Chapter 35. A kiss
Lilly Bradley
Johnson Enterprises
We returned to the office on time. Jackson had insisted on having dessert to top off our lunch. It was too pleasant not to eat alone, and of course, discovering new culinary spots was fascinating me. Although I felt uncomfortable when it came time to pay, I wanted to do it myself since it was affordable, but Jackson reminded me that he had agreed to pay.
Discreetly, without taking my eyes off the computer monitor, I unbuttoned a button on my stomach. I was full, but every bite had been worth it. I glanced at the clock and realized I should have left an hour ago. I checked the app to request a ride, but I was having trouble finding a driver nearby.
"Knock, knock," a male voice imitated the sound of knocking. I looked up from my phone, and it was him. Again. His knuckles were against the door frame.
"Hello, do you need something, Mr. Johnson?" I said, smiling at my question using his last name.
"Yes, I need the latest information on this week's lease contracts. I called the department head's office, but it seems he has left, just like my secretary, so I need it sent over."
"Oh, yes, they left almost an hour ago..." I looked down at one of the folders, but it seemed I had given that information to my boss a couple of hours ago, so it should be in the office.
"Why are you still here? You also have a departure time." I looked up at him.
"I know, but I lost track of time. I just realized the hour a moment ago." I paused to give my desk one last look over. "What you're looking for should be on Paulo's desk. I'll go get the folder." I walked toward him to leave since his figure was blocking the door. But he didn't move.
"Then I'll request it in the morning," he said without taking his eyes off me. I felt strange about how he was looking at me.
"Alright," I cleared my throat, "then if you don't need anything else, I'll head home." I walked over to where my coat and bag were, then turned to leave, but Jackson didn't seem to have any intention of moving. "Is something wrong?" I asked. He shook his head silently, his gaze dropping to my mouth. I raised my hand to check if I had a stain I hadn't noticed. He smiled. "Do I have a stain?" I asked. His smile grew.
"It's that I've been trying to hold back." I furrowed my brow at his words, not really understanding what he was talking about. "I really have."
"Hold back...?" Jackson took a step, closing the distance between us. He took my face in his hands and lifted it toward him. When I realized his unexpected move, his lips were against mine. Clumsily, he tried to kiss me. I froze in place, a surge of electricity running through me indescribably. My lips began to respond to his kiss. I closed my eyes, his scent enveloping me unpredictably and whimsically. When my desire to deepen the kiss grew, he stopped. He pulled away a couple of inches, took a breath, and turned his mouth slightly, brushing his nose against my cheek. I felt his breath against my skin. "Oh my God, what was that?" Although the kiss was better than the one he gave me on Saturday on the second floor of his parents' house, it was still slightly evident that he lacked experience. I kept my eyes closed, enjoying his caress with the tip of his nose in my own bubble.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to cross that line between us," he whispered without moving away from my face.
"W-What line?" I whispered, not understanding what he meant.
"The line of..." Jackson didn't finish his sentence when he pulled away. I opened my eyes, and we were both breathing a bit heavily. He stepped back as if he had just realized what he had done and touched his fingers to his lips. Seeing me, he tried to compose himself. "...The line of boss and employee."