Page 30 of With Conditions

My body felt weak, as if I was drained out of all my energy. I felt betrayed, again. I felt cheated and I felt my heart shattering into tiny pieces. I mumbled, “Tibby, I need to go home and think.”

My friends had no reason to lie, and this entire time I let the wolf come into my company and try to hurt me. This is why I don’t do relationships. It was so random what happened in Colorado, but he knew exactly who I was and what he was doing. Drake was going through my schedule on his tablet when he informed me, “You leave on Saturday for Australia for a week, and from what I can tell on the map, your service will be limited.” Pulling in front of the house, I started typing out an email on my phone.

To whom it may concern,

Effective immediately, Drake will be the new executive assistant for Chief Executive Officer Miles Calvin. To preserve the company’s reputation and development, Jessica Miller will be promoted to Sr. Executive Assistant and report directly to Boss Babe Incorporated founder Sophie Dash. All email, technical access, expenses, and planning will be transferred starting at 7 pm EST. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out.

Sincerely,

Sophie Dash

Founder

Boss Babe Inc.

“Drake, you’re being demoted with an increase of 25% in compensation and a new company vehicle which Tibby will escort you to select today. Please inform me of any concerns you have regarding Miles, and I expect Miles to use company transportation only when on business with Forever Fitness.” Drake nodded recognizing my strategy and knew exactly what I was asking. “Now that you’re no longer my direct report…” I reached over and hugged him. Tibby opened the door of my side, and I stepped out.

Turning back to look at the three people who truly cared the most for me, I blinked at them with a thanks. I didn’t say that out loud. Mentally, I felt thankful that they were there for me. It felt comfortable knowing somebody was looking out for me, watching my back. Before pulling away Paul yelled out, “Is a Tesla considered a good company car?”

Laughing at his high maintenance mentality, I turned to Tibby, “let’s upgrade as well.” Excitement spread over her face, and I watched them leaving my driveway. Standing alone, I hugged my arms, processing the situation. I didn’t have an idea about my next move, though I knew that I needed to be careful how I planned it. With all the emotions taking over, I knew that day needed to be reserved for regrouping, and I postponed starting on my strategy for the next morning.

Sauntering inside, I changed into that amazing black bikini and made my way out to the empty dock of my layout lounger. The day was sunny and hot. Just the way I liked them, the type of day most people would hide in the shade from. Taking a sip of the beer Drake purchased from the pizza place, I laid back and closed my eyes. Something felt odd. A strange feeling engulfed me as I closed my eyes trying to relax under the sun, a feeling as if I wasn’t alone. With a jolt, I forced open my eyes when they were met with a dreamy man with no shirt and the usual smile he wore. He was wearing baby blue trunks which hugged his muscular hips that defined his ‘v’. His legs looked strong, and he rocked flip-flops like a pro surfer. He was all that a desirable man is. Recollecting his rejection and our last fight, I held my hand up to cover the sun. “Can I help you?”

Without replying, he threw a life vest down next to me. Sitting up straight, I took in his face.

“Just holding up my end of the contract and trying to get pictures of us together so this looks real,” he smirked with full sarcasm.

I felt even more annoyed. “The taco salad all over at a kid’s camp didn’t help, so I’m sure a boat ride will be twisted into something even more negative.”

“I can’t take pictures at the kid’s camp. My camera system is all set up on the boat. Also, I contacted the newspaper and dropped a pin location with a time for later this evening.”

I tilted my head eyeing him, “well, aren’t you taking this contract seriously?”

He shot me a look but didn’t respond. I was almost to the point of canceling the agreement altogether and just paying him the money, gazing him, as he stood back in silence. Thinking about the situation with Miles, I surely needed some fun that day. Sitting up straight, I could see his eyes tracing down my body. The vibrations between us were nothing I had ever experienced before and I needed to stay in control. His root beer eyes didn’t miss a beat as they flashed over towards my house. I stood up and put on the life jacket. It was a bit small, so my breast popped out. His face lit up as he noticed them.

Walking towards his boat, he stuck out his hand to help me on. He was always a gentleman, but he followed close to me when I was in the boat, not letting go of my hand. We stood at the bow, our lips almost touching. He moved his hand slowly up my arm, and my breath almost stopped with intensity.

His soft hand made it to my neck, and he didn’t leave my gaze. He moved my hair that was trapped in the vest, and I felt myself losing control. What would he feel like touching me? Was his experience level the same as mine or was it a bit younger? He removed his hand and gave a half-smile before looking away. He felt our vibrations and knew I was sucked into him. With confidence, I took the co-captain chair like I boated every day of my life. He started pressing buttons and, without a word, turned on old rock music.

I took in his perfect body, his root beer eyes and was jolted back to the present as the boat’s bow moved up and we started to gain speed. Feeling a bit scared, I grabbed onto the dash in front of me. He looked in my direction chuckling.

“What are you laughing at?” I snapped, knowing that he had noticed me.

He turned down the music, “do you like boating?”

This was a trick question. I never liked boating because I didn’t know much about them; I just liked the lake life. Recently, I found myself at peace on his boat with no worry in the world.

“Of course, I live on a lake,” I answered with half a lie.

“Yes, you have one of the largest lakefront homes, and yet I never see a boat at the end of your dock.”

My heart sank. “Do you pass my dock often?”

He looked forward, and the boat started coming to a stop. He reached up and grabbed the wakeboard above while I jumped up to my feet. “Are you going to show me how to move the controls?” asking as I looked at the captain’s chair.

“No need. You will be riding behind the boat.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m good here.”

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