“Um...” She looked over at me. “I’m not so—”
“It was nice seeing the two of you today. It’s good to know that employees are friends outside of the office.” I looked back and forth between the two of them. “I’m going to go back to relaxing on the bench now. Have a great Saturday, Mr. Henderson.” I narrowed my eyes at Claire. “Miss Gracen.”
I walked back over to the bench, only a few feet away from them, and pretended to be engrossed in my phone.
“What were you saying, Claire?” He smiled at her.
“I was saying that I wasn’t sure if that’d be a good idea...We’re coworkers in the same department and—”
“You and I both know the fraternization policy was canceled a while ago.” He reached over and caressed her cheek with the side of his palm. “It’s just a run, Claire. If you enjoy it—and I think you would, we could even do lunch later. There’s this great sandwich shop two miles down.”
“I—”
“I’ve always wanted to ask you out—you’re beyond gorgeous, but with the policy and all, and you being so—”
“Me being so what?” She tilted her head to the side and smiled.
Is she actually entertaining him?! In front of me?! Right in front of me?!
“Nothing...I just always wanted to ask you out, that’s all. Would you like to run with me next Saturday?”
“I can’t. I mean, thanks for the offer but I can’t go out with you...I’m kind of seeing someone else right now.”
Kind of?
“Is it completely exclusive or are you open to dating other people?”
She hesitated and I almost jumped up and kissed her in broad daylight, right in front of him and anyone else that cared to watch.
“I’m seeing someone else, Matthew...”
“Well...” He smiled. “Let me know if it doesn’t work out, okay? I think you and I would be good together. We have a lot in common...” He looked her over one last time before he walked away.
I can’t believe this woman. She has some. f**king. nerve.
Mr. Henderson resumed his run and Claire walked back over to the bench.
“I think we should get out of here before anyone else shows up.” She sighed. “It’s almost nine o’ clock so—”
“Are you ashamed of me, Claire?”
“What? No, of course not. I—”
“What’s the reason behind keeping us dating a secret again? The employee policy has been changed for quite some time now.”
“Because you’re the CEO and I’m a mid–level marketing director. It’s already complicated enough with the age gap, but our positions are—”
“Do you want a f**king promotion? Do you want a seat on the goddamn board? What position do you f**king want because I’ll make it happen today. What do I need to do to make sure people know that you’re taken and not interested because you sure as hell don’t know how to make that clear!”
“Excuse me?” She scoffed. “I don’t need you to insult me by acting like you’re in control of—”
“What position do you want?”
“It’s not about the position, Jonathan.” She seethed. “It’s about me knowing better than to date the CEO in the first place, who is undoubtedly the most jealous and possessive man I’ve ever met.”
“You left out the sexiest.”
She rolled her eyes and stood up. “I parked my car on the other side of the lake. I’ll see you at work on Monday.”
“Stop.” I reached out and grabbed her arm. “I was more than honest with you. I told you I’m the jealous type and I meant that. I don’t want to see you with anyone else and I don’t want people thinking you’re on the market...What do I need to do to make sure that happens?”
“Stop being so damn childish.”
“I’m not being childish. I’m protecting what’s mine.”
“I’m not—”
“You’re not what? Mine? Is that what you were about to say?”
She crossed her arms and let out an exasperated sigh.
“Why did you let him touch you here?” I ran my fingertips across her cheek. “I didn’t like that...”
“How was I supposed to know that he was going to touch me? I can’t read minds... We really need to leave before the morning rush. Mr. Barnes runs here sometimes, as well as a few of my associates...”
“Where are you headed?” I slipped my arm around her waist.
“Home.” She tried to move my hand, but I tightened my grip.
“I don’t think so.”
“Jonathan, I am going home. Right now. Deal with it.”
“No. You’re not. You’re coming with me.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “We need to have another discussion and make sure the two of us are on the same page. I don’t think you fully understand what being mine means.”
“Fine. So we’re only going to talk?”
“Yes...Right after I f**k the shit out of you.”
Chapter 14
Jonathan
“Could you please stop filling my office with hundreds of flowers every day? This is getting ridiculous!” Claire texted me.