ALLISON

"It's unfair, downright unfair. Our team's been putting in endless hours to break last year's records, and this is how they acknowledge it?" my voice tightens with each word.

"I'm sorry Ms. Daniels. There is nothing I can do. My hands are tied. This is coming from all the way up" my boss conveys with an air of helplessness.

"There has to be something we can do. These guys deserve better. Actually, they deserve more than the usual bonus. What do you think will happen to our productivity among everyone once they find out? You have to do something" I plead with him.

"I wish there was but you know as well as I do, what's done is done." he says in a tone that pisses me off. Suggesting he doesn't care. I bet he is still getting his bonus.

The pressure of my hand cradling my head, fingers sink into my hair, while holding the phone with my other.

I attempt negotiation and reasoning, offering to take it up with the board, but my boss remains unyielding, citing limitations beyond his control. Frustration simmers within me as I struggle to accept the unfairness of it all.

"We can revisit this next year, Allison," he says, and then I hear the click as he hangs up abruptly, leaving me no choice but to retreat in my chair, sinking back defeated.

Next year? I can't help but laugh bitterly. Fat chance of that ever happening. The idea feels like a cruel joke. So, I resolve to seek justice for my team elsewhere, refusing to accept this.

I slam the phone down in frustration, the fleeting happiness from earlier dissipating like smoke in the wind. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. The weight of this situation settles heavily on my shoulders.

My muscles are tight again, tension snaking around me from my shoulders to my neck and up to my head. I'm probably going to need to break out my trusty vibrator again tonight to de-stress. The idea of doing that alone makes me think about Nick once more.

I close my eyes tight and let the images come to me. I wish I could just run my tongue all over his body. I would start with the skin on his face. His jawline is square and manly. His neck is thick and strong as I run my tongue along it and down his torso.

I imagine he has a large dick and I wonder how sweet he tastes when he releases in my mouth.

I place the image of his strong hands on my head, pulling on my hair to display my neck to him. I see myself lying on my bed, limbs spread awaiting his tongue. My chest rising and falling with eager breaths. My hands curled around the bedsheet, gripping it tight.

My nipples stiffen just from the thought of it. I recline in my chair, eyes closed, allowing the images to drift through my mind.

"Hey!" I shoot my head up at the sound of a man's voice to find Drake standing at my door. "I am leaving for a bit, just wanted to let you know. I will be back shortly," he says.

"Thanks for letting me know. I will go take a look around the floor," I say, my heart pounding from the surprise.

I'm looking for any excuse to see Nick. All I can think about is sharing my good news with him and another chance to admire his muscular frame. Just looking at him working is enough to make me want to buy extra batteries for my vibrator.

I try to catch my breath as I watch Nick lift the box—his shirt straining against his exerted muscles.

Lord help me. I need to gather myself.

"Hey, Nick. Apologies for the interruption earlier," I start, attempting to brush off the weight of the call and calm myself from my many thoughts of him.

"No worries. Seemed like a pretty important phone call," he responds, his concern evident.

"Just work as usual. Nothing I can't handle" I force out, the lie leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. Guilt churns in my stomach, a relentless reminder of the truth I'm concealing.

I hate deceiving him, but for now, keeping things under wraps is necessary until I can find a solution to wrestle those upper management asshats into giving us our deserved bonuses.

"Actually, I wanted to share something about this morning before I got interrupted," I divert, hoping to shift the focus away from the web of lies I've spun.

"I take it, it went well, by the smile on your face?" he smiles back at me. Our chemistry is undeniable.

He stands a little taller than me and all I would love to do right now is to lay my head on his chest as he wraps his arms around me. However, we can't. Sigh.

"I can't believe it. As soon as I sat down in her office, she promised me everything would be taken care of. I'm excited to hear how Goose's day went later." I smile, feeling proud of myself.

"Goose? That's cute. I like it," he says. My face grows hot with embarrassment as I realize that I had accidentally slipped in her nickname – something that I'm sure sounded a bit silly to someone who isn't family.

"Told you it would all work out," He winks at me, and my stomach is filled with fluttering butterflies, only to have them quickly crushed again.

"Have you heard anything about the bonuses yet? Everyone is getting antsy and I'm trying my best to keep them in check, but I don't know how much longer they're willing to wait. Charlie said his whole Christmas plan depends on this bonus - he wanted to fly home to see his mom. She's sick and it might be his last chance to see her..."

My stomach twists. Why did he have to tell me that? I manage a tight smile. "Tell him things are going to work out, but I still don't have any information for everyone right now." The lie catches in my throat.

I can't take this any longer; I want so badly to confide in him, share my ideas of how to change the boss's mind, but I can't do it. And the longer I'm around him, the more tempted I am to throw all my 'rules' out the window and take him home with me.

To put it bluntly, all I can think about is having hot sweaty sex with him when I am around him."

"My desk is calling out to me and telling me I need to get more work done," I say, gesturing over my shoulder.

I better take a break from this conversation.

He nods thoughtfully before saying: "Thanks for letting me know about Lucy. I had an inkling that she was going to make it through okay."

That was strange; he almost sounded like he already knew the outcome of the situation. No, that couldn't be right. I shook my head, attributing his behavior to the peculiar dynamic between us both.

