It happened One Night - Ch. 02

It happened One Night

Chapter Two

Dearest Reader.

Thank you so much for your patience with me in the process of writing the second chapter. It truly is a process for me and that is why I am so excited to share the next chapter with you.

I found that the greatest challenge in writing this series is how close this story has come to some of my own experiences. You always seem to 'Write what you know,' don't you?

While I never intend to make a character a self-insert, believe me Cassidy is far more interesting than me, there are at least some elements of me and my experiences. I hope that means you enjoy it that little bit more.

As usual, I'd like to make sure you're all aware that these characters are consenting adults who practice safe sex in their world, as we all should be in the real world. Please make sure you take care of yourselves out there.

I want to be the type of writer who has a positive impact upon her readers and creates characters that encourage you to take care of yourselves in this crazy world. I don't want you to do things that put your safety at risk.

Caveat in place, I hope you enjoy the next chapter in Cassidy's adventure.

Ravenna X

I stare at the pan watching the bolognese sauce bubble with the heat from underneath and it momentarily stops my mind whirling with questions. I can feel my head begin to ache with thinking so hard and I am this close to just taking one of Lisa's sleeping pills and losing a few hours to peaceful oblivion.

I hear my dad's gentle coaxing in the back of my mind as memories of his lessons come flooding back. Since Kate and Lisa aren't good at cooking, it has always fallen to me in the past to make dinner but in the last few months, I haven't had the energy to really take it seriously. I would just prefer to buy ready meals, split a takeaway or my mum would even make a monthly trip up with care packages of my dad's famous dishes I had growing up and I'd make those last.

I can't believe how much I have missed this and set to work making sure that I have plenty of what I need and start planning home cooked meals for all of us over the week. It makes this day seem less crazy and I can finally shrink the problem in my world to a manageable size. Peeling and chopping the onions and garlic makes everything seem so small and unimportant and as the raw ingredients begin to take shape into the supper of Spaghetti Bolognese, I feel some control come back. Even if the rest of my life is topsy turvy, I can at least feed myself and my two best friends. And who knows, maybe cooking a nice meal will put me in a better position to ask for their advice.

I even sneaked in a cheeky bottle of wine from Tescos on the way home with all the other ingredients. Lisa won't appreciate the cheap alternative as she gets beautiful boxes of wine sent to her as part of Thank You gifts from her rich clients and Kate will only have one glass, if that, so I suppose it was really for me.

I do not want to think any more about my day. I know I said I wouldn't sit back and just let things happen but it's damn hard. This problem feels too large to solve and even going near him only serves to highlight my insecurities. As much as I would love to fuck him until neither of us can walk, you just know when someone will only cause you trouble.

True, he has never been unkind to me, and has never made me feel uncomfortable or unsafe. So why I feel this way, I have no idea.

I don't know why I am even confused about it. He liked me enough to fuck me into oblivion, and the few times we weren't making playful jokes, we had a lovely conversation between two almost equals. But then I realise it's the 'almost' bit that has me worried. He's clearly more experienced and wiser than I am. I feel that every funny joke or interesting anecdote would earn me little more than a tight smile or change of subject. Like he's heard it all before.

He's clearly after a different calibre of woman altogether. Maybe one who doesn't answer him back, or at least answer his annoying questions with more wit and restraint than I can. Maybe he wants a woman who can cook for him, clean the entire house and still have enough energy to make sure he's satisfied in bed. All the while looking simply gorgeous in lace lingerie and freshly done hair and makeup.

Then I remember suddenly how his voice sounded and his face looked as I was walking away from him. How his whole body looked like it was barely restraining itself. Grayson is very much a man in control of his emotions most of the time, and I marvel at how I have seen that crumble in my presence. It's probably the only time that I have felt in control with him. I feel my stomach drop and my palms start sweating at thought. His very fine eyes seemed to be drained of their usual sparkle and it felt like his hands were holding onto me for dear life.

I shake away the thought in sad recognition that it will probably never happen again. He's way too controlled and ultimately indifferent to people who displease him. I realise that I am saying this after only two meetings with him, but I can't help it. I just want to get through the time he has left here, however long that is, until I can be free of him again.

But, how long exactly? A couple of weeks? A month? What can I really do other than try to avoid him?

I pull the pan off the heat just in time to avoid burning the sauce when I hear the door open and Kate comes in. Her usual light and easy footsteps are slightly more pronounced today and she's muttering under her breath, no doubt unaware as she listens to an audiobook or a piece of classical music.

Lisa soon follows. Her steps are ones that demand attention but not because they are unwelcome or obnoxious, but rather because she is almost always wearing her expensive heels. She isn't one to shy away when attention does inevitably find her. She is talking on her phone, no doubt to her clients but I notice that her voice is somehow softer, less commanding. Heck, I even hear a slight giggle, and not the one she uses when pretending someone has said something funny.

"Cass? How was your day?" asks Kate, finally taking her earphones out to say hello.

Both her and Lisa come to the kitchen door and stop dead in their tracks. They sniff the air and I can see their eyes light up.

"Is that what I think it is?" Lisa asks, with building anticipation

I smile mysteriously, and they both jump up and down with joy. They run up to me and we all gather in a rare, but not unwelcome, group hug.

"You want some cheap wine from Tescos?" I say to Lisa, half expecting her to sneer at the idea, but she moves to the cupboard, takes out three glasses and pours a healthy measure. Even Kate seems to be eager to have some wine and we hold them up as Lisa says:

"To Cassie. And her amazing cooking skills that have finally been taken out of retirement!"

I stick my tongue out at her playfully.

"Oh. And to whomever has forced Cassie to no longer wallow in misery" Kate says. I bristle inside momentarily but then I move the subject on.

"To Tescos for providing us with such a delicious accompaniment to what can only be described as the most basic sauce on Earth," I laugh as we clink glasses for the third time.

"Basic isn't a word I would ever use to describe your cooking, Cass." Kate says, with tears welling up in her eyes.

I look at Lisa and Kate and they seem to have a mixture of relief, and sadness behind their eyes that either I haven't been noticing, or they got very good at hiding.

I change the subject again quickly and say,

"Wait and see what I've got for dessert."

Clearly they are loving seeing the old me come back. I have been neglecting my friends and while I know they can both look after themselves, I can't help but feel like I have been letting the side down.

Lisa and Kate clap their hands and they rush back to their bedrooms to get settled down for the night as I finish the meal preparations. I have managed to make our little dining table look very fancy with the white table cloth that I borrowed from my mum on my last visit and getting out the nicest cutlery and plates we have.

Whilst I don't plan on telling either of them about Grayson, at least not yet, I can tell they both know that something is going on with me to have such a giant shift in my behaviour. They can always sense what's going on and I'm surprised that they haven't addressed it. Especially Lisa. I picture them as hunters who have stumbled on a very wild and rare animal that could run away any moment if they make even the tiniest sound or movement.

I want to make a real effort to become the Cassy of Old. Someone who tried her best and was excited to see what was around the next corner. I'm not done with life yet and I refuse to be someone who believes her best days are behind her.

At the table, we manage to successfully keep to only small talk. Kate is enthusiastically shoveling mouthful after mouthful in with only occasional breaks to contribute to the conversation. Lisa twirls her fork anti-clockwise with just a few strands to form a perfect mouthful, dabs the sides of her mouth with the napkin and then takes a dainty sip from her wine glass, gripping the stem and not the bowl. No doubt she is practising what she learned in her etiquette classes even in the privacy of her own home.

"Oh my god! Cassy, this is seriously good! Please, let's always have this!" Kate says in between big mouthfuls.

"Simply amazing! I'm going to take some of the leftovers for tomorrow," Lisa says.

"I'm glad you both like it. I think it's done me good to make sure we are all well fed," I say, genuinely enjoying the sense of accomplishment I feel.

For a few more moments, we eat in companionable silence, then my stomach drops.

"So what's brought this on? It's been a long time since we've eaten something half-decent," but to my surprise, it doesn't come from Lisa.

I stare at Kate and really try to decide how much is wise to say, given that they already know enough to guess.

"I just... really fancied making something for you both. I know I haven't been the best friend to either of you lately and I wanted to make it up to you. Better late than never, right?"

Lisa and Kate look at each other. I can tell they aren't convinced, but they let it go for now. Lisa seems lost in her thoughts as she eats, as does Kate, and I feel the need to explain myself further.

"I know I haven't been paying a lot of attention lately but I really don't want it to become a thing where we live together but aren't best friends anymore. You know you can always tell me anything and I'll listen."

