Bliss' POV

"OH MY GOODNESS!! THAT HURTS!!!"

"Oh, hey, Shane. Sorry for waking you up."

Shane! Wait a darn minute!! "Where am I? Please tell me I am still a virgin?"

"You fell asleep on my shoulder in the restaurant. So, I texted Mercedes to meet me outside your room. I carried you up to your room. She opened the door and let me in to take you to your room. You were in and out of sleep and asked me to stay with you. And, yes, you are still a virgin. I slept on this bed."

"Sorry for asking that, Shane. It is just that I don't believe in sex before marriage. And I don't plan on getting married, anyway. And, thank you."

"It is okay. And you're welcome. Are you in pain?"

"Oh boy, am I. It hurts like crazy."

"I will be right back with an ice pack for your ankle and some pain pills with water."

Five minutes later, Shane came back with what he had promised.

"Here is a banana to eat so you can have something on your stomach when you take the pain pills. I'll unwrap your bandage and apply the ice pack. And I need to apologize to you. I am very sorry for being a jerk about the credit card. I can't force you to use it. Just know it is available for you to use."

"Thank you for understanding. Trust me when I say that I am very responsible. It is not that I don't want to use it. It is the amount that concerns me, and I don't want to use it for things like bathing suits. That is what I have my personal card for."

"Okay. After this question, I won't bring up the credit card anymore. When you worked for Mr. Anderson, didn't you purchase things for the company, and what did you use?"

"I used the company's credit card. But, I never saw how much of a credit limit was available. The credit card statements always went to Accounts Payable. The only thing I saw was the invoice with the packages I ordered. I understand what you are thinking. Everything you have given me since Monday is new to me, Shane. I will NEVER come anywhere close to using $20k. I'm sure people have abused that privilege."

"Yes, they have, and I fired them immediately. But I know you would never do something like that. Your concern about the card and the amount tells me I can trust you. Plus, I had a chat with Mr. Anderson. You are a very hard-working, dedicated, and reliable employee, Bliss. That's another reason I have given you those things."

"Well, thank you for having that much faith in me. And I am sorry for blowing up at you, but not Alexander. I can't stand him because he is like a slithery snake. He looks at me like he wants to violate me. I don't want anything to do with him. This ankle injury hurts - pain-wise and emotional."

"Mercedes will stay with you while Wyatt and I attend the meeting this morning. So, try and get as much rest as you can. And I will make sure that he stays away from you."

"Sure." Once the pain started subsiding, I felt myself feeling drowsy. So, I drifted off to sleep.

Shane's POV

When I checked the clock in the room, it was now 7:30 am. So, I just sat up and waited for Mercedes to trade places. Bliss was fast asleep. She sure is a heavy sleeper. But what happened next was very interesting. She started talking in her sleep - about me.

"Yes, Daddy Shane!

I love you, Daddy Shane!

More!

Faster, daddy, faster!!!

Work it, daddy!! Work it!!"

Um, okay. Bliss is having a sex dream. I heard a knock on the door, so I went to answer it. It was Mercedes, so I opened it.

"Hey, go into Bliss's bedroom and see if she is still talking in her sleep."

"Okay." She walked into the bedroom. A few minutes later, she came out into the living room.

"Shane, she was dreaming about you and her having sex. I think Bliss likes you, not only in her dreams but in real life. It is not a guarantee. I believe she is fighting with herself to either remain independent or show her feelings to you. Do not rush her. Let Bliss express her feelings towards you on her own. You already affect her. I hope it works out for you."

"I hope so too. I can't see myself with anyone else."

"I really like her. She is perfect for you and is not afraid to voice her opinion to you. We are going to become great friends. Wyatt and I heard your argument at the first aid station."

"Other than my family, Wyatt, Kevin, Aris, and you, she is the only one who can get away with that. One of the reasons I hired you was because you didn't put up with my stupidity. I appreciate that."

"Thanks, Shane. Good luck at the meeting this morning."

