Chapter 3 - Connor POV

Connor’s POV

Seeing her this close is like a revelation. She is beautiful. Not even in an understated way. She is fucking stunning. I had a moment in the kitchen when I just wanted to slam her into a wall and kiss those plump, pouty lips of hers. Fuck, I wish I could but I can’t. I am now technically her boss. We need to have a healthy professional relationship. I make myself a promise to glance but not touch. Secret glances. Just to admire her. I need to control myself. A knock at the door drags me from thoughts of her and I move from behind my desk to answer it. As I suspected it’s Al.

“Well if it isn't Mr. work my way to the top!” he beams as he pulls me in for a bro hug.

“Come on in! Olivia can you come in about an hour so we can run through today's schedule?” She nods to confirm and I turn my attention back to my best friend as I saunter over to my desk and sit behind it. Al takes a seat in front, lifts one leg and crosses it so his ankle is rested on his knee. 

“Nice to finally see you up here Con.” He beams.

“Yeah, feels good to finally make it up here. Especially with all the experience I’ve gained by working for it. You should have come with me.” I tease knowing full well what his answer would be.

“Absolutely not. I am extremely happy taking advantage of my privilege” He laughed as I frowned. Al has always let his family name carry him but I never have. As much as I love him as a brother he irritates me with his upper class bullshit. As long as you work hard and do your job you have my respect. For Al, respect depends on the label in your clothes, money in your bank and the attractiveness of your face.

“What do you think of the view on the twelfth floor?” He asks, pulling me out of my head but something in his eyes tells me he's not talking about the scenery. I feign ignorance and turn my chair to look out of the floor to ceiling windows and chuckle.

“It’s just the city although I do have a lovely view of the park from here.” I say as I point to the one patch of green.

“Con you know that's not what I meant.” he states with his eyebrow raised. I know he is talking about Olivia and I can feel myself getting uncomfortable with his line of questioning. He’s never mentioned Olivia before and considering his reputation with women I’m almost positive he would have said something about her before now.

Choosing to feign ignorance I asked him what he meant.

“Please tell me you have noticed Liv! She is a bombshell. Been trying my luck for a year and getting nowhere! I was hoping if you could bed her at least I would get a first hand account of every kink that delectable kitten is trying to hide.” He smirks at me, seeing my blank expression as indifference when really my insides are boiling over. I dont even know why having only just officially met her but this woman has been my daily piece of happiness for the last 6 months. Even if it was from a distance as strangers.

“Al you have been my best friend since we were both in nappies but I swear to god if you speak about Olivia in that way again I will beat the shit out of you.” I speak slowly to try and remain calm. Since I started working here 7 months ago Al and I haven’t seen much of each other, granted I hadn’t expected the experience to change my perspective so much but it has and now I’m looking at my best friend from a fresh perspective, I don’t know if I like the person he has become. KNOCK KNOCK.

Shit! Has it been an hour already?

“Come in! Al, can we catch up later? I need to settle my schedule for today with Olivia.” My tone leaves no room for argument and Alexander’s tall, lean frame rises from his chair and saunters across the room as the door opens and in she steps. Completely unaware of the conversation that has just occurred. She looks at Al as he walks through the door and he turns and flashes his bright pearly whites at her and winks as he leaves. She looks mortified and confused. Wait, maybe he was just trying to get a reaction out of me?

Olivia's POV

I hear the door click shut and exhale. Okay. This is just a normal day at work. Just do as you normally would. Don’t think about the fact that Mr Drop Dead Gorgeous from the park is behind that door. Totally normal to fantasise about your boss...NOT! I cringe inwardly and shake my head trying to concentrate on setting up for the day. I'm halfway through preparing the morning schedule when my personal phone rings. Thinking it must be the boiler company I answer it immediately.

“Hello?”

“Good morning honey. Are you coming over today?” Her once melodious voice sounds raspy and makes my eyes sting with grief.

“Morning mum. I will do my best to come over but my boiler broke this morning and I need to ask my new boss for the afternoon off. If he allows me to leave then I will have plenty of time to see you. Do you need anything?”