Both Lisa and Kate pause momentarily. They don't make eye contact with each other or me and I can see Lisa open and close her mouth as if wanting to say something. Lisa closes her eyes momentarily and I can tell she's battling with herself, but she then opens them and says:

"This really is lovely, Cass. I can't wait to have something yummy tomorrow too." I am surprised that neither of them seem willing to address what is going on with them directly. While I am not going to push them to talk, I feel the atmosphere change as we finish the meal in silence.

As I lie in bed later, all the nerves come back to me. I pull the duvet up to my chin and I can feel my body begin to shake all over. I am overcome with tiredness but equally unwilling to close my eyes given I know full well how that will play out.

"Cassidy. Come here. You're needed." His voice cuts through the haze of my nerves and I feel my body become loose and lithe.

"You know that your Sir isn't best pleased with you right now, and you need to be punished," I feel a shot of electricity move through me at the word.

"You know you can't say things like that to me and expect me to..." he interrupts me with a look that should be intimidating but it's not. I smile and allow him to continue.

"Cassidy Miller. You need to learn who is in charge here. You come along with your faux innocence and sexy little body but you know that you'll only end up spreading your legs for me like a little slut."

"You say that like it's a bad thing... Sir."

He sighs with exasperation but there is no real anger behind it and I want more than anything to laugh, but then he moves toward me and places his hand under my chin to make me raise my head. Our eyes meet and I can feel the blush move from my cheeks, to my neck and all the way down to my chest.

He kisses me. It's soft and gentle at first and then his tongue is prying my mouth open so our tongues touch and his hand moves to the back of my head to hold me in place. His other hand snakes around my waist and before I know it, I'm on the floor. His weight presses against me and I moan into his mouth as he grinds his hard cock against me.

His grey suit rubs against my bare body and I take his bottom lip in between my teeth gently and slowly increase the pressure. I make sure not to bite or hurt him, but I do like his reaction. His eyes dilate and his hands grip my hips as if he's holding himself back. I then let go suddenly and I can see the slight indentation of my teeth on his bottom lip as he touches his lips. He gives me a look like he's never seen anything quite so audacious as what I have just done and he chuckles wickedly.

"You like to mark me, don't you?"

I don't respond but I don't look away either as his greedy hands push apart my legs and his head disappears between my thighs

***

I check around the corner to make sure no one is coming and make my way into the office kitchen to make my morning tea. I was in the office earlier this morning as I couldn't face another day staring at the four silent walls of my flat. I was hoping that I would find a way to avoid the inevitable run-in with Grayson, but I am hoping and praying that anyone who doesn't need to know will remain oblivious.

I chickened out at the last minute yesterday morning and called in sick. I knew the excuse was a thin one, even to my ears, but I just couldn't face it. When the girls had left for the day, I found ways to avoid going to sleep despite my body crying out for rest. I think I may make myself sick for real if I carry on like this. It's not healthy to run from your problems as they only get bigger the more you try, but I find that I am not feeling quite as brave as I want to be. I even ducked a call from my dad for the first time in my life as I knew both he and my mother would ask way too many questions. They always could tell when I wasn't being completely honest and the guilt of that ate away at me all day.

In between all the guilt at not being at work, avoiding my dad's calls and hoping that Grayson wouldn't notice my absence, I found myself struggling to keep a lid on the insane arousal building up inside me every time I pictured Grayson's powerful and enchanting gaze.

I remember closing my eyes very briefly and seeing my face in the mirror while he kissed a trail of burning kisses up my neck to my ear. I watched his hands move over my breasts, my nipples, my bottom and my hips while he grinded against me. I was stark naked and his finely tailored suit made me look as helpless as I felt. My head dropped against his shoulder and then one of his hands moved between my legs to push his fingers roughly inside me while the other pinched my nipple hard.

I was screaming and begging for him to finish me off. The sounds I was making sounded so pathetic to my ears that I struggled to know if this wasn't really happening. Maybe he'd somehow found out where I lived and had come to teach me a lesson. The thought both thrilled and terrified me so much that it took me the rest of the day to come to my senses.

I came in this morning with renewed purpose and as I sipped my tea, I stopped any further thoughts of running. Grayson should not, and will not, have the power to affect me. Now or ever.

Paul isn't in yet, and I know I will have to talk to him about my absence but I can't honestly see how he'd be upset given he barely has time to look up and notice our little issues under normal circumstances. Why would he care now? The only time he seems to pay even the slightest bit of attention is when he wants to berate us for not getting something done in time. Luckily, I don't give him much cause to be an arsehole, at least not where my work is concerned.

My work colleagues, although sweet, aren't close enough to me to be considered friends and a lot of the work I do is restricted to the back office where I don't have a real conversation with anyone most of the time. I know we want to think of people we meet at work as friends, and I suppose some of them can be, but this job is somewhere I have managed to keep personal connections to an absolute minimum. Competing with people you work with can destroy a budding friendship and I am someone who prefers to put everything I have into something that could last.

I remember growing up, that I didn't really have anyone close to me outside my family until I met Kate and Lisa. I've met people over the years through my time at University, School or even just the occasional meetups but we'd inevitably grow apart as we entered the next phase of our lives. Kate and Lisa are the only two long lasting friends I've had and while both have been wonderful for me, I sometimes wonder what it would be like if I had someone else to call a friend.

I sit down at my desk as people gradually begin to fill the office and I make myself look busy. I then feel sheer panic begin to seep into my bones. I try to keep calm as I feel my knees begin knocking together under my desk and my breaths become shorter. Then I remember Kate's calming words as I close my eyes: Focus on something small, and then your problems will become small.

I focus on the sounds of the raindrops of the window... the taste of mint tea on my tongue and the smell of jasmine from the office reed diffuser... the smooth wood of my desk beneath my fingers. I allow the snippets of conversation to enter my mind slowly, keeping myself grounded as best I can.

"Good Morning, Cassidy," says a soft, mellow voice and I can't place it at first. Then I hear:

"Are you okay?"

My eyes open wide and my heart is pounding out of my chest as if I've just run a marathon. I see the blur before me transform into a beautiful face with long dark hair and deep blue eyes.

"Oh, hello, Miss Anderson. Sorry, I was psyching myself up for the day, I suppose."

Lena looks concerned and comes a little closer, my hands shaking as I place them on the desk but luckily she doesn't seem to notice.

"Are you sick? Is that why I didn't see you yesterday?"

I'm trying my best not to look embarrassed but I don't think I'm succeeding.

"I guess we all have days where our health fails us."

She looks at me sympathetically and then says "You just let me know if you need to go home and rest again, I could try and explain to Paul.."

I stumble across my words, trying to make it clear how bad an idea that would be.

"Oh, that's very kind of you, Miss Anderson, but it's really not necessary. I'm over the worst of it."

"Call me Lena, please. I'm not your boss. You don't need to be formal with me," she says with another of her heartwarming smiles and I stare at her with the greatest of admiration.

"Okay, Lena. What's on your agenda for today?"

"Oh you know, lots of boring meetings. Turning on the charm for the clients... keeping Grayson in line."

I am chuckling at this despite myself and am longing to see exactly how she does it.

"I bet that's hard. He seems to be quite demanding," I say, trying not to let the giggles overwhelm me.

"Oh no. He and I have been friends for years. He's really quite sweet once you get to know him."

I know exactly how sweet he can be, but it always seemed as though he kept his guard up just a little with me outside of our time in the bedroom. No matter how much I thought I was getting to him, he'd always maintained a safe distance.

"You seem to be one of the few people he does listen to..." I say, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice.

Lena leans a little closer and says:

"You know, I can guarantee you that simply telling him how great he is before giving him some bad news will help you. I know he may not seem like he takes criticism well, but he is..."

Suddenly, Grayson comes into my part of the office. His shoulders are rigid and I can see his fists and jaw are tensed up. I wonder what crawled up his arse and died.

"Lena. You said we were going to get these reports done today and we haven't started yet. Can you come and help me, please?" I think that the 'please' is just a way to make him seem like he's being polite.

He then looks up and notices me. He seems momentarily taken back as his eyes widen and I can even see the sides of his mouth move up a little in a semblance of a smile but, to my eternal gratitude, he snaps out of it quickly.

"Oh hello there, Miss... er," all the while his eyes are fixed on mine with a very odd expression.

"Miller. Cassidy Miller. Glad you remember." I joke, but he doesn't seem to be very much in the mood for joking. I feel a lift in my mood from earlier as the jab clearly has affected him but my hands are still shaking and I put them under the desk once again to stop him from seeing me intimidated.

"You must have been busy over the last 24 hours as I haven't seen you," he says pointedly.

