Page 22

Hiding out in her favourite cubby hole beside the window in her office, Jessica took a deep breath, feeling renewed. Her coffee tasted delicious, the sun was shining and every time she thought of Rosie and their beautiful night together two days ago, she smiled. She’d been smiling a lot.

Her phone started ringing, bringing her out of another of these daydreams of being intimate with Rosie. It was Mary. Shit. She put her coffee down and immediately tapped her phone to take the call. “Mary, hi.”

“Jessica. I’ve got good news. Is now a good time?”

“Of course it is, yes.”

“We’re back on.”

“We are?”

“Your campaign worked wonders. Winning back public confidence like that was quite something. The contractors feel confident to start work again.”

“I’m so pleased to hear that.”

“And thank you for organising the new housing developer. They’re perfect.”

“Mary, this is wonderful.”

“It gets better. Tony Hunt is going down. He’s being investigated for misuse of public money and tampering with public infrastructure with intent to cause harm. It made it easy for me to give final approval to start the build again.”

Jessica’s private investigator had struck gold with his work on Tony Hunt. He’d told her just before she spoke at the town hall. Jessica had been keeping it quiet, waiting for Tony Hunt to be arrested. “He is?”

“He was behind the flooding, Jessica. The police were tipped off that he was connected. They looked into it and found evidence of him hiring a criminal gang to tamper with the pipes.”

“I can’t believe he did that. And the misuse of public money?”

“Turns out his son is a majority shareholder at a housing developer, and he is a non-executive director of it. Tony Hunt was orchestrating contracts for the company based on his position. For someone in public office, he had the stupidity or the arrogance to think he’d get away with these things. People have had enough of him.”

“I certainly have.”

“It’s going to break on the news either today or tomorrow. We need to root out this kind of political corruption. Is that so much to ask for?”

“It shouldn’t be, no.”

After the call with Mary, Rosie was the first person Jessica wanted to tell. She messaged Rosie quickly on Teams: Can you come into my office? I need to tell you something. It’s urgent.

Rosie arrived two minutes later with a huge grin splashed across her face. She shut the door behind her and stood in the middle of the office, hands on her hips. There was a flirty look in her eyes as if she was hoping this might not be about work but something else entirely. Jessica hadn’t thought of that when she sent her the message.

“You wanted to see me?” Her voice was low and sultry. The overall effect was adorable, if not slightly concerning at how openly Rosie was now addressing her at work.

Jessica fought a smile, trying to remain professional, but failed. “We won! The project is back on. Tony Hunt is being arrested. I spoke to Mary; she’s all fired up and happy to be able to give it back to us now that she can justify the project again.”

“Oh my God, yes!” Rosie punched the air with both hands, her smile changing to one of satisfaction and relief. “This is amazing news.” Rosie crossed the office and opened her arms for a hug.

Jessica stood and wrapped her arms around Rosie’s waist, pulling her onto her and squeezing her tight.

Rosie kissed Jessica on the lips, once, smiling as if giddy and free.

Jessica pulled back, shocked.

“Sorry!” Rosie shook her head. “That was totally inappropriate.”

“It’s okay.”

“Is it?”

“Yes. It just caught me by surprise, being in the office.” Gently, she picked up Rosie’s hands and looked into her eyes. “This is all new to me.”

A slow smile spread across Rosie’s face. “This is all new to me, too.”

Jessica caressed Rosie’s hands, knowing she should move back to her desk and stop the physical contact, especially while they were at work. Anyone could walk into her office at any moment, theoretically. No one usually came in without knocking though. Except maybe Rich sometimes, but he was in a meeting right now. Instead, she kept on gazing into Rosie’s eyes, touching her hands.

Rosie cleared her throat. “Does anyone else know?”

“About us?”

“Um, no. I mean about us winning back the project.”

“You’re the first.”

Rosie nodded. “Thanks. And about us?”

Jessica shook her head. “No one knows. Have you told anyone?”

“No.”

A short silence opened up. Jessica shifted on her feet, head swirling from the news and from the kiss.

“What is he being arrested for?”

“He caused the flooding. He had the pipes cut. He caused so much damage to people’s homes and to our build. I hope he pays for it. For all of it. Oh, and he’s been committing fraud. I’m sure he’s been up to a lot of shit, that shithead.”

“That fucking cunt. It’s almost like it was too obvious that it could have been him, that he almost got away with it. Do you know who found him out? The police?”

Jessica glanced at the door. “I did.”

“What?”

