Matched with my boss

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Daphne

I woke up feeling a familiar warmth beside me, and as I blinked to shake off the sleep, I saw Jake’s face just inches away. His eyes shone softly, full of tenderness that made me smile without even trying. When he noticed I was awake, he seemed surprised, but then he smiled and leaned in to kiss me. It was a gentle, warm kiss, but as soon as our lips met, I felt an electric current run through my body, leaving my knees, quite literally, trembling. Every touch from him seemed to have that effect on me.

“Good morning,” he murmured against my lips, his voice hoarse and filled with warmth that could only come from the night before, making my cheeks warm up.

I laughed softly, savoring that intimate moment before the reality of the day started to settle in.

“Good morning,” I replied, then looked toward the window, noticing the sunlight filtering through the curtains. I raised a hand to my forehead. “What time is it?”

Jake checked his watch and smiled again, as if he knew exactly what he was about to say.

“Fifteen minutes until seven.”

I jumped up, standing as I searched the floor for my scattered clothes.

“I’m going to be late for work!” I exclaimed, laughing a bit as I realized how chaotic I must have looked in that moment.

Jake, however, seemed utterly calm.

“If you want, I can take you,” he offered, his tone warm and serene.

I shook my head, mentally planning how I was going to organize myself to be ready as quickly as possible.

“Don’t worry. I get there fast on my own. Besides, won’t you be late too?”

“No,” he replied, with a knowing smile. “Today, I have a little flexibility.”

I nodded, not thinking too much about it, and headed toward the bathroom. I needed a quick shower to clear my head, to return to reality after what had been such an intense and, at the same time, perfect night. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I almost didn’t hear Jake enter the bathroom.

I turned when I felt his presence, and saw him approaching with a mischievous smile and that spark in his eyes I knew all too well.

“I thought maybe we could save water,” he said, his playful tone making my cheeks flush. “What do you say?”

***

I had already accepted it: I was going to be late, very late. But after indulging in a never-ending shower with Jake, those minutes didn’t seem to matter as much. He surprised me by joining me in the bathroom, with that confident and teasing smile of his. His argument was irrefutable: “saving water together.” And though at first, I felt a mix of surprise and shyness, I soon let myself go, feeling comfortable and free with him, surrounded by steam, the water pouring down, and his hands guiding me with each gentle touch. His closeness, the warmth of his skin under the water, and each shared glance made any rational thought fade far away.

After that experience, I honestly thought I’d just rush to get dressed and try to make up for lost time, but Jake had other plans.

“Let’s have breakfast,” he said, as if it were the simplest suggestion in the world. Then, with a smile that blended tenderness and mischief, he added, “I owe you a good breakfast, Daphne. I’ve drained a lot of your energy all night and this morning, so it’s only fair.”

I looked at him, feigning resignation, but the truth was that I loved his proposal. His insistence, his way of making me feel special, and the fact that he looked at me as if I were the only thing in the world at that moment made me give in. In the end, the café was just across the street from the building, so we wouldn’t be losing too much more time.

We left together, with a silent understanding that was felt in each step. The café we chose was small and cozy, decorated with warm lights and wooden walls. We chose a table by the window, where the sunlight softly streamed in, giving the scene an intimate and perfect feel.

“What are you going to order?” he asked, sliding the menu toward me.

I glanced at it and couldn’t help but smile when I saw the waffle section. I was craving some with fruit and coffee, something simple and comforting.

“I’ll have the waffles with strawberries and whipped cream,” I said, setting the menu aside.

Jake looked at me amused, with that expression that showed he loved noticing every detail, every gesture of mine.

“Good choice,” he replied, nodding. “I think I’ll go for a big omelette and an extra strong coffee. After the night we had, I’m going to need it.”

We laughed together, and as we waited for our breakfast, I was surprised by how easy it was to be with him. There were no awkward silences or rushing, just a strange and beautiful peace that made me want to stretch that moment as long as possible. I had been nervous at first, wondering what would happen between us after last night, but Jake made me feel secure, as if he too wanted to savor every second.

