Emerald Eyes (9 page)

I nod and that awkward and uncomfortable feeling is back. I need to relax. I decide not to even bother reminding him that he hasn’t answered my indecent proposal, because I am mortified to hear, ‘no’ and ‘you’re fired’.

“I’m gonna go have a bath.” I say without looking at him and leave the room.

I’m lying in the bathtub, surrounded by foam and bubbles. The scent of vanilla tickling my nose, I inhale then exhale deeply a few times. I close my eyes and lose myself in the sweet scent of Gardenia Rose candles that are lit and randomly positioned in the bathroom. I fix the small, soft white towel under my neck and press ‘Play’ on my iPhone. Bach’s
Suite No.3 in D – Air, fills the room and I force my brain to block all the miserable moments of today, drifting into complete relaxation as the melody caresses me.
After my soothing bath, I dress in my black lacey boyshorts and a matching camisole. I wrap my lavender silk robe, that stops at the middle of my thighs around my body and tie the matching sash, then head to the kitchen for a glass of water. When I enter the kitchen, I see Mr. Miller sitting on the couch in the living area. He’s busy typing on his laptop. He doesn’t seem to notice me, so I seize the moment and study his striking features.
 

Mr. Miller’s
changed into a white t-shirt and light wash jeans. His mesmerizing eyes are focused on the screen and he looks so diligent, so absorbed in his work, almost like he’s untouchable and I don’t want to disturb him. I just stand there admiring him from afar, allowing my hungry eyes to roam over
Mr. Miller’s
sculptured torso and his strong, lean legs. The way those sexy, stubborn strands fall onto his forehead, making me want to thread my fingers through his hair and tug at the roots with desire.
 

A few long moments later of basically fantasizing about
Mr. Miller
and me in various activities that have us naked, sweaty and out of breathes, I decide to stop gawking at him and down my cold glass of water, hoping is will cool my heated blood. I shake my head to push those fantasies away and decide to wish him a good night.
 

Get a grip woman!
 

I stop at the entrance of the room and lean my shoulder against the wall, “Mr. Miller… I’m going to bed… good night.”
 

Mr. Miller
looks up at me, catching a quick breath. He opens his mouth to say something, but three loud knocks at the door stop him.
Mr. Miller
looks at the door then back at me, “I ordered some room service, could you please let them in?”

“Umm… yes, of course.”
 

I walk to the door, tightening the robe around my body. I open the door and step back, allowing the room service to enter, but my eyes focus on two ice blue irises that widen with shock and disbelief, which then shift into pure rage.
 

What the hell?

Barbie-want-to-be is standing at the door, glaring at me, “What the
fuck
are you doing in Eric’s suite?!” she screeches.

She’s looking me over from head to toe, then storms inside, pushing me out of her way with her shoulder bumping into mine.

“Eric! What the hell is going – “

“Shut. Up.” Mr. Miller growls. He’s already on his feet, glaring at her and she recoils back, stunned as though
he’d
hit her.

“Katherine, this is Eliza Montgomery – “
 

“His
girlfriend.”
Eliza interrupts him, her voice cold and possessive.
 

I look at Mr. Miller who has turned into a human statue. This time it’s him who is frozen and immobilized. I feel seriously out of place. Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion crushes over me.
 

This day is getting better by the minute…
 

Not wanting to get into a catfight over a man who made it clear I don’t stand a chance to have while I work for him, I make the only decision I can. Tonight I’ll sleep here, tomorrow I’ll get a separate room and she can stay with him… and she probably will.
 

I keep my voice clam and my breathing steady, “Nice to meet you Miss Montgomery. Excuse me… long day tomorrow. Good night.”

I turn and head to my bedroom but right before I reach my door, I hear Mr. Miller’s voice. I stop walking. I stop breathing. They can’t see me and I want to hear what
Mr. Miller
will say to her.

“Why are you here Eliza?” Mr. Miller sounds agitated.
 

“What, you’re not happy to see me?” she purrs.
 