"Paul is aware that I was sick yesterday and I'm about to start my work for the day..."

Grayson's shoulders slump and his tone of voice changes slightly "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Cassidy. I hope you're feeling better."

Lena looks at me and Grayson, but if she has worked anything out, she doesn't say anything. I stare at them both wanting to sink into the beige colour of the wall.

I am about to explain myself a little further when Paul thankfully comes into the room looking surprisingly calmer than he did the other day. He greets Lena and Grayson warmly and ignores me as usual. They begin talking about their schedule for the day ahead and I'm just about feeling safe when I hear.

"Cassidy. Did you hear that?" Paul says brusquely.

"Hear what?" I say without thinking.

Paul momentarily looks at me as if I've just slapped him but his face is in a smile that looks painted on as he says:

"I need you to stay with Grayson today and help him with some administrative tasks, copying, sorting documents, that sort of thing. Can you do that?"

The cheek of it! but then I think of how Paul frequently has to ask his secretary for a cup of coffee because he just cannot figure out how to push the buttons on the coffee maker. I feel slightly more cheered up at the thought but the smug look on Grayson's face only makes my blood pressure rise again.

I pause before responding with an equally painted on smile, "Yes, that's not a problem. Just let me go take care of a few things first." I look to Grayson as I say this and I make my escape quickly before he can respond.

Fantastic! My plans for today now involve being at Grayson's beck and call. My jaw clenches in anger and my clenched fists are shaking. My colleagues give me questioning looks but I ignore them. Although it's going to take everything I have, I'm going to make sure that I come out of this dignified and unaffected.

***

As I slump onto the sofa at home, I reflect on the many, many occasions throughout the day when I just wanted to find something to hit Grayson across the face with.

If he wasn't ignoring me, he was talking to me like I was just another of his employees despite reminding him that I was there to help him at the request of my own boss. Any semblance of the man I slept with was gone.

I was taking down some notes of what needed to be done over the next few weeks, like I would agree to it being longer than a day. When I asked if he could repeat himself after several rapidfire one way conversations, he looked at me like I'd grown two heads. The look on his face was so infuriating that I was hoping there were sharp objects nearby, but no such luck.

I made sure to take my breaks at the same time as I always do, a small victory on a very shitty day, just to be as far away from him as possible. Once, I even excused myself quietly during a meeting he was having with some nameless people in suits and Lena to go to the ladies room. But the small respite I had was rewarded with him taking me aside after the meeting to explain that I would be advising him, and him alone, whenever I had to leave to go anywhere.

"I'm not trying to make this difficult, Cassidy. I just want us to have a respectful relationship here. I am the person you report to right now."

He didn't raise his voice to me, nor did he do it in front of people like Paul would, but his tone of voice was so patronising. Like he was saying he didn't want to be a tyrant but...

I explained to him as calmly as I could that it wasn't his concern when I took my bathroom breaks but he wasn't even listening. Then Paul came over to talk to him and I made my escape quickly. It was 5:30 after all and time for me to go home.

I know I will probably face yet another reprimand, and not just from Grayson, but I don't feel like I did anything wrong. I did the best I could to be professional given the circumstances, and Grayson, despite being an important client for the company, isn't my boss. I wanted to make that perfectly clear.

I know that Paul will try to tip the scales in Grayson's favour, if only to sweeten the deal for the time he's here, and it's hardly surprising. I've always known that Paul isn't the type of manager you trust to have your back. In fact, 'Manager' is more of a suggestion than a job title for him.

I have tried to keep my head down and be civil with him in the two years I have been with this company, and it has worked for me thus far. I can't say that it's because of any effort on my part to not be intimidated by him but mostly due to circumstances. He just operates in a different world to me and what few interactions we do have, I keep strictly professional and brief. He's usually out with the other managers securing deals and he does bring a steady stream of clients to keep the company going.

However, his interactions with anyone who is not willing to treat him like a prince, are nothing short of disgusting. He looks down on anyone not on his perceived level yet the second someone higher up than him comes in, he's the picture of politeness. Me and my colleagues have since learned not to rely on him and mostly just do our work, and his for that matter.

God, I want so badly to speak with my Dad. He's the voice of reason when things are bad, and I know I could tell him what's bothering me. Yet, I wonder how much he could separate being a dad from just giving sage advice. Ultimately, I'm his daughter and I know he'd do anything to protect me. Something he never lost, even in his most vulnerable moments.

I remember him leaning on me during his first steps after physiotherapy from the effects of his accident. He tried to make sure that he didn't squeeze my hand too hard and told me to go home and get some sleep after a few sleepless nights. As his first born daughter, I think he always had a soft spot for me. Our weekly phone calls with his soft, calming voice through the phone's speaker make every problem feel like a distant memory.

But I know I can't talk to him about this. Mostly because he'd be straight down to beat the crap out of Grayson if he knew, and even talking with my best friends about this seems strange to me. I know I would be letting a problem get worse but I just don't have it in me to do anything about it right now. I know that means my job could be at risk and the fear of not being able to pay my share of the rent makes my stomach flip. Yes, I know I have to stand up for myself but I have to be smart about it.

And I feel a small sense of satisfaction at getting my own back in small subtle ways, but my thoughts are interrupted by Lisa's expensive shoes clicking on the floor. She dumps her bag on the hall table and walks into the living room with a look of pure exhaustion on her face.

While she has a difficult job of making sure the events for high maintenance people run smoothly, seeing her like this is rare. She always tries to see the best in any situation, hiding whatever self-doubt or difficult emotions she has. She pushes her hair messily back from her face and takes a deep sigh as she enters the room. Her half-smile barely makes a dent in her solemn expression and I know she's upset but I know better than to try and make her talk. I'll just have to get her really drunk one night and she'll let me know.

"You arranged a party for the King today?" I say, jokingly but she doesn't answer. I know she will talk about it eventually but seems determined right now to avoid the real problem.

"Oh, before I forget, you and Kate are welcome to come along to a nice restaurant I know this weekend. I did the owner a favour and thought we could all do with a night out. You want in?"

I am about to answer but then I just hug her, without any preamble. And I can't tell if it's for me or for her. We're both taken aback but she doesn't pull away, instead we just wrap our arms around each other, giving each other strength. I stroke her hair and her hands at my back are soothing the disquiet in my head. While we care deeply about each other, spontaneous hugs are rare for us.

Kate and Lisa, while they aren't against it, aren't ones to show affection through physicality. They show it through action. Of all of us, I am the one who needs it the most. I grew up on hugs from my family and never feel better than when I get a hug from someone I care about.

Lisa and I pull away and she looks noticeably a lot more relaxed, even if whatever she's facing hasn't changed.

"What do you want for dinner tonight?" I ask, as we begin to settle ourselves down.

Lisa's face breaks out into an even wider smile and we're back into our easy, predictable routine. She chats about her big plans for the summer season of parties and trips abroad. Where better to be an event planner than an exciting city like London?

Later on, when I'm lying in bed staring at the ceiling, I feel a resolve begin to form inside me. I know this is going to be an uphill battle but I'm not going to be some meek pushover. It'll take more than seeing the man who'd screwed me into the mattress months ago at my office every day to defeat me.

Yeah, it's true, I can't point out anything obvious to report to HR or even really think that he means me harm in any true sense of the word. Yes, he is senior and yes, he does have Paul's support in the way I could never. But he's still every bit the professional. It's more the look on his face every time he tells me to do something. It's clear he loves being in charge and that, combined with the fact that he has seen me more in more intimate ways than any man has in a long time, that pisses me off.

As unequal as the dynamic here is, surely it must be awkward for him too? If I'm going to be understanding of him for one moment, it's not like he planned for this to happen and he's just trying to make the best of an insane situation like ours. I'm not an unreasonable woman, and I'm not going to be the one to make it awkward. The most we have talked about since we slept together, I made sure of that, was just about ordinary things.

I refused to spend my breaks with him, but when we had a spare moment during working hours, we'd begin talking and I can't say it wasn't enjoyable. I'd remember our chat all those months ago and get the same rush of adrenaline that I experienced the moment I felt him inside me for the first time.

The blood rushes down from my head and I feel myself begin to squirm in anticipation. The temperature has risen and every sensation seems to be heightened. My fingertips feel the soft cotton of my bedsheets, the silk of my nightdress and I smell the faint traces of jasmine and sandalwood on the pillows. My mind conjures up the image of him and his crushing weight on top of me, exciting me like nothing else.

His hands pin my wrists above my head and he presses himself fully clothed against me while my nightdress somehow vanishes from my body.

