CHAPTER TWO
What in the hell am I going to wear? I look through my closet and only see blouses and dress slacks, perfectly appropriate for an office job but not a date. I am such a "plain Jane," as they say. I decide that I'm going to go out and not only get a classy outfit for Friday, but I'll take it a step further and buy some sexy underwear from Victoria's Secret. I have never been this excited about a man before. I totally do not know what has happened to me. I have no idea how I'm going to get through the next week. But it's like everything is happening at lighting speed.
The weekend flew by. I hardly noticed, because my mind was on Sean. I just couldn't get him out of my head. I was at my mom's place for Sunday dinner and all I could think about was him. Starting at Harris Incorporated is going to be harder than I thought. God, I am going to be in the same building as him. Monday rolls around and I get up, give myself a pep talk: "you are going to do great, you are going to do great" I tell myself repeatedly.
I call my mom, and ask if I could have dinner at her place tonight, and she says yes like I knew she would. I shower with my Lush "Whoosh" shower jellie. I love the citrus smell. The shower jellie is different from shower gel. I love how it lathers up nice and rinses away without any lasting residue.
My skin always feels soft right after. I use my Moroccan oil shampoo and conditioner on my hair. I love how the shampoo and conditioner leaves my hair with this silky feeling and also with a nice shine. Once I am showered, I wrap a towel around my body and then blow-dry my hair, then use my Instyler to straighten it. I look over my appearance and I am satisfied with what I see. I go with a black pencil neck skirt and white blouse and low heels. I give myself another mental shake and get ready to face the day and one of the sexiest men in New York City.
I take the subway, so it doesn't take me to long to get to work in Times Square from the Meatpacking District where I live. I walk up to the Harris building and I am in awe realizing this is where I will be working. I'm transported back to a few days ago when I had my interview. The sky rise building is still like nothing I've ever seen. The Harris building looks just like the New York Times building. The outside is all glass. Professionally structured is the only way that I can explain it.
When I step inside, I'm in awe for a second time. I just cannot believe I will be working here—that I pinch myself. The inside looks like a hotel lobby, but with a more eloquent style to it. The coloring is a dark grey to a light grey with a little black. The floors are greyish marble. The chairs in the main lobby area are like the ones in Sean's office, black leather. The security desk in the main lobby looks more like the receptionist desk on the 30th floors, than a regular security desk.
I walk up to the security guard and give my name and what floor I will be working on. I turn my head as I wait for the guard to provide me with my security badge and codes for the research level in the building. I look up—captivated by this beautiful chandelier hanging. It was plain yet eloquent at the same time. It was shaped like icicles and the lights looked like small snowballs.
"Miss Jones, Mr. Harris would like to see you in his office" one of the security guards tells me. I am stunned for a moment. How in the world did he know I was already in the building? I was about to ask the security guard the question, but I decided against it. I thank the security guard and take the elevator up to the 30th floor and Sean's office. I'm nervous, not sure how to handle an encounter with him today. I know that sounds strange. Given how I gave myself a pep talk this morning.
I know this is all part of the job. Sean is my boss and he will need to give me the ins and outs on the job and what he expects from me. I take a deep breath and stand up straight. The elevator pings and I get off. On the 30th floor, I say good morning to the receptionist, who looks at me, and smiles.
I smile back Sean's office is behind me, but I know that he's standing right there. It's weird and I cannot explain it, but I can feel him; it is like we are soul mates. I never thought that an attraction to another person could then turn into a connection. Or maybe I'm just losing my mind. "Thank you, Sam" Sean says as he makes his way to me. I swallowed over the lump in my throat. God, what is this man doing to me. "Please come into my office Shiv," he says.
I stared at him opened mouth. No one and I mean no one calls me Shiv. Its not that I don't like the nick name, its just… I cannot explain it. I can feel his hand on the small of my back as he guides me in front of him towards this office. It sends shivers up and down my spine. I started to wonder what his hands would feel like touching my naked body. Man, where in the hell did that thought come from? I try to clear my mind of these crazy thoughts. Once we're in his office, he shut the door behind us. I turn around to face him. "No one calls me Shiv," I say to him. He just smiles at me, his sexy cool smile that has me melting and willing to do anything he wants.
"Well, it looks like that will be something special between the two of us," he says. And for the second or third time I looked at him open mouthed and surprised by his brazenness and confidence. I pull myself back to reality and a little away from him. "I am supposed to start in a couple of minutes," I say. "Is there anything I can help you with?" Sean has all the power and control. But at the same time—I have to be honest with myself.
Sean having the power and the control is reassuring to me and gives me some semblance of peace. He comes closer to me. I take a step back, not because I am afraid of him. Not because I don't trust him. But because I know that he could hurt me like no one has ever hurt me before. He notices that my body language is conveying to him what my thoughts must be. I am nervous, scared, excited all of the above. But being scared is at the top of the list. He notices that my body language is conveying to him what my thoughts must be. "Don't be afraid of me. I would never hurt you," he says. I can hear the conviction in his voice. His facial expression is serious. He not only means those words, he believes them. I'm a little overwhelmed. "I- I need—." I closed my eyes and start again with a better choice of words.
