On nights like this, she loved Guido. When he was good, he was very good. She thought of a line she’d heard in a movie or maybe read in a book somewhere. She wasn’t sure. But it went something like taking the sweet with the bitter. And wasn’t it accurate? The truism epitomized their relationship. While they may fight from time to time, he came through for her more often than not.
Guido was right. She’d overworked this assignment. Tom had entrusted her, rather early, with a difficult client. Maybe he was testing her? Well, she’d prove herself. She always did. She thought of one of her affirmations: whatever I need will come to me in the perfect time and space sequence.
In her buzzed state of mind, she thought this client didn’t appreciate what she and her firm had to offer. Their current plan wasn’t working. If it were, they wouldn’t be at Synergy Plus’s door asking for more funding.
Maybe she should let someone else take the account.
She finished her wine, and Guido brought coffee and dessert into the living room.
“This is homemade frozen soy yogurt and blueberries topped with a sugar-free raspberry glaze.”
“You’re too good to me, Guido.” She pulled him in for a long, wet thank-you kiss.
They ate their dessert and cuddled on the couch. He massaged her feet, slowly circled her arches, very lightly. Mmm. His touch hit her erogenous zone and made her instantly horny.
He unbuttoned her blouse, reached behind, and undid her bra. Then he tantalized the nipples of her breasts with light butterfly touches. Carmala threw her head back and closed her eyes, allowing Guido to have his way with her. With more insistent touches, he pinched her nipples and followed the action with a gentle caress.
Ah, God! He drove her nuts!
Before she knew it, her skirt and hose were off, and he was going down on her, sending her into wave after wave of many orgasms. Finally, she hit the very top of an ecstatic plateau and pleaded with him to stop.
Guido carried her to bed. Carmala felt comforted by his huge, muscular arms and nestled her head in the crook of his neck. Once in bed, he kissed and caressed her, and man, he worked his magic. He quickly brought her to arousal again. Rising above her, he crashed into her. It was a little rough but with just the right amount of passion, and within minutes she rode the crest of yet another orgasm. But he wouldn’t let himself have his own yet. He was teasing her again.
He pulled out of her, rolled her on top of him, and leaned back with his hands behind his head. “Finish me, baby.”
She took control, bringing herself and then him to one final soul-ripping orgasm. He reached for her and pulled her down into his arms. He buried his head into her neck. She could feel their sweat combining. In that moment, they were one. Body and soul.
Guido was simply the very best.
He whispered in her ear, “Carmala, I love you more than life. You are my goddess.”
“I love you too, Guido. You’re my hero.”
****
Carmala awoke the next morning feeling refreshed. Despite her doubts about Smithinson last night, she was bound and determined to save the account. No matter what it took. She had a brainstorm on the subway ride to work.
And she thought she had the answer.
When she arrived at the office, she raced to Tom’s desk and ran the idea by him.
“Tom, what do you think?”
“I think it sounds good, and believe me, Smithinson is going to come around. They need us. They don’t have a shot in the dark without us. What you’ve proposed isn’t something I’d normally suggest, but in this case, I think you’re right. Go ahead and line up the financing now. Once you’ve raised the promises for the capital, we’ll present it to the board. We can do it together, if you’d like. I’ll call over to Smithinson and buy some time.”
“No, I can do this.” He agreed, and she walked out of Tom’s office with a confident stride.
At her desk, Carmala dug out her little black book of client contacts. Well, not really a book, more like a text document she kept on her phone, password-protected, so no one could see it. It contained important numbers of people she’d met and established a professional rapport with since the beginning of her working career. People of influence and money. She’d made these contacts at times when she could get no reinforcement in her abilities or any kind of affirmation that she was good enough from her former employer Banter Androson & Company. And now, they could go scratch their asses. She had her Dream Job. Indirectly, she also had a lot of the clients she’d worked with at Banter in her pocket. Many of these people had expressed to her, countless times, they’d believed she was severely underemployed and stifled as a staff auditor.
