The Executive's Secretary, page 3
“He was stark naked in the entryway on Monday. That poor woman thought he was dead. Face up. With rigormortis.”
“Naked.”
“Yeah.”
“He had all of his clothes on when I dropped him off.”
“Yeah.”
“How did he get them all off inside the door?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I would like to spare the old woman a heart attack.”
I shook my head at my incredibly irresponsible boss who had resorted to singing some old Irish sounding song. “What the fuck is he singing?”
“Probably something his granddad taught him. He is Irish.”
“I will never understand him.”
“Don’t try.”
“How long does it take to get to his house from here?”
“About twenty minutes.”
“God, I hope he doesn’t pass out or puke in that time.” I watched Bryce flop around across from me.
“Why are you in the car with me, Miss Troy?”
“I’m making sure you get home alright, Mr. O’Connell.”
“I get home just fine.”
“You’re drunk. You need help. You really should stop drinking during the day. People are going to start thinking you have a problem.”
“I don’t have a problem. You have a problem.”
“Just stop talking,” I said, leaning against the window. “You are so much better when you don’t open your mouth.”
“No, Piper. You stop talking. You always talk. Why do you always talk?”
“What? I never do! You’re the one who is an arrogant…no. I’m not getting into it with a drunken man.”
I sat there and listened as he mumbled and rattled on. I’m not even sure what he said most of the time. His large mansion came into view as he continued to prattle about nonsense.
“Well good luck with that mess.”
“Thanks. I’ll try to at least get him to his room. What he does from there is up to him.” I wrapped Bryce’s arm around my neck and helped him walk into the house. “Why does this place have to be so big?”
“What’s it to you?”
“I’m carrying your ass to your room. That’s what matters to me, Mr. O’Connell.”
“Stop with the Mr. O’Connell.”
“Let’s just get you to bed.”
“Are you staying with me, Miss Troy?” He reached down and grasped my ass firmly.
“Mr. O’Connell! That is quite enough!” I stopped at an intersection of hallways. “Which way?”
“To where?” he asked.
“Your bedroom.”
“Who’s asking?” he asked.
“Oh my God. I’m trying to get you to bed.”
“Make a right. Last door right ahead.”
We stumbled along, bumping into the walls before I was able to finally get a hold of the door knob. I deposited the intoxicated man onto his bed and turned to the door. “I’ll forgive you for grabbing my ass because you’re drunk. Don’t get handsy with me again.”
I turned and stormed out. Who does he think he is? Grabbing me like that! So, why do I like it so much?
“Piper?”
“What, Mr. O’Connell?”
“Stop with the Mr. O’Connell shit.”
“What do you want?” I asked, walking back into the room.
“Stay,” he said, rolling over and looking up at me with pitiful brown eyes.
He looked more like a sad puppy dog than a handsome billionaire.
“I’m not staying with you. You’re drunk.”
“Please stay with me, Piper. I need you to stay with me. You always know what I need when I need it.”
“You need sleep and an aspirin,” I mumbled.
“Just kick off your shoes.”
“I am not kicking off my shoes, Bryce.”
“Come on. My bed is really big.”
“I sure as hell am not getting into bed with you.”
“I don’t bite.”
“Bryce go to sleep.”
“I can’t. I need you.”
“You are drunk, you big dummy.”
He sighed and kept staring at me with his sad eyes.
“Stop it, Bryce.”
“I don’t want to be alone.”
“You have to be kidding me.” I rolled my eyes but took pity on him. “Fuck, Bryce. Wait a second.”
I tip toed down the hallway to the waiting car.
How am I going to explain this?
“Are you ready, miss?”
“I won’t be returning to the office at the moment. Mr. O’Connell isn’t doing so well. I’m afraid to leave in his current condition.”
“Should we take him to the hospital?” the drive asked.
“I don’t think that would be wise. I’ll keep an eye on him and if he worsens I’ll call 911.”
“Are you sure? I know he can be a handful.”
“I’ve been cleaning up after him for six months. As long as he doesn’t puke on me we should get along like any other day.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I suppose. He just owes me a huge bonus at Christmas.” I shook my head and waved as he climbed into the limousine.
The large house was empty and sad. It was not what I expected Bryce’s life to be like. Back at the office we always imagined what it would be like to come to his house. What would it be like to walk through his doors? I always thought it would be cold and desolate. Alyssa figured he would always have people here, a constant, around the clock party waiting for him to get home.