His head bends and suckles my nipple. I feel his tongue move in slow circles across the sensitive surface of my breasts then his mouth clamps down firmly on my left nipple, taking it into his mouth and sucking hard. My back arches and I gasp loudly as I feel like he may bare his teeth at any moment but the fear disappears almost as quickly and it's replaced with only white hot desire. I can feel his cock hardening against my thigh and his hands tighten against my wrists but I push against him all the same.

He's easily stronger and heavier than me but I somehow manage to knock him off balance and he's tackled to the floor with my legs wrapped around his waist and my hands holding his. I stare deep into his eyes and feel the inner desire begin to overpower me and all he can do is hold me, guiding my movements to gain the most pleasure. The only time we break eye contact is to kiss passionately.

As I drift off to sleep, I begin to feel more and more optimistic about the day ahead and make a promise to myself that I don't intend to take it lightly.

***

I stride into work the next day and make a conscious effort not to look down. Normally, although I dress smartly enough, my wardrobe choices are intended to be more subdued. Yet, I know I must face what comes next.

My dress is emerald green, with an a-line skirt down to the knee and I wear ballerina pumps with a slight heel as I wasn't brave enough to wear my highest heels, like Lisa would. My makeup is done with a lot more care than usual and my hair is styled with a slight curl that brings body and bounce to it. I remove my jacket and bag and smile my thanks to the appreciative glances I get from my colleagues. I have to admit, I look good today.

I remember the last look in the mirror I had at myself as I left for work earlier than usual. I wanted to be presentable, and I even spent my time emptying my mind of any residual resentment from yesterday as I wanted to start a new day with a clean slate.

I was thinking that I'd at least look good enough so that Grayson wouldn't really have grounds to be annoyed at me. I know it was silly to base my whole plan for the day on acting as eye candy for someone who isn't my boss, but I suppose sometimes you have to join them, if you can't beat them. And I was just at the point of thinking that I'd managed to finally regain control when I was once again knocked off balance.

"Cassidy. Grayson isn't in the office until later today. You just go back to your regular duties," Paul said, dismissively. Like he had a clue what those were.

I feel a tiny pang of disappointment, despite myself, but it's not like I can do anything about it. But then I notice a very big pile of documents on my desk.

I frown and my eyes scan over the one on the top and I feel my blood pressure rising again.

These documents are the same ones I did for him yesterday. I'd done them twice, and even offered my own suggestions about how to make it more concise, but then I spy a small post-it note on the top of the pile:

Do them right this time. We'll talk when I get back later today.

Grayson

I am seriously fighting the urge to tell him to shove the documents up his backside, and I crumple up the note and hurl it in the bin. I try to maintain my calm as best I can but I know that this is going to mean even more work on top of the ever growing pile I had before I was forced into this stupid little project of his.

He's done this on purpose. He's sending a message loud and clear that my time and energy are less important than his. I clench my teeth and my fists ball as I struggle to maintain my composure. Not only is he not here, but I am also saddled with his work while is off doing god knows what.

The effort I've put in feels entirely wasted. I want to find him, drag him out by his ear and yell at him about how he can do his own dirty work and that I regret ever meeting him!

Don't do this, Cassy. Don't let him win. I tell myself. Keep your cool.

This clearly isn't doing me any favours, and I need to just get it done so I can then hand it back and have nothing further to do with him in the time he has left here.

Thankfully there's none of my other work that won't wait for another day and if I work quickly, I can get this done by the end of the day. Maybe even by lunchtime with enough caffeine and half-arsing some of it. Not enough for him to notice, but certainly enough so that I don't waste any more of my time on it than I have to.

Grayson has arrived back in the office by the time I check the documents for what I hope will be the final time today. I know there's nothing in these documents or my workmanship that he can really take issue with as I worked through my break to get this done. But I know Grayson likes control and since I'm not giving that to him, he doesn't like it.

I understand that I enjoyed him being in charge in the bedroom, but that doesn't mean my enjoyment extends beyond that. I can hear my mum's familiar, and very wise, words in my mind and wince:

A man is not a plan, Cassy.

I was raised by a strong willed mother who always taught me and my sister to have our own savings, and a career, before ever getting involved with a man. I admired that every bit as much as her marriage to my generous and loving father who is still happily married to her after nearly twenty five years. But it made even more sense to me when I later found out that she had to pick herself up again after her first husband suddenly left her near penniless.

Despite not having worked for a long time after she got married, she was strong enough not to give up and with my grandparents behind her every step of the way, she was able to forge a great career as a manager at a small clothing company. A job she still loves doing to this day although at reduced hours. I groan inwardly at how disappointed she'd be in me right now.

I then march over to his makeshift office and I leave the large folder of documents on Grayson's desk with a determined look on my face. He stares at me as Lena continues to talk at him but I don't pay him any mind as I walk out of his office. I know that he will absolutely not be bothering me about this anymore and I walk out feeling triumphant... for about ten seconds.

Putting him in his place should have made me happier and I thought that would mean he'd leave me alone for the rest of the time he is in our office but I feel worse than before as I make my way back to my desk. I don't know why I'm feeling so deflated, given I can't take another second of him being overly demanding.

Then when I see the message in my work inbox, all that vanishes.

Paul and I need you to come back to my office. It's important.

I want to scream in frustration, but then I look at the clock on my computer screen and breathe a sigh of relief. It's lunchtime.

I leave the message unanswered in my inbox and skip along to the break rooms. No doubt that they'll be too busy going out to a fancy restaurant during their lunch break to notice. Not that I need to explain to someone who isn't my boss why I need to take my legally required lunch and break times.

As I tuck into my sandwich, I look around the breakroom and begin to relax for the first time all day. I have nothing to feel guilty about and I know that even if I get told off when I go to see him later, I haven't done anything that could be considered wrong or disrespectful. I've done my job, nothing more nothing less.

I feel very proud of myself for not giving into his demand and I feel all the muscles in my jaw relax and my fists unclench as I sit back in my chair. I picture Grayson underneath me as I straddle his hips and he holds onto mine for dear life. I feel him inside me, hard and aching as I move only as much as I am comfortable with. His head moves to one side as I kiss my way up his neck to his ear and whatever ideas he had about touching me are dashed as my hands then hold his wrists down. He moans my name in ecstasy and I feel the blush move up the back of my neck and the blood rushes down between my legs causing a delicious ache in my pussy.

I then hear the clicking of heels coming into the break room and see the swish of long, dark curls as Lena stares at her phone. Her eyes are narrowed and her forehead creased in concentration and I snap out of my delicious daydream with renewed embarrassment.

She looks no less gorgeous, but she does seem stressed out today. I can tell she would rather not deal with anyone right now, and I feel her pain. Most of the time, I don't want to really talk to anyone who wants to complain given I want my lunch hour to be as stress free as possible. I'm prepared to just let her be, but then she spies me and her entire expression changes. Her smile comes back and I feel myself blush again. I smile back weakly and wave hello, trying not to think about how I'm picturing her business partner in my dreams every day.

She then comes to sit opposite me, and says "Mind if I join you?" in a way you'd be stupid to say no to.

"No, please sit down. It'll be nice to have a chat," I say, genuinely surprised at how very welcome her presence is.

For a few moments, we make small talk and it's easy conversation after a morning of singular focus. I feel my body relax into the chair and my face gives its first genuine smile all day.

"I think we both needed a break, don't you think, Cassidy?"

"Oh yes. Hell of a day so far."

I immediately regret saying that, as we have so far managed to have a conversation that doesn't involve what is bothering us, and that is a sentence that will only invite questions.

"How so?" Lena says, with ardent curiosity.

"Oh. Just the usual. Annoying admin. It's what I get for doing the back office stuff, right?"

I can tell she's not convinced and I am about to change the subject when she says, "You know. Grayson seemed very distracted when he finally came into the office. He seemed to be waiting for something and wouldn't talk about what we were supposed to be discussing for our project. Not like him at all."

My stomach drops, and I want to apologise to Lena for the extra stress I've unknowingly caused her.

"Yeah... he asked me to sort out some documents for him. And it seems he's not easily pleased with anything."

Lena looks sympathetic but not surprised. Her eyes soften and her mouth moves into an apologetic smile.

"He's very much a perfectionist. Always has been. Not that that excuses him. I just..."

"I get he wouldn't be where he was if he didn't work hard and take every step to make sure things were done right but does he have to be so..."

"Much of an asshole?" Lena responds playfully.

"Well. You said it. Not me," I say bravely. "Is that why he's much less of an arsehole when you're around?"

We smile at one another and she says, "Yeah. I guess so."

