“Yeah, we have the Eiffel Premier room too. Sweet.”
If he was trying to put on an innocent face, it wasn’t working. He looked nervous, which meant that he knew more about this reservation than he let on.
“Adam, what’s going on?”
“I don’t kno—“
“The hell if you don’t!”
Adam threw down the papers and walked over to close the door. He then came back and stood over her, his arms crossed over his chest. “Did you ever think that maybe travel is playing a little joke on us.”
“No, but I am thinking that you had your hand in this.”
“And if I did. What’s wrong with staying at the Shangri-La Hotel Paris?”
“Nothing. But that’s the problem now, money is going down the drainpipe and we’re supposed to stop it. ‘Our’ room alone, not counting the first class flight, is costing eleven hundred a night.”
“Don’t worry about the price, I’m picking up the difference—.”
“Ah Ha! I knew it. You did have something if not everything to do with this.”
“Alright. I did. What of it?”
She couldn’t believe it. He went totally Perry Mason on her. He stood right there in front of her and admitted that he basically lied to her—and he had no shame! “I can’t believe you would do such a thing. Is it that important that you be with me?”
“Yes.”
“You know I can call Sam and have her cancel this whole trip?”
“You could, but you won’t. Your work ethic is too strong. You want to find out about this as much as I do. That’s what you were hired for. Besides, what would you say to Sam? That I did this on purpose? You wouldn’t want to get me in trouble just because you’re scared to be in the same room with me—alone.
“Scared? I’m not scared. I could care less. I…I was saying that there is enough money being wasted around here and just because you want to be near me, you shouldn’t waste anymore. Anyway, aren’t you afraid of the rumor mill?”
“Apparently not as scared as you. Look, I’m just as nervous as you, but it will be fun. Besides, we’ll be away from this office. The Paris group isn’t as nosy.”
In reality, she was frightened to death. It wasn’t the fact that they would be in the most romantic city in the world. They could have been in the trenches of Afghanistan. It was being with him. Who knows what kind of wild sex they would be having. She didn’t think she could take it. And would they get any work done?
And he had her just where he wanted her too. He knew she wouldn’t dime him out and he counted on that. She didn’t know what ticked her off more, the fact he went behind her back and made these cozy reservations, or that he knew she would shut up about it.
Right now, she couldn’t think straight. She would deal with this when they landed in Paris.
“So, are we going to sit here and fight about this, or act like adults and take the trip and do the work.”
“You don’t see a problem with this do you? Oh course not, what am I saying, you’re the one that connived to get this set up.” Jeanette turned on her laptop and printed out some more purchase orders.
“You act like it’s such a hardship to be with me.” Adam leaned over to her, his face in hers, their noses almost touching. “When we both know you know how sweet it can be.”
Jeanette resisted the urge to slap his face. It was hard, because her hand was shaking, almost itching to make contact with his cheek. But was it to slap him or rub her hands over that strong jaw and swipe her fingers over those sensuous lips?
“You are conceited.”
“No, it’s a fact. Remember I was there that morning.”
She felt her face heat up. Why did he bring that up? She almost had it out of her mind—for at least a few seconds
She couldn’t deny she was attracted to him, and she hated it. She hated spiraling out of control over this man. The first day she laid eyes on him, she saw trouble. The first time he touched her, that cinched it.
No way out. She was his, despite fighting him every step of the way; he was going to make sure it was a losing battle.
But give up, she wouldn’t.
“So you are willing to get called on the carpet with Sam, just to have me in the same room with you?” Jeanette asked cocking her head.
“No question. I don’t know about you, but I find some things worth taking a risk for. Including love.”
For the first time, Jeanette was speechless.
***
Adam was flying by the seat of his pants again. He had no other way to explain the reservations, so he decided to be honest with her. How ironic. He played on the fact she wouldn’t say anything, and he felt like shit for it, but desperate times called for drastic actions. He refused to give up on her and on them. They belonged together, whether she believed it or not.
“Love? You called what we did love?”
“Don’t cheapen it. I’ll admit it was spontaneous and a bit kinky. But you trusted me and you gave in.”
“I did trust you, that’s why I’m so pissed that you pulled this stunt.”
“I’m truly sorry…really. But I didn’t know what else to do. I couldn’t pass on Paris. I mean it was heaven sent.”
Jeanette tilted her head and gave a cynical smirk. “I wouldn’t go that far. Honestly, this is a new low.”
“Would you have agreed to these arrangement, if I asked you?”
She walked to her window and looked out. She sighed. “Probably not.”
“Then I had no choice. I want to be with you Jeanette. And knowing how you feel now, I knew as soon as that plane landed, you would try to get as far away from me as possible.”
“It’s not that I want to get away from you. I just want to slow things down. You have to admit, we’re going ninety miles per hour.”
He walked over to where she stood, coming up close enough to her, to smell her perfume, her hair spray, her bath soap. Anything and everything Jeanette. “Come on Jeanette, why not make the most of it. You’re staying at the Shangri-La Hotel Paris in one of their best suites. You’re in Paris. And you’re with someone I hope you can at least think of as a very close friend.”
