Charlotte was busy but not as crowded as Gangnam in the morning. I missed it all.
Everyone was so excited to see me, but I had to admit that I was slightly distracted, walking to my office.
Keziah had been unnecessarily vague about returning ad my assistant with my valid points about office romance. Gosh, I was so stupid. I shouldn't have even mentioned it.
Still didn't make it any easier knowing that I would have to be working with a new face. The best thing about y mornings was getting to see her. I was so used to spending all our time together in South Korea, such a harsh switch into a less anticipated reality. So why did I talk her out of it? Because I was hoping that she wouldn't listen to me; like she usually did.
'Good morning Mr. Welsh.'
I backed into the door, 'Oh my , jeez.'
I clenched at my heart. 'You scared me.'
'I thought you would be happy to see me, maybe I shouldn't have come.'
'Are you crazy, I am so glad. I just didn't expect you.' I went to her taking her hand.
We jumped apart just as someone entered the room.
It was one of the secretaries with a bag, 'Welcome back Mr. Welsh. This is from those at HR.'
'Thank you, Miss Long,'
'We should get to work.' Keziah said taking her seat.
I frowned looking around for a reason for the current shift in behavior.
I stepped out into Keziah's little space,
'This is starting to get annoying.'
She laughed her gaze intent on her screen.
'I just need to make sure that you don't mistake this one as well.'
She glared at me and tossed her ponytail, 'I'll let you know when your package arrives.'
The clacking of the keyboard filled the short moment of silence, she looked absolutely beautiful engrossed in her work.
'Should we move your desk into my office?'
'Why would we do that, sir?' she barely batted a lash.
'So I don't have to leave my desk anytime I want to see you.'
Her fingers paused over the keypads. The large grin slowly widened her eyes round in surprise,
'Get out. I can't stand you right now.'
Her lips said one thing but her eyes testified to another.
'It's clear I'm the only one struggling over here.' I laughed returning to my office.
'Discipline,' I repeated to myself trying to focus on the screen with numbers.
The office phone rang,
'Mr. Welsh your package is on its way up.'
'Good, thank you,'
She paused,
'Is there anything else?'
'I expected you to run out here and tackle the courier.'
I chuckled, 'That won't be necessary.'
I rocked back and forth in my chair, the anticipation growing by the second. Concentrating now was even more of an impossibility.
I strained my ear when I heard Keziah greet the delivery man.
I thought about getting up and meeting her at her desk... I quickly decided against it. I had too much to do, work that had to be completed. Oh, it killed me to remain in my seat but the clients couldn't wait anymore.
At least a phone call, Keziah. Maybe she didn't like the flowers?
I pushed back my chair, head in my hand. I was just now realizing how dumb it was to send her flowers... at work. That was the peak of unprofessionalism. What was I thinking when I placed the order? Romance, that was it.
Keziah was going to point her finger at my hypocrisy. I sprang out of my seat, I heard the door and sat back down pretending to be busy.
'Oh, Miss Mills. Is...' I braced myself, knowing I would never hear the end of this.
She placed her stack of files on the desk and wordlessly left the room, returning a minute later with her laptop and the bouquet forcing to hold her joy.
'Well, are you going to create space for my things?'
She scoffed her eyebrows going higher, 'Stop grinning like an idiot, I've got my hands full.'
I ducked my head obediently doing as I was told.
'Thank you for the flowers.' she whispered.
'I'm glad you liked them.'
With her near me, I didn't have to worry so much. All I had to do was lift my head and there she was and then I was happy.
We packed away our things at the end of the day, it was too soon to see her go.
'What are you doing tonight?' I asked.
'I'm going grocery shopping.'
'Should we get dinner? I know this great Korean place.'
'Would you like me to starve?'
'Then let's go together.'
'We came in different cars.'
How should we over come it? 'Go home and I'll pick you up?'
'David...'
'We are still at work,'
'Oh, those roses were for work.'
'Miss Mills?'
'Mr. Welsh, that's too long of a process. I don't want you to go out of your way.'
'It's fine, I have a few things to pick up as well.' I studied our laced hands. The rich brown of her skin contrasting with my paler hands. To me it was perfect.
'Are you sure? I don't want to bother you.'
'You keep resisting. Are you're saying that you don't want me to?'
'No, no, no.'
I held her car door. 'Good, then I'll pick you up.'
'Isn't this weird for an official first date?'
I shook my head. 'I don't see anything wrong with different. Different is nice.'
Her kiss took me by surprise.
'Sorry, I wasn't supposed to do that here.'
She was correct. Hartfield and Gold had a strict no office romance policy and so they needed to keep their romance under wraps.
'It's fine. No one saw us. But we will have to be careful.' And then I shook her hand which made her laugh hard.
'Drive safe, I'll see you in a few.' I pressed my lips internally kicking myself for the awkwardness.
Keziah ran down to meet me. I already stood with the door open for her.
'Hurry, I don't want Anne to see you.'
I looked up at where the apartment floor should be.
'You haven't told her yet?'
'You haven't told Donnie either.'
'That's because I figure Anne would fill him in.'
After driving for sometime, I realized I was headed towards the local Publix, where I usually got my groceries.
'Where do you usually buy your groceries?'
