Lisa: April (Mystic Zodiac Book 4) (8 page)

“That isn’t you at all.” His Lisa was nothing like that. She’d worked her ass off from day one in the company. He’d checked when he decided to transfer her to his assistant.

“I know. My family doesn’t understand, but then they never did. Don’t get me wrong. I had my fair share of fun back in the day. It got old fast and I wanted more. There are only so many hours you can spend frolicking in the water, dancing, and playing humans for fools. People may not see being an assistant as very career-worthy, but I love it. The organization. The schedules. Managing the unmanageable. It shows a nymph can be more than a mindless sex toy.”

“It sounds like you wish you weren’t one.”

“Oh no. I love being a nymph, especially a water one. I just like being seen as more than that. I
know
I’m more, and I get a sick sense of satisfaction proving it to my family.”

“What does that mean
a water one
? I’ve seen you do…odd things with water, like the showering Griff got the other day.” Jack chuckled remembering the look on Griff’s shocked face. Jack had been too glad he hadn’t been the one standing beneath the hovering mist. He was sure it would have turned into a torrential downpour if it’d been him.

A soft smile curved her mouth. “Simply put, I can manipulate water.” Letting go of his hand, she dipped it in the water between them. Bringing a handful out, she put a finger from her other hand in it and twirled it. A small funnel formed into a tiny hurricane. The higher her finger, the bigger the funnel grew. With a flick, the funnel disappeared, the water going back to where it came from.

It was…“Wow. Can you only do little things like that, or do you do things on a grander scale?”

“I can do big and destructive…like send a boat off course. My gifts tend to be more on the side of movement. My sister Amie can make water have healing properties. Dana can form springs and wetlands. We each have our specialty. When we were small, we used to make water fountains like the ones you see at water parks or concrete playgrounds. The kinds that shoot up into the air or dance to music. It’s how we learn to use our inherent gifts. Figure out what we should concentrate on.”

“Your life doesn’t sound boring at all.”

Lisa shrugged. “I guess it depends on how you look at it.” She rolled off her lounger into the water. Before he could follow her into the warm depths, water shot up around him, coming down like a warm summer rain.

Rolling into the water as well, he pushed the loungers away and searched for her. His head came up and she stood before him. Lunging, he tackled her, dragging her under quickly before breaching the surface.

Her infectious giggle triggered his laughter. When his died down, he cupped her face, tilting it up. “Thank you for showing me who you really are.”

He felt the heated blush beneath his palms. A flicker of shyness crossing her eyes. “I wanted you to see the other side of me. For whatever reason, the guys I’ve seen in the past find it fascinating for a little bit but the second I think its getting serious, they tell me they’d never choose to be with a Mystic long term. I figured that now that you’re in my world, maybe you wouldn’t run for the hills.”

“Never! I’m not going anywhere, Lisa. I’ve waited too long to let this opportunity slip away.”

He lowered his mouth to hers, a leisurely exploration meant to tease and seduce. She sighed, melting into him. Holy fuck, it was the best thing ever. She gave herself over to him, allowing him to drag her to the side where the towels were.

He turned, lying on his back, her straddling his hips. The softness of her pussy lips over his cock, damn near making his head explode. He couldn’t wait to get inside her again.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

April 9
th
, 6:00PM

Lisa opened the door to the room and was greeted by Kyron, the centaur. She’d finally remembered his name. “Hello again.” She waved him and the cart he pushed through the door.

“You aren’t by chance going to take me up on my offer, are you?” He asked, his deep voice rumbling from his chest.

Lisa chuckled lightly. Jack was all the man she needed. Too bad it couldn’t be forever. She’d lost her head for a little while the day before in the water room. The notion they could be together after Satyr playing with her head. Jack’s emergency phone call from Griffin yanked her back to reality.

It was their last night together and her heart already ached. She didn’t want to say goodbye, but it became abundantly clear she would have to. She’d fallen in love with her boss. It hadn’t happened over night or during the last couple days. It happened gradually over the last three years. These few days with him only made her realize how head-over-heels in love she was. “Sorry, but no. I’m quite happy with the man I’m with.”

Kyron’s rueful smile tugged at his lips. “His good fortune will forever be my loss. Would you like this laid out on the table?”

“Please.” She swept by him to finish lighting the candles. Jack would be back soon and she wanted everything ready. There would be no interruptions after his return. The front desk knew to hold all calls or allow room services to come by. She planned to steal his phone away and hide it from him until morning.

The soft clanking of dishes and silverware echoed through the room. When it stopped, she turned to see Kyron observing her. “This man you are with, you’re in love with him?”

A blush stole across her cheeks, radiating heat. “What makes you say that?” It wasn’t that she was embarrassed about loving him. It was that it was so easy for a stranger to tell; yet the man himself couldn’t figure it out.