She turned around and looked up at him. He couldn’t read her face so he didn’t know if that was a good thing.
“I guess you’re right. Damage has been done, so lets make the best of it.”
She made it sound like dental work. But he wasn’t going to push it. She agreed to go along with it, and that he was more than grateful for.
He had a hell of a lot of making up to do and he was probably going to pay for this trip in more ways than one. But as he told her, it was a risk worth taking.
The day was coming to a close. Co-workers came in and out of his office wishing him bon voyage and bring back this that or the other. He stepped out of his office to go to the break room. He needed an afternoon snack to get him through that last two hours of the day. That’s when he saw Renee, Jeanette’s cousin.
He had a brainstorm.
He quickly ran to the break room, inserted his money in the machine and got his candy bar. He nearly jogged to Jeanette’s office.
“Hey Jeanette, I was meaning to ask…oh, I didn’t know you had company.”
“That’s okay, Jeanette said, without looking from her laptop.
“Hi.”
Renee’s smile went from ear to ear. He had a good feeling about her and once again he was going to take a chance on something. “Hello. Always nice seeing you again. Here to keep your cousin company?”
“Yeah, and talking about her trip. I’m taking her to the airport tomorrow morning.” She looked at her watch. “Is the deli still open?”
“Yep,” Jeanette said, checking her own watch. “I was just thinking about them, they have these wonderful fudge cookies. I want to take a couple home.” Jeanette grabbed her purse and dug out her wallet.
“Mmm. Fudge sounds go. I’ll go down and get them. Where are they?” Renee asked, getting up.
>
“Right by the register.”
“Cool. Be back.”
“I need to make sure my crew can live without me for a week. Call me if you need me.” Adam said, as he was leaving her office.
“K.”
When he saw the coast was clear, he ran down the hall and out the back exit. He caught Renee by the elevator about to get on. “Hold the door!”
“Hey there. Those fudge cookies were sounding good, huh?” Renee chuckled.
“Nah. I need to ask you something. Actually I need to ask you a few things.”
She looked at him with a puzzled look.
“It’s about Jeanette.”
Immediately her eyes lit up and her ear-to-ear smile was back. “Go on.”
Adam took a chance and confided in her. He told her what he did and how he needed to fix things and ultimately get back on more friendly terms before they left Paris.
“I’m surprise she didn’t haul off and belt you one.”
“Me too, and I’m the first to admit, I would have deserved it.”
“The fact that she didn’t is a good thing. I know Jeanette. Don’t think a job would have stopped her from beating you down. Not that she could.”
She looked him up and down. Then smiled again.
“That’s some encouraging news.”
“So what do you need to know?”
They arrived at the deli and got the last six cookies. “Never hurts to have extra.” Renee took a bite out of one of the cookies.
“I need to know Jeanette’s taste, like in clothes, food, movies, plays. Things like that.”
“Ahhh.”
“I would ask her myself, but at this point, she is only tolerating my presence.”
“I understand. Okay, take notes. This is Jeanette 101.”
Chapter Twelve
She and Adam arrived at the airport early. Jeanette was hungry so she and Renee stopped to have breakfast first and they chatted about her trip. Adam had Erick drive him, and said he would wait for her at the Starbucks at the Great Hall.
“Good morning,” she said, as she approached him. She noticed a large cup of coffee in his one hand and the morning paper in the other.
“Good morning to you too.”
He turned and looked her up and down, as if she was a stack of pancakes.
She took a seat next to him, feeling a bit uneasy. “You look like a corporate mover and shaker. Why so dressed up?”
He was wearing dark blue dress pants, a crisp white shirt with the first two buttons unbuttoned, and a dark gray jacket. It was all topped off with a camel coat. It was still chilly for L.A. even for February. He was stunningly handsome. His hair hung gracefully to his shoulders.
Even in the tailored clothes and the airport setting, he was still that wild man she met three weeks ago. Wow, was it only three weeks?
“It’s not like you’re wearing pajamas, lady.”
“I’m always impeccable,” she said, with a snicker and mockingly patted her hair into place.
“I think we compliment each other beautifully. Anyway, we’re going first-class remember? The one thing I hate, is seeing people in first class and they look like they’re going to a ball game.”
“I see your point.”
“Jeanette!”
“Did someone just call you?” Adam scanned over the coffee shop.
“I didn’t hear anything.”
“Jeanette!”
She heard it this time. It sounded like Renee.
“That’s your cousin isn’t it?” Adam looked around again.
“Yes” She looked out over the crowd of the shop and spotted Renee coming down the escalator. “There she is. Renee over here!” She waved her hands grabbing her attention.
Renee trotted to them while they were leaving going to the gate. Without saying a word, she took Jeanette by the arm and hustled her out of the shop. “You’ll need these. I packed them when you were busy, I forgot to give them to you.”
Jeanette cocked her head and took the makeup case that Renee held out to her. “But I have all the makeup I need besides….wait a minute.” Jeanette opened the bag, and staring her in the face were her pills.
