Beyond Temptation

Chapter 6

Home is what I really need right now.

I don’t understand why I was that emotional. What a train wreck! But what I said was real. All this is getting really complicated. It shouldn’t be that way. I am supposed to be happy with this amazing job opportunity, but somehow, I haven’t been able to focus on it at all.

I don’t normally drink, but today I need to relax. I take a long warm shower and after that, decide to open a bottle of red wine. Just a small cup already makes me feel looser.

My phone rings and I can feel the wine when I get up to answer.

“Hello.” – I don’t hear anything on the other side, and I don’t know the number – “Hello?”

“Hi, Jamie? It’s Liam. Liam Dornier.”

“Liam? Is everything ok? – why would he be calling me this late?

“Hum, yes everything is fine, thank you” – he sounds tense, it’s not normal since he’s always very sure of himself.

“It’s nine-thirty it’s strange that you’re calling so late.”

“Hum… Verten’s project supervisor just called to see if we can meet tomorrow at the construction site. I was wondering if you were free for an update session tonight. We really need to nail it tomorrow. We need to be in sync and you still don’t know much about it.” – well that’s sudden.

“Why me? Don’t you have a team full of people that already know the project inside and out?” – it’s strange that he wants me to be at that meeting. AD has so many people on this project, why should I be the one to go?

“I do, but none of them is my project manager, now are they Miss Harden?” – what? Project manager? I’m the project manager? I went silent – “Oh right, we didn’t get to discuss all of this. We hired you to be a project manager, my right hand. This means that at least until you hand in your letter of resignation you are stuck with me. So, are you free?” – I’m completely lost for words.

“Y…yes, I’m free.”– I stuttered. I should have said no, s**t!

“Well, AD is closed for the night, but I have the hard copies of the project at my place. I have a small office and we can work there.” – I’m starting to second guess all of this. Going to his place is like going straight into a mousetrap.

“Hum… A-a-are y-you sure…” – I don’t really know how to say this without implying that he has second intentions, and if it’s not the case it’s just completely embarrassing.

“Jamie! It’s JUST work. I keep my promises. Send me your location and I’ll get Carl, AD’s driver to pick you up in ten minutes” – His voice is so commanding, not leaving any room for discussion.

“Hum… I might need more than ten minutes. I wasn’t ready to leave the house.” – I’ve taken all my makeup off, I’m in my underwear only and I’m kind of feeling the effects of the alcohol. This is bad. I should just say I can’t go.

“Just throw something comfortable on. We will be working until pretty late, for sure. See you in a few minutes.” – He didn’t even let me speak. He just hung up.

I run to my room and put on a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. I comb my hair into a messy bun and put some very light makeup on. It will have to do.

My doorbell rings. It’s Carl. Already? I grab my leather jacket and my handbag and leave. Those were the shortest ten minutes of my life! I get in the car and my hands immediately start sweating. It’s a short ride, and we quickly arrive at what I think is Liam’s place. The driver tells me to ring number 1052 and that Liam’s apartment was on the 10th floor.

When I get to the building, the door is already open, so I go in and head to the elevator to go up. I shiver. Being in these things really gets me nervous if I wasn’t nervous enough already. When the doors finally open on the 10th floor I exhale heavily and try to calm down. I look for number 1052 and take a deep breath before knocking.

I wasn’t at all prepared for what I was about to see. Liam opened the door, just in a pair of black sweatpants and no shirt. My eyes widened and I felt my mouth slowly drop. This man is gorgeous in every way. My eyes were locked on his abs.

“Good evening Miss Harden.” – that snaps me out of my daze, the way he says my name just feels so full of bad intentions. I immediately blush and look up at his face instead. Oh, this was such a bad idea!

“Good evening Liam. Is this how you greet all your guests?” – I motion with my hand up and down and raise a cocky brow referring to his lack of a shirt.

“Oh, sorry. I just got out of the shower and thought it was the pizza guy.” – he turns to go get a shirt and I can’t help but notice how good his ass looks in those pants. His back is perfectly toned, and those dimples just above his ass are out of this world. Stop drooling. – “Come on in, make yourself comfortable”

I go in and close the door behind me. I look around and find that his place is nothing like I would possibly imagine. I thought he would have a super expensive penthouse just next to central park. I’m sure he and his family are extremely wealthy. But it’s actually much simpler, in a much less exclusive part of town. It’s still big and very well furnished, but much more modest than I would expect.

