I walk to the lobby to wait for Jonathan. I can already see my coworkers talking more openly; this is the best day of the week for all of us.
I wave from a distance when I see Jonathan; he waves back, but he looks tense.
- Hi! Shall we head over to the get-together so I can introduce you to your new crush?
- Hi, yeah, sure. But I need to talk to you, Blair.
His expression looks worried. As I try to get him to talk, we’re interrupted by two coworkers who drag us out to the garden.
The atmosphere is perfect; mood music plays, and the sound of lively conversations fills the air as coworkers unwind from all the stress of working at that company. We head over to the small bar to order two Mimosas, which is what we always drink at these social gatherings. I’m approached by a man who works on the second floor; he’s an accountant and says he finds me intriguing. I shake his hand, but he’s quickly interrupted by another man, who claims to be Jonathan’s colleague. His face looks familiar to me, but I brush it off. I notice some glances from colleagues I don’t even know. I sip my drink, trying to figure out what’s going on. I’m approached again by a colleague from Marketing.
- Hi Blair, how are you?
- Mmm, fine.
- Don’t you recognize me? I’m Rick, from the Marketing department. We run into each other quite often in the cafeteria.
- Oh, hi Rick.
He holds out his hand and I shake it, a little hesitant.
- I finally got the courage to talk to you. I’ve always thought you were really pretty! Sorry I didn’t speak up sooner, but… would you like to go out with me sometime?
He asks me out without letting go of my hand. He’s standing too close to me; I see Jonathan being approached by other colleagues, waving his arms to get my attention. I don’t understand what’s going on, but I feel like everyone’s watching me and I don’t even have time to think. I try to pull my hand back, but he doesn’t let go, applying a little more pressure. I look at the guy who doesn’t seem to take no for an answer; I see Jonathan waving his arms, and my anxiety starts to rise. I feel like running away.
- No. She won’t go out with you.
That woody scent. That voice. I shiver when I hear it, feeling his presence behind me. Rick’s grip loosens, his gaze fixed on Mr. Parker.
- Sir… Mr. Parker – He clears his throat. – How are you? I was talking to Blair.
- Yeah, I noticed. I’m not deaf.
He takes a step forward, practically pressing against my back. His tone is harsh, rude. Rick’s eyes widen, and then I realize he’s looking at Mr. Relentless. The dominance of the space is palpable, as the previous relaxed chatter of colleagues has given way to a murmur, making the sound of the background music clear.
- Well then, Blair, it was a pleasure. We’ll talk later.
When he said “we’ll talk,” he didn’t look at me, but at the beast standing behind me. He quickly disappears into the crowd of classmates, and the sounds of conversation return. However, I remain frozen in place, still feeling that presence behind me. I resist the urge to take a small step back.
- Blair.
My heart skips a beat. I have to calm down. Taking a deep breath, I turn to him, meeting a defined chest in a white shirt. I force myself to look up, meeting the blue eyes that make me stop breathing.
- Good afternoon, Mr. Parker.
I’m overwhelmed by insecurity again. I can barely form words; I just want to run away from here. He looks around, noticing the stares directed at us as well.
- Can we talk, alone?
I look around, seeking Jonathan’s help, begging him to come save me, and I find him, standing there pretending to talk to a teammate, but with his eyes fixed on me. He claps his hands together and apologizes, as if he can’t save me from this man.
I resign myself and nod in agreement. I turn toward the doors and feel his hand on my lower back, guiding me away from the small crowd. A shock runs through my entire body. I force myself to walk straight, even though my legs want to give way.
We reach the lobby and he motions for me to follow him; only the security guards are in the lobby, and the only sound to be heard is my heels clicking on the white marble floor. We pass the reception desk and the elevators and continue until we reach the entrance to the gym. He opens it and motions for me to go in. Everything goes through my head—is he going to fire me? That’s definitely it. I’m screwed! I have to write new resumes! And he’s going to fire me at the gym? What a jerk! I’m going to tell him exactly what I think of him to his face so I can just leave, but at least I’ll walk away relieved! I follow him to the punching bags; only the ambient lights are on and there’s no sound at all, just ours—which is nothing more than the sounds of movement. I’m nervous. He leans against the edge of the ring, crossing his arms. I stand in front of a punching bag, staring at him. I’ve never been fired before; I’ll have to review my savings.
- Mr. Parker, we’re alone now. What do you want to talk to me about?
I cross my arms. I’m extremely uncomfortable and feel exposed, though I don’t know why.
He watches me, very calmly. I look away to try to hide my discomfort. Something that seems to amuse him.
- Are you single, Blair?
- What? - I’m so surprised by the question that my voice comes out shrill. – I think that question is far too personal and completely unprofessional, Mr. Parker.
He gives a half-smile, as if he’d already been expecting me to say that.
- You’re right, but what happened in those shower rooms was also extremely intimate and unprofessional.
He points behind him, without taking his eyes off me. I know I’m as red as a tomato because I can feel the heat on my cheeks. Luckily, it’s a bit dark.
- Correct, but as we discussed earlier, I apologized for that behavior and assured you it wouldn’t happen again.
- Of course. But you know, I woke up today thinking about something.
My curiosity gets the better of me.
- What?
- What happened in that shower room between you and me was really intimate and definitely unprofessional, but since it was so intimate, if I actually had a boyfriend, wouldn’t what happened between us be a kind of betrayal?
He looks at me with an amused expression. I realize he’s teasing me; with every passing minute, I’m getting more flustered and embarrassed. Is he trying to get information out of me?
- Y… yes, but…
- So, if you agree, did you cheat on your boyfriend or not?
- No! Of course I didn’t cheat on anyone!