Throughout the rest of the day, time drags on, each passing hour filled with the dull routine of emails, meetings, and the unchanging buzz of the office.

I have spent hours going over inventory and making sure everything is on track for the holiday season. I am doing everything to keep busy and distract myself from thinking about the horrible news.

Not even an intense meeting I have to endure is distracting my thoughts away from the loss of bonuses for even five minutes.

I strive to push the lingering distress to the back of my mind, determined not to let it consume me.

Peering out over the warehouse floor, employees seem more cheerful today. I see some singing along to the music playing throughout the place. Others are smiling and laughing. Everyone just looks happy.

Perhaps it's the nearing end of the workday, but whatever the reason, the sight brings a fleeting smile to my lips.

My eyes scan listlessly over the onslaught of emails, as my eyelids droop with exhaustion.

Too drained to focus any longer, I heave myself from my seat and out onto the warehouse office floor.

Twenty thousand feet of sprawling shelves and freight elevator shafts stretch out before me. The shiny concrete floor glimmers beneath the fluorescent lighting. The colossal space gives me plenty of room to get my daily steps in, even just by walking from my office to the restroom a few times.

I weave my way around the warehouse, stretching out aching muscles as I go.

The hum of conversations fills the air; some employees laugh over a shared joke, while others work silently with headphones blocking out their coworkers' chatter.

Everywhere I look, orders are being placed on carts or pallets, printed labels are scattered across tables, and boxes are sealed and stacked for delivery.

As I pass by the packing area, the sounds of tape being ripped and boxes being stacked permeate the air, creating a symphony of pre-Christmas hustle and bustle. The familiar melodies of a busy holiday season echo throughout the workspace, serving as a reminder of the impending festivities.

"Hey, Ms. Daniels. You joining us later?" one of the seasoned employees inquires. He's been around for ages, nearing retirement, though I understand the struggle in today's uncertain times why he still has to work.

"Joining?" I echo, a bit perplexed by his question.

"We're going out after work. I thought you knew. It's Thirsty Thursdays at Morgan's?" he asks, a hint of surprise in his voice.

"Oh, it slipped my mind. No, I won't be able to make it. But I hope everyone has a fantastic time," I lie, not wanting to dampen his spirits for inadvertently sharing something that seemed the others didn't want me to know. However, It's admirable how he's still keeping the spark alive at his age.

It stings briefly not to have been included, but I quickly dismiss the feeling. It's fine. I understand. Who'd want their boss tagging along outside of work anyway? I don't hold it against them.

I'm excited about my plans for tonight—an amazing date with a delightful 8-year-old. I promised to watch all six Home Alone movies with her, and I intend to keep that promise.

Mentally noting to swing by the store for snacks and popcorn for our movie marathon, I consider indulging in ingredients for hot chocolates too. It's a small splurge, but I want this evening to be special for us both.

I glance at my watch in a panic as I realize how much time has slipped away from me.

Cursing under my breath, I know I'm already 15 minutes late to clock out.

My feet fly as I rush back to my office, desperately trying to make sure everything is in order before I can head off and meet Lucy for our eagerly anticipated night of fun. I don't want her waiting long, so every second counts...

Sorting some documents, I feel a gaze fall on me, and turn around to find Nick in my doorway. His eyes are filled with so much passion that I just want to melt into the floor.

I freeze, heat rising to my cheeks. "How long have you been standing there?" I manage to choke out, mortified that he caught me with my ass in the air. He takes a few steps closer and I see a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Not long enough," he says, his voice low and inviting. I stammer an attempt at a reply, but he steamrolls over it. "You want to carpool? You know, for the environment and all." .

"Carpool?" I ask, curious.

"Yeah...we are going out for an unofficial Christmas celebration. You have to come. I'll drive," he says with a sense of urgency in his voice.

"Oh, I can't go. But thanks for offering to carpool" I continue tidying my desk, but he interrupts me.

"Come on, let yourself have fun! You have worked hard enough, it's time for you to enjoy yourself. We all deserve this!"

"No, Nick. No one told me about it so obviously I am not invited. They don't want me there and that's okay."

"They didn't invite you?" His face contorts in disbelief and anger flashes across his features. This is the first time I've ever seen Nick express such emotion.

"It's no big deal," I attempt to soothe him, but he moves toward the door.

"Let's go!" He demands.

"Nick, just let it go. This isn't a big deal. I have plans anyway" I tell him. I can see the disappointment in his eyes.

"This is a huge deal! You do so much for the company and these people," Nick says, gesturing toward the warehouse floor. "They should have invited you."

"Nick, it's all right. I understand that they don't want their manager lurking around – parties are meant to be fun." I say, placing some papers on my desk. I take a single step closer to him, then another.

"It's really okay. Go have fun." I tell him, placing a hand on his bicep. I can't get over how good he smells; I make a mental note to find out what cologne he wears.

"But I want you there," Nick pleads with me. "Who cares if they didn't invite you? I'm inviting you. Please come?"

"Nick, they don't want me there, and that's okay," I answer, removing my hand from his arm and walking back around my desk to create space between us. I've already broken my own rules.

"Please just consider..."

"Nick. Stop. I'm off to have fun with my niece for the evening. Go and enjoy yourself and we'll catch up later, okay?" I firmly decline his request.

Despite his plea, I stand resolute in my decision, a firm barrier between us for now.