Note from the translator: here I am again with a new chapter! Remember, Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer, and Collisions belongs to the lovely, talented, and very popular French author Drinou. Thank you all for following me in that story, and thank you for all your reviews. Enjoy!
Chapter 11: Murderous thoughts
Fulminating, I watched them walk a few steps down the hall when he suddenly stopped and turned to me.
"Miss Swan, it goes without saying that the document I entrusted to you this morning is to be taken care of as soon as possible," he said with a smile.
Son of a bitch!
Ah, welcome murderous thoughts! I couldn't be blamed for having them. He was messing with me again and took a malignant pleasure doing so. And I was foolish enough to get caught in his game every time he launched a new round. I was such a poor, stupid and naïve girl. I became a simple malleable toy in his hands.
All you have to do is take your revenge, silly girl!
Most of all, I needed to leave this place before I exploded... I hated myself as much as I hated him. I cursed against the power he had over me. The sensation that my body was no longer mine when he was around was really unsettling and it drove me crazy.
Wouldn't it rather be to knowing it's the other redheaded bitch who's getting laid with him that drives you crazy?
I internally slapped myself yet another time. After all, I wasn't counting them anymore. I still had three more hours to spend in this inferno. Three long hours of mulling over and waiting to see Blazinglocks leaving his office with a smile because she most certainly just got one of the best orgasms of her life.
Ahhhhh!
Coffee. I quickly needed a good shot of caffeine to calm down.
Has no one ever told you that coffee's a stimulant?
I also needed tape quickly so I could finally muzzle that treacherous little inner voice rotting my life.
Hey, I'm just telling the truth. It's not my fault if you don't want to hear it!
I threw the remains of the poor little pen I'd just killed in the trash, making it a collateral victim of this perfect bastard who was my boss. When I finally arrived in the break room, I grabbed the coffee carafe with a feverish hand, thanking heaven it was full, and poured myself a cup of the precious black nectar, which I was so much in need of.
I was leaning against the window and watching the human ants strolling hundreds of feet below, with my headphones connected to the switchboard on my ears, when a hand rested on my shoulder and startled me.
"Uh... sorry, I just want the coffee."
I glanced in surprise at the man who just brought me back from my thoughts and realized all of a sudden that I was still holding the coffee pot.
"Uh, yes, of course."
I handed it to the beautiful blond guy with a southern accent who was secretly making Alice swoon and returned to the contemplation of the urban landscape before me. I couldn't help letting out an overwhelmed sigh.
"Tough day?"
"Horrible!" I exclaimed, collapsing into one of the chairs in the break room.
"Is there something I can do?" he asked me kindly.
This man seemed really adorable and I truly hoped Alice would achieve her ends with him. She deserved to find love with a person such as him. Anyway, if I could help them one way or another, I would.
"If murdering someone is just your sort of thing, then yes, otherwise unfortunately it's a waste," I sighed.
"Oh! Regrettably I think I won't be able to help then, but... if you..." he hesitated.
I raised a brow.
"Yes?"
"Well, I thought maybe... you'd need to take your mind off things, and uh..."
He seemed really embarrassed and I couldn't see where he was headed.
He's really cute, though!
"A friend of mine is throwing a party and uh..." he suddenly reeled at full speed while his cheeks became slightly pink.
"Ohhh!" I exclaimed.
Ah, what an idea, that's a good one!
"It's very nice of you, thanks, but I think I'll just spend some one on one time with my duvet tonight. However, I'm pretty sure Alice would be pleased to accompany you to this party," I pointed out.
If this little hint doesn't help him to understand that he can rush headlong...
At the same moment, my headphones beeped in my ears. The break was unfortunately over for me. I thanked Jasper for his offer and answered to the umpteenth call of the day in a tired voice while pulling out the paraphernalia of the perfect switchboard operator. I wrote down Alice's phone number on a small note pad and put the piece of paper under Jasper's nose before leaving the room. Now all the cards were in his hand. It was up to him.
After my sixth consecutive call, I saw an even more disheveled fiery hair appear in my peripheral vision.
You, b... Ahhh!
In a swagger, the redheaded bitch entered the lobby. My stomach knotted at the sight of her face. A sign 'Just got fucked' would not have been more meaningful than this sort of victorious smile she was showing. If I thought I wanted to murder someone earlier, it was nothing compared to what I was feeling now.
