Page 19 of Christian Clause

I let out a sigh. That I’m attracted to the man doesn’t mean I’ll fall at his feet and beg him to take me to bed and fulfill all my sexual fantasies. Admittedly, I’m a little disappointed that the man who had come on strong to me at the mall and the first few minutes in his office has suddenly disappeared. In fact, he doesn’t even give me the time of day unless it has something to do with the business.

There is no suggestive look in his gaze. He makes sure our fingers never brush against each other when I’m collecting or handing files to him. Everything is strictly business to him. Truthfully, it hurts to think he has lost interest in me that fast. But I know it’s for the best. I can’t imagine an atmosphere where his smoky gray eyes undress me anytime I step into his office. Or, him telling me sexual innuendoes instead of dictating to me.

It, however, doesn’t stop me from noticing everything about him, though. He comes in early to the office with a small impersonal smile for me and closes late in the evening with instructions for me for the following day. I attend meetings with him and on one of such occasions, I realized how very intelligent he is. I like the fact that he expects everyone around him to be intelligent and hardworking. He’s professional and courteous with his staff and gets a great deal of respect from them.

Only once has he snapped at a man who brought the wrong files to a meeting and told the embarrassed man to focus. That was a one-off incident. I have even gone on a long date with him and other clients and learned that he’s a healthy eater. He can be a hard taskmaster sometimes, but I recognize that I enjoy working with and for him. Sometimes, the job can be challenging, but Christian makes me look forward to seeing him the following day.

“What’s that smile on your face for?” Debra asks, and I glance out the window.

“It’s nothing, really. I’m just so happy. A month ago, I never thought I would have cause to smile ever again,” I truthfully tell her.

“Aww.” She reaches out and squeezes my hand for a moment before returning it to the steering wheel.

“I’m so happy that you’re here.”

“Me, too. And going shopping is something that we haven’t done together in ages.”

She laughs. “I’m so excited.”

Ray brought down the enormous Christmas tree from the attic that morning. Debra and I discovered that we didn’t have enough decorations for the tree. Most of them are old and fading. So, she decided we should have a sisters’ day outing shopping for Christmas supplies. I readily agreed because I was also eager to spend time with my sister. Ray suggested keeping Aria so he could spend some time with her as they only got to be together in the evenings or during weekends.

Memories of meeting Christian at the mall flood me as soon as Debra pulls up in front of it. I plaster a smile across my face as we get out of the car.

Debra and I have a wonderful time shopping at the mall. On the spur of the moment, I dip into my savings from selling my stuff. I splurge on five brand new outfits for my new job. I’m a little ashamed that while I was purchasing the clothes, thoughts of Christian filled my mind. I wonder at his reaction when he sees me in the outfits.

I hope he likes them on me as much as I do.

I quickly wipe away my errant thoughts and focus on what Debra is saying.

“We should have lunch before going back,” Debra suggests.

“What about Aria?” I ask, already missing the little darling.

“I’m sure she’s having a wonderful time with her father. Come on, I know a good restaurant nearby.”

I nod and follow her out of the mall with my purchases. After loading the car with what we bought, Debra drives us to a nearby restaurant. Immediately when we enter the place, Debra talks about the décor and how much she loves it.

There’s a Christmas feeling in the air with decorations hanging on the ceiling, and a large Santa Claus sitting in a corner with a broad smile on its rubbery face.

‘Deck the halls’ plays in a low tone, giving me a nostalgic feeling. We find a seat close to the window. I admire the gold and blue theme of the place as Debra tells me of having done a job in the past with a similar décor.

We place our orders and I continue to listen with interest until my gaze shifts from her animated face to a couple at the other side of the restaurant.

My heart stops for a moment as I recognize Christian and a woman with fiery red hair. Her oval face is stunning to look at, and I can’t take my eyes away from it. The woman is model thin, with a slinky red form fitting dress that complements her slim figure. Little wonder Christian lost interest in me. With such a gorgeous woman, it’s a wonder he looked my way in the first place.

Jealousy burns through me, and I suddenly feel like bursting into tears. There I was fantasizing about him this past week, only to be smacked in the face with the truth that the man had been just having fun with me. If the red-haired beauty is the kind of women he dates, then I’ve been making an utter fool of myself, because we’re nothing alike. Then why did he come on so strong to me at the mall? Why did he tell me he wanted to kiss me in the office the other day? Was it just a fluke? Or, is it that he saw me as something of a quick lay but later changed his mind since I work for him? So many questions run through my mind as I try to stifle the envy running through me like jagged knives.

Suddenly, his head turns and his gaze captures mine. Time stands still as we both stare at each other across the distance. My throat feels so parched I grope for the glass of water on the table without breaking my gaze with him.

Again, I find my dress getting tighter and my body heating from his scorching gaze. Thankfully, the waiter chooses that moment to bring our food. My color deepness when I realize that Debra has continued talking all this while. So deep in her interest with interior decorating she hasn’t noticed that my eyes and mind drifted from her.

I smile at the waiter and make sure my eyes don’t move in Christian’s direction again. How dare he look at me like that when he’s with another woman? How dare he ignore me in the office all week and then strip me of my clothes with his eyes? It makes little sense and I’m tired of pondering about it. With a shaky hand, I lift the glass of water and take another sip.

Calm down, Hope. You’ve got this. No man can dazzle you again. You’ve had enough of them.

My nerves are stretched so taut from having Christian in the same restaurant with me a short distance away, that I hardly taste the salmon I ordered. I wish now that I had told Debra we should go someplace else, so I can enjoy this outing with her. But what excuse would I have given? I can’t bear to be in the same proximity with my boss because I’m jealous he’s with another woman?

Debra would understand, of course, but then it would be absolutely crazy that I feel so strongly for my boss of just two weeks. I choose to save myself the embarrassment and keep calm.

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