Page 5 of Lovesick

Setting the phone back down, I cleared my throat as if I had spoken too many words and needed to get rid of the heaviness of them. My focus was on the words I was typing when a soft knock on my door made me look up.

Leann, the office’s front desk manager, peeked her head inside, her eyes wide with wonder. “Dean is asking for you. He said he tried to call you but couldn’t reach you,” she said.

I wanted to roll my eyes, but that would’ve made her ask questions. I didn’t want anyone in this office—or anywhere—to know about Dean and me. Better said, what Dean and I used to do.

I dropped my gaze to my phone, frowning. “Really? My phone hasn’t rang all day.” He was turning me into a liar and I hated it. Well, to be fair, I was lying to myself all this time for trying to make myself believe that I didn’t want him anymore.

I’m such a hypocrite.

“Oh.” Leann’s smile was gentle. “Well, he would like to talk to you. He’s in his office.”

I gave her a nod. “Okay, thanks, Leann.”

“You’re most welcome, Emmy.” She moved her gaze to my phone, then added, “I’ll have someone come by to check on that phone. Strange that it doesn’t work.”

“No, you—” I sighed, placing my hand on it. “I’ll do it myself. You’re always so busy. I will handle this myself.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, her blonde brows furrowing. “You look a little…pale. Sure everything is all right?”

If I had a tighter relationship with Leann, I would’ve told her everything. Although she was only four years older than me, I never connected with her the way I should’ve. I could use a friend. One I could talk to every night, hang out on the weekends with, or just have lunch in the break room at work. But I never showed that kind of interest in her—or any woman in this office, for that matter.

The only person I truly showed interest in was Dean, and come to think about it, that made me a total slut. Okay, maybe slut isn’t the right word, but I sure felt dirty for only ever caring about my boss who I had a toxic, one-sided relationship with.

I forced a smile and nodded. “Yes, everything is fine. I guess I just haven’t had enough to eat or drink today.”

“Oh, no…” Leann was worried, and I hated that I was making her feel that way. She studied me for a moment, then looked over at the clock on the wall. “How about we get coffee in thirty minutes? You know we’re allowed to take afternoon breaks. Only ten minutes, but sometimes it’s all we need to get the energy back in. What do you say?”

“I uh…” I should say yes. Leann was being nice, and she truly seemed to care about my well-being. And, most of all, she seemed like a good friend. And that’s what I needed. “Sounds great,” I told her, smiling brighter.

“Perfect. Let’s meet in the break room in thirty minutes.” She gave me another one of her beautiful smiles before she left.

I needed a moment before I got up to head over to Dean’s office right across from mine. He could’ve gotten up and knocked on my door himself. Instead, he ordered Leann to do it. What a lazy man. God, no…he wasn’t lazy. He was using his powers to get what he wanted, and, sadly, it was working.

I fisted my hands and took a long, deep breath that I held for far too long before I walked out of my office. I knocked on his door and waited for him to call me in.

“Yes.”

I closed my eyes for a second, then pushed open the door. Why was I making such a big deal out of this? I wanted this. Him. God, I wanted all of him again.

I kept quiet when I walked in, closing the door behind me slowly. With my eyes on him, I watched as he leaned back in his chair, with his hands resting on his lower stomach.

His eyes wandered down my body, taking in every inch, and making every part of me tingle. There was no shame in the way he was admiring me. He took me in with his cruel eyes, leaving invisible marks. “As your boss, I expect you to follow my demands.”

I swallowed hard, keeping my posture firm. “I follow your orders when they’re related to work, Mr. Rockwell. That’s all.”

Dean tilted his head slightly, studying me like I was some puzzle he was trying to solve. A slow, knowing smirk curled on his lips. “Is that so?”

“Yes.”

He hummed, his fingers drumming against the desk. “And yet, here you are. Following my commands after telling me no.”

I straightened my back. “Because you sent Leann. I figured if I didn’t come, you’d send someone else. And I didn’t want to make a scene or bother other people.”

He let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head slightly. “Always so practical and selfless, aren’t you? Always thinking ahead. That’s what makes you good at your job.” He sat forward, his elbows resting on the desk as he pinned me with those impossibly dark grey eyes. “But we both know you’re not here just because I sent Leann. You could’ve stayed persistent.”

Now he was just straight out mocking me. I held his gaze, but I didn’t respond. Because, ultimately, he was right.

I came willingly, no matter how much I told myself that I didn’t.

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