“I’m wondering if one person turns in all the POs, or they each do their own. As we have it back in the States, we have a certain time and everyone gets their orders in. It’s usually for the typical stuff, pens, pads, desk organizers. Specialty items, the office manager has to look at.”
“Those servers were specialty.”
“I have a sneaking feeling about those and I hope I’m wrong.”
“You think IT?” Jeannette asked, taking a sip of her Perrier.
“Won’t be the first time an IT person wants all those neat gadgets at their home.”
“It looks like we’ll be here a while.”
“We’ll see. What I was also thinking about, was those orders originating from here.”
Jeanette cocked her head. “Oh?”
“Suppose….suppose it’s made to look like they’re coming from this office.”
“Ahhh. A wild goose chase.” Jeanette nodded.
The waiter came over and brought them their food. He sat down a bottle of red wine and two glasses. “Bon appetite.”
“Merci,” Jeanette said.
“This is our lunch, let’s not waste it on talking shop.”
“So what do you want to talk about?” Jeanette asked as she watched Adam uncorking the bottle of wine. A loud pop reverberated in the room.
“How I plan to seduce you.”
Chapter Sixteen
They did sleep in Saturday. Jeanette snuggled up in her bed. Adam was still sound asleep. He faced her from his bed. He looked absolutely stunning. Their beds were close enough that she could inhale his male musky scent, which was mixed with very expensive cologne. When did he put that on?
She decided to turn away from him and try to get some more sleep. The more she looked at him, the more she began thinking about things.
She just didn’t want to give him the wrong idea. He seemed to have it in his head that they were meant to be an actual couple.
That was preposterous. They had nothing in common and more importantly there was that age difference. Also, Jeanette still didn’t trust his dating habits. This is a man that probably had very few lonely nights—with the same woman.
The past few weeks have been interesting. Jeanette never got involved sexually with a man so fast and even if she did, she would never imagine doing the things that she participated in. How Adam made her act out like that was a mystery to her.
Or was that already in her?
She looked over at him again. Still asleep. His face was like an angel’s. Handsome, innocent. She knew better about the innocent part. Maybe more like a dark angel.
She rolled over again and closed her eyes. Just then the phone rang.
Adam groaned, stretched and answered the phone.
“Hello. Yes, thank you.”
Jeanette acted like she was asleep all this time. She sat up, yawned and stretched. “Who was that?”
“Good morning gorgeous. That was the concierge. Get up, breakfast is coming.”
“You think of everything.”
“I try.”
Jeanette got up and showered and threw on her other gown and robe. Adam stepped out of his shower, looking like some poster boy for terry bath towels. It was wrapped around his waist tight. Luckily this hotel had the best and biggest in everything.
He walked around the room getting himself together as if no one else was in there. She sat at the breakfast table watching him, almost studying his movements. If she didn’t know for a fact that this man had an engineering and IT degree and developed a software program, she would just think he was a male romance cover model.
After he finished up, he joined her at the table waiting for breakfast. Adam had some brochures in his hand.
“What are you looking at?” Jeanette asked, scooting her chair closer to him.
“I think we should get out and explore everything Paris has to offer.”
“Remember, I’ve been here many times, and so have you.”
“But not together. I’m sure there are some places you can show me, and I can show you. For instance, have you ever been on a Bateaux Mouches?”
“A what?”
“Fly boat. You can see Paris by night by way of the Seine.”
“No, I haven’t done that.”
“I’m surprised.” Adam said, quirking his brow. “Listen to this. Take in the Parisian night sights and enjoy an unforgettable Bateaux Dinner Cruise in the heart of Paris for a real romantic time in the City of Lights. This two and a half hour cruise serves a delectable dinner menu while providing the best nocturnal views of the Paris skyline.” Adam slid the brochure over to her and smiled.
“Well it’s mostly for couples.”
“Not necessarily. Continue reading.”
She picked up the brochure and read from where he left off. “The Bateaux Dinner Cruise navigates the River Seine and offers many sightseeing wonders, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Institut de France, Notre Dame, the National French Library, Hotel de Ville, Le Louvre, the Trocadero and the French version of the Statue of Liberty. The boat has a glass top and sides, which offers unobstructed views of all the sights. Enjoy live musical entertainment, which is provided on the cruise as well. This is an unforgettable festive cruise in the heart of Paris.”
“Now can you really pass this up?”
“Well, it does sound nice, and we see a lot in one shot.” Jeanette conceded.
“Tell you what. Let’s you and I pretend that we’re a couple. Besides, this is Paris, some places won’t allow you entrance, unless you’re paired up.” He chuckled.
“I know you’re kidding, but I’m inclined to agree. Anything else you have planned?”
“Let’s see.” Adam flipped through another brochure some more. “Lots of stuff. Why don’t you let me handle our sightseeing itinerary?”
“Like you handled our business trip itinerary?” Jeanette groaned.
“Touché. But seriously, you want to keep this relationship platonic and all business anyway. But I don’t see why two friends can’t enjoy themselves in such a beautiful city.”
“True.”
“And our friends and associates will never forgive us if we don’t come back with travel stories and souvenirs.”
