“Mine! I’ll never let you go,” he whispered in my ear through harsh breaths.

I smiled and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “Yours.”

CHAPTER 21

Over a month had passed since I started living with Nathan, since Adam found me. There were moments when things got tense, and I wasn’t sure what do about them. He seemed unsure of what to do about his fears for my safety.

Nathan got to the point where he was paranoid enough he didn’t like me going to the grocery store without him, still afraid of what might happen. So, we went together.

“I want some sweet potatoes for dinner,” he said as he walked next to me, and we grabbed a cart.

I rolled my eyes and wondered when the sudden penchant for them was coming from. “You don’t like sweet potatoes.”

“Not the way most people do, but I love them roasted. Chop them up, throw them in some spices and olive oil, and pop them in the oven.”

“You sound like quite the cook, but I know better,” I teased as we headed to the produce section.

He smirked. “Mom made them for lunch on my birthday one time.”

I didn’t need to ask which birthday, because the tone in his voice told me all I needed to know. The last one he celebrated.

My eyes were looking around, on guard for any possible person we might know from the office. Nathan seemed much more relaxed about our outing than I thought he should’ve been, knowing the repercussions.

“Relax,” he whispered in my ear and stepped up behind me, placing his hands next to mine on the cart handle. “It’s okay, baby, everything is going to be okay. Trust me.”

I nodded and leaned back against him.

Maybe it was due to the fact Jack announced the new fraternization policy that week, or the fact that we weren’t trying to pretend as much. Either way, I was concerned about getting caught, and what that would mean.

The new policy permitted a relationship between employees now, as long as they worked in different sections of the firm.

Because of the changes set in place, things began to pick up with the Boob Squad. Owen’s antagonistic verbal assaults no longer deterred them; as far as they were concerned, there were no more barriers. That meant there was nothing keeping them from Nathan, or him from them. They were all deluded enough to think that if there was no fraternization policy, he would just jump into bed with them.

When Jack made the announcement, it was like watching hungry lions stalking their prey. I felt bad for Nathan, and I wouldn’t have laughed if it hadn’t been so comical to watch.

A few days later I was walking down the hall, heading to get some water. I passed by the copy room and, in a reflexive move, glanced in. I was met with a shocking sight that took a few moments to register. I backed up and stared hard, unable to take my eyes off the train wreck happening inside.

Poor Nathan was pinned against the copier, trapped by Tiffany. She opened up the top buttons of her shirt and began caressing herself, and she was being none too passive about her actions. She was so short that if he whipped his monster out, she would be titty-fucking him.

I knew it wouldn’t happen though. The look on Nathan’s face was priceless. If looks could kill…but oh no, she kept advancing. I couldn’t help but laugh at his predicament. He was always so polite to them, keeping their advances at bay, but this was getting to be a bit extreme.

I was always the one pissed off when it came to them, him the one laughing at the situation. Oh, how the mighty had fallen, and how the Boob Squad wished he would fall on them.

“Tiffany, you need to back up, now!” Nathan’s eyes darted around for something or someone to save him. His grip on the copier made the plastic squeak under the pressure.

“You want this – you want me.” Her tone was attempting to sound seductive, but came out as desperate. “You know that slut Lila’s after you – but I know you’re not interested in her. She’s so disgusting. She’s f**king Owen, and probably fantasizing about you while she does it. Stop pretending you don’t want me. I know you do… I see the looks you give me.”

I rolled my eyes. She was obviously speaking from her own experience of what was going on in her mind if and when she managed to get laid.

She licked her lips, and Nathan turned pale. She tried to open her shirt more and he attempted to move away.

“And how did you come to this conclusion? Have I ever made an advancement on you? I’ve never looked at you any differently than I do anyone else that works in this building.”

His tone was no longer friendly, but gaining the edge I knew so well. It didn’t seem to register to Tiffany though.

She leaned closer, her hands reaching for his and moving it toward her body. “I can see it in your eyes right now, baby. Stop fighting it. You don’t have to anymore – the office rules have changed.”

Nathan yanked his hand from her grip, glaring at her. “Please stop before you embarrass yourself further or I decide to sue you for sexual harassment.”

She stared at him, confusion written on her face. “Sue for sexual harassment?”

“Yes, I’ve held my tongue all these months, but if your actions continue… You need to stop throwing yourself at me, because I’m never going to touch you. Rebutton your blouse. Now.” His tone was cold, jaw tense.

I contemplated interrupting and laying my claim on him or rescuing him, but I was too curious how the train wreck would end. Gawkers’ block kept me bolted in place, a front row seat to the show.

She continued to press into him, not swayed by his words, and it was looking grim. Nathan wouldn’t hurt a woman. My heart constricted when I considered how opposite he was from Adam, who would batter and torture for his own enjoyment.

“I mean it, Tiffany. Leave now. Do I have to spell it out for you? I. Am. Not. Interested. In. You!” He accentuated the words in the last sentence, practically spitting at her as he spoke, with how angry he’d become.

She gasped in shock. “I knew it! I knew you were a pu**y! I told the girls you were…”

“What? Gay? Is that what you were going to say?” His eyes were blazing. “God, you are so full of yourself. Let me make this clear. It’s not me, it’s you. You’re the problem. I do not want you.”

With that, he pushed her aside enough to get past while her blouse gaped open after him. I managed to escape before he caught me watching from a distance.