"Mr. Harris, you were going to explain what you needed from me," I say to him. No sooner do the words leave my mouth when I could feel a shift in the room. It's like something you see when watching the sports highlights on ESPN. The moment in the game when the loosing team has a momentum shift, thus giving them what they need to turn the game around.
The look on his face changes his eyes look like there're on fire. His breathing changes and he takes my face into his hands. I'm frozen in time like I have no control over my own body. I simply can't react. I wasn't sure what was about to happen. And then he lowers his lips to mine and kisses me.
At first I'm I taken aback and not sure what I'm supposed to do. Then it was like my body was working on instinct. I have no control over my body—my mind was telling me to stop this, it was way to soon to be doing this. Not to mention that it was most certainly a company violation to be kissing not only my boss but also the owner of the company. But my mind can't help what my body wants. I open up and we start fighting for control of the kiss.
Our tongues are demanding control; I can't help the moan that escapes from my mouth. Sean pulls me closer, and I can feel his hard cock against my stomach. I love how he feels, how he's demanding yet gentle at the same time. But something is happening, something I thought I had a handle on. I start to freeze up and shake a little. Memories are fighting to make their way to the surface. Please, no, not again. Why, why now? I ask myself.
I am assaulted by the terror that I lived as a child. I'm being transported back to the time when my adoptive father first forced himself upon me. Oh God! Not now, please, not here, I say to myself. When will I be over this? Sean can feel the tension in my body, and he breaks the kiss. I lower my head, because I am so embarrassed. I thought that I had this under control, but I can clearly see I don't. "I am so sorry, I am so sorry" is all I can say to him. I place my face in my hands.
I know that it was not my fault what happened. But it still doesn't change the fact that I feel embarrassed or that I feel ashamed. I cannot believe that I am breaking down in my boss' office. He is most definitely not going to want to go out with me on Friday. I turn to leave, but he stops me. "You don't have to apologize to me," he says. "I couldn't help myself. I wanted to kiss you, but I should have made sure that you were ready." I see in his eyes the worry and the doubt. That does weird things to me. I don't want him to feel that way. "No, it is not your fault. I thought I'd put some things behind me." "But I guess that I haven't," I add. I give myself another mental shake. I've been doing that a lot lately. "Somebody who I trusted, who was supposed to take care of me when I was younger hurt me instead of protecting me." I said. I don't realize that tears are rolling down my cheeks, until he uses his thumb to wipe them away. "What I feel for you scares me.
Because I thought that it was just an attraction, nothing more than lust. But my heart is telling me it's something else. My mind is telling me that it's way too soon and way to fast to feel this way. I honestly don't know how to deal with that," I tell him. He looks at me and I feel as if I said too much and I just ruined the chance, maybe my only chance at finding love. "You didn't ruin your chance with me or at finding love." "I am feeling and thinking the same as you Shiv," he says.
But I completely missed what he says, because I can't believe my outburst. "Oh God, did I just say all that out loud?" I put my face in my hands again to hide from embarrassment. Through my fingers, I stand there looking at this handsome man who was willing to give me a chance. I truly do not know how to handle this. "What are you thinking beautiful?" he said.
"I was just thinking how the sexiest bachelor in New York City is interested in me. I have a lot of baggage and I don't want to hold you back." "You will never hold me back. I'm not going to rush you into anything. You need slow and you need to know that you can trust me," he said. Wow! What the hell is happening here? I just met this man. Could it be true that all the good ones aren't taken? Oddly enough, I feel as though I have known him my whole life. I reach up and touch the left side of his face with my right hand. Sean turns his face and kisses the inside of my hand.
I can't help the words that came out of my mouth. "God, I can see myself totally falling in love with you." Sean's eyes soften. And he smiles his million-dollar smile, which I am weak to defend against. "I can see myself falling in love with you too. Just know Shervon, I am feeling some of the same feelings you are. We are going to take things slow.
I don't want you to have any regrets," he said. My moment of panic is gone. He eases me down from having a complete meltdown in his office. I decided to go for it right at that moment. But I'm going to go slow, too, because I need slow. I will start by taking baby steps. "I wouldn't be over-stepping if I asked to meet you for lunch, would I?" I ask him.
"No, you wouldn't be over-stepping. I would love to meet you for lunch," he says. We stand there looking at each other for a couple of minutes. I'm in complete awe at what's happening between us. Is this how it works? Do you follow your women's intuition? I wasn't sure, but I decided to go with that leap of faith. Sean walks me to the elevators and takes me to the twenty-fifth floor where the research department is. The research department is like a researchers dream come true, and I'm in heaven. The library, the first section I see, is well stocked. As we go farther into the research facility, I see the computers and all accessories are something all within itself. I mean everything here is Apple and the latest models. I thought that I was in complete awe when I first entered the building, but now I'm completely shocked. I turn and look at Sean. I know the smile on my face is big. I'm like a kid in a candy store and I've been given free rein. "I know this is going to sound strange, but I so cannot wait to start work," I say to him.
