Sweet Rush

Twenty Two

"It's a pleasant surprise to see you here." Jane teases from the other side of the bar.

"You literally texted me telling me to come in this early, knowing that basically no one's here at 8 am." I snap at him. Even though I told Jane in South Carolina (basically a few days ago) that I wasn't sure if I'd be coming back to New York, he still sent a text this morning demanding that I come to the bar as if he knew that I would've been back in New York. I'm oblivious at the reason why he's asked me to come in because usually this shift is the slowest because of people going to work or school. There's no such thing as short staffed at 8 am.

"I just thought that mommy dearest would keep you in South Carolina. You never got back to me, it was either you show up here or tell me you're not in New York. Either way I would've found a way to get mommy dearest off your back."

"Unfortunately she got off my back and I get to put up with you." I flash a tight smile, pitying him for thinking he could change my mom's mind. It took me an out of character outburst for her to sway. More importantly, now that I'm back in New York and have somewhat conjured feelings for him, doesn't make me treat him less than the asshole he is. Going based off his actions alone, I'm ashamed that I shared a kiss with him however, being ashamed isn't even enough to overshadow the giddiness he'd stirred up in me.

"Actually I need to talk to you. That's why I called you in this early. Mind coming to my office so we can speak?" this didn't sound good. I nod, letting him lead the way to his office.

Nothing entirely professional had ever happened in that office. It was always an argument or the phantom battle of the sexual tension between Jane and I. My curiosity grows with every step I take. My mind wanders off to the man in front of me. The toned muscles of his back flexes with the movement of his arm while he's walking and I feel myself getting flushed. Every time I think I've seen every good thing about Jane, something comes up that tops the list. This right here is topping the list.

He gestures for me to step into his office before him. I'm taken aback by his kind actions, not sure how to process him being a civilized citizen for once. I gulp before taking a seat. Regardless of what is going on between Jane and I, he's still my boss. I am not disbarred from any decisions he makes as my superior.

He walks to his desk and takes a seat, staring down at me as he does so. I ignore his concentration and obey the voice telling me to remain professional.

"Okay, Malia. How was Thanksgiving?" he smirks causing me to smile which turns into a giggle.

"We don't need small talk and if you think we did why would you start with that question?" He shakes his head while chuckling, fully aware of what he's doing. "It was fine, yours?" I play into his game.

"It was okay until I kissed this girl. It got worse and I wanted to flee the country." he states in a serious tone, his expression matching.

"Sheesh. Sounds like a nightmare." I dramatize my words, really empathizing with him.

"It was."

He's funny.

When he realizes that I'm not going to say anything further, he flips through some papers on his desk until he finds what seems like the right one. He pins it with another using a paper clip then turns to his laptop. I inhale sharply and he briefly glances over before turning his attention back to his laptop. I like when he's this focused. He seems in his element and I know he has what it takes to run the company despite what I had thought about him a few weeks prior.

"Okay, so Malia. You're here this early because the company made a few changes. Your shift starts at 8 am as of today. Ends at 4pm and you know there's overtime always available if you need to and before you say it's all me it's not. HR made all the changes, I don't see anything wrong with your schedule so I approved." He holds up his arms in surrender when saying his last statement. I'm not completely bummed out about my schedule change but I got so used to the nightlife. Not to mention there's more tips because the 2 am shift is peak.

I'm also going to have to tell Blair and my heart breaks knowing that I won't be able to be her bus buddy.

"That's fine. Thanks." I guess my tone isn't convincing enough because Jane goes on to say "I can get it changed if you're not cool with it."

"Jane I don't need privileges or favours just because we kissed." I don't want to feel like an exception to the rules just because we have a 'thing' or whatever we call what's going on between us.

"It's not a favour or a privilege. It's listening to my employees to figure out what's best for them. Happy employees mean high productivity, motivation and more money for the company. This has nothing to do with how I feel about you." his words cut me deep but hadn't it been for his confession about feeling something for me, I wouldn't have more fireworks than the Fourth of July exploding in my body.

"How do you feel about me?" I poke the bear, gnawing at my bottom lip while waiting for his response. I sit in the pool of embarrassment I just filled for myself while he smirks taking slow and steady steps towards me. I don't have to imagine what will happen next as Jane leans down swiftly placing his palms on the back of the seat, caging me between both of his arms. I sit up, bringing our faces closer together, just a centimetre shy of his lips. Boldly, I press my lips to his a little before pulling back. He smiles and raises his eyebrows, evidently impressed by my teasing before concealing the tiny space between us. His kiss is slow but demanding, taking everything I offer. I let him win mainly because his technique spins my head and causes my body to feel weightless, like it's floating with the clouds.

"Ehem" someone from behind us clears their throat making us freeze in our spots.

Jane is facing the door of the office and is capable of seeing whoever barged in on us. I look at his eyes pointed towards the entrance of the office, as they dazzle with disbelief. Whoever it is, Jane knows them enough to delete his stoic nature for a second. I don't think I want to know who it is. It surely isn't Crystal, she would've already popped a vein by now.

"Hi Grandpa." Jane says stepping back, exiting my personal bubble while adjusting his baby blue dress shirt.

Senior Pritchard?!

My mouth falls open and the speed of my heart increases tenfold. How dare Senior Pritchard walk in on this moment when I've been begging for his return for the past two months. Why show up without knocking too?

A rush of warmness hugs my face as I feel myself becoming flustered. I'm more embarrassed than shocked by my actions. I can't even begin to imagine what Senior Pritchard is thinking at the sight of his grandson and employee making out at the top of the morning. If there is a time to be ashamed, it would definitely be now.

"This is what I left you here for Jane Pritchard?" Mr. Pritchard's voice is hollow brimming with authority. I decide out of respect to stand, and I bring myself up gently from the chair and stand beside Jane. It takes a lot for my dark brown orbs to meet Mr. Pritchard's as he stares down at the both of us. Mr. Pritchard is like an old uncle to me, he was always egging me on to go back to school and giving life advice since I was 'so young' when I started. However, now I feel like I'm the bane of his existence because everyone believes that 'boys are boys' and girls are meticulous and calculated. It's so easy for everyone to think that the employee is in the wrong, looking to seduce the boss and all but that's none of my intentions at all.

"I just want to apologize. This should have never happened and we should've remained professional." I say to Mr. Pritchard, fumbling with my fingers. I'm not in fear of losing my job, but I do believe a level of respect is needed in the presence of my boss's boss. If I am fired because of this, I surely can't go back home to my parents. They made it very clear that I'm an 'adult' when I dropped out of school.

"Thank you Malia but can I have a moment with Jane?"

"Yes sir." I excuse myself from the room closing the door gently behind me before pressing my back to it. Bits of shouting is audible from out in the hall and I can tell it's Jane who's raising his voice. Disgust is the only word that sums up the way I feel. Being caught in such a vulnerable state by my company's CEO is not something that I ever imagined would happen.

I speed walk to the restroom to pull myself together. Between the silence in the room allowing me to meditate and my flustered reflection, I realize that what happened today was totally wrong, I mean if we were going to make out why not do it in his car or in the back or something. Yet it wouldn't have been a problem if Mr. Pritchard didn't walk in. I run my palms across my face, tired of my mess ups.

I pull my phone from my pocket and send him a quick text.

Malia: Let me know what happens...