Elena's pov
My alarm blared like a fire alarm, yanking me from sleep like a cruel joke.
I groaned, feeling every bit of the headache pounding behind my eyelids, eyes bloodshot and heavy. Reaching blindly, I slapped the off button and burrowed back under the covers for a second longer.
My phone blinked with the dreaded message from yesterday. My stomach twisted again-This can't be real. Maybe just a prank. A threat with no teeth. I needed to check in with Aunt Lilly soon.
She made me promise to go to her when the past finally catches up . And now I think it's catched up . And for the first time . I honestly don't know what to do .
But for now, I had to drag myself through the day.
I scream in my pillow when I remembered what happened the last time I was in that office and my cheeks redden .
I seat up from my bed yawning. Working for Rio is not easy especially when he looks like that and talks like that .
I shuffled into the bathroom, looking like a zombie, but a hot shower and my favorite coffee were the only things keeping me tethered to sanity.
Dressing took more effort than it should-black skirt..that rides above my knees a bit , light blue blouse tucked in loosly .
My waist, chest and and the slight teeze of my thighs , an accessory.
I slip on my black heels, and my trusty black trench coat. I topped it off with my vanilla perfume, trying to mask the lingering stress.
But before I step out I walk over to the portrait on my bedroom wall of a woman in the desert her dress sweeping the dunes.
My hands shake slightly as I grab it gently putting it down .
The little safe comes into view and I key in the codes .
It opens with a ding and inside lies the counterfeit key version of the original one am wearing.
I take it off.
I place the original one back and I wear the counterfeit.
My aunty told me to do that when the danger starts creeping in .
I place the portrait back .
The coffee shop was my sanctuary, the one place where I could steal a moment of calm. Lisa greeted me with her usual bubbly grin as I leaned on the counter.
"Hey El, looking good!" she chirped.
"Thanks, Lisa. The usual, please, and a chocolate muffin," I murmured, trying to muster a smile.
Then the bell jingled, I turned slightly and my body stiffens .
My heart skipped. Rio.
Standing there like he walked out of a damn magazine - black slacks, unbuttoned white shirt revealing just enough inked skin and a silver chain peaking through the opening sending me spiraling, and that damn intoxicating scent.
I froze, caught in the crossfire of his honeyed gaze.
"Ellllll," Lisa's voice cut through my trance. "You okay? You're totally zoned out."she laughs clearly enjoying how flustered I look from the man who just walked in .
He walks casually , smirk on his face . I turn around, paying my order my hands shaking for absolutely no reason.
I feel him stop next to me his shoulder slightly brushing mine ..
I don't look at him .
I scrambled to pay and grab my order, careful not to meet Rio's eyes as I slipped out.
Does he not like the coffee I make him at the office ?...
The question makes my insides twist so damn hard .
I walk out the morning sun and wind hitting my skin as I start walking to my car .
"Elena "his voice calls from behind me . I freeze on the spot .
Shit .
I turn slightly. The sun doing wonders to his facial features. Why does he have to look so damn good doing nothing but standing under the sun .
"Coffee's for my sister..she doesn't like the flavours in the office ..," his deep voice says as he casually walks towards me with that stupid smirk on his face .
I back up a little because I honestly can't stand how this man makes me feel .
Relief flooded me. Not his coffee.
I nod , the words dying in my mouth I clutch the brown bag so hard before I slowly turn around because all I can think of looking at him is how his hands felt on me yesterday.
My car is just a few more steps but before I could walk three steps ..
"Elena "he whispered before he grabbed my wrists and he spun me around I was now facing him.
My back hit the car, and I closed my eyes, trying to steady the chaos inside.
"Open your eyes, El. Look at me," he whispered..using my nick name , lifting my chin with that damn finger.
Our eyes locked. His dark gaze softened. "I love your coffee..."his breath fans my cheek as he leans down tucking a hair strand behind my ear .
My breath catches when he leans lower to my ear his body pressing mine against the car . His cologne intoxicating wrapping around me .
"No idea what you put in it, but it's...addictive."his voice low , raspy deep and it makes my stomach do a back flip.
"So are you ..,"he adds and my heart dropped to me belly.
