Lucian’s POV
I watched with clenched fists as Levi wrapped Malea into a kiss, their bodies closer than publicly appropriate. She looked so blissful and at peace as her hands trailed up to his neck. I could feel a faint throb of jealousy pulse through me as I watched Levi reach down and set his hands extremely close to Malea’s ass. I cleared my throat, I could feel a headache blooming in my temples.
Malea jumped away from Levi and frowned. Her lips were red and swollen, and the fresh flush creeping up her neck made her realize just how unaware she’d been of their display of affection.
“Levi, I’d appreciate it if you’d choose a better time to have romantic affairs with your girlfriend. My office is not the place for your bathetic endeavors.” I turned my eyes away from them and focused my attention on the Mac in front of me. I hadn’t realized I’d snapped the pen in my hand until I felt the two shards sticking into my hands.
How had Malea become Levi’s girlfriend already? Levi wasn’t her type. Him and Malea a wrong fit. If Levi’s not her type, then who is? I heard myself ask.
“Sorry, Lucian. I wasn’t planning on doing that.” Levi gave a half-hearted sorry before turning to Malea. “I’ll pick you up in an hour for lunch, babe.” He pulled Malea to him and kissed her once more before waving at me and leaving. I hadn’t known Levi for very long, but I’ve known him long enough to know that he liked being in control. He was almost possessive.
As soon as Levi left, Malea began adjusting her top which had lowered down her chest. She blew out a puff of air before snaking behind her desk to continue her work. When I thought she wasn’t looking, I snuck glances at her. I never knew that she would get a boyfriend already. Not that she wasn’t attractive, I mean she was the definition of attractive. With her dark hair and full lips, green eyes and flushed cheeks, she was gorgeous. And with her immense amount of sarcasm, without a doubt, her personality was my favorite thing about her. However, I’d expected someone better than Levi. Everyone knew he was a player.
I peered up at her, unexpected fury exuding onto my tone. “What the hell was that?” I took of my suit jacket, not realizing how hot it was in here. My hair began to stick to the nape of my neck.
She looked up, startled. Her hair looked a little disheveled, and once she noticed me looking, she patted down the staticky ends. “I’m sorry. It was really unprofessional and I didn’t know he would do that–here.”
“That’s bullshit.” I mumbled. “What just happened here will not happen in my presence again.”
Because I don’t think I’d be able to take the fact that you would be kissing Levi.
“Because my company is not a place for personal affairs. If that’s the type of place you think this is, then you’re sadly mistaken.”
“Sorry Sir. I already said I wasn’t expecting Levi to do that.” She repeated, the sir sounding like mockery on her lips.
Was it me or was this room getting hot? I felt a bead of sweat drop down my temple. I felt ten times more tired than I have ever been. I’d been up all night trying to finalize some documents and made sure my contract with the company over in Malaysia wasn’t at risk. I probably had bags under my eyes and my hair was unkempt.
Without another word, I stood and began to loosen my tie. Once it was off, I threw it on the red chaise and closed the blinds, the sunlight causing my headache to sound like the even beatings of a drum. I almost stumbled back into the couch with dizziness but before that happened, I regained my stability.
Once the blinds were shut, I returned to my desk. Malea was staring straight at me, confusion clear on her face. “Is there a reason why the blinds are closed, Mr. King?” She asked while meticulously stacking documents on the left of her desk.
“I have a headache.” I barely whispered, my voice sounding hoarse and unused. I opened the cabinet closest to me and opened a bottle of aspirin. Shakily, I popped two pills into my mouth and swallowed them dryly.
“Can I get you anything, Sir?” She said. As I closed the bottle, I looked up to find Malea looming above me, worry edging away at her beautiful face.
I shook my head but only infuriated my migraine. “No. I don’t need anything.”
She shook her head, she was not ready to accept my answer. “You clearly need to go home and rest. You can’t work with a headache.”
I glanced up sharply at her and opened my mouth to speak but before I could, a sharp pain pressed against my temple, causing the words to die on my tongue. I’d never felt such pain from a migraine as this one.