“It is the only reason I can think of for a nymph to refuse the invitations of so many. It hasn’t gone unnoticed that you are here. Nymphs are prized in the club, and you could have your choice of any man or woman. Yet, you did not take Valac up on his offer. The man who brought you dinner the other night said you barely acknowledged him. And you have refused me twice. Rumor has it you even reserved the Tropical room for a liaison and that doesn’t come cheep. Mystics do not waste coin on something so extravagant on someone who is only a fling.”

“But that’s all it is—a fling.”
It can’t be more.
“After tomorrow I’ll be free.”

The sound of the door slamming had her squeezing her eyes tight. Damn, she hoped Jack hadn’t heard the last part. Or maybe it was for the best that he had. It would make tomorrow easier on her when she was forced to cut ties. The thought made her heart clench and pain radiate through it.

Jack rounded the corner, hot anger blazing in his eyes. Her stomach dropped. He’d heard what she said. She could tell by the look on his face.

Kyron looked between them and dipped his head. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work.”

Lisa moved toward him, his tip in her hand.

He lifted his own to stop her. “Thank you, but you have been generous enough.” He left, pulling the empty cart behind him.

The look of anger faded from Jack’s face. “You did say only for this week. Let’s sit down and eat. I’d hate to waste the delicious meal you’ve ordered.”

Lisa took a seat at the small table and waited for him to join her. He shook his head, frown marring his handsome face. Unfortunately, she didn’t feel like eating anymore. The food was dry and wooden in her mouth; she was barely able to choke it down.

This was her last moment with the man she’d fallen in love with; she could feel it. Her last moment to take in the beauty of his features in the candlelight before she said goodbye forever. Her last moment to bask in the warmth of his embrace, though she doubted that would be happening now. Not with the look of anger and betrayal on his face.

Yes, she’d made the right decision. She couldn’t take Griff up on his offer no matter how appealing it was. She would be putting in her two-week notice first thing Monday morning. After spending the weekend grieving for the job she loved and the man who’d stolen her heart.

She watched Jack visibly shut down. His eyes turned cold and emotionless. He looked away, sipping the red wine she’d picked with him in mind. It came from one of the wineries close to where she was from. Paul kept a couple bottles on hand for her. In the back of her mind, she thought to share more of her life with him.

It’d been silly and foolish, and evidently wrong.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

April 10
th
, 10:00am

Lisa rolled over in bed and flailed. She squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt to keep the pain at bay. Too quickly she’d gotten used to Jack’s warm, strong body next to her. Yet, he wasn’t there now. His side of the bed was cold. His pillow never slept on.

“Oh my god,” she breathed harshly. “I miss him.” Tears burned the backs of her eyes, and her breath clogged in her lungs.

Flopping onto her back, she replayed the events of the night before.

Dinner with Jack had been heartbreaking, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever recover from it. When he calmly pushed his plate of partially eaten food away and stood, she knew he wasn’t staying.

He packed his bag quietly with his few belongings, as she dumbly looked on. It took him less than five minutes and before she knew it, he stood before her, staring down with sad eyes.

He kissed her. Softly. Reverently. Like a man who knew he would never do it again. She didn’t have time to react. To grab him and hold him tightly against her body.

Without a word he left. He just turned and walked away without a backwards glance.

They didn’t talk about her fling statement. They didn’t talk about what would happen next.

He took what she’d said their first night together as gospel, never knowing she would have gladly changed her mind. With one word, one hint, she would have told him how she felt if it meant he’d still be with her now.

Groaning, Lisa shucked the covers from her body and climbed out of bed. There was no sense in staying any later, dragging out her last few hours in a place that now reminded her of him. It would be best to pack her belongings and head back to her apartment. Start the grieving process and write her resignation. Maybe she would email it to him over the weekend.

She was such a coward.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

April 13
th
, 8:00am

THE OFFICES OF MORGAN & POWERS DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE

Lisa walked into work Monday morning with a ball of trepidation knotting her stomach. As soon as she’d gotten to her apartment on Friday, she’d written and fired off her resignation, afraid she wouldn’t have the nerve to do it later. She knew Jack read it. She had the
read receipt
sitting in her email. He never responded though.

No email.

No phone call.

No dropping in unannounced, pounding on her door demanding to know what the hell she was thinking.

Okay, so the last wouldn’t have happened anyway. She wasn’t sure he even knew where she lived, and she’d been fairly straightforward in the email as to why she was quitting.

She couldn’t continue working for him after their week together. There was no way they could go back to how it was before she’d gotten a taste of him. Before she’d showed him a part of her no one saw.

Saturday she’d cried like she’d never cried before, and then called her mother for comfort. Her loony family may not understand her need to be different, but they were there for her when she was down. Her mother bought her a plane ticket to come home ten minutes after they got off the phone. Lisa was scheduled to leave after finishing her last day of work and head straight to the airport.

