When my gaze returned to hers, I didn’t hide the lustful gleam in my eyes. This woman had the ability to connect with me on a level I’d never experienced before. Why should I hide it? I wanted her to see what she did to me, and I was wearing my shirt inside my trousers; if she looked down, she would get an eyeful of my junk. There was nothing I could do about it. I had no idea she was the one who had applied for the position or that John had gone ahead and hired her.
I’d been away visiting my mom, who had not been doing well lately. I had to insist she see a specialist to get checked out because she had been suffering with bouts of dizziness. Initially, we had both ignored it, thinking it would go away, but it had not. Now it had left her with a panicky feeling, where she was scared to drive anywhere. I’d spent two weeks taking her to her appointments and interviewing a possible driver for her. I did most of my work from home, but I liked leaving home and coming to the office. I could do that now without worrying about my mom. Only now I had an entirely different set of problems. I’d be working around with a hard-on all day unless I figured out a way to tap this without letting it control me.
“Hi,” she said, her stare alight in surprise.
Does she feel the sexual tension I feel between us, or is it only me?
“Hi yourself,” I responded. “I didn’t know you had joined our small firm.”
“Yes. I find it to be the ideal job for me.”
“How so?” I was talking, trying to get my body under control. Not having any success with it. I walked back to the door and shut it then motioned to the small, round conference table in her office. “Let’s sit.”
She nodded and moved with unhurried steps, the same way she had walked into the room when I’d met with her. I had no idea how some women made the simple act of walking look like a sex act—she did. When I’d suggested sitting at the table, I’d not taken into account the way she moved; now I had to take a seat before I spilled my seed, but protocol demanded that I wait for her to sit before I grabbed the chair closest to me.
This is going to be sheer torture if I’m going to be seeing much of her in this office. I didn’t think I’d be able to handle it. Initially, when we had come up with the position, I’d offered to have the person report to me. Hence the reason her office was close to mine. Now that I’d seen she was the one woman who had been able to get under my skin, literally…I might have to rethink my decision, and do it today.
“Ms. Blackman…,” I began, spreading the documents I was holding on the table to keep my hands from reaching for her. That’s how bad I’ve got it.
“I thought we’d decided on less formality?”
“That was before you were part of this firm. In this firm, formality is how I manage and how I operate.”
“You don’t have that formality with John and Levi, not even with your assistant, Joy.”
“No, I don’t, but with you, it’s essential.”
She inhaled deeply, her nostrils flaring. I could tell she was upset.
“Point taken, Mr. Holmes.”
“Thank you, Ms. Blackman. Now that we have this out of the way, let’s get down to business.” I paused for effect. “My plan for the next few weeks is to be by my mother’s side as much as possible and leave you with your present duties, if you’re agreeable. I’ll simply help you negotiate the more difficult clients so it takes the strain from the both of us.”
She nodded. “I have a list of what I consider great prospects. These properties are in great neighborhoods, but I’m not one hundred percent positive they would work for us. I would need your support there.”
“You’ve got it. Let me have a look.”
I took the file from her and glanced at them briefly. From what I could see, she seemed to have some good prospects, but the ones on my list were better. I leaned back and studied her while she was going through the file in front of her. She was truly a remarkable woman. She didn’t miss a beat when I put her in her place.
“You have fitted in here very well. It’s as if you’ve always been here. John and Levi have not stopped singing your praises.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No. It’s just a statement of fact. So we’re cool, then?”
“Yes, I’m cool with it, but I would much prefer if you didn’t single me out for special treatment, either negative or positive. I want to be treated like everyone else. My goal is to become an important member of this firm; treating me differently will not help me achieve that.”
“You’ve only just started. Give yourself some time to assimilate. You may not like it here.”
“I already know I love it here. Everyone has been very welcoming and helpful—everyone that is except you. But I’m not one to give in easily. I’ll work on gaining your acceptance. Just give me some time.”
She had spunk. She didn’t back down. Instead, she very politely put me in my place. I tried to keep my poker face on, but I was thinking, score one for Ms. Blackman. “Good, I’m going to be more out than in while I try to get my mom settled into her new arrangements. I’m working on getting her closer to me, but Mom is very stubborn, and so far, she has refused to move.”
“She sounds like a woman who knows her own mind. I’m sure you appreciate that in her.”
“I do, in most instances, but in this instance, I can’t take care of her if she insists on living hours away. I can’t give one hundred percent of myself if I’m being pulled in two directions. Neither one is getting my best.”
“I don’t want to ask what’s wrong with your mom; no doubt you’ll tell me it’s none of my business. I hope, one day, you’ll feel comfortable enough with me to share. In the meantime, I hope she gets better.”
She said the exact thing I wanted to hear from her. I believed we’d work well together. “Thank you, Ms. Blackman. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I hope you do.”
“Now that we have this out of the way, I’m going to leave you with some prospective client lists to go through. Let me know if you have any questions. I do have a couple appointments outside the office today, but for the most part, I’ll be here.”
“Yes, Mr. Holmes.”