The waiter arrived with our orders, and as he set the plate of waffles in front of me, Jake watched me with a smile.

“I didn’t know you were the kind who ate waffles for breakfast. You’re sweeter than I thought.”

“Oh, believe me,” I replied, cutting a piece and bringing it to my mouth. “I’m only sweet when I want to be.”

He looked at me intensely, with that expression that combined tenderness and mischief.

“I’m falling for you more and more, Daphne,” he said in a low tone, as if he were confessing a secret. The sincerity in his words touched me deeply.

My cheeks flushed, and I couldn’t help but smile. I took a sip of my coffee to cover it up a bit, but I couldn’t hide the happiness I felt.

“Last night was incredible,” he continued, looking at me with an unexpected seriousness. “Honestly, I was afraid of ruining it, of having moved too fast, but now I’m glad I took the risk.”

I looked into his eyes, feeling a warmth that went beyond words.

“I had an amazing time too, Jake. You have no idea how happy I feel,” I replied sincerely. “Thank you for everything.”

Jake smiled, and before I could say anything else, he leaned toward me and kissed me. It was a soft kiss, a gesture that said far more than any words could express. I looked at him and saw in his eyes a spark of emotion, that same spark we had shared all night.

Jake looked at me with that smile that made everything around me disappear. After every bite, he’d find some excuse to lean in and kiss me gently, as if he couldn’t go more than a minute without doing so. I laughed, enjoying the naturalness of those gestures, as if the outside world didn’t exist and it was just the two of us in that little café, wrapped in a bubble that had started the night before.

I sipped my coffee slowly, taking in every sip to observe him. He held his cup between his hands, and his eyes shone with a shared understanding that made me feel more alive, as if there was nowhere else I’d rather be. Jake seemed to read my thoughts because every now and then he’d give me a look that said much more than our words had expressed so far.

“I’m going to miss you the moment we leave here,” he said suddenly, leaning in once more to kiss me.

I let his lips press softly against mine, savoring the moment.

“How do you know I won’t run after you as soon as you leave?” I replied teasingly.

He laughed and shook his head.

“I’m not sure I’d survive that, Daphne. I think last night and this morning have been enough to keep me thinking about you all day.”

I wanted to respond, but I was left speechless. The emotions of the night before and of this breakfast still echoed within me. I didn’t want to let him go, but the clock was ticking, and we both knew the morning had to continue. We stayed silent for a moment, sharing one last look that said far more than we could express in words at that moment.

We finished breakfast between laughs, knowing glances, and a few more kisses. For a moment, we both seemed to resist the passing of time, as if we wanted to stay right there, in that little haven we’d found in the midst of the city.

After one last kiss, we said goodbye. I watched Jake walk away, and a part of me wanted to follow him, to hug him one more time. But I knew I had to go to work. Sighing, I hailed a cab and gave the driver the address of my office. For a moment, I tried to organize my thoughts and focus on what I had to do that day, but my mind kept returning to the night we’d spent, to the connection we’d felt. There was something special about him, something undeniable. Something that made every moment by his side feel like a discovery.

Upon arriving at the office, I was surprised to see Tommy waiting at the entrance with a knowing smile. I knew I probably hadn’t managed to hide my dreamy expression, and that made me blush.

“Well, well, look who decided to show up,” he said playfully, crossing his arms as he studied me with the most mischievous smile. “Three hours late, miss. That must be quite the story!”

“Tommy…” I replied, trying to hold back a smile and failing completely. “Please, don’t start.”

He burst into laughter and wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close as if he were about to tell me the biggest secret in the world

He smiled triumphantly, as if he already knew he would get the whole story. We headed to our respective areas, and as I began to review my tasks, my mind drifted over and over to Jake. It had been an incredible morning, but more than that, it was proof of a connection that went far beyond the physical.