Over the Moon

Wolf has been away for the last few days, making the atmosphere in the office calmer. I got in early today because some meetings couldn’t be rescheduled to later in the day. I knew I wasn’t going to fit in a run before work, so I packed a bag with my running gear, a change of clothes, and my toiletries. I finish my last morning meeting a few minutes early so I get changed and go to the main level and out through the lobby.

There is a system of trails all through Styre Cove and the entrance to one section is just across the road from the office. Running at home is open and surrounded by fields; this trail is a welcomed change of scenery and instead of feeling claustrophobic from the forest around me, it’s surprisingly comforting. I run fifteen minutes out and back, so I have time to get cleaned up before my lunch hour is over.

When I get to my office, I grab my bag and go down the hall to the women’s washroom. How could I be so stupid? There is no shower in this washroom. Shit. I can’t drive home, it would take too long. Oh, wait! I saw locker rooms on the first floor during my office tour.

I leave the washroom and take the stairs to the main level. This is my first time anywhere other than the lobby on this floor and I don’t know where I am going. I leave the stairwell and enter a long corridor. The locker rooms must be down here somewhere. I pass a lunchroom with a few crewmen talking at a table and step inside to ask for directions. “Hello, gentlemen, sorry to bother you but can someone tell me where the women’s locker room is?” The four men look up from their conversation and look at me. I notice that two of the men check me out. I am hot and sweaty in my green capris and a white t-shirt. Not much to look at.

One crewman stands up and walks toward me “I can show you…” He pauses for me to tell him my name.

“I’m Frankie. Come this way.” He leads me down the hall and shows me the room I was looking for.

“Thanks, Frankie,” I say and enter the room. The locker room is what you would expect: two stalls, double sinks, and one shower. I move quickly to get undressed and hop in the shower. Not the greatest water pressure but I overcome the struggle to rinse out the shampoo and conditioner and I am finally clean again. I get dressed, reapply my make-up and some lotion, and let my hair air dry.

I pull on the jumpsuit I bought online after seeing Violet’s. It’s a dark blue halter top style with an open back. I can wear this without a bra, but I would prefer to have a cardigan at work, which I now realize I left in my office.

I leave the locker room and make my way back to the stairs. As I turn the corner, I see Frankie and two of the men from before in the hallway. They turn their heads toward me, I smile and nod. “Excuse me, gentlemen,” I say as I squeeze past them.

They didn’t give me much room, so my hip comes into contact with Frankie. I hear him suck in a breath and then say, “You look lovely, Ms. Aubrey.”

I turn and look at him. “Thank you, Frankie.” Then I look at the other men, their eyes zeroing in on my chest. “You all have a nice day,” I say as I turn to walk toward the stairs. I knew the jumpsuit was sexy because of how I felt in it, but I wasn’t expecting any attention.

Back in my office, I see where I left my cardigan on my new loveseat. Nate upgraded my office earlier this week, in addition to the love seat I also have a new cabinet and finally a drafting table. Since I have no meetings this afternoon, I leave my cardigan off while listening to music and sorting files into the new cabinet.

I am distracted when my office door opens, and someone enters. I turn around and find Wolf sitting on the loveseat, his right foot propped up on his left knee, a drawing tube sitting next to him. We haven’t seen each other since our argument on Monday and I am still fuming at his attempt to control my dating life. I would almost expect it from Nate, but not him. How could I be so mad about someone but at the same time fantasize about him every night?

My anger overrides my desire to straddle him where he sits. “Are you back for another tongue-lashing? The last one made you leave for days,” I quip. He doesn’t say a word, but his eyes take in my outfit, stopping only to linger on my chest. I have never been more aware that I am not wearing a bra than at this moment. The air conditioning kicked in earlier and my nipples are not only erect but very visible. I take a quick look at my cardigan and move to grab it.

I stop and look at him as he rises to his feet and takes the few steps to where I am standing. We are once again inches from each other, I can feel the heat of his body reaching out to me, like the lick of a flame. His fire calling me in so we can burn together. He takes one last step, and my chest is now against him. I close my eyes for a brief second taking in the sensation of my nipples rubbing against the material of my jumpsuit. This is absolutely sweet torture.

