Authors: CJ Laurence
I heard nothing more from Paul. When I arrived at work Monday morning, I had a note on my desk detailing he was out for the day. I smirked, wondering if this was due to my rejection of him. I paid little attention to the thought since tomorrow I was dress shopping with Molly. I was excited and also dreading it a bit as she was a fiend when it came to clothes.
The next morning, with still no word from Paul overnight, I’d barely stepped out the shower before she was banging on my front door like a woman possessed—half an hour early.
After a rather speedy drive, which had me thanking my lucky stars I was still alive, we were stood in a rather exquisite shop being tended to by a lady who reminded me of my nan. Her five-foot height, glasses on a chain, and green tartan suit made me want to offer her cups of tea. Molly was working her way through the rails of dresses at a rate of knots.
“Ky, why don’t you find something you like?”
I did a double take. “What?”
“I can’t be the only one having fun. Come on, what harm could it do?”
I scratched my head, frowning. “I’m supposed to give you opinions on your dresses? Not only that but I think I’m missing the key ingredient that would require me to try on a wedding dress.”
She laughed. “Oh, come on. Stop being a spoilsport. We’re supposed to be having a girly day.”
I sighed, giving in. I picked my way through all the silky dresses, almost becoming swept up in the emotion of dress hunting. I stumbled across a lace dress, an off-white colour. It was off the shoulder and had two layers that crisscrossed each other. It trailed down to the floor in its simple style.
“That’s gorgeous,” Molly breathed from behind me. “Go try it on.”
I looked up to see her with a handful of varying dresses as she disappeared in her changing room. I nibbled my lip, wondering if it would be so wrong just to try it on. Joan, the shop assistant, had run off after Molly. I shot into the spare booth, feeling giddy with excitement at trying on my first wedding dress.
The smooth fabric slid over my body and I began to feel a sense of reality settling within me. I dared to look in the full-length mirror, admiring the fitted design hugging all my curves. A small amount of material pooled at my feet and the off the shoulder design drew attention to my bare neck and chest. I fiddled with my hair band, letting my hair loose. I scrunched some up and some down, becoming lost in my own reflection painting me as a picture of seductive elegance.
Molly’s screeching voice came from outside. “Are you done yet?”
I drew back the curtain, trying to hide my grin.
“Oh wow. Ky, you look absolutely amazing. You have to buy that dress.”
“Don’t be daft.”
“Why not? At least you’ll be all set ready.”
I rolled my eyes. “No, Molly. I am not buying a dress before I’ve even got a boyfriend, let alone a proposal. Besides, by the time I get down the aisle, weddings will be out of fashion.”
She giggled and shook her head, motioning her hands over her own dress. “What do you think?”
The slinky dress clung to her tight body like a second skin. It was a light gold silk with a mermaid type fitting lower down. The sweetheart neckline accentuated her ample chest.
“It’s lovely. It really suits you.”
She nodded, grinning. “I can’t believe I’ve found it already. It’s the first dress.”
“So? If it’s the one, it’s the one.”
My mind served me images of Paul stood in a dark suit, waiting at an altar for me. I shook my head as if it would make the pesky images disappear.
“You’re right. I’m going to buy it.”
I sighed as she allowed Joan to fuss over her fitments for any alterations. Nearly an hour and just shy of two thousand pounds later, Molly was driving us back to hers with orders for us to enjoy a takeaway this evening. Chris was picking his brother up from the airport and wouldn’t be back until the early hours.
As we pulled into her driveway, Chris’s car was sat there. She frowned, throwing her seatbelt off and disappearing into the house before I could even blink. I followed her inside, only to be dragged into the lounge by a squealing Molly.
“Ky, this is Scott. Scott, this is my best friend, Kyra.”
My eyes fell upon a tall, broad, dark-haired man. His brown eyes settled on me with an amused expression creasing his handsome face. His bronzed skin told of his tale of sunny destinations whilst his white t-shirt clung to his incredible body.
I blushed. “Nice to meet you.”
He gave me a dazzling smile. “And you.”
Molly shoved me towards the sofa, declaring we were having pizza for tea. She grabbed Chris on her way out to “find the menus,” leaving Scott and me in an awkward silence.