She would call some hot-to-trot execs who’d invest a little moola in her idea for Smithinson, and then she’d really prove herself to the board. With a bit of help from her new best friend Betsy from the Synergy Plus secretarial pool, she’d get a few more contacts that the company had used before. But before she reached out to any of them, she’d make the most important call herself, to her biggest investor. Marc Blass.
“Marc, can you meet today at the Plaza Oyster Bar for lunch? Something really important has come up.”
“I’m jam-packed. What’s this is all about?”
“I can tell you that it has to do with combining healthy food with gas-station convenience stores.”
“You’re talking about Smithinson Gas. Heard all about it. They aren’t interested in going global with that health food stuff.”
“Trust me. I have a really good hunch. Can you please meet me for lunch?”
“I can meet you for a quick drink after work. I’ll meet you at the Plaza at six sharp, okay?”
“You won’t be sorry. I promise.” She knew it with every fiber of her being: she could sell him on the proposition.
At the bar she ordered a martini but didn’t touch it as she waited. She caught a whiff of her Tiffany perfume, which she’d sprayed on, maybe a little too heavily, for good luck. Her hands perspired as the nerves got the better of her. An affirmation materialized in her mind. Success came to her effortlessly and easily. Hmm. With her palpitating heart, she wasn’t so sure how easily. She picked up a napkin and twisted it into rings on her fingers while she watched the door for Marc’s arrival. His buy-in was crucial.
He strolled in fifteen minutes past six. She found herself annoyed. She’d been punctual—why had he made her wait? She was nervous enough as it were. Yeah, the prospect could be late, but never the prospector. Then, again, she was dealing with Marc Blass.
“Marc, it’s so good to see you.” She air-kissed him.
He slid into a seat beside her and immediately ordered a straight-up martini, dry. “Let’s hear it, kiddo. Make it fast. I have another appointment.”
“Okay. Well, here’s the story…” Carmala pitched her five-minute spiel.
He looked doubtful. “I’m not sure this will work, given the current managerial attitude. Knowing you, though, I’ll bet you sweet-talk them.” He winked, and from anyone else she’d consider it degrading, but with Marc, it’d been part of his charm. He swallowed the remainder of his drink. “I have to admit, I’m impressed with your ideas. The fact that Tom is behind you is also encouraging. So I’ll agree to put in one million dollars.”
Yeah! With Marc’s backing, she’d have the leverage to convince the other investors.
She rehearsed her pitch all night. First thing in the morning, she let her fingers do the dialing and recited the pitch to every single potential investor. “This is Carmala Rosa from Synergy Plus. I have the deal of the century. My client is seeking private financing but will be taking themselves public within two years. They’re going to place health food restaurants in their gasoline convenience stores across the country. With everyone being health conscious these days, the expansion is bound to be hugely successful. Call, e-mail me, or text me ASAP! I need numbers as soon as possible before the holiday!”
****
During the next twenty-
four hours, Carmala worked tirelessly and made her goal. The next morning she knocked on Tom’s door, and he motioned her in.
“Well, how are we doing?” he asked.
“I’ve scored three-point-four million dollars for Smithinson. That’s bound to blow their socks off, especially since they were only hoping for two million.”
“You go!” He bounced from behind his desk, shook her hand so vigorously she feared he’d knock her arm out of her shoulder socket. All was well. She couldn’t have been happier that she was able to impress him. Her hard work had paid off. In a huge way.
“Now all we have to do is sell the client. I have a meeting with them tomorrow.”
“Terrific. Are you sure you don’t want me to come along, in case you need backup?”
“No, Tom. I got it, honestly.”
“Okay. Do you have the disclosures for them to sign in order?”
“I do. I’m proposing they take the company public within twenty-four months so they can repay their initial investments.”
