2022 | when we met. e/elevator.

after we met. e/elevator.

Moments later.

I could feel that Nick was still behind me so moving was out of the question. I kept my eyes on the receptionist.

“Good morning, Ms. Layne,” she said. I caught her eyes lift past me. “Mr. Hunter. Good morning. Shall I show Ms. Layne to the conference room?”

I could feel my heart in my throat. Please wake up. This has to be a nightmare. Wake up, Stella!

“No need, Katherine,” Nick said. “I’ll take care of Ms. Layne.”

Oh fuck. Did he have to say it like that?

“My office is just this way.” He gestured to the right. Without looking at him, I started walking. But he was right there beside me. Making me more anxious than the elevator had. “Last door on the left.”

When I reached the closed door, I stopped in front of it. He reached around me and turned the handle. “Please…” he extended his hand inviting me to walk into his office. “Make yourself comfortable.”

Comfortable? Comfortable!?

I took a seat in one of the chairs facing his desk. As he walked around to sit, I finally had to say something.

“Look, Mr. Hunter…”

“Nick,” he said, sitting down.

“Okay. Nick.

“I know this is a bit awkward, but I know I’m the right person for this job.”

“I’ve read your resumé. I’ve spoken to your former employer. You are certainly well qualified and highly recommended.”

“Thank you. This role is…” …perfect for me. But my words faded when he cut me off.

“But…”

Oh no. “Yes, Mr. Hunter?”

“Nick.” He smiled. But I was too nervous, angry, and flustered to smile back. “But, Ms. Layne…”

“Stella.”

“Stella. How would you handle working on the thirty-fourth floor if you don’t like elevators?”

“I would handle it.”

He stood from his chair and walked around the desk, stopping when he was directly in front of me. He leaned on his desk and folded his arms.

“I won’t always be there to… distract you.”

Oh god. Why does he have to be so damn sexy? “No,” I said, “of course not.” I knew I should say something more, but all I could think of was his distracting mouth. Those lips. That I had tasted. That I wanted to taste again. Dammit, Stella! Stop thinking about kissing him!

“How do I know you’d be good under pressure?”

I could tell from his tone that he was enjoying this far too much. He had nothing to lose, but I did. I really wanted this job.

“I’m doing pretty well not slapping you right now.”

Oh hell. I really need to learn how to keep those kinds of thoughts to myself. I was about to apologize, when a (stupid sexy) smile appeared on his face.

“I appreciate your restraint, Stella. But you know I can’t hire you after what happened in the elevator.”

“What?! I am perfect for this job and you know it!” I stood before my brain was able to process just how close I would be to him when I did. “Mr. Hunter.” I purposely didn’t say Nick. I lifted a finger towards him, pointing at his (stupid sexy) chest. “You kissed me! Not the other way around.”

“Oh… I don’t know, Ms. Layne. It definitely felt like you were doing some kissing.”

“Only because I was afraid. And you caught me off guard. And… and you started it!”

“Still. I can’t have employees behaving inappropriately.”

“You can’t possibly be serious!” I was furious. “I was having a panic attack! You took advantage of the situation!”

“I was only trying to help you.”

“No. You were trying to help you. I didn’t even know who you were! How can you…” And my words died on my lips because in that moment, again he grabbed my face in his hands… and he kissed me.

It took me a moment to realize that I was kissing him back. Again. But I had to stop this. I put my hands on his (stupid sexy) chest and pushed him away from me. “You can’t keep doing that!”

“Stella.” He was so calm. And I was so… not.

“What?”

“Your hands are still on my chest.”

Oh fuck. But I couldn’t seem to take them off him. I stared at him, angry, exasperated, and apparently, out of my mind because this time, while gripping the lapels of his jacket in my fists, I kissed him. And this time, it was more than one kiss.

Finally, he took his mouth from mine and started to speak, but I wouldn’t let him.

“Shut up.” Our mouths crashed into each other. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling my body against his. Slowly, while still kissing me, Nick’s hands moved to my hips. And one of them kept going until he reached the hem of my skirt. He slipped his warm hand under it and held my bare thigh in his grasp.

Fuck fuck fuck.

“Nick…”

I could feel his breath on my lips when he spoke. “Stella. Do you want me to stop?”

I knew the right answer, but that wasn’t what came out of my mouth.

” No.”

With his hand still on my thigh, he turned us around until my back was to the desk. He lifted me and sat me on it, standing in front of me between my legs. I wrapped them around him, my ankles locking behind him.

As he began lowering me back onto his desk, I was suddenly brought back to reality. There’s no way Nick will hire me now.

“Nick.” His name came out in a breathy whisper. When he started kissing my neck, I had to repeat his name.

Finally he stopped and looked at me. He could read my expression. He let me up. I stood and straightened my clothes. “I should go.”

I grabbed my things and headed for the door.

“Ms. Layne?”

I turned back to him. “Yes, Mr. Hunter?”

“See you on Monday. 8 am.”

I smiled and gave him a nod. “Thanks, Boss.”

♥

I love those eyes. And those forearms. And…
Hot guy: Spanish model Jon Kortajarena

p.s. — Now I have FGHIJ. Definitely not going to catch up!

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