading it. Not because of the job itself; my meetings with Tristan had given me a new outlook and immense confidence that I would do a good job. What was bothering me was Jesse. He was such a sticker for the rules. I knew he would want us to stop… this. I'd been so pleasantly surprised when he called and actually showed up and we'd been having sneaky links since. But I could just picture him saying we had to end it once I took over. He dropped the towel, giving me a full

I took a deep breath and exhaled, forces all the air of my lungs until it felt like I'd pass out.My big day had come and as much as I'd convinced myself I was unphased, my legs had been tingling since I got in bed the previous night. I'd thought the jitters would be he gone by morning but as soon as my feet touched the cold, cold tiles, I instantly remembered what day it was. The thought froze me to the edge of my bed. In all the time I sat frozen, my phone rang five times – I'd counted. I didn't bother picking up, didn't even bother checking who had called. I sat frozen as it rang over and again like a mockingly bubbly soundtrack to my dreary disposition.The sixth ring made me spring to my feet. Dad had said greatness came from doing what needed to be done despite the fear, in spite of doubt.Those two things, I had in spades at the moment so I decided to follow his advice. I picked up my phone to find a whole lot of texts. I didn't want to deal with all that so I did a cursory s