Whose fault was that? If I say mojito, does that tell you something? If you hadn't acted so cunningly yesterday, you too would have that smile on your face, idiot!
Okay. I needed to make a quick calculation of the fees to reassure me. How much did this slight rebellion cost me? Hmm ... a huge frustration, some murderous thoughts, and a very expensive dry cleaning bill.
And an orgasm as well...
If only... That's about it for the negative side. And what was I getting in return from this affront? An immense pride. Was it worth it?
Nooooo!
But the answer could also be yes, because just to see his smirk wipe off of his face like it did was worth suffering his vengeance and seeing the other slut strutting in front of me like that.
You know it's wrong to lie, even to yourself!
As I watched the redhead disappear into the elevator, I still had this strange urge to jump on her and strangle her.
I grabbed a few isolated files on my desk while sighing loudly and went to fight mercilessly against the photocopier on the floor. Technology and I had never particularly got along well, but this specific machine was driving me utterly crazy. I could never use it without it having a malfunction, which most of the time forced me to retrieve a so-called invisible piece of paper that was blocking it. Suffice to say that the thought of hanging myself was more appealing to me at the moment than going to make photocopies.
I put the stack of files on a shelf next to the infernal machine and started to get busy while praying that the Xerox god be with me. Except that said god must have forgotten his hearing aid because after only thirty pages, the characteristic beep indicating a problem began to resound in my ear.
And here we go again.
"Great, just my luck!" I muttered to myself.
I quickly examined the diagram on the touch screen of the device to locate the malfunction. After my countless hassles with this machine, I was beginning to know it pretty well. I opened it, panel after panel, removing sheet by sheet everything that was inside the system. Except that, lucky as I was today, a piece of paper was torn in the process and got stuck in the den of the beast.
Goddamn machine!
Crouching, my head half buried in the metal bowels of the photocopier, I was twisting myself to catch the damn tiny bit of paper blocking the whole device when a mocking laugh reached my ears.
Oh. Shit.
"Very... hmm... interesting position," the voice I'd recognize among millions emphasized behind me.
Was I that cursed? Why did the last person on earth I wished to see have to arrive right at the moment I was on all fours, with my ass in the air in front of that damn scrap heap?
Bad karma, girl... Bad karma...
"Do you need help, Miss Swan?"
With a tense expression on my face, I pulled my head out of its metal hiding place and turned toward him, glaring at him as hard as I could. The situation had my cheeks turned rosy, however I didn't allow myself to be dispirited in front of his everlasting crooked smile that I wanted him to swallow back. This man, as gorgeous as he was, was truly the worst bastard of this world. How dare he openly make fun of me whenever he was in the mood for it? I was fed up. My nerves were strained throughout the day and I was cracking up. Enough was enough. Boss or not, right then and there, the desire to slap him was stronger than everything else.
Little call to order: slap equals immediate dismissal. If you could avoid...
"What the heck is your problem?" I spat as I sat up, fully aware that I might soon regret my words.
Ooh, there will be blood! 10 bucks on the hunk.
My apprehension increased even more when his damn crooked smile stretched across his face and a gamester glow sparkled in his eyes. Did I just launch a new round without knowing it?
"My problem, Miss Swan," he started, stepping dangerously close to me, "is that I'm missing some part of the confidential file that you brought to me earlier. If, however, this answer doesn't suit you, we could easily discuss it in my office."
"I-I...I," I stuttered miserably.
Cullen 1 – Swan 0
"That's what I thought."
He stepped forward again until his face was close enough to mine for his breath to caress my cheeks.
"Be aware, though, Miss Swan, that I remain entirely at your disposal, should you feel the need to object in private."
How was I supposed to understand this sentence?
Hmm ... as an open invitation to a passionate clinch!
"Is that clear?"
His voice suddenly rang harsher and louder, making me jump.
Swan KO. Come here to collect your gains!
I nodded swiftly, gradually coming back to my senses.
"Good. In the meantime, you'll bring me the missing part of the Galveston Square file in the shortest delay."
With that, he turned round and vanished from my sight as quickly as he'd appeared. I stood speechless, inanimate in front of the photocopier. Truth be told, I didn't even know how to react anymore. I was both edgy and ... frustrated. This guy made me crazy.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. The most urgent for now was to recover this famous missing part before giving my dear boss a reason to fire me.
