by Alexis Gold
“Good, here’s my number so you can put it in your phone and call me when you get it,” Jeffrey placed his card in my hand and then winked at me before walking confidently towards his car. “Oh, and I’ll just show up if I don’t hear from you by the end of the day tomorrow,” he warned, before he got into his car and pulled away.
As his car passed me I could see into the front seat and found that he even had a driver. Yeah, Jeffrey Bates was way out of my league. I sighed and then tucked his card into my purse before heading off to work. During the entire ride to work, I couldn't figure out just how this date was going to turn out and I was considering backing out of it altogether.
I at least arrived to work on time, thanks to light traffic, miraculously, and Jennie was surprised to see me in so soon. Her big blue doe eyes widened with pleasant surprise and her exotic Hispanic features conveyed relief.
“You came back early, thank God,” she said. She even hopped down from her perch behind the reception desk to give me a hug. “Marissa has been in a mood ever since you got sick. Whenever she needed you for something and you weren’t there, she’d yell and be like, ‘where’s my Target girl!’” We both laughed and I shook my head. Of course Marissa would say that.
“Oh! Oh, Christina! You’re well, you’re back, thank God!” Kristi came hurrying out of her office and hugged me, too. Well, has it been that bad without me there? “You know you’re Marissa’s favorite, you’re not allowed to get sick and stay home anymore. It’s for reasons of everyone’s mental health!” We all laughed and then froze as Marissa walked gracefully out of her office in a long flowing summer dress.
“Christina, you’re back. It’s nice to see you are well enough to work again. I’d like my coffee and bagel please,” was all she said, even though she must have heard us laughing about her. I told everyone I’d be back with their coffee and bagels and headed out to get breakfast.
While in line at the bagel shop, waiting for my regular order to be made, I spotted Jeffrey Bates at the end of the line. Two women in front of him were going gaga and obviously trying to get in his pants. They were way into his personal space and touching his arms and chest. I didn’t know how I felt about that.
Then I saw him smiling at them and his hands went a bit low on their waists to take a selfie with them. He was obviously enjoying their attention and had completely forgotten that he ‘liked’ me, apparently, and we were supposed to be going on a date.
My chest felt hot with embarrassment and I quickly turned around so he wouldn’t see me. If he’d rather have fun with two random chicks then, by all means, I definitely wasn’t going to date him. It was already proving volatile to my self-esteem.
“Christina!” Jeffrey called out to me and I closed my eyes briefly in slight dread. I did not want to face him, especially not after what I just saw. “Christina, hey I didn’t know you came to this bagel shop.” Jeffrey touched the small of my back and I sidestepped his hand so that it fell to his side.
“I come here every morning, to get breakfast for Marissa and the office,” I explained, again giving him more information than I wanted him to know. I was a bit short with Jeffrey and he picked up on that, as his intense gaze studied me, his head slightly tilted to the side.
“You’re not bailing on our date are you?” he asked seriously and I simply shrugged. Why’d he have to be so damn perceptive?
“I really don’t think…” I trailed off when Jeffrey started shaking his head at me.
“You saw me in line with those girls, they just wanted a picture. They were just fans of my modeling. Honestly, Christina, I want to go on a date with you,” Jeffrey said clearly and concisely. I took a deep breath, why was he still trying at this point? Didn’t he see how difficult I was being? Didn’t guys usually like confident girls?
Not shy ones with low self-esteem? My order was called out and I went up to the counter to retrieve it. Jeffrey followed closely behind me as I maneuvered through the packed bagel shop. I could feel his brush against my back every so often and it sent little thrills through me. Honestly, when was the last time I’ve even touched a guy?
“So I’m seeing you tomorrow, and don’t forget about buying that phone.” Jeffrey walked me to my car and then bent down to kiss me on the cheek. His soft lips felt branded on my skin even after he straightened. I nodded shyly and then carefully got everything in my car because I felt completely off balance around Jeffrey and Marissa would kill me and demote me to K-Mart girl if I was late with her breakfast.
I got into the car without a word to Jeffrey, and my heart was kind of racing in my chest from the effect of his kiss. He watched me drive away and I had to take three deep breaths to center myself. I could still smell the delicious fresh water scent of his cologne.
When I got back to work, I delivered breakfast and was surprised throughout the day that Marissa simply shared Kristi’s work load with me instead of also piling on grunt work. I didn’t have to clean out the coffee machine, I didn’t have to change out the water cooler, I didn’t have to get and deliver anyone’s mail or messages, other than Kristi’s, of course. Most importantly, I didn’t have to clean the bathroom, nor did I have to get everyone’s lunch.
“Christina, come, we are going to get you a cell phone for Christ’s sake,” Marissa said dispassionately as she walked purposefully by my desk and towards the elevator. I quickly got up, grabbed my purse, and followed her out.
“I was going to get one today after work, I don’t have to take off for my lunch break,” I said as we stepped into the elevator. Marissa gave me a knowing look that said, “yeah, right.”
