Is it wrong to fancy your boss?

Well, the thing is, Chamberlain isn't my direct boss, technically speaking, Dominic is. So, does it even count?

I want to say no. And that concerns me. It also concerns me that every time I saw the slightest movement in his office, I would immediately check my reflection in the computer screen, in case he came out.

My hair and makeup looked good, but you could never tell with the screen. It wasn't a very good mirror. I could have lipstick on my teeth and not even know it thanks to the screen. But, I wouldn't anyway, because I don't even wear lipstick. Lip gloss, anyone?

I wondered where we were going at lunch. Down to the vending machines, probably. I won't knock it. That's usually where I spent my lunches anyway. Cheap and Cheerful.

But my mind is completely occupied with the whole fancying the boss malarkey. Maybe, just maybe, I don't actually fancy him at all. Maybe I think I fancy him because I've had sex with him...but that can't be it. I don't even remember the sex, so strictly speaking, we haven't had sex. In my mind - at least.

Bloody hell, why does sex have to complicate everything? As I took a sip of my tea I thought to myself that sometimes I wish I was a nun. I think the outfit would suit me too.

"Mia! There you are."

I jumped with a yelp, spilling my tea all over my keyboard and lap. I glanced up to find Geoff leaning on the flimsy divider with a goofy grin.

Good ol' Geoff. When I first started at Greene publishing, I had the hots for him. The major hots. But it had turned out that he was a 'player' and had shagged half of the female staff, so I quickly dampened the flame I felt for him and kept my thighs firmly shut. That didn't mean he suddenly grew warts and buck teeth, though. Geoff was still extremely attractive. In a kind of rough-edged way. Not that I noticed or anything, now he was just my good friend. Apparently, I made a good wing-woman, or whatever.

"Congratulations. You've taken ten years off my life," I grumbled, trying to dislodge the sudden lump in my throat and the beating of my heart in my ears.

Geoff chuckled, a throaty sound. "Sorry Mia. Nice... little space you got here. You've certainly risen."

"Yes, I certainly have." I nodded with a grunt as I wiped the tea from my skirt. "You know, this is exactly what Bill Gate's offices looks like?"

Geoff laughed. "I think I did hear that."

I set the cup on my desk and looked up at him. "Whatcha' want?"

Geoff pursed his lips as he shifted both his arms on the divider. "Gimme Megan's number."

"Absolutely not."

"Why?"

"You're a whore."

Geoff smirked. "C'mon."

I shook my head. There was no way I was giving him her number for two reasons. One: that smirk only confirmed the whore thing. Two: even if he wasn't a whore, he looks like he spends more time in the bathroom getting ready than Megan does, and that is never a good sign in a relationship.

"Have you slept with the whole of London already?" I asked, leaning back in my chair.

His lips twitched. "A gentleman never kisses and tells."

"Slag."

Geoff laughed.

My eyes suddenly caught on to movement in to the office. Chamberlain was putting his coat on. I glanced at the time on the computer. 12.34. Lunch! My fingers found themselves running through my hair as I shot up.

"Sorry, Geoff. I've got plans now. So….." I rushed, hoping he'd take the hint and fuck off before Chamberlain came out.

"A hot date, eh?"

I gave him a look.

Oh, I wish.

"How old are you?"

I choked on my caramel Frappuccino. "You know it's rude to ask a lady her age," I said, while trying to discreetly wipe any foam from my nose.

We were sitting in the Starbucks across the street from the office, he did originally offer to get some proper lunch from restaurant a couple of streets over but I refused knowing full well there would be alcohol served. Alcohol, me and this man did not end well.

Chamberlain brushed blonde hair from his forehead with a casual smile. "So I hear," he cocked his head to the side as his other hand fiddled with his coffee cup. "Twenty five? Twenty six?"

This man was unbelievable. "Twenty seven if you must know." I told him easily.

"Ah," his grin widened. "I wasn't that far off."

"And how old are you?"

"Thirty."

"You're old."

He laughed and leaned back in his chair."You're not far behind, Amelia."

