Chapter 49: dealing with Cynthia
JAYDEN'S POV
Damn. No matter how many times I touch her, Monalisa still tastes like heaven. Her body, soft and warm against mine, her moans echoing in the steam of the shower-it should've been enough. But it wasn't. I was still hard. Still hungry.
Water ran through our bodies as I pushed into her once again, gripping her waist, her legs trembling around me. She arched against the tiles, and I bit back a groan. I was losing it. My mind, my restraint-everything. I released inside her, chest heaving, forehead pressed to hers, her lips parted with soft gasps.
We stayed like that a while-two bodies tangled in heat and breath. Then reality crept in.
I stepped out of the cubicle first, grabbing a towel and running it down my chest. She followed a moment later, silent, her skin flushed and hair damp. She didn't look at me-just wrapped herself in a towel and walked out.
I followed her back to the room, eyes trailing every drop of water trickling down her back. She bent slightly, drying her legs, and I cursed under my breath. I was getting turned on again. What the hell?
"Damn. Monalisa is so sweet - sweet in a way that drives me crazy. Her taste, her warmth, the way she looks at me... it's intoxicating. But even now, even after fucking her hard against the glass wall of the shower cubicle, I'm still not satisfied. I'm hornier than ever." I said under my breath. "I want to fuck her some more"
I turned around quickly and tied my towel tighter. "Get it together, Jayden," I muttered under my breath, heading into the closet. I shut the door behind me and exhaled hard. Something about this woman just kept pulling me deeper, and it scared the hell out of me.
I dressed quickly-dark slacks, a crisp shirt, navy blazer. My mind was a storm, but I kept my expression neutral as I stepped back into the room.
Monalisa was already dressed. A sleek black top tucked into fitted jeans, her hair flowing freely, makeup subtle but flawless. She stood before the mirror, fixing a tiny gold earring into place. I leaned against the wall and just watched her, smiling to myself. She didn't even know how beautiful she was.
"Jayden, let's go," she said, glancing at me through the mirror. I didn't respond. My mind was far away, lost in her again.
She turned and tapped my arm. "Jayden?"
"Huh? Yeah-sorry." I adjusted my jacket. "Let's get going."
"It's already 9 a.m."
"Damn. Alright."
I grabbed my suitcase, and we headed out.
The hallway smelled faintly of lavender. My maid was already up and cleaning the guestroom-for Athena.
Monalisa reached the front door first. She pulled it open, and there she was-Athena. Perfect posture, all smiles, standing right outside with a small suitcase beside her.
"Good morning, ma'am," Athena said brightly.
"You're here already?" Monalisa replied, flat and cold.
"Yes, ma'am. And sir Jayden?"
"I'm here." I stepped forward. "Welcome, Athena. My maid will take your luggage. You're coming with me to the office."
"Jayden," Monalisa interjected, her tone tight. "She just got here. Maybe let her settle in first?"
"No need, ma'am," Athena cut in quickly. "I'm well rested and ready. Thank you for your concern."
Monalisa rolled her eyes and turned away.
"Shall we?" I said to Athena.
"Right after you, sir."
As we stepped out, I saw Monalisa heading for the gate. I caught up quickly and grabbed her hand. "Get in the car."
"Why? I can get a cab to school."
"Monalisa, don't start. Not this morning. We just had amazing sex in the shower. Don't kill the mood."
"I'm not in the mood to be handled."
"Get in the damn car," I said, voice low but firm.
She hesitated, then yanked the door open and climbed in. "You're too used to getting your way," she muttered.
I didn't answer. Maybe I was. Maybe I needed to remind myself she wasn't my girlfriend. She was a convenience. A distraction. Just sex. Right?
She opened the door on her side and leaned out. "Aren't you getting in, mister?"
"I'm coming," I said, composing myself.
I dropped her at school without another word and continued on to the office with Athena.
We walked through the glass doors, and just as I was about to step into the elevator, Cynthia appeared like a ghost-blocking my path, smiling as if nothing was wrong.
"Good morning, sir Jayden," she said sweetly.
"Good you're here. Come with me. You too, Athena." I walked past them.
Inside my office, I set down my bag and opened my laptop.
"Take a seat," I said, not looking up. I noticed Cynthia pulling a chair toward her.
"Not you, Cynthia. Athena, you can sit."
Cynthia froze, confused. "Sir, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes." I leaned back in my chair. "Meet Athena. She's your replacement. My new secretary and P.A."
"What?" Cynthia blinked. "I... I'm your secretary."
"Not anymore. You're fired."
Her face fell. "What? Why? What did I do?"
"You disappeared for a week. No explanation. Staff reported you absent."
"I... I can explain-"
"No need. You were in Greece. Spying. You told people I asked you to come."
Her jaw dropped. "No! I mean-yes, I said that, but I wasn't in Greece!"
"Then how'd you know we were going?"
"You talked about it. I overheard. But I swear-I wasn't there. I was... I was heartbroken, okay? I needed time to breathe. I went to stay with my best friend."
I stared at her coldly. "I don't believe you."
"You don't have to, but I'm telling the truth."
"Doesn't matter. Athena is staying. You're out."
She gripped her handbag tightly, knuckles white. "You're making a mistake."
"I'll live with it."
"Please-don't fire me completely. I need this job."
I sighed. "You should've thought of that before."
"Where do I go?"
"Home."
Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away. "This isn't the end of it, Jayden James Bruno," she whispered, then stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
"Athena," I said, dialing the phone. "Laura will show you your office. You start immediately."
"Yes, sir," she said with a smile.
Moments later, Laura knocked and stepped in, clearly flustered.
"She's Athena. Show her to the secretary's office," I said.
Laura looked confused. "And Cynthia?"
"She's gone. You might be next if you keep asking dumb questions."
"My apologies, sir." She turned to Athena. "This way, please."
Once alone, I leaned back and sighed. Doubt crept in.
Was I too harsh?
Maybe I should've kept Cynthia close. At least that way, I could've watched her.
My phone rang. Monalisa.
A smile crept onto my face. "Hey, babe-"
Her voice cut through. "Jayden, did you send me flowers?"
"What? No."
"There's a box of chocolates too. Someone dropped it off at school."
"Who brought them? Ask whoever handed it over. Don't eat the chocolate!" I snapped.
My heart raced.
Who the hell would dare?