“Will we be getting raises anytime soon?” A guy across the table asked seriously and some others nodded.
“Let’s talk about raises when we actually start seeing a profit.” Brandon’s tone was brusque. “Anything else?”
“Excuse me, Mr. Hastings.” Priscilla walked into the room and interrupted the meeting.
“Yes?” He snapped.
“Maria is on the phone again and she says it’s an emergency.”
“Ok.” He nodded and jumped up. “Excuse me, everyone. I’ll be right back.” He walked out of the room, and I sat there in stunned immobility. Had Priscilla just said Maria? It couldn’t be the same Maria, could it? Not the one he was engaged to when he was in college? My heart started racing, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. All my insecurities came flooding back and I wanted to scream and shout. Had he lied to me before? Had he really always been in love with her? I wanted to cry and bury my face in a pillow. Maybe everything I had thought we had was false. What if I had just been someone to pass the time while he tried to forget about his true love, Maria?
I stood up quickly and walked out of the room. I needed to get some fresh air or I was going to cry. I knew it by the pain in my head and the tightness in my eyes. I rushed down the corridor and to the elevator. I breathed a sigh of relief as the elevator arrived and I ran out when I arrived on the ground floor. I hurried to the outside and was grateful that I didn’t see Brandon as I made my way out. I took two deep gulps of air and pulled out some gum to chew to calm my nerves.
“Cat got your tongue?” His voice was smooth and melodic and I jumped slightly.
“Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
“I didn’t know I said anyone could leave the room.”
“I didn’t know that we had to wait for permission.” I shrugged.
“I thought you were going to quit.” He changed the subject.
“I had a change of mind.” I looked at the ground to avoid staring into his eyes. They still made my heart leap and sing, and my stomach was doing flip-flops as he stared at me.
“It’s funny how that happens.” He smiled at me and took a step towards me. “You look just the same, you know.” He studied my face and then my body. “More of a woman, but just the same.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment.” I smiled and then looked him over. “You look the same as well.”
“Now, that’s a lie.” He laughed. “I’m greying now.” He pointed to his hair and I noticed a few grey streaks. However, to me they only made him look more distinguished and sexy.
“It doesn’t detract from your good looks.” I made a face at him and we both laughed.
“You always were the most honest person I know,” he said wistfully, and an awkward silence befell us at the irony of his words.
“I guess we should go back up.” I put my gum away and started walking towards the main entrance.
“Wait.” He grabbed a hold of my arm and stopped me.“What?” I looked at his hand with a frown.
“There was a time when you didn’t regard my touch as something bad.”
“There was a time when you didn’t have a fiancée when you slept with me.”
“There was a time when I wanted you to be my fiancée.”
“What do you want, Brandon?” I sighed and pulled away from him.
“I want us to forget our past. Let’s move on.”
“Maybe you should have thought of that earlier in the day.”
“I can still feel your body shaking as I f**ked you in the bathroom.” He groaned. “It felt as good as I remembered.”
“Stop it.” I shook my head.
“Did it feel as good for you?” He wrapped his hands around my waist and pulled me towards him. “Did my c**k give you as much pleasure as it used to?”
I remained silent as he whispered in my ear, his hands grabbing my ass. He stared into my eyes searchingly and I just stared back, unblinking. “You’re shivering.” His lips neared mine. “You’re shivering, but it’s not cold outside.” His lips lightly pressed against mine. “You’re shivering because you want me to f**k you again.”
“Get your hands and your lips off of me.” I pushed him away. “What would Maria say if she could see you?”
“That’s none of your business.” His eyes darkened.
“You’re making it my business.”
“Are you single, Katie?” He cocked his head and his eyes studied my fingers as I nervously played with my hair. “From your reaction, it seems to me as if you’re also seeing someone. Does that then mean that you’re no better than me?”
“Matt isn’t my fiancé.” I shot back, though I did feel all sorts of guilty. There were many things Matt didn’t know about me.
“I’m sure he would love to know that you don’t feel you need to be faithful to him because he isn’t your fiancé.” He shook his head. “But I suppose you like to keep all sorts of things to yourself.”
“Is it the same Maria?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking. I had to know.
“Is what the same, Maria?”
“Are you engaged to the same Maria you were engaged to when you were in college?”
“It’s none of your business.” He looked away then and my heart fell. In my heart I knew it was her. “What are you doing this evening?”