The Vampire's Sweet Secret

Chapter 5: Desperate

-Everly-

I couldn’t say what it was about her. There was just something that drew me in, and when she looked at me with those clear blue eyes, like the sky, I felt myself forgetting for a moment where I was. But then her scent turned sweeter, and I realized the wolf had gotten aroused all of a sudden. Not that it surprised me.

I had had that reaction from many as they simply gazed at me, but when I smelled her arousal, I was ready to get out of my chair and get her up on my desk, before I spread her legs wide and tasted the source directly.

I had to quickly snap myself out of it because this was not how you behaved at a job interview. I had to be professional, but as I took in another deep breath, I scented something else. Something I had been completely distracted from because she had smelled so good.

She was pregnant. Sh*t! I thought. I knew I shouldn’t mix business and pleasure, but if I never hired her, then I didn’t have to. I hoped to end the interview soon, so I could have her for myself, but if she was pregnant, then she was not available. I couldn't see a mark on her because the blazer was covering her shoulders, and I couldn't smell any other person on her.

She smelled like a lone wolf, but I didn’t want to overstep. If she was pregnant, I bet she wasn’t looking for a quick one-night stand either. However, as I thought about a simple night with her, I suddenly felt greedy. I didn’t want just one night, which was very confusing. While I, of course, had fun with the same woman many times and been in a few serious relationships, I felt almost angry at the thought that this one might leave my bed, and that I would have to share her with someone else out there.

What was the matter with me? I wondered. I tried to keep myself distracted throughout her interview, so I could get her out of there before I lost my mind, but I found myself amused by her and only more intrigued.

Pull yourself together, Everly! I scolded internally. But the more I conversed with her, listening to her delicate voice, the more I wanted this interview to continue. There was something crucial I needed to discuss with her, related to the job I was offering her—or at least, that’s what I told myself.

In reality, I wanted to know if she was involved with someone else. It hadn’t necessarily deterred me in the past from pursuing the unavailable, but I had matured and changed, and I didn’t want to tarnish my reputation. After all, I was the boss now. No one was above me. But there was something more to it as well. I didn’t want to show disrespect to her. What made her so special?

“You’d be going on maternity leave in a few months,” I mentioned.

Calliope looked down, clearly hoping I wouldn’t bring it up, but how could I ignore it? Though she might not be far along, the sweet scent of her pregnancy lingered.

“How could I possibly hire someone who would be leaving so soon?” I queried.

“I-I didn’t really plan to...”

“To keep it?”

“N-No. I mean yes. I mean, I didn’t plan on taking any leave,” she stumbled over her words, stealing a glance at me.

“And just give birth here in the office?” I quipped, trying to inject some levity into the conversation.

Calliope didn’t find my attempt at humor amusing and instead appeared saddened. There was an obvious cloud of melancholy surrounding her, something that seemed unrelated to my question.

“Calliope?” I prompted.

“You’re my only chance,” she whispered.

“What?” I was taken aback.

As she looked up, I saw a glimpse of someone who seemed almost broken. What on earth was going on?

“No one else will hire me, and I really need the job,” she confided.

The emphasis she put on “need” made me realize she was truly struggling. I wasn’t sure if she was facing eviction or some other dire circumstance, but it stirred a sense of sympathy within me. Normally, I wouldn’t be affected this way. I was a shark in my own right, and “it’s just business” was practically my mantra. But for some reason, I couldn’t help but feel for her.

“I see. Can you tell me why?” I inquired.

Calliope appeared to ponder for a moment before placing her hand on her stomach.

“Because I am pregnant,” she admitted. “And if I don’t get this job, then I can’t feed my child.”

F*ck, that was a powerful card to play. But more importantly, did it mean she was the sole provider?

“You don’t have anyone else?” I probed.

She shook her head.

“What about the father?” I asked delicately.

“Dead,” she replied flatly.

“Oh. Um, I’m sorry to hear that,” I offered my condolences.

She shook her head again.

“We didn’t get along well,” she explained. “I just want to focus on me and my child now, and this job could help us so much.”

She looked at me with a mixture of desperation and hope, and suddenly, I felt cornered. I’d never allowed myself to be swayed like this before. What was it about her that affected me so deeply? What kind of hold did she have over me? Was she just an ordinary wolf? But if the father wasn’t in the picture...

No, get a grip, Everly! She just told you her child’s father is dead, and all you can think about is that there’s no obstacle between you and getting her into bed. You’re better than that. The poor thing is clearly desperate! My voice of reason was often good at taking a step back and not ruining my fun, but with this one, it spoke so loudly.

I knew I would be the worst person on earth if I took advantage of her. I would be even worse if I sent her away just to avoid mixing business and pleasure. No, I had to put my own feelings away, try to ignore the powerful effect she had on me, and focus on the person in front of me so I could make my decision.

“I am truly a hard worker,” she assured me. “And if I get this job, I will be so eternally grateful and prove to you over and over, just how thankful.”

Goddess, what was this wolf doing to me? Was this the start of a porno? No, focus, I scolded myself. It was not that kind of gratitude she was talking about. I cleared my throat and shook my head, trying to get back into professional mode.

“Listen, Calliope,” I began.

Calliope looked at me with such big eyes that spoke of her desperation, and the words I wanted to say, which was ‘I can’t hire you’, simply wouldn’t leave my lips. I swear I tried, but somehow those were not the words that came out of my mouth, “You’re... hired.”

“I am?”

What the f*ck did I just do? I sat there stunned for a moment, replaying the words in my mind, not sure how the hell it had happened, but now I had suddenly hired her! I wasn’t sad at all, as I thought I would be, or angry with myself, because when I saw Calliope smile like that, then it was all worth it. When did I get so soft?

“Oh, thank you, thank you!” she repeated.

“I am taking a chance here on you, Miss Grey,” I reminded her, trying to make it clear to her that from here on, it would only be a professional relationship. But I did it more for myself, really. The wolf might have had a strong reaction to me earlier, but it could easily just be hormones or a reaction to someone she found attractive. It did not mean she wanted me, and I should not want her.

“Of course, I understand. I am just so happy, Miss Colt. I will not let you down!” she vowed.

“Just Everly.” Why did I say that? Did I not just try to make it clear we were only colleagues?

“Oh, uh…”

“But Miss Colt is just fine,” I backtracked.

Calliope was smiling one big smile as she stood up, and I did too. I reached out with my hand, but I barely got a chance to reach very far before she took my hand and shook it up and down, up and down.

“Thank you!” she exclaimed.

I couldn’t help but smile as well. She was a funny one, this little wolf, and she definitely knew how to make my head go crazy. When was the last time I had such a strong reaction to someone?

“You won’t regret it,” she promised as she let go of me.

“Make sure I don’t.”

She nodded, and I followed her over to the door. As I walked beside her, there was just something very right about it. I couldn’t explain it, but she was somehow meant to walk beside me.

“Have a good day,” she said as I opened and held the door for her. Why did I hold the door for her?

“You too,” I replied. “I will see you next Monday.”

Calliope nodded and then continued to walk down the office, almost skipping all the way to the elevator. It was quite adorable. I shook my head, telling myself I was crazy, as I went back to work.