Chapter 50: ‘Cool’

“So yes, everything is ‘cool’. Provided you keep your personal opinions about staffing decisions to yourself.” Oliver said with a softened tone. “Alright,” Marius said casually and sighs. “You okay, you seem… a little emotionally charged, compared to normal.” Marius observed accurately. Oliver’s expression hardened at Marius’ observation, his resting bitch face sliding back into place as he struggled to regain complete control over his emotions. The casual remark about emotional charge hit too close to home given how openly possessive he had been acting recently. “I am fine,” he stated flatly, picking up a pen and tapping it against the desk blotter with deliberate precision. “Long week combined with pending deadlines creates stress. Nothing you need to concern yourself with.” His blue eyes flicked briefly toward Harpers desk again before snapping back to Marius. “Was there anything else related to work? Because if not, I have emails waiting.”

“No there is nothing else. You should relax more,” Marius said casually. “Come out for a drink with me sometime.” Oliver’s jaw clenched visibly at the suggestion, the casual invitation sending sparks of irritation through his system. The idea of spending time with Marius socially– drinking, relaxing, potentially having conversations about Harper– felt like an invasion of his carefully constructed boundaries. “I don’t drink socially,” he replied curtly, rising from his chair to signal the end of their conversation. “And my schedule is booked solid for the next three weeks.” He moved toward the door with deliberate steps, opening it slightly to indicate Marius should depart. “Enjoy your evening. I will see you tomorrow morning for the weekly strategy session.” As Marius exited and headed back toward his own department, Oliver closed the door with more force than necessary. His breathing came slightly faster as he leaned against the wood surface, heart pounding with anticipation knowing he was mere feet away from claiming what was his.

Oliver stood there for a moment, collecting himself. The adrenaline from the encounter with Marius still coursed through him, mingling with the anticipation of Harpers earlier promise. His breathing slowed as he forced himself back into CEO mode, though the tension in his shoulders remained visible. He returned to his desk and sank down into his chair, grabbing the financial review binder with renewed determination. Twenty minutes until Mr. Andrew arrived– enough time to get some actual work done before claiming his prize. Fifteen minutes later, as Oliver typed out notes about quarterly projections, he opened his drawer to get a highlighter, then he saw Harper black laced bra. The sight of her discarded lace bra nested among the stationary sent a jolt of electric memory through his entire system. His breath caught in his throat as he stared at the delicate fabric, remembering vividly how it had looked against her skin yesterday when he couldn’t resist pulling her onto his desk.

His grip tightened on the highlighter, knuckles turning white as blood rushed southward with painful urgency. The professional distance he had maintained all day evaporated in an instant, replaced by a surge of raw need that made his chair feel suddenly constricting. With a curse under his breath, Oliver slammed the drawer shut and stood abruptly, pacing toward the window overlooking the city skyline. His heart hammered against his ribs as images flashed through his mind– her bare legs wrapped around his waist, the way she arched into his touch when he teased her mercilessly.

…

Harper watched from her desk as Marius left Oliver’s office and Oliver closed the office door. She knew fairly well how frustrated he must be by now. Her heart beat harder against her ribs as she remembered that heated, passionate look in Oliver’s blue eyes. He looked like he wanted to rip her clothes of right there and then. She tried hard to distract herself from thinking about him or remembering the deal she made. Five minutes before his meeting with Andrew, Harper received an email from Andrew.

To: [e-mail]

Subject Line: 6 PM meeting

Dear Mr. Williams

Regarding our meeting today, I do apologize for the short notice, but I will not be able to attend. An urgent matter has come up. I will reschedule as soon as possible.

Warm regards, Andrew

Harper carefully read the email. A part of her was concerned about Andrews’s cancelation, it wasn’t like him to cancel a meeting. In the few months she had worked at ThreadForm, she had found Andrew to be a dedicated accounted who actually enjoyed his work and was particularly good at it. She had come to respect him for that.

Reply to: [e-mail]

Subject Line: 6 PM meeting

Dear Andrew

Thank you for your notification. I look forward to rescheduling and I hope everything if well.

Warm regard, ThreatForms

After sending the reply, Harper glanced toward Oliver’s closed door. Suddenly feeling nervous she took a deep breath and stood up from her desk. As she slowly approached the office door, she felt herself becoming more and more nervous but also excited. She had never done anything inappropriate at work or anywhere it shouldn’t be done. But she couldn’t deny the appeal of doing something so forbidden.

…

There was a light knock-on Oliver’s office door. As the door slowly opened, he turned to see Harper standing there in the doorway. She cleared her throat before speaking. “I received an email from Andrew. He won’t be able to attend the meeting, something came up,” she said softly, almost shyly. Oliver’s entire demeanour shifted in an instant, the professional CEO façade crumbling completely. The news that Mr. Andrew had cancelled gave him an opening he hadn’t dared to hopped for– an entire hour alone with her before the rest of the office emptied out. “Cancelled?” he repeated, his voice dropping tot hat dangerous whisper she had come to recognize. “Perfect.” He stood up from his desk and strode around his desk towards her with deliberate steps, closing the distance between them until he could reach out and pull her inside by the waist. The door clicked shut behind her with finality.