Because Of Love

Talia rose from her desk, proposal in hand, and headed to Rafe’s office. Her steps faltered when she realized how personal she had referred to him. No, she should go back to referring to him as DeLuca, keeping things uncomplicated. Three days had gone by since that night and, though she’d barely seen him the whole day, she was sure he was going on with his life like nothing had happened, unlike her. She was in her own game of hide and seek, actually a part two of it.

Before, he was the one avoiding her, now she was the one doing the hiding. But enough of that, she needed her proposal approved and signed. On the yacht, he’d told her to brief the proposal into one page and she’d done just that in three short paragraphs. For her presentation, she had only three minutes to convince him that the project would benefit the company and she was sure she’d done that too. Now the only thing that was left was presenting it to him and there was no way she wanted an audience or her bosses finding out what she was doing. So, here she was again, one of the last two left behind in the dimly lit, quiet office, a horror movie in the making where the Black girl dies first. She really didn’t like staying late. The normally lit and semi noisy place creeped her out when it got so quiet and dark.

She got to DeLuca’s door and found it ajar. Unusual. He liked to keep everyone out so the door was always shut. She peeked in and quickly took a step back, her heart taking a hit. Breathlessly, she grabbed at her chest and shook her head from side to side. There was no way she saw that right.

“McKenna.”

She drew in a startled breath and closed her eyes as she sought to settle her upheaved mind. DeLuca couldn’t be that much of a bastard. She may not know him completely, but she knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t dick around with two women in the same office building, let alone the same floor. Or she was deluding herself and he was the type of guy who required castrating!

“McKenna.”

That came from too close. She opened her eyes to find him standing right in front of her, the door wide open. She looked past him to see Becky seated on his desk, her mini skirt was so short Talia could see her red panties. Her blouse was so tight, it made her double Ds look like they were busting out of it. She’d changed. That wasn’t what she was wearing during the day. Clearly, she’d carried her other work clothes just for this. How did she even know DeLuca worked late? Talia thought only she and Enzo knew about his bad workaholic habits. But then again, most of the time Becky was like a bitch in heat, so Talia wouldn’t put it past her to spy on DeLuca’s every move. Irritation popped through her like a mint in a shaken Coke bottle.

Without a word to DeLuca, she pushed past him and walked into the office, a forced smile on her lips. “Becky, I see you are living up to your reputation,” she said, forcibly relaxing her jaw so that she wasn’t speaking through clenched teeth. No need to lose good teeth over dogs in heat.

Becky touched the edges of her red lips as she slid off the desk, pushing the skirt higher, making Talia’s lips twist in disgust.

“Just doing my job.”

Talia nodded mockingly with an equally mocking smile. “Of course, your moonlighting gig. But,” she pointed behind her at DeLuca without turning to look at him, “he’s not a client.” She snapped her fingers. “Ah right. Employees get a ride too,” creasing her face in fake concern. Then Talia added, “But this isn’t the men’s room. Are you sure you can get in the mood in such a clean place?”

Becky’s smug smile faltered.

Talia slapped her forehead lightly with her finger tips. “How silly of me. He has a private toilet right there,” she pointed to DeLuca’s private washroom. “There’s even a shower,” she turned to DeLuca then with a glare and sneer. “For when he needs to clean the filth off after.”

The only reaction he gave was a bemused smirk and a raised brow. His hands remained in his pockets.

Talia looked back at Becky with a tight smile and said, “Could you postpone that? I have a presentation I need to give. You know,” she added, waving the file in front of her, “the only job I do for the company.”

Becky quickly recovered and before she could say what Talia knew she was about to and already hinted at, she said, “You are welcome to listen if you would like. There are a lot of clients here, and other employees from different branches and DeLuca companies that you may want to provide your special services to. You might actually help in smoothing things over during implementation?”

Becky cleared her throat, yanked her skirt lower and said, “No thank you.”

She moved to leave but Talia stepped into her path. “Are you sure? I’m sure we can work out a favorable schedule for you.”

Becky’s eyes went wide and they quickly shot behind Talia to DeLuca before returning to hers. Talia knew what she was doing was wrong, but the vicious vindictive bitch in her just wouldn’t stop! How dare she try to add DeLuca to her fuck list?

“It would take a few years, but I’m sure you’ll fuck – I mean, work your way through the existing list eventually.” With a short clap of her hands, wide eyed and shrilly giggle she added, “Think of the bonus you’ll get and of course I’ll be sure to make sure you get premium health care benefits to keep,” she pointed at her breasts and then her vagina that had been on display just a few minutes ago then back at her reddening face, “the work tools of yours in tip top shape.”

With glaring eyes that would have put holes in Talia if they were lasers, she marched past her and out of DeLuca’s office without a backwards glance.

Talia followed after and watched from the door as Becky disappeared around the corner and waited to hear the elevator ding before she turned around to face the other culprit. He was smiling. Full blown, easy going and relaxed smile. She would have smiled back if he wasn’t sitting in the exact same spot that Becky’s naked ass had occupied just a few moments ago.

“You should get your desk disinfected.”

He looked down and then up at her again with a smug smile, “She was on it only when you were in here.”

“Of course. Before that she was standing between your legs while you sat on the other side of it.”

He chuckled which only pissed her off more.

“Are you trying to catch an STD?” she half yelled, pissed. Why she even cared was a wonder to her but hell the image of him and Becky tangled up in naked sweaty sex irritated her to no bounds.

“So, she is the office whore?” he asked in the form of an answer.

Talia winced at that. “Let’s just call her community property.”

After a moment, the smile shrunk and something else took over his face. He looked almost lost.

“I’m restless,” he confessed hesitantly.

“Excuse me?” she asked, a little confused.

He took one small step after another, coming towards her; Talia fought not to retreat. His right hand reached out to her left hip and she stepped away then.

“I’m not your toy,” she shot out.