Chapter 40: Love in the Workplace

AVA

We got cleaned up, and I held my hand out to Cyrus.

“What?” He appeared genuinely confused.

“My panties. I need them back.”

He laughed. “Oh no. I’m keeping those. They’re going to get me through the rest of today.”

I narrowed my eyes at him but went ahead and put my tights on without them.

“Now come here.” He pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his arms around me, leaning his chin on my shoulder. “I love you,” he said softly.

Butterflies surged through my belly. “I love you too.”

“Let me announce that we’re together today.”

I shook my head. “I think it’d be best to wait until you’re no longer my boss. To keep people from thinking this is a conflict of interest.”

He let out a displeased scoff. I leaned back to look at him and saw his face had clouded over.

“Cy…” I brushed the tips of my fingers over his frown lines. “I can’t be ‘that’ girl. Do you understand?”

“You can’t be ~my~ girl?”

“Why would you say that? I ~am~ your girl. I just think the people here might think I’m in it for the wrong reasons.”

Cyrus looked away. “I just want everyone to know you’re mine. I feel very territorial about you.”

I cupped his jaw in my hands, my thumbs stroking his cheeks. “You’re the one that just had his way with me. You’re the one that’s taking me home tonight.

“You’re the one with my panties in his sleeve. Which is kind of weird, to be honest. Put them back in the drawer at least.”

Cyrus smirked. “Well”—he grabbed my hips and lifted me off his lap—“off you go then. I’ve got a company to start. I’ll make sure I’m no longer your boss. In here, that is.” He winked at me.

I blew him a kiss before putting on my straight face and hurrying out to join my friends for the last little bit of our lunch break.

***

Ella and I walked back to our offices after lunch. We stopped in our doorways to finish our conversation.

“You have something on your skirt,” she said. “What is that, paint? I thought you were doing digital work today?”

“I am.”

I looked down. There were blue markings on my cream-colored pencil skirt, a big one at the waist and a series of horizontal stripes below it.

I frowned in confusion and touched my finger to the bigger one. Some of the liquid transferred to my skin.

She leaned over. “Looks like ink.”

My eyes widened in shock. I must have leaned over one of Cyrus’s pens at his desk.

I quickly straightened my face and waved my hand casually. “Oh yeah, I had a leaky pen in my purse.”

She cocked a brow at me. “Then why is it all over your skirt like it was bunched up?”

“Because I put the pen in my lap looking for a tampon in my purse, El.” I surprised myself with my own quick-wittedness. “Want to see the pen, or do you believe me?”

Ella giggled. “No need to get defensive, you klutzy girl.” She shoved my arm chummily. “If anyone can get their clothes dirty on a digital art day, it’s you.”

I placed my hand over my heart in mock offense before entering my office.

When the end of the day rolled around and my friends came to pick me up to walk to our cars together, I got so caught up in the conversation that I didn’t even think about the fact that Cyrus and I had driven to work in his car.

I froze when we entered the garage.

“Flashback?” Ella asked concernedly.

It took me a second to figure out what she meant. “Oh! No, don’t worry. I just remembered I took a cab here this morning. My car is in the shop.”

“Need a ride home?” August offered.

“That’s okay, thanks. My house is way out of your route.”

James, who was just getting into his car with Tobias, leaned his head out the door. “We can drop you off on the way.”

“Ms. Mayweather?” that all too familiar, deep, raspy voice called out.

I turned around, my insides already stirring.

Cyrus’s eyes pierced mine. “Would you mind dropping the notes from today’s meeting off at Mr. Ralls’s on your way home? My driver Miles will take you there.”

“Of course, Mr. Brentstone.”

“Good.”

His jacket flared open as he handed me the papers, and a small but clearly visible ink stain was revealed on his dress shirt.

I looked at Ella, who was staring at the spot on his shirt. Her face was contorted in confusion. Then she turned to me, her eyes growing big in realization.

Her gaze darted between the stain on my skirt and the matching one on Cyrus’s shirt. Her jaw dropped. My eyes pleaded with her to keep quiet.

Her expression softened, and a small smile appeared on her lips. She turned around and started walking to her car.

“Oh, Ava,” she said. “Remember to text me the details. About that thing we talked about earlier today. You know…”

“I do!” I shrieked, my cheeks as pink as Ella’s shoes. “Texting you as soon as we hit the road!”