“I’m here for you, Eric, is it not clear? I missed you, but I’m more interested to know why you and your
executive
assistant are sharing a suite. I come to
you
and find
this
.” Eliza hisses the last part of the sentence.
 

“I told you before, don’t visit me when I’m working. This is seriously pissing me off.
You
are pissing me off.”
Mr. Miller
growls quietly.

“What about
her
? Does she piss you off?” her tone turns sarcastic. “Did you take your
frustration
on her?”
 

I frown.
What the hell does that suppose to mean?

“Katherine is my employee, nothing more. Seriously Eliza, this jealousy has to stop and you can’t keep telling people you’re my girlfriend, when we both know
damn well
you are not.”
Mr. Miller’s
voice is border lining on a wild animal’s growl.

I can’t listen to them anymore. The fact he said I’m
just
an employee, cuts me to the quick. I made up this whole flirting scenario in my head. This man is starting to seriously mess me up. I‘ve always been in control of my desires, always got what I wanted from any man, until
he
came along. I couldn’t even introduce him to Mark for crying out loud! It hasn’t been long enough but
Mr. Miller’s already
tearing me down, little by little, opening each seam until my soul will be torn wide open for him to do as he pleases. I need to keep him at arms length to make sure that won’t happen.
 

No. I won’t let that happen.
 

I open the bedroom door then quietly close it behind me. I pull the covers off, in frustration, thinking about her sharing his bed in a few moments and them having passionate make-up sex.
 

I got to get the hell out of here tomorrow and get a different room.
 

A long sad sigh escape my lips. I close my eyes, trying to think about anything but Mr. Miller’s breathtaking eyes, his lips… his hair… those sexy strands falling on his forehead… his arresting muscular physique…
 

Stop!
 

I toss and turn for what feels like an hour, trying to escape the turquoise irises that stare at me each time I close my eyes. Then I hear a light knock on my bedroom door.

“Katherine?” The door muffles Mr. Miller’s voice.
 

Slowly, I sit up and turn the lamp on my nightstand on. Excitement rushes over me, but I kill it at that same moment.
 

Don’t get your lacey boyshorts in a twist; you just said you wouldn’t let anything happen.

I pull my robe on, school my face and open the door. Mr. Miller’s turquoise eyes light up as he gazes down at me.

“Is everything ok?” I ask.

“I – I just wanted to apologize for what happened before. I wanted to make sure you’re all right.”
Mr. Miller’s
eyes float across my body, drinking me in until finally settling on my eyes.

“Thank you for worrying about me, but I’m fine. Ms. Montgomery is not the first jealous girlfriend I met. I’ll book a separate room tomorrow… give you guys some privacy.” My tone is reassuring, but I’m far from it, all I feel inside is hurt.
 

I never knew rejection… never knew how bad it hurts.

“No. There’s no need for that. She’s not staying with me… she’s not my girlfriend. Things between us are…”
Mr. Miller
frowns, looking like he’s struggling to find the right word. “Complicated.” He finally says, looking deep into my eyes looking for what...?
 

I don’t know.

“You don’t need to explain yourself, Mr. Miller. I understand.” I smile tightly.
 

Mr. Miller
sighs. He looks torn, his eyes search deep in mine and I know at that moment, I will never forget his heavenly turquoise eyes until the day I die. To haunt me, to taunt me, to remind me of the one man I desire with every cell of my body, with every thread of my being, and whom I’ll never have.
 

Mr. Miller
looks like he’s about to say something more, but he closes his mouth and shakes his head lightly.
 

“I need you to stay with me. You’re a great help.” He says softly.

My heartbeat quickens to those sweet words coming out of his mouth. Even though they are only work related, they still make my breath catch.
 

“Ok, if you’re still comfortable with me being here, I’ll stay.” I murmur, surrendering to his penetrating eyes.

“I am.”
Mr. Miller
smiles a soft, warm smile and all I want to do is press my lips to his, but I don’t. “Good night, Mr. Miller.” I say after a few moments of silence.

Mr. Miller
breathes out loudly, “Good night, Katherine.”

I close the door and sag against it.
 