I almost felt sorry for him.
“Bryce?” I asked softly, walking back into the bedroom.
“You didn’t leave?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I feel sorry for you.”
“Why?”
“I just do. Now where are your pajamas? If I’m staying with you I’m not wrinkling my suit.”
“Top drawer of the dresser over there.” He pointed to a dresser on the opposite side of the room.
“Close your eyes.”
“Close my eyes?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Piper, it’s not like I’ve never seen a woman’s’ body before.”
“You’ve never seen this body,” I said.
“Quit being modest.”
“Shut your eyes, Mr. O’Connell.”
“Fine,” he muttered.
I unbuttoned my blouse and pulled off my skirt, laying them over a tall, wing backed chair near a window. I unclasped my bra before digging through his draw for a tee shirt.
“I don’t know why you wanted me to shut my eyes; you have quite a remarkable body.”
“Mr. O’Connell!” I yelled, spinning around holding the shirt up in front of me.
“What? Sorry, I was curious.”
“Completely inappropriate.
“Being in my room in your panties with my tee shirt is inappropriate.”
“Yeah, well, being drunk at work is inappropriate.”
“Who said I was drunk?” he asked, smirking at me.
“You mean this was all an act?” My face dropped when I realized what he had done.
He shrugged his shoulders and patted the bed.
“I am not getting in bed with you. I am getting dressed and going back to work.”
“Come on, Piper, just come sit down. Relax.”
“You are a piece of fucking work, Mr. O’Connell.”
“Please?”
“No.”
“Please?”
“Why the hell would I? You lied!” I screamed at him.
“Would you have come over any other way?”
“Absolutely not.”
“I’ll make it up to you. Just come and talk with me and I’ll take you out tonight. Drinks and appetizers. No funny business, I promise.”
I pursed my lips, my nostrils flared; I was so beyond mad at him.
How dare he trick me? Who does he think he is?
He patted the bed again. “Just talk, maybe nap. I do have a splitting headache. I did pop open that bottle of whiskey in the bottom of my desk drawer.”
I sighed in defeat. “Fine, Mr. O’Connell. You win this time. I’ll stay this time, but I hope you know that I am pissed off. You owe me big time. I mean more than drinks and appetizers.”
“Alright. You just name the day and I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Fine. Not tonight I have plans.”
“You have a life outside of work, Piper?”
“Really funny, Mr. O’Connell.”
“I told you enough of the Mr. O’Connell shit. We’re not at work. Call me Bryce.”
“Okay, Bryce. Yes, outside of your company I have a life and tonight I have plans. Saturday. You can take me out to apologize.”
“What could you possibly have to do on a Thursday, Miss Troy?”
“That’s none of your business.” I sat on the edge of the bed and slid the shirt over my head.
“Going out with your boyfriend?” he inquired.
“If I had a boyfriend, Bryce, I wouldn’t be here with you.”
Sliding my legs under the blanket, I stole a quick glance at his clock. It was only three thirty. His bed was comfortable. A lot more comfortable than my own. I rolled onto my side, staring out his window at the beautiful spring afternoon. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into his body.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
“Shh. Don’t be so tense,” he said. “Just relax and sleep.”
I relaxed against his body and let sleep take over. Who knew that Bryce O’Connell could be so comfortable to sleep on?
Chapter Five
The following day seemed like a dream. I couldn’t focus on anything and Bryce was right back to his douche self. Most of the time I watched the clock, waiting for six o’clock. I wanted nothing more than to go home. The soft thud of shoes echoed down the hallway. The old office wench, Glenda, tromped to my desk and stared down at me with her beady old bird eyes. Her entire face resembled an old crow. I didn’t like her much.
“What, Glend?”
“Delivery.”
I watched as she dumped a huge pile of papers on my desk at 5:55. My face dropped as she sneered at me. I wanted to throw them all at her. It was 5:55.
“What are those?”
“Papers, Piper.”
“Obviously, Glenda. Why are you putting them on my desk right before I leave?” I asked.
“Mr. O’Connell wants them sorted and finished before you leave. He has a huge acquisition meeting tomorrow. Biggest so far.”
“You’re kidding right? There is nothing on the schedule and I wasn’t informed.”
