Page 12 of Petals and Fangs

“We have just broken one of the company's rules.”

“Which is? Don’t have sex inside the building?”

“More like never do it on the desks. They're rather expensive.”

“That just makes it better.”

“Oh, Lily. You have no idea how much I missed you,” he finally says, locking his eyes with mine.

I am fighting the urge to say it back. I did miss him terribly, but I do not miss the amount of emotional pain he caused me.

“I want you to see the other offices. I also want you to meet a few people,” he says as he puts his blazer back on. I can see he is trying to keep it professional again after what has just happened.

I run my fingers through my hair, fixing it. Suddenly, shame consumes me. What have we just done? Why couldn’t I control myself?

“Sure,” I swallow the lump in my throat and nod at him.

Ethan guides me to another room. Inside it, I hear chatter. Before Ethan even opens the door, a voice startles me.

"Come on in,” the voice behind the door says.

I see a couple of young men, in their mid-thirties, looking curiously at me next to Ethan.

“I knew it was you, Mr Rothschild,” the man says, laughing lightly.

His laugh is like nails on a chalkboard. His look is so daring and curious. He is looking at me like I owe him something.

“Alfred. Meet Lily Snow, the company’s new contractor. Ms. Snow owns a successful floral business, and she will work on decorating the Rothschild Pharmaceuticals.”

“Ms. Snow will create a paradise out of this place, I am sure. Such a pleasure to meet you,” Alfred says, nodding. He doesn’t move from his place. He remains sitting at his desk, eyeing me.

“Nice to meet you.” I awkwardly wave at both Alfred and the other man standing in the corner, since none of them offer to shake hands.

“And this right here would be my brother, Nick. We run this company together, except that he is always traveling.”

“Business trips,” Nick says, smirking at me. He makes me feel uneasy.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Rothschild,” I say, nodding at him, then looking at Ethan.

“Dealing with this office will be easier, Ms. Snow. It is not as big as my office,” Ethan says as he takes a few steps towards me.

I am having a tough time keeping a conversation with him. I can’t stop thinking of what happened between us earlier.

“I think I can do it in less than a day. I will have to finish your office first, though. Do you have any preferences?” I ask, looking at Alfred.

He smiles at me, and just before he can say a word, the phone rings. The looks on their faces dramatically change.

“Pick up, Alfred,” Ethan urges and walks towards him.

“Not for the second time.”

“Second time?” Ethan asks and he gazes at Alfred. It is like he is reading his mind.

“Yes, Mr. Rothschild. You see, it has not been half an hour since we last saw you and we have just had a few complaints from some of our-” he pauses.

“Our? Our what?”

“Clients, sir. Some vicious complaints regarding some of our products.”

---