20

A wave of shiver runs through my body when I find myself exposed under his gaze but this is quickly joined by a hint of contentment. The negative feelings that inhabited the body and mind of my boss seem relegated to the background. They were replaced the second he actually saw me. I'm still waiting in front of him for something to happen but he doesn't seem in a hurry to break the silence. Instead, he gets up slowly and my heart skips a beat.

He stands upright and his imposing build seems to fill every square inch of his huge desk. He sucks up all the oxygen in the room and replaces it with his smell, with his aura. Me, I just want to close my eyes and savor this well-being that is beginning to surround me. His eyes do not leave me, they are alternately questioning and dominant. A surge of heat is born in my veins and seeps into every part of my body. Yes, I'm on the brink of liquefying on the spot as the tension that inhabits me now is unbearable.

My boss stands in front of me and asks me, in his bewitching voice:

-What are you doing there ?

His tone is neutral and controlled, I have the impression that his wickedness is in the closet for tonight and that's good. I answer him, in a softer voice than I intended.

-I passed in front of your office and I saw you motionless. You seemed...unwell so I asked you if you were okay.

His brow furrows, maybe he's afraid his phone conversation will leak out or maybe he's embarrassed to have been caught in such a vulnerable moment. I don't know what's going through his head, but the tsunami of shivers and excitement surging through me at this moment nearly makes me faint. His hand brushed mine with a divine caress, as fleeting as it was intense. Mr. Archer is still standing in front of me, his body only inches from mine and I don't know if the touch I felt so intensely was intentional on his part. So I don't move. Either way, I wouldn't be able to do anything.

Instead, I hold my breath in spite of myself and try to control the excitement that has taken hold of me. It's amazing how the contrast between my body and my mind is striking: my body sends me all the warning signs of the imminent danger that will soon befall me but my head is plunged into a state of exquisite excitement. which neutralizes all these warnings to drown me in a whirlwind of desire that destroys everything in its path. I feel like I'm stuck in a burning house and reveling in the dangerously approaching burns.

Mr. Archer stares at me for a moment longer, then his gaze drops to my hand, which is still hovering next to his. A slight grin appears on his face and I understand that his gesture was very voluntary. His assurance and playful air are back. Apparently he quickly pulled himself together and put on the mask he wears daily. Once again, I am only able to wait and let him take me wherever he wants to take me. In the end, I don't know what I prefer...

When his eyes meet mine again, his impassive face makes me uncomfortable. I don't know if my coming bothers him or if he's using it to destabilize me more than he already does. After giving me a new stare, my boss turns around and his mouth opens. I'm hanging on his lips, waiting to know what he's going to do with me when he casually launches me:

- You can leave now.

Ok. He fires me. Well, at least that has the merit of being clear. He has no intention of talking to me, answering my question or even thanking me for my concern. On the one hand, this reaction does not surprise me. I did not expect any thanks from him when I entered this room. I don't even know what I came looking for in this office. I turn on my heels, slightly disappointed that this aside is already over when I feel a slight pressure on my forearm. I turn around quickly, too envious to savor the feel of his palm on my skin. All my nerve endings meet at the very place where my arm burns under his touch as his voice echoes in the silence of the room.

-I'm going to need you in the days to come.

He pauses, anchors his eyes in mine and keeps his grin absolutely cute but so destabilizing!

- We need to... look into the Royal Beauty case. Good... You will join me in my office at the end of the afternoon from 5 p.m. And this, until further notice.

At the same time as he orders me to make myself available at the end of the day, his fingers begin a languorous torture on my forearm. His palm holds him firmly while his knuckles continue a delicious movement back and forth. My stomach contracts, my breath becomes subtly panting and I just want to feel this ecstasy spread throughout my body. I don't know why or how but I want him to keep touching me.

My brain, intoxicated with desire and clouded with contradictory thoughts, strangely manages to resurface within a few seconds. I realize that tomorrow night is Thursday.

-Y-very well... but tomorrow, I have to leave at 6 p.m. I have an appointment.

