Page 11 of The Brute

“And Isabella? There is nothing going on between the two of you?” She hesitates by the door, one hand on the handle.

“Correct,” I say through clenched teeth. I’m irritated at Maggie’s haranguing, but I’m also wishing that I was lying, that there was something happening. I felt our connection when we danced, when I told her how I felt. She returns my feelings, she was just suggesting that we not pursue them due to our circumstances. Even though that I could tell that as the night wore on, that what I had said was waffling in her decision.

Maggie leaves my office and I ask Bella to return. She walks in, clearly nervous.

“Everything okay?” she asks nervously. I nod, not wanting to discuss what Maggie had said.

She rattles off what I’ve missed so far this week, along with what’s on my schedule for the rest of the week. Once she’s finished, I request some needed tasks from her, then she stands to leave the room. She stops in the middle of the room and turns.

“I, umm, had a good time on Friday night at the gala. Thank you for taking me.” She smiles hesitantly.

“As did I. Thank you for being my date.” I nod and smile.

“There are photos of us. On the internet. I don’t think I’ve seen you smile like that before,” she says, her eyes catching mine.

“Must have been the company I was with.”

She turns and heads towards the door.

“Oh yeah, Ben?” she calls from the doorway, her voice confident.

I look up, quirk my eyebrow in question and wait for her to continue.

“I’ve reconsidered.” And with that she’s gone.

She’s knocked the wind out of me.

* * *

I did my best to concentrate on my scheduled meetings and tasks, but my thoughts were consumed by Bella and her declaration. While I was not expecting her to change her mind, I’m rather pleased that she did. Several times throughout the day, I had a free moment and would attempt to talk to her, but she was either on the phone or away from her desk. By the end of the day, I was so engrossed in work and trying to play catch up, that I failed to keep track of time and didn’t leave the office until it was pitch dark. I’d spent the afternoon catching up on reports that had been left on my desk, as well as fiddling with a few products our development department wanted me to check out, that I completely missed any further opportunities to talk to Bella. So now I'm on my way home from work with her answer still lingering on my mind.

She’s reconsidered. Now what?

That question is answered for me as soon as I enter the penthouse. My home is usually silent when I get home, aside from the bustling of Mrs. Rosemary when she's cleaning or cooking. Tonight, however, I hear chatter in the kitchen. With a cautious gait, I walk toward the voices and come around the corner to see Bella talking to Mrs. Rosemary. They both notice my entrance into the room and stop talking mid-sentence to look at me.

“Bella?” I say.

“I know it’s a bit presumptuous to just show up, but I took the chance,” she explains as Mrs. Rosemary silently leaves the room to give us privacy.

“You’re a welcome surprise.” I approach her with my hands in my pockets, my posture casual.

“You were buried in work when I left. I poked my head in, and could tell you were in the zone, so I decided not to interrupt you. I came here so we could get a chance to talk properly Besides, I felt it was best not to have our personal conversation at work. You know, since we want to keep those two separate and all.”

“I'm glad you’re here.” I step forward and stand before her. Being so close to her again has me imaging all the things we could do. My voice dips and turns gravelly when I tell her, “I would like that, very much.”

Her eyes flare with lust and she licks her lips.

“As I said this morning, I’ve reconsidered. I’ve reconsidered this… you and me.”

“Hmmm,” I smile.

“It’s clear that we have a… an attraction to one another.”

“Correct.” I run my tongue along my bottom lip.

“But the problem is, at the office, you’re my superior and I’m your subordinate. Work conflicts and all.”

“I wouldn't want you to feel that your job is in jeopardy, I wouldn’t allow that to happen to either one of us. I value you. And I want to value you in all ways.”

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