He pulls back, his gaze dragging over my outfit from my hair , glossed lips to my chest that's brushing his then my skirt and heels .
I suddenly feel self conscious.
"You look ...,"he whispers...his hand moving to my waist.
"dangerously mine ..,"he rasps his hand gripping my waist pulling me to him .
He says am his alot . And I love how it sounds in his mouth .
My hand moves over his on my waist and I look up .
The whole parking lot seezes to exist
And then a car honks somewhere snapping us out .
I swallowed hard, managing a shaky, "We should... go to work. We're late."
He steps back ..his hand lingering on waist a little longer before he smirks and turns around walking to his car, casually like he didn't just make me a mess seconds ago.
I round my car still shaking, throbbing, I slide in.. taking a breath or two before I decide to drive to work .
---
Rio's POV
I parked outside my company , smirking to myself as I replayed the morning's little encounter.
Her worry when I held that coffee for my sister her expression..priceless.
Her outfit that skirt that top ..those eyes ..those lips .
Her vanilla-lavender scent clung to me, intoxicating. That woman is a goddamn drug.
I don't step out of my car immediately, my phone dings with information on my shipments from Russia . They were delaying and I had to check in with Marco to know what the fuck was going on.
My head raises slowly when I watch Elena's car pull up.
She pulled into her spot, before stepping out pulling her skirt down .
That move alone had my blood running hot .
I made my move,.. killing my engine and I step out seconds.. after she enters the building.
I head into the building with all the confidence of a predator.
I stand next to her as we both wait for the elevator.
She stands there next to me confident as always..I bite back a smirk.
The elevator dinged open,and we both step inside.
I stood opposite her, tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
She takes her trench coat off ..it is pretty hot with the temperatures and the tension.
She drapes it over her arm leaning back casually avoiding my eyes .
She caught me staring and shot back with sass, "What? Something on my face?"she cocks an eyebrow at me .
I tried to play it cool. "What are you talking about?"I ask my voice low ..raspy I run my hand through my hair .
"You're staring like a freak. Something you wanna say, Rio?"she asks with a grin her tone flat, cocking her head slightly looking at me with those eyes.
"Elena," I breathed, stepping closer without thinking, voice low and dangerous. My hand in my pocket as I look down at her . Glossed lips attitude and her gaze sharp on me .
"I thought we agreed-only I get to call you with your name ...you don't address me as Rio sweetheart..but I can call you whatever the fuck I want "i whisper..my finger tracing her arm
"Eveeen....,"I trail off, leaning down to her level my other hand pressed next to her head my lips brushing her ear and her breath catches ..
I smirk, pulling her closer. "My dirty little slut,.."I whisper in her ear taking in her scent like a drag I live on .
"You gave me quite the show last time."my voice drops low and dangerous.
I see her throat bob as she swallows hard shutting her eyes .
I pull back just enough to look at her beautiful blue eyes which are now dark with something we don't want to admit...
She looks up at me her hands moving up .
I hold her gaze the air between us electric.
She drops her bag ,
I swallow hard.
She smirks and then her palms drag over my chest then lower and lower until she palms my hard on over my slacks .
I groan..my fist hitting the mirror wall right next to her face. My eyes shut tight as I hold on to the last bit of control I have .. she's smirking up at me and batting her eyelashes at me .
A sexy grin on her lips .
She tightens her palm on me and I groan louder .
"Fuck..Elena ..,"i groan ...barely holding on my other hand snakes to her waist and I pull her flash against me .
And then the elevator door dings open.. dangerous If someone walks in right now but I dont exactly give a shit when she has me like this .
No one walks in and we don't walk out . The doors close .
She gets on her tippy toes so she can reach my ear level and then she whispers.
"Careful Rio..am not up for boss and her assistant game..,"her voice hot on my ear...her minty breath engulfing me and her perfume a mixture of vanilla and lavender making my mind spiral .
And then ..she wiggles away from my hold , grabbing her bag and then she sways away..the doors dinging open again...that ass...yeap it's gonna be the death of me .
Am left there . Hard, frustrated and I have never wanted a woman more in my fucked up life .