Why are you still standing here? GET.OUT!

“I - I…” I stammer. I spin on my heel, nearly tripping and eating hardwood floor, and walk out of Kyler’s office. He called after me, and I hear Jessa protest, but I don’t stop until I’m standing in the elevator. Why am I so upset? Kyler and I have been working together, that’s it. So why would seeing another woman straddling him like that leave me feeling upset and… Am I jealous? No, I’m not. I can’t be. He’s my boss.

“Cassey, wait!”

Kylers hand stops the elevator doors from closing and I look up to meet his blue eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I say again. “I didn’t mean to interrupt - ”

“No, it’s fine, you weren’t interrupting anything important,” Kyler intercedes. “It wasn’t what it looked like.”

“You don’t owe me an explanation, Mr. Knight. Who you’re with and what you do in the confines of your office is none of my business. I should’ve knocked.” And now? I hate the way my voice sounds. Like I’m a robot. Instead of getting myself upset, I’m opting for something better, and emotionless - professionalism. Kyler frowns, no doubt puzzled by me calling him Mr. Knight, and acting this way. I’ve become comfortable with him, and as distracting as his presence is at times, I’ve come to enjoy his company. He’s funny, and charming, and smart. Three things I happen to be dangerously attracted to. I won’t even talk about his physical attributes that have had me rubbing my thighs together and my cheeks flushed for over a week.

“What did you want to see me about?“ he asks, his brow furrowed. “Oh, it’s nothing,” I lie. “Turns out I actually didn’t need you after all.” The look on his hard face reveals his disbelief, but for some reason he doesn’t push it. He just stares at me.

I need to get out of here, and fast, before I do something completely ridiculous and cry. Dammit! I have no reason to cry!

“If that’s all, Mr. Knight, I need to get back to work.” I look down, unable to keep my eyes on him much longer. I fear that he’ll see through my bullshit. Without saying a word, Kyler steps back and I see the anger on his face. His eyebrows are drawn, his eyes are hard and his jew is clenched. The doors close and his disappears. I breathe out a sigh, relieved to be free of the tension that was pulsating between Kyler and I moment ago. The only thought running though my mind right now is what the hell just happened and why am I so upset?

∞

Mr. and Mrs. Blake decided to host their wedding anniversary party at the Four Seasons Hotel, and invited one hundred of their closest friends and family to celebrate the milestone in their marriage. I’ve never been to a place as ‘swanky’ as the Four Seasons and the worry that I won’t fit in nags at the back of my mind. I’m only going because Quinn kind of begged me. Apparently Drew doesn’t really know anyone else, and after apologizing a thousand times, I gave in and agreed to be his date. We haven’t even left yet and I’m already regretting my decision. I look at myself in the mirror one last time, filling my body with false confidence. My dark hair is curled, and pinned up just above my nape. Loose tendrils frame my face and expose the skin on my shoulders. My make-up is modest, with a slight blush on my ivory skin and nude lips that complement the shimmer of my beige eye shadow. The black, over-priced dress that hugs my figure is held up by two thin spaghetti straps and dips low at the back.

So low, that Quinn suggested I leave my underwear at home. Admittedly, I know she’s right. Because this slinky material is doing some amazing things for my butt. And my breasts. The material in front drapes in the middle of my cleavage and somehow makes my breasts look bigger. Even I don’t recognize the brunette bombshell staring back at me. She looks stunning. And confident. I just hope she doesn’t disappear as soon we get to the hotel. A soft knock at the door makes me look away. “Come in.” I say, looking at the door as it opens. Quinn’s eyes almost pop out of her head when she sees me. “Holy shit,” she breathes. “You look…just wow.”

My cheeks flush with the compliment. “Thank you.” I smile. “You look… wow yourself.” And she does. Her floor-length, Emerald colored dress wraps around her tiny body and pools at the floor. The top part, above her breasts, is made of a chiffon-type material that’s cut into a halter neck and reveals her creamy skin beneath it. Her make-up is a little darker, a smoky-eye affect around the eyes and a pink blush on her cheeks. Add her perfectly straight bob and she looks like she just stepped out of the fashion pages of Vogue magazine. “Did you leave the underwear like I said?” she asks matter-of-factly. If it was anyone else I’d think they were joking. But it’s Quinn. She never jokes about looking your best. Feeling slightly embarrassed, I duck my head but nod. I’m afraid that if I talk about my lack of underwear, I won’t be able to stop thinking about it, which will most likely lead to me embarrassing myself. It’s much safer to just remain tight-lipped about my ‘Commando’ status until we get back home and I’m alone. “Kyler is going to flip.” she adds, grinning wickedly. I didn’t tell her about what happened in his office yesterday. I decided it wasn’t worth talking about, and I didn’t want to explain to her why I was so upset, especially when I can’t explain it to myself.

“Seriously, Quinn?” I admonish a little too harshly. “Why can’t you just let that go?” I slip past her through the bathroom door and take a seat on my bed. I slip my feet into my black stiletto heels and stand, making sure there are no creases in my dress. “I can’t just let it go,” she replies, leaning against the doorjamb.

“Every time I’ve walked into your office this past week, the sexual tension between the two of you even made me horny. I have no idea how you got anything done with him being so close. And I just can’t get past the way he looks at you, like he wants to eat you for breakfast, dinner and dessert.” I scoff, rolling my eyes for dramatic effect. “He does not want to eat me. That’s ridiculous. He’s my boss.” And I caught him doing only God knows what in his office yesterday with another woman. Quinn’s eyebrows lift. “So?” she quips. I frown. Before we can discuss the issue further, there’s a knock at the front door and Quinn bounds down the hallway to answer. I hear her voice, joined by Jarred’s and Drew’s, and grab my clutch purse. I take another calming breath, once again filling my body with false confidence. I can do this I tell myself. My insecurities have chosen the worst possible time to make themselves heard. I have every reason to believe that I won’t fit in with the kind of people Quinn and Jarred, and most likely Drew, are used to rubbing shoulders with. My family doesn’t have good breeding, or class for that matter, and certainly lacks the financial credentials to associate with people in these circles. But if I’m good at one thing, it’s faking it. It’s the only way I’ve been able to make something more of myself.

The chatter in the kitchen grows louder as I make my way down the hallway. Quinn, Jarred and Drew have started the festivities a little early, their champagne flutes lifted in a toast.

Drew looks handsome in his tailored black suit. It hugs him perfectly, showing off a lean but muscular body underneath. His black hair is gelled back; a classic yet modern style used in men’s fashion magazines. He could easily pass as a model, he really is that handsome. But none of that changes the fact that he’s an asshat.