Page 4 of Dirty Work
Chapter Four
He’s standing too close, but I don’t want him to move away from me. This feels like the smallest elevator in history, and the longest elevator ride down to the lobby, but why do I want this near-stranger to throw me against the wall and rip my clothes off?
What’s wrong with me?
He doesn’t say anything for the whole ride. We just stand there, side by side, and I feel like he can hear my heart beating and my breath coming rapidly out of my throat. The elevator finally stops at the first floor and Bryan stops us at the security desk.
“Here, let me introduce you to Bill,” he says. “He’s great. Former NYPD cop, now runs security for the building. You’re going to have to know the building staff if you want them to take care of you. You know, let you in after hours. That kind of thing.”
“After hours?” I say nervously, trying to keep up with him. “And what would you be doing here then?”
“You know,” he says, piercing me with his green eyes and running a palm cooly through his hair. “Getting paperwork done. Other things.”
Bill turns his gaze away from the security monitors hidden below the front desk and looks at me and Bryan.
“First day?” He puts a hand out to me. It’s rough and I sense that he’s been places, seen things.
“Yes, that’s right. Bryan here was nice enough to have claimed me and is showing me the ropes.”
I hit myself in the gut with my own word.
Claimedme? Is that what he’s done? As a work friend, sure.
But what about more?
“You think I’ve claimed you?” Bryan says with a devious look in his eye.
“Well, I should hope so,” I respond, heat pooling between my legs.
I’m in trouble.
“We’ve finally got someone here who can play on your level, pal!” Bill slaps Bryan on the back like he’s one of the guys back in the old neighborhood.
“Watch out for this one,” Bryan says, grinning down at me and putting a hand on my shoulder. I don’t know if he means it to be reassuring or just friendly, but my clit jumps at his slight touch, and I wish I hadn’t picked out this cardigan this morning.
We step out into the brisk fall air, and I realize that I shouldn’t have left my scarf back at the office. Okay, so part of me left it on purpose. I wanted to see what Bryan would do. Maybe it’s a little bit immature, but I like being taken care of. I wanted him to know that I would be feeling a little discomfort with the cool air whipping my neck, and wanted to see what he would do about it.
“You don’t have a scarf. We can't have that.” He takes his own grey wool scarf from around his neck and faces me. “Don’t let this happen again. We can’t have you catching cold. We need you nice and healthy and happy.” He brushes my wavy brown hair away from my shoulders and wrapped his scarf around my neck, tying it gently around me and putting his hands down firmly on my shoulders.
Again, he lingers a little too close for a little too long.
I instantly feel hot, and it isn’t just because of the scarf.
_____
“Is this our first date?” I want to push Bryan where he seems to be heading, and I’m not afraid of scaring him away.
I’m beginning to realize that I want him, but I need to gauge whether he is really interested in me or if he just wants to keep it casual. Fuck me once, and then be done with me. From the looks of him, from how gorgeous and sexy he is, I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if all of his antics were for show - regardless of how genuine he seems.
“Yeah. I guess it is.” He smiles. “How do you like the place?”
He doesn’t seem to be freaked out. He seems content, at ease. Even happy. As though this is a guy who really wants to date me.
Come on.This guy is playing a game. This is typical. You’ve been through all of this before. Gorgeous guy wants to get laid. You sleep with him. You’re naive. It's such a simple story, and you’re not going down this path again. Don’t let him work his magic on you. It’s too much, it’s too fast, and it’s certainly too good to be true.
“So, how many guys have you been with?”
Bryan takes a sip from his ice water as he scans the menu.
