Page 16 of Grace
I watch as he stands, shaking my head slowly. “Yes, I’m just… maybe, but I—”
“I need you by my side,” he says clearly. “I need all of you here and focused.”
He inches closer. His finger hooks under my chin, and he tilts my head, forcing me to stare into his intense blue eyes.
A shiver teases my spine, and he nods as if my shaking confirms it. “Go home.”
“I don’t have PTO for five more weeks,” I whisper.
“I’m telling you to go home. Sleep, hydrate, do what you need to do so you’ll be in good shape for me tomorrow,” he insists.
“Yeah. I’m just… a little off,” I whisper.
“And I want you better. Should I send soup to your apartment?” he presses. “Have a taxi take you to the doctor?”
“N–No. I’ll… I’ll take care of myself,” I promise.
“Grace,” he says softly, despite something dark and dangerous playing in his stare, “letmetake care of you.”
Warmth crawls under my skin as my breath shallows. “I’ll do it. I’ll go home, just like you said. I promise. I’ll come back tomorrow focused and ready to go,” I say.
“Good,” he says as his touch lingers, and I stay rooted on the spot. A shy smile crosses his features as he drops his hand. The heat simmers, my body cools, and it keeps cooling as I grab my things and walk to the elevator.
By the time I get home, I feel somewhat fine. My cheeks still burn as I can’t fully let go of what has happened.
I sigh and head to the bathroom, needing a cold shower, to chug some ice water, and get my shit together. That’s all. So that’s what I do. I squeak as I get in the shower, hating the cold water, but I need it. I need a punishment for dropping the ball at work.
When I can’t stand it anymore, I turn off the faucet. My body is shaking as I grab a towel and wrap myself up. I down a whole glass of ice water, then linger in the kitchen just in my towel until I remember what Daniel said about the meal he wants.
It’s something to do, and it’ll stop me from thinking about porn, abouthimand all the things he makes me feel. So, I get dressed and get to work, quickly buying all the necessities at the grocery store, and then I work on each bit of the meal, cutting, chopping, cooking, compiling. It’s clear.
Each step has clear, definitive steps that I can follow. They build on one another. Every part of the meal gives me a little relief, drops more stress from my shoulders. I’m only hot because of the stove. I’m bathed in the scents of bacon and sauerkraut. Once the meal is finished, I feel restless. I want more to do.
So I scrub every dish, clean up any spillage, then package the food. I consider leaving some for Ashley, but we haven’t really talked about things like that and I have no idea what she likes.
Exhaling, I finish bagging the Tupperware and glance at the clock. It’s after five. I feel better, feel like my normal self, and I know that Daniel has a meeting at seven. Bosses shouldn’t have to stay so late, and he was so kind today, again, and this meal is best hot.
That’s all it takes for me to get in my car and head to the office.
I take the elevator up, trying to ignore the quiet that I’m not used to. The elevator dings, and I walk onto the empty floor. Allthe cubicles are empty, and the only light on the floor comes from Daniel’s office.
Nibbling my bottom lip, I walk forward, trying to tell myself to stay calm and prove I can do something right. I gently knock on the door, hoping that I’m not interrupting. I swallow whatever’s left of my concern when the door opens.
“I told you to go home,” he says darkly.
I hold up a bag, my cheeks burning. “And I owed you lunch.”
His eyes flick from the bag to me, and a soft smile plays on his lips. “You do look better.”
“I feel better,” I agree before kicking myself. This is such an awkward conversation. I want to be done with it as soon as physically possible. “You were right. I just needed a moment. So, I relaxed and cooked, and this is best fresh and hot, not refrigerated.”
He hesitates. “I can’t say you’re wrong.”
“When it comes to food, I’m rarely wrong,” I say, mildly proud of myself.
Daniel chuckles. “Pride looks good on you, Grace. Come in.”
As I edge past him, the warmth of his form seeps into mine and I shamelessly inhale, letting his cologne fill me.