****
When the presentation was complete, George addressed Carmala. “We’re impressed with the money you have lined up. We can’t help but win with this backing. The extra investment money you’ve secured will more than compensate for the additional costs for the expansion of Health-to-Go.” He addressed the board. “I vote we move forward. How do you rule?”
The board agreed unanimously to move forward with the plan. Health-on-the-Run Marts were going be installed in all of the Smithinson gas stops that had convenience stores.
Synergy Plus was in favor with Smithinson, and everyone was happy. Carmala wondered if Synergy Plus would give her an even bigger challenge next time and maybe a promotion for the coming fiscal year. God, she hoped so. If the assignment didn’t kill her.
Chapter Ten
Three weeks after the Smithinson win and still reeling on the incredible high, Carmala took a languorous moment and admired the early December snow trickling down outside her office window. Business activity had slowed, as expected, during the holiday season. She had some loose ends to tie up with Smithinson and a couple of other less complicated clients to work with, but nothing new. She decided to cut out early. Heck, she deserved some time to herself. As promised, she’d brought in the big client, Smithinson, before year-end. Besides, she needed to do a little Christmas shopping.
Before five o’clock, with trickles of guilt seeping through her consciousness, she ducked out of the office building, grabbed the subway to City Hall, and browsed the shops at Bryant Park. The stores were comprised of glass-enclosed small structures selling art, handcrafts, jewelry, scarves, and hats. A huge Christmas tree, fully decorated, stood in the park center. Off to the side of the park stood an enclosed ice-skating rink. She longed to put on skates and glide on the ice, but it was bitter cold, so she settled on buying a hot chocolate instead.
Maybe this year they’d have a white Christmas.
She strolled up Fifth Avenue and gazed at the beautiful storefront windows. The chill went right through her mink coat. On a whim, she decided that the weather called for high tea at the Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel. The tearoom was packed, requiring an hour wait, so she headed to the Champagne Bar instead.
She’d ease her slightly guilty conscience by using the opportunity to prospect for a new client. Chances of attracting a high-profile client seemed more likely at the Plaza than a small time Chamber of Commerce business-networking event. As she waited for a martini, she noticed a remarkably handsome man sitting at the opposite end of the bar. She could check him out pretty well since the bar accommodated seating for only eight people. Plus, it was empty. She attempted to peek at him without his notice. Hmmm. A sharp dresser. Possibly a businessman.
Whoops! He met her gaze through the mirror. Embarrassing but not exactly flirting and not entirely businesslike. She smiled confidently.
Suddenly, she and the stranger burst into a simultaneous laugh.
The waiter came with her martini. “Madame, the martini is on the gentleman at the end of the bar.”
“Please, tell him thank you.” She inclined her head and lifted her glass to the man. Smooth move with the martini sending. Sneaking another glance at him, she examined him a little closer. His suit was well made, professional but not too corporate. He wore a collared, white shirt buttoned all the way and no tie. The tip of a red hanky peeped out of his jacket pocket. The stranger caught her eye again and lifted his glass to her this time. Feeling silly, she returned the motion again.
The back-and-forth gestures were getting ridiculous. Maybe she should go over to him and introduce herself. However, just as she put her drink down and wiggled off the stool, she spotted him walking toward her.
Guido would be pissed with this scenario. But who knew? This stranger might be a prospective client. In her line of work—and especially now that she was in commission-based sales—she had to play this social game. Occasionally, she’d send a drink to a prospect, and sometimes it was vice versa. No harm. No foul. For some reason, she couldn’t resist this man’s inviting smile, and she didn’t want to.
The stranger arrived at her side. “Hello, gorgeous. I couldn’t help noticing you in the mirror. I’m Jon Barlo.” He extended his hand.
“I’m Carmala Rosa. It was a bit hard not to notice you as well. And thanks again for the martini.” She clicked her glass against his, and they sipped their drinks in unison.
“It appears you’ve started your night early.”
She glanced at her watch. “It is almost five o’clock.”
