Watching her backbone spring into action at the mere mention of two other interns, Mark tries not to smile at her indignation.
“Sir, with all due respect, I created the problem— I’d like to be the one to clean it up.”
“A young girl here all alone with me at night won’t look right,” he explains, shaking his head believably as he holds both hands up. “Thank you, Jasmine, but I’m going to have to decline.”
“ No , please!” she begs, reaching out for his hand. Mark’s cock stirs at her touch. “Please—I…”
Staring behind him to make sure her next words are for his ears only, Jasmine whispers,
“I can stay tonight—as late as you need me to. I won’t tell anyone, I swear —but please…please allow me to fix this?”
Trying to look as concerned as can be, Mark takes a deep, theatrical breath as he pretends to ponder her offer.
Rubbing at his eyes with a thumb and forefinger, he finally relents.
“Okay,” he whispers back. “I really wouldn’t ask for help on this, but I’m just ridiculously swamped right now…”
“I understand, I promise to take care of it. And once again, I am so sorry…”
Mark gives a kind smile.
“It’s okay,” he assures. “As long as it’s taken care of tonight, there’ll be no problems, and we’ll be okay.”
Jasmine smiles, and lets out a sigh of relief.
“I’m probably not going to be available until a little after eight—is that too late for you? Please let me know as soon as possible if it is, and I’m sure I can get Ian or Justin to…”
“I’ll be here,” she states firmly. “I’ll go home at five, and return at eight o’clock, on the dot —I’ll be here.”
Continuing to look unsure about their arrangement, Mark folds his arms as he pretends to be reconsidering.
“Eight o’clock, Mr. Peters. I’ll be here, and I’ll fix the mess I created. I swear it.”
Pressing his lips together firmly, Mark finally nods and sighs,
“Okay. Thank you, Jasmine—I appreciate your offer. I’m going to head home for a bit to try and concentrate on another project. I’ll be back at eight.”
Turning before she can say another word, he leaves her to calm her fragile bundle of nerves.
* * * * *
Mark wastes no time in leaving for the day. Giving his secretary the message that he’ll be working from home, he rushes out of the building and heads to his car.
Once inside, he grips the steering wheel tightly while taking a deep breath.
He’d done it.
It was finally going to happen.
He’d played his role well, and he was finally going to get what he desired.
Imagining Jasmine’s arms delicately draped around his neck while she sat on his lap gives him a few minutes of silent pleasure before he starts the engine, and takes off.
* * * * *
Mark spends most of the day lounging about his penthouse apartment, while taking generous sips of Dom Perignon.
Falling asleep at some point, he awakens at around seven, and realizes he’s running late.
Hopping into the shower, he hurriedly gets dressed again to head back to the office.
He’s greeted at the front desk by a young guard named Derrick, who looks surprised to see him there. After