CHAPTER ELEVEN

Coraline

“Was that your boss that dropped you off?” Ash asked the moment I stepped into our modest two-bedroom apartment, not even concerned about the way I was dripping from head to toe.

“Yep,” I replied, popping the ‘p’ through my slightly chattering teeth.

“Oh my gosh, for real?” she squealed.

“He’s literally on his way to pick up a date as we speak so don’t be too excited.” I grabbed the hand towel she handed me and began drying off. “Why’s Marc here though?”

“We planned a picnic date for today but the rain ruined it.”

I shook my head at her. “Should have checked the weather forecast.”

“Those things are never accurate, you know that.”

I walked past her towards my room so I could take off my wet clothes, not bothering with a response. She was four years older than me and kind of like my polar opposite in appearance.

Taking our dad’s features, she had brown hair and blue eyes while I took our mom’s with blonde hair and brown eyes. She had also taken his height while I had obviously not, forever stuck at being five foot two.

“So I know you already told me that he said he has no available positions in any of his companies. But what if you help me set up a chance meeting with him instead?” Marcus intercepted me on the way out of my room and I wanted to facepalm so bad.

“Something like today when I picked you up from his car. I could have used that opportunity except it was raining and he had somewhere to be too.”

I plopped onto our sofa. “Why are you under the impression I’m on buddy-buddy terms with my employer?”

“I think he likes you more than he lets on.” Ash said from her spot by the coffee table where she was setting up a game of Scrabble. I could hear a kettle of tea whistling from the kitchen and I was sure she had put it on for me.

I made a face at her ignorant words. “Well, you don’t see the way he treats me so I won’t blame you for thinking that.”

Her head whipped to face me, her messy bun wobbling at the abrupt action. “Treats you? How does he treat you?” Her tone of voice indicated she had her older sister mode activated.

“He’s a little too strict with his stupid rules. And he’s sharp with his words too. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.” I shrugged, not wanting to go into too much details.

Then I turned to face Marcus to steer the conversation in a different direction. “Look Marc, I’d love to help you, really. But trust me when I say we’d both be wasting our time trying to get you a job under him.” I gave him my best sympathetic face.

He still had a stubborn set to his chin, eyes looking at me doubtfully. But there was really nothing I could do to help him.

“Don’t stress it, babe.” Ash beckoned him towards her. “I’m sure you’ll find something better somewhere else.”

He ended up staying the night like he sometimes did and even though he drove me to work the next morning instead of me taking the subway, I ended up being a few minutes late.

“Hey,” he called just as I was getting out. “I’m not giving up. I’m getting a meeting with him one way or the other.”

I simply shrugged. “Goodluck then.”

I hurried to the elevators, passing a smiling greeting to the concierge by the front desk.

When I stepped into the penthouse suite, I could smell coffee brewing. Then I entered the kitchen and found a woman in nothing but a halfway buttoned up white shirt that barely covered her ass perched on the counter.

‘She must be the female guest,’ I guessed. And judging by her rumpled hair, disheveled appearance, and too much flawless skin on display, it was obvious she had spent the night fucking my boss.

Ugh, why did I have to see this? This wasn’t part of my job description.

“You must be the cook,” she said before I could utter a word, hopping off the counter and walking towards the French press.

Her hips swayed seductively beneath the short hem of the white shirt she had on as she flaunted her long smooth thighs.

“Uh, yes.” I replied succinctly, even though she hadn’t posed it as a question.

“Yesterday’s dinner was a bit underwhelming to say the least. Don’t know why Alessio hired an unseasoned amateur such as yourself, but I believe you can do better.”

“Right now I’m craving a casserole,” she mused as she poured herself coffee. “A tater tot breakfast casserole.” She twirled to face me, coffee cup clutched in one manicured hand. “Can you make that?”

I pursed my lips to hold in my annoyance, striving to remain calm and polite. “I’m sorry but I don’t answer to your requests as you’re not my boss.”

“She’s my personal guest meaning you should in fact, do as she says.”

I whirled around at Alessio’s voice, seeing him calmly stride into the kitchen, looking sharp in a coal black suit as he adjusted his cuff links.

“Excuse me?” I confronted him.

“You’re also late.”

“By four freaking minutes.” The ‘asshole’ at the end of that statement was silent.

“You’re beginning to push your luck with me, Coraline. Just because I let some things slide in the past doesn’t mean you should challenge my words now,” he said in a tone of warning.

I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to decide if this was a fight worth losing my job over.

“Don’t be so harsh on her, Ale.” His ‘guest’ went to stand beside him, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I get where she’s coming from and I’d be a little upset too.”

The hand began rubbing his shoulder but Alessio’s hard gaze remained on me. I didn’t budge either.

Then he suddenly spun and grabbed the woman’s chin, his head plunging downwards to capture her open mouth.

Oh my God, what the fuck?!

They began full on making out in front of me, tongues thrusting and lips smacking. His hand grabbed her ass and one slender leg hooked high on his hip.

She moaned, eyes fluttering shut in bliss as they both ravaged each other’s mouths.

I just stood there in blatant shock, not knowing what else to do except watch as this disaster of a scene unfolded in front of my eyes.

After what felt like forever, he finally lifted his head, eyes heavy with lust as he gazed down at the woman’s swollen lips.

She released a drunk-looking smile. “Should we head upstairs for round six?”

He didn’t reply, but he glanced back at me, licking his wet lips as he said, “Breakfast should be served by the time we’re done. And it should be what my guest asked for.”

Then he took her arm and dragged her towards the stairs while she giggled in delight.

I was left totally bewildered.

And I had once thought this was the easiest job ever.