Elliot's POV
"I'm telling you, it was the best date of my life!" my best friend exclaimed with a smile that could blind me.
"Uh-huh," I said as I rearranged the books on my shelf.
We were in my home office while he ranted about his date with the new girl.
I didn't know that they were that close already.
"She agreed with everything I said," he told me. "I think she is the one."
I paused when my hand landed on the finance tips book I wrote when I was 20.
My parents were so proud, they talked about it every day for the next three years.
I'd honestly forgotten all about it.
"Elliot, are you even listening to me?" he asked.
"I am," I told him. "But you say this about everyone. I doubt the new girl is the one."
He groaned in frustration from my lack of confidence. "She is! I'm telling you!"
"Okay," I simply said as I found a new spot to place my book.
"She's so damn sexy," he sighed. "She didn't even let me kiss her. She's playing hard to get."
"It's not the end of the world," I told him as I sat down and took a break.
He sat down next to me. "It really is. Can you not see how sexy she is?"
"No," I said without a thought.
"That's because you're not looking."
"Why would I?" I asked him. "I'm a married man and she's my employee."
He rolled his eyes. "You're barely married. Your marriage is a joke."
"I'm still married," I told him.
My marriage caused me to become more powerful and rich. The Campbells giving me the majority of their shares was the best opportunity.
Olivia is a safe option for me.
I get shares, she's happy, and our parents are happy.
"You don't love her," he said.
"I've never loved anyone," I corrected him. "So your statement doesn't mean anything."
"You're such an anti-romantic," he said and I shrugged. "Just look at Sereia once and I mean really look at her. Tell me you don't think she's hot."
I brushed him off and stood up again.
"Did you come here to help me rearrange my shelf or are you just here to cause trouble?"
He sighed as he stood and began helping.
Finally.
...
"Do you not have anything better to do?" I asked her as we sat on the benches eating ice cream.
She took strawberry while I took cookies and cream.
There was nothing left to do.
She smiled. "What's better than getting to spend a Saturday with my boss?"
I gave her a warning look for her highly inappropriate comment.
I focused my eyes on her tongue as she licked the ice cream in an intoxicating, slightly sensual manner.
The way how she swirled her tongue and brought the ice cream into her mouth caused my cock to twitch a little.
What the hell?
I tried to look away but I couldn't.
It intrigued me how her tongue could move so skilfully.
My eyes travelled to her chin, then her neck, before landing on her breasts which were squeezed against the tight tank top she decided to wear.
Maybe she is a little sexy. So what?
Why did Blake make it such a big deal?
"Do you like it?" she asked and my eyes shot to her hazel-green eyes.
"What?" I asked confused, my voice suddenly hoarse.
She pointed to the cone in my hand. "Your ice cream."
"Oh," I cleared my throat. "Yeah, it's good."
She moved closer to me on the bench. "Why are you here on a Saturday, sir?"
I immediately moved across to give us some room.
It's Saturday so that means that Olivia is home and I can't stand the fact that she'll ask to have sex with me or ask to do something together.
I just needed space.
"Will needs a break every now and then," I simply said and she nodded.
She wiped the small beads of sweat that appeared on her temples as the sun shined on us.
I looked at the grey sweater she was wearing.
I only had on a light T-shirt and I was feeling hot already.
She used her free hand to fan herself as she continued to eat the ice cream.
"Why don't you take that off?" I felt the need to ask.
"What?" she asked with a devious look. "My clothes? I can if you want-"
"Your sweater, new girl," I groaned out of frustration.
I've lost track of the number of times she's crossed the line with me.
I keep trying to pretend that I don't notice, but she's consistent with it.
"Why?" she asked. "Don't you think I look cool in my sweater?"
Is she being for real right now?
"The opposite actually," I explained. "You look ho-"
I wanted to say hot but realized it would come out the wrong way.
She smiled as she tilted her head. "I look what, Elliot?"
I shook my head as I ate the remainder of my ice cream.
She's...she's...I don't even know where to begin.
She confuses me.
"Why?" I asked.
"Why what?"
"Why are you here?" I asked. "Why are you doing this?"
"Volunteering?" she asked. "I told you-"
I shook my head. "No, why are working for a finance company? Why did you take that double masters program? Why is your resume so decorated?"
It was driving me inside not knowing.
I hated puzzles.
"Isn't it obvious?" she smiled.
Not obvious enough for me. "No."
"I want to be successful just like everyone else," she said. "Just like you, sir."
"So you think you'll be successful in the Harrington Group?"
"I think I am already successful," she said confidently and I felt even more confused.
"I don't get it," I said. "What 24-year-old would pick an accelerated degree and decide to work for us? I feel like you're missing out on a lot of opportunities to early your early 20s."
I know I did.
I was thrown into this position as soon as I graduated from college. My sole purpose was to become to CEO of this company.
"I am enjoying my early 20s," she tried to lighten the conversation. "I'm sitting down talking to Elliot Harrington himself."
I sighed knowing that I was never going to win this battle with her.
"You should spend this time with your family, not me," I told her as the clouds finally covered the sun.
I was thankful for the relief from the blazing heat.
Her silence made me turn to look at her.
"You're better," she said with a slight smile and I stiffened.
She brought her thumb to my button lip before slowly brushing it to the other side.
She then returned her thumb to her lips before sucking it.
"Mmm," she let out a soft moan. "I should've gotten the cookies and cream instead."
For the first time in years, all the blood in my body decided to rush south.
My eyes widened when I realized what was happening to me.
She removed her thumb from her mouth and smiled. "You should've told me that your ice cream would be better."
I stayed silent as I tried to process my body's reaction.
This never happens.
I- what? How?
"Elliot?" she called my name and I returned my attention to her.
"Yes?"
She stayed quiet for a second as she tried to read my face. "Is everything okay?"
No, I'm confused.
"Yes," I told her as I pulled out my new phone to check the time. "I really should get going."
I've spent enough time with her.
I didn't come here to spend time with her. I came here to help out Will and the homeless.
Her eyes widened in shock. "Already?"
"I've been here for three hours."
"Really?" she asked. "It feels like less."
I shifted in my seat from how uncomfortably tight my dress pants had become.
"Go on in," I told her.
"No," she said. "Let me walk you to your car. I need to return the favour."
Her statement was so absurd that I had to furrow my eyebrows.
I shook my head. "Don't be ridiculous. Anyone would've walked you to your car. It's not a favour which needs to be returned."
She stayed silent as she watched me.
"Now go on inside," I insisted.
She stayed seated as her eyes fixation on my face.
"Now," I urged, my tone coming off a bit demanding.
I wanted her to go inside so that she wouldn't see the sudden betrayal my body had committed.
"Okay," she stood up with an annoyed facial expression. "I'll see you here tomorrow, sir."
I nodded my head as I looked at the passing cars so that my eyes didn't land on her.
When she finally left, I sighed before burying my face in my palms.
This isn't good.