He cleared his throat. “So, err, you had a good day?”
I smiled and dared to meet his dark eyes. My heart pounded from the intensity oozing from them—it left me with little doubt that his whole attention was on me. He had an aura about him that just hypnotised me instantly. Something about him drew me to him like a bee to honey.
“Not bad, thank you.”
“Did she find her dress?”
I nodded, giggling. “First one. Thank God.”
“That’s good. I gather she has rather a lot of energy.”
“You have no idea.” I wrung my hands together as I tried to calm my nerves. “So, where have you flown from?”
“America. My father owns an oil company out there.”
“Oh. Molly never mentioned Chris’s father owned something as huge as that.”
“We have the same mother, different fathers.”
I nodded, understanding a little better how two brothers could look so different. Chris was a good-looking guy in his own right but his thin frame, blond spiky hair, and nerdy glasses combined with his IT technician job did little to serve him up as a macho man. Compared to Scott here, they were like chalk and cheese.
As Molly and Chris reappeared, we relaxed into chitchat. He was so easy to get along with, I found myself wondering about him in ways I’d only ever thought about Paul. Whenever I stole a glance at him, I would catch him looking at me too, resulting in us both giggling from across the room.
As the early evening turned into night, Molly drove me home, bombarding me with questions about my thoughts on him. I let nothing on as I crawled up to bed thinking of someone other than Paul for a change.
I sat at my desk the next morning with a big grin on my face. My thoughts were dominated by Scott at the present moment. When Paul appeared in front of me, all big smiles and pleasant words, my heart melted once more at the sight of him, all thoughts of Scott vanishing into nothing.
“What are you grinning about so wildly?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Nothing. I’m just happy.”
“Are you talking to me today?”
“It would appear so.”
He chuckled before disappearing into his office.
Before I could even move to grab my cup of tea, Molly burst through the office door, squealing in excitement. “He wants your number.”
My cheeks rose to new temperatures. “Shhhh,” I said, motioning my head towards Paul’s office.
She threw a look of scorn towards the open door. “So what? At least Scott isn’t afraid of relationships.”
I resisted the urge to facepalm myself as a groan full of dread seeped through me. “Molly…”
“So, can I give it to him?”
A cough emanated from the open doorway. I squeezed my eyes shut before daring to turn my head and open them. Paul leaned against his doorframe, arms crossed, a hint of a smile tweaking up the edges of his lips.
“Don’t stop on my account.”
Molly glared at him. “We’re not.” She turned back to me. “So, can I?”
Heat burned through every fibre of my body as two sets of eyes awaited my answer. Neither answer I could give would satisfy them both. I dared to glimpse at Paul for a brief moment before remembering his words on where our relationship stood. I wanted him in ways he said he couldn’t contemplate. Perhaps Scott was the thing I needed to help me fizzle out my fear of commitment.
“Sure.”
Molly clasped her hands together before running back downstairs in a whirlwind of shrieks. An awkward silence fell between Paul and me for a few seconds before he spoke.
“So, who is after your number, may I ask?”
I smirked. “Why so interested?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m not. Just a general wondering, considering her little dig at me.”
I remained silent and turned my attention to my work.
“Okay, let me put this another way.” He paused for a second, catching my attention as I lifted my gaze to see his face edged with a serious tone. “You tell me who wants your number or I’ll discipline Molly for her disrespect towards a director.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Wow. Really? You’re going to pull rank now?”
“No. I’m merely offering to exchange…information.”
“Exchange information? Well, I already know what Molly said to you so there’s kinda nothing for me there.”
He smiled and stepped forwards, dropping his arms to his side. “Well, she’s got a squeaky clean record. Wouldn’t want it tarnished with any formal warnings, would we?”
I narrowed my eyes at him and I spat my words out with venom. “Her fiancé’s brother wants my number.”
His facial expression changed to one of surprise. “Oh.”
“Have you finished?”
“And you agreed for him to have it?”
I stood up, making it obvious I was less than amused. “Well, you just heard that for yourself, did you not?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I just—”
“What, Paul? We’re not in a relationship, remember? This is one of the reasons you spoke of as to why you don’t do them. If someone wants to take me out and potentially take things further, then I’m not going to say no. Not when I have little else to keep me from doing so.”
