Meeting Him in Between

JEREMY

I slammed my fists on my desk and raked my hands through my hair. Damn it. What was I thinking? Why did I even consider hiring her in the first place? She had played me from the moment we met at that party, with her innocent demeanor and her breathtaking beauty.

I had promised myself never to let a woman control my emotions again, yet here I was, trembling with anger. But it wasn't directed at her; it was directed at myself. I despised people who played games with me, but she was different. It was as if I wanted her to manipulate me, to hurt me, to toy with me.

I sighed and sank into my chair, gazing out at the view from my office window. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. Maybe she's back, I thought, but I doubted it. “Come in,” I said firmly.

“Mr. Wells, would you like to interview another candidate?” Ella asked hesitantly.

“No, send them home. I've had enough for today.”

“Okay, sir. Is everything all right?” she asked, concern evident in her voice.

“Yes, of course,” I replied. She furrowed her brow at me for a moment but nodded and closed the door behind her. I heard noises outside my office, and after a few minutes, there was silence once more.

I tried to lose myself in my work, but my thoughts kept drifting back to her. I remembered the first time I saw her, wearing that sexy, tight black dress that revealed just enough cleavage. My imagination had run wild when I saw her standing there with her friend.

I didn't know her then, but I was drawn to her. There was something different about her. I had seen countless beautiful women in my life, but she was something else. I couldn't even see her entire face with that mask she wore, but I knew she was Latina, with her curves and dark hair.

As we danced, I occasionally stole glances at her, taking in her full breasts beneath her tight dress, her luscious ass, her swaying hips. There was nothing fake about her body. I appreciated a real woman who would choose a burger over a salad.

A genuine woman needed a strong man. I wasn't sure if she had a boyfriend, but I didn't care. I didn't want a relationship with her. When we danced, I felt a chemistry between us. We didn't need to fill the silence with words. I enjoyed my time with her, and I believed she did too.

It was as if she knew me; there was something between us. I felt terrible for leaving her when my father called. Thankfully, my mother was okay now. She only had an inflammation in her new kidney, and with the right medication, she recovered quickly.

But I couldn't stop thinking about how she would taste. Her lips on mine. Her hips moving in sync with my thrusts. Her moaning my name.

I shook my head, trying to focus on work, but I failed miserably. I hadn't known she could be that feisty. She had seemed genuine when she yelled at me. It hurt to know I was the reason for her distress, but I couldn't trust her.

I had read her history. She had been one of the best students in her class, talented and hardworking, but she lacked experience in the publishing world. I needed someone I could rely on, someone who could advise me and help me make decisions. Eventually, my assistant would become more than just an assistant.

If she worked hard, I would reward her. She needed to prove herself and be confident in her decisions. She had all the skills I sought in a new assistant, but I couldn't trust her yet.

Maybe she hadn't been seducing me, and it was all a coincidence. I had thought she was innocent and hadn't known who I was, flirting with me for me, not for my title or my money.

I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. She was my top choice out of twenty candidates. I hoped she would calm down and consider my offer. I hadn't given her another option, manipulating her by saying I would take away her freedom to interview elsewhere. Maybe I would do that.

It would be for her own good. She could grow in my company, become successful, and I could help her achieve that. I would email her and hope she would come to her senses. One way or another, she would work as my assistant. If I had to play dirty, I would, but she would work for me.

I picked up my phone and dialed Ella’s number. “Ella, can you send an email to all my associates letting them know I have a new assistant? She will eventually have the authority to speak for me when I’m not around. Her name is Lorena Sanchez,” I said firmly.

“Okay, sir, anything else?” she asked.

“When you send the email, can you send me a copy?” I replied politely.

“Of course, Mr. Wells.”

A smirk formed on my face. Later this evening, she would see what I had in store for her. She wouldn’t refuse this job opportunity because there wasn’t another place where she could gain this kind of freedom and power so quickly.

I smiled. I would have her where I wanted her, close to me, so I could keep an eye on her. I would watch her every move, every breath she took. This was the game I wanted to play, and no one was going to stop me.