Page 19 of Since I First Laid Eyes On You

Paige

I’m going to do it. I’ll be honest, I had no intention of handing in my notice.

I was not going to curtail to Gray's ridiculous demands. However, that was before my dick of a boss became impossibly worse. The mountain of work piling up on my desk is like fucking Everest. All while, my delightful boss is out lunching with his old cronies. I wouldn’t mind working my ass off and doing these hours if it was for someone that was actually good at their job, or had even an ounce of work ethic.

Unfortunately, my boss has neither of those attributes.

I’m currently standing at the printer nearest my desk, scanning the resignation letter I’ve just signed.

Still not completely convinced I’m going through with it.

“Paige,” my boss’ voice booms across the open plan floor, “where are the papers for the four o’clock with Christo? ”

“On your desk. I also emailed a copy to you,” I grit out.

He grunts and heads to his office. Senior management get offices along the walls looking out over the city; while we mere mortals get the bull pen in the middle of the floor.

“I’m off. I want the financials and sales forecasts for Imperial tomorrow.

” His beady little eyes give me a lewd once over, making my skin crawl.

He's never done anything to cause concern, but every so often, there's a look that just gives you the creeps. With that, he hoists his protruding stomach back over his belt, turns on his heel and marches out. That’s it. That is my tipping point. He is asking for hours upon hours of work, that absolutely does not need to be completed tonight. The meeting isn’t for at least two weeks time.

His demands are outrageous, unnecessary and completely out of order.

Knowing I have another option has completely changed things.

Is working with Grayson a wise move? Probably not, but it’s the move I’m going to make if I don’t want to be burnt out in my twenties.

Some people live for this; I apparently am not one of them.

Maybe things would be different if my boss was a decent human being; but he isn’t and they’re not.

I get up from my desk, walk into Barry’s office and place my resignation letter on his desk, feeling the weight from my shoulders lift immediately.

He won’t get it until he comes in tomorrow; what a lovely surprise he’ll get over his breakfast sandwich.

I then email the scanned copy to HR letting them know that I’ll work my four weeks notice, effective today.

Within minutes my desk phone rings, I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

** *

Grayson

I’m not sure when, but I’m convinced that Paige will come and work for me.

I’ve planted the seed and now I just need to keep feeding it.

I want her here with me. I’ve already picked out her desk; it’s near my office and when I sit down at my computer and my blinds are up, I’ll have a complete view of her.

Though I plan on her spending a lot of time in here with me.

My desk phone rings, surprising me out of my daydream.

“Hi Roxy,” I say to our receptionist.

“I’m sorry to bother you, Gray, but I’ve got a young woman here who says she needs to see you.

She doesn’t have an appointment and her name is not on your list of approved guests,” she huffs out.

“However, she said she’s not leaving until I let you know she’s here; she’s adamant you’ll want to know.

” I’m already standing up from my chair, having a good idea of who it is and kicking myself for not having her put on my list already, the bloody top of it.

“What’s her name, Roxy?”

“Paige, Sir. Paige Andrews.”

“Tell her I’m on my way,” I place the handset back in its cradle and rush towards reception.

Checking my Patek Philippe, I note it’s just after four, why is she out of work so early?

Her back is to me as I approach the reception desk, but she turns as she hears my shoes clicking on the marble floor.

I pull her straight into my arms and kiss the fuck out of her.

My tongue thrusts into her mouth, my hunger for her absolute.

It’s completely inappropriate for work, especially in front of one of my employees, but I couldn’t give a fuck.

“Hey, baby,” I murmur, as I finally release her .

“Hi,” she shakily whispers, her gaze unfocused. I know, sweetheart, I think to myself, I feel it too. I glance up to find Roxy staring at us, I can’t say I blame her, we put on quite a show and I’ve never been seen with a woman at work before.

“Roxy, this is Paige Andrews,” I say as I guide my girl towards the reception desk. “Please add her to my list. For the record, anything gets interrupted for her, it doesn’t matter who it is, Paige is the exception to my rules.” Roxy’s eyes widen, her gaze flits between Paige and I.

“Of course, Grayson,” she murmurs.

Taking Paige’s hand, I lead her through the floor to my office. Closing the door behind us, I head to my desk and pull her on to my lap, glad the blinds to the rest of the floor are already down.

“Not that I’m not glad to see you, but what are you doing here so early? It’s just after four, is everything okay?” Worry starts to form in my gut, has something happened?

“I’m fine. Nothing bad has happened,” she cups my cheek, sensing where my thoughts had gone.

“Well, I don’t think it’s bad anyway. In fact, I think you’ll be pleased,” she adds with a slightly nervous smile.

I shouldn’t get my hopes up, but I can’t help it.

My mind has gone straight to her having quit her job and working for me.

The thought of having her with me twenty-four-seven has taken over every part of my being.

“What is it?”

“I want to start by saying I had no intention of doing this. This is all your fault, you planted it in my head and it’s been there all day.

Then Barry was being an absolute dick and I just flipped,” she takes a deep breath and continues.

“So, I did what I said I was absolutely not going to do,” she pauses and I swear my heart has stopped .

“Baby, you’re killing me here. I think I know where this is going but you’re getting my hopes up and I don’t want to be disappointed,” I rasp.

“I quit my job,” she whispers against my lips, placing a gentle kiss. I pull back and look her in the eye.

“You quit?” I ask, having to be totally sure I heard her correctly.

“Yes, they’ve put me on gardening leave as well, so I’m totally free,” she tips her head coyly. “I thought I’d come along and see if my boyfriend wanted to play hooky?”

“You’ll work for me,” I state. It’s not a question and I’m not giving her an option.

“Maybe, we’ll see.”

“Oh, sweetheart, there’s nothing to see. You’ve quit your job, you're mine now,” I smirk. “You also need to marry me soon; I’m too old to be called your boyfriend.”

“You’re insane. We’ve known each other days. What would people think?”

“I don’t give a shit what people think and neither should you. I only care about you and me. Are you saying you don’t want to be Mrs Stone?” I demand.

“Of course I want to be Mrs Stone, but let’s not rush anything.” I guess I can give it a few weeks before I propose. “I mean, we don’t even live together, let’s cross that off before we decide to get married.”

“That’s something we can sort now.” I rise from my seat with her still in my arms.

“Gray,” she gasps, “what are you talking about?”

“Moving in with me. Let’s go get your stuff.

We’ll swap the Aston for my Defender; I’m sure we can get most of your things in one trip in it.

We can always go back for anything else later if we need.

” She’s looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.

Maybe I have, but I’ll gladly lose it for her every day for the rest of my life.