Page 8 of Wham, Bam, Marry Me, Ma’am
Chapter 4
Rachel
My job is worth more than one night.
My job is worth more than one night.
My job is worth—
"Rachel?"
I startle out of the mantra running on repeat over the past two days, shaking my head. "Sorry, I'm...sorry. Hi, Stacey."
Even as Stacey starts talking, I rudely glance at the closed door in front of me for the millionth time today. Vaughn—and yes, after the elevator moment, I've decided we're on a first name basis—worked from home yesterday. For the first time since I've been here, and I'm guessing also in the history of the company considering the number of people who were shocked about his whereabouts when I told them. I'm trying not to freak out about what he must be thinking, but I can't concentrate.
Today is the first time seeing him since the incident, but he hasn't come out of his office yet. I know he's here because he scheduled a meeting with his brothers, and I received one of his regular check-in emails.
Biting my lip, I touch my stomach, remembering his fingertips leaving little heated trails when he wrapped his arm around me.
No.
I told him no. In a moment of sanity during an otherwise freaking fantastic out-of-body experience, I realized taking what I wanted in that moment would cost me my job. Whatever he was feeling, the proof of which was firmly pressed against my backside, would be fleeting.
What if he was trying to find a way to fire me? I shake my head, the thought too painful to fully process. He made it clear in my interview that I was not his first choice. I can't imagine my controlling, work-obsessed boss wanting to be around someone he hooked up with in a moment of frenzied passion. But I also can't imagine the man I've fallen for would find a way to use that to get me fired. There has not been one moment of impulsive thoughtless action on his part since I started here. Regardless, my heart can't take a one-night stand.
I love him. Damn it. I do. I'm hopelessly in love with my sexy grumpy boss who I dream about touching me like that every night. Which is why I declined a kiss.
Maybe he loves me too.
Good lord, girl.I scoff at my own delusion. He didn't say he loved me.He just asked for a kiss.
"You okay?" Stacey asks, and I startle again. I completely forgot she was here. I'm losing my mind. And I'm an asshole.
"Yes," I say, because I can't say sorry again, and then I realize she's holding out the shoes I loaned her. "Oh, thank you."
"No, thankyou.I brought a backup pair to keep in my office, so it won't happen again." She smiles at me gratefully. "I can'ttell you how many times I've left something in the diaper bag as I rush to get here from drop-off each day."
"I can't imagine getting another person ready before work each morning. I barely remember everythingIneed most days." I give her a sympathetic grimace, and Stacey laughs.
"It's not that bad. A lot of running around. It was harder when I was pumping because I couldn't get to her daycare and back on my lunch break." She shrugs. "But I enjoy my job, and Polly loves her teachers. She's social, so I like that she's around so many people every day. I'll be glad, though, when I'm not having to pay for daycare in the city anymore. It's insane. City living, right?" Stacey gives me a little wave and heads to the elevator.
It is expensive living in the city. Billings Corp. pays well, but when you add up rent, transportation, utilities, and general living expenses, I'm barely making it, and I don't have a child to support.
West saunters down the hall, giving me a flirty wink before he knocks quickly on his brother's office door. "Vaughn, it's time for the meeting. You're gonna be late, late, late." He lets himself in without waiting for a response, and I can hear Vaughn's irritated protest about knowing how clocks work as he compares his brother to the rabbit inAlice in Wonderland.
I stand quickly and smooth down my dress. I chose a light blue shirt dress today with buttons up the front and a belted waist to emphasize my curves. Paired with wedge loafers, it's the most comfortable outfit in my closet, but also makes my boobs look amazing while still being professional. Because as much as my mouth said no, my body is furious with me for denying Vaughn, and a part of me desperately wishes he had ignored my wishes and carried me off to my sexy fate.
Except, I didn't intend to see him today while also in the company of West. I can't handle dealing with the awkwardness in front of his brother too. In my rush to get to the conferenceroom before them, I knock over a cup of pens sitting too close to the edge of my desk.
"Damn it," I mutter. I lower myself to the floor to gather them into the cup. As I'm reaching for the last one, I notice a man's shoe in my periphery and look up, locking eyes with Vaughn. My breath catches, and I swallow hard.
His face is impassive, but he shakes the pen gently and I take it.
"Thank you," I whisper.
He clears his throat and continues down the hallway. West holds out his hand to help me up, and I thank him. He takes my things, walking me to the meeting with his hand on the crook of my elbow.
"You don't need to carry my computer," I say. "It's not heavy."