“You’ve been saying that for a month now. Plus, my phone just revealed it has a crack in it so it must be fixed. I figured since I’m going to the phone store, so should you.”
I knew better than to argue and I simply got into her Mercedes while the driver took us to a nearby AT&T store.
Marissa was acting almost motherly, treating me similar to one of her models as she made sure I got a good cell phone and a good plan along with it. She walked out with a fixed Samsung and I got a brand new iPhone.
“It’s been a while since I had a cell phone. Thanks for giving me the bonus so I could get one, Marissa.”
She shrugged, I guess she didn’t want to be too nice.
“You should put Jeffrey’s number in and let him know that you have a cell…” she said and looked at me knowingly. My eyes widened a fraction and she nodded sagely. “Well, how do you think he found you?
Just yesterday he turns up at our offices without an appointment, which of course, was fine as I love to see all my clients. Anyway, he showed up asking for you and when I told him you weren’t at work, he asked how he could find you. I’d say he was very taken with you,” she informed me frankly.
I fished around in my bag for his card and programmed his number into it, Marissa took the phone out of my hand and called him while shooing me into the restaurant we stopped at to pick up lunch. A bit disgruntled, I did her bidding and walked into the pita shop to get our food. What could she be saying to him? I hope she wasn’t calling me Target girl…I mean the least she could’ve done was bump me up to Kohl’s. I sighed and paid for our food and then went back to the car.
“Oh, she’s back, I’ll hand you over,” Marissa had that weird adoring tone as she was ending the conversation with Jeffrey. She passed me the sleek gold phone and I answered a little self-consciously, Marissa was obviously listening in on the conversation. I could tell because she was watching me expectantly.
“I see you’ve gotten a cell phone; you know your voice sounds just as sexy over the phone as it does in real life…”
I laughed, more out of surprise and slight disbelief than anything else. Jeffrey’s voice sounded even sexier over the phone, which was insane, because that ought to be impossible.
“Wow, you laughed! I made you laugh, that means you like me,” Jeffrey said smugly and I couldn’t help but giggle again. Marissa rolled her eyes at me and m
otioned at me to talk instead of giggle. I probably did sound like one of his fan girls.
“You’re okay, I guess, I’m still not so sure…” I said, only half joking. Jeffrey chuckled; the sound was warm and inviting.
“I can understand why you’d say that, and don’t worry, I will change your view of me, so guess what?” Jeffrey sounded like he had a surprise or something, rather than a secret.
“What…?” I said cautiously.
“Marissa has a clear schedule tomorrow; you don’t have to work. So…can I come pick you up tonight?” My eyes widened in surprise and I looked over at Marissa who actually gave me a smile as to say “you’re welcome.”
“Um…sure I guess…” I said, though the hesitation was clear in my voice.
Chapter3
Jeffrey
“Are you sure?” I asked Christina. I had to admit that she was the toughest date to secure. I would make her feel secure, though; I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t get her out of my head. She was so soft spoken and had a quiet grace about her, not to mention she was beautiful. The kind of beautiful that would make you do a double-take because you didn’t notice her at first. Now she was making me work for a date with her and I fucking loved that.
“Yes, yes I’m sure. Tonight then, the same time?” she asked, her voice softening again. I could only imagine her being stuck in the car while Marissa was probably bullying her into what to say.
“Seven thirty, I’ll be there,” I promised and soon she was saying a soft “see you later.” She had such a way of making things feel so intimate and tender, even over the phone. I put my cell down on my desk and reclined back in the desk chair, my hands folded behind my head. I was feeling pretty good, I had to admit.
“Hey Jeff, we have a…what, did you just get a blow job or something?” Victor walked into my office, his expression suspicious.
“No. I just have a date tonight with a girl I like,” I grinned, and Victor’s expression turned into a confused frown.
“Since when do you get so excited over a date? You go for dinner, have sex and then move onto the next one,” Victor said bluntly.
A spike of anger rose in my chest at his inadvertent insult against Christina.
“She’s not like that, things are not going to be like that with us.” My tone was firm and Victor’s expression turned perplexed. Man, was this guy expressive today.
“Alright, then…well, we have a little hiccup in one of the warehouses. There was a small fire and it destroyed a few ignition pieces that we got from Cromwell this morning.”
I sighed heavily. The last thing I need is any suspicious activity going on where Cromwell was concerned.
“Report it, get all the necessary paperwork done. Then send in to Cromwell’s factory that we need replacements and have the proof to back up our reason for needing it,” I said clearly, Victor nodding as if he was already having all that done.
“Yeah, the fire department is on the scene. I just wanted to let you know. Also, you need to set up a meeting with Vanessa, she’s great at her new position and is in talks with the UK, more specifically Northern Ireland…so there could be a deal pending,” Victor said, his eyebrows lifting with intrigue.
“Alright, well I’m free now if she has twenty minutes, otherwise I’ll be busy until Monday.” Victor nodded, he knew my schedule better than I did, of course.
