Page 34 of (Un)Planned

The office was pristine from being cleaned regularly, even though no one had claimed it yet. With it being so far away from the rest of the agents, no one wanted to take it, so we agreed it would stay empty until we either hired someone else or found another purpose for the space. It was significantly smaller than my office, and the walls were made of wood paneling instead of glass. Almost all the furniture was the same as what was in my office when I first arrived, before Calla changed it all to make the space more stylish.

In my office, it was easy to take for granted how much had changed in a short amount of time. But this space felt lifeless and stale, much like my world before Calla stepped into it. She’d opened my eyes to the beauty of life, bringing color into my sea of gray. I wanted to do the same for her, to be her safe space to land.

But none of that could happen if she didn’t realize what she meant to me.

Calla turned back to me. “What is this place?”

“An empty office.”

She glared at me. “No kidding, Sunshine. But why do you have a key?”

I smirked at her. “If you haven’t noticed, my office is a little like a fishbowl. It can be hard to focus when there’s so much going on right outside.” I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest. “Also, there is a gorgeous woman who sits only a few feet from me. I can’t count the number of times I’ve lost track of time because I’m too busy staring at her, wondering what it would be like to make her mine.” She smiled at me as I continued. “I kept the key to this office so I could have a spare place to work. It helps when I have a deadline or can’t afford to be distracted. It’s my littlesecret.”

“And now you’re sharing it with me?”

“Calla, I’d give you everything if it made you smile. All you ever have to do is ask.” I twisted, turning so I could wrap my arms around her. Today was torture, being close enough to see her, to smell that blend of wildflowers from her shampoo, but not able to touch her. “I’m sorry for what your family put you through. If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here.” I tilted her chin up to meet my eyes. “But know this: how I feel about you hasnothingto do with your work. I see you, Calla—the real you. I care about you. I love your smile and the way your nose crinkles when you tease me. I love that you never hesitate to call me out, and see the best in every situation. But most of all, I love that you have the most incredible heart, and I hope one day, you’ll share it with me.”

She nodded slightly, her eyes a little glossier than they were a minute ago. However, no matter the truth in my words, history was a beast to overcome. The thoughts that plagued us at night had teeth, and I knew better than most how difficult it was to silence them. However, I was determined to help Calla move past the harm her family caused.

Calla attempted to smile, but it was weaker than her usual expression. That didn’t work for me. Nothing less than my beautiful girl’s wide grin would suffice. I glanced over her shoulder, a plan forming in my mind. With a wicked smirk, I let go of her, walked toward the door, and twisted the lock.

Her eyes widened. “What are you doing?”

“Does this room remind you of somewhere?” I arched a brow, ignoring her question. “Maybe before you decided to upgrade everything? I looked around the room, realizing what she must have seen on that first day. “It was a little boring, I suppose.”

“A little?” Calla laughed, walking over to the desk and propping herself up to sit on top of it. “You can admit it, Sunshine. You like the changes I made.”

“Maybe. But you know what I like even more?” I stepped between her legs, playing with the silk ties at the top of her blouse. “The sight of you on top of this desk. It makes me furious that I can’t have you on mine right now.”

“Then pretend it is.” She pressed her hand to my chest. “Mr. Ayad, I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I am willing to dowhateverit takes to get the job.”

I pulled back, sure for a moment that Calla lost her mind. But when she mouthedplay along, the scene suddenly clicked, making my dick harden in my slacks. My fingers danced along her collarbones, pushing the fabric away to inhale her scent. “I’m not sure, Miss Winters. I need someone willing to put in the work. It’ll be long hours, and I’m known for being very demanding.”

“I can handle it,” she said breathily, her hand drifting down to cup me. “Let me prove it to you.”

She started to slide off the desk, but my hands gripped her hips. “Don’t even think about it.” I gently pushed her backward until she was flat against the desk. “I’ve been craving a taste of you since I left your bed. I’m done waiting.”

Calla let out a little giggle as my hands drifted to the hem of her skirt, pushing it up until it was over her ass. Her panties were already drenched. “You need this almost as much as I do, don’t you, beautiful girl?” She nodded. “This all because of me?”

“Yes,” she sighed. “You don’t know what you do to me, Theo.”

“You do the same thing to me.” I pulled them down herlegs, exposing her to me. “Now, be a good girl and come on my face. I need another taste of this perfect pussy.”

Sometime later,Calla and I headed back to my office, hoping no one noticed our absence. While my schedule was flexible enough that I could come and go without much attention, Calla was another story. By the time we’d made it back to my office, five people had stopped her, asking where she’d been, apparently needing her input on different projects.

It made my chest fill with pride, seeing how far she’d already come here. Her opinion was invaluable to me, but now, others were seeing it as well. I never could have predicted this when she showed up at her interview, but I was incredibly grateful.

The new receptionist, the one whose name I could barely remember, came dashing out to meet us before I could even open my office door. “My apologies, Mr. Ayad,” she rushed out, looking between Calla and myself. “But I’ve been trying to get in touch with you. Adam Rice is here for his meeting.”

Shit.This meeting had been marked on my calendar for almost a week, and yet the moment Calla needed me, it was a distant memory. I should have been annoyed at myself; I should havehatedthat I put someone else’s needs above my career. But as I searched for that seed of self-doubt, it was nowhere to be found.

“Sorry…”

“Eloise,” Calla answered for me, shooting me a glare.

“Yes, Eloise. Please tell him that one of us will be there to greet him in a moment. I’ll apologize to him then.”

She nodded and walked away, but not before shooting Calla a look, one I’d seen a million times before. The one that relayed the boss was an asshole without the words. As soon as Eloise was a safe distance away, I stepped closer to Calla. “I don’t think she likes me very much.”

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