Putting her purse in the bottom drawer of her desk, she took her overcoat off and hung it up. Jack wasn’t in yet, so she decided to act as though it was any other day.

She put a pot of coffee on and checked emails while she waited. Midway through the backlog, the door to her office opened and in walked Jack.

She steeled her spine and plastered a professional smile on her face. Her hungry gaze roamed over his handsome frame. He wore a dark gray suit that hugged his wide shoulders. It looked stunning against his tan face and dark unruly hair. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart beat out of control when he turned to the person next to him. Lisa hadn’t even noticed he wasn’t alone. Jack and the unknown person were talking in hushed tones. It looked intimate and personal. Jealousy reared its head and tried to grab hold.

Jack tipped his head back suddenly and laughed at something his companion said. He stepped to the side and motioned the person forward.

A petite blonde woman in a tight little outfit and black fuck-me heels stepped in front of him. She laughed demurely and fluttered her eyes at him.

Jack put his hand on her lower back and escorted her farther into the office. Lisa was so stunned by his demeanor toward the other woman that it took her a moment to realize they’d stopped in front of her desk.

“Lisa,” Jack barked harshly, snagging her attention.

Lisa shot to her feet, pad of paper and pencil in hand by automatic reflex. “Yes, Mr. Morgan.”

His jaw clenched and his nostrils flared. “Put those down. Grab your stuff and head home. Pamela is taking over your job as of right now. We’ll consider your two-week notice as two weeks paid vacation. You do have plenty of unused time saved up and, like you told me, you never get any time off to be alone.”

Lisa’s mouth dropped open. She snapped it shut when the blonde smirked. “It’s fine Mr. Morgan. I’ll work my two weeks.”

He wasn’t even listening. He turned away and headed into his office. “No, I insist. It’s been a pleasure working with you.” The door shut behind him and she still wasn’t sure what the hell had just happened.

Lisa turned to her replacement. The woman’s smooth grin rocked the corners of her mouth. A smarmy little look on her face. “I’ll get you up to speed,” Lisa said dully.

“No thanks. I’ve been eyeing this job for a
long
time. I know exactly what to do to
please
the boss. Now, if you could get your stuff and leave, I’d appreciate it. Jack and I have work to do.”

Mind numb and not knowing what else to do, Lisa grabbed her purse and her coat then left. There wasn’t anything else for her to take home. She didn’t have personal items in the desk, preferring to keep the two sides separate. If only she’d stuck to the oath she’d put in place so long ago.

“Toodle-oo,” Pamela called out. “Bitch.” The low words managed to reach Lisa’s ear. She spun to say something when Jack’s voice came through the secretary’s speaker.

“Pamela, could I get you to come in here please? I need your help with a couple of things.”

“Of course, Jack,” Pamela purred back. She sashayed to the door, disappearing behind the wood.

Before Lisa could turn away from the sight, Griff walked in. Lisa looked at him and tears welled in her eyes. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. She wasn’t supposed to hurt so damn bad at being replaced. She bolted through the door and raced to her car as fast as she could.

Griff watched Lisa run to the elevator. Tears had been shimmering in her dark eyes. He was torn between chasing her down to comfort her and finding his partner to see what the hell he’d done to scare her away.

Heading into Jack’s office won out. They had a meeting set up in an hour, and they needed to go over a few things. Business had to take precedence.

Strolling into the other room, Griff was greeted by the sight of a small, tight ass leaning over Jack’s desk. Toned, bare legs led to black fuck-me heels, and Griff’s dick was instantly hard. He adjusted himself before clearing his throat.

“Hey Jack, where was Lisa off to? I thought we had a meeting in a bit.”

Jack looked up, hurt and anger burning in his eyes.

Fuck.
The week must not have gone over well. He knew something like that would happen. Lisa was a great woman, but he didn’t think she was worth throwing away their professional relationship.

The hot chick leaning over Jack’s desk straightened and turned around. She batted her baby blue eyes at him and puckered her lips in a practiced move. She leaned toward him, and he couldn’t help his gaze trailing down to her cleavage, which was on display. “Oh hi,” she said breathless. “I’m Pamela. You must be Griff.” She held her hand out, but he got the impression he was supposed to kiss it, not shake it. His erection died an instant death. He did not do prima donnas. 

“It’s Mr. Powers,” he said tightly. “Leave. I need to talk to my partner.”

The blonde stuck her lower lip out and pouted. She dropped her hand and looked back over at Jack. “Jack?” She questioned.

Griff didn’t think Jack would save her and he was right. “Go on out, Pamela. I’ll buzz you when we’re ready.”

Pamela sucked in a big breath, thrusting her chest out. “If you say so, Jack.”

