by Peyton Banks
Clearing his throat, Wendell spoke in a loud, pompous voice. “I have a cost-saving suggestion…how about we start with some minor downsizing? Off the top of my head, there are two people in the marketing department alone who don’t do their jobs well enough to justify their paychecks.”
Gasps of shock erupted inside the conference room, masking the low chuckle that had escaped my mouth. I didn’t like Wendell any more than the next person here at Underthingz, but man, did the guy have chutzpah.
Gayle’s normally pale face turned a splotchy beet red, and her eyes bulged. I expected her to fly off the handle, but instead, she remained composed and silent for a full minute.
“Wendell?” she said in a voice that was the polar opposite of how pissed she looked.
“Yes?”
Her voice was devoid of emotion when she announced, “You’re fired.”
My mouth popped open in surprise. A wave of silence rolled over the room, drowning us all. No one moved, blinked, or breathed for a solid forty-five seconds.
Suddenly, a chuckle pierced the air. It was so smug and annoying, I immediately recognized it as belonging to Wendell. It took him a few seconds of laughing alone to realize that this wasn’t a joke. That he’d actually just been fired.
“You…you can’t be serious, Gayle! Every single launch I’ve spearheaded has been a success. I’ve—”
“You’ve led one campaign, Wendell. And let’s be honest, that one campaign was only as successful as it was because the models assigned to it, Kerenza and Isobel, did phenomenal work on the shoots.”
I nodded in agreement. Myself and my co-model, Isobel Winthrope, had struggled under Wendell’s leadership, but in the end, we’d brought the campaign vision to life, and as a result, the new line had sold well in stores and online.
Wendell parted his lips to protest further, but Gayle held up a hand.
“Do yourself a favor and leave while you still have a shot at getting a somewhat favorable reference from me.”
Springing indignantly out of his chair, Wendell left the room, slamming the door dramatically behind him.
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. If I had known how entertaining this Monday’s staff meeting was going to be, I would have brought popcorn.
“Let me be clear about something. ULC isn’t just a family-owned company; we are a family here, and family should never turn on each other. There will be no talk of throwing anyone to the wolves—which is exactly what a downsize is. If we go down, we go down together.”
A ghost of a smile settled on my face. In this moment, I liked Gayle even more than I already did. She was clearly all about this company and its employees.
“But, now is not the time to talk about going down,” she continued. “Onward and upward. We’ll be launching two new lines this summer. Yes, that’s just two months away, so there is plenty of work to be done, but I’m confident we can do it. To help with this undertaking, I’ll be bringing in a new campaign director next week, and then we’ll get more in depth regarding what each department will be doing to assist with the summer launches. Thanks, and have a great day, team.”
It wasn’t until she left the room that multiple sighs of relief filled the air. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who’d been worried coming into the meeting. For now, at least, there was no time to worry. Only time to get to work and help keep the company we all loved up and running.
My mind drifted to the new campaign director. He or she would have to be a beast at their job to run back-to-back campaigns for brand new lingerie lines releasing in just eight weeks.
3
Oden
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Home of three powerhouse sports teams, a surplus of bridges (most of them painted an eye-catching golden yellow), and the best brand of ketchup to ever exist. Not a bad place to spend at least the next eight weeks. Not bad at all.
In the baggage claim area of the Pittsburgh International Airport, I found a chauffeur holding a sign with my name on it. I didn’t break my stride as I nodded curtly at him and led the way outside. That was kind of my thing: leading.
The chauffeur jogged to catch up to me.
“May I take your bags, sir?”
“Thank you, I’ve got them. Where are we parked?”
He nodded at a shiny black Audi parked a few feet away. I walked briskly toward it, and seconds later, we were pulling off.
I spent the next half hour answering half a dozen emails on my phone before prying my eyes away from the screen and glancing out the tinted window. The skyline view of downtown Pittsburgh was as impressive as ever. Behind the yellow bridges, some of the taller buildings, like the UPMC skyscraper and the US Steel building, dominated the scene.
The spring sun bounced off the murky waters, waters which were comprised of three separate rivers that intermingled in this modern, unique city.
“Beautiful,” I murmured.
“Indeed,” the chauffeur agreed with a distinct note of pride in his voice. Pittsburghers loved their city and were quick to let it be known.
It was early on a Monday morning, so we hit a bit of traffic on our way to Oakland. I checked my Rolex and grimaced. It was pushing nine o’clock, and my introductory meeting with Gayle Walsh was at a quarter to ten. I despised being late.
Leaning forward slightly, I said, “We’re going to have to go straight to Underthingz Lingerie Co., instead of stopping at the hotel first. I don’t want to be late for my first day of work.”
“Yes, sir. We’re actually not that far away, so even with this congestion, we’ll arrive within the next forty minutes.”
I nodded. “Very well.” I kept my eyes on my Rolex, timing the driver. He had exactly forty minutes to get me there.
To my delight, we arrived in twenty-five minutes, sliding into a parking space directly in front of a newer-looking, but moderately sized building. The nondescript grey paint and plain concrete slabs created a rather drab look, which I think was done on purpose. True, it was a racy lingerie company, but it was located in a respectable business district. No sense in displaying the latest line of thongs on a mannequin in the window.
