Page 50 of Grump and Grumpier
I’ve had to keep myself from calling her into my office for the sole purpose of seeing her face—and also to see how she’s doing—and to ask her to stay the night again. But I try to keep our contact to a minimum at the office, since she’s uncomfortable with what she sees as a professional conflict, and because anytime I see her, I want to get inside her clothes.
Since saying goodbye to her this morning, the day has been shitty, especially after another threatening email came in.
The messages have gradually been getting more specific, and this one detailed the “fraud” the person plans to expose and how they plan to expose it. Their closing hinted at the sizable demands they’re going to make to prevent the information they have from being released.
I don’t understand the build-up. Why not be direct and make demands? Whoever this person is, they’re toying with us, and I have no fucking patience for it.
But seeing Ana calms the annoying buzz in my head, and momentarily releases the tightness in my chest. She’s like a fresh breeze blowing through the office, and I’d feel that way about her even if I didn’t know what a delicious pussy she has.
Derek catches my eye. He’s thinking about her, too.
I never expected to sleep in my business partner’s bed, but there was no way I was leaving Ana’s side last night. And surprisingly, it wasn’t strange at all. It was all about Ana, and I hope we can spend the night with her again very soon.
Maybe tonight.
Maybe every night.
CHAPTER 39
ANA
I’m grinning like an idiot, and I have to wipe the silly smile from my face, because I’m afraid it gives my feelings away.
I don’t mind Derek and Jansen seeing the smile, but Charles is catching up to me, looking like he wants to talk, and I don’t want him or anyone else to get any ideas.
“Hey, Ana. How are you doing today?”
“I’m good, Charles. How are you?”
“Good. How was your night last night —?” I start to answer, but then he adds, “with the bosses,” and the breath is knocked out of me.
“What are you talking about?” I ask when I find my voice.
“Oh, you know.” He lifts a brow, and there’s a smirk on his face that I’ve never seen before. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything.”
He turns down an aisle and walks away, leaving me there, struggling to breathe, like a fish that’s been tossed onto the shore. My first impulse is to march straight to Derek and Jansen, because Charles just came out of their office, and I assume they must have told him about us, but going in there now would make me look as guilty as I am.
I can’t imagine how or why they would have said something, though. Did it slip somehow? Surely, it’s not something they’d brag about, like men’s so-called locker room talk. The thought of them talking about me as if I’m a sexual conquest gives me a cold chill, even though I really can’t picture that being the case.
Charles is their most tenured employee and longest acquaintance here. Do they share these kinds of confidences?
Whatever happened, it’s a code red. Despite Charles’s promise that he’ll keep quiet, my dirty little secret is out there now, and I feel sick to my stomach.
I return to my office and try to work for about an hour, but my productivity amounts to next to nothing, and I know I won’t be able to focus until I confront them.
When I reach the executive offices, both doors are open. “Can I talk to you and Derek?” I ask Jansen, who looks up with a scowl when I knock.
“Now isn’t a good time, Ana.”
“I just need two minutes.” Before he can protest, I step over to Derek’s doorway and repeat my request.
“Is something wrong?” Derek asks.
I nod. “Oh yes, something’s definitely wrong.”
Jansen appears in the hallway, and I step into Derek’s office, gesturing for Jansen to follow me. When he does, I quietly close the door.
“Ana, I don’t have a lot of time,” Jansen says. “Later would be bett?—”