Overjoyed

Chapter 24 - We started this fire

It was Monday. My weekend with Dan, most of which had been spent in bed, had flown by and was over before I knew it. He'd made the very inviting offer of joining him in England for a few weeks and to my surprise I was actually considering it. I mean, it wasn't as if the newspaper would fall apart in my absence, I wrote a column three times a week, after all. Also, Dan may have been right; I could try to slip myself back into the world of writing fiction again.

I sighed heavily as I sat at my computer, staring at my poorly written column. The weekend's events raced through my mind. I recalled the uncomfortable encounter with Jason outside Nirvana and shuddered at the thought. He really did make me sick. Before Jess left for the airport on Sunday afternoon she had pulled me aside and asked about him. I explained that he was a cheating ex trying to worm his way back into my life. She gave me a look that said "I've been there" and hugged me before jumping in her taxi. Dan drove me home shortly after that. As we stopped at my building, Dan switched off the ignition and clasped my hands. "Say you'll come Lize" he murmured, his blue gaze piercing into me. "I'm considering it" I whispered. "Please" he said, leaning in until we were just touching. My insides burned, his proximity driving me crazy. I inched forward and Dan gripped my waist, kissing me hard. Desire filled me as his tongue skimmed against mine.

I shook my head, banishing the sweet memory. I needed to shift my focus back to work. I glanced at the time on the screen of my computer, it read 18:30. The newsroom had cleared out around me without my knowing. I scolded myself mentally for daydreaming at work while I logged off. Just as I as preparing to get up and leave, I felt a pair of arms slip around my shoulders and come to rest below my breasts. I tensed instantly as my heart leapt with fear. I whipped my head around and behind me was David Rancid. "Mr Rancid..." I spluttered as I wriggled out of his grip. "David, baby. No one else is here, don't worry" he said as he stepped around my chair and leaned his back against my desk. "This is completely inappropriate" I said, biting back the disgust in my voice. "I've seen you online quite a bit lately Eliza. I see you've snagged yourself a musician" he purred. Online? I had no idea people had been taking pictures of us. I made a mental note to check it out later. "I'm leaving, good evening Mr Rancid" I said, and rose up. By my shoulders, he pushed me back down again and whispered, "He got into your pants at the mention of his band being a roaring success, didn't he? Just the slightest hint, and you spread those legs, hmm?" he licked his lips and I shuddered, unable to move as his hands remained firmly placed on my shoulders. "Come on baby" he said lewdly, his one hand moving to my knee, "Do the same for me. I know you want to." I looked at him with contempt, raised my hand to his face, and slapped him hard. "Fuck you" I hissed as I got up and walked out.