INVISIBLE NO MORE: Her Kept Man

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Office

POV: Alex

I arrived at the office early the next morning like Elena ordered. The floor was still quiet, most desks empty. I set my bag down at my new workstation and checked the watch she gave me. Seven fifteen. My phone showed no new messages from Sophia. She had not texted or called since I left last night. Part of me wondered if she had finally given up. Another part did not care.

Elena’s office door stood open. I walked over and knocked on the frame.

She looked up from her laptop, hair pulled back, fresh suit on. “Come in and close the door.”

I stepped inside and shut it behind me. She pointed to the chair in front of her desk.

“Sit. We have work to do before the team arrives.”

I sat. She slid a thick folder across the desk.

“This is the Harrison account. You will lead the analysis. Full report due in three days. I want projections, risk assessment, everything. And I want it perfect.”

I opened the folder and scanned the first page. The numbers looked solid but complicated. “Three days is tight.”

“Then you will work late.” She leaned forward. “That is rule seven. You stay until I say you can leave.”

My pulse picked up. “Understood.”

She stood and walked around the desk. Her hand rested on my shoulder for a second, then moved to the back of my neck. She squeezed lightly.

“Rule eight. When we are alone in here, you address me properly.”

I looked up at her. “Properly?”

“Call me Ms. Voss when the door is closed.”

The words sent a rush through me. I swallowed. “Yes, Ms. Voss.”

She smiled and let go of my neck. “Good. Now get to work. I will check on you at lunch.”

I took the folder back to my desk and dove in. The morning passed in a blur of spreadsheets and notes. Every time someone walked by I kept my head down, but my mind kept drifting to the way Elena had said my name last night while she rode me on her couch. The way she had pinned my wrists and told me not to come until she allowed it.

At noon she sent a text. “My office.”

I saved my file and walked over. She closed the door behind me and locked it.

“Progress?” she asked.

“Halfway through the data pull.”

She sat on the edge of her desk and crossed her legs. “Show me.”

I opened the folder and stepped closer. While I pointed out the key figures she reached down and unbuckled my belt. Her hand slipped inside my pants and wrapped around me.

“Keep talking,” she said.

I tried. My voice came out rough as she stroked me slowly. “The risk on the third quarter looks higher than expected because of supply chain issues.”

“Mm. And how do you plan to fix that?” Her thumb circled the tip.

I gripped the edge of the desk. “I will run alternative scenarios this afternoon.”

She pumped me faster. “Good boy.”

Heat built fast. I was close already. She stopped suddenly and pulled her hand away.

“Rule nine,” she said. “You do not come unless I tell you to. Not even when you are alone thinking about me.”

I breathed hard, aching. “Yes, Ms. Voss.”

She wiped her hand on a tissue and handed me the folder. “Back to your desk. Finish the report. And fix your belt before you leave.”

I adjusted my clothes and walked out. The rest of the afternoon dragged. Every time I shifted in my chair I felt the frustration she had left me with. My phone buzzed around four. Sophia this time.

“I made reservations for dinner tonight. Seven o’clock. We need to talk.”

I stared at the message. Part of me wanted to ignore it. Another part knew I had to face her eventually. I typed back, “I will be late from work.”

Her reply came quick. “How late?”

I did not answer.

At six thirty Elena called me into her office again. She had her jacket off and two glasses of whiskey on the desk.

“Sit.”

I sat. She pushed one glass toward me.

“Drink.”

I took a sip. The burn felt good.

She watched me over the rim of her own glass. “Your wife has been calling the main line looking for you.”

My stomach tightened. “What did you tell her?”

“That you were in a closed-door meeting.” She set her glass down. “Rule ten. You handle your home situation without letting it touch your work. Or me.”

“I will.”

She stood and came around the desk. This time she straddled my lap, her skirt riding up. Her hands gripped my shoulders.

“Show me how grateful you are for this job, Alex.”

I kept my hands at my sides even though I wanted to touch her. “Yes, Ms. Voss.”

She kissed me hard, grinding down against me. I stayed still, letting her take what she wanted. When she finally pulled back her lips were swollen.

“Go home,” she said. “But tomorrow you come straight here after you leave your wife. I want you needy.”

I nodded. She climbed off me and straightened her skirt.

“Dismissed.”

I drove home with her taste still on my mouth and my body wound tight. Sophia had the table set when I walked in. Candles, wine, the whole thing. She wore a dress that showed off her figure, the one I used to love.

“You made it,” she said.

“Barely.”

She poured me a glass of wine. “Sit. Eat. Then we talk.”

I sat but barely touched the food. Sophia watched me across the table.

“You look tired,” she said. “And different. That watch. The way you carry yourself. It is all her, isn’t it?”

“Work is demanding.”

“Do not lie to me, Alex.” Her voice shook. “I called your office. They said you were in a meeting with the head of the department. A woman.”

I took a sip of wine. “She is my boss.”

Sophia laughed once, sharp. “Of course she is. And last night? You were with her again?”

“Yes.”

She pushed her plate away. “I have been sitting here thinking about us. About how I pushed you too far with that stupid arrangement idea. I take it back. I do not want other men. I want my husband back.”

I looked at her. The woman across from me had spent years making me feel like I was lucky to be chosen. Now she looked scared.

“You cannot take it back,” I said. “Words like that do not disappear.”

“Then tell me what to do.” She reached across the table for my hand. “I will do counseling. I will be better. Just stop seeing her.”

I pulled my hand away. “It is not that simple anymore.”

“Why? Because she fucks you better than I do?”

“Because she sees me.” I stood up. “She does not keep me around as a safety net.”

Sophia stood too. Tears ran down her cheeks now. “I love you, Alex. Does that mean nothing?”

“It used to mean everything.”

I grabbed my coat. She followed me to the door.

“Do not walk out again,” she said. “If you leave tonight I will call my father. I will tell him everything.”

I opened the door. “Tell him.”

She grabbed my arm. “Alex, please.”

I looked down at her hand on me. Then back at her face.

“I have somewhere to be.”

I stepped outside. Her voice rose behind me.

“If you go to her now, we are finished!”

I kept walking to my car. Before I started the engine I sent Elena a text.

“On my way. I need you.”

Her reply came in seconds.

“Good. I have been waiting to break you in properly.”

I drove fast through the city streets. When I reached her building I took the elevator up and knocked on her door.

Elena opened it wearing only a robe. She pulled me inside and pushed me against the wall.

“Tell me,” she said, voice low. “Did you leave your wife crying?”

I nodded.

She smiled and untied her robe.

“Then show me how much you want to forget her.”