I tilt my head, puzzled. “Isn’t it unprofessional for me to be on your lap?”
He shakes his head, his tone filled with disgust. “I’m the boss, I pay their wages. It was unprofessional for her to barge in here like that.”
I push away my thoughts on the sadness I saw on Lexi’s face. “Didn’t you ask her to bring me water?”
He chuckles in amusement and leans back. “Okay, so let’s say I had you bent over the desk,” He taps the sturdy wood, “and someone just waltz in.”
I blush as I picture him holding me down and taking me over his desk.
“Exactly.” He nods. “This office is my sanctuary. Ms. Stone is skating on thin ice.” He waves his hand absentmindedly.
“How so?”
He opens his mouth to answer, but stops himself. “I’m not sure it was a good idea to hire her on. She’s…” He shakes his head, planting a kiss on my bare shoulder.
I slide off Aiden’s lap and explore his office, browsing the bookshelves that adorn the far wall. I trace the spines with Hemingway, Orwell, and Faulkner, making me put Aiden on more of a pedestal than before.
“All done.” He turns off the screen.
I raise my brow. “Really? We’ve only been here for twenty minutes.”
“Perks of being the boss.” He smiles, gesturing to the door.
I point to the bathroom, letting him know where I’m headed. I see Lexi as I step in, her smile not as prevalent as it was before. I look at myself in the mirror, unable to stop from comparing myself to Lexi. Her golden locks are curled to perfection and she looks like Aiden’s type. My concerns are answered when she turns to me with a scowl.
She crosses her arms as she examines me with beaded eyes before sneering, “You’re not that special, you know.”
I take a step back, stunned by her cruel words and confused at the same time. “Excuse me?”
She laughs as she scans my body. She rolls her eyes, throwing her blonde hair to one side. “Aiden brings his little toys around all the time. You aren’t the first.”
She turns to the mirror, puckering her lips. “Nothing to worry about,” She murmurs.
“I don’t understand why you’re being so mean to me,” I state quietly, uncomfortable with confrontation.
She titters, stepping towards me. “I came here for Aiden. Don’t screw that up for me. I know what he likes. I’ve seen the way he looks at me. He doesn’t need some little girl like you, not with that body.” With that, she leaves, the clicking of her high heels echoing in my ears.
I bite my lip, blinking back tears. Her words bring up some of my insecurities. I know I’m just a freshman in college who dreams of opening her own bakery. She may be a few years older than me and more established in her career, but so what?
Thinking of Aiden and her is way out of my comfort zone. I try to hide my emotions as I leave the bathroom. Aiden seems as drawn to me as I am to him. He wanted me to come here with him, or perhaps he felt guilty for leaving me alone?
Aiden’s heavy footsteps break me from my thoughts. I wipe my eyes discreetly.
“What happened?” He demands.
I shake my head, not wanting to talk about it.
He cups my face, his voice soft and calming. “What happened, sweetheart?”
“Nothing,” I whisper as a single tear rolls down my cheek.
His jaw clenches as he waits patiently.
I take a deep breath and gesture towards his office. Taking my hand, he guides me in as I figure out what to say. He lifts me up and sits me on the desk, planting himself between my legs.
I note the way his eye color changes when he’s concerned. Light flakes of gold trace his emerald irises. “Please, Emma. Tell me what happened.”
Another tear falls. “I don’t want to sound immature,” I admit.
He touches my cheek while his other hand rests on my leg. “Did someone say something to you?” His voice is laced with venom as his eyebrows crease.
I nod.
He stiffens. “Who?”
“Can we just go? It’s not a big deal.” I lie.
“Who?” He demands, bringing his face closer.
“Lexi,” I admit.
He lets out a long breath. “What did she say?”
I hesitate, not wanting to cause trouble.
“Fine. You don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. She made you cry, and that’s all I need to know.” He opens the door and calls someone over. “Ask Ms. Stone to come to my office, please.”
I shake my head, not wanting to deal with her meanness again. Why can’t I be more confident in myself? I should have told her off.
Lexi bounces into the room moments later, her face falling once she catches sight of Aiden and I.
The door is barely closed behind her when Aiden instructs coldly, “Get your shit and get out.”
“But Aiden…” She whines.
He holds a hand up, cutting her off. I’m assuming from her words in the bathroom that this conversation isn’t one of a boss and his employee, it’s something deeper.
Crossing her arms, she looks around the room, “Can I at least explain myself?”
“There’s no need. You aren’t even on the payroll yet, so technically you’re not a part of this company. I will not have childish drama inside my office. I should have never hired you in the first place.”
Huffing, she stomps out of the room.
“I’m very sorry.” His voice is soft and silky once again.
I love that he only speaks to me with that tone. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause drama. I never do. I’m embarrassed I couldn’t hide my emotions.”
He laughs softly before helping me down and wrapping me in a tight hug. “I know you don’t like drama. That’s what I like about you.”
I blush, thankful my face is buried in his chest so he can’t see me.
“If anyone is ever mean to you again, don’t hesitate to tell me.” His voice is stern, but still filled with concern.
I nod in agreement as he pulls me away to wipe the tears from my eyes. “I didn’t mean to get emotional. It just hurt to hear what she said.”
“We’ll discuss that later. You ready to go?”
The coast is clear as we head off. I’m thankful he stood up for me, but I just wish none of this happened. The first day I show up at his job, one of his employees gets fired because of me. How embarrassing. I wish I told her off and went on with my day.
I let out a long yawn as my eyes grow heavy, tired from the early morning. “Do you have a coffee machine at the apartment?”
“Yes, the realtor said it’s completely furnished. But I haven’t gotten a chance to get groceries, so no coffee.”
“Want to go to a cafe? There’s one near my new place.”
I nod happily.
We pull up in front of the brick building that is swanky and different from the Dunkin Donuts by my place. Aiden pays for my large latte against my wishes, but I’m thankful. I really need to get a job. I look for a seat while Aiden waits for our drinks. I’m on my phone when the chair in front of me slides out and I look up to find a man in his twenties staring down at me.
He eyes me with interest. “Hey, mind if I sit with you?” Not waiting for my answer, he takes a seat.