I was so busy being relieved that I didn't notice when they walked towards the door, or even the sound of the door opening. They both abruptly stopped their goodbyes to gape at me. Rick cocked his eyebrows, and Kathy shook her head in disgust. Although, I doubted Kathy's response was completely because of me. She had been rejected, after all.
"Marley, what are you doing?" Kathy asked me with a disapproving scowl.
"I was, um … " I'd had an excuse, but what was it? "I was removing the dead leaves from this plant."
"Well you definitely don't have a green thumb," she said.
I looked around me. I was unable to hide my own shock from what I'd done. Holy crap! I'd unconsciously managed to pluck every single leaf-dead and living-from the stupid plant. A carpet of green and yellow surrounded me. It looked as if a tree had exploded in our office. I stared up at Rick. His expression was somewhere between amused and confused. It was hard to tell.
"Thanks for stopping by, Kathy." Rick ushered her out of the door before she made any more comments. Once he'd closed the outer office door, he turned his attention back at me, shaking his head.
"Get your ass in my office, right now."
"I have to clean this up," I replied meekly.
"Now!" he growled. I stood, shoulders hunched, and walked in. I felt like I was in high school being summoned to the principal's office for reprimand. It wasn't a completely new experience for me. Although, Mr Jones, my principle, had never pinned me against the wall and leaned into me like Rick did.
"What the hell were you doing?"
"I was removing the dead leaves from the plant," I answered as if it were obvious.
"You were killing the plant. I was talking to Kathy and every time I looked up, there you were, with your nose pressed to the window like a fucking Peeping Tom. What the hell was all that about?"
The jig was up, and I really should have just told the truth at this point. What was the use in keeping up with the charade? All it had done was kill an innocent plant. "I was curious what you were doing with Kathy."
"I was talking to her, or more like listening as she rambled. Marley, are you jealous of Kathy?" he asked incredulously as if the idea was shocking to him.
"Well, you're the one who had the whole fucking coded conversation with her about input and data."
Rick was thoughtful for a moment before he spoke. "I was trying to convey a hidden message, but not to her, Marley, to you. For the next three months, you're mine, right?" I nodded slowly. "It works both ways. I promise you have no reason to be jealous of Kathy, or anyone else."
"So you don't find her attractive?" I immediately crossed my fingers, waiting for his response.
"No, she's superhot," he replied, the boyish grin streaking across his face.
I pushed him, but he barely moved. "Hey! You're not supposed to say that."
"I'm honest, if anything, but trust me, I'm not into her."
I found it hard to believe. Kathy didn't exactly look like his now ex-girlfriend Amanda, but they had very similar qualities. They carried themselves with grace and style, and I sort of fumbled along in life.
"Marley, Kathy is beautiful, but there's one girl in this whole building that I find more than beautiful. I find her … irresistible."
I backed against the wall as he leaned into me, but he stopped just shy of my lips. "What time is it?"
"I don't know, like four," I guessed.
He sighed and moved away. "Want to take off early?"
I smiled at him. "Although what we're doing isn't against the rules, I don't exactly want to advertise it. I think leaving early together will start the cogs of the gossip factory for sure."
He leaned into my neck and rested his head there. "I would say fuck them, but I suppose you're right."
"I am right." His intoxicating scent and the heat of his breath made the decision very difficult.
"Well then, get the hell out of my office, please," Rick said gruffly, backing away so I could extract myself.
"Yes, sir," I replied.
"And, Marley?"
I turned to look back.
"Be ready to go at five. No staying late tonight."
Chapter Eight
Rick was punctual. He stepped out of his office at exactly five and stood behind me, impatiently tapping his foot. I was finishing an email.
"Turn off your computer. I can't believe you're not ready."
"Sorry, I just have to send out this email. My boss wanted me to get it done tonight." It occurred to me that I'd never seen Rick leave on time before.
"Yeah? Well, he sounds like a total dick."
I burst out laughing, misspelling a word.
"He can be, so I don't want to make him mad."
He leant down and whispered into my ear, "Forget your boss. Just think about the guy who wants to fuck you seven ways to Sunday." His heated breath against my ear initiated an involuntary shiver that surged through my whole body.
I turned off my computer, and I didn't wait for the shutdown screens-I did a hard shutdown. The IT police could come after me on Monday. I had other things to do.
I gathered all my stuff and we walked silently to the elevator. It was crammed with people again. Once we got out to the large parking lot, I walked towards my vehicle. "Do you want me to follow you?"
"No, I'm driving. I'll bring you back here," Rick said, taking my hand. I wasn't worried anyone would see us. Our building was large and our office made up a small percentage, but the idea of him driving made me feel vulnerable.
"Rick, I am capable of driving myself," I protested.
He smiled impishly. "Marley, I'm not taking any chances with you. You got lost going to the airport."
I stifled a giggle. The lie I had told him during our first meeting was backfiring on me.
We headed towards his rented BMW, where he opened the door for me. The anticipation and events of the past week completely caught up with me. I tried to focus all my energy on the radio, but felt incredibly nervous. Rick had a rock station on, and they were playing U2's Mysterious Ways. The powerful, sexual lyrics only made me shift uncomfortably. The song was not helping me. Rick seemed to be enjoying it, though. He sang the words softly, strumming his fingers against the steering wheel, occasionally giving me a wicked smile during all the right parts.
Rick's place was very close to the office so there was no time for idle chitchat, which was good since I currently lacked the ability to articulate. I deserved a Boy Scout merit badge for all the knots in my stomach.
His apartment was one of those corporate deals that came with all the comforts of home and none of the warmth. The living room contained a long chenille couch, a flat-screen television and other non-descript furniture. There was a hallway with two doors, which I assumed were the bedroom and bathroom. A small kitchenette rounded out the space. I looked around, taking it all in. I wished it held some part of Rick. To know someone's space was to have a better understanding of them. This was all neutral and anonymous and like Rick, temporary.
I walked over to a painting that hung above a wooden desk. It was a seaside picture and looked out of place in the Chicago high-rise. I wondered why the designer would have selected this particular painting and not something more indicative of our city. I suppose the design choice was to serve as a soothing and colourful influence in the sterile apartment, but it wasn't helping me. I studied the lines and colours, trying to calm myself.
I heard Rick shuffling behind me.
"Do you want a drink?" he asked.
"No thanks."
I didn't look at him, but I had the feeling he was taking off his clothes. I should be helping him. I should be sucking on his face and running my hands through that sand-coloured hair, but I couldn't. We shouldn't have waited. The anticipation was too much. What if he couldn't perform? As soon as the thought formed, I dismissed it. I wasn't worried about Rick. I was worried about me. What if I couldn't perform? Then again, I was a woman. Just add water and I come to life, and damn, if I wasn't already wet.
"This is a strange painting."
He stepped behind me and I felt the hard press of his sinewy muscles. Rick was naked. He wrapped his arms around me, one across my chest and the other on my thigh. "Are you seriously staring at that ugly painting right now?" he whispered the words into my ear as he trailed his hand underneath my skirt and pulled my lace panties to the side. I gasped at the sudden presence of his finger inside me.
"Why aren't you naked, Marley? Do you not want me as badly as I want you? You're so wet, baby. I'm getting mixed signals."
I leaned into him, relishing the sensations of his touch, but the knots in my stomach wouldn't subside. I wanted to tell him how aroused I was. How much I wanted to do this with him. I wanted to explain that I was just panicky from all the waiting. In the end though, the only coherent thought I could form was a request. "Rick, can you turn on some music?"