He wants me to stay…
She’s
not staying with him.

I fight that optimistic feeling that flares deep inside me, telling myself not to be delusional, but a tiny drop of hope gently falls on my heart and I fall asleep with a small smile on my lips, dreaming about hopeful possibilities and a coveted future.

Morning arrives too quickly. I feel as if I’ve closed my eyes and a heartbeat later the sun was filling my room with bright light. I wash up and get dressed. I choose a V-neck, powder blue button down shirt and white pencil skirt that hugs my curved hips. I tie my hair into a high ponytail and apply light make-up. When I come out, Mr. Miller is nowhere to be seen.
 

Is he still sleeping?
 

I glance at my watch, its seven thirty a.m. I decide to order breakfast for Mr. Miller and me. Just when I put the receiver down, Mr. Miller walks in and I stop breathing. He’s wearing a navy, sleeveless t-shirt and black sweatpants. Beads of sweat at his hairline catch my eyes, and he wipes them with the white towel he’s holding in his hand. He’s been to the gym. Mr. Miller arms look bigger, but then again, I only saw them through shirts and t-shirts. They are sinfully shaped, every sinewy muscle defined and etched, as though a sculptor created him.
 

I wonder how it would feel… his arms around me, squeezing me affectionately.
 

The thought floats like a whisper in my head. Mr. Miller notices my reaction, I am sure I’m all wide-eyed and salivating. He smiles a smoldering smile, making me inhale and reminding me that I need to breathe.
 

“Good Morning, Katherine.”

“Good morning. I ordered some breakfast for us. Should be here soon.” I smile and mentally slap myself to wake up and stop ogling my boss.

“Great.” Mr. Miller smiles again. “I’ll be in the shower.”
 

I nod and he turns, walking out the room. My eyes linger a beat too long on his Traps and Lats, and I force myself to look away.
 

Oh dear God… if this is a test of restraint, I feel like I’ll be getting an F.
 

I notice my iPad on the dinning table so I take it and open the calendar. I see that Mr. Miller has only one meeting today. We’re meeting, Juan Ramirez at noon.
 

I guess we’re going to SoFi
.
 

I’m a little apprehensive but Mr. Miller will be there with me. Mark wouldn’t dare messing with me when Mr. Miller is by my side.
 

I hope.

Ten minutes later, the dinning table is ready with breakfast for two. As if on cue, Mr. Miller walks into the room. His hair, still wet from the shower, is glistening with water droplets. He’s wearing a white shirt, sleeves rolled three quarters up, showing off his powerful forearms and who would’ve believed it… Mr. Miller makes khaki pants look hot. He walks towards the table, barefoot and comfortably sexy.

We settle down and start eating. Passing the milk, the maple syrup, and the sugar. Chitchatting over silly things. This feels great, comfortable and easygoing. Like we’ve known each other for years. I like this part of him, the laid-back, smiling man, not the cryptic, serious boss. Then three loud knocks interrupt our relaxed breakfast. A small piece of pancake halts in my throat, and I grab the orange juice to force it down.

“I’ll get it.” Mr. Miller rises.

When I look over at the door, I see Eliza throwing her arms around Mr. Miller’s neck, trying to plant a kiss but she hits his cheek instead.

“Morning, babe!” she smiles brightly.

“Good morning, Eliza.” Mr. Miller releases her.

“I hope I’m not interrupting…” Eliza looks at me and then adds “or maybe I hope I am.”

“Good morning, Miss. Montgomery.” I smile at her, unfazed.
 

“Eliza, call me Eliza.” She says dryly.

Mr. Miller’s cellphone rings in his bedroom and he excuses himself, leaving the room. Eliza sits in Mr. Miller’s chair, making herself a cup of coffee.
 

“Listen and listen good.” Eliza points the teaspoon she’s holding at me. “Eric is
mine.
I don’t care if you’re crushing on him, but know that nothing will ever happen between you two. I’ve known him and
loved
him for years. I’m the only one that can
handle
him. So whatever plans you’re making in that head of yours, cut it out.”

She takes a sip and looks at me menacingly.