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The next afternoon, I’m coming back from lunch. As I push the elevator button for the fifth floor, Patrick rushes in beside me.
“I was hoping to catch you when you got in.” He smiles at me disarmingly.
“Um.” I don’t know what to say. Instead, I stare into his dark eyes as waves of warmth and appreciation flow through me. Seeing him again after a couple days apart feels really good.
“Before we go up there, I need to do this.” He pushes the “stop” button on the elevator and it screeches to a halt.
“Wh-what are you doing?” I stutter.
“Just taking a minute for myself before everyone else gets you.” His lips come down on mine, purposeful and powerful. Even though the last time we saw each other, I ended things, my body didn’t seem to get the memo. Pleasure burns through my resistance. With his hands holding me tight, I melt into him.
As he pulls back, a whimper of longing escapes me. He chuckles knowingly. “Don’t worry, babe. Everything is going to be just fine.”
He pushes a button and the elevator starts moving again. Moments later, the door opens on the fifth floor. At first, nothing seems different. It isn’t until we head down the hall that I notice his office door is open already.
With his hand on my lower back, he guides me forward. As we enter his office, I notice half a dozen strangers in the room.
“Ms. Amara Sage, please meet the board of directors for Tech for Teens. Distinguished board members, let me introduce you to your new Executive Director, Ms. Amara Sage.”
At his announcement, my head whips around to look at him, my mouth parted in shock. Executive Director is his title, not mine. Holy shit. He promoted me.
“From now on,” Patrick continues, “You answer directly to the board. I’ll still be available for consulting, obviously. But the board would like someone who can give their full attention to the job. I’ve explained how well you’ve been doing since you started. Therefore, with my full recommendation, this morning they voted you in as Executive Director. Congratulations.”
I’m practically frozen in a stupor. It isn’t until the first board member steps forward to introduce herself that I shake myself out of it and take her hand. For the next hour, I meet and chat with all the board members. We talk about their vision for the program, what they’d like to see from me, and how they’d like to contribute.
Occasionally, I see Patrick watching me with a smile on his face. Each time, I offer him a shy smile back. I can’t believe he did this for me. As the implications slowly sink in, my heart beats double-time.
Now that he’s stepped down as Executive Director, I don’t technically work for him anymore. I won’t pretend he won’t have any influence on the board, but he isn’t my boss. As of now, we can explore a relationship without affecting my job. My career and my potential love life are now in their own lanes.
The board members are busy people, so they can’t stay long. I express my gratitude to each and every one of them. When the last one gets on the elevator, I sag against the wall with shock and relief.
Patrick walks over to stand in front of me, resting his hands on my shoulders and lightly massaging the tension away.
“You did this.” My accusation comes out softer than I expected, possibly because at the moment, I feel like putty in his hands.
“I did it for us.” One of his fingers lifts my chin so he can see into my eyes. “I love you, Amara. I want the best for you and Josiah. I want to be a part of your life. I’ll do anything to make that happen.”
“You’re shameless,” I whisper softly. A small smile lights his face. It grows as I continue, “I love you too.”
“Good, because I’m not going anywhere.” He wraps his other hand around the back of my neck, the one keeping my face tilted toward him. He claims my mouth possessively with his own, growling as I immediately open to him.
“Let me take you home,” he murmurs against my lips. “Let me show you how I feel.”
