Beyond Temptation

Chapter 5

Jamie’s POV

I wished the weekend would have been longer. It’s Monday morning and I’m dreading having to deal with Liam. I try my best to look professional, so I chose to wear a pair of high-waist palazzo pants with a fitted blouse and high heels. Light make up is all I ever put on, but it’s more than enough for the office. As I’m looking at myself in the mirror to make sure I’m looking good, I realize that I’m putting more effort into my appearance than normal, not wanting to admit it’s to be sure someone, whose name I’m trying to avoid saying, finds me appealing. I mentally slap myself for doing this. What the hell is wrong with you?

Facing him today as my boss, for the first time after you know what, I’m not sure what to expect from him, but I’m positive I have to tell him that what happened last week was a big mistake and that it will not be happening again.

I need to set the record straight and tell him I am sorry if I made him think anything different, but I am emotionally unavailable right now. Besides, I’m sure that he’s the type that could easily make me float on clouds and then break me into pieces. I’m really not up to that.

The thing is, what if he tells me he wants more of that elevator action? Will I even be strong enough to say no? Do I even want to say no? I’m so not ready to see him today.

But the day came and went, and Liam was nowhere to be found. I should be relieved and even happy he didn’t show up. It’s easier. It gives me more time. But I’m having mixed feelings about it, to be honest. I can’t understand why I am so uneasy. His absence is making me nervous.

Mrs. Parker showed me around and introduced me to several of my new colleagues. Many of their names didn’t stick to my already so full of information mind.

I sat at my desk and didn’t do much since, from what I was told, I would get my orders and project insights from Liam, who simply wasn’t here.

I brought a sandwich to eat at the company’s cafeteria and, of course, being the new girl, I sat alone. I was so deep in thought that I didn’t even notice when someone sat in front of me.

“Hello?!” – said a cute brunette across from me, waving her hand in front of my eyes – “Is anyone there?” – she chuckled.

“Hi, sorry. I was on a completely different planet.” – I say, rubbing the back of my neck.

“You’re Jamie, right? I’m Alison, nice to meet you”- she held out her hand for a handshake.

“Nice to meet you too Alison.” – I smile back.

“Sorry to barge in on your thoughts, but I still remember what it’s like to be the new girl and how awkward you can feel, so I thought you could use a friend.” – she was friendly, and her candid face told me she was being truthful.

“That would be great, to be honest. I think I’ll be accepting your offer.” - I winked and she smiled.

She leaned closer and looked both ways before saying –“OK, so quick office gossip update. Katie from IT is definitely doing Alex, Mr. Dornier’s assistant. The yogurts from the vending machine are almost always expired, so if you ever need a day off that’s a good excuse. And… Michelle, Liam’s fan numero uno, her boobs are fake.” – she nods continuously with her eyes open wide as if confirming all the above, and we both laugh out loud.

We finish our lunch together before heading back to our desks. Alison works on the 55th floor, while I’m on the 57th.

The rest of the day goes by extremely slowly and I find my mind wandering, more than I would like, to Liam, trying to find a reason for why he isn’t here.

I’m really surprised when Mr. Dornier stops by to welcome me. He askes where Liam is and seems pretty upset to find out he isn’t at the office. Somehow, and don’t ask me why, I find myself telling him that from what I heard he was at last minute meeting concerning the Sky High project, and since I still wasn’t completely acquainted with its details he found it best if I stayed behind getting to know it better.

He seemed to accept my explanation which soothed him down a little. Now I know that his absence wasn’t planned, otherwise, I’m sure his father would know about it.

***

It’s Wednesday, and Liam still hasn’t shown himself at the office. Is he avoiding having to deal with me? Nah. He must have had one of those bad yogurts.

With nothing but a few emails to send, I just can’t stop thinking about him.

My uneasiness grows as hours go by. I start to realize that this queasiness I feel is because I want him to be here. I wasn’t nervous about the prospect of seeing him after all that happened, I was looking forward to it. I feel like I miss him. I only come to this realization now because it really doesn’t make any sense. How can I miss someone I barely know?

