Push by Sadie Rose

 

My eyes followed the hand clamped down on Raymond’s shoulder to see Roman standing there. He was smiling and it showed off his perfect white teeth. His eyes seemed to be scanning my face. He didn’t wait for Raymond to respond, “Thanks for letting me cut in Mr. Thomas. If you’ll excuse us.” He took my hand and spun me around on the dance floor. What is he doing here? And how did he even see me in this crowd? He continued to spin me around the dance floor moving us through the throngs of people. He didn’t stop until we had made it to the other side of the dance floor. He kept my hand in his and ushered us off the dance floor. We circled towards the bar, but he kept us walking past it. He led me down a narrow hallway that was dimly lit. The music seemed lower here and I could hear our footsteps on the concrete floor.

He abruptly stopped walking and stepped closer, essentially trapping me between him and the wall. “I’m glad I had the chance to run into you again.” Had he been trying to see me again?

Now that we weren’t moving, I was able to get a better look at him. And oh my, he looked good. There weren’t enough adjectives to describe how good he looked. He was wearing a black dress shirt that was undoubtedly custom-tailored to his body. He had rolled the sleeves up to his elbows, exposing his muscular forearms. I could see the hint of a tattoo peeking out on his right elbow. Dark-washed jeans sat on his hips and it took all my self-control not to reach over and put my fingers in his belt loops. His hair behaved in the way I had first seen him like he had been running his hands through it. It was sexy as hell. I longed to reach out and touch it. I bet it was soft and I could pull him into me. God! Get a hold of yourself, Olivia!

Being this close to him was dangerous. I could smell his intoxicating scent surrounding me. It was making me even more aroused. His warm hand was still holding on to mine. I pushed my thighs together and hoped he didn’t notice. Quickly regaining a bit of clarity, I responded. “Were you looking for me? I do work for you, you could have just emailed me.”

He leaned down closer, his lips so close to mine I thought he was going to kiss me. “Work isn’t where I want to see you” He rose back up to his full height. “You seem to find yourself in situations where you need rescuing.” He was smirking at me now. Was this a game to him? That thought alone pulled me out of the haze he had pulled over me.

“Mr. Devereaux, thank you for coming to my rescue twice this week,” I tugged my hand from his warm grip. “Being mortified twice in one week is more than enough for me.”

“Call me Roman.”

“Mr. Devereaux, I-”

“Roman.”

I don’t know why this is so important to him, but it is and very obviously. I can feel his first name on the tip of my tongue. I want to say his name, hear it roll off my tongue and out onto my lips. To have him look at me like I’m his equal instead of this mess of a girl who continues to embarrass herself. To be strong and not weak in this moment. Because this moment feels important like we are teetering between something that could send us over the edge into the abyss. I squared my shoulders and looked up to meet his gaze. I’ve never seen eyes so dark, his pupils blown. The way he was looking at me was overwhelming, all-consuming, terrifying me to my core. His gaze alone brought out so many hidden, buried emotions inside me. His name escaped my lips in a whisper, “Roman.”

He lifted his hand to my face, slowly tracing the line of my jaw. His touch is soft, so soft that before I can stop myself I lean into it and press my face against his palm which is cupping my face. He’s everything and more than what my dreams could muster.

He moans slightly at my words, “Olivia.” My name sounds like a prayer on his lips. “Rescue me. Put me out of this misery. Go out with me tomorrow night. Let me take you to dinner.”

For a moment, I imagine what it would be like to say yes. I’m so lost in my feelings and thoughts that I let my lips brush against his surprisingly rough palm. He stiffened—in surprise or desire or something else completely, I didn’t know which nor did I try to decipher. Before he could respond, I ripped the bandaid off and gave him the safest answer. “No.”

My pulse was screaming yes but I knew that this was the right thing to do. I’d worked too hard and too long to get where I am. I wouldn’t jeopardize my job and first major career choice for something that could only end in heartbreak and disappointment. I wouldn’t be office banter and the fact that I’d already embarrassed myself enough tonight with Raymond solidified my decision.

Roman dropped his hands in surprise. He reacts as if I’ve just told him there’s no Santa Clause. Has he never heard the word NO before? Maybe no woman had ever turned him down. Women probably threw themselves at him. No man or woman could probably say no to him. That’s probably why he is the man he is today. No one was willing to say no to the mighty Roman Devereaux. He pursed his lips and I could see his mind formulating a response. His eyes never left mine. At first, I thought he was going to argue, but then he asked, “Why not?”

“Because! This isn’t a good idea!” I exclaim, wiggling my finger back and forth between us. “I work for you. I just started my job. I worked hard to get there. I don’t want to jeopardize my position.”

“Olivia, dating me or not dating will not put your job at risk. Your job is secure and I’ve said it before, you don’t work for me. You work for Helen.”

Did he think I was naive? Dating the boss would directly put my job at risk. Who was he kidding? Maybe he actually believed what he was saying. I could see him studying me, deciding how strong my conviction was in my answer. He took a step back, combing his hands through his hair and rubbing his slightly unshaven face before putting his hands in his pockets.

Oh my. I could see his jeans tented from his erection.

“Maybe another time then Ollie.”

And with that, he walked away from me and I’m surprised he let it go. I’m left wishing I had said yes.