Professional Restraint

4 Business & Pleasure

Liam

Mountains of papers occupy my desk, coupled with the two boxes of Renford's documents that Todd dropped off, making me look like I'm a month behind. Hell, I basically am. Our success is threatening to drag us under, which is why we suffered through these bids for help. Suffering isn't a strong enough word, but the saving grace is HRC.

How can a company of three polar opposite people manage to do half of what it appears they can? I was ready to throw their application out when I was setting up the process, but Declan pulled them in, and now here I am, going over the details for legal to finish their contract. What's more, we're already adding to their workload.

Thankfully, my office is spacious enough to accommodate the constant streams of paper so they don't overwhelm me. The recent delivery of boxes sits on the dark-toned coffee table between two grey sofas. The flatscreen TV on the opposite wall doubles as entertainment and remote meeting access. Behind me a wall of windows overlooks a million dollar view of the city. Unlike most of the offices here, which have glass walls, mine are solid and soundproof to keep out all the distractions from our busy floor. Declan's office is nearly identical and just as minimal in his decorations.

Normally I have no issues focusing on mountains of paperwork and getting it done, but my mind keeps drifting back to HCR's presentation. While their analysis and results were top-notch, my attention circles back to Ella.

I knew she'd be there. I saw to it, but fuck!

She looked like a wet dream brought to life, dressed like that. Everything about her was different from the frumpy librarian that I first met, even the content bookworm that simply smiled at our curveball, and yet the same. She was still the quiet but feisty woman who caught my attention in the elevator that first day, but with Sophia there, she had more confidence.

El wasn't dressed nearly as provocatively as Sophia, not that she was over the top, but damn, did it suit her. Everything from the sliced sleeves showing a hint of her smooth skin to the way that skirt hugged her ass flashes through my mind. Not to mention those back seam stockings.

"Fuck," I groan, leaning back in my chair and rubbing my eyes.

I have got to get this woman out of my mind because my thoughts are spiraling and far from clean. Her intelligence and perfect mix of meekness and sass initially caught my attention. There's been a growing electricity between us, getting stronger with each exchange. I know she feels it, too. The way she looked at me as I helped her with her laptop spoke volumes and left me wanting more... a lot more.

A knock on the door draws my attention back to reality once more. "Come in," I call out.

Todd pokes his head in through the cracked door. "Before I head out for the night, just checking in to see if you need anything else?"

"You're good. Enjoy your weekend," I say with a small wave.

I look at my watch and rub my eyes once more. As usual, Todd is the last one to go home. Declan is probably here somewhere, too. He'll no doubt be by for these papers soon.

With that in mind, I push Ella out of my mind and focus on the information I need for him.

No sooner than I finish, Declan walks in with a brown takeout bag in one hand and a bottle of scotch in the other. A moment later, the aroma of whatever he's holding hits me, making my mouth water.

"I come bearing gifts," he says with a laugh as he takes a container out for me and the other for himself. Declan pours two glasses for us and takes a seat on one sofa and sets mine down on the other side of the coffee table.