Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
I can’t help myself from touching her, though, and Faith leans into me unashamedly as I slide my arm around her waist and pull her close, ensuring Tom sees every ounce of possession in my glare.
“You make her uncomfortable ever again and you’re going to have to deal with me,” I say, fighting to keep my voice professional but ensuring he hears the threat for what it is. “There’s nothing wrong with Faith and I seeing each other. We’re both consenting adults who can make their own choices without input from people like you.”
Tom’s eyes go wide as plates as he looks around the table in search of support or backup. His cheeks go red. “Are you hearing this?” he asks our colleagues, outraged. “He threatened me! That was a threat!”
Finally, someone else speaks up. It’s Georgia from Human Resources, a nice woman but one who takes no nonsense. Normally, we all make an effort not to get on her bad side, but as I stand there, arm around Faith, facing off Tom, I find that I no longer care if I’m breaking the rules. She can do her worst. Faith is worth it.
“Ford and Faith are right,” Georgia says, much to Tom’s horror. I take great satisfaction in the way he looks like he’s going to explode at her words. “There’s a work relationship form to sign, but there’s no policies that forbid them from being together.”
“But—” Tom tries to say, slamming his hand on the table as though being loud will make him right.
Georgia ignores his outburst as she addresses him. “You’re going to have even more problems if you want to try to pursue this. Not to mention that you’ll be in a hell of a lot of trouble for harassment if Faith decides to file a report, which she has every right to do. I would consider your next words very carefully, Tom.”
Tom splutters, making noise, though there are no discernible words coming out.
Joseph Greene, the head of our whole office and technically the boss of all of us, clears his throat, drawing all our attention to him. “Ford and Faith are technically equals, each head of their respective departments. There’s no problem with the power dynamics here at all. By their own admission, their relationship is consensual. I don’t make it a habit of getting involved in my employees’ personal relationships, and I don’t plan on starting now. I advise you, Tom, to calm down and focus on your job, which, if I must remind you, is computers, not personal relationships.” Faith and I smile gratefully at him, and he adds, “Now, I’m sure we all have better things to be doing than sitting here discussing this. Let’s get back to the issues at hand, shall we?”
Thoroughly put in his place, Tom goes silent, beet red and fuming, as Faith and I take our seats for the meeting. Joseph provides a quick recap of the agenda, and we dive into work.
“Faith, I believe you had an outline of your next marketing campaign ready to present?” one of our colleagues prompts, and Faith grins, nodding.
“Yes! I truly think this is one of our best yet. The team has worked so hard on it,” she begins, quickly logging in to the computer attached to the projector to bring up the outline. She presents efficiently and engagingly, and I can’t take my eyes off her.
This smart, capable, sassy, strong woman is mine.
I’m the luckiest man in the whole fucking world.
Everybody, including me, loves the campaign idea, and our boss praises her highly for how well she works with her team and the quality of work she’s produced since starting here. She accepts the compliments gracefully, even going so far as to give me credit for helping her when she needed assistance. I smile, imagining all the ways I can show her how helpful I can be after work. Unsurprisingly, the campaign gets approved without any objections, and I squeeze her thigh under the table, silently showing my pride and support.
Fuck, I’m so proud of her.
She’s incredible.
And all mine.
6
FAITH
“Here’s to all of you!” I say, waving my hand to the feast spread out in the kitchen. I bought lunch for my whole team after the campaign went live, and it was, almost instantly, a huge success. The team and I worked so hard on this project, and it paid off.
The team congratulates me back as they start grabbing plates and coffees, and I’m so glad to have such a good relationship with them all. I was worried when I started that it would be hard for me to take over from the last girl, but from the start, I loved this role.
I love it even more now that it’s led me to Ford.
It’s only been a month since that first day we got together, but I already can’t picture my life without him. I love him, as crazy as that may seem to anyone else but us. We spend every day together now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.