“Dale Marche wants to see you,” Abby said, looking her up and down. “You might want to go and make yourself presentable.”
Nodding her head, she headed for the female quarters at the back of the law office. Opening her cubby, she stored her bag and coat before heading to the mirror to check the damage. She didn’t wear any makeup, and today was no exception.
Running her fingers through her red hair, she took a deep breath and made her way out and toward the elevator. The ride up was the hardest minutes of her life. Dale was stationed on the top floor. He was in his late thirties and had become partner to the law firm for his quick thinking and the fact he’d never lost a case.
His personal assistant told her to go on through. She loved working for this law firm. The employees didn’t take any shit and were not unkind to one another. They were a top law firm and demanded the best of all their employees. She felt part of the team, but she was thinking today would be her last day.
Knocking on the door she waited for Dale to call for her to enter. When she did, she closed the door behind her and stepped into the room.
“Miss Phelps, it’s a pleasure. Please, take a seat.” He gestured for her to take a seat.
Stepping into the room she slowly lowered herself in the chair available, opposite his desk.
“Is it a pleasure?” she asked.
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“You’re going to fire me for being late?” She looked down at her knees, wishing he’d just get it over with.
“No, I’m not going to fire you. This is your first tardy, and the security guard told me you couldn’t find any parking. You were signed in because you’d have been here on time otherwise.”
She was shocked and simply stared at him. One, she wasn’t going to get fired, and two, she wasn’t going to get fired. Okay, they were the same thing, but she needed a few seconds to adjust to the fact she was still in a job.
“Seriously?” she asked, feeling like a child.
“We’re not ogres, Amber. You don’t mind me calling you Amber, do you?” She shook her head. “Good. We like to work with our employees so we get the best performance out of them. You’re a good worker. Hard working and you get your job done. You’re an asset to this team, and I was wondering if you’d like to go out on a date with me,” he said.
Her mouth fell open. She couldn’t stop her initial reaction. “W-what?”
“I noticed on your status you were single, and I’d like to get to know you. I consider myself a pretty decent guy. I like you. I’m attracted to you. I’d like to get to know you better outside of work.”
His words were registering, but she didn’t think he was saying them properly.
“You’re not serious?” she asked, looking behind her. Why was she looking behind her? No one was there, and she was starting to think this was some kind of joke.
“This is no joke, Amber. I like you a lot, and I want to get to know you. I’m a blunt person, and I don’t see a reason pissing about with the truth.”
She saw that.
Looking down at her hands she tried not to laugh. The whole weekend she’d spent with Elijah in her bed, and yet there was still no promises made between them. This is how it had been like with them. Neither of them committed to the other. They were always fighting one another, and when Elijah grew bored he’d leave her.
She didn’t even know if he’d taken other women. Shit, she needed to get the morning after pill.
“I, erm, I’m sort of seeing someone. It’s not really official or anything.” Her cheeks were heating with humiliation. Why was she explaining her situation to him?
“You’re not together though?” he asked, leaning forward.
He was such a large man. She’d seen him coming and going out of the gym they kept in the basement above the parking lot.
“No.”
“Then give me a chance. I understand you’re seeing someone else. No pressure. Give me a shot,” he said.
“If I refuse, what then?” she asked, nibbling her lip. Part of her wanted to go out with him. She needed to see what it was like to be with someone other than Elijah. He’d controlled her for too long. She needed to stop always being worried about what he’d think.
This is not like me.
She ignored her doubts and looked at Dale. He leaned back, folding his arms over his chest. “I’ll fire you.”
Her heart stopped, and she stared at him in shock.
Dale suddenly smiled, transforming his whole face. “I’m kidding, Amber. I’m not a monster. You can say no, and things go back to the way they were. I’m not an ogre, and I’m not an ass.”
“Okay.”
“Take the day to think about it,” he said. “I’ll be waiting tonight after work for an answer. There’s no pressure, and I can wait.”
“Okay,” she said, repeating the word. “Is there anything else you want to say to me?”
“No.”
“Isn’t dating between colleagues bad?” she asked, frowning.
“It’s not encouraged, but we all understand when you work in this job and are putting in long hours then attractions are going to start and develop. I hope my interest hasn’t offended you,” he said.
“No, it hasn’t. I’m surprised. I better get started back to work. I don’t want anyone to be giving me problems for slacking off.” She stared at him for several seconds before standing. “I’ll see you tonight.”
****
Elijah sat inside his sister’s house, staring up at the ceiling. He really needed to get a job or do something with his time. Staring at a ceiling all day was driving him stir-crazy. There had to be something he could do. Over the years he’d been doing odd jobs, but his main job had been in the BDSM clubs. Club Kink was not the only club he’d been part of. He’d not taken a sub, but he’d trained other Doms on how best to approach their submissives.
Rubbing a hand down his face, Elijah wondered how he was going to get a job in his current situation. His last employment was at Club Kink.
Working at the bank was a no. He was good at math and with communicating with people, but he’d go mad staying in four walls.
Elijah wasn’t a bum. He worked well with his hands and loved helping people out. In college he’d gained a business degree and could do anything he wanted. At thirty-five, he was undecided on what he wanted to do with his future. He wasn’t hurting for money as he’d been sane enough to save from a young age.