Chapter 138
Chole's POV:
I finally accepted my fate. If Parker Palmer wanted me at the desk directly across from his, fine. I wasn't afraid of him. My reputation didn't matter as much as the Palmer family name.
I took a "wait and see" attitude and tried to work. But it was impossible.
Sitting in the same office meant that every time I looked up, I saw him. And unfortunately, the guy looked incredibly handsome in a suit. I found myself staring at him, drifting into a daze.
Suddenly, Parker stood up. He walked around his massive desk and stopped right in front of me. His handsome face filled my vision.
"Ms. Vance, you need to focus," he said, his voice low. "I can't work when you are staring at me without blinking."
I felt my face heat up. "Mr. Palmer, I wasn't looking at you. I was just... looking in your direction and thinking about work."
Parker pursed his lips, a small smirk playing on them. "Oh? So I misunderstood?"
"Yes. You misunderstood."
He leaned in closer. His nose almost brushed mine. "You should be careful, Ms. Vance. That kind of look makes me think you are trying to seduce me."
My heart skipped a beat. I slid my chair backward, putting distance between us. "Mr. Palmer, standing this close to a subordinate creates misunderstandings too."
Parker straightened up. He put one hand in his pocket, looking pleased. "Thanks for the reminder. I'll keep it in mind next time."
I stood up abruptly. "Your lunch should be here. I'll go get it." I fled the room before I could say anything else stupid.
I returned a few minutes later, depositing the takeout bags on his coffee table.
"Eat with me," Parker said, patting the empty spot beside him on the sofa. "I ordered too much."
"Pass. You need the energy," I deflected, already backing toward the door. I fled the office before he could insist.
I went down to the bistro in the lobby. It was crowded. As I ate my salad, I heard voices from the next table. They were talking about me.
"Did you hear? Parker Palmer moved his secretary into his office. Is there something going on?"
"Definitely. Maybe he likes her?"
"Please. It's obvious. He never comes to the office, and suddenly he shows up? And he puts Chloe Vance right in his room? The smell of an affair is drifting ten miles away."
I stabbed a piece of lettuce. Do these people have nothing better to do?
"I didn't think Parker liked that type," one woman sneered.
"Yeah, isn't she older than him? Why would he want an older woman from a normal family? What is he getting out of it?"
That was enough. I stood up and walked over to their table. I leaned on the back of an empty chair and smiled coldly.
"Ladies," I said. "Your backgrounds are pretty normal too. We are all just employees here. Let's not look down on each other, okay?"
The four women turned pale. They wiped their mouths awkwardly and hurried away.
I let out a dry laugh, sat back down, and finished my lunch.
When I returned to the eighteenth floor, Parker had finished eating. The table was clean.
I mumbled a greeting and went to my desk. I pulled out a small pillow, placed it on the desk, and laid my head down for a nap.
Parker was still new to the role, so his father hadn't given him much work yet. That meant I was free, too.
I fell asleep quickly.
In the dream, the office was dim. Parker was walking toward me. He wasn't wearing a suit. He was shirtless, wearing only a pair of dark blue boxer briefs. He looked predatory. He pushed me down, leaning close to my ear.
"Ma'am..." he whispered, his voice deep and seductive. He bit my earlobe gently. "Ma'am..."
"Ms. Vance!"
I jolted awake, sitting up straight. My heart was pounding.
"Ms. Vance, what were you dreaming about? Your face is red."
I blinked, focusing on reality. Parker was standing right in front of my desk. I remembered the dream—the boxers, the voice. It was humiliating. It had only been two weeks since we... stopped. Was I that desperate? I couldn't believe I had such a high sex drive.
Parker reached out and touched my hot cheek. "Did you dream about me?"
I reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "No! I didn't."
He laughed and leaned closer, looking at the sleep mark on my face. "Chloe, you don't have to pretend with me. If you want it, just tell me. I can satisfy you."
I blushed furiously. "I do not want it! Don't flatter yourself. And even if I did, I wouldn't come to you. There are plenty of men outside I can choose from."
Parker’s expression changed instantly. "What did you say?"
I slapped his hand away. "It's the truth. We have no relationship anymore. Of course I wouldn't come to you."
"You dare say that again?" Parker’s face was dark, his voice icy cold.
I had never seen him look this dangerous.
I stayed silent, watching him warily.
Suddenly, he lowered his head and kissed me.
He kissed me hard, aggressive and demanding. Then, a sharp pain shot through my lip. He bit me.
I shoved him away with all my strength. "What are you doing? This is the company!"
Parker didn't look sorry. "So what? The blinds are closed. No one can see."
I was furious. I pointed at my throbbing lip. "How am I supposed to explain this? People will see it!"
I could already imagine the colleagues staring at my mouth, eyes full of gossip.
Parker shrugged. "Tell them I bit you."
I glared at him.
"Or make something up," he added casually. "Say you fell and hit your mouth on a wall."
I pushed him again. "Go back to your seat. Leave me alone."
Parker didn't move immediately. He stared deep into my eyes. "Chloe. If you have needs, you only come to me. If I find out you found someone else, you are dead."
After work, I called Maya immediately.
"You won't believe this," I vented as I drove onto the highway. "He forcibly kissed me in the office. He bit my lip! It's actually broken."
Maya’s voice came through the speaker. "Wow. That’s... explosive."
I rolled my eyes. "You're enjoying this."
"No, no," she smiled. "Go on."
"I'm so angry!"
"Why be angry? You should have kissed him back. Show him who's boss."
"Maya..." I groaned, rubbing my temples. "I think I'm screwed. The chemistry is still there. Being in the same room with him all day? It’s torture. I’m terrified I’m going to slip up and sleep with him again, and then pink slip, here I come."
"The whole office is already whispering," I added. "It won’t be long before word gets back to Preston."
"Breathe, Chloe," Maya said, her voice steady. "Don't borrow trouble. Just take it one day at a time. We'll cross that bridge when we get there."
"I know. I just needed to vent. Getting it off my chest helps."