'Harris Teeter, but we should try Walmart, I don't think Harris Teeter is still open.'
We got to the local Harris Teeter with enough time to spare.
'Ever the gentleman,' Commenting on my ever readiness to get the door for her.
'You must have had a lot of practice from your playboy days.'
'You still don't believe me?'
She shrugged with a sneaky smile on tugging on her full mouth.
I observed her examining and picking out items at random.
'Did you make a list or have you memorized everything?'
'I forgot to bring it with me. Of course, I make a list.'
Sure.
'Where's yours?'
I pulled out y phone and opened the notes app on my phone.
'David, there are only three things on here.'
'I kind of already stocked up on food.'
'Ow,' I rubbed the arm she playfully punched.
'You lied,'
'I didn't lie. I told you I had a few things to grab: Noodles, Oreos, and vanilla yogurt.'
I tugged at her denim pants, bringing her into my arms. 'Okay, can you blame me for wanting to do these little things with you?'
She scratched her neck, avoiding my eyes, 'David,'
'You've got me completely smitten.'
'Stop, people are staring.'
She said it as if I should care. One hand cupped her face, my thumb caressing her soft skin.
'Let them,' I leaned in capturing her lower lip in a kiss. I would keep it short, one because of where we found ourselves. The other because I didn't want to start something I couldn't finish there and then.
'Have I told you I like doing that?'
She lightly smacked my chest and stepped away, 'I can't with you.'
Her phone dings in her pocket,
'Is that Anne?'
'I texted her earlier to see if she could help me get my things into the apartment.'
'She can't, she's with Donnie and David,'
'You have me, I'm here.' I glanced over at her.
'Great. I can fix you something.'
She was going to cook for him, the first time she was going to cook for just him. I placed the bags on the countertop as per her direction. She took my shoulders at directed me towards the couch.
'I can help,'
'No, I'll be nervous with you watching.'
'Fine,'
The last time I was in her apartment it had been as a guest and we hated, well more like disliked... each other which made it hard for me to look around. But not now. The decor hadn't changed much from the last time I was here.
'Can I look around?'
'Sure, just stay out of the kitchen...'
I twist the bedroom doorknob,
'And my bedroom.'
I snuck one peak while slowly closing the door. I found her with a raised eyebrow and hands on her hips.
'My bad.'
I walked to another door,
'Not the bathroom either.'
I turned away, 'I'll just walk around the living room.'
With her back turned, I was able to approach her in the kitchen.
'That looks good, smell even better.'
And dare I say it tasted even better.
'Come over to my place sometime, I'll cook for you too.'
She set her wine glass on the table and pursed her lips. 'Should I come with medicine?'
'You'll be sorry for doubting me. I am an awesome cook.'
I stood up taking our dishes from the table.
'You can put them in the dishwasher.'
Just as I shut the dishwasher, Keziah appears behind me.
'Thank you,'
My arms circled around her waist, her warmth seeping through my clothes.
'I'll have to leave now.'
She nodded making no move of stepping aside or letting me out of her embrace either. I did not want to let her go as well.
How long did we have before Anne returned? Hopefully, she would go to her own apartment with Donnie and maybe Donnie would keep her there.
Her large eyes looking up at me made me warm all over. A sweet shiver danced down my spine while her fingers twining my hair at the nape where my hair ended.
I pressed my lips on hers. I felt her quickening pulse under my palm which matched mine. Her fragrance engulfed my entire sense and I wanted her, all of her. I gently nibble on her supple lower lips, sucking and pulling, but it wasn't enough. I darted y tongue, lightly brushing hers, tasting her sweetness. At some point, we made it on the couch. Her fingers splayed against my chest, unabashedly feeling the hardness beneath. I had no control over the tightening in the lower region of my abdomen.
Her face looked down at mine, my heart aching from the darkening in her eyes and the emotion in her face.
'I won't go where you don't want. You just tell me when.'
Her thighs clenched around my waist, her breast pressing into me. Fiery passion sparked between us, it was something so familiar but not like I have ever experienced. It all felt new with this woman. She deepened the kiss shortening our inflow of oxygen. I didn't need to breathe just yet, I needed to taste her and have her keep me entranced.
'Keziah,'
At the mention of her name, she sprang off me in a flash. I was right behind her.
Anne's mouth worked in her surprise. Donnie wasn't behind her which meant he decided to go home on the day I wished he wouldn't.
'You two need to explain everything. Sit.'
'I think I should go home now. I have to drop by the parents and water KZ, you know?' I nodded grabbing my phone when Keziah caught my hand.
'You aren't really leaving me alone with her,' I reviewed Anne's heated expression and I stood firm in my decision. I pecked her cheek immediately whispering to her. 'Dinner at my place. Be strong.'
'It was great to see you, Anne,'
I took a moment to pet David, 'Hey bud, we'll connect later,'
I was so sorry Keziah, so sorry, I waved then closed the door.
The next morning, Keziah looked happy and not betrayed in the slightest although her actions towards me said otherwise.
But later she came into my office with the box of chocolates and the single white rose I'd sent her.
"are you going to do this every day?'
I nodded.
'I already have the entire month done.'
She sucked in her cheeks pursing her lips.
'I'm not saying I forgive you. But make room for me.'
I grinned.