I winced as the last sentence flowed past my lips. I wanted to take the words back as soon as they came out but I couldn’t. The effect they had on him was obvious. He nodded, a flash of resignation settling in his eyes before he retreated into his office in silence.
I sighed and flopped down into my chair, biting back tears of frustration. He meant more to me than what I let on. I wanted nothing more than for him to stake his claim on me but I knew it wouldn’t happen. I had to make this the final cut despite my heart tearing into pieces at the thought of losing him.
“Kyra?”
I snapped my head up, my heart filling with hope. He motioned for me to step into his office. Every cell in my body trembled with apprehension as I ventured inside.
His blue eyes caught my vulnerable stare, captivating me in a split second. “I’m sorry.”
I ran a hand over my face. “No, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that…”
“I shouldn’t have made you tell me.”
“I just…you’re the first man who has made me want more, Paul, made me realise that really, I
need
that and now, now you tell me you can’t give me it.”
“I know.” He reached out, brushing my cheek with his hand. “I’m sorry, Kyra. I really am.”
I shivered from his touch and sighed. “So where does this leave us?”
He grinned, pulling me into his arms. “Well, until you’re officially someone’s girlfriend, it leaves us wherever we want to be…”
He crushed his lips to mine, sweeping me up in his comforting embrace. His tongue played with me, each movement shooting throbs straight between my legs. I searched for the edge of his shirt, crawling my hands along the inside in their desperate need to feel him bare.
He pulled away just enough to ask, “Can I take you out for dinner tonight?”
I smiled and nodded.
Dressing myself later on for our dinner, I began to wonder if the little hiccup earlier had been down to his jealousy. Perhaps he just might change his mind after all.
I woke the next morning in a groggy haze. When my eyes focused on Paul’s bare body laid next to me, a massive grin spread over my face. He rolled over, awake, wandering a smooth touch over my body already. I shivered, tingles beginning to pop inside me as I relished in the thought of what was coming next.
A shrill noise cut through our anticipated bliss—his alarm. He groaned and declared he was now late. “I need to go home yet and change my clothes. Can’t have people thinking I’m a dirty stop out.”
I giggled as I watched him throw his clothes on. He graced me with a kiss before disappearing, leaving me lost in my imagination for several minutes as I wondered what we could be doing right now.
I eventually tore myself from the bed and sorted my own wardrobe choice for today. Picking through my summer dresses, my phone chimed with a text. Expecting it to be a cheeky message from Paul, I was more than shocked to see it was from an unknown number.
Good morning Kyra. I hope you are well. I was wondering if you would like to grab a coffee on your lunch break today? Scott X X
I bit my lip, debating my options. Despite tea last night being good fun, especially once we arrived back to mine, nothing was going to change with Paul—that I knew of anyway. But how bad would it be for me to have had Paul in my bed last night and then to go out with Scott today? Just thinking of it made me feel like a complete slut.
A quick phone call to Ash regarding my dilemma only served me with his laughter followed by telling me it was fine. Would I think any less of Scott if he’d slept with another girl last night? No, I wouldn’t; it would be awkward maybe, but nothing else.
I confirmed my lunch date with Scott before making an apprehensive journey to work. Did I tell Paul or not? Was it really any of his business? It wasn’t like we were together. Those questions kept repeating over and over until Paul strolled in, half an hour after me. He flashed me a cheeky wink as he walked past my desk.
When lunchtime arrived, Paul appeared before me, his eyes twinkling. “I’m nipping out. Did you want your usual from the sandwich shop?”
My cheeks burned. “No, thanks. I’m…going out.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, okay. Ash treating you?”
I winced. “No…Scott is taking me for coffee.”
“Scott?”
“Molly’s brother-in-law…”
The twinkle in his eyes hardened over with a glassy stare. His jaw clenched and he barked his next words. “Don’t be late.”
He turned and marched out without so much of a backwards glance.
***
I ambled outside, smiling when I spotted Scott waiting for me near the entrance. His dark eyes held an invigorating sparkle as he greeted me.
“You look lovely today.”
I blushed and gave him my thanks.
“Where would you like to go?”
I pointed over the road. “There’s quite a nice little café over there.”
