‘What am I going to wear if I see her tonight?’ Suddenly, my jeans, shirt and cardigan don’t seem nearly good enough in case she’s still there. She made me feel so feminine, the chivalrous way she spoke to me, how she touched me and looked at me… It’s been a long time since I dressed up for someone, and I liked it. Changing my mind, I decide that my job may not be my priority right now after all. ‘Just for today.’
“Jeff?” I say, turning to him with a smile. “Would you mind taking over my last appointment? I have to run to the pharmacy.”
“Really?” Jeff frowns. “You trust me with Target?”
I hesitate for a moment, contemplating if I really want to leave the less experienced Jeff with my biggest client. It took me three years to get them on board and if he screws up there’s no coming back from it. My insane need to be prepared for her is bigger than my ambition though, and so I nod and cast him a big smile.
“Yes, of course I do. You’ll be great, trust me.” Getting up from the table, I grab my purse and wink at him before walking out of the stand.
4
As much as I hate to admit it, I’m disappointed that May, as she calls herself, is not here when I take a seat at the hotel bar in the very spot she was sitting yesterday. After showering and getting dressed up, I even managed to get here at the same time, just in case she had a regular schedule too. I should have guessed that she doesn’t, though, because nothing about her pointed to anything scheduled.
It’s busier today, and I’m silently hoping the stool next to me will stay free in case she sees me and decides to join anyway. Unfortunately, it’s not May, but Jeff who comes rushing up to me. When I see his wide grin, I can’t help but smile too, because I know it’s got something to do with the client that he took over from me.
“Why are you so chirpy?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“Why am I so chirpy?” Jeff repeats my question and shifts on the spot like an excited toddler. I love his enthusiasm and sometimes I wish I felt the same after fifteen years in the same business. I’m dedicated, sure. But Jeff still has the drive I used to have and I’m a little envious of him. “You’re never going to believe this; we’ve just had a massive order on that new fabric you’re presenting on Monday!”
“Already? That’s fantastic, Jeff.” Giving him a pat on his shoulder, I hold up my gin and tonic in a toast. “What are you drinking?”
“I’ll have a beer. Could really do with one now.” Then Jeff’s gaze travels over me. “You look different. Why did you get changed?” He gives me an almost disapproving look as he glances at my hair. The braid he’s used to seeing has been released into long, free flowing blonde locks and I’m pretty sure he’s judging me for wearing a little makeup too.
“I needed a shower,” I say in my most nonchalant tone, knowing he’s confused about how I look. Clothes are generally not my priority and the only reason I brought the dress I wore last night was in case I got asked to go for a fancy dinner somewhere but so far, everyone seems quite happy staying at the hotel.
Instead of going to the pharmacy, I took a taxi to a department store and bought new lingerie, a dress, and the pair of black killer heels with red soles I’m wearing right now, but Jeff doesn’t need to know that. The black dress is revealing in the sense that it’s backless, but other than that it’s decent enough to wear amongst my fellow vendors, who are mostly dressed in jeans, preppy shirts and cardigans. The shoes on the other hand, are a little more daring. They’re high and elegantly heart-shaped at the toe, with stiletto heels, and they’re so not me. I’m grateful for the bar, covering my thighs and feet because if Jeff saw my shoes too, he would seriously question what I was up to. I have no wicked plans for tonight, or so I tell myself, but if she shows up, I want to look good.
Jeff is not exactly a Casanova, and women have never been his strong point. That’s what makes our working relationship so great, though. Being together for twelve hours a day creates a bond, and the risk of him starting to see me in any other way than a friend is something I’m happy to do without because he’s like a brother to me.
“I get that but…” Jeff pauses. “You’ve dressed up.” Again, he gives me a baffled glance-over and his frown almost makes me believe I look disgusting beyond imagination. But I know I don’t. In fact, I like the new me, even if it’s only for one more night.
“Yeah, well, everyone wants to look nice now and then.” The memory of her intense eyes flash before me, and a shiver runs down my spine. Every time my mind goes there, I clench my thighs together and have to force back a whimper. Her hands on me, her thrusts, her mouth claiming mine... I didn’t mind going back to my own room. In fact, I needed some alone time to collect myself. After finally calming down, I had a long shower and it took me at least ten minutes to register the water was cold because I was so overwhelmed by what she’d done to me.
“I suppose so.” Jeff picks up his beer and decides to let the subject slide, still refusing to give me a compliment of any kind. “Anyway, take a look at these numbers from today.” He holds his phone out for me and takes a sip from his drink. His animated state makes me chuckle, and it is then that I feel a hand on my back. I freeze because I know it’s her. Before my mind has had a chance to process it, my body is already reacting to her closeness. The flutters, the wetness, the ache... ‘Jesus.’
“Hi,” I say, and smile as I turn to her, hoping I don’t sound too keen.
“Hi.” She sits down next to me and nods politely but other than that, doesn’t acknowledge me. Instead, she asks the bartender for a Scotch as she rests her chin in the palm of her hand, looking a little bored. The barstools are placed close to each other and when she shifts, I feel her thigh against mine. I stare at her, completely taken aback by her lack of engagement and basic manners. It’s rude, not to mention hurtful. I take a beat to process the fact that she’s ignoring me and contemplate saying something that might shake her a little, although I doubt that’s possible. I don’t though. I never yell at people and now is not the time to start, I tell myself. Especially not with Jeff sitting next to me. No one here can find out what I got up to last night. My colleagues in the industry respect me, take me seriously and I’d like to keep it that way, so I turn away from her and face Jeff again.
“Are you okay?” he asks me. “There’s something off about you today.”
“Yeah, I’m fine, just a little tired.” I lean in closer and try to concentrate on the numbers he’s showing me when suddenly I feel a flirtatious hand on my knee. Immediately, I freeze again and try not to flinch. A fire spreads out from my core, numbing everything around me for a moment. The chatter, the light jazz music, the lights, even Jeff is forgotten. ‘So this is what she wants,’ I think, when I realize this was her plan all along. I’m so aroused just from the touch of her warm hand that my brain shuts down. “Looks good,” I stammer at Jeff, trying to sound like myself. Truth is, I have no idea what is on the screen because there is no way I can concentrate while her hand is on me.