Greentea And Bergamot

Noreen's PoV

Never in my life had I been trembling all the way down to my little toes. And my whole body was cold.

The boss, ah, his name was Thiery Bradley, stood before me, towering like a statue, his hands on his hips, his gaze sharp and searching.

"You!" he hissed sharply. "Why are you here?"

I felt like saliva was stuck in my throat. I cleared my throat, clearing it and forcing back my momentarily lost courage.

"I'm the expert you've chosen to help with the project you're working on here," I answered smoothly, though my voice sounded a little hoarse. "My name--"

"Noreen Ellise Winchester," he cut me off. "I know."

Thiery narrowed one eye, then moved, walking slowly around me, as if I were an undressed mannequin needing to be checked for scratches.

Oh my gosh!

Goosebumps rose up my body. My palms were clammy, but strangely cold, as if I were holding ice.

He stopped right behind me, and even though I don't have eyes on the back of my head, I could feel his gaze scanning me up and down.

Then, he moved to stand beside me and leaned in toward my neck.

I instinctively pulled away. Was he trying to kiss me?

"You still smell the same," he muttered with a smirk.

Damn, I cursed under my breath. That was the sexiest smirk I'd ever seen.

"So, you'll work for me, hm?" Thiery walked back behind his desk and sat down casually, ignoring the fact that he'd nearly made me pee. "This is so unexpected."

"I-I didn't know it was you, the one who was going to be my boss," I said nervously.

Just then, it suddenly occurred to me that he might think I was investigating him and was doing something to get close to him.

"Of course you don't know, just like I didn't know you were the designer I chose. Your bio lists a different profile picture," Thiery said casually.

I tried to remember which photo I used in the one I submitted to the company.

"Oh, my," I muttered, embarrassed. "That was when I just graduated from college."

I was wearing thick glasses, braces, and long, straight bangs. An unflattering photo, of course he wouldn't recognize me now.

However, I was confident that I looked much better now than I did then.

I had Lasik surgery, removed my braces, and changed my boring hairstyle to a more stylish one. I also learned to wear natural makeup, the flawless, natural style of Korean idols.

"Why did you just leave like that?" Thiery asked angrily.

I felt my heart rate increase, but just as I was about to answer, a knock on the door saved me from answering.

"I'll get it," I said quickly, walking to the door. I heard him click his tongue.

"Ms. Winchester," the security guard who knocked said. "The driver is waiting downstairs. The roads are a bit congested, so I think you and the boss should leave now."

"Ah, yes, thank you, Mr. Sangern. I'll let the boss know," I said.

I returned to the office and approached the desk. "Boss, your car is—"

Thiery got up from his chair. "I know. Let's go."

I walked beside him, slightly behind him, out of his office and into the elevator.

A very familiar scent emanated from Thiery's body, enveloping me in a vivid memory of that time, when we made love.  I held onto the elevator wall, suddenly feeling unsteady.

"D*mn!"

Suddenly, Thiery turned and grabbed my hand, pulling hard so that I slammed into his chest. Then he lifted my chin and kissed me.

Oh my God!

I remember this kiss. It was so deep and intense, Thiery dominating my lips and tongue, devouring and devouring my lips as if he wanted to eat me whole.

I was lost in a familiar ecstasy. When he pulled my tongue away from me, I froze.

I heard a dog growl behind Thiery.

Thiery broke the kiss, but didn't loosen his grip on my waist.

I grabbed the collar of his jacket. "Did you hear that sound?" I asked, confused.

Thiery was tall and big, so I couldn't see behind him.

"What sound?" Thiery asked, his eyebrows furrowed.

"A dog," I replied. "I heard a dog growl."

Thiery looked at me as if I'd grown horns on my forehead, then he released his hand from my waist with an exasperated sigh, and I had to lean against the elevator wall to keep from falling, as my legs had turned to jelly.

Thiery straightened his shirt and jacket, then turned his back to me.

"Get dressed. We'll discuss this later, after office hours," Thiery said flatly.

I felt daunted, but I was also a professional, and that principle had brought me to the level of my career today. So I straightened my clothes, added a little lip tint, and stood upright beside him.

The elevator doors opened with a clink, and as I stepped out, I realized something.

"Boss, did the elevator stop moving?" I asked quietly. "When we kissed?"

Thiery turned and looked at me with a strange look in his eyes. "Do you often kiss anyone?"

I was surprised, but annoyed because his question had no connection to mine.

"Of course not," I replied sharply. "Why are you asking that? I asked you about the elevator!"

"No," Thiery replied. "The elevator didn't stop at all."

"But—"

"You like to make assumptions. The elevator stopped, the sound of a dog growling. What's next? A wolf's tail sticking out of my ass?"

Instinctively, I glanced at his butt. Oh, wow, he had a firm butt under his black trousers.

Thiery cleared his throat, and I felt my whole face grow warm. He must be thinking I'm weird now.

The car waiting in the parking lot was a shiny black Mercedes-Benz Maybach.

My eyes widened involuntarily. I'd never seen such a beautiful and sleek car. The black paint even glistened in the light.

A middle-aged man got out of the driver's side door and swiftly opened it for Thiery.

He got in, and the driver motioned for me to get in as well, following Thiery.

The interior of the car was even more stunning. Warm tones of cream and light brown dominated the interior, which felt cool and fragrant with the fresh scent of green tea and bergamot.

"Prepare a proposal addressed to the Brisbane Resort Company," Thiery said, once the car started moving. "Separate the cooperation agreement form to be signed."

I moved quickly to follow his instructions. But my hands were shaking. The aroma inside the car was distracting me.

"Why are you shaking?" Thiery asked flatly. He reached out and cupped my hand over my bag. "Is the AC too cold?"

"N-no," I said nervously. "It's my first day, of course I'm a little nervous."

He clucked his tongue and removed his hand, then crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

"Study the proposal I mentioned earlier and wake me when we arrive," Thiery said.

I didn't dare move too much, as it might disturb him.

But after skimming the first page, I couldn't help but turn my head.

Thierry Bradley was so handsome. And hasn't he aged? Why did he look the same as he did four years ago?

I noticed something behind his ear, and my curiosity made me move closer to him.

It was a small tattoo, just behind his ear, a little closer to the pulse point on his neck.

I wanted to see what it was, so I cautiously approached, and suddenly I realized.

The scent of green tea and bergamot wasn't from the car perfume, but from Thiery.

As I took a deeper whiff, a thousand butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and I was shocked to realize that I was... Wet.