Next Day

I step out of the shower feeling about a million times better until my eyes hit the clothes sitting on the bathroom sink. His clothes, his shower, his apartment. I can still feel a throb between my legs aching for him and now I'm about to put on a pair of his gym shorts and one of those skull tee's, just surround myself with him and not actually be able to touch him that way again. In the shower all I could hear was the water, all I felt was the warmth, now that I'm out I can feel his arms around me again, I can feel his cock throbbing between my legs, minuscule fabric the only thing keeping him from just thrusting into me had he chosen to do so. He says he was just teasing, it's easy to buy that to a degree. He's fucking hot as hell. Attitude or not he could have pretty much any woman he set sights on, he wouldn't want the annoying girl that's always correcting the way he talks, the way he behaves. He basically nearly hates me I'm sure. Then there's the other side of it, all the things that make no sense. He told me I looked nice at the party, not the dress me. It was extremely obvious he didn't want me talking to Kirishima, but looking back on it he seemed to keep all the men at the party away from me as much as possible. The way he drank from my cup knowing I drank from it already, the way he smiles when he catches me looking at him. He called me pretty girl last night. When he begged me to stay it felt like he was asking for more than just the one night. What the hell am I going to do? He can't like me, I won't be able to resist if that's the case. I fantasize about the man all the time as it is.

When I finally come out of the bathroom he's in the kitchen with tea ready to go, he's got the lights down, most likely to appease his hangover, but otherwise everything seems perfectly normal. "So, what do we do to recover from the article?" He ask the question not quite looking at me, but just to the side of me, a trick I taught him to use if he's speaking to someone and needs to hide his emotions. "Well one thing is to find out how many people have read and talked about it spreading word online and other media platforms." He nods sipping his tea "Another good thing we could do is try to get out ahead of this, best way to do that is to get you on TV, it will be ready to go a lot sooner than another print article." He shifts his gaze and stares me right in the eyes and I desperately wish he had kept looking away. It's like I can suddenly feel the pain and panic he's feeling and hate myself for wanting him even more because of it. "Ok first things first, before we move on I need to understand how you're feeling. I see pain and panic, but I'm not on my A game today so please help me out here." He walks closer and hands me a cup of tea before having a seat on the couch gesturing for me to join him there. "You answer some questions for once, then maybe I'll answer yours." I appreciate the fact that he used a lot of energy to stop himself from yelling at me and agree to play along. "Am I imagining things when I think you're looking at me? And don't play coy, you know what I mean." I should have gone home, instead we're going to have this conversation and Jeanist will fire me.

"I try not to, I know its unprofessional, I'm sorry." He lets out an odd laugh

"So is it just a physical attraction or is there more to it than that?"

"I- I'm sorry but I can't answer that."

"Why did you stay last night?"

"Other than the fact that you asked me to, I didn't actually want to go. You were kind of a pain in the ass sometimes, but you were more relaxed than I've ever seen you and I didn't want it to be over."

"If I kissed you right now, would you hate me?" SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT ABORT. It's too late my body doesn't listen to my brain, instead I shake my head no and before I know what's happening he's on his knees in front of me pulling me closer as he leans in, his lips pressed up against mine. I exhale after realizing I was holding my breath, his forehead resting against mine. "I want you. I want you so bad, but I'm afraid if I act on that I'll mess everything up and lose you forever. That pain you said you saw is me wishing we could be more. The panic is I don't want to go on TV." I lean in again and kiss him softly. "I think I should go. You didn't do anything wrong, it's just I want you too and I'm afraid of what may happen if we stop fighting it. I can't imagine Jeanist is the kind of man that approves of interoffice relations, you won't be the one to lose your job, I will. I'd rather never act on this impulse and still be able to be around to see you than to risk it all and wind up back in California sleeping on moms couch until I figure out what's next." He pulls me in again kissing me, this time licking my bottom lip causing me to moan. I pull away from him and leave as quickly as I can.

I walk into the genius building quickly and with a purpose fully aware I forgot my badge and clothes at Bakugos place, I get a few looks but no one stops me. When I reach the 7th floor I march straight to Jeanist office, heart pounding in my chest. His assistant says something to me, but I ignore him and knock on his door with urgency. "Come in Miss L/N" He's expecting me? Was there a meeting I forgot about? I open the door and enter, he sits alone in his office in his head to toe denim as usual. He gestures for me to take a seat but I shake my head afraid I'll lose my nerve if I'm not standing. I hear a chuckle when he really looks at me and sees me in Bakugos clothes slippers still on my feet. "How can I help you Miss L/N" I take in a deep breath and release my question with one exhale. "What is the policy for interoffice relationships sir?" He nods at me calmly before standing. "The policy is, that I review them case by case to determine if I feel they will pose an issue for the company." He stands in front of me bending over to look me directly in the eye. "What happened between yourself and Mr. Bakugo?" His gaze doesn't break, but I do. "Nothing, I mean not serious or anything, we um kissed a little. Then I left and came here after a mini panic session." He flicks at the shirt that's threating to swallow me "And this?" "He wasn't well last night, I stayed there to keep an eye on him he let me borrow these." He puts his hand under my chin forcing me to look directly at him. "Do you care about him as a person or is your interest purely physical?" I swallow, mouth feeling dry. "I care about him, he's a good man, I enjoy spending time with him. I don't even mind it so much when he yells at me." He nods heading back to his seat. "You gonna come in Bakugo?" The door opens from behind me and he steps in looking at his own feet. "Alright, here's the thing. You two work well together, better than I thought possible. I don't think Miss L/N could be replaced should things not work out between the two of you and you break up. I forbid it."