Undersold(25)

We spent the rest of the night like that, alternating between waves of sweating pleasure and easy, comfortable down time. I had never been with a man like that before, going from one session to the next so easily, but he never seemed to get enough of me.

And every time I came, I made sure I asked for permission.





14.


We made things official between us the next morning. He was the one to broach the topic, and although I didn’t think we needed to have the conversation, he wanted to make sure there were no questions between us. It had to do with his need for clarity and rules, which I understood.

At work, our relationship continued more or less unchanged. I stayed on my app, and worked on developing it, while he lent his guidance and easy charm to the process. Shane loved to jokingly remind me how I was working under him both at work and at home.

We endeavored to keep our relationship a secret at all times. Sometimes he caved, and invited me back to his office for no reason other than to kiss me, but we never did more than that. He said he was afraid of being caught, that it would be very bad if anyone knew about our relationship. Not only was he afraid for both of our privacy, but also he was afraid that our boss-worker relationship would cause ethical issues within the company.

Keeping it a secret was actually pretty fun at first, and lent every moment we spent together with an edge of excitement. It was a forbidden pleasure, in a lot of ways. We snuck glances and messages, and saw each other most nights after work, unless he was staying late. I got to know his old colonial house very well, every nook and cranny of it, and he even stayed a few nights at my apartment.

I couldn’t tell my family, and I didn’t. Not even Darcy knew, even though she was constantly asking if I was seeing anyone. I didn’t know how, but that girl had some kind of sixth sense for when I was seeing a man. It wouldn’t have been my choice to keep her in the dark. Darcy was the most trustworthy person in my life, but Shane insisted, and I didn’t want to betray him. I said I would follow his rules, and I did. Despite all of the secrecy and stolen moments in his office, it worked between us, and those first two months were the happiest two months of my life.

“Did you hear the good news?” Linda asked me one afternoon, her head poked around the divider. I was used to this by now. At least once a day, Linda had some information or rumor to share.

“What’s up, Linda?” I said, pushing away from my computer.

She wheeled around the divider. “I hear Mr. Green is going on vacation for a week, coming up.”

That was true. We had planned on going away together as a sort of celebration.

I just shrugged, while inside I wanted to tell her how we were going together. “He works hard, I guess he deserves a vacation.”

“Weird time to go, though. I wonder what it’s for.”

“Not everything is a conspiracy, Linda.”

She laughed. “Maybe! Or maybe it is, and that’s what they want you to think.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll start bringing in the tin foil hats in that case.

“Perfect. Got to keep those mind reading rays out of our brains.”

I checked the time, and realized I was late to a meeting with Shane. “Speaking of Mr. Green, I have my usual meet’n’greet with him. Gotta run.”

“How’s the project going?”

I stood and gathered my things. “It’s been going well. He’s been such a huge help.”

“I’m sure he has!” Linda said, laughing. She winked and rolled back to her side of the divider. I hoped she wasn’t reading into my constant meetings, but knowing her, she definitely was. That was fine, since she was known as a huge gossip, and I doubted anyone took her seriously. Still, I was worried she’d start a rumor about Shane and me. It was a small consolation that I know she’d lose it if she ever knew what was really going on between Shane and me.

I walked down the hall and went toward Shane’s office. On my way, I smiled at Janice, and she smiled back.

“Go on in, Amy. He’s expecting you.”

“Thanks Janice,” I said, and pushed the doors open. He was sitting at the side table already, papers spread around him. I closed the door behind me, and went over toward him. He didn’t look up as I approached. I touched his back and kissed his neck, and he nearly jumped out of his seat.

“Woah,” I said, and laughed.

He looked up at me. “Sorry. You surprised me.”

“You alright Shane?” He looked tired, more tired than usual. There were bags under his handsome eyes, and his usual energy seemed to be leaking out of him in waves. I knew that there were issues in other parts of the company, but I hadn’t realized how much of a toll it was taking on him.