I open my eyes and look up at him. His left arm comes around my right side and his fingertips tickle along my exposed spine. My body reacts with a shiver, and I see a smirk come across his face. “What are you doing?” I ask in a hushed voice. His eyes dart to my lips, his tongue wets his and for a moment I think––no, pray––that he will kiss me. I am not sure how much longer I can handle the tension. He shakes his head and steps back two steps and brings something between us.

It’s the drawing tube that was next to him on the loveseat. I look down at it. “What is this?” I ask as I take it from him.

“It’s the plans for Autism Hub’s renovation and expansion.” I look at him and back at the tube. I walk over to my desk, take out the contents of the tube, and unroll it. In my hands, I have the blueprints that I drafted at Ledger Hayes months ago. I look to my right where Wolf has come to stand next to me.

“How did you get these? Georgia from Legal said it was going to take weeks.”

“You know a guy? You are in the mafia.” I jokingly accuse. I don’t care how he got it, mafia or not. Now we can get this project off the ground. I will have to book my flight to Chicago for next week for the final stages.

My mind is going a mile a minute before I realize that Wolf isn’t standing next to me anymore. I turn and see him about to leave my office. “Wolf?” I call out to him. He turns, raising his arms so that he is bracing himself with the top of the door frame. This posture is no better than leaning, I can feel myself getting wet just looking at him.

“Yes, Aubrey,” he says my name and I know my panties are done for.

“Thank you for this. This project means more to me than you know,” I say trying to relay my gratitude and not my desire to have him take me over this desk, right here and now.

“Oh, I know, and consider it a peace offering. Monday shouldn’t have happened. I was out of line.” I am shocked by his sort-of apology. “But you still aren’t allowed to date Jack.” And with that, he is gone again.

Aubrey’s mouth was hanging open when I left her alone. What a glorious sight that was. I do regret the argument we had but I haven’t changed my mind. There is no way I am going to let her date Jack. I have been in Chicago for the last few days procuring her plans, so I haven’t had a chance to speak to Jack since Monday and the bastard is ignoring my texts, again.

I make my way to the fourth floor and run into Harper. “Hey Wolf, did you just get back?” she asks.

“Yes, about an hour ago. Do you know where Jack is?” I ask.

“You just missed him. He is heading to the Clinton site with Honey. He might still be in the back lot if you hurry.”

“Thanks, Harper,” I say as I sprint back to the stairs and take the four flights down.

I find Jack just as he is letting Honey into the truck. “Hey. Does your phone not fucking work?” He turns to me and smiles.

“My phone works fine, except I keep getting texts from some asshole. I think he might be stalking me. Know anything about that?” I stare at him, and he starts to laugh. “Nothing is going on with me and Aubrey.” Liar!

“What do you mean? You took her out to dinner, you took her to your house, Jack. You fucking kissed her. What do you mean nothing is going on?”

“I mean just that. And yeah, I did kiss her. She is an interesting, gorgeous woman. How could I not?” The rage bubbles up from deep inside of me as I walk the few steps to stand face-to-face with him.

“Stay away from her, Jack. She is not yours.”

“And whose is she, Wolf? Yours?” I step back, my heart is racing. Is she mine? Fuck, I want her to be. “That is what I thought. If you want her, stop dicking around. You are going to give that woman whiplash!”

“What are you talking about?” I spit out at him.

“Dude, you’re oblivious, aren’t you? You come on to her, she is practically chomping at the bit, and then you walk away! Figure it out before she finds someone else.” He hops in the truck and speeds out of the lot leaving me standing there like a fool.

Fuck! I storm back toward the office but as I walk past some of Jack’s crew, Will, Garret, and Frankie, putting their gear in the truck, something catches my attention. “I tell ya boys, I hope she showers there every day. What a sight that was,” Will says.

“What a fine piece of ass. When she brushed up against me it was all I could do not to wrap my arms around her and pull her back toward my dick,” Frankie says as he adjusts himself. Garret and Will laugh until they see me and snap to attention.

“Hey, Boss. Just heading out to the Clinton site. Did you need anything before we go?” Garret asks.

I ignore his question and speak to Frankie directly, “What fine ass are you talking about, Frankie?”

He stammers and eventually says, “I think she said her name is Aubrey. She showered in the locker room after a run at lunch.” She what?!

“Everything okay, Mr. Lawson?” Will asks.

“Everything is fine boys but remember that Ms. Bishop is an employee, and you will treat her with respect. If I hear any inappropriate comments about her or any female employee for that matter, you will have to answer to me. Understood?”