I then say half-jokingly, "Does he pay someone to watch him 24/7 so he doesn't get into trouble?"

"Nah. Grayson can look after himself. Trust me. I guess you have to be with a family like his. All that money doesn't buy you peace."

Oh, Daddy is wealthy too. I suppose my first impression of him being a trust fund baby was partially correct.

Aware that there's a professional barrier between us, I want to be careful how much I tell her. It would be very awkward if I had to tell her every sordid detail about that night.

"How long have you guys been in business together?" I ask.

"We've been friends since we were kids as our moms are best friends. But he and I got even closer when he suddenly decided he wanted to get out on his own. So we set up our own advertising firm in New York some years ago and just when we were making it big... he moved to the UK permanently and we just did freelancing for some of his contacts."

"Do you still run the firm over there?" I ask, wanting to know more.

"Kind of, but I've delegated a lot of my responsibilities so both Grayson and I have the luxury of being able to work from anywhere. He refuses to come home, and I go back only when I feel like it. So it works out for both of us really."

I then ask the question I'm sure has been on everyone's mind.

"So, are you two... you know?"

Lena laughs like it's the funniest joke she's heard today. "Nah. He's more like a brother. Trust me."

I feel rather miffed despite being secretly relieved. Plenty of couples work together, even if that may not always work. I don't think it was an illogical conclusion to draw given how close they are.

Lena then stops laughing and looks at me, really closely, then says "Grayson and I wouldn't work, because he and I are too different. Plus, even if I was into him like that, he seems too distracted these days."

I stare back at her and I try to ignore just how unsettled that makes me but then her smile stretches across her face and I find myself blushing once again as she smooths her long dark hair behind one of her ears.

"Maybe he's just trying to ignore the fact that his business partner can get Paul eating out of her hand whenever she wants," I say, trying to lighten things up. "Getting Paul to do that is quite an achievement."

Lena looks rather intrigued, "Really? Paul? He seems harmless most of the time. Is he a good boss?"

I offer no smile or acknowledgment of that and instead I check my watch and see that I'm due back in a few minutes.

"It was lovely to see you again, Lena. You have a nice day," I say, trying not to make an arse of myself as I clean up and gather my things. My hands are shaking and I try not to trip over my own feet as I make my way back to my desk with a lot more care than usual. My palms begin to sweat and my heart feels like it's about to pound out of my chest. I want more than anything for the ground to swallow me up never to be seen again.

My stomach churns and what seemed like a victory an hour ago has finally bitten me on the backside. I see the single message in the chat window.

Come to my office when you can. I need your help with something.

Perhaps sensing brute force won't work, or maybe just not wanting to leave any evidence for anyone to find, I sense the command behind the word 'Need.'

Grayson is many things but stupid is not one of them. He knows exactly how to manipulate any conversation without raising his voice, and has somehow managed to take control every time despite my best efforts. I feel the anger bubbling over inside of me and then one of my colleagues says:

"Oh Cassidy. Mr Smith said to ask you to come to his office after you've finished your lunch. He needs your help with something."

I groan inwardly but I know I can't fight this. God, what's the matter with me?

Thankfully though, I hear from the whispers of my colleagues that Paul has left for the day and the small victory I have is that anything that goes on from here stays strictly between us. I wonder if it's wise to count my chickens before they hatch though. I take extra care as I walk along to his office though as I feel like my legs will give way any minute. I knock on the door and enter without him responding.

Grayson doesn't initially look up as he's deeply engrossed in his phone, and I feel even more annoyed that he can't even acknowledge me but rather is making me wait until he's ready to talk. I take my seat across the table from him and study him in profile.

While I'm undoubtedly annoyed with him, I can't deny that my memories of our meeting all those months ago do him absolutely no justice. His face is smooth but his brow is furrowed in concentration and I can see his five o'clock shadow on his face where it is usually impeccably groomed. He has bags under his eyes and his dark hair, lightly peppered with grey, is ever so slightly messed up at the front, like he has just moved his hand through it in frustration.

I remember how his hair looked that tousled as my hands grabbed handfuls to steady myself as he used his mouth on me. I remember the rough feeling of his stubble on the soft insides of my thighs. And I am momentarily startled as he turns his gaze upon me. It's a brief glance but it's enough to paralyse me in my seat.

I heroically pull myself from falling over the edge and instead square my shoulders, lower my voice and fix my gaze determinedly on him before saying:

"You wanted my time, you have it. Don't waste it by pretending you're looking at something on your phone."

He puts his phone down but he still doesn't return his gaze back to me. He's silent, cautious, as if figuring out what to say and then he says:

"I said I didn't want to make life difficult for you, Cassidy but you seem determined to do that all by yourself."

I am appalled but my voice remains surprisingly calm as I carry on.

"I am not interested in understanding why you think taking my legally required lunch break is offensive. And if you've got a problem with my work, which I can assure you, I gave no reason to make you think that, why didn't you just ask someone else? Instead you monopolise my time and attention for... what exactly?"

He pauses and then looks me directly in the eyes and I can feel my resolve shaking underneath their power. My shoulders and back go rigid and I try my best to control my breathing as it begins to pick up the pace.

"I wanted to make sure the documents were done correctly. You saw the mistakes I pointed out, and I thank you for putting them right, even if you're determined to say that they're not mistakes. But regardless, they needed to be done right."

"I remember exactly what those mistakes were. They were minor typos, and easily fixable. You have the documents on your laptop. I emailed you the corrected one but you printed out the one with the very minor mistakes just to humiliate me. You could have just put them right and then moved on, but you didn't. You made me pay for a minor inconvenience to you."

I'm obviously not telling the complete truth, but I'm not going to spare him his feelings given how frequently he has shown no regard for mine.

"I was trying to make you see what needed to be done to put it right. You're here to help me after all..."

I interrupt with sudden passion: "Not by choice! And anyway, as long as you're here, I'm prepared to do the best job I can without bringing our personal history into the mix but you seem determined to undermine me at every turn. What do you want from me?!"

"I want to..." Grayson pauses, collects himself momentarily, and then speaks more carefully:

"I want you to understand, Sweetheart, that I wanted to avoid making trouble for you but you seem determined to make things difficult. I'm used to having people get things done when I tell them to, and well, and that can't change just because the person doing it is someone I've fucked."

I am so close to slapping him but I restrain myself by gripping the arm rests.

"This person you've fucked did a good job, with minor mistakes that were easily corrected. As I've already explained to you, but given there's no reasoning with you, why should I even try?"

"You don't have to, Honey. I heard you the first..." I interrupt him, my anger boiling over.

"And stop calling me those stupid names. You can call me Cassidy. Because that is my name. Use it."

Grayson looks like I've slapped him and I make the first imaginary strike on the chalkboard today.

"Okay Cassidy. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. But my point still stands about your work. If I ask you to do another assignment for me, then I expect you to do it right this time."

"Quite frankly, Grayson, I don't give a fuck wether you give me another assignment or not but I can guarantee that you could give the job to anyone else here and you won't bring them up on any of their so called 'errors'."

"Given you're the only one I've asked, that's a moot point" he says, "And I shouldn't have to sit here and explain to you why those kinds of errors aren't acceptable."

I sigh in exasperation. "Look. Can you just get to the real reason I'm here? I know you're determined to keep me around and I think it gives you a thrill knowing you can control me in a place where you wouldn't normally have that kind of power. Don't pretend you don't love making a fool out of me."

Apart from his eyes fixing on me momentarily, his body language is calm, but I am not done wanting to make him feel as powerless as he has made me feel.

"I know you're probably used to women submitting to your every whim, but understand that I won't be intimidated," I try my best to remain calm like he is but I feel my anger boiling up inside me again.

"Cassidy. You won't get the satisfaction of seeing me lose my temper. I've told you I expect certain standards and..."

"Don't patronise me. I know what's really going on here," I get up and come close to him so I'm towering above him. "I was the one who left you high and dry that night three months ago and you can't stand it. If you think you can make life at work difficult for me without consequences then think again."

He then suddenly stands up, grabs me by the shoulders and pushes my head down toward the desk. I don't struggle much, partly because I know how much stronger he is than me and because it takes me so much by surprise that I can't react in time.

His hand then lifts up my skirt and exposes my bottom to his hand and he brings it down hard and quick, and I want to scream but I know he's got me exactly where he wants me. The sting moves through my whole body and I feel the familiar heat rising in me. I bite my lip and stifle a moan as best I can but then he does it again. This time harder.

I am completely at his mercy and it makes me even more embarrassed, and possibly more thrilled, to know that there's only a small door separating us from the rest of the office. It's not until I feel the third hard slap that my moans threaten to overwhelm my sense of self preservation.

