Page 27 of Falling for the Bosshole

11

Ananever knew happiness similar to the one she was feeling was even possible. And it was all because of Lash. He occupied her thoughts every minute of each day as she replayed in her mind what happened between them. Ana was perceptive enough to know that the sex inside his Foundation office was more tentative, hesitant, exploring. Lash was careful for her sake back then. She couldn’t say the same thing about what followed inside his car. That was craving, yearning, lustful sex. She couldn’t get enough, and neither could he.

She was just glad for all her dance training. Being limber was never a problem, and she had to be, with all the crazy acrobatics they did within the close confines of the backseat.

Lash kneeling and trying to avoid bumping his head against the top of the car while she straddled his shoulders with only her neck and head to support her weight. The head rush was enough to knock her unconscious, but the ensuing orgasm was out of this world.

Lash, taking her from behind as his weight crushed the air out of her lungs. She was on her face and stomach, clutching his waist with the back of her legs. She was thankful for all the yoga lessons she had taken. She supposed the car had to be brought in for a check-up after all the shaking and pumping it endured.

The memory still brought a silly grin to her face.

But it was the way Lash greeted her the next day at the studio that ultimately took her breath away. Ana struggled with the idea that all the sex they shared was just “one of those things.” She avoided thinking about it in any other terms, maybe because she was afraid. It was enough, and she convinced herself repeatedly.

Therefore, it was so unexpected when Lash greeted her with a kiss and casually draped an arm across her shoulders … like she was his girlfriend. It was like sending an unspoken message to everyone because he did it in the presence of the cast and crew at rehearsals. Her cheeks grew warm, noting the raised eyebrows of the other girls. She could almost hear what they were thinking.

But all the subsequent gossip was not enough to take away the elation inside her heart in knowing that he didn’t want to keep it a secret. Lash was downright demonstrative about his affection. The term “public display of affection” did not seem to exist in his vocabulary as he would often kiss, caress, and hug her, not giving a shit about who saw them.

It was enough to keep Ana floating on cloud nine. Tonight, he wanted her to come to his penthouse for dinner. She envisioned a romantic dinner for two, and if she were lucky, Lash might do the cooking. Ana rushed home after rehearsals, took a quick shower, and donned a sexy black dress for the occasion. It was one of those dresses that Stefan, her new best buddy, insisted she keep in her closet.

As she stepped into the elevator of Lash’s plush penthouse building, she hardly recognized the girl that was reflected on the wall mirrors. Her eyes were shining, and there was a noticeable flush around her face as she imagined how the rest of the night would unfold. It was enough to start the juices flowing between her thighs.

A wicked thought occurred. She giggled as she placed a finger inside her panties. With a whiff from her, they could dispense with cocktails and entrees and go straight to the main course, which she fully intended to be her.

The notion almost made her come. She took a deep breath to restore her equilibrium, feeling the heat that had pooled between her groin. She knocked loudly to announce her arrival, hoping he would be able to read the message in her eyes.

A uniformed butler opened the door.

“Oh!” She gulped in surprise. She recognized the man from the party.

“This way, miss,” the butler intoned, leading her to the verandah. The pool was decked once more with floating candles as it was during the party. There was a table set for two in the middle of the verandah, while waiters were busy preparing the food.

Lash was standing nearby, talking on his cellphone. He motioned for her to take a seat as a waiter offered her a glass of champagne.

“Not exactly how I pictured it,” a disappointed thought occurred.

Lash ended the call and approached. A kiss on the cheek then he took the chair in front of her.

“Isn’t this rather elaborate for dinner for two,” Ana asked eyeing the bustle among the waiters.

“Don’t be silly,” he replied, “nothing is too lavish for my principal dancer.”

She would have preferred if he said the word girlfriend, but the opening night was only two days away. That would be foremost in his mind, Ana decided.

“Well, thank you. I know that must be heavy on your mind. But you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Ricardo and I have our routines down perfectly. Even Jonathan is happy,” Ana reassured him.

“I know you will be a smashing success. Horne Calloway will see how perfect you and Ricardo are together. He will have no other choice except to give me that endorsement.” Lash replied. Then, “there’s something I want to discuss with you…but it can wait. I don’t want my girl to go hungry,” he winked, motioning the waiter to start serving dinner.

Ana wondered what was wrong with him. Her gut said Lash was trying to win her over. She dismissed the thought. After everything that happened between them, she was his - hook, line, and sinker. Didn’t he know that?

Throughout dinner, they talked about opening night. Lash was concerned that she was not happy with her costumes. She could have them altered or changed, he said. Ana reassured him that her costumes were fine. Then he brought up the idea of providing her a private dressing room. Ana thumbed it down, thinking how the other dancers would react. Besides, she didn’t want to be seen as a diva-like Romina, the dancer who quit.

As the dinner progressed, Ana felt more and more like she was being seduced, but not in the way she had expected. She tried to steer the conversation away from opening night, but somehow Lash managed to bring it back.

She was glad when the final course was served, and the waiters started clearing the table. She asked for a glass of wine before the servers disappeared inside the house.

When they were finally alone, she decided to confront him about why he was acting so strangely.

“Lash, is there something on your mind you wish to tell me,” she asked.