“That’s it. I’m calling Knox to take you home.” Malea concluded. She reached for the landline phone on my desk but before she could make contact with it, I already had my hands wrapped around hers.
Her skin was soft and suddenly I could smell the sweet sent of raspberries and honey. Weird combination but it smelled great. She looked up at me through her dark eyelashes, determination set on her face but once her eyes met mine, her expression faltered. Her lips parted as though she wanted to say something, but all that came were rushed breaths. I wanted so badly to reach over the desk and—
“Don’t Malea. I’m fine.” I reluctantly pried my hand off hers. Absently, I ran my hands through my hair and shut my eyes.
“What is the problem?”
“I have a headache I already told you.” I spat through gritted teeth.
“I think it’s much more than that.”
“Well you’re wrong.” I replied childishly.
“Why do you always have one thing or the other going on with you?” She asked brashly, though I’m sure she didn’t intend for her words to come out that way.
“As a kid, I always had bad anxiety attacks and it often came with migraines and mild dizziness. My doctors told me with time, it would stop but too much stress could trigger it. Maybe it is the stress. I’m not sure, but that doesn’t matter.” I don’t know why I told her what I did. I don’t let anyone into my life like that.
“Lucian—” She began.
I stiffened but I didn’t correct her. I wanted to hear her say my name. No one else but her.
“I really think you should go home.” Malea continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “Can I at least drive you home if you won’t allow me to ask Knox?”
I wanted to say yes. “No. Just call Ales.” I almost bit back the response because I’d only said it to see a reaction out of Malea. And a reaction is what I got. Malea blinked several times and swallowed hard, her eyes pinching in frustration before picking up her phone and calling Ales.
She walked over to my side of the desk after she’d finished calling Alesandra. “She’ll be here soon. I’ll take care of the rest of the paperwork.” She glanced at her watch. “I may have to take a rain check with Levi, but honestly that doesn’t matter too much right now.”
I shook my head but felt a devious splinter of joy in my stomach at the fact that she’d have to cancel on Levi. “No. You shouldn’t have to do that. I’ll wait here for Ales and you can go.” I stood up and suddenly realized how close I was to her. My frame towered over her’s and our bodies close enough that if any one of us leans over—
Malea cleared her throat and looked at me. “Well. Um–I’ll just get back to work.” She pointed back at her work desk. She turned to go but I reached out and took her hand and pulled her towards me. She stumbled back and her back was now pressed against my front. I spun her around to face me.
“Malea I–”
“Hello? Lucian? Baby?” Ales burst into the room, her dark hair braided elaborately around her head in a crown. I didn’t realize how bad it looked with Malea pressed up against me until Ales frowned, her eyes turning to slits. I let Malea go reluctantly and before I could even regain composure, Ales flew into my arms, almost knocking me over. “How are you? Are you sick?” I disconnected my arms from her hug and took my things.
“I’m fine, Ales. It’s just a headache.” Ales looked at me with a look of doubt before she took my hand. “I need to talk to Malea before we go.”
Before she could protest again, I removed her hand from mine and motioned to her that she should go for now.
As soon as Ales was gone, I turned to Malea. “I wanted to tell you to be careful, Malea. You should try to get to know Levi better before you begin to make assumptions.” Her face fell as if she’d been hoping for me to say something other than that.
Then her face contorted in agitation. “What assumptions are you talking about?”
I almost shrugged. “Well you seem to think he’s this amazing person when you hardly know him.”
“Well that’s because he is an amazing person! He’s the one person who actually seems to care how I’m doing!” She blurted, her arms crossed.
I threw my arms out with exasperation. “I can think of someone else who actually cares about how you’re doing!”
She froze, her hard expression softening. “Who?”
Me
“Ales.” I said. Malea looked as if she’d heard me wrong.
“Bye Lucian.” She said quietly, her words barely above a whisper. I took that as my cue to gather my belongings and leave after Ales. I rolled my eyes. Women.