"You're welcome. And thank you. We will see you later."

As I walked out the door and towards my room, I thought about what Mercedes had said.

"I hope she is right because I love Bliss."

******************

Narrator's POV

Once Bliss woke up, she noticed Mercedes was in the room instead of Shane. Bliss and Mercedes got to know each other while watching television and ordered room service for lunch. Shane texted the ladies to be ready by 6:00 pm.

Mercedes helped Bliss change her ice pack and then wrapped her ankle with the extra bandage. Bliss appreciated the support and apologized for being grumpy Friday evening. Bliss took some pain pills and grabbed herself a nap.

Later during the day.

Bliss' POV

Since I could not get my ankle wet, I couldn't take a shower. I had to wash up at the sink. It was very hard and took longer than I usually would have done. It was also hard putting on my undies. Mercedes went to get ready. I gave her my room key because she said she was coming back to help me with my dress. I heard the door open, and Mercedes entered.

"Hey Bliss, how are things in there? Ready to put on your dress?"

"You can come in. I am ready to put on my dress."

"Bliss girl, that dress is gorgeous! It is perfect for you and fits your curves. All eyes are going to be on you tonight with that dress."

"Thanks, Mercedes. Your dress is just as beautiful, girl."

"Thanks, Bliss. I hear a knock on the door. We still have time, so don't rush. I'll go answer it."

"Okay. I'll come out to the living room."

Shane's POV

"Shane, remember to keep your friend, or whatever you call it, in check when you see Bliss in her dress. She is absolutely gorgeous. You will have to keep the male hounds off of her."

We suddenly heard a thud, and we all ran over to where the sound came from. My mouth was gaping wide open when I saw Bliss in her dress. That dress was made just for her - it hugged every inch of her body. Mercedes was right because I started feeling urges to grab her and do nasty things with her.

"I dropped my crutch. I have too much in my hands," Bliss mentions.

While Wyatt picked up her crutch, Mercedes took Bliss's purse. I stood there like a goof, just staring at her like crazy.

"Thank you, guys. I'm ready to go. Shane, close your mouth before flies go in there. I can't stand for long, remember?"

"Right. Sorry."

I hope we are not sitting anywhere near Alexander. Who knows what that little weasel will do?

As we left Bliss' room and headed towards the elevator, "Mr. Rice already gave us what table we will be sitting at. So we do not have to wait in line. And, he also said a wheelchair will be available if you need it, Bliss."

"Thanks."

"Ding."

"Of course, he would be on our elevator."

Alexander's POV

"Good eve-."

Those were the only words I could get out of my mouth. I wanted to rip that dress off and deal with the consequences later.

"Excuse me for staring, but you look magnificent this evening, Bliss."

"Thank you, Mr. Mahoney."

"Please, call me Alexander."

"Like I said, thank you, Mr. Mahoney."

"Ding."

"Ladies first." "Goodness gracious." I watched both of them get off the elevator.

"I don't know what you are scheming, Alexander. But you better leave Bliss and Mercedes alone. They don't like you, plain and simple."

"I will hurt you if you lay one finger on my wife! Got it?"

"Loud and clear."

They followed right behind the ladies. "It is not your wife that I want. I want Bliss."

Bliss' POV

The place was decorated beautifully - each table had a silver tablecloth and a bouquet of red roses as the centerpiece and a place setting for ten people. Also, each chair had a gift bag on it. It is four of us, so I will be curious about who is sitting with us. I hope Alexander is not. I really can't stand him.

We found our table. Mr. Rice sat us up near the front of the room. I will definitely need that wheelchair when we leave. And, of course, Shane is seated next to me. "Please tell me Alexander is not at our table."

Mercedes and Wyatt checked. "No, he is not, Bliss."

Thank goodness.

"Hey, Shane, Kevin, and Aris are sitting with us."

"Who are Kevin and Aris?"

"Kevin is a good friend of mine. Aris is Kevin's wife. You will like them."