He nodded. “Sure.”
Walking next to me, making small talk about the weather, I couldn’t help but steal glances at his incredible physique. His sexy yet casual appearance caught my eye in an instant. Where Paul dressed himself in designer suits tailored to fit, Scott seemed to know his cool fashion and what suited him. His dark denim jeans and plain white t-shirt showed him off just right.
I found us a table while he stood in the queue for our food. I couldn’t help but let my gaze linger over his broad shoulders, ripped biceps, and tight waist. It didn’t take much to notice every female in here roved their eyes over him in expectation. The young girl who served him our order turned bright red when she took his money, accidentally touching his hand.
A sly smile played on my lips as I watched her become flustered under his intense look. A minute or so later, he was at our table, serving me with my tea and sandwich.
He sat down, asking me about myself. I indulged him for several minutes before turning the conversation back to him.
“So, what do you do?”
He smiled. “I’m a personal trainer. I’ve spent the last two years travelling around different countries, picking up tips, and learning from the best of the best. I’ve come back home to finally set up on my own.”
“Have you got any clients lined up yet?”
He rolled his eyes. “I’ve had Molly begging me to get her in shape for her wedding day. She is a persistent woman for sure, isn’t she?”
“You have no idea. If she wants something, she gets it.”
He grinned. “Looks like I may as well just do it, then, and save myself the earache.”
I laughed, agreeing with him. We continued chatting to the point of which I was very nearly late getting back to work. He escorted me back to the front door, pecking my cheek before he left. His soft lips grazed my cheek, and I couldn’t help but draw a deep breath of his invigorating aftershave. I struggled to contain my grin as I headed back inside. This guy really was the complete package.
***
I almost skipped back to my desk, grinning like a Cheshire cat. My broad smile soon evaporated into a deep frown as Paul appeared from nowhere. He dumped a huge stack of notes in front of me with a resounding thud. His face was nothing but a blank canvas.
“I want them typed up before you go home,” he said. His tone of voice was nothing short of rude and demanding.
“You are kidding me?”
He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at me. “Do I look like I’m kidding?”
I raised my eyebrows and lost the filter on my mouth. “What the fuck crawled up your ass today?”
“
Kyra!
”
I turned to see Mr. Tate walking up from the meeting room, his podgy face flushed red with anger. Paul flashed me a smug smirk before disappearing back inside his office, slamming the door shut.
Mr. Tate stood in front of his office door. “In my office. Now.”
My heart pounded as I dragged myself over to his open door. I kept myself preoccupied by cursing Paul. Arrogant, good-looking bastard.
Mr. Tate slammed his door shut behind me. He wiped his plump, sweaty face with his wishy washy white handkerchief. “You can take this as an official warning that if you speak to a director like that again, you will be instantly dismissed. Do you understand?”
I nodded, not saying anything in my fuming rage at Paul.
“Good. This is going on your record. Let this be a warning. Watch your tongue. You are here to do a job without questioning what is asked of you. That is what you are paid for.”
I nodded again, feeling like nothing but a slave.
“I’m glad that is understood. Out.”
I scowled as I scooted back to my desk. I glared at Paul’s closed door, imagining the glee on his annoyingly handsome face at my telling off.
As per usual on Thursday afternoons, three or four of the directors left early to play golf. Once they’d all gone, Mr. Tate included, I stormed into Paul’s office.
“You’re a fucking dick.”
He leaned back in his black leather chair, making a temple figure with his hands. An amused smile crossed his face as he stared back at me, his features completely impassive.
“I thought Mr. Tate made it quite clear what would happen if you spoke to one of us like that again?”
“Seriously? Is that really how we’re going to play this?”
He kicked his feet up on his desk, crossing them at his ankles, and leaned back in his chair. He shrugged his shoulders, exuding nothing but sheer arrogance.
“Fine. I’ll save you the fucking bother, you arrogant tosser.”
I stomped back to my desk and grabbed his pile of notes. Marching back in to him, I threw them on his desk. The majority of them thudded against his wooden desk whilst a few scattered through the air, floating their way down to several different resting places.
“Do the fuckers yourself.” I marched back out and stopped in his doorway, fixing him one last killer stare. “Just in case I’d not made it clear—I quit.”