Sean smiles at me and ushered me farther into the research facility, which takes up the entire twenty-fifth floor. He gives me a complete tour, showing me the boardrooms and everything. I'm overwhelmed and so impressed. "I'm going to leave you to get yourself situated and familiar with everything, I am going to introduce you to the people you will be working with."
Sean introduced me to all staff members. It will take me a couple of weeks before I remember everyone's name. After introductions were completed Sean said, "I'll be by around noon to take you to lunch". "Okay, I'll be here," I reply. I watch Sean walk out of the research facility and to the elevator. I turn my attention to my first assignment. I'm surprised to be given something so important—sex trafficking is a billion-dollar industry.
Young girls being sold as sex slaves are big in some countries right now. It's sad that these men and woman involved in it are okay with making a living off the suffering of women and children. I make my way to a desk, which I assume is mine, but I'm presently shocked when one of the receptionists tells me I have my own office. She shows me to it and introduces herself: "My name is Kelly Vision. I'm your receptionist and personal assistant, all wrapped into one," she says. I can't believe that I had my own personal assistant.
"I'm Shervon Jones, it's nice to meet you." After the initial introductions, Kelly doesn't waste anytime diving right into it. "The story you were given is a big one. I know you can handle it or else Mr. Harris wouldn't have hired you," she says. I don't even get an opportunity to respond, she's moving so fast. "Harris Incorporated dabbles in the media as well. Mr. Harris has some shares in a few of the major news conglomerates," Kelly continues.
I kind of figured that. I mean, a man of his stature, would have his fingers in a lot. He's ambitious and his confidence shines through. "I know, and that's a major accomplishment," I pause before continuing. "I'm still in shock that I've been given this opportunity," I say. "Well, from what I hear, you don't have anything to worry about. All of the candidate's come highly recommend. But Mr. Harris has the final decision, and I can see why he picked you. Of the entire candidate pool's that was interviewed, you're the one he could tell was real," she says. I don't know how to respond to that, so I just nodded my head. We continue to chat for a few more minutes, and then I go off and start researching for the piece that I've been assigned. I head to my office and place my purse and keys in the drawer, than I head to the library with a pen and note pad in my hands. It was twenty minutes later when I started thinking about the kiss Sean and I shared. I touched two fingers to lips and I could still feel him there. When I was in his arms I felt safe. His control, his dominance was so soothing—it's something I've never felt before.
"Do you need help with anything," a woman asks me. I was still captivated by the kiss and it took me a moment to get my bearings. "No, thank you I'm good." I walked over and offered my hand to the woman, "I'm Shervon Jones head researcher," I say. The woman takes my hand and shakes it. "Yes, Mr. Harris said the new head research would be starting today. Nice to meet you, my name is Jenny Downing. I'm one of your research assistants. Markie Smyth is your other research assistant. He'll be here in about ten minutes". Ten minutes later Markie arrived.
After introductions were made and we created an outline for the story assigned—Jenny went to the archives, Markie went to law enforcement to get their perspective. I turn left and head to one of the computers to research statistics. I must be really engrossed in my work because I don't realize what time it is until I see Sean making his way into the computer section of the library. "Oh God, I cannot believe how fast time went by. It was only moment ago when it was 9:30 a.m."
When I'm engrossed in a project, time eludes me. He just stands there looking at me, with a little smirk on his face. Here I am franticly putting my note pad, flash drive, articles I printed, to name a few, in my arms to carry to my office—so we can have lunch. "Slow down Shervon. I knew that you were pretty busy here today. I called down and asked Kelly if you were ready, and she told me you were in the library working on a major piece." I paused and look up at him. "I'm so sorry I truly don't want to miss lunch. Is it too late, or can we catch something now?" I ask him.
"No, it's not too late. I ordered from a deli down the street, and I have everything waiting for us in your office," he says with a boyish smile. God, that smile is killing me. Sean helps me put everything away, and then we make our way to my office we eat lunch.
We entered my office and lunch was laid out on my desk waiting for us. I sat behind my desk and Sean sat opposite me. "How is your first day going?" "The library facility is amazing. I don't have to venture outside of this building for research material. If I need anything that isn't in the library, all I have to do is request for a copy to de delivered here—it's nice," I say to him. I was trying to remain cool and in control. I could feel his confidence and it was comforting but also a little intimidating. "The night at the restaurant, did your family ask about me?"
I couldn't believe how embarrassed I was. Sean simply smiled at me and I felt it all the way to my toes. "Yes, my mom asked me. I told her I met a beautiful woman," he continued as he reached up, and took the back of his left hand and gently ran it down the right side of my face. I could only imagine the look on my face. "She grilled me all through dinner. Dad had to step in and tell mom to ease up." "Oh," was all I could say. I went back to eating my sandwich. I believe Sean was flirting with me. I'm so not use to flirting I honestly couldn't tell rather he was or not.