Part 26 - Apologies

Another few days after this mess with Downey and I'm getting my life in order. We haven't talked ever since, we've only exchanged some looks from down the hallway and I'm happy with that. More than anything, I'm happy that I finally have a normal relationship with a guy that actually cares about me and I'm out of the drama I put myself into.

I'm having my break with Malcolm in the office, since we were both too lazy to go out for lunch today. Some days a simple meal from the vending matching and a nice conversation are enough to relax. We decide to get a cup of coffee before we start working again so we enter the kitchen. That's when I see Downey in the corner of the room chatting and being friendly with an intern.

I roll my eyes remembering the time I caught him with the other intern and then get my eyes off of them before I get caught staring. I must've lost my concentration for a minute because I totally didn't hear what Malcolm was saying but he gladly repeated himself. A couple of minutes later Downey walks behind Malcolm and nods me to follow him to his office.

I sigh slightly and turn my focus back to Malcolm to make sure he didn't understand anything. I continue our conversation for another minute or so and then find a way to interrupt it and use an excuse to leave him. I peck his lips and then go over to Downey's office. His assistant tells me he's waiting for me so I get in and close the door behind me.

I confidently walk over to him and take a seat on a chair in front of his desk. He's sitting in a bossy and powerful way while his eyes have a strong stare on me. He clears his throat and crosses his arms ready to speak.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Ms. Beck"

I don't hear him saying thank you frequently, it's a nice change.

"I remember you get moody when I'm late" I say and he smiles.

"See? You learned important things from me. We make a great team" he raises his one eyebrow.

"That's doubtful. May I ask why you called me over here?" I ask patiently and he sighs.

"Of course, I want to apologize for the other night. I promise you that I won't be showing up like that anymore, no matter how pleasant my appearance might end up being" he looks me in the eyes while saying it and I can see him smirking when he refers to the pleasure.

"That's good to know. I take that the fighting is over in paradise" I refer to his fight with his wife.

"Yes, everything's back to normal" he nods.

"That's why you're harassing the interns again?" I ask playfully.

"I'm not harassing anyone, Ms. Beck. Don't forget that it's in my job description to guide the interns" his tone is calm.

"So that's all that was? Work?" he chuckles to my question and brushes his thumb over his lips while smiling.

"What if I said no? Would you be jealous?" he asks amused.

"Of course not. If you remember correctly I'm the one who asked for us to be over" I say shaking my head.

"Alright, but know that I can read you like an open book. If you get jealous I'll know it" he says proudly.

"You know nothing about me and you surely can't read me" I disagree.

"I know plenty of things about you, Ms. Beck" he says standing up.

"I know you're hard working" he's slowly walking over to my side of the desk.

"I know you always roll your eyes when you're annoyed, like before in the kitchen" he continues saying proudly.

"I know you love kisses on your neck" he says and stands behind me.

"I know that your legs shake when you're about to orgasm" he whispers and rubs my shoulders with his hands.

"That's enough" I say roughly and get up to face him.

He's wearing that stupid grin on his face, he's pissing me off just by breathing.

"What? I'm simply giving examples to make a strong point" he shrugs innocently.

"You made your point, is that all?" I breathe heavily.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" he asks softly and traps a strand of my hair carefully between his fingers playing with it.

"Because I don't see any reason for me to stay here" I say unamused.

"I can think of a reason or two for you to stay if you want" he says seductively and traces his fingers now from my neck and downward.

I gulp to the soft feeling of his fingers gently caressing my skin and shut my eyes. He moves them to my collarbone and then proceeds lower but I grab his hand before he touches me where he shouldn't.

"Unfortunately for you, I'm not interested" I say coldly.

"Are you sure?" his voice is like a whisper since he's focused on leaving wet kisses on my neck.

"Absolutely sure" I say pushing him away.

He exhales in disappointment and looks me in the eyes. He has that dark look in his eyes that would normally make me fall for him but that's not the case now. I see him ready to speak and his body coming towards mine so I get ahead of him and stop him.

