Free Consumed by Skyla Madi Page A

it.” Mason smiles at me as I step through the front door. He rises from the reception desk and straightens his navy blue suit. “Can I speak with you in my office for a moment?”
    Dread slivers through my stomach. Crap... maybe I am getting fired. I follow him into his room and he closes the door behind me, gesturing to the seat in front of his desk. I sit down and open my mouth to speak, but he raises a finger to silence me. He sits on the edge of his desk in front of me. He’s so close his knee almost touches mine.
    “Relax, I’m not firing you.” I almost sag in relief. “I wanted to see how you’re doing...”
    “I’m fine.” I reply, smiling widely.
    “Define fine?”
    “I don’t know... I’m fine. Happy. Free.”
    His arms cross in front of him. “Are you fine enough to go out to dinner with me?”
    I feel my smile fade. “Mason... we’ve spoken about this before.”
    “I know, but you had a boyfriend then.”
    “I only broke up with him two days ago.” I point out. Thank God he doesn’t know I almost slept with someone last night. “Besides, I’m still your employee.”
    He leans toward me. “Olly—”
    “Olivia.” I warn him maybe a little too harshly. I can’t stand Olly.
    “Sorry, Olivia, it’s one dinner. I’m not asking you to marry me.”
    “I know, but I feel like dating you would be crossing a line. You’re my boss and I don’t want to mix business with pleasure.” I also want to add that he is too old for me, but I decided not to, to spare his feelings.
    His brows knit together and his blue eyes look pleading. “One dinner. That’s all I’m asking for.”
    “I’m sorry.” I say, finalizing our discussion. I push my chair back and stand up. “I’m going to start work now, if I still have a job.”
    He nods, running his hands through his hair and I leave the room. When I step out of his office I can breathe better, but I don’t feel better because I know this will happen again and again until I give in. I hate breaking Mason’s heart, but the thought of dating him really puts me out of my comfort zone regardless of how handsome he is.
    Work is awkward, to say the least. Mason comes out every hour and collects a new patient without batting an eyelid in my direction. If past rejections are anything to go off he’ll be back to talking to me in two days. I sigh and tap my thumb on the keyboard. Work is slow today which is uncharacteristic for a Wednesday and because I have nothing to occupy myself I can’t stop thinking about Seth. Pictures of his lips on mine flash through my mind and I swear I can feel them. A familiar ache pulses between my thighs and I squeeze my knees together, leaning back in my chair. The erotic feelings I have for Seth this morning disappoint me because I’m humiliated and frustrated. I want to hit the treadmill or punch things—anything that will help me wind down.
    In my pocket my phone vibrates and it jolts me out of my less-than-wholesome and less-than-peaceful thoughts. I pull it out and check it. Selena is calling me.
    “Hello?” I answer.
    “There you are! Jesus. I’ve been trying to call you since I got home last night. I was starting to think that maybe you had ended up in a ditch just like you feared. Anyway, speaking of last night, how’d it go?” Her ‘ you have to tell me everything ’ tone doesn’t go by unnoticed.
    “It didn’t go. Seth dropped me off and that was it.” I choose to leave out the part about us making out and letting him touch me between the thighs. I’m embarrassed to tell Selena what happened because I know something like that has never happened to her.
    “You’re such a liar!” She squeals, cackling like a crazy woman.
    “I’m not. I swear I didn’t have sex with him.”
    Her laugh stops abruptly. “Do you swear on our friendship?”
    Whatever the hell that means. “Yes, I swear.”
    “Oh.” The excitement from her tone disappears. “Is he gay?” Her question draws a snort from me.