She put her finger on her cheek. “Hmm, maybe he decided you didn’t need to know.”
“Of course he would want me to know, I’m his secretary.”
“Nope. Have fun.”
“Unbelievable,” I muttered, going through the stack.
“What’s that?” Alyssa asked, grabbing her bag.
“His majesty decided to give me a last-minute project.”
“We’re done in five minutes.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Just take it home. Give it to him tomorrow,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “Where were you yesterday?
“I can’t,” I replied. “And we’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
“Why not? He can dump it on you, you can take it home.” She grabbed her bags staring at the mess I had in front of me. “Tell me all about everything tomorrow.”
“I don’t know.”
“Do it and you’ll tell me everything tomorrow?”
“He needs them for some big merger that he of course didn’t tell me about again.” I satg down looking at the mound of reports. “And of course I will.”
“He should have thought about that before 5:55 then. Shouldn’t he?”
I sighed heavily. She was right. It was ridiculous of him to just dump his crap on me so late again. I stood and started shoving all the reports in my bag. There was no reason he couldn’t wait until morning for them.
****
“Troy!” Bryce called out.
No answer.
“Where the fuck is that woman?” He sat rubbing his temples. “Troy!”
Frustrated and pissed, Bryce O’Connell slammed his large, leather chair back and stormed out of his office. He was confused to see the lights in his building off and everyone gone; especially his secretary Piper Troy. He had given her reports that were to be done and on his desk before she left. Important documents that he needed for the meeting he had the following morning.
“That damn woman. Now I have to go to her house. Where the fuck does she even live?”
He went back into his office, sat down, and accessed his personnel files. Scrolling through, he found his irresponsible secretary and her address. Groaning when he realized she lived forty-five minutes from his own home, he would never get to bed at a decent hour.
“I should fire her ass.” He slammed his fists on his desk knowing he’d never find anyone as highly qualified as her to stick around or put up with shit the way she did. Plus, he was starting to like her. The way her nostrils flared when he pissed her off. How she slammed his door when he asked her about his coffee. The coffee always made her a little extra mad. The way her breasts heaved under the shirts that were just a little too tight when she wanted to scream at him. She was perfect. Too bad he couldn’t admit it out loud. “Fuck, Piper!”
Printing out her information, he snatched it from the printer and walked toward his private elevator. A small perk of being CEO. He sped out of the parking garage and into the darkness of the night.
****
I dumped my briefcase on the floor, pulling out the reports. I couldn’t believe Bryce expected me to stay only god knows how long to finish these damn things. No more. I’m not putting up with that shit anymore.
“I’m hungry,” I muttered to myself, digging through my purse for my cell phone.
I scrolled through my phone until I found Jimmy’s Pizzeria.
Pizza for one! Oh or pasta. What’s happening to me?
I rolled my eyes and quickly made the call, ordering pasta and salad. Trying to get comfy before the delivery guy arrived, I removed my suit. I slid out of my skirt, threw my jacket on the back of my bedroom door, and tossed my heels in my closet. I grabbed an oversized t-shirt and slipped it on before turning on the TV. I already knew what kind of a night I was having, over eating while pretending to work but actually watching television.
“Bryce is going to love these half-assed reports tomorrow.” I sighed.
I flopped onto the couch and flipped through the channels until I heard knocking at the door. I jumped up, running to my purse.
“Hold on a sec!” I called out.
I threw open the door my smile disappearing when I saw my boss standing there in utter perfection while I was half-naked in my hovel.
“Troy, where are your clothes?” he asked.
“Mr. O’Connell? Why are you at my apartment?”
“Why are you in nothing but a shirt and panties?” he asked back.
“I’m comfortable and waiting for my take out.”
“You answer to deliver boy in a t-shirt and panties?”
“Sometimes.”
“That is completely inappropriate.”
“So? You’re not my boss outside of work, Mr. O’Connell.”
He stood there staring at me and for the first time since I met the man I felt self-conscious. I tried pulling the bottom of my shirt down, but it was no use.
He shook his head and glared at me. “Why didn’t you finish the reports Glenda gave you?”
“Why didn’t you give them to me before I was getting ready to leave?” I asked.
“Does it matter?”
“Yes. She dumped the reports on me five minutes before I left. I’m not staying hours late to finish reports. I can do them here.”
“I need those reports,” he said.
