Part 21
Mia gasped as the knock reverberated through the walls, the sharp sound echoing in her ears. In horror, she stared at Damon whose lips twitched but other than that he was calm. Did sex make men that stupid? She pushed him away and stumbled for the door when the sound intensified.
"Yeah?" She whispered, her voice thick. "Give me a minute."
The realisation sunk in. Whoever was on the other side of the door could easily see her so dishevelled and so out of it and figure out. It wouldn't take a rocket genius. But still, she tried to sell it. Ducking away, Mia rushed to the washbasin and splashed cold water on her face, averting her eyes from the mirror in an effort to avoid seeing her red, swollen lips and glassy eyes along with that shameless glow etched across her face. Mia screwed her eyes closed, splashing cold water over her sweaty skin, exhaling roughly. She was aware of his heavy stare on her.
For a second, Mia just stood there with water dripping down her face and bottom lip between her teeth. She's stalling. Mia couldn't help it alright. The thought of facing someone else on the other side of the door burned her. With a sigh, her eyes fluttered open, and she met her reflection. The blue of her eyes was sharp and heavy with emotion.
Reaching for the paper towel dispenser, she took a deep breath right as a jolt of shame filled her body. How could she lose control like that? She let her boss fuck her in a bathroom of his childhood home. His parents were sitting outside with a guy who wanted to date her. Thinking about that made her hands braced on the edge of the sink as the world spun.
She quickly yanked her clothes up in a daze, trembling, her vision went blurry with tears, the bright glare of the bathroom lights searing into her eyes. Her mind raced for another rational explanation, to just slow down and breathe, but she's spinning out of control. The walls were closing in on her, and her lungs heaved for air, staggering to the door because everything was closing in on Mia.
Mia didn't register someone whispering her name until two steady hands gripped at her shoulders, stopping her in tracks abruptly. Everything was hazy, and her heart was thundering in her ears, "Mia?"
Her mouth fell open at his touch, and she let out a strangled cry, shaking and swaying.
The grip on her tightened. "Kitten please look at me," The voice said, firm and gentle all at once. It was enough to send shivers down her spine. That term of endearment didn't feel right at the moment with someone waiting for them outside.
"Damon" Her voice echoed, pushing harder at his chest, trying to get away from him. Somehow he managed to put on the top buttons of his shirt. It must be when she's busy washing her face and regretting the decision to have sex with him in the washroom.
"You need to calm down."
"We shouldn't have done this," She said finally, shaking her head. Her eyes darted to the closed door and the latch. For once she was glad that she remembered to twist the lock after entering inside.
"Jake...He's waiting for me" Mia stated, licking her lips.
When her boss abruptly left the table, she didn't want to sit there anymore. The thought that Damon might have been upset at her killed her from inside. That's why when they were done with dinner, the assistant quickly sat up and followed him. It didn't bother her that Jake was staring at the whole time she walked in the same washroom direction. All Mia wanted was to check up on Damon and make sure that he's alright.
At the mention of his name, Damon clenched his jaw. "Do you want him?"
The sudden wave of possessiveness could be heard in his voice. Did he really not like his old friend? What was going on with him? He continued to stare at her but said nothing. Mia took a step back, her throat dry all of a sudden. How should she answer to that?
They have just met for crying out loud.
Mia made a face, crossing her arms against her chest. "We just met Damon. I can't answer that."
"I mean, look at him." Damon huffed. "It's a simple answer, Mia"
His fingers inched towards her waist, trailing to her behind. And then he squeezed. A broken whimper fell from her lips as the CEO pulled her in, their bodies flushed against each other. Heat sizzled low in her belly as she thought back to the way they were pressed together minutes before. "Think about it..."
"Can he make you feel this way?"
Mia groaned, throwing her head back. "No..."
"That's what I thought" He harshly whispered, blowing a cold breath against the shell of her ear.
A sharp knock echoed in the room to which she jumped.
"Mia?"
Jake. That voice belonged to him. A wave of nausea hit her as she thought about him discovering this, how disappointed he would be.
Pulling open the door, Jake stood on the other side of the door with a blank look on his face. As soon as he looked over her shoulder, he frowned. "Damon? What are you doing here?"
Mia faltered. "We were just..." She opened and closed her mouth, dumbfounded for several seconds.
Damon cut her off. "It's not what you think. We were just discussing...business."
Jake scoffed. "Right. Do you really want me to believe that?"
"I don't care. Nothing is going on here. Believe what you want to believe"
Mia gritted her teeth. That's it? He was not going to say anything to him when a few minutes ago, he was jealous of him. Before she could say something, he dashed out of the washroom, leaving her all alone with Jake.
"That's..." Jake started staring at his friend, walking down the stairs in haste. There was apparent amusement in his face.
"I know!" Mia tilted her head and watched the person in front of her for a moment.
He was handsome: well-combed dark hair, a kind face, and the most alluring pair of eyes she had ever seen before. Not only that, but he had a friendly smile, not too brash or arrogant like certain someone. Like Damon. He was everything she would look for in a man.
Once she stepped out of the washroom, her eyes shifted to the living area. Its been so long since she disappeared. What would Mr and Mrs Rossi must be thinking about her? As if he read the thoughts going on in her mind, Jake cleared his throat.
"Don't worry. I told them we need to talk alone for a while," Jake explained quietly as they took a turn in the garden. "I know this is a dumb question, but are you okay?"
Is she okay? It all came back to her in a rush. The dinner with Damon's family, him getting jealous and then fucking her against the wall and leaving her high and dry. Shame clouded her features at that.
"No," She chewed on her lips. "Umm...I don't think I'm feeling too well. Can you please tell them that?"
The assistant stared back at his devastated face; his eyes dimmed all of a sudden. That's not what she wanted. Jake has been nothing but kind to her the entire night.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"No I just need to rest"
"Oh okay"
"Thank you so much."
Jake shrugged. "You don't have to thank me. At least let me walk you to your car."
When they got to the garage at the end of the bungalow, he smiled sheepishly and took her hand in his. Mia raised her brow. His thumb traced the back of her skin lightly. "I enjoyed meeting you, Mia. Can I call you sometime and maybe schedule a lunch?"
"You still want to see me?"
Jake pressed his lips together. "You're funny and cool to be around. I had a great night minus that bathroom part. If your thing with Damon is over, you can come to see me."
Mia stood there, speechless. "Sure. Give me your phone."
His smile widened as she typed her number and handed him the phone back. "I'll call you soon."
"Sure! I'm looking forward to meeting you soon" Jake seemed so sincere, so happy for the simple possibility of meeting her again. That made her heart flutter. That guy was genuinely trying while she cruelly disappeared on him.
Mia let out a sigh. "Okay, Jake. I better go."
He nodded his head, opening the car door for her. "Of course. I hope you feel better soon. Drive carefully. Good night, Mia."
"Good night, Jake."
As soon as he closed the door, Mia turned on the ignition and started the car. With her eyes glued on the road ahead, she drove away from her boss childhood home.
***
