Office Politics (Chapter 7)
Summary - AU/AU Jack is a trainee architect at a company owned by Mitchell Del Mar and his cousin Ennis. A light hearted office romance - nothing too angsty or dark in this establishment.
Last chapter recap - Jack ran into the sexy tattoo guy, then went out on a mission to get laid. He met Matthew the cutie who decided that a certain Mr Del Mar (who happened to be at the same bar) could do with a bit of the green eyed monster...
Thanks as always to hesamathgeek for the beta :)
Feedback - yes please!
A/N - Many apologies for not replying to comments on the last chapter - life is a bit crazy at the moment and I have visitors arriving tomorrow until the new year, so here is Chapter 7 as compensation. I don't know when I'll be able to post the next chapter, but I'll try to get some time to myself when I can. All I can say is that I love all of the comments - they really make my day! And George66 - At least one of your scenarios is correct. Heheh...
Off to work we go!
****
Two minutes. It took two minutes for Ennis to get up and leave the bar. Jack watched him go after a curt word to his companion, stalking away to the exit, hands thrust deep into his pockets.
Jack wrenched his mouth away from Matthew’s, panting hard, and withdrew his hands from underneath Matthew’s shirt.
Matthew leaned on Jack’s shoulder, moist breath tickling Jack’s neck. “He got the message?”
Jack nodded slowly. “Yeah. Yeah, I think so.”
Jack hugged Matthew to him gently, trying not to reveal how confused and frustrated he was feeling. What the hell was Ennis doing in a place like this? Couldn’t Jack even go out for some fun without his boss infiltrating his reality as well as his imagination? The spell of the night was broken and depression kicked back in. Jack just wanted to go home.
“I’m so sorry,” he apologized, “but I need to go.”
“Ok.” Matthew was obviously disappointed, but clearly not one to push his luck. “Whoever he is, if he doesn’t put out for you, then he’s a fucking idiot.”
Jack shook his head with a smile. “If only it were that simple.”
“Life rarely is,” Matthew pulled away reluctantly. “Look, you know where to find me if you change your mind. See you around, ok?”
“Sure, thanks.” Jack gave him a quick squeeze then pushed himself off the wall to make his way towards the exit. Jack wrapped his arms around his chest and walked quickly. He got out onto the street and ran. The smoky darkness of the night soon swallowed him up.
****
Jack sure wasn’t looking forward to going into work the next week. He was certain that Ennis would give him a hard time.
The elevator pinged open at the seventeenth floor and Jack stepped out cautiously.
“Well look what the wind blew in.”
“Good morning to you, too, Candy,” Jack scowled as he passed in front of the reception desk.
“I hear you had a fun time over the weekend,” Candy quipped as she started to open the mail.
“Says who?”
“Oh, just someone I know.”
“That’s nice.”
“Never took you for a prick tease, Jack.” Candy sliced open a letter menacingly. “Actually, I did, but I thought you would’ve grown out of if by now.”
Jack stopped in his tracks and swung around to face her. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Candy paused, smiling slyly. “Saturday night. A certain bar, a certain blond swimmer.”
“What? How do you…?” Jack broke off before he said too much.
Candy bit the letter opener delicately between her front teeth. “He was gutted, you know.”
“Who? What?” Jack was flustered. How the hell did Candy know about his Saturday night exploits?
“He thought you were the real deal, but you and I know better, isn’t that right?”
“I have no idea…”
Candy shook her head. “Jack, Jack, Jack. There’s so much you have to learn about this town. There are eyes everywhere.”
Patronizing cow. “Well, thanks for that advice. Sadly, I can’t stand here and chit-chat all day; some of us have work to do.” Jack yanked open the glass doors and escaped into the offices.
****
Scott was already at his desk when Jack entered. They hadn’t seen each other since Scott had left to spend the long weekend with his brother.
“Have a good weekend?” Jack asked as he slung his jacket over the back of his chair and turned on his computer.
“Yeah. Awesome, thanks.”
“Cool.” Jack tapped away at his keyboard.
“How about you?” Scott eyed him as if he already knew. “Do much? Hit the bars? Meet anyone nice?”
Jack rolled his eyes at Scott’s miserable attempt to show ignorance. “Sort of, but it wasn’t anything serious. Just a kiss. Despite what certain people might be saying around here.”
