In His Fantasies

9. The Nerve

Astrea

"It was her eyes, the piercing gaze I received with every glimpse I snuck almost as if she were challenging me. Looking away was not an option, I was taken, too curious for my own good that even one look was enough to leave me wanting more."

I sat entranced as I listened to Kellen recite pieces of his upcoming book. He was a natural in the way he spoke, his tone and the sensuality of his voice made listening to him so easy. It's much better than reading it to myself but even more than that, the way he reads brings his fantasy to life in more ways than one.

"I was shocked, fascinated by this vision of a woman that stood before me. This suit-clad beauty exudes dominance, her demeanor one even myself should be afraid of but despite the knowing smirk on her face I can't help but want to get lost in her mind."

Kellen closes the book and I sit, drooling over the small passage he just read. I sigh, wishing I could be as assertive and confident as the character he just described. It says something when a character in a book has more confidence than you do. She even sounds more attractive to me and I have no clue what she even looks like. She's amazing.

"So," Kellen raises a brow, "what are your thoughts?"

"It was-" I pause, staring at Mr. Castle as he fiddles with his glasses before pulling them off. He places the temple tip at the edge of his lips, toying with the end completely oblivious to the effect he's having on me. I can't even think straight for staring at him, completely and utterly infatuated by every little thing he does. "Wow." I release in a heavy breath now at a loss for words.

I've never had much of a problem expressing myself but putting my thoughts and feelings out there for Mr. Castle is a much more difficult task than it seems. Where Jess couldn't be more open and seductive, I'm shy and tempting. I guess you could say a freak-in-the-sheets type girl but unfortunately, I've never had the pleasure of experiencing it as much as I desire.

"Ms. Novak?"

I look to Mr. Castle as he rumbles my name oblivious to his words and only slightly able to understand what is being said to me before my mind is falling off the rails into dreamland. An open space of mind for everything I shouldn't be thinking and more.

"The book? If this is too much for you I can find someone more willing?" 

"No." My voice comes out louder than I anticipated and I correct myself with a firm and possibly slightly aggressive shake of my head. "I can do it. I'm just a bit out of it today. I'm sorry Mr. Castle."

"Don't apologize, just correct it and move on. This book release is very important and I chose you to help because I felt that I could rely on you. Don't let me down."

I nod my head and watch as Mr. Castle rises from his seat and makes his way out of his office leaving me alone.

Ever since our encounter at the water fall things have been more or less awkward. It's only been a few days and at every turn, he seems to be avoiding me like the plague. Part of me had high hopes that maybe my embarrassing and risque predicament could be more of an icebreaker. Nothing brings two people together like a naked encounter and a scavenger hunt for a bright pink bikini.

The entire reason I took him up on his offer to work with him was to learn and of course the bonus of getting to know him but now that seems much more out of reach than I originally anticipated. 

One thing that hasn't changed through this mess is Jess and I. I thought giving her a day to cool off would be enough but turns out it's not nearly.

We still haven't said a word to one another and it's not for my lack of trying. Three days later the only two people I want to talk to are ignoring and avoiding me.