“Oh yeah, Renee gave me a list of things to see, pictures to take and things to buy,” Jeanette said, twisting in her chair and looking for her purse.
“See, this is perfect.”
There was a knock on the door. “That must be breakfast.” Adam went to the door. He allowed the bellboy in, who was pushing an ornate cart with even more ornate silver dishes.
“Mmm. I’m starved,” Jeanette said, patting her stomach.
Adam tipped the man and he left. Adam then joined her.
“Let’s see what we have,” he said, lifting one of the silver dome covers.
It was the typical French fair, but always fragrant. Fresh bread, fruit, coffee and hot chocolate. There was also some yogurt.
“Dig in. I want to get an early start. How about the museum?”
“Not the Louvre,” Jeanette said, rolling her eyes. “Not that I have anything against it, but I can take out French stock in it, I’ve been there so many times.”
Adam laughed. “Gotcha. How about the Musée National du Moyen ge—the Cluny Museum. Medieval stuff.”
“Oooh, never been there.”
“Good. It will be a first for both of us then.”
After getting dressed they left, taking the company car to their destination, but parked it in one of the many parking lots along the boulevard.
They arrived at the museum, and like everything else in Paris, it was sensory overload. They looked over their brochure of the place and had to decide what part they wanted to see. But no matter what, they had to take a stroll through the medieval gardens.
They walked through The Unicorn Forrest. The brochure said it harkened to the fears felt by medieval man faced with the obscure forces of nature. It circled a small clearing and a children's glade. It claims that animals, hav
ing wandered from the Lady and the Unicorn tapestry, left their prints in the flagstones crossing. Children can track some of them, such as those left by the rabbit, the fox, the lion and even the unicorn.
After their stroll, they looked over the brochure again and decided to check out one of the collections—The Romanesque World.
They had a tour guide who spoke English and explained the collection.
Sculptures, illuminations, frescoes, stained glass offered a glimpse into the various currents running through the creations of the time, from Catalonia to Saxony, from England to Sicily.
The museum displayed many capitals from the nave in the abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés as well as Sainte-Geneviève abbey, destroyed during the first Empire. The museum also sheltered marble capitals, sculptures, and Romanesque stained glass from the abbey church of Saint Denis.
The tour took a good two hours. After they finished they went outside and sat on a bench in the gardens.
“We need to come back to see the rest,” Jeanette said. She took off her one shoe and rubbed her foot.
“You said it. That was a lot to take in, and I still didn’t understand it.”
“What’s there to understand? Just look and enjoy the view. Like the Mona Lisa. No one knows who or why, they just stop and stare and marvel at it,” Jeanette said wistfully.
“I can relate to that,” Adam agreed, taking her hand in his and looking lovingly into her eyes.
If this outing was supposed to cool things down between them, it wasn’t working.
Adam finally figured out his plan of attack. Subtlety was the best approach. He had a lot of activities planned for them, all were non-threatening in the sense that there would be no sexual tension.
Of course, being with Jeanette there was always sexual tension. His body came to life when he was with her. Being near her, he felt invincible. Holding her hand in his throughout the tour was healing to his soul. That’s where her hand belonged, where it should be twenty-four seven, if he had it his way.
He would have the rest of her soon enough—he hoped. He was going to stick with his plan. They enjoyed the museum and the boat ride was yet to come.
Soon enough. Right now he was hungry. Walking that museum worked up an appetite and unlike American food where they piled the food on so much on your plate that you can’t see white space; the French ate like normal people. Small portions, but rich and delicious. The bad side to that was if you were use to super sizing, you got hungry faster.
“Ready for some lunch?” he asked Jeanette. Her nose was stuck in another brochure.
“Yes, but let me pick the place. I think you’ll like it.”
“Lead the way.”
They arrived at Pomze, an apple lovers dream. Everything on the menu contained something with apples. Jeanette informed him that apples are the theme at Pomze and the chefs take this seriously. Every dish and drink served on their extensive, seasonal menu contained fresh apples as an ingredient.
They enjoyed the subtle apple infused tea and homemade pastries for an early lunch in the tearoom.
“That breakfast at the hotel was nice, but I need a little more sustenance.” Jeanette mused.
Adam reached for the lunch and dinner menu. “Oh, look at this. We can later dine on delicacies such as truffle and apple flavored lobster.”
“Mmm. I’m gonna gain weight, I just know it.”
While waiting for their food, Adam looked around the place. It was an intimate stone-walled dining room decorated with glass cider bottles. Their food arrived, just as Adam was about to reach for Jeanette’s hand again.
After they ate, they sat and talked about benign issues, like the weather. It was a bit gloomy. They checked out the people walking up and down the boulevard, and how they noticed less people smoking.
“People are finally figuring out it’s not a good thing to inhale carbon monoxide.” Adam mused.
After he paid the bill, they looked at the brochure again. “I got an idea,” he said, tucking the brochure away.
“What?”
“Let’s do some shopping.”
“Now you’re really talking my language.”
They got up to leave. Adam almost had to break into a sprint to catch up with Jeanette.
