Page 21 of Beyond Expectations

“No, Ms. Parker, Mr. Anderson did an excellent job, but I’m sure you can understand that in times of important business, unexpected changes such as getting others to take your meetings will have an impact. Especially as we are paying you for your expertise.”

There, now, that should give her something to think about.

“Excuse me, Mr. Chambers, but I neither see your statement’s importance nor meaning. Yes, I know my company’s services are currently at your disposal because yours could not do the job, and we are. And even though we are a much smaller firm than most in Manhattan, we still deal with many cases, and you are not our only client.”

There was a flush to her cheeks, and she kept digging her nails into her fists, seemingly to maintain her composure.

“I’m sure you are a man who’s used to getting what he wants and how he wants it, but also, as someone with the business knowledge that I’m sure you have, you should by now know that things don’t always go as expected.”

I knew she was partially correct, but it was also clear that we weren’t just talking about business. I still didn’t believe her excuse and sudden distance were work-related.

I knew she was attracted to me. I could see it in her eyes despite her frustration.

I was desperate to uncover it. I just needed her to allow it. So, I guessed it was time to stop beating around the bush.

“It was never my intention to offend you, Ms Parker. It just seemed that your sudden detachment from our work—from me—was due to what happened on Saturday night.”

I could see the shock and sudden embarrassment of me bringing it up on her face.

Turning in her chair, she looked out the window.

“I…. I’m not sure what you’re getting at Mr Chambers,” she stuttered.

Now, this was beginning to get ridiculous.

“Are you saying you don’t remember our kiss the other night? Because there is no way you can tell me you were too drunk to remember. That would be an insult to both of us.”

Her body was frozen in place. The sound of her taking a deep breath was the only thing I could hear in the room.

“I’m not saying I don’t remember it. I simply don’t understand why you’re bringing it up here. It was a kiss. We were out, happened to bump into one another, we’d both been drinking, there was music, dancing, it’s just something that happened in that moment.”

“Bullshit!”

I scoffed, shaking my head, unable to hide the smile on my face.

“Excuse me?” Serena exclaimed.

“You heard me. I don’t believe for one minute that the kiss was simply a fleeting incident that happened in a moment. Are you telling me that since then, you haven’t thought about me? Thought about that kiss? Maybe what could have happened?”

She was still facing the window, and I took the opportunity to get up, walk around her desk, and lean back against it.

As she turned to respond, I could see the shock and desire in her eyes at my forward approach.

I studied her eyes, and I saw a change of emotions. One minute, she looked like she was going to bite my head off. The next, as if she were desperate to ravish me.

She swiveled her chair around so that she faced me, then crossed her legs in a deliberately slow and sexy manner.

God, she turned me on so much.

As I willed my body to control itself, I knew there was no hope. My cock was throbbing to the point of pain.

And she noticed, too. She glanced at the bulge in my pants. The corner of her mouth turned up with the slightest hint of a smile.

Her eyes traveled up my body. She ran her tongue across her lips, and it took all my strength not to pounce on her right there, right then.

Finally, she looked at me squarely and took a deep breath.

“Mr. Chambers, neither is it right nor appropriate for us to discuss this here. Yes, I had fun the other night. And yes, I will admit I find you attractive, but that is it. As you stated, we are working together, and therefore, things can’t go any further, as it could result in things becoming complicated. Your presence here proves my point.”

---