Chapter 9: Deeper Questions Unanswered

The sun sits behind puffy white morning clouds as we pull into a parking space labeled "Head of Special Research, Allie Demarco." The colorful balloons I blew up last night still float around the sign, the wind gently swaying them from side to side. I look at her wonder-filled eyes as Allie puts the car in park and shuts off the engine, turning towards me. "Did you set all this up?"

"I may have had a hand in the balloon blowing." I nod, a sly smile spreading.

"How does Zelia feel about all this?"

It catches me off guard and my stomach drops a little at her words. It never crossed my mind what she would think. I just wanted Allie to feel special. Is this too much? Did I overstep again?

"I mean, I just don't want you getting in trouble for giving me any special treatment.” She fumbles. “I can do the job without all the extra glitz and glamor. Really, I—"

Her rambling is starting to get to me. Where was the confident girl I knew in high school? "Allie, I did all of this because I wanted you to feel welcomed at Ocean Tech." I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. Yelling is not going to help this situation. "When I first started here, the board was demeaning and judgmental about my age as the new vice president. They eventually chalked up my successes to my father's military status and Harvard's training. I guess they made themselves feel better with a lie." I shake my head. "What I mean is, I never want you to feel like you don't belong here."

"But I don't belong here."

"What makes you so sure of that?" I look at her as those beautiful brown pools fill with tears. "You have done nothing but prove your worth since the moment you stepped into the office." A tear spills over and I stroke her cheek, wiping it away with hesitation. "I think you're right where you need to be."

She shies away from my touch. "Why have you been so nice to me? I mean, I'm not complaining. Having a new car and an office with a view is more than I had hoped for when I first accepted this position. But I can't help but shake the feeling that there is more to this. Like this is your way of making up for something…"

My heart nearly stops beating altogether. Does she mean when I left her? There’s no way she still remembers that. There was no way she still felt the same way. This was too much for the morning. I take a deep breath and sigh it out before taking a chance and grabbing both of her hands. "Allie, I don't know what is going on in that brilliant brain of yours, but I am not doing anything that I don't want to do. Zelia may be my girlfriend, but she doesn't own me. I pride myself on the fact that I go off of my instinct. When something just doesn't sit right, I have to make it right. It's who I am."

I want her to understand where we stand, even if part of it is a lie. But what am I supposed to do? Drop everything because Allie has walked back into my life? Fat chance. Love was not what billionaires based their financial choices on. And I plan on staying a billionaire no matter what. "I'm sorry." She flushes. "I'm not trying to sound ungrateful. I guess I'm just not used to kindness. I always feel like there's a trap door waiting for me if I take a handout."

I can’t help myself. I gently turn her chin to face me. "Do not mistake my kindness as charity," I nearly growl. "Charity is for the weak who don't know how to defend themselves. You, Allie Demarco, are not weak." I drop her chin and grip her small hands tightly in mine. "I know that Zelia was a bit jarring with her words yesterday, but never once in our short time together have I or will ever consider you the help. You are my partner. I can't do this without you, Allie."

I want to kiss her. Feel the sensation of her soft lips as her tongue swirls with mine. Once I get a taste of her, I won’t be able to stop. I’ve already stepped over the line once. What’s the harm in leaning in again? Her face flushes deeper as I release her hands, a small smile playing on my lips as I resist temptation. "For better or worse, I have gotten to this point of my life relying on my gut. And I'm not stopping now." She nods silently as I grab my briefcase and open the passenger door. "I have to head to a meeting, but I'll see you later in the office. Partner."

The air is already growing humid as I walk through the lot towards Ocean Tech. Partner. It’s been a while since I was able to call someone that. Feels nice. The lobby is empty and I’m relieved to have the elevator to myself. My mind is a mess after that drive and the last thing I wanted to do was make small talk. I’m soon back on the fourteenth floor and cross the hallway in an easy stride. Just have to grab a quick charger and then I’ll be off to the 12th floor for that meeting on eco-pens. I throw open the door to my office to find Zelia sitting on my desk, legs swinging back and forth.

“You’re late this morning.” She raises an eyebrow at me, fingers playing under her skirt.

“Had some car trouble,” I shrug, giving her a quick kiss before walking to the opposite side of the desk. I open up the drawer and her legs wrap around my waist. “Where’s the fire? VP?”

A chill of pleasure runs down my spine as she rubs her pelvis against my pants, my desire growing with every stroke and whiff of p*ssy.

“Mmm, Zelia,” I moan, getting lost in the sensation. Maybe a quick one before I leave. I let Zelia’s hands wander and start unbuttoning my jacket. The elevator dings and my eyes shoot open. Allie.