I pursed my lips, trying not to look at the considerable bulge in his suit trousers when he leaned back like that. I was sure if I could squint hard enough, I could make out an outline.

"No, I suppose not."

He lifted his Starbucks cup to his mouth.

"So why did you buy Greene Publishing?"I asked, trying really hard not to have a quick look at his bulge.

He set the plastic cup down with a shrug, after he finished his sip. "Because it's a good investment. Why do you work for Greene Publishing?"

That was easy. I answered without missing a beat. "Dominic needed a new H.R manager, he knew I worked in HR and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse." I didn't add that I knew Dominic from my personal life; he was one of my brother's closet friends from Uni so he was practically always at our house during half terms. Plus he had walked in on me when I was on the toilet so it was hard to ignore each other really.

Chamberlain raised a brow. Any higher and it would have jumped in to his hairline. "Really?"

I nodded.

"So what would I have to offer you to work for me?" He asked easily as if he asked what I thought about the weather.

"I beg your pardon?" My own eyebrows nearly jumped in to my hairline. "I already work for you."

"I was referring to Chamberlain Inc. I always thought our human resources department was lacking."

I opened my mouth. Then firmly shut it again. I'm supposed to be getting my underwear, not a job. Finally, when my mouth and brain started to work together, I managed to say, "What's wrong with the human resources director you have now?"

"Nothing. He's fine. But he isn't as pretty to look at, though."

I laughed with a blush. "Is that what you told him about the previous HR director?"

"It's what I tell everyone I want to hire." He grinned with a light chuckle. "But seriously, interested?"

I licked my lips. Was I interested? Slightly. Only slightly, though. I loved my job. I wouldn't trade it lightly, that was for sure. And, more importantly, could I seriously work for this man? Eh, well, I already do but at his own company?

"Maybe." I said, swirling the straw around in my drink, trying to find a way to change the subject without actually having to give an answer. "If you were a biscuit, what kind would you be?" Thank god for my Hobnobs floating on my mind. Hmm, I faniced one now.

Chamberlain gave me a funny look. I had a feeling he didn't often compare himself to a biscuit.

"A chocolate chip cookie, chocolate digestive or perhaps even a Jaffa cake?" I offered. I was in full swing now, there was no shutting me up. "I think I'd be a pink panther wafer. Moreish until their suddenly not, you know? I'm kinda like that, I suppose."

"You're moreish?" Chamberlain smirked at me.

I pursed my lips. "Well, no. Moreish is the wrong word."

Chamberlain shifted in his chair. "I think it fits."

"So what biscuit would you be?" I asked, trying to hide the blush from his words.

"A plain digestive." He smiled.

"OK, why?"

"Because you know exactly what you're getting."

I raised my eyebrow.

"So to speak," he added.

"Interesting." I took a sip of my drink and had a glance down at my wrist watch. The hour was nearly over. I wondered if he was going to mention it because I certainly wasn't going to.

"How so?" He asked.

I gave a semi-shrug. "I just would have pegged you as a chocolate bourbon. You know, hard on the outside with a soft bit in the middle."

Chamberlain snorted. "Soft bit in the middle? I hope you're not referring to my stomach."

I blushed. "No, of course not. Well, I don't know you but by just looking at you, that's what comes across." Just as the last word came from my mouth, my stomach let out a loud grumble. All this talk of biscuits made me hungry. Or was it him? Either way, I needed to stuff something in my mouth soon.

Ergh, you're disgusting, Mia.

"Drink up, we're going for lunch."Chamberlain drained his coffee.

"Uh, no-"

"Come on." He stood up and smiled down at me. "You're hungry, I'm hungry, let's go."

"You know I could have gotten us a reservation."Chamberlain said, poking around in his plastic Greg's bag.

I glanced back at him. "I don't doubt you. But why be stuck inside when we can eat outside?" I raised an eyebrow and looked out on to the Thames, to illustrate my point. And I really didn't trust myself with alcohol and this man again.

Chamberlain barked a short laugh. "Until it starts raining."

I unscrewed my bottle of water and took a few sips. "No confidence in the British weather."

