Fifty Shades Of Black: An Erotic Romance (4 page)

CHAPTER
FIVE

Monday morning came much too early to Cherilyn’s way of thinking. She was a jumble of nerves as she showered and dressed, paying special attention to her outfit and make-up. She was flustered in anticipation of seeing Marcus and wondering how would he treat her. Would he make eye contact or just have a stony expression, ignoring her altogether?  Worse yet, what if he regretted their weekend and tried to have her fired?

     Cherilyn put on
earrings and then changed her jacket for the third time. Looking at her reflection in the mirror she tried to make herself believe that she was not dressing up for Marcus but just wanting to appear professional for work. Yet no matter how nice an outfit she wore, a part of her felt as if she were wearing a T-shirt that flashed like a neon sign ‘I slept with the boss.’ She expected Marcus would not speak of it, but what if he bragged to other men at work and they all started whispering about her behind her back or worse straight to her face?

     Despite her worries she had to admit s
he’d had a great weekend, in fact the greatest sexual experience of her life and remembering it made her feel as if the apartment had suddenly gotten very warm. Saturday after spending the afternoon with Marcus, Cherilyn spent the evening with her friends sight-seeing and doing typical Las Vegas stuff. In a way the time spent together salvaged the weekend and brought the girlfriends closer together. Sunday morning they had flown back. She hadn’t run into Marcus again and was left wondering what would happen next.

     In Vegas, Cherry tried to convince herself nothing mattered except the heat of passion, and at the time she believed it, but now in the light of day, she couldn’t help wondering if it had all been a terrible mistake.

     Tashida drove today. She was sipping coffee from her travel mug, babbling on, Cherry tuned it out with her heart beating faster the closer they got to work.  She was wondering if maybe he called in sick, thinking perhaps she should have done that herself. She could try to avoid him and hoped she wouldn’t have to look for a new job.

     Tash was complaining the weekend was a bust because she didn’t meet anyone or have any crazy
adventures. And she spent a great deal of time focusing on the fact that she still didn’t have a man in her life.

     Cher
ilyn couldn’t commiserate. Though technically she wasn’t in a relationship, she’d definitely had a wild time in Vegas, but since Marcus was their boss she couldn’t tell Tash anything about it. Her mind went back to Saturday afternoon, when she had collapsed onto Marcus after making love to him. She kissed him then, smiling and looking into his eyes. Moving off him she untied his hands. They moved to the bedroom and lay down on the bed facing each other. Marcus couldn’t stop touching her or take his eyes off her and she felt the same way.

    
He had a hot tub in his bathroom, so they filled it and got in. The warm water pulsating over their bodies heightening their pleasure as they made love again. This time slower, but equally pleasurable. Remembering it made her shiver. This weekend had been, by far, the most erotic experience she’d ever had.

     Cherilyn saw the back of Marcus walking into his office when she arrived at work and her heart skipped a beat. She slunk down into her cubicle, hoping to go unnoticed, and immersed herself in work. All morning though, her ears were alert for his voice.

     Later in the morning she regretted drinking so much coffee because that meant she now had to go to the bathroom.
She stood up, adjusted her clothing, taking a moment to glance about.  Not seeing Marcus anywhere, she figured he must be out of the office. On her way back from the bathroom however, she heard voices talking in the hallway and recognized one of them as Marcus. She stopped at the corner, out of sight, waiting, not wanting to face him.

     “Miss Johnson
? Why are you just standing there?”  The shrill voice of Edna Daines cut through all other conversations.

     Beyond mortified,
Cherry cringed, wishing a hole would open up in the floor and swallow her whole.

     “You’re not being paid to hold up the wall, you know.” Edna scowled.

     “Yes, I know,” Cherilyn said through gritted teeth. Now she was forced to step out and walk back to her cubicle with Marcus knowing that she had been standing there listening. She was so embarrassed, yet when Marcus caught her gaze, his eyes sparkled with understanding. He gave her a small, but sweet smile causing her heart to flutter all the more.

     Cher
ilyn’s phone buzzed with a text from Marcus and for a moment she wondered how he got the number but realized he’d have access to everyone’s number.

     Do you think Edna Daines ever parties in Vegas?

    
Cherry had to clamp a hand over her mouth after she laughed out loud. She peered around the cubicle and caught his eye.

    
Her phone buzzed again.

     Delete that.

     Later Marcus came over and leaned against her cubicle casually. He spoke to her in a low voice.  “I would you ask you to lunch, but I’m certain I couldn’t keep my hands off you. Neither of us returning to work would be suspicious don’t you think?”

     To hell with the job, Cherry felt like saying.

     Marcus leaned in
, “meet me tonight?”