He took a little longer to put on a shirt than necessary, I think, but when he comes back he’s wearing a black t-shirt that clings to him, outlining his perfect body, I have to force myself to look away.

“Again, I’m sorry, I thought you would ring from downstairs. I wasn’t expecting you to be here already. Would you like anything to drink?”

“Just water please.” – no way I’m drinking anything else. I’m still feeling the small buzz from the glass of wine I had at home.

“I’m sorry if I interrupted anything when I called.” – he hands me the glass of water and sits on the couch opposite from mine.

“No, nothing. I haven’t been here long enough to have plans or friends for that matter.”

“So, you’re not from New York?”

“No, I just arrived two weeks ago. I’m from Jacksonville, Oregon.”

“Wow, you’re far from home. That’s way on the west side! What made you come so far out?”

“Many things actually. The most important one being opportunities like this one, to be able to do what I love. And being independent and myself without having to justify any of my choices. I can’t really do that back there.” – this is quite a sensitive subject for me, and I know he senses how uncomfortable I’m getting.

“Well, part one is achieved. You should be proud of that” – he smiles some sort of a comforting smile, trying to ease off my anxiety.

“It’s a great opportunity, no doubt about that, and believe me when I say I am truly grateful for it, but I’m not sure it’s my place to be. It feels too complicated. I don’t know how to explain.” – I don’t want to tell him it’s because he makes me feel funny things and that I haven’t had the chance to think about anything else but him.

“That’s all my fault, and I’m sorry for being such a jerk. All my animosity was misdirected, believe me. You were just the one in my aiming sight, and I wrongly took it out on you. On the contrary to what you think, I do like you.” – I blush slightly to the sound of that – “I would hate to know that you left your dream job because of the stupid s**t I did. Can you find it in you to forgive me?”

“Mr. Dornier, if I didn’t know any better, I would think you are trying to convince me to stay.” – I say, in a mocking tone.

“Maybe. You’ll never know” – He winks and takes a big gulp out of the beer bottle he’s holding.

“So, let’s get this meeting ready and sweep Verten off their feet tomorrow so I can keep it, shall we?” – He gives me a huge smile that reaches his eyes. He looks so different like this like he might actually have a heart.

We spend the next three and a half hours eating pizza with beer while talking about the project, studying the construction site, and all the details, and I can see Liam’s passion for what he does. I can’t say I heard every little thing he said because the image of his devilish perfect abs, keeps popping in my head. How can he be so perfect?

My eyes were stuck on that V of muscles ending in sin city. His Adonis’s belt is to die for. Back in school, they used to call them the c*m gutters, but I had never seen any up close and personal. Damn! His were just asking me to run my tongue down them and see where they end. The big bulge under his sweatpants told me I would be in for a big surprise. Big being the right word. He has a tattoo running down his left side just under his arm, and another one on his right forearm, giving him an even more sexy dangerous look.

I knew I shouldn’t have had those beers with the pizza! Just shake it out, Jamie!

My knees were a little wobbly from the beer and I felt the usual sting in my p***y I always have when I drink. But way worse today. It might not be just the alcohol’s fault.

We finished up work and Liam brought out some Port wine to celebrate the fact that I’ve decided to stay at AD.

“Miss Harden… to you and your dream job” – he lifts his glass clinging it with mine. We both take a sip. The liqueur is sweet and absolutely delicious. I had never tasted Port wine before, and by the way it’s going straight to my head and heating my cheeks it must have quite a high percentage of alcohol in it. It’s immediately making me feel loose and more chatty than I would like. I pour a little bit more in my glass and sit on the couch where Liam is already sitting, with my feet tucked under me. I take a small sip and close my eyes savoring it and tilting my head back as the sweet taste hits my tongue and it burns its way through my throat.

“Liam?” – I still had my eyes shut and my bottom lip between my teeth – “why did you kiss me the other day?” – He almost spat out his drink. He wasn’t expecting that question, that’s for sure. I wasn’t either, to be honest. I make a mental note to never drink around him again. This is a dangerous road I am going down.

