Grace (The ‘Hello’ series)

16. Chapter 16

sixteen

T here’s nothing wrong with me, right?

It isn’t weird that I’m scared or anxious about seeing my boss again after yesterday. It isn’t weird that I kept changing this morning since I couldn’t decide whether I should wear a skirt again or pants.

The skirt won, though, a loose-fitted one that stops just above my knees. I tell myself it’s because it’s comfortable, not purely to tease Daniel… but the little thrill I get when the fabric brushes my thigh says otherwise.

And so, with every step I get closer to my desk, my heart beats just a little faster, my belly tightens further.

“Oh, thank God you’re still here,” Melissa’s voice halts me, and I turn to face her, mustering a smile even though I’m sure my cheeks are a fiery red.

“He went all out, didn’t he?” she asks as she brushes her fingers over my shoulder gently.

“No, no, it was okay.”

“Okay?” her brows pinch together. “You were in there for so, so long, the blinds were closed, and then you looked all… well… like you do now.”

I press the back of my hand on my hot skin, hoping to cool down the heat that crawls through me.

“It was fine,” I say, not wanting her to pry any further. “It was just… a little intense.” I try to be honest without giving us away. I hope something stops her line of questioning before I can get in trouble.

“Are you sure? He never closes the blinds. Well, he did… That doesn’t matter. That was different.” She waves her hand slightly, dismissing her words, but I can’t stop mine from falling out.

“What do you mean?”

She chuckles softly as she inches closer. “Well, our dear boss had a certain woman working here, and he and her… You can fill in the blanks, can’t you?”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” I mumble as my fast beating heart stammers almost painfully.

Am I really just convenient? A replacement for some other woman because he’s bored? I shake my head, trying not to let the words get to me.

“I’m glad you’re still here,” Melissa says with a smile before she heads to her cubicle.

I fall in the leather chair, rolling closer to my desk as I start my computer, not wanting to let my gaze wander to Daniel. The blinds are open as he paces his office with his phone clutched in his hand, pressed tightly against his ear.

My idea to throw myself into work as Melissa’s words slither within me fails. I feel like I’m pretending to work because nothing is sticking in my mind.

“Grace,” Daniel calls out, and I sigh, looking up to see him gesturing for me to come in.

Slow and carefully, I scan around as I stand up. No one notices a thing, but they shouldn’t even be surprised, right? There’s nothing wrong with me going into his office. I’m his assistant. This is normal, totally normal… for everyone other than me.

“Close the door,” Daniel quickly says as I step inside.

My heart hasn’t slowed a bit as I close the door. The sound of the blinds closing follows, and a tremble makes its way through my body.

Is it one of anticipation or nerves?

I almost make no sound as I walk to Daniel’s desk while he takes his seat. My hand reaches for the chair, and he clears his throat. My eyes snap up, watching him as he shakes his head and rolls back slightly, patting his lap.

My throat closes, and there’s a slight pause in my movements, but I wanted to do this, try this. And even though I know I already messed up by catching feelings, a simple crush, I shouldn’t let Melissa’s words get to me.

But somehow, they do. I’m not the first one in this position, and I won’t be the last. I don’t know if that makes it better or worse, but…

I hold onto that thought as I walk around his desk and linger by him, not sure whether to take my seat on his lap or—

A squeal escapes as his big hand grabs my waist, tugging me sharply closer until I’m propped on his legs.

“Good morning,” Daniel whispers as he turns his chair back. “You look beautiful, Grace.”

I smile quietly as my fingers intertwine.

“Is this okay?” he asks, his fingers grazing over my lower back as he tilts his head closer. The phone falls on his desk, and the sound of someone speaking on the other side resonates from it just briefly as Daniel hangs up without a word.

“Yes,” I breathe, and he gently presses his lips to my forehead.

“I want to kiss you. Can I?” he asks.

“O–Okay,” I answer, unsure why he’s asking for permission to kiss me after what we did last time we were in here together. Was it just yesterday?

There’s this glint in his eyes, this excitement as I give in, consent to what he wants to do.

“Good,” he breathes, the warmth of his breath tickling over my lips as he edges closer.

His full lips brush over mine, a slight tease as he waits for me. He does it again, his hand tightening at my lower back as he draws me closer.

And I’m the one who closes the distance, claiming his lips with mine. The tension in my body slowly melts away, and my lips soften, following his lead as he kisses me, so gently, so soft and kind.

His tongue follows, gliding over mine as he deepens the kiss. A throaty groan vibrates around our tongues, and I melt against him.

I lean closer and closer until his chair cracks under our weight as he lies back. My body crawls over his as he doesn’t stop kissing me, doesn’t stop his hand from dropping to the curve of my ass and pulling me closer, even though there’s no space between us.

Our kiss slows, and I break my lips free, catching my breath as I’m pressed flush against him.

“Good girl,” he praises as my trembling hand glides over his shirt.

“I want you to stay here,” he says, his fingers trailing over my heated cheek. “With me.”

I gape at him as my heartbeat rings in my ears. “The entire day? I have some work that needs to be done. The reports… and I have to finish that PowerPoint presentation I started Friday,” I say haltingly.

All he does is stare at me, a slight curve on his lips. I notice how playful and approachable he looks like this, even though I know he’s plenty capable of being intimidating. I try to control my breathing and my reaction to him as he grazes his fingers over my lower back.

“You can do all that here with me,” he says so easily.

I blink, unsure whether it’s the right thing to do. “What would everyone think?”

My eyes drop to my hand, Melissa’s words ringing in my head as I wonder if I want to be that person, the one who sleeps with the boss. Or perhaps we already passed that point. Is there any coming back or am I just another girl in Daniel’s long line of women?

“There’s nothing for them to know. This is between you and me.”

“But they’ll know because…” I swallow my next words.

“Because?” There’s no impatience in his eyes, no annoyance, only kindness and patience, and I’m unsure what to make of it.

“Well, because of someone else you… had here.” I can’t muster the right words. I can’t say it bluntly.

His brows draw together as he sits a little straighter. “Had here?”

“It’s nothing, never mind,” I say, wanting to run and hide just because I brought this up. Because what does it matter? We’re nothing to each other. It’s just for fun, right?

“Grace, look at me.” Daniel’s voice is gentle as he guides my face back to him. “Just tell me.”

I swallow thickly. “It’s just something Melissa said, that you had a… fling with someone in the office before.”

There it is. The slight movement of his Adam’s apple, the blink and sigh of resignation. It’s the truth, then. I’m not his first in this situation, and I probably won’t be his last.

“Are you jealous?” he asks.

“No, no, of course not.” I sigh. It’s only a half-lie. I’m getting good at those. “I don’t know what I’m doing. What we’re doing.”

A soft smile tugs on his lips. “I can’t answer that, but I can’t stop thinking about you. Your smile, your strength, your cooking.” He leans closer, his finger curling under the hem of my skirt. “And that pretty pussy between your legs, darling. You let me have a taste, and now you are all I can think about.”

“But… I’m just me?” I breathe.

“And just you have me entirely addicted,” he whispers.