     “Where?” She was attempting to sound casual although the air felt full of electricity whenever Marcus was close to her.   

     “Your place?”

     “I have a roommate,”
she tilted her head towards Tashida, who unfortunately at that moment was entertaining several employees with her impression of a chicken.

     Marcus laughed lightly, “
Come to my place. Seven? I’ll text you the directions.”

     Around three in the afternoon he texted:
Thinking about you
.  Her skin was on fire, unable to concentrate on anything else, she couldn’t wait to see him. But was it a mistake to continue this way?  She didn’t want either of them to get fired, so their relationship would have to be kept hidden. She didn’t like the idea of not being honest and open in the workplace, especially with Tashida.  Was she willing to risk everything for him? 

     Cherilyn
found herself wishing the economy was better so she could get job with another firm easily.  But should she leave a good paycheck and benefits, all she had worked for up to this point for this - whatever it was they were doing? She couldn’t really call it dating or a relationship, much as she’d like to, and what if it didn’t work out what then?

     Cherry knew it was stupid
to get romantically involved with someone from work. And what were they now to each other anyway, just temporary sex partners? Maybe that’s all he thought of her. But then why did she feel so good when she was with him?

     Still
, no matter how many worries she had or practical reasons she came up with why it was better not to, Cherilyn knew she’d go to his apartment. She couldn’t stop herself from going to him.

     When she arrived at Marcus’ place she slipped easily into his arms. His kiss, passionate and wanting, was also long and slow and sweet and patient. To her there was emotion behind the kiss, real feelings, not just lust.

     They fell quickly into bed, unable to hold back.

     Later they sat in bathrobes eating dinner by candlelight. Marcus served meatballs and spaghetti. “I’m sorry; I had this romantic dinner planned.”

     “This is romantic.” Cher
ilyn took the glass of wine he offered her.

     “I thought I could control myself better, you know, have dinner first
. But damn woman you have a definite effect on me. I hope you know how much you mean to be.”

     Cherry chok
ed on a meatball.

     Marcus slapped her on the back. “Cherry- you okay?” She had quick vision of herself in an ambulance in nothing but a robe, Marcus also, and having to explain herself in the ER. It made her a little light
-headed.

     Marcus brought her a glass of water. Cherry took a long drink and tried to regain her composure. “I’m okay,” she smiled at him trying to appear casual as if his words hadn’t just sent shock waves through her.  “Did you cook this yourself?”

     He laughed, “That’s what you want to know? To be honest - no. I picked it up at this little Italian place I know. We should go there sometime.”

    
She was glad there were no more meatballs. “You mean out in public?”

     “Ashamed to be seen with me?”

     “No, but- you know if anyone from work saw us out together the gossip would get back. It’s against company policy to fraternize, no relationships, no in-office dating.”

    
Marcus handed her a piece of garlic bread. “This is true, but, I don’t want to date you in the office just outside of it.”

     “But, if Edna Daines ever-”

     “I definitely don’t want to date Edna Daines.”

     Cher
ilyn shook her head and laughed momentarily picturing Edna and Marcus. “That’s not what I meant. But if there’s even the hint of impropriety one or both of us could get fired. Generally, though, it’s the underling that gets the boot.”

     “Well,” Marc
us lifted up her chin and trailed kisses across her neck. “I don’t want you to get fired.” His hand slipped inside her robe warm against her breast. “What if we keep things professional at work, then after work…”

     “Yes?”

     “Can we keep seeing each other?”

     “I’d like that.”  A lot, she wanted to add.

     Cherry reached inside his robe and ran her hands up his back. She loved the feel of his skin. At times she couldn’t even put a conscious understanding to why she was so attracted to him, it was more than his looks or body there was just something about him. They seemed to fit together perfectly, like they had always known each other and belonged to one another.

     On some level she knew it was
ridiculous to think this way and having these feelings so soon would no doubt lead her to getting her heart broken, but for now she would enjoy this beautiful man and thank her lucky stars.

    He lifted her up easily and took her to his bed. Marc
us smiled down at her, “I hope you’re not tired, or in a hurry to go anywhere ’cause to do this right - this is going to take a while.”

CHAPTER
SIX

This is going to take a while…

    
Cherilyn had to take a deep breath to center herself. Her little cubicle at work was no place for thoughts like these, ones that made her wish she had a damp cloth for her face. Heck she could use a cold shower right about now. Yet her mind couldn’t stop returning to last night.

