Page 16 of Boss' Obsession

“I know, boss. I just printed out your calendar.” I grin.

“Good girl. As you can see, I’m going to be tied up all day so I’ll be skipping lunch.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a credit card. He hands it to me and says, “Order yourself something when you’re ready.”

My first instinct is to tell him no, but before I can protest, he waves me off. “Do as I say, little girl. You need to eat. I’ve got one hell of a workout planned for us tonight.”

A rush of heat runs through me when he says it. Having sex with Bryan was like tasting ice cream for the first time. Now that I know how good it is, I want more.

Bryan is giving a presentation to a room of investors when it’s time for me to clock out for the day. Hopefully, this training tonight will give me a better understanding of exactly what he’s selling in there. I hate feeling this clueless about what he actually does for a living.

I would drive home for a quick snack and to freshen up, but the traffic is bumper to bumper and I don’t know how long it will take me to cross town. With a sigh, I head straight to the NYU campus.

Once there, I get a map and directions to the lecture hall from a burly security guard. I gaze at the prestigious halls and tree-peppered walkways and wish that I could have attended a school like this. My grades were good enough, but even with scholarships, I never could have afforded it. It was public education all the way for me, but at least that came with a full ride.

I find the lecture hall and follow the signs that read, “Brian Branigan Investments.” It would probably seem meaningless to Bryan, but I think having his name displayed in the university halls is pretty amazing. I enter the lecture room and take a seat amongst a half dozen or so of my fellow employees. They work in the phone banks so I’ve never met them, but they welcome me with warm smiles, making me feel more comfortable.

There are notepads and pens provided, and I seem to be the only one frantically logging every word the trainer utters. I don’t care. I want to be able to refer back when Bryan discusses things I don’t understand. The others look bored out of their minds, but I’m really enjoying myself. It’s strange but something about it makes me feel important, and that’s a very rare feeling for me.

We wrap up the session at nine and everyone filters out of the room. I walk alone toward the exit and a new rush of excitement washes over me. My mind drifts to Bryan and all of the things he might have in store for me tonight. I’m so lost in my thoughts that I barely hear the voice calling out from behind me.

“Beth, Beth is that you?”

I stop and turn around to see if I’m the Beth that this person is calling and an instant panic courses through my veins. I want to turn and run, but it’s as if my feet are glued to the floor. I just stand there, clutching my notepad to my chest and trying to remember to breathe.

The man who has now stepped out of the shadows is my creepy professor from back home. His smile sends a cold chill up my spine. Why can’t I just turn around and walk away?

He steps closer and holds his hand out to me, but I don’t move. All of those old feelings wash over me like a typhoon of anxiety and fear. I see him peering into lecture halls and classrooms so he can watch me work. I smell his breath as he holds my arm and stands way too close to me when he speaks. I can see the words of his persistent text messages and emails that told me how we were meant to be together and that he wouldn’t stop pursuing me until I realized that he was the only man for me. I even see him circling my neighborhood and parking outside my house.

“Okay, then.” He puts his hand back down by his side. “It’s so nice to see you. I heard a rumor that you moved here, but I really didn’t believe it was true. You were always so quiet and reserved. You never struck me as the type to just pick up and move across the country. You’re like a pretty little mouse.”

I just stare blankly at the face of the man who scared me into leaving home in the first place. I want to ask him why he’s here. I want to know when he’ll be going away, but I can’t make myself speak.

“You’re not enrolled here, are you?” he asks me and I manage to shake my head.

He looks at the sign on the easel and reads it aloud, “Bryan Branigan Investments. Look at that. Now that I know where you work, maybe I’ll come by and take you to lunch.”

I feel the heat rising on my face. What do I do now? He knows where I work. I swallow hard and open my mouth. Finally, words come out. “Why are you here, Professor Milton?”

“Professor Milton? Come on now, Beth. You’re not my student anymore. I think we know each other intimately enough for you to call me John.”

“Why are you here?”

“Sunny California just lost its appeal for me. I wonder what changed?” He smirks at me. “Anyway, I saw an opening here and jumped at the chance to move to New York.”

“You live here now?”

“It’s all official. Want to come and see my place? It’s just a few minutes’ walk.”

“I have to go,” I say and silently scold myself. Move your ass. Get away from him.

“I’ll walk you to your car. Do you have a car? If not, I’d be happy to drive you.”

“No, thank you. I have to go.” I turn and practically run on my wobbly legs. Once outside, I stop to get my bearings and see him coming down the steps behind me.

Pretend that you don’t see him and go!I quicken my pace but the pavement is slippery from an earlier rain shower and my heels have no traction. I see the Porsche just ahead and pull the keys from my purse. A few more steps and I press the fob, unlocking the doors.

Reaching the car, I hold my hand out for the door handle, but another hand comes down on top of mine and pulls it away.

“No, no, no. You can’t just run off like that. I uprooted my entire life to come here, and for what? For you to give me the cold shoulder? That’s very rude, Beth, and I’m not going to stand for it.”

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