You mean other than those already listed?
Apart from the episode with the mojito, which incidentally was in a totally private setting, he had nothing to complain about, nothing to reproach me. I was doing my job properly and never had any problem.
Damn mojito. If it weren't for it ... Hmmmm...
A waltz of sulfurous visions began to pass before my eyes, from the memorable tackling against the wall in a dark corner of the VIP area of the Zanzibar, to his hand playing with one of the clips of my garter belt, not to mention his fingers slipping under the lace of my panties...
Fire!
Blushing, I painfully emerged from my inappropriate thoughts to resume my research. These documents couldn't be far away. They had passed from the courier to his office with me as the only intermediate.
Except that after searching for more than an hour, I still hadn't found them. I was beginning to seriously worry. What was I going to do if I couldn't get hold of them? I was once again on the line with the delivery company when I saw the courier from earlier make a second appearance, blissfully unaware of the turmoil he caused, with a small blue folder under his arm.
Give me a weapon so I can end him in horrible pain!
The man apologized for this oversight and left immediately while I was deeply relieved. I was already imagining myself having to explain to my dear boss that I couldn't find his confidential file. Just thinking of it made me turn white.
I grabbed the blue envelope and resolved to go face my worst nightmare while I still had the courage. It was already a little late and the premises were slowly emptying. I cast a quick glance at my watch and grumbled. With all that had happened, I was finally ending up doing overtime.
His office door was open, so I just slipped in the doorway and knocked lightly. He looked up immediately, a serious expression on his face, and watched me, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, Miss Swan, as you can see my door is open for you," he said, leaving his chair. "Do you want to discuss a particular topic in private?"
He stopped in the middle of the room and motioned for me to come in.
It smells of foul play!
For once I had to agree. All of this didn't bode well. I took a few cautious steps into his office, fearing an attack at the slightest movement on his part, but all he did was looking at me silently.
"Uh... I just came to hand you the missing part of the Galveston Square file. The courier had forgotten it and-"
"Good," he cut me off.
He snatched the envelope of my hands and laid it on the conference table behind him; then he went past me and shut the door before my astonished eyes.
Okay. It smells really bad now...
I swallowed painfully. What game was he playing yet again? When he turned to me, his serious look had been replaced by his smirk. He stared at me in silence a few seconds, which seemed like hours.
Say something, stupid girl, instead of just standing there!
I stared at him in return, looking for a clue in his eyes or in his attitude. But as usual I couldn't decipher him. This guy was a total enigma to me.
A sexy enigma in a nice gray suit!
What exactly did he expect from me?
"So, Miss Swan, I'm all ears," he abruptly said.
Eh?
He suddenly began to walk slowly toward me and a loud alarm was triggered in my head, telling me it was vital for my survival that I keep a safe distance between him and me, especially after what had happened in the elevator.
"Excuse me?" I replied defensively, taking a step backward.
"Well, I expect you tell me about those objections, which seemed to burn your lips earlier," he added, continuing his slow progression toward me.
As for me, I was struggling to keep the mentioned safe distance, but my backside bumped into the conference table behind me and I found myself stuck with no way to escape.
Conference table? Uh oh... I think it's going to get very interesting around here!
The next minute he was in front of me, reducing to almost nothingness that survival zone I cherished so much.
"You should take advantage of the fact that there's just you and me here," he went on, piercing me with his mesmerizing emerald gaze.
Him, you, and the conference table as well. Don't you forget the table!
My eyes staring into his, I swayed between the urge to flee in haste and the one to surrender and come what may. After all, why continue to fight over and over again while I couldn't fool myself? I was dying to succumb to his advances.
"Not even the shadow of a mojito to disturb this moment," he continued with a slight touch of humor in his voice, his face very close to mine.
Breathe!
I released the air contained in my lungs. Without realizing it, I had held my breath throughout his feline approach. My heart rate returned to normal when the oxygen entered into my body again. Then I strived to keep a clear head and a little control over the situation.
"What exactly do you want from me?" I asked, my eyes locked in his.
Clear and composed, my voice lit a strange glow in his eyes, which was not lost on me.