Scott’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. “Damn, man, I thought at least one of us might have some good news on the relationship front.”
“Still no movement with Ella, huh?”
“Not yet. But I’m not giving up just yet. I sense a glimmer of weakness in her prickly shell.”
“Good.” Jack nodded then jerked his head around as a movement by the door got his attention.
Ennis stood there, tall and imposing, arms leaning on the doorframe. He did not look very amused. “Jack. A word.”
Jack’s heart sped up at the sight of Ennis, but then sank again just as fast when he recalled what he had been doing the last time they had seen each other. Man, he had been in the office for all of five minutes before Ennis cornered him. He seriously hoped he wasn’t in for an ear bashing. He didn’t think he had done anything wrong, professionally, but he’d learned never to be too confident of anything. People were unpredictable. Especially the quiet ones.
He followed Ennis into his office and tried not to feel too nervous when Ennis closed the door gently behind them. Jack sat down and squirmed in his seat, feeling like a naughty schoolboy.
“I’m moving you off my team.”
Jack spun around in surprise as Ennis spoke behind him quietly. “What? Why? Have I done something wrong?”
“No, not at all. Your work has been excellent.” Ennis moved around in front of him and started to sit on the edge of the desk, then changed his mind and sat in his own chair, the barrier of the desk between himself and Jack. “Saturday Bridge is winding down, as you know, and Mitch needs more hands right now. That’s all.” Ennis sounded sincere, but he struggled to meet Jack’s eyes.
“But there are still a few things to tidy up. I want to finish. I want to see it through, Ennis. Have I not done enough? Or did I do something to piss… er… annoy you? Was it the other night? The club? I’m sorry about that. I don’t normally, you know…” Jack knew he was babbling, but he was shocked. As much as working with Ennis had wrecked havoc on his nervous system, the thought of NOT working with him was twice as bad.
Ennis dropped his head and scrubbed his hands over his short, blond hair. “No, no, it’s not that. You haven’t done anything wrong. I just think it would work better this way, that’s all.”
“Better? But I like working with you. I like…” Jack cut himself off before he said too much. He couldn’t get over the fact that Ennis was ditching him-in the professional sense, of course.
“There are a couple of things we’ll tidy up today, but from tomorrow you’ll be back with Mitch’s team. He’s got some great new projects lined up and I know he’ll welcome your input.”
“Does he know?”
“That you’re switching back to his team? Yes. About what I saw over the weekend? No.” Ennis’ face was blank, but his dark eyes blazed with something unreadable. “That’s your own life. None of my business, or his.”
****
Jack felt numb as he sloped back to his office and flopped into his chair.
“Oh, man, you look as bad as I feel,” Scott said sympathetically.
“Ennis dumped me.”
“What?” Scott’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“I’m off his team. Back with you and Mitch.”
“Really? But Mitch was saying to me last week how great Ennis thought you were doing.”
Jack shrugged. “Yeah, well, not great enough, apparently.”
“Sorry, man.” Scott stretched back in his chair and rattled his pen between his teeth. Jack could almost see Scott’s brain working as he thought things over.
“Guess he just can’t stand working with me, huh?”
“I doubt it’s that.” Scott smiled then leaned forward in conspiracy. “Well, actually, you never know, that could be exactly it. Just not in the way you’re thinking, you know. Too close for comfort.” He gave Jack a wink.
Jack huffed, “Yeah, right. In my dreams.”
****
Jack spent the rest of the day “tidying things up,” as Ennis had put it, on the Saturday Bridge project, which basically meant making sure that the filing was in order and that Jack had retrieved all the sketches from his room. He couldn’t help a pang of sadness as he placed the files neatly on Ennis’ desk in his empty office. It was true that his input into the project was practically over, but it was something that he was proud of, had done his best work on, and had hoped it had been an experience that Ennis had enjoyed. Apparently not, despite what Scott had inferred.
Jack stopped at the stationery cupboard on the way back to his own office to stock up on new paper for the morning. No doubt he’d be taking loads of notes from Mitchell as soon as he got in.
He heard a rustle from the cupboard as he approached and was surprised to see Ennis in there. He figured Ennis would have several minions, such as himself, to fetch stationery for him. Jack almost changed his mind about going in, but told himself not to be so damn stupid and childish. What was the worst that could happen?
He nodded to Ennis as he entered then turned his back, but trying to ignore someone in such a small space was kind of fruitless.
