Chapter 27 - THE Meeting ...
While I am acutely aware that a hand is on the back of my thigh I know only one of two people could possibly be touching me right now. As Ms. Herald seems to be focusing on her computer using both hands to type, my deduction skills lead me to only one other ... Mr. Payne. My wide eyes dart down to see him watching me with his usual stoic expression. I turn my gaze to the room and notice no one is paying any attention to us; their eyes fixate on the large screen in the back of the room awash with scrutinized bullet points.
I miss him. His touch, his scent, God, his voice, I long for it all. But this can't be. While two months ago I might have been happy having a quick fling with Mr. Payne, now I desire something greater. He may want more of me physically, but I require an emotional depth that I am realizing he isn't capable of, at least with me.
So with great pain and bitterness I reach behind my skirt and push his hand away. Leaning down toward his assistant I inquire if she wants a beverage. Smiling sweetly she asks for water. I turn to Mr. Payne.
"Let me guess, coffee ... black ... like your soul." I smirk and walk to the drink cart. After I prepare the coffee and grab the water bottle I return placing the bottle in front of Ms. Herald. She grins up at me and rips off the cap taking a healthy guzzle.
"Your coffee, Mr. Payne." I whisper to him. As he takes it from my hand our fingers touch causing my skin to prickle and sending shivers straight to my core. I close my eyes and take a deep breath trying to keep a moan from escaping.
Knowing I have to get away from him I rush off to my chair making the mistake of glancing up once I am seated to encounter Mr. Payne's eyes focused solely on me. His magnetic gaze holds mine causing the sound to drown out only to be replaced by the loud beating of my heart. My skin tingles as heat grows inside. I feel hot and very, very wet.
How can one man's eyes do this to me? My insides are melting and I know if the lights were up in the room everyone would wonder why my skin is flush. Everyone, except Mr. Payne.
The meeting goes on around us but we can't seem to look away from one another. Before I realize it the lights flicker on breaking me from Mr. Payne's hold. I turn my head to see a smiling Mr. Mitchell packing up his laptop. Various conversations go on around me as everyone gets up to leave. When I glance back to Mr. Payne's chair it's empty and I find him walking around the table to talk to Mr. Mitchell. After a few moments Mr. Mitchell turns to me.
"Ms. Drake, I need you to stay behind. Mr. Payne has a few questions for you in regards to your former employment with him. After you two are done talking, come to my office so we can go over the notes."
Mr. Mitchell's eyes are cemented to the floor as he speaks to me. I nod in response and wonder if he can even see my head move. Before I know it the room is empty and Mr. Payne walks to the door to close it. Then he locks it.
Henrik turns to me, his expression telling me everything at once. There is to be no discussion about my work here or at Mimir. This is the "more" he wants from me.
"You can fight this, Morgana!" my Brain interjects. "You are a strong woman. Sex is more than sexual attraction, good looks and arousal."
"No, Brain, it's not. It can be more, but not always. Right now that is all Mr. Payne wants and I am starting to get tired of fighting, because as much as I want more from him romantically I still very much want the sex too." Brain freaks when I say this yelling something about getting caught and then getting fired from two jobs for the same thing in a month. I shove her in the closet where Heart has been moping the last few weeks and lock the door.
"Morgana, I missed you." Mr. Payne explains as he strides up to me.
"You know where I live. If you missed me so much then why didn't you contact me?"
He is not getting off that easy. I put my hands on my hips to emphasize how determined I am. I am not really determined, but I would like him to think so.
He bites his lower lip and slowly releases it, of course making my eyes stare at his mouth. He tasted so good when he was at my apartment. I wonder if he still tastes that wonderful.
Mr. Payne brings his finger to the side of my neck by my ear and slowly traces a path down to the edge of my blouse.
"I know where you live. But if I remember correctly it was you who told me to leave. I figured you didn't want to see me again."
I lean back gripping the edge of the conference table and sigh.
"It doesn't matter now. I see you easily got your job back and a cute little assistant to boot."