     He had slowly
opened her robe bit by bit, kissing her neck exposing one shoulder then withdrew her arm from the sleeve and kissed the inner elbow and wrist. He did the same with her other arm and undid the belt tantalizingly slow, kissing, touching, caressing as he went building up the tension within her. Running his hands up and down her body she longed to return the favor but Marcus would not let her. He made her lay back, now fully naked, on his bed. He took the tie from her bathrobe and used it to tie both her wrists together over her head. He had looked into her eyes as he did it, she realized, to make certain this was okay. She had never done anything like this before but she was too aroused to put the brakes on now. Realizing, though, she had done it to him in Vegas and turnabout was fair play.  Marcus removed his own robe and then positioned himself over her kissing her face, then her neck, breasts, stomach. Moving down between her legs his mouth evoking, tantalizing her with his tongue, arousing to the point of overwhelming, making her feel like she couldn’t stand anymore.

     “Please.” Cherry gripped the pillow behind her in tight fists. “Please Marc
us.”

     She felt more than heard the laugh and knew it was meant in kindness. She
begged him to enter her, still he continued tormenting her with pleasure refusing to stop or wait until the cries of release escaped her lips.  Then her muscles relaxed all at once, feeling somewhat like warm gelatin melting into the bed and she thought her breathing probably wouldn’t return to normal until maybe sometime in the next millennium.

     Marcus unbound her wrists and moved to lay on his side facing her
, his head propped by one hand. To say he looked proud of himself was an understatement.

     If she
could have come up with something sarcastic to say she would have said it but her brain had turned to mush. Yet, she felt so utterly fantastic, he deserved to be proud, hell he’d earned a standing ovation.

     Marcus assessed her. “How did I get so lucky?”

     She smiled at him through sleepy eyes. Someone pinch me she thought, no wait don’t, if this is a dream I don’t ever want to wake. Marcus pulled her into an embrace, his patience, his tenderness made her desire him even more. Her body was warm and supple and inviting, Marcus moved on top of her and entered her at an unhurried, rhythmic pace. With unyielding patience and stamina his pulsating movements pleasuring her again and again, driving her wild until -

     “Are you ill
, Miss Johnson?”  The sudden voice and face of Edna Daines in front of Cherilyn jarred her from her reverie. 

    
This can’t be happening again, Cherry thought and pulled back, “No, Mrs. Daines I’m not ill.”

     Edna peered in uncomfortably close.  “Then why are you all sweaty?”

     Cherry took a tissue dabbed at her face, “it’s a little warm in here.”

     “If you’re sick you should go home.”

     “I’m not sick.” Cherilyn stated firmly, not raising her voice, but making her point and hoping to put an end to this embarrassing line of questioning.

     “Well then, the board of directors
and
Mr. Daycroft want to see you in the conference room.”

     “When?”

     “Now.”

     Walking towards the conference room, through the glass walls she could see about twenty people waiting for her. Opening the door and walking in Cherilyn cleared her throat, hoping to appear a confident professional and not the nervous wreck she felt inside.

    
Mr. Daycroft stood and gestured her to an empty chair. Marcus, seated with the other managers, had a concerned look on his face that she couldn’t decipher. His not meeting her gaze made her perspire even more, but she sat down and put a smile on her face and then clasped her hands together tightly in an attempt to cover up her anxiety.

     Mr. Daycroft looked at her from under bushy eyebrows, “Miss Johnson, we’re very pleased with the work you’ve been doing here but…”

     Cherilyn’s heart was pounding, certain they had found out about her and Marcus. Convinced she was about to be fired, she pictured being made to clear out her desk and then being marched out in front of all the other employees. 

     Mr. Daycroft cleared his throat
, “We’ve noticed something about you as our employee.”

     Her eyes shot to Marcus and back to the CEO.

     “Your exemplary work speaks for itself, however...”

     Feeling like she might pass out, Cherry thought maybe she should
just stand up and say ‘I quit’ and walk out.

     “
… that’s why we’d like to offer you an executive level promotion.” Mr. Daycroft smiled. Cherilyn wondered if she heard him correctly. Marcus took in a sharp breath.

     “This will be a newly created position, you won’t be usurping any
one,” he chuckled. “The company is doing well and expanding, we have a need for more managers and we always like to promote from within when possible.”  He smiled at his employees around the table and ended on Cherilyn, “So what do think Miss Johnson?”

    Stunned and speechless, Cherry thought she’d better say something quick before he rescinded the offer. “Well, I accept. Thank you.”

      “Then welcome aboard.” The whole room erupted in applause as Mr. Daycroft himself came around the table to shake her hand. She couldn’t help herself and stole a glance at Marcus. He was clapping hard and smiling, happiness evident in his eyes.

     “Unfortunately, we don’t have an office for you just yet. I was thinking you could share an office with Mr. Black.  You have no problem with that do you Marcus?” Mr. Daycroft looked to Marc
us and the room fell silent.

      “Of course not,” Marcus nodded, “I look forward to the company.”

