Chapter 2 – Meet The Devil
Nicole held her breath, wanting to get up and leave the desk, but she didn't want to draw attention to herself. Remaining focused on the blank computer screen she couldn't help but listen to Stu over the thumping of her heart. Unable to stop herself, she took a quick glance at Stu. His eyes were full of bitterness, not love as they should have been for a wife. Unable to stand the look in eyes - even though it wasn't directed at her - Nicole went back to the computer, looking through random files so she had something to do.
"Enjoy calling yourself my wife for two more weeks." Stu spat with menace. He pointed a finger at Joanne and firmly said, "Get out."
Joanne pleaded, obviously not the first time she had with him. "Don't be like that, Stuart."
"Call security please Claire, I want her out of here."
"Please Stuart, I only want to talk." Nicole glanced up just in time to see Joanne with her hands running up Stu's chest. A lame attempt at seducing him - the disgusted look on Stu's face said it all, but that didn't stop Nicole from feeling sick at the sight of them together.
"Unless my lawyer is present, we aren't having any type conversation." Stu turned on his heels and headed back to his office, slamming the door shut with a thunderous bang.
"Son of a bitch." Nicole heard Joanne grumbled under her breath before she stormed out of the room, almost knocking Claire over. Claire didn't falter though - she followed Joanne, probably making sure that security escorted her out of the building.
Stu had never disclosed what went so bad in his marriage, and now she didn't want to know. Frustrated at staring at a blank computer screen, Nicole left her desk and quickly rushed over to Stu's office. Yet to define their relationship, uncertainty flooded Nicole's emotions. She'd never acted as a confidant, but now the opportunity presented itself, she knew she couldn't back down.
Holding her breath, Nicole lifted her hand and knocked on the door three times. There was silence for a moment before she heard a gruff, "What?"
"It's me."
There was some shuffling about and a few bangs before Stu said, "Come in."
Opening the door cautiously, Nicole stepped into the office. Stu was leant against the side of the desk. He'd gotten rid of his suit jacket, the first few buttons of his shirt were popped open and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
"Your wife-"
"Ex-wife." Nicole closed the door behind her and took a few steps closer towards the man that had some kind of a magic hold on her.
"Not yet she isn't."
"In a few weeks the divorce will be final." Stu scrubbed his hand over his face and slumped down on the leather chair behind his desk.
"You need to calm down." Nicole followed Stu and pressed her hands against his back, gently running them upwards towards his thick shoulders. Her lips grazed his neck as she whispered, "Let me help you."
Stu groaned, tilting his head to the side to let Nicole work her magic. She couldn't help but grin, knowing her actions could make even the strongest of men weak. Stu was the strongest man she knew.
"We're going to have to put a stop to things between us." Nicole stopped everything, unsure whether she'd heard him right. Stop? "If Joanne finds out about us, it'll change the divorce settlement. I'm not about to let her take anything else from me."
Stepping back from Stu, Nicole suddenly felt out of place. "So this is about money?"
"This is about everything I've worked for." Stu stood up and walked around the desk, moving over to the window that looked over the city. "I built this business from nothing."
"I know."
"Then two weeks is all I ask." Stu turned around, surprising Nicole as a smile crept to his face. "I already know how I'll be celebrating the divorce."
Nicole froze on the spot as Stu let his gaze linger from her feet and up her body. He stared her dead in the eye as he said, "You're an excellent employee."
Taking that so many ways, Nicole tried to gather her thoughts. "So two weeks and then-"
"And then we can resume this."
Nicole nodded. Two weeks wasn't that long - she'd be fine. Stu rarely took orders or demands, but Nicole made sure her words dripped with suggestion. "I want something before I leave."
"Really?"
"One last kiss."
Stu moved over to Nicole until his chest bumped against hers. "I can't deny you that now can I."
Nicole patiently waited as Stu's hands framed her face. Her lips parted in anticipation and the rapid beating of her heart sped up as he leaned in towards her. Gently his lips touched hers, soft and slow, not at all like Stu. Eyes slipping shut and mind floating into pure bliss, Nicole revelled in the moment and as always let Stu take the lead.
The moment was short lived and kiss ended as Stu pulled away. Nicole opened her eyes, instantly locking with Stu's dark green orbs. "Two weeks is a long time."
"I'll make it up to you after." Stu brushed his thumb across her cheek before letting his hands drop to his sides.
"Do you still need me to stay?"
Stu shook his head and said, "I'll see you in the morning."
"Okay." Nicole turned and headed towards the door. There was nothing else she could do even though she wanted to stay. She was hooked but Stu was in the driver's seat and she was just along for the ride. Now Stu was just back to being her boss. With one sweeping glance over her shoulder, Nicole smiled before she said, "Goodnight, Mr Bennett."
Forcing herself to leave the office, Nicole grabbed her coat from her desk chair and turned the computer off. Two weeks wasn't a long time really, but she'd gotten so used to the sneaking around and little escapades in the office. Once she'd slipped her coat on, she grabbed her handbag and left the office. A quick ride down on the elevator and Nicole was in the basement car park. There were a few people still around, but one person stood out.
It was a mirage of the devil. It had to be. There was no way Joanne was leant against the driver's side of her car, looking every ounce of the bitch she was. Okay maybe she was being biased and taking Stu's side, but from what she'd heard, Joanne was evil.
"Nicole."
Plastering a welcoming smile on her face Nicole said, "Joanne, how can I help you?"
"I have a proposition for you." Joanne had a smirk on her face, eyes cold like she was plotting.
A proposition didn't sound good. The driver's side of her car was blocked – maybe if she ran around to the other side and climbed over the seats, she could just drive off and not have to deal with her. Instead she went against all her instincts and said, "Okay."
"I can make you a millionaire."
Nicole laughed nervously, "That sounds too good to be true."
Trying to get Joanne to move out of her way, Nicole stepped to the side of Joanne to try and open the door. She didn't expect Joanne to grab hold of her wrist and shake her.
Joanne reeked of desperation as she begged, "All you have to do is tell my attorney you're sleeping with Stu and show some evidence."
In complete shock, Nicole didn't know what to say. She couldn't even fathom doing such a thing, not to Stu. Even though she knew it was wrong, images of what she and Stu had done flashed through her mind. She wondered if Joanne could see the guilt in her eyes. "Erm no, I cant. I would lose my job."
With her hand still gripped on Nicole's wrist, she squeezed tightly, nails digging into her skin as she hissed every word. "You wouldn't need a job!"
"Why me?" She could pick any woman she pleased.
"Oh please, it's always the assistant that's fucking her boss."
Glancing down at Joanne's hand on her wrist, Nicole pulled to try and get her to let go. She was evil. "You're hurting me."
Joanne let go and laughed as if nothing had happened, and as she sauntered away she said, "Think about it. Think about what you could do with all that money."
Nicole scrambled around in her bag for her keys, wanting to get away as soon as possible. Joanne had shaken her - literally. What if she knew? What if it was just some wicked plan to trip her up with a hefty bribe? Nothing good would come from this – she'd be selling her soul to the devil.
A/N – Thank you ANP87, Blackhat, charmedbyortonbarrett, boston246, Kinnetikx2, MrsBarrett, xj0j0x, ThatGirl54, shakeitsalome and prettybaby69 for all of the lovely reviews. Such an overwhelming response from the first chapter, so glad you're enjoying the story so far :) Lou x