“You’ll have them in the morning.”
“I need them now,” he said again.
“Stop acting like such a spoiled child, Mr. O’Connell.”
He took a few steps forward, pushing me back, and shut my door. “I’m not a spoiled child. You’ll have to forgive me for expecting my employee to do her fucking job.”
“My job? You dumped all those damn reports on me at 5:55! That is completely ridiculous. How can you do that? You are such an asshole.”
“I am not. Take that back,” he demanded.
“No. You can’t make me do anything. You’re in my home,” I said.
“Why are you so fucking difficult, Piper?”
“Why are you even here?” I asked.
“I want my reports.”
“They’re right there,” I said, pointing to the coffee table. “You can have them.”
“What do you want me to do with unfinished reports?” he asked.
“Go to your house and finish the damn reports for all I care.”
“You are ballsy,” he said.
“I’m tired, Bryce. I’m hungry. You’re in my apartment bitching about reports you gave me five minutes before I left!”
His nostrils flared, and his eyes widened as he took a few steps towards me. For a split second I thought he was going to hit me. I was ready to punch him in the face if he did. Instead he placed one hand on the back of my head while wrapping the other around my waist. He pulled me in close and leaned his head down to mine. His lips brushed against mine softly while I tensed against his touch. I attempted to get out of his grip, but he held tighter. His kiss intensifying. He felt hungry. Lustful. I relaxed a bit and ran my hands up his stomach to his neck. I embraced the side of his face before closing the small gap between us. I’d never even dreamed about making out with him. I never wanted to. Sure, I thought about killing my boss; maybe even pushing him out his window. Kissing him though? Yeah, I thought about that too. He moved his hand from my head to my waist and held onto my t-shirt, pulling it up over my head, depositing it on the floor.
“Bryce…”
“Shh.”
He reached up, cupping my breasts, flicking my nipples, and rubbing them.
Our moment was disturbed by another knock at the door.
“The delivery boy,” I muttered.
“Stay here. Don’t put that shirt back on,” he whispered.
I nodded as he went for the door. He cracked it, grabbed the bag, paid for the food, and returned to the position he left me in. Dropping my food on the floor he stood before me for a moment before quickly covering my mouth with his, running his hands all over my body.
“Naked.”
“Yeah.”
“He had all of his clothes on when I dropped him off.”
“Yeah.”
“How did he get them all off inside the door?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I would like to spare the old woman a heart attack.”
I shook my head at my incredibly irresponsible boss who had resorted to singing some old Irish sounding song. “What the fuck is he singing?”
“Probably something his granddad taught him. He is Irish.”
“I will never understand him.”
“Don’t try.”
“How long does it take to get to his house from here?”
“About twenty minutes.”
“God, I hope he doesn’t pass out or puke in that time.” I watched Bryce flop around across from me.
“Why are you in the car with me, Miss Troy?”
“I’m making sure you get home alright, Mr. O’Connell.”
“I get home just fine.”
“You’re drunk. You need help. You really should stop drinking during the day. People are going to start thinking you have a problem.”
“I don’t have a problem. You have a problem.”
“Just stop talking,” I said, leaning against the window. “You are so much better when you don’t open your mouth.”
“No, Piper. You stop talking. You always talk. Why do you always talk?”
“What? I never do! You’re the one who is an arrogant…no. I’m not getting into it with a drunken man.”
I sat there and listened as he mumbled and rattled on. I’m not even sure what he said most of the time. His large mansion came into view as he continued to prattle about nonsense.
“Well good luck with that mess.”
“Thanks. I’ll try to at least get him to his room. What he does from there is up to him.” I wrapped Bryce’s arm around my neck and helped him walk into the house. “Why does this place have to be so big?”
“What’s it to you?”
“I’m carrying your ass to your room. That’s what matters to me, Mr. O’Connell.”
“Stop with the Mr. O’Connell.”
“Let’s just get you to bed.”
“Are you staying with me, Miss Troy?” He reached down and grasped my ass firmly.
“Mr. O’Connell! That is quite enough!” I stopped at an intersection of hallways. “Which way?”
“To where?” he asked.
“Your bedroom.”
“Who’s asking?” he asked.
“Oh my God. I’m trying to get you to bed.”
“Make a right. Last door right ahead.”