Chapter Seventeen
Christian Louboutin. Not surprised. Adam watched Jeanette point to shoes, handbags and other accessories to the clerk.
Jeanette told Adam, what she liked about Louboutin shoes, was the trademark red sole. It always amazed Adam how women were a slave to fashion. He didn’t get it, a red sole—whoopie! But no matter. Whatever it was that brought a smile to her face and a spring to her step, it made him just as happy.
She found three pair, all were high-heeled pumps. And they were high! Five inch heels. It’s a wonder women didn’t throw their backs out. But if this was the new trend, he was considering changing profession from IT consultant to podiatrist or chiropractor.
“Now to find the bags to match,” Jeanette said, as she flew by him.
“Need any help mousier?”
Adam looked up and stared into the eyes of a pleasingly plump blond woman. “Uh…no, I’m with her.” He pointed to Jeanette, who was modeling the purses now.
“Oh, your girlfriend?”
“Not yet.”
“Oooh.” She smiled and winked at him.
The French, you gotta love them.
After about thirty minutes, Jeanette walked over to him arms full of bags. “I found most of what I wanted.”
Adam raised his brow and smiled. “Most?”
She placed the items on the counter, then the sales woman went to the back and brought out newly wrapped merchandise. Jeanette was looking in her purse to pay for her things. “Yes, I’ve been stalking this one bag back in the states.”
“I take it you’re just beginning.” Adam pulled out his card. “I got that.”
Jeanette looked wild eyed at him. “But….”
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s just say, I’m making up for the ‘travel’ mixup. No strings, I promise.” He threw up his hands.
“Hmm. Okay. But just to let you know, I didn’t make chump change when I was going after the mafia.”
“I believe it. Any other place you want to go?”
“Yeah, gotta go to Louis Vuitton,” she said, walking out the door with him.
“Oh, yeah, can’t forget Louie.” He smirked as he helped her into the car.
“And Anna Lowe,” She continued.
“A friend of yours?”
Jeanette burst out laughing. “No, it’s a boutique founded by an American, that’s who the store is named after. You can get the top designer clothing for fifty percent off. Channel, Armani. It’s heaven. But we can do that that another day. I’m pooped, it’s already late afternoon.” Jeanette checked her watch, then turned to put her packages in the back seat, then fastened her seatbelt. “Where are we off to now?”
“Don’t know. Would you like to go and eat or order dinner in at the hotel?”
“I’m beat, let’s order in,” she said yawning.
“Looks like I have to tuck you in.”
“I can put myself to bed thank you.”
He knew that, but what he really wanted to do was ride her hard and put her away wet.
They arrived back at the hotel. Jeanette looked over hers shoes and purses giggling with glee. Adam just watched her and enjoyed to sound of her laughter.
“Remind me Monday, I need to send these off to Renee.”
“That’s right, you buy your whole wardrobe here and ship it back to the states.”
“Not my whole wardrobe smarty. Hey, did you want to do some shopping. Shops are open tomorrow too.”
“Nah, I just want to stroll the boulevard. Don’t forget we have that boat trip tomorrow evening.”
Jeanette repackaged her things. “That’s right. Okay sounds like a plan. Let’s order some dinner.” She walked over to him and he put down the menu. She kissed him on the cheek.
“Thanks again, You really didn’t have to.”
“But I wanted to.”
They order something light and talked. Mostly their conversation centered on work and the project they were working on. Adam would have preferred more titillating conversation, but he decided to settle for this. She was loosing up to him and they laughed.
After they ate, they watched French television, which turned out to be interesting, since neither of them spoke fluent French. But it was fun trying to figure out what they were saying.
“This is a soap opera, I know that much.”
“Nighttime soap operas?”
“Yep, most foreign countries have both day and nighttime soaps.” Jeanette popped another piece of fruit in her mouth and something caught her eye.
“What is it? Adam snatched a piece of melon off her dish.
“I remember this one from the last time I was here. They killed him off, at least I thought they did,” Jeanette looked at the television closer. “Yep, that’s him.
“Maybe they brought him back to life.”
Jeanette stared at Adam as he started to take off his clothes. He started with his shirt.
“I wouldn’t be surprised, they do that in the states a lot. What are you doing?” Jeanette sat up straighter in the chair.
“I’m going to take a shower and put on my pajamas. Do you mind?”
She paused, and ate another piece of fruit. “No, of course I don’t mind.”
“Would you like to join me?” He asked in a very low seductive tone that even surprised him.
“Adam.”
“See you in a few.” He headed towards the bathroom, grabbing his pajamas off the chair.
Time to turn up the heat. He had four nights and three days to seduce her before going back to the office. He could have put his plan into action after working hours, but all Jeanette would want to do is talk work.
Work talk and sex did not an aphrodisiac make. He took his shower, dried off and put on his cologne. Putting on his pajama bottoms, he thought about what he would say to her while he seduced her. Jeanette didn’t go for lines, that much he knew. Honesty was the best policy with her.
He smirked. Fine time to think about that now. He was grateful she forgave him for setting this up. And she was appreciative about him buying her shoes and bags. But from here on out, nothing but the truth.
Office Play: Freaky Geek Series Page 13
