Chapter 12 - Joyce

“Bellamy, oh my dear, Bell,” I said softly, trying not to hurt Bell’s feelings. “I’m sorry, but I…” My words disappeared as I saw Anton approaching us at an incredible speed. Bellamy started working here about two months back. He was a nice guy but not my type. He had made passes at me since day one, which I had just ignored.

But today, he was like a love-sick puppy following me around. I was about to break his heart. I just needed to find the right words. But now I had none as the disturbing look on Anton’s face was slightly frightening. I could see he wasn’t happy, but I wasn’t sure why.

Bellamy glanced over his shoulder as Anton reached us. There was no time to react as I stood frozen, watching the scene unfold. Anton grabbed Bell by his collar. He turned rapidly, lifting Bellamy into the air. Then, moving forward, he pounded him against the building wall. I could hear the air leaving Bell’s lungs as a deep ‘puff’ sound came out of his mouth.

“Hi,” Anton spat at Bellamy. “I’m Anton. Joyce, she is my girl. Do we understand each other? Whatever you were trying to do here won’t work.”

Bell’s face turned white as the wall he was up against. He nodded desperately as Anton spoke. “And who are you then?” Anton added. I felt my stomach turning as my breakfast appeared to be pushing back up. It felt like I was going to be sick.

I could see Anton’s grip was too tight. Bell’s mouth opened and shut, but nothing came out. “Anton,” I heaved at him, finally able to find my voice and move my body. Stepping closer, I slapped his arm repeatedly. “Let go of the man. He hasn’t done anything wrong.”

Anton glanced at me as he slowly lowered Bellamy back to his feet and loosened his grip. The look in his eyes was one of disappointment. I couldn’t understand what was happening.

“I was just leaving,” Bell heaved out as he pushed Anton’s hand away. “I work here with Joyce,” he added, looking at me.

He squirmed sideways against the wall past Anton before revolving and briskly heading back in. Anton turned to face me. I couldn’t help my body's reaction. Before I knew it, I had slapped him across the face.

“You have no right to call me your girlfriend or introduce yourself as my boyfriend. We are not a couple!” I uttered, wanting to scream at him. But I knew we were in public and didn’t want to make more of a scene than we already had.

Stomping my foot on the ground, I felt rage surging through me. “Who the hell do you think you are?” I spat at him.

“You appeared uncomfortable; I was just trying to help you out of what seemed to be a situation,” Anton said, reaching out.

Walking back a step, I shook my head as I responded. “I don’t need your help! I am very capable of sorting out my life without you. I have done it for years before you came along.”

“Joyce,” Anton said softly, coming towards me.

Fuming, I continued to reprimand him. “No, Anton, you do not own me. The way you reacted, I would think you were jealous. Yet, you have no right.” I turned and stormed into the building. Stepping into the elevator, I turned to press the button. There he was. I didn’t even hear him following me. But Anton was standing between me and the buttons.

His expression had changed. I couldn’t decide if he was angry, disappointed, or what. I opened my mouth, wanting him to leave. But before I could get a word out, he had moved forward. He lightly pushed me up against the back of the elevator. He stared into my eyes, his seemingly on fire.

I felt my heart race increasing. My body flooded with emotions as I felt the heat between us. Glancing sideways, I tried to clear my mind and take control of the sudden influx of intense hormones.

“You are mine,” he breathed out. I felt his hot breath touching my neck. “We may not be dating, but no one else will get to touch you. If I can’t have you, no one else will.” His tone was calm but decisive.

I felt a chill running down my spine. Looking at him, I lifted my hands as I tried to push him back. I couldn’t even get him to move an inch. Anton was much bigger than me and built like a mountain. “I’m not a piece of clothing or property you can own or control. You have no claim on me, Anton.” I huffed at him, feeling my resistance crumbling.

He grinned at me, placing his hands against the elevator wall behind me. Leaning closer, he whispered into my ear. “I have all the right I need. I can keep anyone away from you if I choose. Not you or anyone else can stop me, ever.”

My skin felt like ice suddenly. This was a side of him I had never seen before. I could hear a deep possessiveness coming through in his tone. Yet, having him so close to me was causing turmoil within me.

He gently placed his hands on my shoulders. He slowly moved them down my arms, igniting all my senses. Staring into his grey eyes, it felt like my soul was being pulled into the danger he held. He was absorbing my essence, and I couldn’t fight it.

I tried, but my body wanted it. My body ached for his touch. Lovingly, he took my face in his hands as he pushed harder up against me. Our lips met, and I could feel sparks running through me. I wanted to pull away, but my body resisted. There was no fighting the attraction. I felt sure that I was losing my mind.

My lips were stuck to his, my body under his spell. As he pulled back, releasing me from the kiss, my hands reached out. Placing them around his neck, I found myself pulling him closer.

Anton smiled as he turned and pressed the elevator button for my floor. He stood staring into my eyes as the elevator moved upwards. A knot formed in my throat, and I swallowed hard. My body ached from my toes to my head.

By the time the doors opened, I wanted him to take me. We walked to my office, ignoring everyone we passed. I slammed the door shut and flung myself into his open arms. “Anton,” I breathed out heavily.

This time, I welcomed his lips, kissing him back. The longer we kissed, the more I wanted him. I felt a heat rushing through me as desire ran wild through my veins. His lips were warm and soft. He tasted like chocolate mint. I found myself wondering what he had for breakfast.

Anton pulled back for air, and I couldn’t keep the giggle from escaping. Grabbing my hips, he pulled me towards my desk. “What’s so funny, doll?” he asked as he swung around, pressing into me powerfully. I responded by taking hold of his hips and pulling him in tighter.

Lust ran rampant as our lips met with force this time. My body wanted him; I needed to feel him inside me. I felt my pussy starting to throb. Pulling at his shirt, I managed to loosen it from the grip his jeans had on it. I moved my hands up over his abs to his chest. I felt every twitch of his muscles as his body responded to my touch.

He wanted me as much as I wanted him; of this, I was sure. Anton pulled back, grabbing my hands. Looking up into his fiery eyes, I felt confused. He leaned in and gently kissed my cheek.

I watched in utter amazement as he started walking backwards, pushing his shirt back into his pants.

“What’s wrong?” I asked as he reached the door.

He stared at me for a second before smiling. He opened the door before speaking in a deep, low tone. “Joyce, doll, I promise you you will be mine by the end. I will ensure no one else has a chance to get to you.”

Once again, I stood frozen, watching as he excited my office and closed the door behind him. I sat down on the edge of my desk, feeling utterly trapped. I struggled to wrap my mind around everything that was going on.

The rest of my day was a blur. I mechanically moved through my chores and went home with everyone else. My mind was blown. I felt lost somehow. I had supper before the television without even putting it on.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get him out of my mind. Taking a long soaking bath, I trailed a finger across my lips. Closing my eyes, I could almost feel his touching mine.

As I got to work the next day, a flower delivery came. At first, I thought it was a nice gesture. But then Bellamy arrived. His neck was red, and there was a lump on his chest. “Bell,” I said stepping closer as he came off the elevator.

“No, no, don’t you come close to me,” he huffed, moving back into the elevator.

“Is that from…,” Before I could finish my question, he waved his hands at me. It looked like he was trying to wave me away.

“This is from your boyfriend,” he said, repeatedly slamming the elevator buttons so the door would close. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Turning, I chucked the flowers in the bin and headed for my office. How could Anton have been so rough? I felt my anger rising again as I sat down behind my desk and buried myself in work.