His tie hung down over the folders and I couldn't help but follow the strange pattern up to his playful eyes that were drinking in my appearance. I gulped quietly before replying.
“I did, Mr. Bloom. It's called Ravishing Ruby Red. The salon says it suits my complexion.”
My voice sounded weak in the silence of the office, the other desks around me completely abandoned of their workers in the dim office light. The darkness beyond the windows outside warned of the hour and I knew I had to get home soon lest I get scolded by appearing totally inept at finishing my work.
“It certainly suits your complexion. Good job,” Devon said, and then quickly added, “Do you have those reports finished?”
I stammered over my response, my knees shaking beneath the pencil skirt that was brand new in my attempt to appear more professional. This was it. I was about to get that verbal lashing. I knew it was coming and I watched as his mouth open in preparation for the words to pummel me.
“If you don't, that's fine. I have another project for you to complete,” he said while I tried to formulate my response.
“I'm sorry, sir,” I blurted. “I was so overwhelmed today with the Richard account and then Blanch called with the files from Tuesday and--”
Devon raised his hand, effectively silencing me. His features were soft under the dull office light and looked somewhat sympathetic, appearing to regard my apology as somewhat comical.
“You are a wonderful secretary and I want you to feel appreciated. Sometimes, you have to take your work home. There's nothing wrong about that. I do it all the time,” explained Devon, his eyes glittering with amusement.
“Thank you, Mr. Bloom. I appreciate that,” I replied with a little more confidence.
“Good. I'm glad. Now, your new project will be a bit more complicated than the others, so I'll need your full attention on it tomorrow,” he said while looking down at his nails.
I wasn't sure exactly what he was talking about. What new project? We hadn't taken on any new clients since the last case I was handling, and I was sure these folders in front of me were for some of our usual accounts. Did he need me to pick up his laundry? Pick up his kids? Did he have any kids? I wasn't even sure if I knew much at all about Devon's personal life other than that he liked wings on Wednesdays. He said project, not errand. What was I thinking? It was so difficult to keep full focus around him that I almost started to break into a sweat until I managed to rise from my chair to begin packing my belongings.
“I'd be glad to do to whatever project you need me to do, Mr. Bloom,” I replied a little more boldly than before. “It's such a pleasure working for you.”
That was likely pushing it, but it caused Devon to smile which tickled my ego a bit. I couldn't recount how many fantasies I'd had of this exact moment where Devon recognizes my amazing secretary abilities and then gives me a promotion within the same breath. He may not be promoting me, but his compliment had raised my confidence and I was feeling a little better about staying behind after work. If I hadn't gotten behind, then he wouldn't have said all of these things and then chosen me for a special project, so it must have been something I did right instead of wrong.
Devon had disappeared back to his office while I was deep in my thoughts, likely gathering his things as well. He met me in front of my desk and we headed for the elevator to head down to the parking garage. In truth, I was glad he was still around because this parking garage was frightening at night. Although I am aware of defense techniques that I had learned back in college, I fear the right burglar could manage to overpower me in the unsupervised space and potentially do me some serious harm. I thought about the project he wanted me to take on.
“So, what is this new project, sir?” I asked while the elevator doors closed.
“It's a special task that not just anyone can complete for me,” Devon explained while fumbling with his suitcase. “We'll talk more about it tomorrow.”
As we exited the elevator, I realized his car was on the other side of the lot and quickly wished him a good night as my heels clicked towards mine. Devon stopped and turned to follow me, calling out that it wasn't a good idea for me to be walking alone. I pointed out that he would still be in the lot and I would be fine.
“But I'd be too far to rescue you,” said Devon with a wide smile. “I'm sure you could handle yourself, but you never know when you might need help.”
Blushing, I readjusted my satchel over my shoulder and pulled out my keys to unlock my car while thanking him.
“I hope I don't appear that helpless,” I said while turning over my keys to prolong his presence next to me.
“Not at all, Miss Andrea. I find you quite capable,” he responded.
The compliment caught me off guard and I dropped my keys on the cement below, practically falling to the ground after them to pick them back up. Our hands brushed together and I nearly swooned, having not had contact with Devon since the first handshake right after being hired. I stood too quickly and had a dizzying fit that nearly caused me to faint. Suddenly, I wasn't feeling too hot. Devon gathered my keys and handed them to me as I giggled in response to the situation, shrugging at my own clumsiness. His debonair smile lit up the filthy garage and we wished each other good night before I climbed into my car to drive away while thinking about his lips.
What in the world was I thinking? Devon Bloom was such a handsome, upscale man with refined tastes and I was lacking shine, luster. If I had hoped for a kiss, it was purely out of girlish fantasy, a silly little wish from a lonely woman who hadn't had a date in months. Most of those months were spent cycling through different men to screw which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I appreciated the comfort and sexual favors from each man and how they didn't want to remain attached for very long. Being able to sleep in my own bed without anyone hogging it was pure bliss, but it still made me feel alone.
As I pulled up into my empty driveway, I sat for a moment and stared at my house. I knew I had a bit of a late night ahead and I was prepared for it, but I still couldn't get Devon out of my mind. That brief touch had left me shivering with delight. I wanted to know how it felt elsewhere on my body, whether his hand was heavy or gentle. His soft fingers looked like they were excellent for holding and I found myself drifting into one of my usual fantasies. After entering my house, I set my things up on the coffee table and settled in, debating whether or not to take care of the annoying tingle in my vulva. I shifted from foot to foot in deep thought as my fantasies started to take over.
Try as I might, I couldn't ignored the painful tugging in my lower pelvis, pulling me away from the couch and towards the bathroom where I turned on the shower. I discarded my beautiful work clothes – the ones I had worn in hopes that Devon might notice – and stepped into the steady stream of warmth that greeted me. As I lathered my body in my favorite lavender soap, I b
egan to slide my fingers further down my torso to my aching lips, moving between the slippery folds with ease. A smile crossed my face as I smoothed my fingers over my own taut skin, enjoying the warmth of my bud poking beneath the folds of my beautiful rose petals.
The ardent loving of my hand was more than welcome, a delicious treat before I had to work for the remainder of the evening. I imagined Devon standing in front of me with droplets of water decorating his broad chest and toned arms. The long fingers slipped under mine, taking control of my pleasure in an instant. The blood in my veins surged, rushing to the site of arousal as soon as I had Devon within my mind's eye. Fingers were twitching in a passionate frenzy to inspire my climax, his thumb heavily pressed into my engorged clit and eliciting short moans. I became breathtakingly aware of the water rushing down my soapy body and the bubbles that tickled my nipples. Leaning into the tile of the wall, I released a loud moan and pictured Devon's hand moving faster against my skin, causing my hips to buck forward and my body to shake.
My climax consumed me as my moans echoed through the bathroom, the water refreshing me back to reality as I released my vulva. I was disappointed to see the tub empty as I had hoped my fantasy might have been real. Was it really so childish of me to want him this way? I just wanted him to caress my skin and make me feel less alone. Surely he had plenty of affection to offer and I was so willing to accept it. If only he would notice me. If only I could tell him.
Chapter Two