“I hired a private investigator to look into him. Even though it was too obvious, I just knew it was Tony Hunt behind the flooding. Turns out, I was right. He was hiding in plain sight.”

“That is so fucking badass, Jess, I love it!”

“I want to show you something.” Jessica led Rosie over to her cubby hole by the window. Apart from Rich, Rosie was the first person she’d let in this far. “This is my private office.”

Rosie examined the little space, taking in the ivy hanging in the corner and the view outside the window. “It’s pretty in here.”

“Thanks.”

“I like it. What do you use it for?”

“To take a time out, to think. Some of my best ideas for designs have come from sitting in here looking out that window.”

Rosie rested her shoulder against the wall and looked out the window. She was radiant with the light shining in on her face. “Why did you want to show me this?”

Jessica thought about her answer. “I’m not sure. I guess I wanted somewhere more private to talk with you.”

“What did you want to talk with me about?”

Jessica shifted on her feet. A conversation about the successful outcome on the project didn’t need to be had in Jessica’s private space. The truth was she wanted to be alone with Rosie, but it felt too huge to admit that. “About winning the project back, obviously.”

“Right.” Rosie nodded. “Of course.”

“We’ll need to start telling people.”

“Shall I get the team together for a quick meeting to tell them the good news?”

“Please. Yes. How about this afternoon?”

“Sounds good, I’ll get right on it.” Rosie stayed where she was.

Jessica didn’t move either. She stood in front of Rosie wanting to kiss her so badly but also not wanting to give into her desires in the middle of the day while in her office at work. It was desire mixed with a sense of danger. She had already stepped over that line the other night.

“How are you feeling today, Jess?”

Jessica cleared her throat, pulled from her thoughts. “I’m very happy. How are you feeling?”

Rosie turned to face Jessica, leaning her back against the wall now. “I’m great. My main project that I care a lot about is back up and running. We beat the man and I get to see you so happy about it.” She smiled from ear to ear, eyes sparkling.

Jessica smiled back feeling so much relief about getting the project back on track. They’d come through this problem together. Jessica couldn’t have done it without her and wouldn’t have wanted to.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Rosie said, with that glint in her eyes that Jessica loved.

“It sure does.” Jessica held Rosie’s stare. They were quiet as the mood turned into something else. Jessica became aware of her own breathing, rhythmic and steady.

Rosie reached out, putting her fingers on Jessica’s waist, gently exploring and caressing Jessica’s sides upwards and downwards.

Her touch was like a lightning strike to Jessica’s very core and a reminder of how immediately sensual and intimate they’d been when they slept together.

Jessica stepped closer into Rosie’s personal space, her knee touching Rosie’s leg sending a wave of electricity up her spine.

Rosie tilted her head back against the wall and closed her eyes, as if talking to herself or praying. When she opened her eyes, they’d turned darker, with this extra air of desire.

Jessica leant forward and placed a soft kiss on the exposed part of Rosie’s neck. Her skin was so soft and smooth against her lips. Her perfume was addicting. Jessica inhaled deeply.

A moan escaped Rosie’s throat, somewhere deep and uncontrolled.

The sound of it made Jessica feel hot inside and her panties soak.

Rosie gripped Jessica’s hips before slowly running her hands up Jessica’s back.

Heat rose inside Jessica, sweeping through her body like fire. She tilted her head to find Rosie’s lips, open and ready for her own. They kissed deeply, moving like silk against each other. Jessica caressed the back of Rosie’s neck, her fingers deep in her hair.

Rosie dropped her hands to Jessica’s hips again before slipping them underneath Jessica’s clothes, inside the fabric of her waistband.

The skin-on-skin contact made Jessica kiss her even harder and deeper, thirsty for more. Before Rosie could go any further, Jessica slipped her hands underneath Rosie’s top and onto her bra, caressing Rosie’s breasts, wishing she could take her nipples in her mouth, aching to touch her everywhere. It was torture, being so close but not having full access. She took her hands back out and started raising Rosie’s top up her body.

Rosie took over and drew her top off over her head, and let it drop to the floor.

Jessica quickly undid Rosie’s bra, letting it slip to the floor, and placed her hands back on Rosie’s beautiful breasts. She took each one in her mouth as Rosie slipped off Jessica’s top and bra.

Jessica reached in between Rosie’s legs, quickly slipping underneath her clothes and cupping her hot wet pussy in her hand.

Rosie gasped at the contact, her nipples hardening underneath Jessica’s lips.