"You may think you're in control, Cassidy," he says between more gentle slaps, "but you know you're aching for me to do this to you every time. Tell me that if I slip my hand inside your panties right now you'd be bone dry..."

I pause, not knowing what to say but then he hauls me back up, turns me around to face him and kisses me hard on the lips. At first I try to push him away, but his hand moves to the back of my head and the other wraps around my waist as he backs me up against the wall. I desperately try to make him stop but then he looks at me with those eyes and something in me softens as we pause to catch our breath.

Our mouths then join in our familiar dance and I grind against him as best I can but the impenetrable force of will at my front and the wall at my back make it impossible.

"Grayson" I say between breaths as his mouth moves to my neck, "Don't make this any harder than it has to be."

"You've already made it damn hard to be around you, Cassy. You've been torturing me since that night and now I'm doing the same thing to you."

I moan into his ear, aware that I'm restricted with how loud I can be but Grayson seems to not give a damn about that. His hard groans are met with me biting hard into his shoulder when my pleas to keep quiet go unheeded. I then feel his hands move to grip my bottom hard underneath my dress and for a moment, the last chord of resistance snaps and I know that if he wanted to have me right here, I wouldn't be able to say no or stop him. And the scariest part of it all is, I don't want to. I want him. I want him inside me again.

"Please Grayson. Don't stop," I whisper into his ear, and it's all so overwhelming that I don't notice that his frame is no longer sandwiching me between him and the wall. His voice isn't gasping my name and his hands aren't moving all over me like he can't get enough. I slowly open my eyes longing to feel his lips on mine again but then the cold realisation hits me.

He is standing a few feet away from me leaning back against the desk and never taking his eyes off me. He looks at me calmly, but then I see his fists going white at the knuckles. The only indication that pulling away from me was in any way difficult.

"Cassidy. It's best that you go back to your desk for the rest of the day and look over these reports I'm going to give you. Just find the mistakes."

While I don't deny that his desire is real, he's using it against me. Like he can turn it on and off. I know that my desires aren't that straightforward as I have no wish to use them to manipulate, only experience pleasure on another level. If that's not happening, I'm not going to push any further.

I give him no response, and instead just take the reports and turn away from him, not wanting to meet his gaze any further. I am about to open the door when he grabs it from behind, but instead of opening the door further, he presses up against me ever so slightly and kisses the top of my head. He nuzzles the soft area between my neck and ear. I don't resist like I should, but I do manage to say:

"Don't think it'll be that easy, Grayson." I leave before he gets the opportunity to respond.

As I walk back to my desk, I feel slightly better knowing that he's wrestling with the same white hot desire for me. Whatever control he wants to have over me, it is backfiring on him as he can't escape it anymore than I can.

However, as the rest of the day progresses I remember that he's still annoyed about me leaving that night and what I experienced in his office was his way of leveling things out.

It builds up inside me until I ask myself what right he had to still be annoyed about it.

It was months ago, and I know he wouldn't have lost sleep about it had the roles been reversed. He just doesn't like that I was the one to walk away. I knew back then that he was a man used to being in control and clearly that must have crossed some imaginary line for him.

I remember what Lena told me about Grayson. How he had moved to the UK permanently seemingly out of nowhere after making it big outside of his family's wealth. How he refuses to go back home even when he now has the freedom to go pretty much anywhere, and how little he told me about even the basic details of his life the first time we met. While I can't deny it's intriguing, I don't allow myself to dwell on it too much as whatever shit is going on with him is no excuse to treat me and my time like it doesn't matter. I know I need to be careful with this though. The rest of the office, including Lena, all believe that Grayson and I were strangers until a few days ago and bringing personal problems into the office is a recipe for disaster.

Yet, I know that I need someone who is on my side who won't judge. Surely Kate and Lisa would understand if I told them? I mean, they know that I've got a big secret that they're dying to find out.

Remembering the promise I made to myself, and them, I resolve to tell at least one of them tonight. Lisa would be outraged on my part and would be putting on her lipstick and Louboutins like they were armour and warpaint to do serious damage to the poor soul who dared to make her friend miserable. Kate meanwhile would be sitting me down with hot chocolate or tea just to allow me to get out what I was feeling.

However, when I get home hours later and we prepare for our upcoming weekend, I realise that I can't involve them, at least for now. Lisa is looking even more tired than before and hasn't bothered doing her nightly routine of brushing her long blonde hair until it gleams and rubbing expensive lotions and creams into her skin. Kate has also avoided looking at her latest pile of books to read and is instead just sitting there lost in her thoughts. I know that something isn't right but I don't quite know how to broach the subject.

Instead I try to make easy conversation as we eat yet another of my meals but both give one worded responses and I feel the anxiety bubbling up in my stomach and into my clenched fists.

"You know. We should have another trip again soon. It doesn't even have to be too far. We can go away somewhere close by. It may do us good to get out and about like we did for Barcelona," I say, sounding only mildly committed to the idea.

Lisa and Kate both look up at me at the same time with what looks to be genuine hope in their eyes. It's like this vague suggestion of a trip is now the only thing that is a bright spot in their very bad days.

"When could we go?" asks Lisa, and then she looks at Kate who says nothing but continues to look at me with genuine interest.

"Well. We could go maybe at the end of the month for the weekend. We could finish early on Friday and then get the train somewhere."

For a moment, both of them seem so enthusiastic but I think the mention of it being so far off has just put a dampener on their plans and they both shrug noncommittally.

"Why don't we go to that restaurant you were talking about earlier this week, Lisa? We could all go tomorrow night?"

Neither Lisa or Kate look up from their plates, and I feel my stomach drop. I just can't stay quiet anymore.

"Guys. Is there something wrong? You're not usually this quiet. If there's something not right, I want to know. You can always tell me anything."

Kate doesn't look up but I can see her brow furrowing as if she's debating with herself about what she can say next. Lisa stares at me for a fraction longer than she normally would before she then checks her immaculately done nails and runs a hand through her wet hair.

"Nothing. Just a long week," Lisa responds but her face isn't giving anything away.

"Kate?" I ask gently, but she still refuses to look at me. I want more than anything to push but I know it wouldn't be the right move.

"Well. Let's all clean up the dishes and watch a movie? That'll cheer us up," I say hoping that will make a difference.

"I'll help you clean up but I think it will be best if I call it a night after that," Kate replies with an apologetic look on her face.

"Me too, but maybe we could go there tomorrow. See what the day brings." I know Lisa is only saying this to placate me as she never suggests plans unless she's absolutely certain that they will be followed through on.

That only makes me feel worse as I know neither of my friends are in a position to help me. They clearly have their own problems and I can't even get them to talk to me about it.

I can't face going to bed yet and instead I sit on the sofa and keep Netflix on as background noise. I contemplate going out for the night as it's still only about 8 o'clock. London has no shortage of fun things to do but if you don't have anything planned, then it just becomes one big mixture of noise and distraction and being surrounded by complete strangers can often be just as isolating as staying home.

The silence then breaks as I hear my phone begin to ring and my dad's number flashes on the screen asking for a video call. While it's not unexpected, it's very, very welcome.

"Hey Dad. How was your week?" I start as his face comes into the frame and I can see my mum bustling about in the background

"Cassy. Where have you been? It's not like you to not respond to my texts or calls. What's wrong, Love?"

I knew I couldn't escape my dad's astuteness for long. He normally starts with boring small talk but this time he has cut right to the chase and I hear the concern in his voice.

"Sorry. Work has been crazy this week. I've just lacked the energy to talk properly until now."

My father's brow furrows and it's all I can do not to tell him everything that's happening. I know he's far stronger than he was after his accident but the daughter in me wants to be strong for him.

"I understand, Angel but you make sure you get the rest where you can. Why not come for a visit? It's been a while since you came home and plus the train journey is so short."

I ponder the idea for a moment and it fills me with hope for a short respite in the future even if it can't happen immediately. I placate my father for the moment and assure him that I'll think about it. Then my mum comes into the frame.

"Has Adam been giving you trouble again?" She asks bluntly and my dad shoots her a look.

I laugh at the absurdity of the mention of my ex but I also mentally congratulate her for coming closer to the answer than anyone else. While it may be a man giving me trouble, it's most definitely not him.

"Oh no. He got the message months ago and I've not heard from him since. Thank god."

"You tell her, Cass! You tossed that useless sod out on his arse a long time ago," my younger sister Lucie calls out from beyond the camera lens.