Chamberlain gave me a steady look. "You obviously haven't lived in London very long."

I'm from London," I replied, now peeling back the plastic from the sandwich packet and tucking in.

Hmm. I forgot how hungry I was. If Chamberlain wasn't here, I'd probably shove it whole in to my face. I really am a pig. There was a few moments of silence, expect for the faint sounds of London traffic, birds and the odd plane flying over as we ate.

"So, tell me." Chamberlain said after he inhaled his own sandwich. At least I wasn't the only secret pig here.

I shielded my mouth with my hand, afraid that I'd sprinkle my lap with crumbs, or get him in the face with them. "Tell you what?"

Chamberlain twisted on the beach, his arm leaning on the back of the metal bench so he was looking at me. I noticed how close his hand was to my back. "Boyfriend?"

I violently shook my head after I had finished my mouthful. "If I did, I'd be in serious trouble."

"Wha-ah. Right." His mouth twisted in to a small smile.

"Girlfriend?"

"If I did, I'd be in serious trouble too."

"Good thing we don't then, isn't it?" I was still hungry. I wondered if he'd mind if I asked if I could have his packet of crisps. I forced my eyes away from his packet of Walkers and up to his face. He really was gorgeous. Why didn't he have a girlfriend? Hmm, maybe he has a secret fetish. It wouldn't surprise me if he did, he's too good looking to be 'normal'.

"I suppose it is." He agreed, looking out to the Thames. "Although, I can't say I remember much." He gave me a sheepish look with a shrug when I glanced at him.

"Thank god I'm not the only one! I don't remember anything, really." I admitted freely. "So it's like it never happened."

Chamberlain grinned, and if I wasn't already sitting down, I would have fallen over. His smile made my knees explode. "Oh, it happened. It may be a bit fuzzy but I certainly do remember the important bits."

I blushed, and let my big mouth start to waffle. "Was it any decent?"

Chamberlain gave a full on stomach laugh. I couldn't help but chuckle along. "Weren't bad. A lot of fumbling but not bad."

Oh god. I cringed. Not only did I have a one night stand with my boss, it was also terrible. I pushed my fringe away from my burning face. I should have known this would have reared its ugly head. Damn, why didn't I flip to HR mode? Crapery crap.

"I do apologise," I didn't look at him. "I was so pissed; I probably just laid there like a log."

"Er," Chamberlain coughed. "Not from what I can remember."

If it was possible, my cheeks would have lit up like a Christmas tree. "Which reminds me. My knickers."

"Yes, your knickers." He replied casually. "I can drop them to your house tonight, if you like."

Jesus Christ! I was taken off guard. He wanted to hand deliver my knickers? Who does that? I couldn't even imagine Prince William doing that, to be honest. Not that Prince William would ever get himself in this situation, he knows better, but if it had happened to him, he'd probably just post them. I just couldn't picture Chamberlain hand delivering my underwear. Well, unless he just drops them outside the front door in a plastic bag, rings the doorbell then pisses off.

"No, I wouldn't want to put you out." I said despite my head screaming YES! at me.

"It's no trouble. I'm not particularly busy tonight." Chamberlain told me easily.

"Really-" I was cut off by the sudden ring of his mobile.

Chamberlain leaped up and pulled it from his pocket.

"Chamberlain….Yes." He slowly took a few steps away from the bench.

I'm ashamed to admit that I ogled his arse. Click. Mental picture saved and filed away. I really am crude, and it's very un-ladylike. But I'm totally willing to overlook my blatant lack of manners. I could bounce a penny off that arse, and it'd hit me right back in the eye.

I tore my eyes away, partly knowing that I was behaving like an animal and partly afraid I'd fish a penny out from my purse and test my theory.

He's your boss. He's your boss. He's your boss. He's your boss. He's your boss.

"Amelia," Chamberlain slid his phone back in to his pocket and stood in front of me when he was off the phone. "Eight OK for tonight?"

My eye line met his crotch. "Absolutely."

Oh, hell. I just spoke to his penis.