“Are you ok, Jack?” Ennis asked, forcing Jack to turn around and face him. He was still Jack’s boss, after all, so Jack couldn’t exactly ignore him without being rude. Especially when Ennis was only about two feet away.
“Yeah, I’m good,” Jack answered flatly, keeping his eyes down, not wanting to look at Ennis for various reasons. The close proximity and dim light within the cupboard was already messing with his brain-and other parts of his body.
Ennis reached up and grabbed a new file. “Why not head out a little early today?” he said. “Take some time before you’re back in at the deep end tomorrow. You’ve worked plenty of overtime with me recently. We can spare an hour or two.”
Jack looked up in surprise. “You getting rid of me?”
The corner of Ennis’ mouth twitched and he shook his head. “No, of course not. Just take some time for yourself while you have the opportunity.”
Jack’s eyes roamed over Ennis’ body, he knew it wasn’t appropriate but he simply couldn’t help himself. It was almost automatic by now.
Ennis shifted a little, dropping his hands to casually hold the file in front of his crotch. “Seriously. I owe you some time.”
Jack dragged his eyes back to Ennis’ face with some effort. “Guess I could always go for a run.” He decided to just grab his stuff and get the hell out of here. No sense in hanging around. The tone of Ennis’ voice caught him off guard, though.
“You run?” Ennis face suddenly changed as if he had managed to slot together all the pieces of a puzzle. “It was you.”
“What?” Jack paused in reaching for a new notepad. “Who was me?”
Ennis shook his head with a grimace, basically talking to himself. “It’s obvious now that I think of it. He was so full of it.”
“What?” Jack said again in bewilderment. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”
Ennis rubbed his palm over his face and half smiled at Jack. “You sure know how to make an impact.”
Jack couldn’t help it; he was intrigued. Plans to make a swift exit forgotten, he raised his eyebrows, trying to encourage Ennis to give him something more.
“You ran into someone the other day? Literally ran into them. Remember?”
Jack straightened up. Of course; the tattooed dude. The guy that Ennis may or may not be seeing. The guy that blatantly flirted with Jack in the street. “Oh, yeah. I remember.”
Ennis propped an elbow on the shelf and rested his head in his hand. “He sure remembers. Asked me if I knew you.” Brown eyes held him captive.
Jack swallowed nervously. “Why would he ask you? Isn’t that kinda weird? How would you know?”
Ennis shrugged. “Simple logic.”
Jack almost screamed and shut his eyes in frustration. Damn it. Getting a straight answer was proving more difficult than squeezing blood from a turnip.
Ennis sighed, “He knows I work with someone called Jack. It’s not a common name around here.” His eyes flickered towards the half open door. “I shouldn’t really be discussing this with you.” Ennis paused again, deciding whether or not to continue. “He said, and I quote, ‘the guy had the most amazing blue eyes.’”
Jack flushed with embarrassment at that admission, and the compliment. He hadn’t figured that Ennis even knew what color his eyes were, let alone mentioned him to his friend. “Wow. I suppose he guessed right.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you, you and he… erm… you know?”
Ennis looked away and scratched the back of his head. He shook his head slightly. “No.”
Oh. Jack was taken aback that Ennis had even answered that one. “But you were?”
Ennis nodded quickly. “At one time.”
Well, shit. Jack didn’t know what to say and just stared at Ennis in surprise. He was amazed Ennis had confessed that. He also wondered what had happened to split Ennis and the tattooed guy up. He couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to kick Ennis to the curb, so it must have been his choice. Jack’s mind raced with possibilities. It also raced with the thought of Ennis in bed with the other guy. He had a vision of toned flesh, muscular arms and inked skin all sliding together, hot and sweaty, bodies fighting for control. He couldn’t stop a shudder racking his own body and felt his cheeks redden even further as he noticed Ennis watching him closely. Jack found himself unable to tear his gaze away. His eyes dropped to Ennis’ full lips, lingering. Jack subconsciously chewed on his own lower lip as Ennis watched intently, arms dropping to his sides, the file he was holding falling to the floor. Jack felt himself move in closer before he heard Ennis’ sharp intake of breath.
The click-clack of high heels on the tiled floor in the hall brought Jack back to earth with a bump. Suddenly wondering what the hell he was doing, Jack gulped and tore himself away, grabbing a notepad and bolting back to his desk without a backwards glace.
