GRACE

'Until I make you mine.'

Those words crept into my semi-conscious mind and succeeded in stirring me out of my deep sleep which got me nestled into my bedsheets in the strangest position.

I sat up and wondered what the deal was with the words that filled my mind. But I was unable to find an explanation. I was also unable to recollect the things that happened after I got my sad self intoxicated last night.

After a quick dart of my eyes across the room, I suddenly remembered that I was not in my house anymore. Once that thought settled, my eyes widened at the idea that it was very likely that my drunk self did something foolish around Mr. Powers.

'Until I make you mine.'

That sentence crept into my mind again. And it seemed that's the only thing I could remember from the previous night.

And the way the masculine whisper filled my head made me question the possibility that something happened between my boss and me.

Sharply, I looked down at my body. I was relieved to see that my clothes were still on. But my joy was soon short-lived when my eyes fell on my white lace bra dangling around the edge of the bed.

"Oh. No. No. No." I kept chanting as I reached for my bra and started to study it as though looking for prints that would prove something. "Wait, calm down. Calm down."

I felt the hangover ache I had been ignoring pierce through my head. I ignored it still. Figuring out whether something happened between me and my boss was a priority.

"Calm down," I continued to speak to myself. "You could have taken off your bra before sleeping. You might have been drunk but you could have done it yourself."

'But are you sure you walked back into your room alone?' A small voice at the back of my mind asked, breaking my conviction without much hassle.

And that made me instantly recall all the times I ended up going home with strangers after getting mad ass drunk. Damn... I really did choose a terrible way to deal with my pain.

But I could have made an exception this time, right?

Right?

There was unfortunately no one around to clarify my thoughts, so I decided to summon the little dignity I still had and ask Mr. Powers how I got back to my bed.

Manageably - since my headache decided it wouldn't be ignored anymore-, I got off the bed.

As I put on my slippers, the whispered words from earlier came again and I was convinced more than ever that it was Mr. Powers' voice.

There was no doubt.

Despite the softness in the words, I could still hear the huskiness of his voice as the statement played over and over in my head.

Once I closed the door to my room, laughter sourcing from the living room reached my ears.

I reached downstairs seconds later, my headache worse than before.

I met Mr. Powers and Ruby seated on their floor, their attention fixed on whatever they were doing, their back facing me.

Once I settled my somewhat wobbly steps, I fixed my eyes on Mr. Powers' back. The broadness of his shoulders called me and I was tempted to hold onto them.

But no. I can't do that.

Not when I am yet to address the toxic behaviour of mine that I went back to last night.

I am aware that my attraction to Mr. Powers may continue to soar, but I, Grace Sands will always find a way to stop something from happening. I am definitely in no position to get involved with anyone.

"Good morning, Ruby."

My greeting called Ruby out of what she was doing. Before I knew it, she was running towards me, her arms spread until they wrapped around my waist with a huge embrace.

"Grace. You are fine!"

"Easy there." I chuckled softly, my hands clutching my head for a second before they went on to return her hug.

After admiring the little one, I looked up to see if Mr. Powers was still fixed on what he was doing.

The man was already in front of me, a black flask tucked in his right hand, a bottle of water and sachet of pills in the other.

I tenderly tapped Ruby's arms and she let go, her smile grander and warming.

"Here's some honey tea to ease your hangover." The man pushed the flask in my direction. " I don't know if it will work, but I recommend you drink this first. If it doesn't work, you can use the pills an hour later."

Ruby walked away from our scene as her father proceeded to dump everything in his grasp in my arms.

I collected everything he handed to me and carried them as though they were babies.

"Thank you, sir."

Mr. Powers continued to stare and that started to make me feel nervous about the question I was about to ask him. But what can I do? If I don't ask the question, I might not have rest of mind for the whole week.

So after a shaky chuckle, I cleared my throat and asked, "I messed up last night, didn't I?"

Mr. Powers did not respond. Instead, he added more steps to his stance and didn't stop until he was very, very close to me. As if that wasn't nerving enough, he made sure eye contact was maintained.

"I..." I continued once I managed to tear my gaze off his. "I have a question, sir. Did..." I swallowed hard. "Did I come back here by myself?"

Mr. Powers peeled his right hand off his waist and I followed that movement until his fingers were under my chin. That contact was what he used to direct my head until I was looking up at him.

"I brought you here myself." His response... It had a certain intention attached to it. I just couldn't place what it was.

So, I slowly gulped the tension building in my soul and I proceeded to ask the next question. "Did anything happen, sir? Between us..." I lowered my voice as though it was hushed enough. "... Did something happen?"

I wished to fold myself from that moment on.

"Why?" His voice was low, thicker, sexier. "Do you think anything happened?"

I gave a nervous short laugh. "Well, when I get drunk, I... I have this habit where I uh..." I paused. I was about to tell my very attractive employer that I get drunk to have one nightstand. After drawing a sharp breath and releasing it, I continued, "I uh... do silly things."

