“Let me explain this to you thoroughly, and then you can voice in. You can speak when I give you the go-ahead.”
Wow. Is he for real? “Okay, Sir.”
A hint of a smile traces his lips. He clicks his pen again. He’s still not looking at me. I really wish he would. “There clearly is a mutual attraction between us. That much can’t be denied,” he says and finally lifts his gaze to mine, and a frenzy of butterflies flood my insides.
He rubs the back of his neck. “I… I’ve always thought you were attractive, and when Rosetta insisted on you, I was a little hesitant but then I rationalized that you and I wouldn’t really be working together and would have minimal contact. Yet, I won’t deny that I looked forward to seeing you in my office for the next six months, if only to look.”
His words are arousing me, despite the fact that he’s being very matter-of-fact about it all. Everything about him is alluring; his soft spoken words, his long fingers toying with that silver pen, the curves of his shoulders in his dress shirt, and most of all, his intoxicating eyes.
“But… then circumstances changed, and we found ourselves drawn together. I knew it was wrong to ask you to join me for lunch, but I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to be near you.”
I remain silent. Not only because he’s ordered me to, but also because I am at a complete loss for words.
“Yes, you and I can take the next step, but given the social climate these days, and the Me Too movement in the workplace, which I fully support, one can never be too careful.”
I nod obediently.
He finally puts down his pen, and flattens his hands on his desk, on either side of a conspicuous red folder. “I need your full written consent before we can proceed.”
What?
“I really don’t think that is necessary—”
“I didn’t give you the go-ahead to speak yet.” He shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “I’m not done.”
I sit back, not believing the way he’s behaving, what he’s suggesting. I watch him intently as he flips open the red folder. I glance quickly at the heading on the sheet. It’s upside down, but I can still make it out. It reads: WORK PLAY AGREEMENT
I stifle a smile. He can’t be serious.
“I’ve pondered this incessantly and worked on this agreement all weekend,” he tells me, and I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
I notice the staple in the corner. It’s not just a simple one-page affair, it’s multiple pages.
Damn.
While I was getting my nails done with my friends, he was busy whipping this plan up. While I played with Ethan at the park, he was working on this. While I binge watched old episodes of Sex and the City, he was typing this report up. This is so hot.
He hands me a copy of the arrangement, all business. My fingers are trembling when I take it from him, still speechless. My heart is threatening to burst out of my chest.
He reaches for an extra pen and hands it to me. He then picks up his pen again, and stares down at his copy of the agreement. “I thought we could go through it together, and then you could give me your thoughts. I look forward to hearing them.”
“Do I…” I hesitate to talk. “Do I have the go-ahead to speak now?” I ask, half-submissive, half-snarky.
He smiles. “Yes… I’m sorry. I just wanted you to hear me out.”
“Okay… well, let’s look at this, shall we?”