When Jessica pushed her fingers inside, Rosie moaned, rolling her hips onto her hand, giving herself to Jessica completely.

Jessica explored with her fingers, going in deeper and back out again, as she raised her head and kissed Rosie on the lips, more gently now. Fucking Rosie was like coming up for air. She slipped her fingers onto Rosie’s clit, rubbing oh-so-gently. Rosie felt amazing. Jessica opened Rosie’s button and zip for easier access as a raw sexual energy flowed through Jessica’s body, kind of shocking her.

As she dropped to her knees, Rosie gasped a little, before putting her hands on the side of Jessica’s head and arching her back.

Jessica tugged Rosie’s pants down and let them fall to the floor, unobstructed now to where she so wanted to be. She paused for a moment, taking Rosie in and savouring this glorious event, unsure how they quite got here so fast and beyond excited she was finally going to taste her. She licked her lips before glancing up to see Rosie biting down on her bottom lip, her eyebrows knitted together in a sort of intense need for release.

She worked on Rosie’s clit like it was the most important task in the world, bringing her full attention and presence and skill set to the situation. Nothing mattered more to her in this moment than making Rosie feel good and hearing those sexy noises come from up there. Her need for Rosie intensified with every lick, stroke, suck and kiss.

Rosie moaned deeper this time, perhaps a little too loud for the office but in that moment, Jessica didn’t give a fuck.

“Sorry,” Rosie whispered, holding onto Jessica for balance.

Jessica swallowed Rosie in, unable to get enough of her. She moved her hands over Rosie’s legs, possessively, before pushing her fingers inside her again, this time deeper, matching the moves of her tongue, slow and intense.

Rosie’s legs began shaking. Her breathing sounded uneven.

Jessica worked and worked, not letting things get too heated until she was ready to release the pressure. Glancing up, Rosie was still biting down on her lip, tilting her head up against the wall, looking at the ceiling and then back down at Jessica again. That look of need in her eyes, desperate to be let to come.

This was her domain, and she was totally in control of Rosie’s pleasure. But in the end, Jessica’s passion for Rosie took over as she increased her speed, hungry to feel the fire ignite within Rosie.

“Fucking fuck.” Rosie breathed as the muscles inside her pussy tightened like a grip around Jessica’s fingers. Her thigh muscles shook against the side of Jessica’s face.

It was hot and sweaty in Jessica’s little cubby hole, if anyone came in right now it would be such a fucking crazy sight. She realised she hadn’t shut the blinds either, anyone from across the street could see in if they wanted to. Shit.

“Jess, oh my fucking God, I’m gonna…”

The world spun as Rosie went to another place, fast and hot, raw and powerful, moving against Jessica’s mouth in sync with her fingers which were pumping hard and rhythmically. Rosie threw her head against the wall, breathing hard, clutching her hands to her chest. Quietly, Rosie orgasmed for ages, having built such heat and fire that it took Jessica’s breath away. It was the most beautiful thing Jessica had ever seen and heard.

Jessica’s own heart was beating hard, and she was slightly out of breath herself. She placed both hands on Rosie’s thighs and gently planted kisses all around Rosie’s vulva. Rosie smelled of sex. Jessica licked her again, right at her opening, lifting up so much of her juices onto her tongue.

Rosie shuddered, obviously spent. She leant over, hooking her hands under Jessica’s arms.

Jessica stood up and wiped her chin with the back of her hand.

Rosie gazed into Jessica’s eyes, eyes glazed and hooded. Her dark pupils were massive.

Jessica wrapped her arms around Rosie’s waist, feeling their breasts mesh together and the heat between her legs meet Rosie’s nakedness. Jessica licked her lips. “I can still taste you.”

Rosie tilted her head and kissed Jessica’s lips slowly and gently.

Their connection blew Jessica away. This was like nothing else she’d ever experienced.

“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I need to go,” Rosie said. “I have a meeting. I don’t want to raise any suspicion.”

“Of course.”

Rosie looked at her like this might be their last opportunity to ever be together.

Jessica hugged her, tightly. That seemed to calm her down as she relaxed into Jessica’s arms. There was no way this would be the last time. After a long hug, Jessica eased up. She helped Rosie pick up her clothes. Jessica slipped her bra and top back on as Rosie got dressed too. When they were both back to a somewhat normal state, they smiled at each other again. Jessica felt tongue tied.

“Okay,” Rosie said. “I’m ready. Wow.”

“I’ll see you out. No, actually, I’d better not. I’ll sit at my desk.”