"Oh, you have got to be kidding me! Alexander is sitting at the table behind us!"

Shane's POV

"We have to try to ignore him. He only wants attention. Okay, baby?"

"Did that just come out of my mouth?"

"Shane, I am not your baby."

"It was an honest mistake. I meant to say, Bliss."

This may be harder than I thought. But no matter how long it takes, Bliss is the one I want. If I never get married, I will be okay with being single. But my mum will probably be disappointed. Thank goodness, I see Kevin and Aris coming this way.

"Hey Kevin, long time no see. It's good to see you. And, Aris, how are you? Looking as beautiful as ever."

Kevin Wilson

Aris replied, "Good to see you too, Shane. And thank you. Hey, Mercedes and Wyatt."

Kevin replied, "It is good to see you too, Shane."

"Kevin and Aris, this is Bliss Sanders. She is my new assistant. Bliss will be helping me with meetings. Kevin and Aris are good friends of my family."

"It is nice to meet you both."

"It's nice to meet you too, Bliss," Aris says.

"Hey Shane, we didn't see you last night at the beach bash."

"Two words - Milena Castiglione. She tripped Bliss last night and has a grade 2 ankle sprain."

"Are you kidding me? Will she ever quit?"

"I know I should have done this sooner, but as soon as we return to New York, I am getting a restraining order. After three years, she is still not getting the hint."

Aris asked Bliss, "Are you okay? That Milena chick even tried to get Kevin to cheat."

"It hurts like crazy. Right now, I am not in any pain. I have a walking boot on it now. And I have to rest. But it will be hard, considering this is my first week working with Shane. And I have not done anything yet. It hurts, but what else can I do? I wanted to punch that chick, but Shane stopped me."

"Why did you stop her, Shane? I would have done it for you, Bliss."

That got Bliss to chuckle a bit.

"Thank you, Aris." Her smile is beautiful. No wonder the men in here are looking this way at her. And, irritating because these men are married and old enough to be Bliss' father. The place was getting packed. I noticed Mr. Rice heading up towards the podium.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Gala. Dinner is about to be served. The menu for tonight is filet mignon, rockfish stuffed with crab imperial, salad, green beans, asparagus, shrimp cocktail, and plenty of other selections. Servers will come around to each table to serve everyone. After dinner, the award for Business Man Of The Year will be presented. In the meantime, please enjoy dinner."

When the waiter came to our table, he went straight to Bliss. She was annoyed at how he was grinning at her. "What would the madame like this evening?"

"First, I want you to stop grinning in my face - not interested. Second, I would like the filet mignon, salad, green beans, and baked potato with butter."

Aris asked her, "Bliss, I love your dress. Where did you get it from?" After Bliss said that, he went on serving everyone else.

"Thank you. I bought it from Adore Designs in Manhattan."

We had a good time talking and laughing. After eating, I sat back in my chair and rested my arm on Bliss's chair. Surprisingly, she didn't say anything.

Bliss' POV

Shane rested his arm on my chair, but I didn't care. I was too busy enjoying this delicious food. But then I started feeling someone touching me.

"Shane, stop touching me."

"I'm not touching you, Bliss. I promise. See, I moved my arm."

"Shane, I'm not crazy. Someone is touching my butt."

It stopped for about ten minutes. So I kept eating my food.

Then, it started happening again. I was about to chew Shane out, but I saw both his hands in front of him. It stopped. "Next time, I will snatch the hand and break it."

"That was delicious. I am stuffed." I started rubbing my stomach. "I need to hit the gym after this." I felt it again. This time I snatched the hand and twisted it. I heard an "Ouch!"

I turned around and knew exactly who it was. "ALEXANDER, STOP TOUCHING ME!!!"

****************

Thank you all for reading chapter 9.

Pictures of courtesy Can Stock Photos and PNG Tree:

1. Opening picture - © Can Stock Photo / tsezarina

2. dress picture - ©pngtree.com/ DBS Group

And thank you all for the votes and comments. 😘