"Focus on your marriage, Downey. The woman gave you a second chance for something that's not even your cheating. Maybe you should take advantage of that instead of keep being an as*hole"

"So now that you found yourself a boyfriend you suddenly care about my marriage?" he chuckles and annoys me even more.

"It's not sudden. I always felt bad for your wife and was disgust with myself. But now I feel bad for her having you for her husband" I say aggressively and walk away.

"This is your thing, isn't it? Calling me names and getting mad at first but then you happily moan my name and beg for more" he's holding me tightly by my arms and he's pinned behind me.

I can't say he's wrong. This is like a preview of every time we had sex. He's proud of his words, I can hear it in his voice and even feel it.

"Let go of me" I hiss trying to get out of his grip.

"Or what?" he asks cockily.

"Or I tell your wife everything" I reply after a couple of seconds.

He laughs for a few moments and then lets me free. I look at his annoying laughing figure and wait for his reaction.

"Tell her what? That you have been screwing around with her husband? How will you face her and say that?"

He has a point. I would be way too embarrassed for that.

"Laugh all you want, you won't be laughing then" I threaten him.

"Fine, let's just agree to keep this to ourselves" he says calmly after clearing his throat.

"Exactly my words, no need for more people finding out about this. You might be proud but I'm not" I say straightening my skirt.

"What do you mean more people? Who knows about this?" he asks seriously pointing at him and I.

"No one you should be worrying about" I say easily.

"Please tell me the douche face you call a boyfriend doesn't know about us" I roll my eyes to his way of describing Malcolm.

"If he knew you would know" I say smiling.

"He's so tough, isn't he?" he asks sarcastically.

"With his tough chest and his six pack. I bet he's the man of your dreams" he continues with the same tone.

"Do you fancy him, Downey?" I tease him.

"Would you leave him if I did?" he asks smirking.

"No" I pout my lips.

"There's no point in lying then" he shrugs once more.

"Shame, you're really good at it" I smirk and walk to the door.

"There's not much to say, Ms. Beck, I'm a talented man" he says happily and I laugh before getting out.

I continue my day normally, working on my laptop and answering calls. It's a pretty boring day after all. I didn't think that anything else aside my interaction with Downey would happen until something else took me by surprise. I heard a soft knock on my door and when I welcomed the person inside I once again mentally screamed. It was Susan.

Second time in my office, that can't be good.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt your work again, may I come in?" she asks kindly.

"Of course, please have a seat"

She takes a few steps and sits on an empty chair. I stop whatever I was doing and give all my focus on her. She's nothing like the last time she came here. She now seems happier, brighter, better generally.

"I wanted to apologize for bringing you in such an awkward position when I was crying here a few days ago. God, I don't know what I was thinking" she says embarrassed.

What is it with the Downeys apologizing to me today?

"Please, you don't need to apologize for that. It was just your emotions coming to life" I smile to make her feel better.

"Anyway, I can only imagine how uncomfortable you felt with this and I want to invite you over for dinner tonight after work" she says.

"It's really not a big deal, you don't have to go through so much trouble" I kindly refuse wanting to get out of this whole another level of awkwardness.

"It's not any trouble. Robert will be working until late and I'm already cooking something for us, I would love it if you could come" she sounds so excited by this idea.

"Okay, fine. But really, you should know that you don't have to make up for anything. I was being supportive, I would've done it for anyone" I smile warmly.

I did that and more to your husband.

She grabs a pice of paper from my desk and a pen and writes down their address. I act like it's the first time I see that and thank her. We talk more about the time and soon she's ready to leave. Before she opens the door I call her name and she turns to look at me.

"Does Mr. Downey know about this?" I ask with curiosity.

"No, I was just about to go to his office and tell him" she lets me know.

"Is it possible not to tell him I'll be joining you? Maybe keep it a surprise or something. I haven't really spent much time with him after the business trip, I think he'll enjoy this surprise" I lie having an idea forming in my head.

"Sure, he's not very fond of surprises but I agree with you, this one should make him happy" she happily agrees.

"Thank you, I'll see you tonight then" I smile from the bottom of my heart.

She thanks me too and leaves my office. I start picturing in my head Downey's face when he sees me at his house without expecting me. Just like that my day became a thousand times better.