We stumbled along, bumping into the walls before I was able to finally get a hold of the door knob. I deposited the intoxicated man onto his bed and turned to the door. “I’ll forgive you for grabbing my ass because you’re drunk. Don’t get handsy with me again.”
I turned and stormed out. Who does he think he is? Grabbing me like that! So, why do I like it so much?
“Piper?”
“What, Mr. O’Connell?”
“Stop with the Mr. O’Connell shit.”
“What do you want?” I asked, walking back into the room.
“Stay,” he said, rolling over and looking up at me with pitiful brown eyes.
He looked more like a sad puppy dog than a handsome billionaire.
“I’m not staying with you. You’re drunk.”
“Please stay with me, Piper. I need you to stay with me. You always know what I need when I need it.”
“You need sleep and an aspirin,” I mumbled.
“Just kick off your shoes.”
“I am not kicking off my shoes, Bryce.”
“Come on. My bed is really big.”
“I sure as hell am not getting into bed with you.”
“I don’t bite.”
“Bryce go to sleep.”
“I can’t. I need you.”
“You are drunk, you big dummy.”
He sighed and kept staring at me with his sad eyes.
“Stop it, Bryce.”
“I don’t want to be alone.”
“You have to be kidding me.” I rolled my eyes but took pity on him. “Fuck, Bryce. Wait a second.”
I tip toed down the hallway to the waiting car.
How am I going to explain this?
“Are you ready, miss?”
“I won’t be returning to the office at the moment. Mr. O’Connell isn’t doing so well. I’m afraid to leave in his current condition.”
“Should we take him to the hospital?” the drive asked.
“I don’t think that would be wise. I’ll keep an eye on him and if he worsens I’ll call 911.”
“Are you sure? I know he can be a handful.”
“I’ve been cleaning up after him for six months. As long as he doesn’t puke on me we should get along like any other day.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I suppose. He just owes me a huge bonus at Christmas.” I shook my head and waved as he climbed into the limousine.
The large house was empty and sad. It was not what I expected Bryce’s life to be like. Back at the office we always imagined what it would be like to come to his house. What would it be like to walk through his doors? I always thought it would be cold and desolate. Alyssa figured he would always have people here, a constant, around the clock party waiting for him to get home.
I almost felt sorry for him.
“Bryce?” I asked softly, walking back into the bedroom.
“You didn’t leave?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I feel sorry for you.”
“Why?”
“I just do. Now where are your pajamas? If I’m staying with you I’m not wrinkling my suit.”
“Top drawer of the dresser over there.” He pointed to a dresser on the opposite side of the room.
“Close your eyes.”
“Close my eyes?”
“That’s what I said.”
“Piper, it’s not like I’ve never seen a woman’s’ body before.”
“You’ve never seen this body,” I said.
“Quit being modest.”
“Shut your eyes, Mr. O’Connell.”
“Fine,” he muttered.
I unbuttoned my blouse and pulled off my skirt, laying them over a tall, wing backed chair near a window. I unclasped my bra before digging through his draw for a tee shirt.
“I don’t know why you wanted me to shut my eyes; you have quite a remarkable body.”
“Mr. O’Connell!” I yelled, spinning around holding the shirt up in front of me.
“What? Sorry, I was curious.”
“Completely inappropriate.
“Being in my room in your panties with my tee shirt is inappropriate.”
“Yeah, well, being drunk at work is inappropriate.”
“Who said I was drunk?” he asked, smirking at me.
“You mean this was all an act?” My face dropped when I realized what he had done.
He shrugged his shoulders and patted the bed.
“I am not getting in bed with you. I am getting dressed and going back to work.”
“Come on, Piper, just come sit down. Relax.”
“You are a piece of fucking work, Mr. O’Connell.”
“Please?”
“No.”
“Please?”
“Why the hell would I? You lied!” I screamed at him.
“Would you have come over any other way?”
“Absolutely not.”
“I’ll make it up to you. Just come and talk with me and I’ll take you out tonight. Drinks and appetizers. No funny business, I promise.”
I pursed my lips, my nostrils flared; I was so beyond mad at him.
How dare he trick me? Who does he think he is?
He patted the bed again. “Just talk, maybe nap. I do have a splitting headache. I did pop open that bottle of whiskey in the bottom of my desk drawer.”