“It’ll have to be Monday, then; she’s booked solid with meetings. You should give her a raise.”
I laughed at Victor, the fool was so whipped it was hilarious. Nessa had him wrapped around her finger, that was for sure. Victor left to go and deal with the fire incident in our Hell’s Kitchen warehouse and I went to go and get lunch.
I really wanted to talk to Christina again, but I didn’t want to seem weird. Plus, Marissa was probably loading work onto her plate. Now that Christina had a cell phone, I’m sure it would be much easier for her to get the job she really wanted. I went downstairs to the little soup and salad cart in the lobby. By the time I returned to my desk, I couldn’t help myself. I sent her a text: Hope Marissa isn’t working you too hard… I sat back with my salad and took a few bites before she replied.
No…she’s being weirdly nice to me today. I think it’s because we’re going on a date tonight.
I smiled, Marissa was an odd character, beautiful, but odd.
What?! You’re going out on a date with Marissa? I thought we were going out? I sent the message and waited for her reply with a stupid smirk on my face. Not three days ago I had walked in on Victor texting Vanessa with the same goofy grin and I threw my shoe at him.
Of course, we then started wrestling right there in the office and Vanessa walked in, asking if we had something to tell her. The point was that Victor was acting like a silly teenager and it peeved me that I didn’t have that. Now I did and it was ironic, it also felt fucking good.
You’re silly, ha-ha, I meant you and I. I could imagine her soft giggle and my smile turned into a full on grin. Where are we going by the way? Do I have to dress fancy? I was planning on taking her to a nice restaurant, it was intimate and had great food in good portions. Romello’s was my favorite Italian restaurant in the city.
Yeah, it is kind of fancy. I’ll be wearing a jacket and tie over jeans, so hopefully that gives you an idea. Or a vivid picture in your head and you can imagine undressing me. I sent her a winking face and waited for her reply.
I think I have something to go with that…I have to get back to work, I’ll see you tonight. I wondered if she meant she had something to go with the image of me naked, or what I was going to wear on our date. A vivid image of Christina popped into my head.
When she was soaking wet at the photo shoot I could clearly see her sexy curves through her clinging top and jeans. Her curly hair was glistening with water droplets and a lock of it kept dripping water onto her lips. I was floored with the need I had to lick the water from every inch of her body.
Just thinking about it made my cock stiffen and I forced myself to get it together. I had a meeting with several of my department heads in less than ten minutes, for Pete’s sake. Plus, I wouldn’t push Christina past her comfort zone. I’d go at her pace, well I’d push things a little, if her pace was bailing out of our date, but I would simply do whatever she allowed. I nodded to myself resolutely and finished my salad before heading over to the conference room.
The meeting went routinely, everything was running smoothly, apart from the small fire, of course, but things were cleaning up quickly and the warehouse would be back in good order soon. I just hoped Cromwell wouldn’t think anything fishy was going on. Cromwell wanted our partnership to work, but he was far from having blind faith as well. The rest of my day went by with painful slowness.
When I got home, I quickly showered, changed, and then headed over to Christina’s place. I was thirty minutes early, but I couldn’t wait any longer. I stepped inside her building and used the intercom so she could buzz me up.
“Jeffrey?” her voice was a little flustered, I wondered if she had to run to get to the intercom.
“Yeah, it’s me, I’m a little early,” I said while feeling kind of lame. It’s like I was a freaking ninth grader about to go on his first date. Maybe I should have stayed home and forced myself to wait it out.
“Oh, it’s fine. I’ll buzz you up,” she said before I heard the buzzer and the door leading to the stairs opened up. I walked to the third floor and knocked on 3B. She opened the door a few seconds later and I had to physically restrain myself when I saw that she was in a towel, her hair was piled high on her head with a few escaped tendrils falling into her face. “I was just getting into the shower. Make yourself at home, there’s beer in the fridge if you want.”
She quickly scurried into the bathroom and I stepped fully inside, closing the door behind me. I heard the shower start up and the image of her wet from the rain came barreling to the forefront of my mind.
I went right to the fridge. She had four bottles of Yu
engling and I smiled at her choice in beer. Not bad at all. I grabbed one, popped the cap, and then took a long swig. The sound of the shower running as background ambiance was almost painful. I had wanted nothing more than to rip that towel away from her smooth brown skin when she opened the door and explore her every curve and peak.
I tried hard not to even peek inside the bathroom like a weirdo. I glanced around the open space. It was a nice studio apartment, hardwood floors and decorated in nice pastels. She had a balcony and a nice view of the street, too. The kitchen was updated with granite counter tops and a breakfast bar. She had a distinct living room area and her bedroom area was sectioned off on a step lower than the rest of the apartment. I wondered how much this place cost her, or how much Marissa was paying her.
Urban Plus was a high end modeling agency, so maybe that’s how Christina could afford the place. Then she did say that her father was an investment banker so he probably helped her out with rent. The shower turned off and my eyes glued themselves to the bathroom door, just waiting for her to have to come out to the main room to change.