"Cheers, Luce. Always my cheerleader," I say, promising to call her individually later on but then she comes into the frame looking dressed up for a night on the town. She looks radiant in a glitzy dress and her hair freshly curled while I sit feeling like a slob in my dressing gown.

"How do I look, Cassy?"

"You look gorgeous as always, Love," I say as she soaks up the attention and prepares for her big night.

"Lucy is off out with some friends tonight in Bristol. She could do with a break. She's been on call for nearly 12 hours for four days straight this week," my dad says.

Lucy works as a nurse in the hospital closest to our small town outside of Bristol but I am surprised she is going back into it hard this week given she only returned to full time hours last month. She has been invaluable in helping Dad to recover after I had to return to work but I worry about her as much as any big sister would.

"Shouldn't you just take it easy, Luce?" I ask with worry in my tone but she brushes it off with her usual carefree wave.

"I'm off the next four days after tonight Cassy. I'll have plenty of time to recover."

"Oh okay. But make sure you stay safe alright?"

Lucie rolls her eyes and blows me a kiss as she puts on her heels and grabs her bag, then my mum takes the phone from my dad and says in a softer tone.

"Please think about what your father said. We miss you and love you, Cass. I worry about you and the girls in that big city."

"Mum, you worry about me too much. I just haven't been up to talking much this week but I will think about coming home for the weekend soon. I promise."

While I know she's not fully convinced, she smiles and I long to feel her arms around me in one of her famous hugs. I feel the love from my little family radiate over the phone.

My mum blows kisses to me promising to call again soon as she hands the phone back to my dad. I see him stirring a pot of something over the stove with his other hand.

"Dad. Are you sure you're up to cooking? Maybe you should rest"

"Oh, my girls are all the same. Honestly Cassy, I'm fine. The months of Physio have really helped and I can start helping around the house again. Plus you know your mum can't cook to save her life."

My mum then playfully retorts, "Think of him like Gordon Ramsey but with a lot less shouting."

They are a beautiful match. While my mother is outgoing and never stops doing the next big thing on her list, my father is the calm and grounded presence she needs. I envy their happy and uncomplicated bond.

We talk for a few more minutes and I'm reluctant to let them go but do my best to make sure I don't worry them too much. I suppress a tear as the call ends and I know I can't carry on like this. Something needs to be done.

I am about to go to bed when I get a text from an unknown number.

Hi. I hope this isn't weird. Paul gave me your number.

My heart begins to pound and the blood rushes to my head. I feel like I'm about to pass out. Just when I thought this couldn't get any worse I find myself imagining ways to kill Paul slowly and painfully.

Who is this? I text back with shaking fingers.

It's Lena. Sorry if it's weird. I wanted to make sure you were alright after today.

Relieved, I collapse into the sofa as I type back:

What makes you say that?

I know I was as careful as I could possibly be but I suppose I can't keep the exhaustion and pure longing off my face forever. I swear I didn't see Lena after leaving Grayson's office.

I know Grayson can be a lot. The documents you did for him the other day. No doubt he would have had you check them over and over again.

I know I have to be very careful about what I say to her. While she's friendly, she's ultimately Grayson's friend and I wouldn't want to put her in an awkward position.

At least I have the weekend to recover, right? I text back.

Lol. I wouldn't blame you if you're in a coma for a few days. What are you up to?

Just about to go to bed. My flatmates are no fun tonight.

Why's that?

I wasn't the only one who had a long week, I guess. I try not to allow my mind to wander to the look on their faces as it only sets me on edge even more.

There's a long pause and the three flashing grey dots appear then disappear on the screen for several minutes before the text finally comes through.

I hope this doesn't sound weird but I'm out in a bar having a drink. Care to join me?

I pause, thinking about this for a moment. I wonder if it's appropriate for me to be going with a client of our company on personal time. I have always managed to keep my professional and personal lives separate, but I can't help but be curious as to how much of an ally she could be. She knows Grayson and has offered me a lot of insight so maybe it wouldn't be so bad to take her into my confidence.

Where are you? I can come for a couple of drinks.

She then texts me with the name of a bar and I hurriedly pull on an outfit and fix my hair and makeup so I don't look like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards. I then make my way to the tube stop near my place at Islington and get off at King's Cross. It seems that Lena and Lisa have the same taste as I have been to this bar a couple of times with Lisa when she has an important party to attend.

The bar is slowing down a little but the clientele seem to be people who come for a quiet drink before either going home or going on to a more lively place elsewhere. The vibe is comfortable and relaxing and it doesn't scream that it caters to a wealthy few until you get the bill at the end.

I search around and I see Lena at the back on one of the bar stools. Her face is bent looking at her phone and her beautiful face is creased with disappointment. She's dressed in a silk shirt that bears the look of a hard day. As I get closer I see her beige jeans and fitted blazer that show off her fabulous figure. She runs her hand through her long dark hair and her eyes look like she can only just keep them open. Maybe she needs some sleep as opposed to a drunken chat.

I call out to her and her face brightens up into a genuine smile. She then gets up and comes to hug me, to my surprise. I eventually wrap my arms around her and we air kiss both cheeks.

"Thank you for inviting me. I think the flat would have been too lonely tonight."

"I thought it would be fun to have a drink. To get to know each other better," she says sweetly and I can't help but agree despite my reservations.

"That's very kind of you. Have you had a rough day too?" I ask, cautiously.

"Not the best, but nothing to do with work," she says, sadly.

I want to push for further information but I ultimately decide to just leave the subject. Lena calls over to the barman and I ask for a glass of water but then she waves that away and orders a bottle of white wine with two glasses.

"Let me buy you a drink. Cassidy. I wanted to reach out and see if you're okay."

I am aware of how good Lena is at making you relax in her presence but maybe she genuinely doesn't know anything but has been seeing how much is going on in the periphery and this is her way of saying sorry.

"Well. Grayson is someone who likes things to be done well. That's for sure. I suppose it must be hard to have to smooth things over after he's gone."

Lena's laugh comes through as a snort and her shoulders slump as we begin to relax into an easy camaraderie.

"Oh yeah. I love the guy but he's not known for his easy manners."

This runs contrary to the man I met who, although guarded, was still someone with excellent manners and who could make a conversation really interesting once he got started.

"I'll grant you he hasn't got your charm, but just about anyone would fall short of that surely?" I say bravely, and I can't even thank the alcohol as it has barely entered my system.

Lena blushes momentarily and her eyes sparkle before she says:

"Oh yeah, he has his own way of contributing, and he's amazing but he'll let me know if he's not interested in doing business with someone. And my god, the reasons can be so petty."

"Really? No kidding," I say, pretending to be oblivious but Lena sees right through my act.

"Look. I worry that Grayson may be working you too hard unnecessarily. You seem like a lovely person and I want to say thank you for helping him out. And me."

I know we're dancing around each other despite the relaxed atmosphere and I maintain a cautious distance for now despite how much she is wearing me down with her seemingly genuine liking towards me.

"You've been very nice to me since you got here too. So why don't we start again as two people who aren't working together," I say, surprised by how much I mean it.

"That means a lot, Cassidy. Truly."

We then spend the next hour or so really talking. She tells me a lot more about her and Grayson growing up together and becoming close despite coming from very different backgrounds. She was raised by a struggling single mother and he was awarded all the privileges of being from a wealthy and well-connected family.

"Our moms met in a coffee shop one morning and his mom took me and my mom under her wing. She helped her find a better paying job and a nicer apartment while putting me through the same school as Grayson. We'd play together on weekends and even go on the same vacations."

I admire Grayson's mother for taking pity on Lena's mother's hardships but then I remember horror stories Lisa has told me about the types of things she's seen her own rich clients do to vulnerable people over the years. They often like to have a little pity project when they are bored with their own ridiculously privileged lives.

Lena must see the skeptical look on my face as she then says, "I know it's not the way it normally goes, but her and my mom share a genuine friendship to this day. Plus, she's never been anything but kind to me. I owe her a lot."

I pause, not knowing what to say.

"Grayson and his mom have a complicated relationship, I'm not gonna lie to you. Maybe she saw me as a surrogate daughter and it was her way of putting things right, I'm not sure but..." She then pauses as if aware she's said too much.

I want so much to push her on it, but I remain quiet, not wanting to back her into a corner.

"Whatever her motives, she helped you become the confident, hard-working, and charming business woman you are today," I say.

Lena smiles and her eyes shine in recognition of someone she believes to be an ally. I can't help but feel the same even though I know I shouldn't.

"Thank you, Cassidy. I can only hope I've done both her and my mom proud. Especially my mom given how hard it was for her at first."