I sighed in defeat. “Fine, Mr. O’Connell. You win this time. I’ll stay this time, but I hope you know that I am pissed off. You owe me big time. I mean more than drinks and appetizers.”
“Alright. You just name the day and I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Fine. Not tonight I have plans.”
“You have a life outside of work, Piper?”
“Really funny, Mr. O’Connell.”
“I told you enough of the Mr. O’Connell shit. We’re not at work. Call me Bryce.”
“Okay, Bryce. Yes, outside of your company I have a life and tonight I have plans. Saturday. You can take me out to apologize.”
“What could you possibly have to do on a Thursday, Miss Troy?”
“That’s none of your business.” I sat on the edge of the bed and slid the shirt over my head.
“Going out with your boyfriend?” he inquired.
“If I had a boyfriend, Bryce, I wouldn’t be here with you.”
Sliding my legs under the blanket, I stole a quick glance at his clock. It was only three thirty. His bed was comfortable. A lot more comfortable than my own. I rolled onto my side, staring out his window at the beautiful spring afternoon. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into his body.
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
“Shh. Don’t be so tense,” he said. “Just relax and sleep.”
I relaxed against his body and let sleep take over. Who knew that Bryce O’Connell could be so comfortable to sleep on?
Chapter Five
The following day seemed like a dream. I couldn’t focus on anything and Bryce was right back to his douche self. Most of the time I watched the clock, waiting for six o’clock. I wanted nothing more than to go home. The soft thud of shoes echoed down the hallway. The old office wench, Glenda, tromped to my desk and stared down at me with her beady old bird eyes. Her entire face resembled an old crow. I didn’t like her much.
“What, Glend?”
“Delivery.”
I watched as she dumped a huge pile of papers on my desk at 5:55. My face dropped as she sneered at me. I wanted to throw them all at her. It was 5:55.
“What are those?”
“Papers, Piper.”
“Obviously, Glenda. Why are you putting them on my desk right before I leave?” I asked.
“Mr. O’Connell wants them sorted and finished before you leave. He has a huge acquisition meeting tomorrow. Biggest so far.”
“You’re kidding right? There is nothing on the schedule and I wasn’t informed.”
She put her finger on her cheek. “Hmm, maybe he decided you didn’t need to know.”
“Of course he would want me to know, I’m his secretary.”
“Nope. Have fun.”
“Unbelievable,” I muttered, going through the stack.
“What’s that?” Alyssa asked, grabbing her bag.
“His majesty decided to give me a last-minute project.”
“We’re done in five minutes.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Just take it home. Give it to him tomorrow,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “Where were you yesterday?
“I can’t,” I replied. “And we’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
“Why not? He can dump it on you, you can take it home.” She grabbed her bags staring at the mess I had in front of me. “Tell me all about everything tomorrow.”
“I don’t know.”
“Do it and you’ll tell me everything tomorrow?”
“He needs them for some big merger that he of course didn’t tell me about again.” I satg down looking at the mound of reports. “And of course I will.”
“He should have thought about that before 5:55 then. Shouldn’t he?”
I sighed heavily. She was right. It was ridiculous of him to just dump his crap on me so late again. I stood and started shoving all the reports in my bag. There was no reason he couldn’t wait until morning for them.
****
“Troy!” Bryce called out.
No answer.
“Where the fuck is that woman?” He sat rubbing his temples. “Troy!”
Frustrated and pissed, Bryce O’Connell slammed his large, leather chair back and stormed out of his office. He was confused to see the lights in his building off and everyone gone; especially his secretary Piper Troy. He had given her reports that were to be done and on his desk before she left. Important documents that he needed for the meeting he had the following morning.
“That damn woman. Now I have to go to her house. Where the fuck does she even live?”
He went back into his office, sat down, and accessed his personnel files. Scrolling through, he found his irresponsible secretary and her address. Groaning when he realized she lived forty-five minutes from his own home, he would never get to bed at a decent hour.
“I should fire her ass.” He slammed his fists on his desk knowing he’d never find anyone as highly qualified as her to stick around or put up with shit the way she did. Plus, he was starting to like her. The way her nostrils flared when he pissed her off. How she slammed his door when he asked her about his coffee. The coffee always made her a little extra mad. The way her breasts heaved under the shirts that were just a little too tight when she wanted to scream at him. She was perfect. Too bad he couldn’t admit it out loud. “Fuck, Piper!”