     “We will add a desk and a file cabinet for you, but the whole set up will be temporary as we restructure. Although, you two will be working closely together.”

     The meeting continued for some time as other business was discussed. Cher
ilyn sat quiet and attentive even though she wanted to jump up and down and shout. She had gotten the promotion she wanted. She was exactly where she wanted to be.

     “What happened?” Tashida whispered to her after she left the meeting.

     “I got a promotion.”

     “What?” Tash squealed.

     “
Shhh!”

     “We have to celebrate.” Tashida went off to make plans while Cher
ilyn wondered what Marcus really thought about this. Was he upset or angry?

     Her phone buzzed with a message from Marcus:
Congratulations beautiful.

    She wanted to text back a happy face but thought it too juvenile so she simply sent back:
Thanks.
Her gaze met his and she smiled.

     Marcus couldn’t help but smile back. But he had been shocked in the meeting when prior to her arrival he had been asked to vote on whether or not she should get the promotion. He hated himself for momentarily wondering if it was in his best interest, but in the end he knew he wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he held her back.

     He was trying to be happy for her and supportive
, but a part of him worried about how far her business aspirations went. If she really was after his job, then maybe she was just playing him. Was he a fool to trust her?

     He didn’t get much time to think about it. By the end of the day a desk, computer and file cabinets had been placed in his office and she had moved out of her cubicle and into his office. Technically he was still her boss, but she would be handling certain projects on her own. He should have been glad of the help and in a way he was, but still he remained a little leery of her
ambition.

    
Marcus felt an uneasiness and wanted to check his blood sugar but now had little privacy in his own office. He excused himself to go to the cafeteria to get something to eat. If he wasn’t one hundred percent sure of Cherilyn, he thought he’d better not trust her with his diabetes and keep that personal information to himself.

      To celebrate her promotion Cherilyn spent happy hour with her girlfriends. Keke seemed more relaxed. Melanie continued to insist on being the center of attention, monopolizing the conversation, always going back to a discussion of her wedding. Cherry was glad Melanie was happy again, but felt a bit guilty when she found herself thinking she couldn’t wait until this wedding was over.

    
She looked at Tashida and gave her a rueful smile knowing how much her friend hated wedding talk. Tash gave her an exaggerated eye roll and picked up her phone. Cherry’s phoned buzzed with a text. She had to hold in a laugh when she realized the text was from Tash.  
Even when it’s your night it’s all about her
.

     Chery
texted back: 
It will be over soon.

     Tash texted one more time:
Not soon enough.

     When the weekend came Cherilyn was getting ready to see Marcus again. They had been spending almost every night together and she was loving spending so much time with him. Even though they couldn’t go out they watched movies and made dinner together, talked a lot and Marcus made her laugh often.

     Tashida walked into Cherry’s bedroom an
d looked at her in surprise - “You going out again tonight?”

     “Yes.”

     “All night?”

     “Probably.”

     “Who is this guy?” Tash sat on the bed.

    
Cherilyn looked down. “I can’t tell you.”

     “He’s married isn’t he?”

     “No.” Cherry zipped up her overnight bag.

     “Then what is it, i
s he ugly?”

     Cherry laughed, “No.”

     “Are you ashamed to be seen with him?”

     “Not at all.”

     “Is he ashamed to be seen with you?”

     Cher
ilyn screwed up her face as like that thought had never crossed her mind. “I don’t think so.”

     “I never thought anyone like you-”

     “Anyone like me?”

     “Yeah, someone strong, a good person, who knows who she is and doesn’t back down from anyone. I never thought you’d let a man treat you like this.”

     “Like what?”

     “Like a hired escort. He calls
and you come running.”

     Cher
ilyn stood staring at her in stunned, pained silence. She felt like she’d just been slapped in the face.

     “It is a man isn’t it? You’re not pulling a Keke on me are you?” Tash laughed, she always had a way of breaking the tension, making light of any situation.

     “It is a man and I wish I could explain it to you. All I know is I love him.” She surprised herself when she said it out loud but she knew it was true. “Maybe it’s not the best of circumstances, but I just can’t not be with him.”

     “
Well, I hope he realizes how lucky he is. If he doesn’t I’d be happy to straighten him out for you”

    
Cherilyn hugged Tash, but left not feeling great about things with Marcus. It wasn’t a great situation to be in love with someone you could never acknowledge in public. She wondered about the future of this relationship. If they were both to continue working at Daycroft Industries what future did they have? She never thought she was the kind of woman who would let herself get used or treated badly, but when she was with Marcus and not questioning why, everything felt perfect.

    
Once she arrived at Marcus’ place and saw his smile any reservation or question she had went right out of her head.