The problem is that I do. I miss him and his touch. And the more I say that I don’t want it, the more upset I get from the possibility of really not having it again. This is an extremely bad sign. I kissed the man once, how can he already have me under his spell? He doesn’t even like me for God’s sake, how the hell can I feel this way?

I need to get out of here. For good.

I start searching for other job openings in town. I send applications to a few that might suit me for a while before I find a job as an architect again. Those are extremely rare. But I’m sure that if I stay here, my heart will be broken, and it will happen fast.

Almost at the end of the day, I instinctively lift my head from my computer towards a noise and see him passing by, like a shooting arrow, straight into his office, followed by Michelle. She leaves the door open, but all I can understand by their conversation is her asking if he is feeling better and if he needed anything. She was fiddling with her long blond hair while they spoke and kept turning her knee inwards, like an innocent girl would do for a pose, resting only the tip of her shoe on the ground. The sight of it sent a burning sensation to my chest. She is so into him I can almost puke.

Just close the goddamn door and get it over with!

When she finally left, I stood up to go talk to him, still flaring like a fire blowing dragon. As soon as I reach the door and hold out my fist to knock, I lose my wits and chicken out. I need to rehearse my speech! I turn to leave and hear the door unlock behind me, and his low, oh so sexy voice, freezes me in my spot.

“Can I help you?”

My eyes were squeezed shut. s**t. It took me a second too long to turn around, I just wasn’t prepared to. I inhale and exhale heavily and slowly turn to face him. Of course, he had this most amazing fitting suit on, with no tie and the two top buttons of his white shirt open. He looked divine. Of course, that bimbo was drooling over him. So am I.

“Mr. Dornier, I’m sorry to bother you. Can I talk to you for a minute?” – I finally got out.

“Sure, please come in.” – he opens the door wider for me to enter, closing it behind me, before heading to his chair behind his desk.

“Sorry, I had completely forgotten that you were starting this week, so I took a couple of days off” – he said gesturing for me to sit down. – “And by the way, it’s Liam. Mr. Dornier around here is my father, not me.”

“Yes Sir”

“Jamie, no “Sir”. Just Liam. You’re not any different from anyone else in this company, so please call me Liam.” – he said with a little more vigor in his voice.

“OK, Liam. I wasn’t expecting to have any special treatment if that’s what you mean.” – My words are coming out with a hint of that dragon fire that was burning me inside. – “Besides, I won’t be staying for long. I’m sure that will make you extremely happy. I’m already looking for another job. I’ll be out of your hair in no time” – I get up and start leaving. Here I am, shaking again. But this time it’s not fear. It’s disappointment. His very few words stung more than they should.

I almost make it to the door before feeling his hand grabbing my wrist and pulling.

“Jamie. That’s not what I meant” – he stands in front of me blocking my way – “You don’t have to leave.”

“I just came here to tell you that you can start looking for a replacement. I don’t understand why it is that you dislike me so much, but I wouldn’t like to have someone I don’t like imposed on me either. I’ll stay until the end of this week to help you if you need me to.” – I can feel the sting of tears wanting to form, but I try my best not to make it noticeable.

“No, I mean I don’t want you to go.” – he gets closer and cups my cheek in his hand. I close my eyes reveling in his touch letting a stubborn tear fall. I take his hand away and step back wiping my wet face.

“Liam, please, I can’t do this” – I give him a mercy pleading look.

“Jamie, I think we can be perfectly civil. I don’t dislike you, I don’t even know you! What happened in the elevator was a big mistake. I’m sorry for what I did. If you can see past that, so can I. I promise I will never do it again. I’m sure we’ll find a way to work together without ripping each other’s throat. I thought you hated my guts before I found out about what you told my father. I know you covered for me, and you didn’t have to. Thank you.” – he gave me a small smile and squeezed my hand as encouragement. – “Can you at least think about it?”