TBC
Last chapter recap - Jack ran into the sexy tattoo guy, then went out on a mission to get laid. He met Matthew the cutie who decided that a certain Mr Del Mar (who happened to be at the same bar) could do with a bit of the green eyed monster...
Thanks as always to hesamathgeek for the beta :)
Feedback - yes please!
A/N - Many apologies for not replying to comments on the last chapter - life is a bit crazy at the moment and I have visitors arriving tomorrow until the new year, so here is Chapter 7 as compensation. I don't know when I'll be able to post the next chapter, but I'll try to get some time to myself when I can. All I can say is that I love all of the comments - they really make my day! And George66 - At least one of your scenarios is correct. Heheh...
Off to work we go!
****
Two minutes. It took two minutes for Ennis to get up and leave the bar. Jack watched him go after a curt word to his companion, stalking away to the exit, hands thrust deep into his pockets.
Jack wrenched his mouth away from Matthew’s, panting hard, and withdrew his hands from underneath Matthew’s shirt.
Matthew leaned on Jack’s shoulder, moist breath tickling Jack’s neck. “He got the message?”
Jack nodded slowly. “Yeah. Yeah, I think so.”
Jack hugged Matthew to him gently, trying not to reveal how confused and frustrated he was feeling. What the hell was Ennis doing in a place like this? Couldn’t Jack even go out for some fun without his boss infiltrating his reality as well as his imagination? The spell of the night was broken and depression kicked back in. Jack just wanted to go home.
“I’m so sorry,” he apologized, “but I need to go.”
“Ok.” Matthew was obviously disappointed, but clearly not one to push his luck. “Whoever he is, if he doesn’t put out for you, then he’s a fucking idiot.”
Jack shook his head with a smile. “If only it were that simple.”
“Life rarely is,” Matthew pulled away reluctantly. “Look, you know where to find me if you change your mind. See you around, ok?”
“Sure, thanks.” Jack gave him a quick squeeze then pushed himself off the wall to make his way towards the exit. Jack wrapped his arms around his chest and walked quickly. He got out onto the street and ran. The smoky darkness of the night soon swallowed him up.
****
Jack sure wasn’t looking forward to going into work the next week. He was certain that Ennis would give him a hard time.
The elevator pinged open at the seventeenth floor and Jack stepped out cautiously.
“Well look what the wind blew in.”
“Good morning to you, too, Candy,” Jack scowled as he passed in front of the reception desk.
“I hear you had a fun time over the weekend,” Candy quipped as she started to open the mail.
“Says who?”
“Oh, just someone I know.”
“That’s nice.”
“Never took you for a prick tease, Jack.” Candy sliced open a letter menacingly. “Actually, I did, but I thought you would’ve grown out of if by now.”
Jack stopped in his tracks and swung around to face her. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Candy paused, smiling slyly. “Saturday night. A certain bar, a certain blond swimmer.”
“What? How do you…?” Jack broke off before he said too much.
Candy bit the letter opener delicately between her front teeth. “He was gutted, you know.”
“Who? What?” Jack was flustered. How the hell did Candy know about his Saturday night exploits?
“He thought you were the real deal, but you and I know better, isn’t that right?”
“I have no idea…”
Candy shook her head. “Jack, Jack, Jack. There’s so much you have to learn about this town. There are eyes everywhere.”
Patronizing cow. “Well, thanks for that advice. Sadly, I can’t stand here and chit-chat all day; some of us have work to do.” Jack yanked open the glass doors and escaped into the offices.
****
Scott was already at his desk when Jack entered. They hadn’t seen each other since Scott had left to spend the long weekend with his brother.
“Have a good weekend?” Jack asked as he slung his jacket over the back of his chair and turned on his computer.
“Yeah. Awesome, thanks.”
“Cool.” Jack tapped away at his keyboard.
“How about you?” Scott eyed him as if he already knew. “Do much? Hit the bars? Meet anyone nice?”
Jack rolled his eyes at Scott’s miserable attempt to show ignorance. “Sort of, but it wasn’t anything serious. Just a kiss. Despite what certain people might be saying around here.”
Scott’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. “Damn, man, I thought at least one of us might have some good news on the relationship front.”
“Still no movement with Ella, huh?”
