Rebeka – 10. chapter

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“Good morning.” Rebeka knocked on Erik’s doorframe just a few minutes after eight. He immediately knew she was about to piss him off first thing in the morning, and sure enough, she did.

“I just want to let you know that I need to oversee investments. So as of today, I’m taking away your authority to approve purchases over ten thousand,” she announced flatly.

He glared daggers at her and ground his teeth.

“That’s all,” she finished and turned on her heel.

That was when his nerves snapped.

“Miss Langsfeld!” he called after her, getting to his feet.

When she reappeared in the doorway, he was already at the door too. He grabbed her by the elbow, pulled her inside, and shut the door. She fixed him with an angry glare, but before she could speak, he started.

“I’ve decided it would really be better if I got out of your way.”

“…I’ve already taken care of that,” she replied coolly.

“I mean completely.” He shook his head.

She frowned, waiting. Erik continued.

“If you fire me, I get severance. But I’m willing to resign on my own.”

Rebeka walked slowly to his desk, leaned her backside against it, and crossed her arms over her chest. She thought for a few minutes, then looked at him decisively.

“I don’t want you to leave.”

“Professionally, I have nothing left to give this company. All we do is argue. We see things completely differently. I want to leave.”

She shook her head.

“I won’t allow it.”

“For fuck’s sake, can you explain why?!” he shouted at her.

She pinned him under a stern look for a few seconds, making sure he understood that this wasn’t behavior he’d get away with.

“I’m sorry,” he said more calmly.

“Yes, I can explain why,” she nodded, conciliatory now. “This company needs you. At least, it will. You’re an excellent manager and dealmaker. I won’t be here long. Just long enough to fix what went to shit, through no fault of yours. And once I leave, the company will grow again and need capable people. Then you can expand. I’m sure it will work out perfectly. You’ve thought everything through and run the numbers.”

He stared at her, fascinated.

“That… sounded like a compliment,” he said finally.

She smiled with surprising sincerity.

“I don’t have a problem with that. If you deserve it.”

They both laughed. She gave him one more encouraging look and walked past him.

“Have a nice day,” she said as she headed for the door.

She had never made him feel like this before. A rush of endorphins and that beautiful smile made him turn quickly. He caught her elbow again, this time much more gently. He took another step and slid his other hand into her hair. She didn’t even have time to react before he was kissing her. Caught off guard, she didn’t resist. He began stroking her back, his lips moving to her ear, then her neck.

“Erik,” she breathed and tried to push him away.

“Please,” he whispered between kisses. “You’ll ask for it yourself in a moment anyway. Enjoy it. In the end, you’ll be the one telling me exactly how I should do it to you.”

Before she could respond, he gently pressed her against the wall and pushed his tongue into her mouth. He tried to restrain her as little as possible, afraid she might decide to resist. He waited tensely for her reaction, then realized she was kissing him back and stroking his chest.