It took everything in Griff’s power not to throw the woman out. She sauntered past him and threw a sultry look at him over her shoulder as she walked out the door.

Griff slammed it behind her.

“What the fuck did you do?” He yelled, unable to rein in his own anger. If Jack had hired that woman to make Lisa jealous, then it was a shit move.

Jack leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest, seemingly unbothered by what happened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I got a new assistant when my other one turned in her resignation on Friday.”

“What!”

“Lisa quit. I needed an assistant. I’m not sure what you aren’t understanding about the situation.”

“You fucking moron.”

Jack glared at Griff, and Griff glared right back.

“She didn’t give a two-week notice?”

“She did. I decided not to bother with it.”

“So, you brought that bimbo in here, flaunting her in front of Lisa, to what, make her feel like shit. Did you send Lisa packing too?”

Jack’s jaw clenched and popped. “Yep.”

“You’re an asshole.  What the fuck happened last week? What did you do?”

Jack shot up out of his chair. Fucking Griff acting like it was Jack’s fault. “I didn’t do shit. She said it was a fling. One week only.”

“And you wanted more.”

“Yes, but apparently she didn’t.”

“Did you tell her how you feel?”

“No, I thought she’d get the hint. I showed her in every possible way that I wanted more. I thought she’d be the one to bring up changing the rules she set down. It was our last night together and she never brought it up.”

Griff pulled out the chair and dropped into it. “Holy shit, you’re dumb. When have you ever known a woman to take a hint?”

Griff had him there, but he’d never tell him. “Fuck you.”

“No, dude. Fuck you. She left here in tears. You could see on her face that she was hurt.”

Jack’s entire body tensed. The thought of her in tears because of him tore at his heart. He refused to believe it was because of him. He heard her making plans to hook up with another man. “She was probably upset I replaced her so quick. There was no fucking way I could stand two weeks of being around her and not having her in my life like I want.”

“You make my head hurt. You love her but you won’t tell her or fight for her. Maybe you aren’t as into her as you thought you were. I mean, if I’d found the one person who made life worth living, I’d move heaven and earth to be with her. Hell, I’d even take a kick to the balls if it meant she’d be back in my arms.”

Jack sat back down, rolling up to his desk, resting forearms on it. “What the hell do you care? You didn’t want me to see her in the first place.”

“I didn’t because I thought something like this would happen.”

“No, you thought she’d try to take me for a ride. Demand more money or promote her somehow.”

“Fine. Yeah, in the back of my mind I’m clinging to that bullshit with Felicity, but I never actually believed Lisa would do the same thing. I wanted you to be careful and lay your cards out on the table, not play mind games with the woman. What did she say in her resignation?”

“It would be too hard to go back to how things were. She couldn’t be
just
my assistant anymore.”

“That’s good though, right? All of this can be fixed with a simple conversation. Or is there something else?”

Jack couldn’t look his friend in the eyes. He stared off into the distance as her words played through his head again. “After helping you out over the phone, I got back and overheard her telling this guy who’d been hitting on her since day one,
but that’s all it is—a fling
.
I’ll be free after tomorrow.
It pissed me off when I heard her say that to a complete stranger. I thought we were moving in the right direction. We had a couple of amazing days together and a nice candlelit dinner planned. I was going to tell her what’s been in my heart for what feels like forever. And holy shit, I sound like a girl.”

Griff chuckled, not bothering to cover it up. “You sound like a man in love. What happened?”

“We had dinner. We never talked about what I’d heard. She knows I did too. After eating, I packed my shit and left. I don’t know what she did after that. Friday I got her resignation via email.”

“And you were still butt hurt about her
fling
statement that you thought you’d hurt her by bringing the bimbette in? I have to tell ya, I’m not impressed, and I’m not sure you’re the same guy I’ve known most of my life. I’ve never known you to give up so easily on something. You do still want her, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Jack grunted. With every fiber in his body, he wanted her. The weekend had been miserable without her next to him. He’d tossed and turned; questioning everything he did, wondering if he should have done things differently. Wondering if he should call or show up on her doorstep. He thought he’d give her time to miss him, and arrogantly, he’d thought she would make the first move. When she didn’t, he got pissed all over again and hired the first girl he’d come across in the personnel files. Which was proving to be an epic mistake judging by Griff’s reaction to the woman. The man loved women and she’d instantly turned him into an asshole.

“If you ask me, I think you’re scared. You’ve never had to work to get a woman’s affections. It seems they always come out and tell you they love you within two minutes of meeting you. Lisa didn’t and now you’re afraid to make the next move. Grow a set, man.”

The conversation was cut short when Pamela buzzed in. Jack noticed the time and knew they’d have to get to work. He had a lot to think about. There might be some validity in Griff’s words.