“Not yet. But I’m not giving up just yet. I sense a glimmer of weakness in her prickly shell.”
“Good.” Jack nodded then jerked his head around as a movement by the door got his attention.
Ennis stood there, tall and imposing, arms leaning on the doorframe. He did not look very amused. “Jack. A word.”
Jack’s heart sped up at the sight of Ennis, but then sank again just as fast when he recalled what he had been doing the last time they had seen each other. Man, he had been in the office for all of five minutes before Ennis cornered him. He seriously hoped he wasn’t in for an ear bashing. He didn’t think he had done anything wrong, professionally, but he’d learned never to be too confident of anything. People were unpredictable. Especially the quiet ones.
He followed Ennis into his office and tried not to feel too nervous when Ennis closed the door gently behind them. Jack sat down and squirmed in his seat, feeling like a naughty schoolboy.
“I’m moving you off my team.”
Jack spun around in surprise as Ennis spoke behind him quietly. “What? Why? Have I done something wrong?”
“No, not at all. Your work has been excellent.” Ennis moved around in front of him and started to sit on the edge of the desk, then changed his mind and sat in his own chair, the barrier of the desk between himself and Jack. “Saturday Bridge is winding down, as you know, and Mitch needs more hands right now. That’s all.” Ennis sounded sincere, but he struggled to meet Jack’s eyes.
“But there are still a few things to tidy up. I want to finish. I want to see it through, Ennis. Have I not done enough? Or did I do something to piss… er… annoy you? Was it the other night? The club? I’m sorry about that. I don’t normally, you know…” Jack knew he was babbling, but he was shocked. As much as working with Ennis had wrecked havoc on his nervous system, the thought of NOT working with him was twice as bad.
Ennis dropped his head and scrubbed his hands over his short, blond hair. “No, no, it’s not that. You haven’t done anything wrong. I just think it would work better this way, that’s all.”
“Better? But I like working with you. I like…” Jack cut himself off before he said too much. He couldn’t get over the fact that Ennis was ditching him-in the professional sense, of course.
“There are a couple of things we’ll tidy up today, but from tomorrow you’ll be back with Mitch’s team. He’s got some great new projects lined up and I know he’ll welcome your input.”
“Does he know?”
“That you’re switching back to his team? Yes. About what I saw over the weekend? No.” Ennis’ face was blank, but his dark eyes blazed with something unreadable. “That’s your own life. None of my business, or his.”
****
Jack felt numb as he sloped back to his office and flopped into his chair.
“Oh, man, you look as bad as I feel,” Scott said sympathetically.
“Ennis dumped me.”
“What?” Scott’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“I’m off his team. Back with you and Mitch.”
“Really? But Mitch was saying to me last week how great Ennis thought you were doing.”
Jack shrugged. “Yeah, well, not great enough, apparently.”
“Sorry, man.” Scott stretched back in his chair and rattled his pen between his teeth. Jack could almost see Scott’s brain working as he thought things over.
“Guess he just can’t stand working with me, huh?”
“I doubt it’s that.” Scott smiled then leaned forward in conspiracy. “Well, actually, you never know, that could be exactly it. Just not in the way you’re thinking, you know. Too close for comfort.” He gave Jack a wink.
Jack huffed, “Yeah, right. In my dreams.”
****
Jack spent the rest of the day “tidying things up,” as Ennis had put it, on the Saturday Bridge project, which basically meant making sure that the filing was in order and that Jack had retrieved all the sketches from his room. He couldn’t help a pang of sadness as he placed the files neatly on Ennis’ desk in his empty office. It was true that his input into the project was practically over, but it was something that he was proud of, had done his best work on, and had hoped it had been an experience that Ennis had enjoyed. Apparently not, despite what Scott had inferred.
Jack stopped at the stationery cupboard on the way back to his own office to stock up on new paper for the morning. No doubt he’d be taking loads of notes from Mitchell as soon as he got in.
He heard a rustle from the cupboard as he approached and was surprised to see Ennis in there. He figured Ennis would have several minions, such as himself, to fetch stationery for him. Jack almost changed his mind about going in, but told himself not to be so damn stupid and childish. What was the worst that could happen?
He nodded to Ennis as he entered then turned his back, but trying to ignore someone in such a small space was kind of fruitless.
