GUARDED

When I get home that night I'm tossing and turning my mind still clouded by the kiss I shared with Mr Stone, the tingling sensation of his lips on mine still lingering. It's almost like I can still feel his strong hands massaging my feet. The excitement I felt just being in his presence as he drove me home was something. The scent of his aftershave and cologne filling the car made me want to pull him in for another kiss.

Stop it Claire. You need to pull yourself together.

If only I could stop the whole thing from replaying in my mind. Why won't my body let me forget what his touch felt like. Why won't I forget how my heart raced when he looked at me. It's like he didn't want me to leave and guess what the feeling was mutual. I'm in trouble when it comes to that man. Sigh.

Cut it out already. This can't continue.

Right. When I see him next I'll have to pretend nothing happened between us. It's not like he wanted to discuss the kiss or whatever. It's clear it meant nothing to him so why waste my time dwelling on it. If I'd let him have his way with me I'd have been heartbroken no doubt about that. I mean we all know the kind of man he is. It's obvious he only wants to bed me nothing more nothing less and the thought makes me sad. I'm not willing to do just about anything to feel that exciting feeling again. That's just not me.

Could it be that he's confused. Should I give him a chance to prove himself. Am I willing to sacrifice my heart just to feel what he made me feel once again. Woah! Hold it right there. Did I say heart I'm talking crazy. It's just too early to feel anything that deep.

But then again how long does it take for someone to fall in love. Goodness this can't be happening. How can a simple kiss trigger all these emotions I feel towards him. We are two people that are attracted to each other and were caught in the moment.

Just stop it Claire. Forget about tonight. You have a boyfriend remember.

Yeah I should just forget all that happened tonight. If only that was easy. Groaning I check the time on my phone and see that it's past midnight. I should stop this nonsense and sleep for real this time.

THE NEXT MORNING...

I sleep till 8am and take my time bathing and getting ready for the day. After the whole fainting episode I'm in no rush to get to work though I have tones of things to do at the office. I'm hoping that by noon I'll be done with everything and come back home and rest like the doctor said. I haven't had much rest lately all thanks to Mr Stone. He had better be done overworking me for no reason or else I'm reporting his behind.

I put on a pair of ripped jeans and white striped crop t-shirt with the words Strong Woman written at the front and matching slippers before heading to the kitchen where I find my mom making breakfast on the stove while dad reads a newspaper.

"Morning mom. Morning dad" I hug my mom and kiss my dad on the cheek.

"Morning honey" mom smiles.

"Hey princess. How have you been?" dad removes his glasses.

"Good good" I grab a piece of toast and take a bite.

"You look pale" mom points out.

"No I'm not" I defend as I take out a coffee mug from the cupboard.

"That's it. I'm gonna come have a chat with that man you work for" dad says through gritted teeth.

"I agree with your father. I didn't even hear you come in yesterday" that's my mom.

"I could lose my job you know" I glance at both my parents before filling my personalized coffee mug with coffee before adding milk.

"What's his name by the way?" dad gives me a straight face.

I know he's serious this time. He doesn't care if I lose my job he just wants what's best for me and I love him for it. Both of them.

"Don't worry about it dad. I know for a fact that yesterday was the last time I'd come home late" I stir my coffee mixing the contents.

"And what makes you so sure?" he crosses his arms over his chest.

"Trust me" smirking I take a sip from my coffee cup burning my lips in the process. Arg stupid coffee.

"She reminds me so much of you" dad chuckles sharing an amused look with my mom.

After having breakfast I feel so full and just want to lay down on my bed and binge on funny videos on YouTube. I'm no comic and as a successful future actress I need to add comedy to my acting skills. Okay fine maybe I just want to crack up and take my mind off my life even just for a few minutes. Instead of doing what I really want to do right now I call a taxi. I had to leave my car on the parking lot back at work since Mr Stone insisted on bringing me home. As I ride a taxi to work I look at my phone when the screen lights up and I see a text from Kace.

KACE: Good morning my love. I'm sorry about going off on you the other day. It's just the thought of losing you makes me act all crazy.

ME: It's cool.

KACE: Say you forgive me he adds a sad face for effect making me smile.

When I remember what I did last night my smile falls. Sighing I put my phone in my rabbit fur shaped backpack. How am I ever going to look Kace in the eye after what I did. I know for a fact that he'll sense something's wrong when he sees me. As an actress I should be able to act innocent but it's different in real life. I don't have the skill to act innocent when I'm guilty.

When I get to work the building is deserted since it's a Saturday, only the security guy is present. I go straight to my office and get to working. Lost in my work my phone rings and my heart speeds up hoping it's not Kace. I'm so not ready to talk to him. I smile on seeing Jeanie's name flash on the screen.

"Hey girrrllll" I giggle.

"Giiiirrrrrl. It's Saturday what's up" her tone matches mine.

I guess her bubbly personality is rubbing off on me. Look how bold I was when I was talking to Mr Stone last night. The real me wouldn't have had the guts to call him out on his claim that he's attracted to me. I've dated enough guys to know that they'll say just about anything when they want their way with you. They'd even promise you the world as if they own it.

"Sorry hon. I'm working but tomorrow I'll be available just for you you can count on that" I promise. Anything to avoid Kace.

"I just can't with Mr Pebbles seriously" she groans.

Mr Pebbles is her nickname for Mr Stone. I don't know how she manages to come up with all the nicknames seriously. You won't guess what she calls Kace. He goes by Cute Cutie. Kace is not cute but straight out good looking but when Jeanie has made up her mind facts can't do nothing to change it.

After both of us are done complaining about how Mr Stone is a horrible boss that pays good money and making plans for tomorrow we hang up. Remembering that I brought yummy cookies I take them out of my backpack and munch on them. Good thing I have lots of snacks today can't risk a repeat of last night.

By mid afternoon I'm done with everything. I email Mr Stone informing him that I've printed the stuff he said he wanted urgently and he emails me back instructing me to bring it to his place with his address attached to it.

What! Oh no no no no. He can't be serious. I wasn't planning on seeing his face till Monday. Couldn't he like wait till then. I wouldn't know how to act. This will be an extremely awkward meeting I can feel it.

Okay here's the plan when I get there I'll hand him the file at the door then leave. That way things won't be too awkward between us. Besides it's not like I'm his guest that he should invite me into his home or whatever. I'm just his secretary nothing more. It was just a meaningless kiss.

With the file in my hand I take the elevator to the garage and drive to the pharmacy for my prescription and grab myself my favorite minty chocolate bar while there. Within minutes I'm back on the road munching on my chocolate bar like it's my last meal. I'm that nervous.

I park outside the building that matches the address Mr Stone emailed me which looks sort of like a hotel. Seriously why is he here. He better not think because he spent money I'd even consider sleeping with him.

He should have asked the guys I dated before wasting money booking a hotel room.

I make my way to the receptionist behind the counter.

"Good day ma'am. I'm here to see Mr Stone" I smile at the lady behind the counter.

"Do I know you?" the receptionist stands there with a surprise look on her face.

"Perhaps. I'm Claire Nichole Miller. I work for Mr Stone" I tap my foot impatiently.

I want to leave this place as in yesterday and her making small talk is making the process way longer than it should be.

"You sure you just work for him?" scowling she looks me up and down. Is, she serious right now.

"Positive" I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

It wouldn't be a surprise hearing that he's bedded her too. I really have no business involving myself with a womanizer.

"Okay then. Go in he's expecting you" she says when I'm done signing my name.

I bet he is waiting for me. I wonder what he has planned when I get there. It better not involve him tempting me.