I don't want to tell her that I wouldn't miss my dance class for any reason. My answer doesn't seem to please him, given the annoyed look on his face now. His smirk and his playful look have disappeared to give way to an angry look. His features, which had relaxed in the last few minutes, now form a surly expression that distorts his face. He quickly releases my arm, as if it were suddenly burning his fingers. And me, I instantly feel an immeasurable lack.

- In that case, I won't need you. If you're not able to make yourself available when needed, I wonder what you're still doing here.

His tone is hurtful and his remark really disingenuous. Since I was hired, I have worked overtime and worked like hell without asking for anything in return. But now that I announce to him that I will exceptionally not be able to stay late tomorrow, he treats me as if I was spending my time twiddling my thumbs? It's totally unfair. However, if I let my anger out, I know full well that any attempt at discussion will be aborted. I breathe in to calm myself down and decide on another approach.

-I am available every evening except Thursday. If you wish, we can even start now. Tell me what suits you and I will adapt.

-It's too late. Please leave this office.

His words slam into the air like a sharp sword that shatters my confidence and my hopes. I realize that it would be useless to insist so I wish him a good evening in half a word and leave the room. I feel deeply bad following this interview, Mr Archer deliberately denigrated my work and my involvement only because I "dared" to say no to him. Should I remind him that I have no obligation to work overtime? I fume as I walk back to my office and gather my things. I take the blue file and decide to bring it to him, since he wanted to study it again.

I walk with a determined step towards my boss, my pride very much wanting to rebel. I hand him the file, staring into his eyes. He remains impassive for very long seconds and for the first time since our meeting, I don't lower my eyes. I won't let this man crush me, no matter how sexy and bewitching he is. When he takes the cardboard folder in his hands, I keep my head up and walk towards the exit of his lair. Arrived on the threshold, I hear him grumble an "ok... for this time" between his pursed lips. I don't immediately understand what this answer means until I see him walking towards the metal table. He gives me a brief nod to tell me to take a seat and I sigh silently.

When Mr. Archer sits next to me, his scent fills my nostrils and my brain returns to its characteristic dysfunctional state of his presence. When I feel him imperceptibly approach me, I force myself to stay focused. When his knee sticks to mine, I have to hold back a small moan of pleasure. But the moment his left arm lays casually on the back of my chair, I let myself be carried away in the bubble he is creating around us. It fills my living space. It replaces my oxygen with its sweet smell. He makes me a prisoner of his invisible grip, like during our moment suspended in the elevator. And I can't help but revel in his forbidden sensations that transport me.

Our impromptu work session quickly becomes a test of my self-control. I have to contain my cravings, control the reactions of my body which betrays me a little more with each passing minute and force my mind to focus on the words that come out of her beautiful fleshy lips. My god, I want to taste those lips! I see them alternately stretching, taking the shape of pretty “O”s then crinkling again and this visual torture quickly becomes unbearable. I'm on the verge of jumping around his neck and tasting it. Maybe if you cross this barrier, your misplaced obsession will end? Stop Candice!

As I mentally argue with my unseemly urges, I notice her gorgeous mouth no longer moving. She just gives me a cocky smile. I immediately blush realizing that my boss caught me in the act of ogling and that my gaze on his lips simply unmasked me. The wave of desire that was beginning to overwhelm me seems to gradually distance itself and is quickly replaced by stress. A lot of stress. Without realizing it, my lower lip gets stuck under my teeth and I nibble nervously while looking down at the documents spread out around us. I absolutely have to speak up and dispel this unease. We were talking about our client, I have to follow up. Quick Candice, find something!

Before I can say anything, Mr. Archer uses his hauntingly raspy voice to finish me off.

-As I told you before you got lost in your thoughts, I know from experience that it should not be attacked head-on. You must first arouse interest, do not rush the approach, let the attraction amplify itself. And it's when desire is at its peak that it's time to go on the offensive.

He pauses, twists his burning gaze to mine, then adds:

-Don't be in too much of a hurry Candice. Patience is a virtue that opens all doors. The longer the negotiation, the sweeter the victory.