Savage
Blue Jeans
SAGE
My gaze lifted, colliding with Mr. Heinrich’s frosty blue eyes.
“Damn it!” I cursed.
He muttered something in a language I didn’t recognize.
My eyes dropped to his suit, now decorated with the remnants of my caramel latte, a few fruit seeds, and some bagel crumbs. I clapped a hand over my mouth, mortified at the mess I’d made.
He’d appeared out of nowhere. Why did he always do that? The embarrassment of not only making a fool of myself in front of the CEO, but also ruining his suit was overwhelming.
“I’m so sorry,” I stammered, frantically trying to clean his suit. My hands moved lower, brushing against something hard in his pants. I froze, my hand still resting on his crotch.
My cheeks flamed as he gently removed my hand. His hand dwarfed my wrist. I dropped to my knees, trying to clean up the mess on the floor. When I looked up, he was still standing over me, his eyes filled with a strange mix of heat and concern. I hadn’t noticed Ronnie helping me until she spoke up.
“My apologies, Mr. Heinrich. We’ll clean this up right away. Can we do anything about your suit?”
“That’s fine, Miss Beauchamp. I’m more concerned about Miss Sauvignon. She seems to be in a rush,” he said, raising an eyebrow at me.
“No, I was taking out the trash and then getting some work done for one of our clients,” I replied, struggling to my feet.
He stepped aside, saying, “Well, don’t let me stop you. I have some important matters to discuss with Miss Beauchamp.”
I glanced between him and the door, then made my exit as gracefully as I could. After tossing the trash into the bin by my desk, I sank into the chair at my desk and let out a sigh.
I closed my eyes, trying to remember the breathing techniques I’d learned in yoga class. I needed to regain my composure and forget about Mr. Heinrich. After accidentally touching his privates, I couldn’t help but smile to myself. I started the breathing exercises again.
Pull yourself together, Sage. He’s your boss.
I glanced around to see if anyone had witnessed the incident at Ronnie’s office door. My eyes met Sher’s over the tops of the cubicles. She raised an eyebrow at me, and I glared back at her.
“Mind your own damn business,” I mouthed, knowing she couldn’t read my lips.
I felt a surge of irritation. Sher always had to stick her nose into everything that happened at the office. I settled back into my chair, determined to focus on my work. I needed to finish these logo design concepts and work on my meditation skills.
A few minutes later, I saw Mr. Heinrich leaving Ronnie’s office. His dark-blue jacket was slung over his broad shoulder, and his shirt and pants were stained. He seemed unfazed by my clumsiness.
He glanced in my direction, a half-smile playing on his lips. He nodded slightly at me, then turned his attention back to where he was going. I couldn’t help but watch him a little longer than I should have.
His hair was cropped short, highlighting the sharp angles of his face. His almond-shaped eyes were deep-set and a striking blue, flecked with green. They were incredibly expressive, unlike his usually stoic face. His lips were full, his cheeks hollow from his high cheekbones. He had a strong jawline and a tan complexion.
He was tall, with muscles hidden beneath his white dress shirt. I remembered how they’d felt under my hand. I felt my cheeks heat up again. His thighs had felt like steel under my hands, and his… I couldn’t help but smile to myself.
I’d always had a crush on Mr. Heinrich, but I’d never allowed myself to explore those feelings, especially since I worked for him. It was his company, or rather, his family’s company.
He was very involved with the employees and clients, but he would sometimes disappear for long periods. When he returned, his hair would be longer, and he’d be more irritable. We all avoided him during those times. I peeked over my cubicle, trying to catch one last glimpse of Mr. Heinrich. I saw Sher, file in hand, following him in her gray jacket and mini skirt. I rolled my eyes.
Sher Bautista was a tall, slender blonde with long hair and bright-blue eyes. She loved wearing suits that were either too short or too tight for her figure.
She’d always wanted to move up in the company, but when Ronnie had gotten the promotion instead of her, she hadn’t taken it well.
Instead of being happy for Ronnie like the rest of us, she caused more problems than she should have. She challenged Ronnie at every turn, but Ronnie stood her ground. She never backed down from a fight.
Then Sher turned her attention to me, always reminding me that she was a senior designer, and I was just a junior. On top of that, Sher knew how to manipulate men. Everyone thought she was going to get the team lead position over Ronnie because of how she flirted with Mr. Heinrich.
At first, we thought there might be something going on between them, but then Ronnie was promoted to lead. We still had our doubts, but sometimes it seemed like he couldn’t stand her pushy attitude.
Other times, we’d see her locking herself in his office or following him around like a puppy. It was hard to figure out their relationship. So, Ronnie and I stopped caring. It was too much drama.
***
“Are you going to your yoga class today?” Ronnie asked me in between her slurps on her chocolate milkshake.
We liked having lunch in her office. It was better than being in the lunchroom with everyone else, where people were always sticking their noses into each other’s business.
“I wouldn’t miss it. You should come, Ron.”
“Not today, hon. My nieces and nephews are at my house, and I promised to spend time with them. You and Soraya have fun.”
“Mom’s coming with us today, too. She got tired of the regular gym routine.”
“Auntie Bev sure knows how to keep up.”
We both laughed at that. My mother was a force to be reckoned with. She was determined and aggressive, always going after what she wanted. I loved her so much. She’d helped shape me into the woman I am today.
“Give Olaf a kiss for me after your class, and tell him not to get too friendly with anyone else,” Ronnie said.
“I’ll tell him you said meow.”
“I’ll take out the trash this time, S. No offense.”
I heard her trying to suppress a laugh. She was about to leave when someone walked past her. It was him.
“Good afternoon, Miss Beauchamp. I’d like to speak with Miss Sauvignon.”
As if he needed her permission.
He looked me straight in the eye as he said the last sentence. I shivered slightly under his gaze.
“I was just leaving,” she replied, a small smile playing on her lips. She closed the door, mouthing something obscene at me.
His presence was palpable, his scent intoxicating. His cologne smelled different on him, more masculine. He filled my mind as he walked toward me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.
I noticed he’d changed into tight blue jeans that clung to his muscular thighs. It was as if they’d been molded to his body. He was wearing a white V-neck shirt.
“Eyes up here, Miss Sauvignon.”
My eyes snapped back to his. I could feel my cheeks turning red.
“I came back this morning to talk to you, but I ended up colliding with your coffee instead. I apologize if I scared you.”
“Oh, is that so,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. My heart was pounding, but I was determined to keep my cool this time.
“I’ve been watching you since you started working here three years ago. I admire the way you carry yourself. I love how you interact with your colleagues and your bond with Miss Beauchamp. It’s refreshing to see such a supportive friendship.”
I hadn’t thought he’d noticed me until recently; this was news to me.
“You intrigue me, and I want to get to know you better. I’d like to take you out to dinner tomorrow night.”
He paused, waiting for my response. I was too shocked to move. He stepped closer to me. My back was against the front of the desk, but he still kept his distance.
“Miss Sauvignon, I think you’ve stopped breathing,” he said, smiling.
I blinked a few times, then let out a breath.
“You caught me off guard.”
“I know you weren’t expecting this. I go after what I want, and I want to get to know you. I’ll leave you to think about it. I don’t want to pressure you.”
“Um, yes. I need to think about it.”
“I look forward to hearing your answer. Sleep on it.”
All I could do was nod. He turned and left the office, leaving me in a state of shock.
Continue to the next chapter of Savage