That was all the response I got from her. I could tell she was pissed. But I had to set these rules, or I’d find myself groveling at her sensational feet. I turned and walked out of her office.
6
~Robyn~
I watched him disappear out of my office and down the hallway, his powerful presence still lingering long after he was gone. As I listened to his rapidly fading footsteps, I allowed my shoulders to slump and released the breath I had to take to steady my nerves. I had a feeling that maybe Dean would not feel about me the way I felt about him, but I hadn’t been prepared for the outright rejection. It was scathing and brutal on my vulnerable heart.
I’d spent the previous few weeks preparing for this meeting, only to have it leave me in shreds; but what scared me the most was that he was still everything I craved.
I had somehow built him up in my mind as a kind, caring man, whom it would have been fun to get to know better. This cold, hard, calculating and arrogant asshole was not someone I’d allow anywhere near my heart; through that way lay nothing but heartache and sorrow. But the saints forgive me. I wanted him inside my body in a way that defied all understanding. I was like a puppet being controlled by an invisible puppet master. I hated it, but there was nothing I could do about it.
My inner voice kept telling me, Dean Holmes is not a man you should get involved with, either sexually or emotionally. Something told me that if I went down that path, he would own me body and soul. I’d worked too hard to find myself, come too far to allow a man to take my freedom away from me. I’d always been in control of my own destiny. Even when the cancer took me down, I didn’t give up. I’d put up quite a fight, so I would not allow this man to reduce me to a mindless puppet. I’d have him, if the situation presented itself, but I’d guard my heart behind an iron gate; that was the only way I’d be cer
tain to remain in control at all times.
For the rest of the day, I kept myself busy with the list he had given me. It turned out two of the properties on his list were on my list, so I decided I would make them a priority. I called and scheduled appointments for the next morning. I was going to do my usual diligence and drive by the properties on my way home from work. I liked to get a feel for the neighborhood before I even considered making an offer on the property.
When I left work that day, I was feeling better than I’d felt after Dean had walked out of my office. I’d allowed him to get under my skin. I had to stop. I liked the job and the people. I shouldn’t have let anything cloud my vision and get in the way of doing the best job I could do.
I had not taken a lunch break, so I left early. Call me chicken, but I was scared of running into Dean; that was why I’d not taken a lunch break and left early instead. I was feeling so bummed out I decided to stop at my beauty salon for a shampoo and blowout. I always felt better after a session with Carla, my stylist.
When I walked into the salon, I’d already decided, if there was a long wait, I’d schedule for another day. I was in luck. Carla had an opening and took me in right away. I knew she would want to know what brought me in on a weekday. Carla had been my stylist for the past ten years, and she had me down on a regular schedule—every Friday afternoon or some Saturday mornings, if I was not able to keep my Friday appointment, which was seldom. So she knew something was up, and I was expecting her question.
“What brought you in today, Robyn? This is not your usual appointment. Is anything special going on?”
“No. I just felt like being pampered. Can’t a girl pamper herself once in awhile?”
“Hey. I’d be the first to agree. We all need a bit of pampering sometimes. Does that mean you won’t be keeping your Friday appointment?”
“Yes. I’ll be keeping my standing appointment. You’d better not give it to anyone else.”
“Just checking. I’m going to give you a deep conditioner today. It always brings out the flame highlights in your hair.”
“Yes. I need a deep conditioner because I need those flames leaping out of my hair, ha ha.”
“You know, I still can’t get over how the treatment changed the color of your hair and gave you such wonderful highlights.”
“Me either. At first I didn’t like it, but it has grown on me, and I couldn’t see myself without it now.”
“I know you didn’t like it, but do you know how many of my customers, after you walked out of here, asked for the highlights you have? I’ve tried, but I’ve never been able to even come close. This is all you, your legacy from your chemo medicine.”
“I agree. It tells me that the medicine must have been very powerful to have affected the structure of my hair. At the time, I was so sick I just went one day to the next. I never expected to make it, but here I am, with no traces of the cancer.”
“I consider this a miracle, don’t you, Robyn?”
“Yes. I do, which is why I intend to live every day like it’s my last and grasp every opportunity that comes my way with both hands.”
“Are you trying to tell me something, my friend?”
“No. I’m just telling you prepare yourself for anything I decide to do, like today. Much as I never wanted to have short spiky hair again, I want a slight trim. Do you think I can get it shoulder length?”
“I don’t see why not.”
When I walked out of the salon, I looked like a million dollars, even if I said so myself, and the reaction from everyone I ran into was proof enough. I felt so alive every time I felt the soft brush of my hair on my face I wanted to go out to show it off. I told myself this was not a hair treatment you went to bed in. This haircut needed to be celebrated.
I stopped at the department store and picked myself up a bottle of Jimmy Choo Flash perfume set. That scent always lifted my mood. I walked into my home already anticipating the bath I would enjoy with my Flash bath gel.