I pause for a moment. "You know. My mum left an incredibly controlling marriage once with almost nothing. She got me, my sister, and a loving husband as a result."

Lena smiles and although we don't go into details, I know that we can finally talk like equals. There's no unspoken hierarchy or a fear that what I say may be reported back. While I'm not ready to tell her everything, we can just allow what we want to say to be said.

"You have a sister? I bet you guys are really close. Grayson is the closest thing I have to a brother but it doesn't mean I wouldn't have liked to have a sibling. What's it like?"

I don't quite know how to answer that. How can you explain that to someone who will never know what is so normal to you?

"Lucie is... absolutely insane and can drive me to insanity sometimes, but she's also brave and someone I can't picture my life without. We both nearly lost our father to a car accident a few months back so it's brought us even closer."

Lena's face falls and she reaches across to squeeze my hand, "Is your dad doing better?"

I pause momentarily, not wanting the tears to fall but my voice cracks a little before I can fully respond.

"Yeah. He's doing a lot better but it was touch and go for a while. It was hard seeing the man who is the rock in your life..." I look down just for a moment, the pain still raw, "but he's recovering well. That's what matters."

Lena squeezes my hand but doesn't feel the need to fill the silence with annoying platitudes, instead she says:

"I never got to meet my dad but my mom was determined to give me a good life. Her parents were dead and she had few friends to help her. There were some days I saw her work herself to the bone only to barely get by and it broke my heart. Even now, I remember her struggling during those dark days and I want to make sure that she never has to struggle again."

Although Lena has never been intimidating, I realise I never saw her as fully human either. She's someone with her own pain and struggles, just like me, and it makes me wonder if I have been too quick to judge Grayson for being too closed off. I give her a smile and squeeze her hand. What lingering fear I have of her is now gone.

"Thank you," and she seems to get that it's not just for the drink. I am feeling lighter than I have in a long time and we then move onto other topics of conversation. It's not until the barman politely interrupts us to inform us of closing time that I check the time. It's nearly midnight.

I pray that the tube is still running and I get up to leave but Lena shoots me a look.

"No, wait here. The least I can do is get you home safe. What's your address?"

I try to refuse out of politeness but she is insistent and I don't really have the desire to fight her on it. I don't want to be waiting in a lonely tube station in the centre of London even if it's only for a few minutes. She then makes a call and soon we're both in the back of a Bentley SUV with a driver in the front. The driver flashes a gracious smile and I try not to fidget too much as Lena gives him my address.

While I am used to occasionally mixing with wealthy people thanks to Lisa's work, I can't say that it's ever a comfortable experience. I've never been into flashy things and no amount of money can make up for having a boring or awful personality. Yet, Lena doesn't give me that vibe. I don't know her that well, but what I have seen is calm, respectful and down-to-Earth. She looks at me and I can tell she senses my discomfort.

"I pinch myself every time this happens. I was 10 the first time Grayson's mom gave me and my mom a ride home after their first meeting. I felt like a princess while Grayson acted like this was the most normal thing on the planet."

"I guess that's what comes with being a bit of a trust fund baby," I joke but then Lena stares at me for a moment before her face softens.

"He definitely had more than most kids did. I'll give you that."

I know it's uncharitable to say but I can't help it: "He seems to be a man used to getting his own way. Like he's never been told No in his life."

Lena pauses as if weighing up how much is appropriate to say: "I don't think you should judge him too quickly. Despite what you might see, Grayson isn't a bad guy."

Oh right. A poor little rich boy with first world problems. I reach into my bag for my keys as I'm determined not to think about Grayson but then she elaborates further:

"He grew up with a family who cared a lot about their name and reputation. I guess he had to navigate that while seeing his parents were far from perfect."

With my face is schooled into impassivity, I say:

"None of us are perfect, Lena. But we both know he can be a real arsehole."

"I can't argue with that, Cassy. And I can't defend everything he does but he's also the same person who wouldn't hear of me getting cabs tonight. He arranged for Darren here to take me out for the night."

"I'm not going to blow smoke up your ass and say that I don't see what Grayson does to people. That it makes them uncomfortable, and it sometimes even hurts them. I truly believe that he doesn't mean to do it though. It's just what he knows."

I want to know exactly how much she has put together. Darren then pulls up outside my flat building in Islington. I thank him sincerely and wish both him and Lena a good night.

"I really enjoyed tonight, Cassy. I hope we can see each other outside of the office a lot more in the future."

"I have no objection to that," I say, feeling better now than I did earlier in the evening.

"Have a good weekend and I'll see you on Monday morning. Hopefully Grayson won't have created too much trouble by then."

I laugh and then lean in to give her a final hug and my arm wraps around her slim shoulders. I catch a whiff of her expensive perfume and the scent of her long dark hair. Her arms squeeze me tight and I swear I feel her stroke up and down my back for a moment. The sensation is very pleasant and I can feel my heartbeat begin to race. The same rush of excitement moves through me but it disappears just as quickly.

I move away from her and we both stare into each other's eyes for a few seconds but it feels longer than that. I feel the heat move up to the back of my neck and into my cheeks and I look literally anywhere else but her lovely face. I then hurriedly pick up my bag, hoping that she doesn't see how flustered I am.

"Bye Lena. Good night, Darren," I call as I get out of the car.

"Take care, Cassy." I then linger on the pavement as I watch the car drive away into the night.

As I let myself into my flat, I can't help but think about her eyes, the way the blush moved into my cheeks. How relaxed I feel around her. I feel myself biting my lip at the memory of her soft skin and the scent of her hair. Her hands moving up and down my back.

I shake my head to focus on getting ready for bed but my mind is clouded with thoughts of our evening together combined with my last encounter with Grayson. For a moment, it's impossible to separate the two. The tingling sensation moves through my body. My nipples stiffen and I can feel myself begin to get wet and needy between my legs. I revel in the feeling and imagine her hands on my body even if I don't fully understand where it's coming from. There's just something about Lena that has made me flustered from the beginning. At first I thought it was just nerves about her surprising connection to Grayson, but tonight just proved that totally wrong.

As I settle down to sleep, I feel an odd sense of both pleasure and guilt. I know that I enjoy being around Lena and I can't deny that there's something between us, although I'm not quite sure what. It feels so much more naughty knowing that it shouldn't happen.

Yet, Grayson's face comes to my mind like it always does. He's both infuriating and yet soothing at the moments when I am at my most unsettled. Usually late at night when sleep eludes me. The two seem to go together with him. Feeling his body on top of mine felt like the most dangerous thing I've ever done although I knew he had no desire to cause me harm. Every moment felt like I was on the edge of a cliff about to fall, but his strong arms always made sure I never quite fell off.

Lena has the opposite effect. She's soothing and safe. And yet I can never quite get to the bottom of her and what she's thinking. While it would make anyone else nervous, I don't see it as a bad thing. Maybe I'm overthinking our connection as Lena and I have never acted in any way that was inappropriate while Grayson has had me in almost every way possible in one night. Something I don't plan on repeating anytime soon despite my pussy's evident protests.

I don't want this to get complicated, although it clearly has done that all by itself. I can never forget Grayson's insane mood swings and it's not wise to try and understand the reasons as to why he behaves the way he does.

He could capitalise on the fact that no one really truly knows about us and will monopolise my time and attention in a way that won't raise eyebrows.

What could our most interesting client want with the back office worker, right?

I then think about how I saw Lena earlier this evening. How disappointed she looked when staring at her phone. She said it had nothing to do with work, so what could possibly be causing her that much stress, if not Grayson? Are they really nothing more than friends? She seems to spend all her time with him both in and out of the office despite her saying that she and him are more like siblings. Was she lying?

Maybe they had something a long time ago and can't quite get over each other. Or maybe it's one sided on her part? His part?

All these questions are ones that I just don't have answers to right now, and they certainly don't help an overly active mind begging for rest. I feel relief in the knowledge that the weekend is stretching out ahead of me in all its splendour. Even if I don't go anywhere, the respite from Grayson will help me to regroup. To try and anticipate what he may try and pull on me for Monday morning.

I'm imagining him begging on his knees when he realises that I am not that easy to manipulate. Inevitably, I picture him pulling down my knickers and wrapping his lips around my wet pussy, his tongue doing that thing where he enters me ever so slightly and then licks all the way back up to my clit. I shudder at the memory and want it to carry on but the picture is quickly replaced with me bent over the desk, my bare backside exposed and him grabbing my hair as he drives himself deeper into me. My moans are loud but he silences me with a particularly masterful thrust and I know I am putty in his hands. The thought makes me clench my fists at the same time as I feel a rush of heat from between my legs.