I’m quick to respond to his insinuation that I’m a cheater. And I see the victory. He could have been an excellent lawyer, no doubt.
- So, there is no boyfriend.
- No. And as far as I know, it might not have been you behind that door; it could have been anyone!
- Oh, it was me, all right. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that.
We were silent for a while, until he started moving among the punching bags. I didn’t follow him, straining my ears to figure out where he was. I was, without a doubt, his prey.
- Have you had many boyfriends, Blair?
I couldn’t see him, I could only hear him.
- What kind of question is that?
- Just answer.
I swallow hard, not knowing where he’s going with this. I feel like a cornered rat, desperately searching for a way out.
- Quite a few.
I lie. And it seems he’s noticed my lie.
- So, did those relationships last long?
- They lasted long enough. I don’t understand where you’re going with this, Mr. Parker.
The punching bag that had been protecting my back is quickly pushed aside, and two hands grab my waist, pushing me forward. I flinch and almost stumble. The only thing I hear is my heart beating wildly and the chain of the punching bag swaying. He doesn’t let me move, holding me still. He presses his mouth against my ear. My entire back is warmed by his body. It’s delicious and terrifying at the same time.
- Let’s cut to the chase, Blair. Ever since that night here, I haven’t been able to think of anything else. After you turned me down in the elevator, I tried to forget you and ignore you, but it was extremely difficult. Until the moment a piece of information reached my ears. And apparently, to the ears of every man in this damn building.
I’m so worked up, trembling with excitement and fear that my brain can barely process his words. I can barely speak.
- What… What information?
- Oh, honey, haven’t you figured it out yet?
Suddenly he rubs his rock-hard erection against my ass and I almost melt. I feel so nervous, but I can’t resist closing my eyes and throwing my head back, resting it against his chest.
- Realize what?
- Haven’t you noticed all the new male attention?
- I noticed a little in the garden, that’s all.
- Darling, all the men know.
I’m so mesmerized by the moment that I answer, but I barely hear his replies.
- That you’re a virgin.
He says languidly, as if it were a sweet treat. My eyes snap open and my whole body freezes. My secret—how? Who? I pull away from him quickly, feeling panic rising. I want to leave, now!
- How do you know that? Who told you?
I feel betrayed by my friends. The pain is so intense that I can’t hold back the tears threatening to fall. I look at his face and see an expression of agony, as if he were the one caught off guard.
- Don’t be like this, Blair. Someone overheard you talking to some coworkers at a bar; you were drunk, apparently.
He tries to approach me, but I step back, my back hitting the ring. Why on earth did I let my biggest secret slip at a bar where there were so many coworkers? That’s why they look at me differently now and recognize me. I feel completely disgusted.
He takes another step forward, but I hold out my hand, ordering him to stop.
- You never looked at me any differently until that night here. In fact, you probably didn’t even know I existed! – I let out a bitter smile, making fun of myself. My self-esteem went up in smoke after that. – And now that you know I’m still a virgin, you want to add that to your list, is that it?
- What? No, that’s not it at all…
- Stop! I don’t want excuses; nothing you say will change my mind. Did you think you could get me into bed and then do what you did with all the others? No. I’m not like the others! And just because I’ve never actually slept with a man doesn’t mean I’m going to lower myself to your level! Even if you’re my boss, if you want to fire me, go ahead—I don’t care anymore!
I can’t keep up this stoic facade any longer; as soon as I finish speaking, a sob escapes my throat, enough to make the tears fall. I’m about to turn my back and run out of there when he grabs my arm and pulls me against his chest. I struggle to get him to let go, but he doesn’t; he pins me between the ring and himself.
-Look at me. – I shake my head and keep trying to move, to no success. -Look at me, Blair.
- What is it?!
I lift my head to meet his eyes, knowing my anger is palpable and my gaze doesn’t hide it; yet, his looks calm and pained, as if he were suffering too.
After long seconds with our eyes locked on each other, he sighs and, without warning, kisses me.
I’m taken by surprise by his move, but I don’t resist; I melt into his arms and open my mouth so his tongue can explore mine. The taste of his sweet white wine is addictive, and I want more and more. He releases my arms, which snake up to his shoulders, pulling him closer to me. His left hand slides behind my neck, while his right rests low on my back, pulling me even closer to him, as if to completely erase the nonexistent space between us. I’m swept away by a rush of adrenaline and desire that clouds my thoughts. His growl caught in his throat as he deepens the kiss makes me realize I’m not the only one intoxicated by lust. His right hand slides to my waist, squeezing it, as if he himself were caught in a limbo between not resisting and devouring me right there. I feel breathless and burning; I need to relieve myself by taking off my clothes. I need to feel him on top of me. And I know he wants to feel me too. Just as his hands are about to focus on my chest, the gym door opens, and in a second, we pull apart.
The sudden chill I feel from his abrupt exit makes me shiver. I stay pressed against the ring as I adjust my glasses and compose myself slightly. I look at him; he’s pacing back and forth in the darkest corner of the gym, one hand on his waist while the other brushes across his face. He looks like a caged tiger, waiting for the right moment.
I hear giggles and a voice that both he and I know well.
- I’m telling you, Marta! He wants me! He only came to the party because of me. – I hear the sound of her heels clicking on the floor, echoing throughout the large room. – I’m going to show you the surprise I have for him; once he sees me in that sexy lingerie with charms, he’ll be head over heels at my feet. Come on, help me!
The giggles continue until the door to the women’s locker room closes. I had completely forgotten that my boss, the man who just kissed me so divinely, had been flirting all day with his senior assistant. Jealousy is the last straw. I start heading for the door, determined not to look back. I won’t be just another one in his hands.