“Oh honey, I completely forgot your new boss started today. Don't worry about me if you have too much to do today.” She tries to sound strong but I can tell she doesn't mean a word. 

“No mum it’s fine honestly. I’ll bring some of your favourite chocolate to cheer you up, you sound upset.” She does this so often I wonder if I will ever hear her happy again.

“Chocolates sound great. Shall I expect you around 7?” She perks up a bit but not enough for me to stop worrying.

“See you then mum. I love you.” At this point I am desperate to keep my voice steady but it cracks right at the end and I can’t catch my breath. I quickly hang up and rush to the toilet to try and sort my face out. I can already tell I'm red and blotchy from the tears I didnt realise I had released. It’s just me and mum now. Dad died 5 years ago in a car accident and she had just began to get her life back together and now this. Determined to see her tonight I check the clock and realise the hour is up. Walking to the door I knock on the door. I hear Mr. Williams tells me to come in and in I go to be face to face with Alexander. I don’t know what it is about this guy that seriously puts me on edge. He winks at me and I cringe internally and frown. 

Adjusting my posture and straightening up I walk towards his desk, trying to exude confidence and fall flat on my face. What did I even trip over? Probably my own feet. 

“Holy shit are you okay?” I hear as I feel my face heat and turn a deep red, I feel something lift me to my feet and open my eyes to bright sky blue ones staring into my soul. Fuck he is actually beautiful. Now I am this close I can see everything, all his tiny perfect imperfections. He has a chicken pox scar about his left eyebrow and a small crook in his nose as if it’s been broken but long healed. His perfect blue eyes are like a bright summer’s day and his lips. I cannot stop staring at his plump perfect lips. I’m still watching as they move into a smirk.

“Are you going to stare at my lips all day or are we going to get some work done? If you want to kiss me just ask.” I can hear the humour in his voice. His deep smooth voice.

OH MY GOD LIV SNAP OUT OF IT! I kick myself internally for not controlling my lusty brain and step out of his hands.

“My apologies sir. I have sorted through your morning schedule but I, um…”

“Olivia is everything okay?” He asks

“Yes, sir, it's just my boiler decided the only water I was going to get was from Antarctica so I need…”

“Olivia if you need the afternoon to sort things out that's fine. I’m not an unreasonable person but can you do me a favour?” He seems sincere but I lower my head as I’m suddenly taken back to the time of his predecessor and my brain looks for escape routes. He’d asked me for “favours” as well. Shit.

“Can you please stop calling me sir?”

“That’s all?” I squeak

“Yes, of course why what did you…. Let me guess Mr. Handsy before me had a different definition of a favour.” There is an edge to his voice and I can feel an angry energy emanating from him. 

“I would rather not get into that Mr. Williams. Now for the morn…”

“Connor.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Please call me Connor. Not sir, not Mr. Williams. Connor. We are going to be working together one on one a lot and while I appreciate keeping it utterly professional in front of others, if we are alone in this office please call me Connor.” He sighs “Olivia I want there to be mutual respect, almost a friendship if you will. I find it creates an easier working environment for everyone. Now shall we sit and discuss the morning before you leave me to my own devices this afternoon to deal with your boiler?”

I smile. He is nothing like Mr. Handsy. I sit down and go through the morning schedule and what errands i will need to run. Then Mr.Will… I mean Connor goes through his likes and dislikes in the office. For example he likes to make his own coffee and prefers me to be in on meetings to make notes. It’s still difficult not to stare at the way his muscular body fills his shirt when he takes his bazer off or the way he runs his strong hands through his curly hair. Which by the way I want to touch so badly! It looks so soft. After an hour of discussion I stand to go back to my desk.

“Okay Connor, I think we will work together really well. I need to get back to my desk and work through everything before I leave for the day.” I turn and start walking out.

“Olivia let me know when you are leaving please? If you are still having issues tomorrow then text my personal number, nothing formal just to keep me updated in case I need to fend for myself tomorrow.” He flashes me a charming smile and I try to hold in a giggle. He looks so sexy and playful. NO! Liv stop thinking your boss is sexy for god sake.