“I can’t imagine what a beautiful woman like you would be doing here by yourself.” He settled in a seat next to her and finished his martini, then motioned to the waiter for another drink.
God. She’d promised to cook tonight, and now she totally didn’t feel like it. If she showed up tipsy, Guido would be angry.
“I’m celebrating the launching of a client that’s been a bear to get on paper. And my new job that’s going rather well, if I do say so myself.”
“Tell me about it.” As he focused on her intently and leaned in, she could tell he was genuinely interested.
“I don’t want to bore you.”
“On the contrary, I’d love to hear all about it. Regale me with your tales of corporate takeovers. You seem like a tough businesswoman with that fine power suit and those killer heels.” Jon made an elaborate show of eyeing her up and down in a complimentary and not sleazy way.
He pleased her, but she wondered about his motives. She couldn’t get a good read on him and felt a cold vibe from him. On the surface, Jon was warm and gracious, yet there was a definite underlying coolness. He was flirtatious, yet at the same time he didn’t seem to be making a move on her.
He motioned to the bartender for another round of drinks. “It’s not very often I’m out of the office this early myself. So tell me about your deal.”
She didn’t know if it was the drinks talking or if she felt an immediate kinship with Jon, but she opened up like a flower. She told him about her job as a public accountant, her new position with Synergy Plus, and the recent client, Smithinson. He seemed to listen with a keen intelligence, asking questions at all the right places.
If only Guido had shown that much interest in her. On an intellectual basis. Half the time she could tell she bored him with her career chatter. Mostly, she held back, not wanting to sound as if she were bragging to Guido. She hated that she couldn’t fully be herself.
But she shouldn’t make comparisons. It wasn’t fair.
“That sounds really exciting. You’re a smart lady. I’m sure Tom Johnson was impressed.”
What? He knew her boss?
He raised his brows. “I actually had some business dealings with Synergy Plus. They’re, indeed, a good firm.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m a fashion merchandiser.”
“Really?” She took the opportunity to make a show of checking him out head to toe, as he’d done
to her. “Love the clothes. Tell me more about what you do. I’d like to hear more…” She glanced at her watch. It was already six. “Shoot, I’ve got to get going. I promised to cook dinner.” She specifically left out who she was making dinner for because she didn’t want to get into the whole boyfriend thing.
“I’ll tell you what, here’s my card. When you get a chance, shoot me an e-mail. Maybe we can meet up for drinks sometime soon.”
“That sounds great, Jon. It was wonderful meeting you.” She threw his card in her purse and finished off her martini. When she stood, Jon stood with her, and without a word, he took her hand and kissed it. What a gentleman.
She said goodbye and quickly made her exit, a bit worried Guido would question why she was late. She grabbed a cab outside the hotel. On her way home, she wondered about her new acquaintance. Jon hadn’t exactly flirted with her, but he’d given her the kind of attention that only a male would give her. One thing was for sure, he was definitely interesting. And fashion merchandising? Also interesting. She hadn’t met anyone in the industry.
When Carmala arrived home, Guido was in a surprisingly good mood. Thank God, he’d just gotten home as well, even though it was close to seven. He offered to take her out to eat, despite her promise to make dinner. And what a relief it was because Carmala didn’t feel up to cooking. On the other hand, she didn’t feel like going out. Guido suggested Chinese takeout and ran out to get the food. As an added bonus, he hadn’t asked a single question about where she’d been. Sometimes he could actually act cool. However, she could count the rare occasions when he didn’t give her the third degree. Such was life with Guido.
****
The next week, on a slow afternoon, Carmala poked through her bag and came across Jon’s card. On impulse she shot him an e-mail saying how nice it was to meet him and that she’d like to schedule a meeting, making sure the tone was professional.
Shortly after that, she got a call.
“Is this the famous Synergy Plus power broker that I’ve heard of?” A man’s voice came through on the line, but not one she’d recognized.
Having Fun with Mr. Wrong Page 10
