*Isabella POV*
"He's coming," Cole, my best friend, said as we were standing in the common area of the office building.
"Of course he is," I said, rolling my eyes. "Then why aren't you at your desk?" he retorted. I sped off, leaving him there in the company of my shadow. "Forgot that b**** can run in heels."
Cole ran after me to my office, right outside the big boss's office. "Are you ready?" he asked.
"For what exactly?"
"For another day of sexual frustration," he said and started chuckling as I rolled my eyes. "Stop projecting, Cole. I am not sexually frustrated," I responded. "And I do not want my boss," I added, which made Cole laugh even more. "I have a boyfriend!"
"Sure you do," Cole said, and at that moment, he walked in. A man who commanded respect with his presence alone, my boss, Damien Lancaster, walked in.
"Good morning, Isabella... Mr. Estrada," he greeted.
Cole ran off almost immediately. What a great friend I have, leaving me to deal with the mess he created.
"Uhmm, morning, sir," I said, nervous as I wondered if he had heard my conversation with Cole.
"Damien," he said, rolling his eyes as he walked into his office, silently insinuating that I should follow.
He entered his office, leaving the door just slightly opened, like he does when he is waiting for me. I started chewing my lower lip out of shame and embarrassment as Cole came back into my office.
"Look what you made me do. He condescendingly greeted me first, I stuttered because of you," I spat out, in the slightest bit of anger I had, while Cole burst into laughter. "Change your panties and go get his coffee," Cole whispered. "Toodles!" he said and left the room.
I took a deep breath, pulled myself together, took his coffee, and stepped into his office. As I walked up to his desk, he had his permanent cold expression.
"Good morning, Mr. Lancaster. Sorry for..." I was still saying when he stood from his chair and walked up to me. "Cole was just...." I stuttered nervously as I watched him fold his arms across his chest.
"Leave the coffee on my desk. You and Mr. Estrada don't have anything to occupy yourself with?" he asked in a cold voice as I set the coffee on the table. "Do I need to remind him of his daily tasks?"
"No, sir, I—" I stammered with a sigh.
Huh. Damien Lancaster has been my boss for the last two years. Of course I have a crush on him—but don't tell Cole. How could I not? He was a sight. His well-built frame nicely filled his expensive three-piece suit. Toned muscles flexed each time he crossed his arms. Strong, defined jawline, rough features that made him ruthlessly hot.
But his eyes were cold. So cold and so indifferent, they exuded respect. He always kept a safe distance between us; his voice was firm, yet assertive. He was the definition of professionalism. That's why I never felt comfortable calling him by his first name, despite his constant request that I do so.
This man made me weak.
"Go back to your desk, Ms. Williams," he said, as cold as always. I nodded and left his office, feeling dissatisfied and disheartened as I went to my desk.
The rest of the day went smoothly: receiving clients, sending emails, filling in spreadsheets, and bickering with Cole at lunch.
*05:30 pm*
Cole walked into my office, looking exhausted as always. "Come on, I'm going," he said and peered over my shoulder. "What are you still doing?"
"Just five more minutes. I have this—" I was mid-sentence when Damien called me on my phone.
"Yes, Mr. Lancaster," I said, answering the phone.
"It's Damien, Isabella. Please come here for a minute."
"Of course, Mr. Lancaster," I responded and hung up the phone. "He needs me," I said, turning to Cole.
"Well then, bye, b****. I'm out of here," he responded as he left my office. I headed for Damien's and stood in front of his desk. "Yes, Mr. Lancaster?"
"Do you have any classes today?" he asked.
"No, I'm free," I responded nonchalantly.
"Do you mind me asking why?"
"I need your help with something, and it will result in you doing overtime."
"That's okay, sir. I'm happy to help," I responded with a little too much enthusiasm than I would have liked.
"Good. Bring me the Hackett files. We need to re-do the presentation for the Country Head meeting. I could use your sharp eye."
"Of course, sir. Right away."
I left his office, retrieved the file, and set it on his desk. We discussed the file while making a few changes and fixing the errors. Being so close to him made my senses go into overdrive. I tried to ignore it by keeping my eyes on my laptop, but he smelled so, so good.
Mr. Lancaster wore a sophisticated cologne with a strong scent of musk and black currant. The kind of cologne that stands out and makes women go crazy. Hours passed, and we were engrossed in our work. He has always been like this; when we are close, he is made of ice. Professional and cold. Demanding but somehow kind. And if he accidentally brushed his fingers on mine while pointing to something on the laptop, I felt jolts of electricity. Damn, maybe Cole was right. Maybe I am sexually frustrated.
*09:30pm*
"Looks amazing. I don't know what I'd do without you. Only you know how I like things to be done," he said nonchalantly, making me giggle.
"Don't mention it, sir. I'm thrilled to know you are satisfied with my work. Well, if you don't mind, I—"
"Of course, sorry. Damn, look at the time. Sometimes I forget people have actual lives outside this office. I forget that not everyone is a nerd like me," he said comedically, dramatizing his sadness. It was the first time in 2 years I'd ever seen him loosen up. Moreover, with auto-irony?!
It seems he can have other expressions besides the 'I clench my jaw in disapproval because you're all stupid and I'm so smart and rich.' He looked cute when he pouted like he just did.
"Sorry, Ms. Williams. Let me call Tony. We're taking you home," he said.
"It's okay, sir. Let me have your car ready as usual."
"Nonsense. I kept you here; I'm responsible for this. It's almost 10 pm. I hope I didn't cause any trouble."
"Don't worry, it's fine," I responded as he picked up his phone to call Tony, his driver. "Tony, Ms. Williams and I will be down in 5." He hung up and stood facing me. "Shall we?" he said, holding out his hand to help me stand.
We left his office, and he pressed his hand against the small of my back, guiding me to the elevator. I tried to control the lump in my throat. It should be forbidden for him to touch another employee. He can't just do that; it distracts me too much.