Chapter 12

What were the odds of it all being a dream? Ivory woke to the sound of her alarm, the night's events plaguing her very soul. She hadn't the heart to even respond to Braylen's text. Worse she didn't know how she was going to face Raiden. The only thought plaguing her mind was 'how could she go back to work at Blaxx?' She contemplated calling in sick, it was already Friday and that would give her two extra days to work up the courage to face him. This thought was quickly disregarded. She couldn't run from her problems, she knew that but how does one approach their employer after having kissed them? She felt utterly embarrassed, Raiden was probably finding her a great source of amusement. She placed her face in her palms and groaned. Better sooner than later, the faster they got the awkward meeting over with the sooner they can forget any of it ever happened.
Ivory arrived at the office faster than she would have hoped, the little nerve she had dissipating with every step closer she came to Raiden's office. She was startled by Felix, "You're here early." he commented energetically.

"No traffic," she commented dismissively. His fingers grasped her arm, bringing her attention to him. "I heard what happened yesterday." his voice lowered. Ivory's mouth went dry, what little colour she had left drained from her face.

"What?" the response was pure impulse. She couldn't believe she was already the laughing stock of the company.

"Spill, tell me how was it?" He pried. Ivory had no words, her baser instincts telling her to make a run for it. Perhaps it was time she cut her losses and find employment elsewhere.

"I-I What did Mr. De Ville say? Is he upset?" Ivory questioned. Her nerves tightening their grasps.

"He never tells me anything, I always got to find out from other people. Good thing I got spies all over." Felix winked at her.

"Other people?" Oh, God! Take me now. She had no idea anyone else was in the office much less saw them.

"Yeah when I attended gatherings with Mr. De Ville I made friends and they were kind enough to share what happened yesterday. So what do you think of her?" He questioned and Ivory became confused.

"Her?"

"Naomi." Felix rolled his eyes at her. "I heard she went ballistic upon seeing you. God, I wished I was there to see it." Ivory exhaled and her body relaxed instantly.

"I think your friends are exaggerating. Why would she pay me that much attention?" Ivory responded indifferently, ignoring Felix's annoyed expression as she walked into the office.

Raiden was on the phone, he didn't acknowledge her presence and she breathed a sigh of relief. She could handle ignorance, in fact, she would pass it off as a distant dream. Anything was better than having him laugh in her face for such a display. She still didn't know what she was thinking. Ivory glanced at Raiden, he was so focused, unfazed, while she found his presence distracting. She shouldn't have been surprised, she knew she lacked the ability to dull any man's senses yet she couldn't help the disappointment.

Later, she blocked all unnecessary thoughts from her mind focusing on finishing her tasks. "Ms. Remington, can you please help me locate the Petersons file." Raiden was yet to look at her, his eyes glued to the computer screen. She nodded, despite the fact that he wasn't even seeing her, she rose from her desk and walked over to his, her mind conjuring illicit thoughts. She couldn't remember the last time she felt such a strong physical attraction to a man.

"Here it is." she pulled the file from underneath a stack.

"Thank you." his gaze yet to grace her. She rotated on her heels to return to her desk.

''About last night-" his voice soft, gentle even. Yet Ivory wasn't certain she wanted to hear him say it was a mistake. She knew it was, knew it was what he wanted to say but she couldn't bear to hear it. She was tired of being the woman men couldn't see.

"I am sorry, it was stupid and unprofessional and I swear I can pretend it never happened." she blurted, spinning around to gaze into the charcoal depths of his eyes.
Raiden exhaled, considering her incredulously. He rose from his seat and came around to the front of his desk, Ivory taking two steps back on instinct. He leaned his hips back against the table.

"Indeed. It was unprofessional." he conceded, noting her instant withdrawal. "but the one who should be apologizing is me." he said, her heart constricting in her chest.

"Yet, I find myself quite unapologetic." her eyes collided with him in confusion.

"I don't understand," she muttered breathlessly.

"I kissed you because I wanted to, make no mistake about that. I have never regretted it, in fact, it has given me some hope." he was more candid than she expected. The fact that he wanted to kiss her was beyond her.

"Hope?" she echoed. Unable to fully comprehend where the conversation was heading.

"I have an arrangement I would like to propose." he was blunt, his voice strong and serious. There was no longer any hint of the gentleman she witnessed the day before.

"What kind of arrangement?" she found herself hanging on his every word, it was clear who controlled the state of the conversation.

"A temporary one...between us." he waited for her reaction but Ivory herself was unsure of how to react or respond. She had never found herself in a situation such as this and she thought the likelihood of it actually happening was nil.

"I want you, Ivory, in more ways than one. Last night proved that you may have the same desires." He crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

"Me? You want me?" she questioned suspiciously, her mind unable to fathom that this man could want any part of her. " Is this a joke?" she questioned, but in the same breath, "Don't answer that." She was focusing on the wrong thing. She had to admit to herself at least that she did have a physical attraction to Raiden but on the other hand there was Braylen, the man she'd been emotionally attached to for almost two years. She had been more and more sceptical regarding her 'relationship' with Braylen, Zoey's lectures finally began taking hold, but he was still there for her and she couldn't in good conscious give up something real for something transient. Not to mention that it would be unethical for her to be sleeping with her boss.

"I am not sure I can resign to such an arrangement." Ivory responded.

"You don't need to give an answer now. I know there are...situations that hinder your approval." Raiden took a deep, calming breath, but he knew men like Braylen and while he didn't want to see her hurt, she would learn the truth herself and he was somewhat certain it would be in the near future.

"Then when?" she questioned.

"Think of it as an open-ended invitation." he gave her a smile, but not a warm one, something dark with the ability to her wipe away her senses.

***
It had been too long. Braylen smiled as a pair of whisky coloured eyes awoke from their slumber. His bed mate glancing sultrily at him. He hadn't thought he would find himself wanting more than one fleeting night with a woman but he was sure there was more to enjoy.

"Let me just check this one message and then you'll have all of my attention." he brushed his lips against hers, sliding off the bed, unabashed in his nakedness. He was aware of his companion's lustful stares, their boldness urging him back to the bed.
He unlocked his cell and breathed a sigh of irritation. It was Ivory. She was just responding to his message and while he appreciated the response he didn't welcome it when he had much better ways to be spending his evening. He sat down on the bed and called her cell. His playmate taking it upon herself to nuzzle her face into the crook of his neck, her hands caressing the muscles spread across his arms and back.

"Ivory, I just got your message." He forced to keep his tone even, his playmate grinning at the effect she had on him.

"I have to cancel on you again. My mother is still under the weather and it's been tiring caring for her alone. I won't be able to leave her alone tonight." He lied. It had been his number one excuse recently especially since she was more likely to know he wasn't being held up at the office, being Raiden's personal assistant and all.
He ended the call with her and turned his attention to his playmate.

"I was getting a little jealous." she rested her head on his lap and stared up at him.

"You have no reason to be. Not a one." He assured her, bringing her face closer to his.