Printing out her information, he snatched it from the printer and walked toward his private elevator. A small perk of being CEO. He sped out of the parking garage and into the darkness of the night.
****
I dumped my briefcase on the floor, pulling out the reports. I couldn’t believe Bryce expected me to stay only god knows how long to finish these damn things. No more. I’m not putting up with that shit anymore.
“I’m hungry,” I muttered to myself, digging through my purse for my cell phone.
I scrolled through my phone until I found Jimmy’s Pizzeria.
Pizza for one! Oh or pasta. What’s happening to me?
I rolled my eyes and quickly made the call, ordering pasta and salad. Trying to get comfy before the delivery guy arrived, I removed my suit. I slid out of my skirt, threw my jacket on the back of my bedroom door, and tossed my heels in my closet. I grabbed an oversized t-shirt and slipped it on before turning on the TV. I already knew what kind of a night I was having, over eating while pretending to work but actually watching television.
“Bryce is going to love these half-assed reports tomorrow.” I sighed.
I flopped onto the couch and flipped through the channels until I heard knocking at the door. I jumped up, running to my purse.
“Hold on a sec!” I called out.
I threw open the door my smile disappearing when I saw my boss standing there in utter perfection while I was half-naked in my hovel.
“Troy, where are your clothes?” he asked.
“Mr. O’Connell? Why are you at my apartment?”
“Why are you in nothing but a shirt and panties?” he asked back.
“I’m comfortable and waiting for my take out.”
“You answer to deliver boy in a t-shirt and panties?”
“Sometimes.”
“That is completely inappropriate.”
“So? You’re not my boss outside of work, Mr. O’Connell.”
He stood there staring at me and for the first time since I met the man I felt self-conscious. I tried pulling the bottom of my shirt down, but it was no use.
He shook his head and glared at me. “Why didn’t you finish the reports Glenda gave you?”
“Why didn’t you give them to me before I was getting ready to leave?” I asked.
“Does it matter?”
“Yes. She dumped the reports on me five minutes before I left. I’m not staying hours late to finish reports. I can do them here.”
“I need those reports,” he said.
“You’ll have them in the morning.”
“I need them now,” he said again.
“Stop acting like such a spoiled child, Mr. O’Connell.”
He took a few steps forward, pushing me back, and shut my door. “I’m not a spoiled child. You’ll have to forgive me for expecting my employee to do her fucking job.”
“My job? You dumped all those damn reports on me at 5:55! That is completely ridiculous. How can you do that? You are such an asshole.”
“I am not. Take that back,” he demanded.
“No. You can’t make me do anything. You’re in my home,” I said.
“Why are you so fucking difficult, Piper?”
“Why are you even here?” I asked.
“I want my reports.”
“They’re right there,” I said, pointing to the coffee table. “You can have them.”
“What do you want me to do with unfinished reports?” he asked.
“Go to your house and finish the damn reports for all I care.”
“You are ballsy,” he said.
“I’m tired, Bryce. I’m hungry. You’re in my apartment bitching about reports you gave me five minutes before I left!”
His nostrils flared, and his eyes widened as he took a few steps towards me. For a split second I thought he was going to hit me. I was ready to punch him in the face if he did. Instead he placed one hand on the back of my head while wrapping the other around my waist. He pulled me in close and leaned his head down to mine. His lips brushed against mine softly while I tensed against his touch. I attempted to get out of his grip, but he held tighter. His kiss intensifying. He felt hungry. Lustful. I relaxed a bit and ran my hands up his stomach to his neck. I embraced the side of his face before closing the small gap between us. I’d never even dreamed about making out with him. I never wanted to. Sure, I thought about killing my boss; maybe even pushing him out his window. Kissing him though? Yeah, I thought about that too. He moved his hand from my head to my waist and held onto my t-shirt, pulling it up over my head, depositing it on the floor.
“Bryce…”
“Shh.”
He reached up, cupping my breasts, flicking my nipples, and rubbing them.
Our moment was disturbed by another knock at the door.
“The delivery boy,” I muttered.
“Stay here. Don’t put that shirt back on,” he whispered.
I nodded as he went for the door. He cracked it, grabbed the bag, paid for the food, and returned to the position he left me in. Dropping my food on the floor he stood before me for a moment before quickly covering my mouth with his, running his hands all over my body.