“I love seeing you like this,” Rosie said, looking at her thoughtfully.

“Like what?”

“Happy. Relaxed. Less rigid.”

“Thanks. I like it too.”

“I’ll see you in the meeting later.”

“Yep, see you then.”

Rosie gave her one of her little waves and left Jessica sitting at her desk, turned on and completely fucking blown away.

***

That afternoon, Jessica went into Rich’s office for a management meeting. His office was all brown faux leather and dark wood with black steel frames and minimalist décor. “How are you?” Jessica smiled, feeling sprightly.

“Good.” Rich eyed her closely.

“How’s the couples counselling going?”

“Good. She made me cry last week. It’s bringing us closer together. We’ve been talking about adoption.”

“That’s wonderful news, Rich. I’m excited for you both. You cried?”

“I didn’t see it coming either.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not even a little bit. Thanks for asking though.”

“Okay. Whatever you need, I’m here.”

“Having a good day?”

“I am. Why do you ask?”

“You seem super happy. Like, night and day. You’re glowing.”

Jessica folded her arms over her chest, determined not to smile. “Oh.”

Rich continued. “I’m happy about us winning back Clydebank too. Rosie hasn’t wasted any time in getting the team back on it. She’s already got the project plan updated and meetings galore organised.”

“She has.” Jessica sat down on one of Rich’s nice chairs, feeling herself relax. She knew Rosie had taken control of the project again. It was hot, seeing Rosie switch back into professional mode. Making her come in her mouth had obviously had a good effect on her. She could still taste Rosie on her tongue, which she was very much enjoying.

“We want to promote her to principal architect, Jess. She deserves it.”

Jessica looked up, Rich’s comment kicking her out of her inappropriate thoughts and back into reality.

“The rest of senior management agree. She’s been knocking it out of the park for a while now, Jess. Not only on Clydebank but on her other projects too before this one. We need one more principal, and it makes sense to promote from within the company rather than recruit someone externally. It’s important for people to believe they can progress their career here, that there are opportunities. They’ll leave, otherwise. So, for Rosie, we think we should wait until Clydebank is completed, to check she gets it done as expected. I emailed you about five minutes ago with all the details including salary and copied in the rest of management. What do you think? Would you be happy to approve this once Clydebank successfully completes?”

Jessica’s CEO brain kicked back into gear. She was running a successful architecture company. She had responsibilities and processes to follow, which she herself had put in place. “I’d be happy to approve Rosie’s promotion. She’s more than proved herself. She totally deserves it. I couldn’t be happier for her…”

“But what? Is there something else?”

Jessica took a deep breath realising how it would sound to Rich that she and Rosie were fucking. Rosie’s career and Jessica’s integrity as a person who employed people were at stake. It was like the popping of a balloon. Her bubble bursting in real time. She was on the precipice of getting into something with an employee. She and Rosie were so much more than boss and employee but on paper, in black and white, that was what this was. It was how others would see it, even her friend Rich. She hadn’t wanted to come back to reality yet, but it was very much here. “No, nothing.” She hated not being honest with him.

“Okay, great. I’ll add Rosie’s raise to the budget projections for the quarter after next.”

“Great.”

“I have some updates on the office café installation. We might be here awhile.”

“Fine. Let’s do it.”

The rest of the meeting was spent solving this and that problem, but Jessica’s mind wasn’t fully on any of it. She made it back to her office, closed the door, crossed her office and sat down in her cubby hole by the window. She always thought she had good boundaries with people at work, but clearly she didn’t. Jessica strongly disapproved of getting involved with an employee. It was unhealthy, in her opinion. But it was different with Rosie. Their connection went deep. She made Jessica want to say phrases like emotional connection. It felt like they’d been developing a strong foundation for something. It felt like Rosie was now a key person in her life. Rosie meant so much to her now. That she also wanted to rip Rosie’s clothes off every time they were alone together was icing on the cake. Jessica was playing with fire, but then, there was so much fire between them.

But Rosie was in a very different stage of her career, seeking that next step up the career ladder. Jessica had the final decision on something so important to Rosie. She didn’t want people to think Rosie was only getting her promotion because of her connection with her. That would be so unfair on Rosie, and untrue.

Jessica got up and went back to her desk. Enough of this spiralling. She would do the right thing and speak to Rosie as soon as possible. Clear communication was essential here. So was being upfront and honest with Rosie about how she felt. Apart from conducting herself with integrity and running her company in a fair and just way, doing the right thing by Rosie mattered to her very much.