“Just in case,” Renee said, with a cheesy grin.
“In case what? If you think that Adam and I are going to be fooling around, you got another think coming.” Jeanette was bouncing the bag up and down in her hand. Secretly she wanted to thank Renee, but she remained cool.
The reality of the situation was catching up with her. She was going off to the most romantic city in the world, with the most romantic looking man on the planet. And she’s had more than a sample of his lovemaking skills.
“Air France 125 now boarding.”
A shiver snaked through her body. This was it. There was no turning back. She couldn’t call Sam and have her send someone else. This was her job and this was the man she had to work with.
Why couldn’t he be a true computer geek?
“Looks like they’re calling us,” Adam said, as he came up on her. “You ladies have to do your gossiping when we land.”
“Gossiping? You watch it young man.” Renee winked at the both of them. “Safe travels.”
“Thanks,” she and Adam both said waving at her as she left.
“Let’s go,” Jeanette said, heading towards the gate.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I made reservations at this new restaurant. I hear it has the best lobster bisque and the goose liver pate is to die for,” Adam said.
He placed his hand on the small of her back. It felt so warm, safe, comforting—right.
“Lobster bisque. That’s my favorite. I haven’t had it in…I don’t know, at least a couple of years. You know it’s hard to make, and it’s even harder to find someone that can do it right.”
“I’m glad you approve. As soon as we land in Paris, we have enough time to shower and change. Don’t want that jetlag to set in.” Adam smiled. They got in line to board.
Jeanette was reading an article in a magazine she bought, on cats and their many personalities, when she felt eyes on her. She looked up from her magazine and it seemed as if the entire line was facing her and Adam. Did they stand out as a couple?
She waved and smiled nervously. She looked up at Adam who looked just as bewildered.
After a few moments, they were in their seats having Champagne and escargot. Nice.
“I know this is first class, but this is out of the ordinary, even for this airline. But, hey I ain’t complaining.” Jeanette giggled.
“I know. I special ordered our food. They told me what was on the menu and I didn’t particularly care for it. I hope it’s something you like.
“Are you kidding, it’s my favorite.” Jeanette sipped more Champagne and put three escargots on her platter. “The only thing that can top this is some Belgium chocolate mousse.”
“Glad you mentioned that.” Adam snapped his fingers. “Monsieur.” Adam looked up as an attendant came over. “Could you bring dessert?”
“Oui.”
Jeanette watched the lanky fight attendant leave. A few minutes later he returned with two silver plates with a crystal dome over each one. Inside was the most decadent looking dessert. “Oooh.”
“Bon appetite.” Adam raised his glass to hers and she did likewise.
***
Adam sent Renee a special prayer. He was so thankful that she gave him the 411 on Jeanette. So far everything was going great.
“Could you hand me another éclair?” Jeanette asked, pointing to the tray next to him. They were five hours into their flight and they had been stuffing themselves with French delights ever since their butts hit the seats.
“Here you go. That grilled sirloin steak with béarnaise sauce was delicious wasn’t it?”
“Loved it. Loved it. You’re batting a hundred with your food choices.”
“Oh?”
“I love French cuisine.’ She leaned closer to him. “Can I tell you a secret?”
Adam was in the clouds. He didn’t think the plane could take him any higher. Jeanette was warming up to him, at least she didn’t seem mad at him anymore. He wondered if it was the Champagne, they had two bottles.
“What’s the secret? He leaned in too and their heads were touching.
“I wanted to be a French chief.”
He sat up straight in his seat. This woman fascinated him. He began to regret that they didn’t get to know each other first before they did the wild thing on her table. He would have known so much more about her and he probably would have been in a better position with her romantically. “Really?”
“I flopped as a chief, but I did pretty good as a taster.” She laughed.
“So, I take it you’re a connoisseur of French cuisine.”
“Got that right. I am not ashamed to say that I have eaten at least once at all the French restaurants in the First and Tenth Arrondissement of Paris. How ‘bout you. You seem to like French food too.”
“I do, but it’s too rich for my blood—literally. Gotta watch my cholesterol.”
“Or dear, you poor thing. You have high cholesterol?”
She placed a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. It felt nice. It was where it should be. This is the kind of conversations they should be having. She has relaxed and open around him, even a bit playful. Now she was a concerned friend.
Too bad she was tipsy.
“No, it’s nothing like that. But that butter and cream can catch up to you before you know, especially in men.”
“Well, you should throw caution the wind. Treat yourself. Just do a lot of Tae Bo later.”
Her giggle was cute and sexy. It warmed him. He could almost over look the fact she was a bit tipsy and take advantage of the situation. But he’s done enough of that already. This was patch things up time, and he only had one chance. He didn’t want to screw it up.
“I might take you up on that.” He patted her thigh and reached for another éclair.
“Attention please, we are now over the Atlantic Ocean, if you look out your…”
“Oh, I love the view of the ocean from thirty thousand feet.” Jeanette got up and went to the window. “Oh! Look at this.”
Office Play: Freaky Geek Series Page 10
