Don't Mix Pleasure with Business

12. Two Steps Back

Alexander Marino

4:46am

I woke up and looked at Megan. It's been a couple hours since she woke up screaming. I feel so bad for her. I just wanna hold her and make her feel safe. I hate seeing her like this. She looked so vulnerable and sad. I got up and just looked at her.

She looked really beautiful while she was sleeping. And it wasn't that she looked perfect, because her mouth was open and she was sprawled across the bed, but, it was the fact that she looked like this and I still thought she looked perfect. I can't believe I'm getting myself into this again.

I sighed and picked up my blankets. I walked out of the room before I had anymore thoughts about her. I went back to my room and started to get ready for work. I was about to get in the shower when I heard a loud scream. I wrapped a towel around my waisted and I started for Megan's room.

I ran down the hallway holding my towel so it wouldn't fall. I opened her door and she was breathing heavy again. "Another nightmare?" I asked and she just nodded trying to catch her breathe. I saw a tear run down her face and it broke me. I went and sat down next to her and wiped her face. She just looked at me.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." I said trying to comfort her. I'm not really good with words but, I do give great hugs. I leaned in to hug her but she moved back a little. That's when I remembered I didn't have any clothes on.

I pulled my towel further around me and stood up. "Are you going to be okay?" I asked before I went to the door.

"Yeah," she said while shaking her head no. I smirked a little.

"Maybe you shouldn't come into the office today. You can work from here. If you have your laptop you can work from in your room. Or I have an office downstairs with a laptop." I said.

"No Alex, it's fine. I'm okay." She said starting to get out of the bed. I shook my head.

"No, you need to take a rest. We are way ahead on the designs and our department is doing fine. Just, please ... stay here," I said trying not to sound like I was begging. I looked out the corner of my eye and I saw her smiling. I shook my head and looked at her. "Stay here." I said finally. She still had a smile on her face.

"You got it boss." She said in a flirty tone. I shook my head and left the room. I went back to my room and pulled my clothes out for the day. I started getting ready for work when I heard a tiny knock on my door. I pulled on my underwear and went to the door. I opened it and Megan was standing there.

"Uhm," she said averting her eyes from me. I smiled.

"Having a hard time looking at me?" I asked messing with her and she smacked her lips.

"No, I'm perfectly fine," she said looking straight at me now. "I just wanted to know if Anna could stay here with me. I don't want to be at home alone." She said now looking down again. She seemed a little embarrassed.

"I can just stay here." I said. I didn't want the two of them in my house with me not being there. They might go in my private room.

"No, you're always at work. You never miss a day. I can't make you stay here because of me." She said shaking her head.

I rolled my eyes. She always has something to say after I say something. "You can't tell me what to do Megan. This is my house, I'm going to do what I want." I said strongly.

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "You're such an asshole." She said and walked away.

"Grazie dolcezza," I said as she walked back to her room. She turned around.