I pressed the button to turn on my favorite group, Journey. I loved, loved Journey, especially “Faithfully”. As soon as the first notes hit my ears, I was transported to that place where I imagined myself being made love to by my favorite man. It was not strange that the guy I imagined was Dean. I tried to get rid of him, but he had entered my fantasy, and no amount of wishing him away got rid of him. In the end, I gave up and enjoyed him as I imagined him enjoying me.
When I finally stepped out of the bath, I had to step under the cold shower. I needed one to feel clean again. I felt positively decadent. After toweling off, I splashed myself liberally with the cologne before rubbing the sweet-smelling lotion into my skin. Now, standing naked in front of my mirror, I needed an outfit that would accentuate my assets.
I didn’t think there was anything special about my figure. I had medium-sized breasts, with wide areolas and nipples that were quick to harden into tight points. My stomach was flat enough, with narrow waist and slightly broad hips. I believed my legs were my best feature. They were long and nicely shaped, tapering down to very narrow ankles, thanks to my days playing soccer in high school. I always thought my butt was too big, but that was what I was dealt with, so I made the most of it. So at thirty-one, I liked two things about my body: my legs and my hair. If I were being honest, I’d say I was right because they both commanded attention everywhere I went, especially from the opposite sex.
I rejected several outfits before I settled on an off-white short, short cocktail dress. The color went with the winter white, but everything else about that dress screamed summer heat. When I was finally dressed, even I was taken with my appearance. My hair seemed to have a life all its own, the red highlights sparking every time I moved. I was turned on by the music, the scent, and now I poured myself a snifter of brandy before walking out and getting into my car. It was Wednesday and a good night for people who wanted to break the monotony of the week up. My hope was to get someone I could hold a decent conversation with, anyone, man or woman. I was not being too particular. I could have asked my bestie, Lisa, to go with me, but I wanted to be alone—to do this incognito, if you will. That way if things got out of hand, there would be no one there to remind me of my faux pas. Unfortunately, this was not to be the night for incognito.
I’d decided to go to a small, secluded jazz club in the city where they catered to a more mature crowd. I handed the valet my keys and walked into the bar, which was connected with a small dance space where the live band played.
I took a seat at a table for two and ordered a Bloody Mary. The waiter brought my drink, and as I picked up my drink to take a first sip, I sensed a shadow next to me. I didn’t look up, but my heart started to race. I must have recognized his scent, I don’t know. But when I looked and found myself staring into the steel-gray eyes of Dean Holmes, I almost damned near peed myself.
“May I share your table?”
I wanted to say, “No, I’m expecting my companion”, but I couldn’t lie to him when I wanted him across from me like I needed air to breathe.
“Sure. I believe it’s available,” I answered, after pretending to think about it for a minute.
He gave me a raised-brow look, and I pretended not to notice as his gaze lighted on my hair before travelling down to my chest to settle on my breasts, where I knew my nipples had hardened. This man would be the death of me.
“I didn’t know you liked jazz. That’s something we have in common.”
“Yes. I like jazz. I find it a good way to relax after a stressful day at work.”
“I would ask about your stressful day, but I’ve a point not to talk business when I’m out socially.”
“My sentiments exactly,” I told him.
“Wow, we have two things in common. It would be interesting to find out what else we have in common.”
I was determined not to encourage him or to take him out of the doghouse I’d placed him in after the cold reception I’d received from him earlier that day. I was surprised when he orde
red his drink to hear him order a Hennessy straight. I didn’t comment that this was the third thing we had in common. Hennessy was my drink of choice. Matter of fact, I drank Hennessy all the time. I even drank it in my tea at nights. It made me relax and had me asleep within minutes. I was happy I’d not been nursing one when he walked up. Now, I’d have to stick with the bloody Bloody Mary if I didn’t want to hear his observation of the number of things we had in common.
The silence between us was comfortable as we both sipped our drinks.
I was beginning to relax when he said, “I love the color of your hair. It’s very unusual. It puts me in mind of a flame tree.”
I was too shaken up to react immediately. If you had asked me, I would have told you that man didn’t like me, and there he was comparing my hair to a flaming tree. I didn’t know if this was a good or bad thing since I didn’t know what a flame tree was.
“What exactly is a flame tree?”
“Ahh. There are several species of flame trees, but the one that is most vividly red is the one I saw when I visited Australia two years ago. It’s famous for the bright red, bell-shaped flowers that often cover the whole tree when it’s leafless. These flame trees were everywhere in Australia, especially on the east coast, which is where I spent two weeks. There was one right outside my hotel room’s window, and for two weeks, every day, it was the first thing I saw in the morning and the last thing I saw at night.”
“Oh, I have to do a Google search to see what it looks like. Then I’ll know how to take the comparison.”
“Believe you me, you’ll be impressed, as I’m impressed by you.”
Now why did he have to go and say that? Just like that, I was back to imagining myself creating beautiful music with him. Don’t ask me how I knew. I just knew Dean would meet all my expectations in that regard. I couldn’t speak to anything else, but I knew he could perform in the bedroom, and I so wanted to give him a try.
Seduction in a Suit: An Office Romance Collection Page 70