“Are you ok, Jack?” Ennis asked, forcing Jack to turn around and face him. He was still Jack’s boss, after all, so Jack couldn’t exactly ignore him without being rude. Especially when Ennis was only about two feet away.
“Yeah, I’m good,” Jack answered flatly, keeping his eyes down, not wanting to look at Ennis for various reasons. The close proximity and dim light within the cupboard was already messing with his brain-and other parts of his body.
Ennis reached up and grabbed a new file. “Why not head out a little early today?” he said. “Take some time before you’re back in at the deep end tomorrow. You’ve worked plenty of overtime with me recently. We can spare an hour or two.”
Jack looked up in surprise. “You getting rid of me?”
The corner of Ennis’ mouth twitched and he shook his head. “No, of course not. Just take some time for yourself while you have the opportunity.”
Jack’s eyes roamed over Ennis’ body, he knew it wasn’t appropriate but he simply couldn’t help himself. It was almost automatic by now.
Ennis shifted a little, dropping his hands to casually hold the file in front of his crotch. “Seriously. I owe you some time.”
Jack dragged his eyes back to Ennis’ face with some effort. “Guess I could always go for a run.” He decided to just grab his stuff and get the hell out of here. No sense in hanging around. The tone of Ennis’ voice caught him off guard, though.
“You run?” Ennis face suddenly changed as if he had managed to slot together all the pieces of a puzzle. “It was you.”
“What?” Jack paused in reaching for a new notepad. “Who was me?”
Ennis shook his head with a grimace, basically talking to himself. “It’s obvious now that I think of it. He was so full of it.”
“What?” Jack said again in bewilderment. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”
Ennis rubbed his palm over his face and half smiled at Jack. “You sure know how to make an impact.”
Jack couldn’t help it; he was intrigued. Plans to make a swift exit forgotten, he raised his eyebrows, trying to encourage Ennis to give him something more.
“You ran into someone the other day? Literally ran into them. Remember?”
Jack straightened up. Of course; the tattooed dude. The guy that Ennis may or may not be seeing. The guy that blatantly flirted with Jack in the street. “Oh, yeah. I remember.”
Ennis propped an elbow on the shelf and rested his head in his hand. “He sure remembers. Asked me if I knew you.” Brown eyes held him captive.
Jack swallowed nervously. “Why would he ask you? Isn’t that kinda weird? How would you know?”
Ennis shrugged. “Simple logic.”
Jack almost screamed and shut his eyes in frustration. Damn it. Getting a straight answer was proving more difficult than squeezing blood from a turnip.
Ennis sighed, “He knows I work with someone called Jack. It’s not a common name around here.” His eyes flickered towards the half open door. “I shouldn’t really be discussing this with you.” Ennis paused again, deciding whether or not to continue. “He said, and I quote, ‘the guy had the most amazing blue eyes.’”
Jack flushed with embarrassment at that admission, and the compliment. He hadn’t figured that Ennis even knew what color his eyes were, let alone mentioned him to his friend. “Wow. I suppose he guessed right.”
“Yeah.”
“Are you, you and he… erm… you know?”
Ennis looked away and scratched the back of his head. He shook his head slightly. “No.”
Oh. Jack was taken aback that Ennis had even answered that one. “But you were?”
Ennis nodded quickly. “At one time.”
Well, shit. Jack didn’t know what to say and just stared at Ennis in surprise. He was amazed Ennis had confessed that. He also wondered what had happened to split Ennis and the tattooed guy up. He couldn’t imagine anyone wanting to kick Ennis to the curb, so it must have been his choice. Jack’s mind raced with possibilities. It also raced with the thought of Ennis in bed with the other guy. He had a vision of toned flesh, muscular arms and inked skin all sliding together, hot and sweaty, bodies fighting for control. He couldn’t stop a shudder racking his own body and felt his cheeks redden even further as he noticed Ennis watching him closely. Jack found himself unable to tear his gaze away. His eyes dropped to Ennis’ full lips, lingering. Jack subconsciously chewed on his own lower lip as Ennis watched intently, arms dropping to his sides, the file he was holding falling to the floor. Jack felt himself move in closer before he heard Ennis’ sharp intake of breath.
The click-clack of high heels on the tiled floor in the hall brought Jack back to earth with a bump. Suddenly wondering what the hell he was doing, Jack gulped and tore himself away, grabbing a notepad and bolting back to his desk without a backwards glace.
TBC