Holding my door open, the chauffeur said, “I’ll be waiting to take you to your hotel once you wrap up here, sir.”
“Excellent. I shouldn’t be more than two hours, if that.”
He nodded just before I walked away. I buttoned my suit jacket as I entered the building, wanting to look professional. A pretty, blonde receptionist checked me in then directed me to the elevator bank, but not before she advised me to get off on the third floor, where Gayle would be waiting.
Sure enough, when the elevator doors slid open, a waifish, middle-aged redhead stood outside them.
“Oden Matthews,” she said, grinning widely and extending her hand. “What a pleasure to finally meet you.”
We shook hands.
“Likewise, Gayle. Likewise. Although, I must admit, with all of our emailing and phone conferences, it feels like I’ve been working with you for a long time already.”
She chuckled.
“It does. Something I think will make your transition that much smoother.”
I smiled in response.
“Shall we head back to my office for a brief chat? Afterwards, we’ll pop in on the Monday morning meeting, and I’ll introduce you to everyone, including your team of models and marketing admins.”
“Let’s do it,” I replied enthusiastically. I’m sure Gayle thought my excitement was work-related, but it really wasn’t. It was because I was one step closer to meeting her.
Gayle’s office was just a few doors down from the elevator bank. It was spacious and decorated with expensive Cherrywood furniture and smelled of lemons and peppermints.
She motioned to one of the guest chairs.
“Please, take a seat.”
I unbuttoned my suit jacket and settled in a chair.
“I’ll just jump right in since time is of the essence these next two months,” Gayle
began. “We’re looking to turn this company around and fast. To help with that, we’re launching two new lines which will now go up to a size twenty-four to cater to our plus-sized customers.”
I nodded to show I was following, although she’d mentioned most of this before, during our many talks.
“Where you come in…we need a kick-ass campaign for both of these lines. Something that makes it nearly impossible for a customer not to buy our lingerie. Your past work on campaigns for Victoria’s Secret, and even Rihanna’s new lingerie line, speaks for itself.”
I bowed my head, feigning humility. I knew I was good. After all, that was the sole purpose of having a job: doing it well.
“May I see the catalogue from the latest campaign?” I asked. I told myself that I wanted to see what kind of models I would have at my disposal, but I knew that was a lie. I wanted to see her face again. Even if it was just the print version of it.
Gayle nodded eagerly, happy to oblige any request of the man she was counting on to help save her beloved company. She opened a drawer and briefly rifled through it, before pulling out a glossy 8x11 booklet.
“Here you are.”
“Thank you,” I murmured distractedly, already flipping through the pages.
From a male standpoint, I admired the sensuality of the lingerie the models wore. They were some sexy pieces, yes, but there was nothing eye-catching about the campaign theme, and subsequently, the photographs. The backdrops, the colors, the furniture were all drab and unoriginal. I’d seen something like it a thousand times over.
I flipped to a new page, stopping when my eyes fell on a familiar face.
Kerenza.
In the photo, she was modelling a sheer bra and panty set, looking both sexy and angelic at the same time. I zeroed in between her legs. The hot pink thong she wore was extremely see-through. She had to be completely bald down there.
An image of the two of us tangled up in the sheets flashed in my mind. I could practically feel her smooth, soft skin beneath my palms.
“Who…who is this?” I asked, unable to pull my eyes away from the image. Now, of course I knew who she was, but that was my secret to keep. No sense in telling my new boss—of sorts—that the only reason I’d taken this job was for a woman I’d never spoken a word to, but wanted in every way possible.
“Oh, that’s Kerenza Towers, one of our top models here at ULC.”
Swallowing, I pried my eyes away from the photo and smiled.
“I can’t wait to meet the team.”
Gayle glanced at the time on her computer monitor. “Let’s just head down to the conference room now.”
We walked back toward the elevators, passing them as we approached the end of the hallway. Gayle made a sharp right and pushed open a door, standing back so I could enter first. I straightened my posture and made my face a blank canvass.
The room was on the larger side, with numerous conference tables positioned all throughout. The majority of the chairs were filled with staff members, all of whom craned their necks to get a look at the new guy.
Most people would be apprehensive about joining a close-knit company so late in the game—but not me. I was here to win over Kerenza and to work. Making friends was quite literally the last thing on my mind.
Gayle led the way to the front of the room, and proceeded to give an introductory speech, listing a few of my notable campaigns. When she finished her spiel, she gave me the floor.
“Good morning, everyone,” I started, speaking in a firm but neutral voice. “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the ULC team for the dual campaign run…” As I talked, I scanned the room, taking in the various faces. My eyes landed on the face I’d come all this way for, and suddenly, suddenly I couldn’t seem to string together a coherent sentence.