And what will you do if he answers that he wants you to undress and lie down on this table?
"This is a very interesting question, Miss Swan. Do not tempt me."
I stared at his smooth, full lips, and saw them make some kind of totally hypnotic motion to call mine. His face was so close and yet so far. I could feel his breath caressing my skin every time he slowly exhaled, stirring a little more this almost uncontrollable desire to reduce the distance between us to zero.
"I don't tempt you," I whispered.
And where is the clear and composed voice now? I'd rather call that a mew.
He brushed off a lock of my hair with one hand and my whole body began to shudder at the light touch of his skin against mine.
"Of course you tempt me, Miss Swan. Didn't you realize it in that elevator?" he whispered in my ear, his cheek close enough for me to feel its warmth radiating against mine.
His hands rested suddenly on my hips. I felt myself swiftly leave the ground and land on a hard and flat surface. I gasped in surprise when he sat me on the conference table, inviting himself between my legs at the same time.
Oh. My. God.
He placed his hands on the table on either side of my hips and put his face in front of mine, towering over me.
This guy is just too damn hotttttt!
There was no trace of his smile, just a serious and intense look that was totally penetrating me. His breathing had clearly accelerated even though it was still more collected than mine. Hyperventilation was lurking around the corner if I didn't calm down quickly.
And how are you supposed to calm down, dear, with such a dude between your thighs?
As if I wasn't aware enough of the current situation...
In slow motion, his torso and my bust brushed together as his body gradually leaned over mine. Then panic took over me. Either I remained still, and our lips would eventually touch, sooner rather than later, or I started to move opposite to him, but then I would find myself very quickly lying on that conference table.
I say we choose both. First the kiss, and then you lie down. Deal?
Maybe I could push him with all my strength and free myself from his grip? If that's really what I wanted...
Do that and I'll make your life a living hell until the day you die, girl!
Finally, too deep in my thoughts, I'd remained still and now his lips were dangerously close to mine. I held my breath in anticipation and plunged my eyes into his. He stood still, like he was waiting for my consent, which was really weird considering his usual behavior that I would somewhat call... um... domineering. Any resistance had abandoned me a long time ago. The desire to feel his lips on mine was now too strong for me to resist. I closed my eyes, giving him the silent consent he seemed to want from me and I waited for the tide of sensations that was about to assault me.
Nothing.
Odd!
I opened my eyes, intrigued, and found myself facing the smirk that I hated more than anything. He'd stood motionless and watched me surrender with an obvious satisfaction.
He pulled back and suddenly returned to the center of the room.
"It was a pleasure to discuss these objections with you, Miss Swan, however it is with regrets that I have to postpone the end of this interview. My next appointment should be here momentarily."
Bastard!
He quickly looked at his watch and returned to settle behind his desk as if nothing happened while I was still sitting on the damn table, stunned and pissed off as ever.
"You may go," he added coldly.
What a... I'm going to... Ahhh!
He began typing on his keyboard, no longer acknowledging my presence. I leapt of the table, struggling with the flood of feelings ravaging me from inside. I wanted to cry, to scream, to slap his face, but I was fully aware that I could only blame myself because once again I had left him take control of the situation and make fun of it. I swallowed my tears of rage and was headed toward the door when I heard him behind me.
"I feel like an aftertaste of mojito," he laughed.
I clenched my teeth to avoid regretting the words that might come out of my mouth under my fury as a variety of unflattering bird names ran through my head.
Jasper blocked my way when I crossed the boundaries of this hell, and I nearly bumped into him.
"It's really not your day!" he laughed.
I glared at him.
"Are you okay?" he worried.
"Never better," I replied sarcastically in a voice that was trembling way too much for my liking.
I promptly walked around him and then stopped in my tracks and turned to him as he was about to enter the office I'd just left.
"Jasper?" I called him. "What time tonight?"
He looked at me questioningly, visibly surprised.
"I think that I'll leave my duvet aside and take on your invitation after all," I said loud enough for the bastard who had just toyed with me once again to hear.
"I'm delighted. See you tonight at 9 then. Alice will give you the details," he replied with a smile.
Apparently he hadn't wasted any time.
I returned to my post with the firm resolution to never, ever let Edward Cullen play with me again.
Huge thanks to my dear beta Lizzard43
Until next time
Milk