Knuckle Up

Red Signature Heels

I couldn’t stop memories from flowing into my mind from last night’s dream and how I dreamt about Jared making love to me that it almost felt like I was watching an adult-rated film. He did things to me that made me cross my legs tighter to keep the awareness from flowing.

In my dreams, Jared kissed my doubt away. His lips left a trail of goosebumps. His voice was crisp as my name travelled over my skin and the soft puff of his breath tickling the loose strands of hair on my neck. My legs were wrapped around his muscular torso. Our bodies brush against one another in a lustful sensation. My hands were all over his chest, brushing and kneading his muscles. Our lips met—my hums muzzled by his tongue sweeping against mine.

“Sabrina,” I lifted my gaze at Jared’s voice. My dream fell away as the room came into view. I was at work. In the conference room filled with Jared’s associates while my mind kept reaching for last night’s fantasy dream.

Jared arched an eyebrow when I sat there mind-scrambling around for answers to what Jared asked me. I looked at the papers seated on my lap and remembered we were talking about Jared’s new idea to help fighters. He was getting in help to focus on what his fighters wanted and their needs.

I handed Jared the file as I guessed he was asking for it. “You, alright?” Jared softly asked taking the file from me.

“Yeah, I am good,” I nodded my head and went back to my seat.

I tried to keep my focus on Jared and take notes while fighting off my daydreaming. I was the first one out of the office when the meeting finally got dismissed. I headed straight for my desk to start typing the notes to have them done before lunch.

Jared took a while before he returned from the office and made it crystal clear that he wanted to know why I blacked out in there but didn’t come over to my desk to start with the questions. Instead. He stepped inside his office.

It gave me some breathing space and help me focus on the task at hand. I got my work done and headed inside Jared’s office to hand him the file so I can go on lunch. Jared was seated behind his desk—hands occupied with the keyboard keys and his gaze focused on the screen.

I was planning on placing the file down on his desk and then gliding out of his office but when he lifted his head—I knew I wasn’t going anywhere. His gaze was burning with questions and I almost moaned at the thought of him keeping me here to question me.

“I am just heading out to get some lunch, do you want me to get you something?” I took a step back hoping I can get myself out of this awkward conversation about to happen.

“What are you getting?” He asked taking his hands off the keyboard and moving back in his chair.

I lifted my shoulders unsure of what I will be getting. “No, idea,”

He smiled at me and got to his feet. “I’ve got something in mind,” I watched him grab his car keys and I was too late to conceal my groan.

He looked at me. Amusement blazing wildly in his eyes. “You have an opinion you like to share?”

“I am not someone who usually gets affected by other people’s opinions but I would really hate for my workplace to turn into a gossip room,” I don’t want people to start thinking that Jared and I were having an affair.

“It’s already one,” He observed and showed he had no intention of caring about office gossip.

“And it doesn’t bother you?” I still asked even though it was evident, that he didn’t.

“No, why should it?”

I shrugged. “That depends on what people are gossiping about,” I noted.

Jared took a step closer and I felt the air crackling between us—our bodies reacting to the sparks they were igniting. “It’s not worth mentioning and it shouldn’t bother you,”

“I am a woman. Working for you. Spending late nights in your office, eating pizza and talking about stuff that doesn’t involve work. I can imagine what they will be gossiping about,” I’ve already seen their stares and heard their whispers even when they think I can’t hear them talk.

“You’ve earned your spot as my work wife—seemingly that you’ve worked harder than anyone I know to get this far and experienced with the work you do. Don’t forget, Sabrina. You started out here long before any of them. You were just a kid giving a man’s simple idea a chance and my plan worked out. I should be the one thanking you for all the things you’ve given up to stand by my side. That’s why I don’t pay attention to their gossip. You are my iron lady,” He was oozing with confidence and I kind liked it.

“Work wife? I don’t remember signing a contract agreeing to be your submissive wife,” I only teased.

“I will never ask of you to submit to me. I am not part of that culture, Sabrina,” Jared said it like we are actually discussing our feelings. I could be wrong but the determined look in his eye told a completely different story.

“Not like I will submit to anyone,” I will never settle for a man who treats me like an object or for his needs. I am too wild for that and had a father who mistreated me. I’ve learned from the empty, hurt feeling and will never settle for it ever again.

“And I don’t doubt it,” He was getting close. So close that I can smell his cologne—it was the smell I got addicted to over the years. It was soft—it doesn’t overpower your senses and it definitely wants you to take one extra whiff as he passes you by.

“Are we going to grab lunch or stand here wasting valuable time?” He asked opening his office door.

I bit back a remark and decided to go out with him to lunch since it wouldn’t be the first time, we will grab lunch together. “Oh, wait. Hold on a minute,” Jared suddenly exclaimed and turned back. He slipped into his office and took a while before returning. He was carrying a shoe box.

“What’s this?” I asked when he held out to me.

“Shoes,” He answered picking up the lid and revealing the most beautiful and expensive red high heels.

I couldn’t conceal a chuckle even if I tried. I reached inside the box and pulled out one high heel. “They are beautiful,” I complimented.

“J.J said you will love them. He knows a bit about shoes and I felt bad that you broke the heel of your favourite shoe. I do kind of miss you wearing your red high heels,” I didn’t ponder on how he just admitted to finding me appealing by wearing my signature heels.

“How doesn’t this make people assume things?” I asked picking up the second heel from the box and resting my butt against the desk to slip off my heels to replace them with my two new ones.

“I wanted to buy you a punching bag, some gloves and maybe a few sparring mats for your new apartment but you know, J.J,”

J.J is Jared’s younger brother who has been gay for his whole life and Jared never showed any disapproval of his brother’s choices. He has supported J.J and fought with him when people had something nasty to say about them.

“I would have loved a punching bag but I do love the heels,” They were comfy and damn sexy. “I should really pay you back for them,”

Jared shook his head. “See it as a thank you gift or a bonus for helping me out late at night while the rest of the employees go home to be with their family,”

I almost said that I have no one to return to but I kept my mouth shut. “Why, Jared? Why are you doing all of this for me?”

He shrugged. “Because I can,”

I wanted to object to his remark but it would be kinder of me to accept his well-intended gesture. “Thank you,”

He nodded his head. “Now we are really running short on time,” He tapped his watched and gestured for me to follow.

I grabbed my handbag and followed him to the elevator with a few eyes following us out of the building.

Would I have been holding back if my life was different? Or would I have taken a chance to let Jared in and do things with him that everyone was gossiping about? Would I have had the courage to see the romantic feelings he has for me or would I still be guessing like I am doing now?

“So, how is practice going?” Jared asked walking beside me and placing a hand on my back to help me keep up with him.

“If you want to know if I am surviving getting beaten up, then my answer is, yes,” I’ve got bruises on top of bruises and I barely make it home just to crash on my bed.

“Can I be at your fight or is that another boundary I will be crossing?” I looked at him not knowing where this question was coming from.

“Have you been talking to my coach again?” I questioned.

Jared looked as if I insulted him. “No, why would you ask that?”

I felt as if I had hit a nerve. “Boundaries are important to me. They keep reality apart from the fantasy and they keep me on the right track,”

“Look, Sabrina. I know how secretive you have been and I do respect your privacy. As an agent and as a friend, I would like to support your ambition because I believe you’ve got what it takes to become the next Alexandra Anderson,”

I smiled at him. “It’s Alexandra Cane now and you forget her daughter is the one I have to beat to become the next champion,”