This Office Love Story Can’t Hold a Candle to Fifty Shades of Gray

I spent all weekend in bed, enjoying what little free time I had left before starting my new job. But after a ton of face and hair masks, I still couldn’t get my mind off what had happened at the masquerade.

I didn’t know who the gorgeous stranger was or why he hadn’t been wearing a mask, but boy was I glad I wore one.

There were moments throughout the weekend where I would recall what I had done and then be washed over with embarrassment.

I shook the thought off and focused on getting ready for my first day. I’d tried on five outfits already, but I was so worried about my first impression on my boss that I couldn’t settle on anything.

Finally choosing a pencil skirt and a purple silk button-down, I grabbed an extra just-in-case outfit and stuffed it in my bag before heading out the door.

***

“Hello, Mr. Belrose.” I swallowed as I kept my eyes low. “I’ll be your assistant starting today. Would you like some coffee?”

“Ah, yes,” said a familiar voice. “Victoria, isn’t it?”

“Yessir, Victoria Hut”—I froze as I met his eyes. Those same green eyes with specks of hazel in them—“son.”

“Welcome, Ms. Hutson.” He spoke with a calm voice, the voice that not too long ago had whispered naughty things in my ear. “Are you all right?”

I realized that I had been staring at him with a blank expression for much too long and quickly nodded in response. “Uh…coffee?”

“Sure. Two sugars.” His lips lifted in the corners, and I knew I had to look away before I started staring again.

I made my way to the coffee maker and crafted his drink in a mug, trying to ignore intense flashbacks of the session I had had with him last week.

“I got your coff—”

~Oh, for goodness sake.~ I poured coffee all over my silk shirt.

“I’m so sorry. I can get more coffee for you—”

“Don’t worry about it, but um… Victoria?”

“Hmm?” I sat his coffee down on his glass desk. My eyes wandered to his strong arms and veined hands.

“Isn’t the coffee hot?” He pointed at the stain on my top. As if on cue, I started noticing the burning sensation across my skin.

My fingers fumbled to unbutton, but I was so rushed that I couldn’t even undo a few buttons.

My breathing was heavy, but it only got worse when I watched his hands calmly unbutton my shirt as he towered before me.

I refused to meet his eyes, knowing what effect they had on me, but my line of sight only led to more sinful things.

“Victoria…” His hands still held onto my shirt as he gazed at me.

“Yes?” I finally met his eyes, only to find an incredulous look on his face.

“I hope it’s not too strange of me to ask, but where did you get this necklace?”

My eyes followed his gaze as I realized that I was wearing the same necklace I had worn the night of the masqueraed. Oh, no.

My mind scrambled for a lie, something slick and easy, but before I could fact check myself, I mumbled, “There was a sale, and they had a ton of these.”

“At which store?”

I paused for a moment, trying not to come up with a brand too well known, but of course, I blurted out, “Target.”

I cursed myself silently, but I knew that at some point later, I’d be laughing about this.

“I should go clean up.” I excused myself as I turned around, removing myself from his laser-focus stare.

I yanked my extra shirt out from my bag and rushed to the bathroom with one hand holding my shirt together to hide myself from other prying eyes.

Can’t things just work out for me for once?