“Hum… well… hum, I guess…” – he was fighting to find the right words, completely caught off guard. He pauses before resuming – “If I recall correctly, you were kissing me back and quite harshly too.” – I blush a little, but I don’t let it go.

“You didn’t answer my question” – now I’m looking straight into his eyes, to find whatever truth I’m seeking.

“I don’t think I have an answer for that. I can’t deny that you’re damn sexy and seeing you with nothing but your bra earlier had made me want to do it right there. I guess it was bottled up. But like I said, I’m good to keep my promises.” – what if I don’t want him to keep his promise? What if I want to feel his lips and his touch every day? Just the thought alone is making me burn between my thighs. I squeeze them hard together to try and calm the feeling. His voice interrupts my thoughts. – “Besides, I’m sure your boyfriend wouldn’t appreciate it happening again.” – I know what he's doing, but I can play that game too.

“I don’t have a boyfriend if that’s what you are trying to find out. And I’m just asking because it was really strange. I’ve never had anyone kiss me that way before” – Why the hell did I feel the need to tell him that?

“What? I don’t think I believe that!”

“You can believe it, it’s true.”

“Why wouldn’t you have had….OH!” – his eyes are wide, and he comes closer to me like he’s sharing a secret and he whispers – “Are you a virgin Miss Harden?” – I can’t believe he just asked me that, and there he comes again with the “Miss Harden” s**t. It makes me jolt right down there.

“Not that it’s none of your business, but no. I am not. I’ve had s*x once.” – what a shitty choice of words. What has he given me? Truth serum?

“Once? Well, well, I am shocked. I would have never taken you for such an experienced woman after the way you kissed me back.” – he mocked me and I blush so much I must be looking like a red pepper right now. I am already regretting starting this conversation. –“If I think about it, that means you just lost your virginity and nothing else! Why is that?” – Ok, time to end this conversation.

“I think that’s not quite the type of conversation people normally have with their bosses, Mr. Dornier.” – hopefully this will be enough for him to take the hint and just let it go.

“I’m the closest you have to a friend right now, and I’m curious. Humor me.”

I gulp the rest of my drink, I need it all and them some if I’m going to open this pandora box. I tell him about it, about John, and that it was just a way to get over with the subject. Prince charmings, carriages, and white horses are never real. So weren’t my expectations for a perfect first time. Doing the deed, like pulling off a band-aid, quick and suddenly seemed like the best way to get it over with. It didn’t really spark any kind of desire to repeat it.

“Well, Miss Harden, you definitely need someone to show you how it’s really done so that you know exactly what it is that you’re missing out on.” – That devilish grin is making me completely soaked along with all the possibilities in what he is saying.

“Like I said. I haven’t been here for long. Maybe in time, I’ll find someone up to do just that”

“Let me know when you do, will you?” – breath Jamie, breath.

We carry on talking into the night, and I find that away from everything and everyone, it’s really easy to talk to him. He doesn’t judge me for what I say or think and it’s easy to share things that I normally wouldn’t.

I feel someone stroking my arm and calling my name. I slowly open my eyes and realize that I’ve fallen asleep at Liam’s house.

“Hey there, Sleeping beauty. We need to be at the site in a little over an hour. You can take a shower if you want.” – he hands me a coffee mug while I nervously try to smooth out my hair that must look like a rat’s nest. – “Don’t worry, you still look beautiful” – I blush and give him a small slap on his arm.

“Are you still drunk Mr. Dornier?”

“No. Wide awake, sober and my vision is perfect” – he chuckles and gets up from his kneeling position.

“Well, I have to run. I can’t go looking like this. I’ll meet you there ok?” – I frantically start gathering my stuff, putting my shoes on, and looking for my phone, while I say – “Liam, thank you again. I had a great time last night. I needed a friend. Now I really have to run. See you just know, bye.” – I kiss him and run to the door to leave.

I start to mentally list all the things I need to do before I leave for work when the sound of the door slamming behind me snaps me out of my own head. OOOOHHH NOO! Holy s**t what have I done?

I had just, instinctively, unknowingly, stupidly given my boss, Liam Dornier a peck on the lips goodbye!