Tempting Him by Isabel Lucero

8

On Wednesday and Thursday,I don’t see much of Jay. He’s been with Luther and a couple other team members, learning the ropes, and working on this new campaign. When we’ve passed each other in the hall, he’s given me his usual grin. The one that looks like he’s always thinking something filthy, and who knows? Maybe he is.

I’ve stopped in Luther’s office, observing his progress. Do I need to do that? No. Luther will tell me everything I need to know. I’d rather not get into why I feel the need to check on him, but I’ve also watched him interact with not only the seasoned employees, but the other interns. He’s clearly well-liked by almost everybody he comes in contact with. He always has them laughing or smiling, and during the breaks, he’s the center of attention, always with a story at the ready that will entrance everybody in the vicinity.

Today, an hour before the interns are set to leave, I enter the break room and linger near the doorway. The permanent employees are used to me, but I’ve noticed the interns tense up when I’m around, all of them aware of my position. So, I keep back and listen to Jay tell them a story.

“No, I’ll tell you an embarrassing story. I was maybe ten or eleven, I don’t remember, but my class took this field trip to some ranch. I was excited, not because I really cared about cows or pigs, but because it was a bit of a drive and we spent most of the day on the bus and not in class. Anyway, it’s not the best day. It had been raining, so it was muddy, and we’re all trekking through this filth while smelling the scent of cow shit. Honestly, I don’t know why we took this trip. So, we’re in the barn where the cows are in their stalls, just chillin’. I’m at the end of the line. Thank God. I’m just looking around at these massive animals that you never think you’ll see up close, and this fucking cow. This bitch ass cow has her ass to me, and shoots shit at me! It wasn’t a massive amount, but enough that it got on me. On my face! I’m pretty sure she was annoyed with all the kids ahead of me being loud and annoying, and she took it out on me. It felt personal, not gonna lie.” Everybody laughs. “Like, it was a warning shot. She was telling me to get out. So, I freak out but don’t want anybody to know because I’ll be cow shit boy for the rest of my life, and my friends will never let me live it down, so I wipe it off.” He pauses, looking at everyone. “I. Wiped. It. Off. With my hand. Again, it wasn’t a lot, but now I got shit on my hand and nowhere to wipe it, so I bend down and try to wipe it off in the mud.” He shakes his head, chuckling. “This girl in front of me turned around and gave me a weird look, and all I said was, ‘mud.’” He laughs some more. “It was so dumb. I used the sleeve of my jacket to wipe my face again to make sure it was gone, but I felt so embarrassed and annoyed. Which is why I’ll never be a vegetarian. Fuck them cows.”

I laugh louder than I meant to, and everyone spins around to see who’s eavesdropping. When Jay realizes it’s me, his smile grows. “Hey, boss. We’re just shootin’ the shit,” he jokes, making people laugh again.

I nod, a small smile still on my lips before I turn and head back to my office. Ten minutes to six, I hear Linda laugh outside my door before my phone buzzes.

“Sir, Mr. Brooks is wondering if he can talk to you.”

Jay says something in the background that I can’t quite hear, but through the door, I hear Linda giggle again.

“Send him in,” I reply.

Seconds later, Jay struts in. “If you’re still willing to protect me, you can walk me to my car in ten minutes,” he tells her with a grin before shutting the door behind him.

“Do you want to lose your position here, Mr. Brooks?” I ask.

“What’d I do?”

“The flirting. I warned you about that.”

“Did you?” he asks, sitting down. “I thought you said you’d advise against it. Is that a warning?”

I shoot him a look that says I’m not amused. “Did you need something?”

“You were right. Luther is not my type. He’s a good guy, though. Didn’t expect him to be seventy-three, but you know.”

“I thought you liked all ages?”

He smirks. “Well, I do have limits. For one, they have to be adults, and I guess they can’t be much older than however old you are.”

I shake my head. “I’m assuming women with boyfriends are also your type.”

“What? You talkin’ about Linda?” I nod. “Oh. She told me they broke up.”

“Fantastic,” I murmur, gathering some papers to put into my briefcase. When I look up, he’s grinning at me. “What?”

“Nothing,” he says with a shake of his head. “So, any weekend plans?”

“Probably working, as usual.” I hesitate, then ask, “And you?”

“I never know till I know.”

“Sounds adventurous.”

He shrugs. “Only way to live.”

“If you say so. I like things to be a little more controlled. Organized.”

“Oh, controlled fun? Sounds like a blast.”

My eyes flicker back to him. “You might be surprised.”

His eyes narrow slightly. “Give me an example.”

“I shouldn’t.”

“Because you’re the boss or because of your no repeats rule?”

“Both.”

“You know what they say about rules, right?” he asks with a flirty grin.

“They’re put in place for a reason.”

He laughs. “I don’t know why I like you. You’re so boring.”

I grin before I tamp it down. “If you say so.”

“Well, not for any specific reason or anything, but I may stop by Three Sheets tonight. I have a friend I can harass there.”

“So, it’s not just me you like to bother?”

“I’m not bothering you and you know it, but maybe someone else might show up there, too. Then I can transfer my harassment to them, and then maybe I can be taught about controlled fun.”

“Jay,” I warn.

“Mm.” He arches a brow. “I guess I could invite Linda. She’d probably have a good time.”

“I know what you’re attempting to do.”

He smiles. “I’m not doing anything. There’s also this really hot intern I’ve noticed looking at me. Joel? You know him? He’s cute, right? And not technically an employee.”

“Jayden.”

He moans. “Ooh. I like when you say my name like that.”

“Cut it out.”

He stands up. “I’ll be there around nine.”

“I don’t care.”

“Okay,” he replies with a shrug. “Have a good weekend, Mr. Drakos.” Jay pulls open the door. “Don’t work too hard. You know what they say about all work and no play.”

He winks before closing the door behind him. Soon after, he and Linda are laughing again, and I hate that it bothers me so much. Why should it grate on my nerves that they like each other?