Page 18 of Christian Clause

Ray nods. “And how do you see Christian Clause? I hope he didn’t work you to the bone.”

I chuckle and turn to Debra. “No, he didn’t. As a matter of fact, Chris and Christian Clause are the same.”

Her eyes enlarge. “No way.”

“Chris? Who’s Chris?” Ray puts in with a frown.

“He’s the guy I met at the mall last week who turned out to be my new boss this morning.”

Ray’s jaw drops.

“Imagine my surprise.”

Laughing, Ray asks, “Did he hit on you at the mall?”

I lower my gaze, not wanting any of them to know that I was sweet on my boss.

“Not really. We just had coffee. That’s all.”

Ray nods his head, but his lips curve with a sly smile. “Okay.”

With my interest piqued, I ask Ray in a forced light tone, “Does he hit on women often? I mean his workers, so I can prepare myself to give him a resounding no.”

Ray chuckles. “No, he doesn’t. It’s actually the other way around. I’m sure he’ll find you a refreshing change from the women who always throw themselves at him because of his looks and wealth.”

Smiling with pleasure at his words, I say, “Thanks for the vote of confidence, Ray.”

Debra pokes her fork at me, “Don’t go falling for him, though. I heard he’s quite the ladies' man.”

Feigning being appalled, I say, “If I didn’t fall for him when I didn’t know who he was, why would I do so now that I know he’s my boss?”

Debra smiles and winks at me. “I’m just saying. Working with him every day might make you catch feelings.”

Laughter bubbles from my throat when I realize that she’s just pulling my leg. I didn’t want to have another relationship so soon, I might want to have sex with him, but that didn’t mean I wanted anything long-term with him.

Besides, why would I want to have an entanglement with my boss? I, too, didn’t mix business with pleasure. I have to admit that we have sexual chemistry going on between us, but that doesn’t mean that I am going to do anything about it or allow Christian to.

That night, as I lie on my bed, a smile covers my face as my mind sifts through my work activities for the day. I look forward to continuing the following day.

Chapter Nine

Hope

“This is going to be so much fun. I can’t remember the last time we hung out like this,” Debra tells me as she drives to the mall.

“Me neither,” I reply, sitting in the passenger seat.

Excitement bubbles through me. It’s finally the weekend after the long working week.

I actually enjoy working at Clause Enterprises. I can’t say the same about working with Christian because most of the time, I’m always on edge around him. I expected him to continue flirting with me, but as he said on the first day in the office, he really doesn’t mix business with pleasure. I’m a little disappointed because I thought I would have to keep fending off his advances, which isn’t the case.

So far, Christian and I have been working in perfect accord. Christian is all business with me. And I, too, make the effort to be professional even though most times, I can’t take my eyes off of him. I have also made friends with my co-workers and enjoy having lunch with them at the cafeteria on the ground floor.

Clara and I have become quite close as I see her as a respectable woman dedicated to her job. She told me about her husband and two children and invited me for dinner at her house the following week. It is at that dinner I heard there were many PAs before me. Those women were more interested in getting laid by the boss than in their jobs.

The knowledge makes me more determined not to have anything to do with Christian, particularly at the office.

Why are you lying to yourself? If the man asks you to jump, I bet you’ll ask how high and for how long.

---