"I see," he replied, indifference in his tone.

"I am afraid I might have done something done something shameful last night."

"I don't know why you would subject yourself to something so distasteful." I felt a jab in my chest and I lowered my head in shame. "But..."

He rejected the way I tilted my head and made sure our eyes met again. Then, his other hand reached for my hair until strands were rushing through his fingers. "... I think you have your reasons."

"I didn't want to-"

"Grace," he interrupted me, his tone still soft. "You might have been a mess last night. But I can say that you are very sexy when you are drunk."

Mr. Powers smirked at the state of stillness I dragged myself into upon hearing his words. After he shifted a mass of my hair to the back, his hands retreated while his words stayed back to give me chills.

And there I stood, with a slightly opened mouth. I stood and stared at him as he walked away from me, his back swinging with majesty. My head didn't stop banging, my heart didn't stop stirring, so I hugged my hangover remedies to my chest as I watched my boss walk away.

"Oh. Miss Sands," his regular, stoic voice was back, "you have the day off."

********

"Nothing clearly happened between the two of you. Why are you still freaking out?"

I watched as Samantha collected her plate of garnished pasta from the waitress.

Then, I replied, "I am freaking out because he talked as if something did happen. Gosh, I am under pressure here!"

"Grace, from what you have been telling me, something might as well be happening between you two. Remember the nightgown incidence?"

"Yes, the one you packed for me, even after I had said I wasn't going to take it," I spat at her.

"I was just helping a friend. That is not my point, my point is," she picked up her fork and pointed it at me, "he is attracted to you. And you are attracted as well." I rolled my eyes since I could not bring myself to deny it. "Something will still happen between you two. I can bet it."

"I don't want something to happen."

"Why? I am sure you are dying to have a taste of that man."

"I..." I licked my lower lip as I thought of how to output my reason. "I don't know. It will be weird, he is my boss."

"Why are you lying to yourself, Grace? This is about Kyle, isn't it?" I opened my mouth to protest but Sam cut me short. "Let go of that dude already so that you can have a life."

I pouted. "I do have a life."

"Grace." She reached for my hand. "Getting drunk to have sex or some sort of temporary relationship because you are too scared to do it while sober is not a life. Can't you see it? Since it has been proven that you can't survive your sorrow on your own, you can use your boss. Mr. Powers might be your chance to get out of your shell. You can't stay hung to Kyle all your life. You can't turn to alcohol each time you face a reminder of that painful past."

"Well, you have a point. But still," Samantha's face formed an annoyed frown, but I ignored it, "I don't want anything serious with anyone right now. And definitely not with the father of the child I am babysitting."

"Who says you are getting serious? You are doing this to have fun, girl! Luckily the man in question is a sturdy, handsome, definitely huge man. So you will be sure to have your fun. And... even better he looks like someone who is in for just the fun, so it's a win-win."

"What makes you think he is in for just the fun?"

"Uh... hello? A man with super looks and lots of money is mostly Playboy material. He is definitely in for only the fun."

I wanted to argue with her. Going by the things I have studied about my employer, I can safely claim that he is not a player. But I said nothing and nodded as though I agreed.

But it seemed Samany didn't buy my reaction. After a loud sigh, she joined the other person that had been keeping quiet since we entered the restaurant. "David," the man dragged his attention off his laptop, "can you please talk to her? I need to eat my food in peace."

I shook my head at my friend who did not hesitate to dig into her meal.

"Listen, Grace. It is a good idea to stop letting the Kyle factor hinder you from getting more out of life. I agree that you should see how things go with this new man who is highly intestines in you."

"Uh... sexually. Sexually interested in her." Sam butted in and I sneered at her.

"Yeah, that. Listen, I would advise that you go for this man. But before you both do anything, I think you should clarify the relationship between you two. Are you going to be fuck buddies? Will it get more intimate? Is it going to be a relationship? You know, when that tag is added, you can decide whether to advance with the way you feel about this man."

"It is weird to think of my boss as my fuck buddy." I chuckled because my body liked the idea in contrast. "But, I see a lot of sense in what you have just said. I will try to let go of Kyle and maybe..." Sam glared at me as she downed a bottle of water. Ugh... sometimes she is a miniature bully. "I will finally give in to my attraction to Mr. Powers." I shrugged. "Maybe."

Honestly, the idea of being with Mr. Powers is something I am yet to feel settled with. My body, in contrast, keeps jumping at the brief thought of the very idea.

But then, even if I let go of my concerns and fears, there's the Ruby factor.

Aargh! I am too stuck for my liking!

Maybe I should be neutral from now on. I should play cool and see where things take me.

Then, I will know whether or not I will eventually yield to my growing attraction to Dominic Powers and his appealing ways.

But one thing I am very sure of is that, if I will be eventually giving in, it won't be too long before it happens.