Withstanding the Enemy

Ten

Emma…

The cold tiles seep through my clothes as I bury my head in between my knees and hug them to my chest. I wish I could run away. My mind races. The look on his face burns deep into my consciousness. His need was so intense it was palpable. Does Chance know what he is doing to me?

No Emma!

My heart fills with dark longing. I remember the feeling of his hand on my chin—soft yet exhilarating. Never has a man’s touch vibrated to my core like that. It took everything in me to stop what was about to happen. God knows how badly I wanted him to kiss me.

Ok, Emma, you are going to act normal. It didn't happen, I tell myself. He doesn't really want me. Why would he? Just look at him, he is gorgeous. He could get any woman he wants. Maybe Rick was testing me? Now, that makes more sense. Damn it; I'm such an i***t.

You’re nothing special!

I square my shoulders. I may not be anything special but I'm not going to let him make a fool of me either. I set out in search of him.

I find him sitting in a chair at the desk. My cheeks burning by the time I reach him. I plant my hands on the desk feeling the reassurance of the solid wood between us. This way if I piss him off, I have something between us. Before losing my nerve, I square my shoulders again. “I'm not taking your s**t. I know what you are trying to do here. Did Rick put you up to it to see what I would do?” My hands are shaking. “Well, you can just … just go to hell and tell Rick ‘the prick’ that I passed.”

His chestnut eyes look up to me, expressionless. How did he do that? Anger pools inside my chest. How can he show no emotion whatsoever…?

I raise my voice, matching my temper. “Just leave! I don't need you here!”

He slowly stands up completely unresponsive to my outburst. And an ice-cold chill runs down my spine.

I stumble back, but he reaches my hand stopping me from my retreat. He pulls me, bringing me back to the counter. I prepare myself for his fist as I instinctively raise my free hand to protect my face. In a spilt second, he releases me and backs away. The tension in his body is visible as his knuckles turn white.

“I will NEVER hit you. I am NOT like f*****g Rick!” he says in a dark, slow tone.

Is he mad at me?

My hand drops back to the counter. I search for his truth; flames burn in his eyes and I force myself to look away.

“I can't leave you. It is my job to stay with you at all times,” he continues in a soft, gentle tone causing my heart to beat faster. I meet his blazing eyes.

“Now, what can I help you with, so we can get started?”

In a moment his whole demeanor changes back and I slowly turn my attention to the reception desk and start pulling wires to the computer system.

What does he want from me?

“Emma, I am here to help. It's killing me to just sit here and watch,” he says bringing me back to reality.

I turn toward him as my frustration bubbles. He just wants to help…

“Umm, well … I'm trying to get the computer system out so I can make room for the new system. That is, if Rick approves the new system.” I pause to tug on another cord. ‘’I haven’t shown it to him, yet.” I tug another cord out.

“That’s where I can help; I can send Rick an email about the system you need while you get it all unplugged for me to move it.” He smiles as he pulls out his phone. “So let me see the computer system you want.”

I point to my notebook beside him. “I have my list here, but Rick may get mad that it is not coming from me. He asked me to go over all the details with him,” I say, embarrassment warming my cheeks.

Chance continues typing. “This is also in my job description. I am to ask for anything that you should need.” He leans over to pick up my notebook.

“Oh, okay…” Do I want to know about his JOB?

After a few minutes, I hear him over my shoulder.

“Wow! These are really good.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask as I pull the last of the wires and untuck myself from the tight space. I stretch out and dust myself off. He doesn’t respond so I turn to see what he is talking about and look over his shoulder. He flips a page of my notebook.

My thoughts immediately go to the quickly written poems and doodles and I hurry to retrieve my notebook out of his hands. Closing the few feet between us, I reach over his shoulder. “Hey, give me that. That's not for anyone to see.”

“OOH it's not is it?” He pulls it out of my reach as he stands. “If you can grab it, it’s yours.” He holds the notebook open and continues flipping through the pages above my head.

“Chance!” I try to jump for it with no luck. “Chance, please.”

He glances down with laughter in his eyes. “Okay, okay, here, but I was just saying some of these are very good.”

I quickly nab my notebook and bring it to my chest. “Thank you.” I look down.

His phone chimes. “That was quick,” he says as he pulls his phone out of his pocket.

“Is it from Rick? What did he say?”

“Well he said: ‘Whatever she wants, get it for her.’”

“Really?”

“Yes, that’s what he said.”

“Then out with the old!” I say as I bounce on my heels.

“If you’re done, I will remove the old one and then you can shop your little heart out,” he says scornfully.