Page 50 of Out of the Shadows
COSMO
“You’re walking better, but you look like shit.”
“And you look incredible, too.”
Fiona’s right about the ankle. I spent the whole weekend holed up at home, just me, takeaways, and Netflix, with my ankle propped up on a chair. It’s still sore and swollen, but loads better than it was. But I’ve got to admit she’s right about looking like shit, because I’ve had precious little sleep for the last three nights.
Hunkering down at my desk, I hide behind my blank computer screen, my finger stroking the button but not switching it on.
It was tempting to call in sick, but I refuse to look like I’m running away because I’ve got nothing to run from. I rub my stomach, which is knotted up with tension from reliving every second of the kiss since the moment it happened — and everything that happened after.
Daniel may have jumped like a rocket had been shoved up his arse when I touched his dick, but he was loving what we were doing. The way he kissed, the way he took complete command, the little noises he made — and how hard he was. His brain might have been trying to convince him it wasn’t what he wanted, but his body had other ideas, until he closed down on me and dragged his hand across his mouth to wipe me away. I should see him for the tosser he is — a middle aged straight guy who took a chance to see what the other side tasted like before he got scared and spat me out.
There’s a sudden burst of laughter on the other side of the office. Fiona and Tariq, chatting away. For once, Laughing Boy is exactly that. I switch my computer on and look down the list of emails that have come in, but I don’t open any of them up. My mind’s racing, despite how tired I am, because the kiss isn’t the only thing I’ve been thinking about.
Much as it makes my innards shrivel, I should talk to Daniel. Clear the air, draw a line under what happened. Be sensible and adult, be mature about it, because the bottom line is, this is where I work and despite everything I like it here and I don’t much fancy the idea of the upheaval of finding another job.
After snogging my boss, being labelled an aberration and then tossed on the rubbish heap, I now feel I’m ready for the next challenge in my career…
“Oh, fuck.” I rub my sore, sleep deprived eyes before I open up the first email of the day and do my best, which isn’t very good at all, to forget about Daniel Russo.
The day drags on. My attention’s shot, because most of it’s focused on the office door, wondering whether Daniel’s going to walk through it. It’s knotting up my insides and I’m not sure whether I’m relieved or disappointed when every time somebody does come in, it’s not him. By five o’clock, my workmates are starting to drift out. By five-thirty there’s only Fiona and me left, but she’s preparing to leave as she buttons up her coat.
“You’re not going to sit here for too long, are you? While the cat’s away et cetera, et cetera.”
“I shouldn’t be here for much longer, I just want to finish up this report. What do you mean while the cat’s away?”
“Daniel’s not been around today. Come on, you must have noticed? He’s normally in and out of here all day long.”
“Where is he?” I force my voice to be casual, as though I’m not really bothered, but every muscle in my body is tight and stretched thin.
“Don’t know. Working from home, perhaps? Anyway, I’m off. Seriously, Cosmo, don’t hang around. You look done in.”
A couple of minutes later she’s gone, leaving me alone in the office.
I won’t be hanging around too long, and I’m just giving the paper I’ve been working on a final read through before I email it off to Daniel. Then, it’s off home to a microwave dinner, a beer and more Netflix.
The door bursts open. Daniel’s framed in the doorway as we stare at each other.
“Why are you still here?”
Daniel comes in and closes the door behind him. His voice is so clipped it’s almost a bark. He’s got his coat on and is clutching his briefcase. He’s just come in, when everybody else has gone.
“I was finishing up some work, which I was about to email to you.” I force myself to switch my attention to my keyboard and a couple of keystrokes later it’s gone. “There, it’ll be in your inbox.”
I stand, ready to go, but I need to get my coat which is hanging on a stand by the door — which he’s blocking.
“You’re walking better.”
I huff out a short laugh, because that’s exactly what Fiona said.
“What’s so funny?”
I shake my head and don’t answer. “I’m leaving now so if I can just get past, please?” Play it cool. Cool and polite. Nothing he can pull me up on. I don’t feel very cool, I don’t feel much like being polite, but if this is the way it’s going to be then there’s nothing I can do about it.
“Yes, of course.” He doesn’t make any effort to move out of the way and let me pass. I wait in silence. The ball’s in his court and he catches it with both hands.
He steps forward, forcing me to take a step back.