“Uh…I…I…”
The corners of Kerenza’s eyes crinkled with concern, and she gave me a small smile of encouragement, probably thinking I was nervous about standing up in front of a room full of strangers. That wasn’t the case. It was being in front of her. Oddly enough, Kerenza was the one having this effect on me and it was her smile that made me pull it together. A woman who both unnerved me and gave me strength. I couldn’t wait to make her mine.
Clearing my throat, I continued, “I’ve got some fresh, innovative ideas for the upcoming campaigns and I’m excited to get to work first thing tomorrow. Thank you.”
I nodded curtly as a polite round of applause broke out.
“That concludes the meeting,” Gayle announced. “There’s a delicious breakfast buffet in the cafeteria. Stop by and shake Mr. Matthews’ hand on your way out!”
My new co-workers promptly formed a line in front of me, and one by one, they came up and welcomed me to the team. I met John and Lillian from the human resources department. We’d communicated via email many times over the last few weeks, in order to get all the paperwork for my position completed. Then there was Edward, the Chief Financial Officer for ULC. He looked like a slightly younger Colonel Sanders—slightly.
A pretty Indian woman was next to step forward. I recognized her as one of the models I’d seen in the catalogue in Gayle’s office.
“Hi!” she gushed, practically shaking with energy. “I’m Adhira but everyone calls me Addy. I’m one of the models here at ULC and I’m so excited to work with someone who’s done an Angel campaign for VS!”
I smiled and indulged her in a few minutes of small talk before she left and the next person in line moved into view. Oh, but it wasn’t just any person, it was the person. The person I’d come all this way to finally meet.
Time slowed down as she extended her hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Matthews. I’m Kerenza Towers.”
Of their own accord, the words “I know” slipped out, earning me a smirk and a raised brow.
“You know? Have we met before?”
Only in my fantasies.
I licked my lips, using it as an excuse to stare at her for a moment longer and revel in her beauty. Her complexion, a smooth tawny brown, made it easy to see the smatter of freckles across the bridge of her nose and the tops of her cheeks. She had eyes I was willing to bet were the exact same hue as honey, shrouded in thick, black upper and lower lashes. Her bottom lip was slightly fuller than her top, giving her mouth a sexy natural pout. Her hair looked to be freshly straightened and cut, coming to a stop just below her shoulders.
“Uh…no,” I replied belatedly. “I uh…I saw you in a recent Underthingz catalogue and remembered your face, is all. You were great in that campaign, the one with the white and pink theme.”
She tucked a bit of hair behind her ear and ducked her head bashfully.
“Thank you, thank you,” she replied, smiling and showing off a set of deep dimples
Most men would have found her shyness to be adorable, but not me. I found it to be a turn on. To the extent that my dick began to stir.
I clenched my teeth and held my breath, willing myself to calm down. The tailored suit I wore would showcase everything if I got fully hard. I doubted Kerenza—or our co-workers—was ready to see so much of me so soon.
There was, of course, no question that I would have her, but this was a marathon, not a sprint.
Belatedly, I replied, “You’re most welcome, Kerenza.”
Our eyes met, and she gave me a curious look.
“What’s the matter?” I asked, ready to make whatever it was better at a second’s notice.
She chuckled lightly. “My hand…I was just wondering if you were going to let me have it back?”
I smiled, glancing down at her dainty hand still clasped in between both of mine. I’d have been content to stand here, holding her hand and talking all day. But I could feel the eyes of every person in the room on us, due to the fact that our exchange was lasting longer than the ones before it.
“Sorry about that.” I sighed with regret and released her hand.
Grinning, she walked away before tossing over her shou
lder, “No biggie.”
I watched her exit the room, taking the time to admire her from the back. My dick flexed menacingly, warning me to get my mind out of the gutter.
“Ahem,” a girlish voice said.
Facing forward again, my eyes landed on a cute blonde.
“Isobel Winthrope,” she said, thrusting out her hand, but not in the way one held out their hand for a professional handshake. No, she held hers in a way that suggested I carefully accept it and raise it to my lips before planting a sweet, chivalrous kiss on the back of it.
Reluctantly, I took hold of her hand and gave it an awkward shake.
“Very nice to make your acquaintance, Isobel,” I said genially. “If my memory serves me correct, you’re one of the models here at ULC, yes?”
Perfectly arched brows drew inward, and a small crease appeared between them. Her already pouty lips poked out even more.
“Excuse me?” she said, voice stiff as if I had somehow offended her.
Gayle had given me a list of the staff members who would be working directly with me on the campaigns, and I was certain I’d seen Isobel’s name on said list.
Still, I asked, “You’re not on the modelling team?”
She lifted her head and replied haughtily, “I’m the lead model here. I’ve done the most campaigns and have the most experience in the modelling industry as a whole.”
I held back a smart retort. That would be bad, seeing as I was her direct boss. Still, something told me this woman was going to be the bane of my existence when it came to working on these campaigns.
“Ah,” I remarked. “Well, it was nice meeting you.”
Ignoring her bewildered expression at being politely dismissed, I stepped to the side and made eye contact with the next person in line. After a few seconds, Isobel took the hint and sashayed off. She would have never made it as a runway model, I noted. She tried way too hard with her walk.
4
