by Maria Xystra
“And that’s exactly what we’re here for. To help you establish a common system for the company according to which your businesses will come together as one and bring out the best results.” Wow, that actually came out better than I expected, even though I could feel my palms sweating. I thought my voice was gonna crack and a knot started to form in my throat. This is becoming ridiculous; first, I nearly choke on my burger, then my coffee and now? My saliva? This rarely happens to me and this guy has caused it three times in less than twenty-four hours.
No one says anything for a couple of seconds and I feel both of them looking at me. Maybe I should continue a bit more then.
“In this department of AMC, we focus on Performance Improvement, Risk & Assurance and Advisory. So, in this business plan,” I hand him the folder, “we’ve collected data from your ongoing operations and formed a detailed course of action including advice on various sectors, like transactions and accounting, goals and ways to achieve them, expenses, competition and an annual forecast of the estimated profit and loss.”
He listens to me carefully and I could swear I saw his eyes widen just a fracture like he wasn’t expecting me to be a dexterous professional. And, how could he? Given our first meeting during which he must have thought I was some random chick at a bar with the brain of a fish.
Luke starts going through the business plan with him and that gives me the opportunity to continue exploring his figure. His muscles are impressive and whenever he talks and moves his hands his biceps flex. His t-shirt is screaming at me: please rip me off this body! I bet he looks like the statue of a Greek god underneath his clothes. Oh my God... What am I doing?? Did I just picture our client naked? Focus, Davis! Rule number three: STOP IGNORING RULES ONE AND TWO! Quick! Think of something else...chores...gotta do some laundry...get rid of dirty clothes...get rid of Cole’s clothes! Shit! Aaarrrggghhh! I reach for a water bottle from the middle of the table. I sense his eyes following my movements, but I don’t dare to lift my gaze to him.
“…And how would we minimize the risk of influence between the operations?” He, too, reaches for a water bottle from the table and he opens the lid raising it to his lips. Even the simplest move makes me wanna get on the table and attack him.
“What I’d like to know is how we would minimize the risk of excitement between my thighs!!” OK, I didn’t say that out loud, but I thought of it. Fuck the rules.
“Well, even though the system is to be followed by every restaurant, bar and club of the company, each place will run on an autonomous basis so that if any problem appears somewhere it wouldn’t affect the rest, nor the company as a whole,” I reply and reach forward to turn the pages to the point I just mentioned.
“Yes, it is demonstrated in subsections 3 and 4 exactly how that works,” Luke continues, and I now find it impossible to tear my gaze from Theron’s eyes. In the reflection from the daylight coming from the windows behind me, I now notice that the hazel is tinted with green sparkles. Long, thick lashes nearly touch his cheekbones. Striking, charming and expressive. When he is focusing on what someone is saying or when he is thinking he puts his eyebrows together and – unconsciously maybe – lifts his hand and slightly touches that spot with his thumb. The movement comes out so harmonious and natural it makes me want to ease out the lines between his eyebrows with a trail of kisses. Oh. My. God. I don’t think I’ve ever been more sexually attracted to anyone.
I try to tune into the conversation but it’s difficult to look at him, to listen to him and inhale his scent – I’m sure I know that cologne –and try to find words to articulate meaningful sentences at the same time. So, I just stick to “yes, that’s right” and “hm-mm”. By the end of the meeting, I’m so sick of my dirty thoughts, that all I want to do is bang my head on the table. Repeatedly!
*****
About an hour after the meeting, I find myself googling men’s colognes in an attempt to find the one he uses. I’m sure I’ve smelled it before. I could make out some of the scents; woods and spices, leather maybe, and something else. What am I missing? I scroll through the colognes. Not that one, not that one, definitely not that one. There! An expensive designer brand appears on my screen informing me that the essence I can’t get out of my head is a mixture of woods, spices, amber and leather. Amber! Yeap, that’s him. I put an elbow on my desk to support my tired head and I feel a smile creeping up my face at the thought of him; him and his lingering scent.
Jesus, Lex. What is wrong with you? I can’t believe I just looked up his cologne!
I pick up the phone and dial a number.
“Saaaamm?”
“Hey chica! What’s up?”
“I need a drink. No, I need lots of drinks!”
“What happened this time?”
“Are we still on for tonight?”
“Yeah! We’re meeting Eric right after his shift.”
“Great. Are we going together?”
“Sure. I’ll come pick you up after work.”
“Luke–”
“Yay!! My two favorite people in the world are gonna meet at last!”
I chuckle and continue. “Luke gave me the rest of the day off – because I spent the night here obviously – so I’ll be at home. Come by whenever you want.”
“Perfect, see you later,” she sings at the phone.
“See ya!”
CHAPTER 4
“Wait! Sam!” I turn to her as she pulls over in front of the bar – THE bar. “Why are we here? I thought we were going for drinks!” I demand.
“I hate to break this to you babe, but this is a bar! Last time I checked, bars serve alcohol.”
“I thought we were going...someplace else?”
“Why what’s wrong with this bar? Anyway, Eric finishes his shift in a bit and we can take it from there. Come on,” she nods and gets out of the car. Shit, shit, shit.
We walk into the bar and I fidget for a moment. I turn to Sam, to let her know that Mr. What’s your drink is the owner of this place, but she is no longer beside me. She practically runs to the bartender, reaches over and gives him a kiss.
I scan the bar and its tenants, dreading the thought that he might be here. Coast is clear. Phew.
“This is Lexy,” she introduces me as I approach them. The tall, muscled figure turns to me. He flashes a smile that is seriously forcing me to like him!
“The notorious Lexy! Nice to finally meet you! I’m Eric,” he says and offers me his hand. I’m met by dark, kind eyes that seem genuinely happy.
“Yeah same here. If I didn’t meet you soon I’d think you were her imaginary boyfriend!”
He chuckles and adds with ease: “Truth be told, I am every woman’s dream boyfriend!” He jokes, and I bet coming from anyone else this would sound cheesy, but coming from him, it’s just plain cute. I snort, and Sam rolls her eyes. He definitely made it into the inner circle.
“Take a seat girls, I’m about to finish up,” he says and disappears to the end of the bar. Sam takes a seat at the bar and I do the same. I purposefully sit on her right, keeping the entrance in my sight for any unwanted arrivals. It is however closing time so, fingers crossed, Mr. Owner will have gone home by now.
“So? What do you think?” she asks me conspiratorially, waiting for words of approval.
“Well he seems like a nice guy. Totally Sam-boyfriend material!”
“I know, right?” she flashes a huge smile.
Before we get the chance to get into deep conversation, Eric comes behind her and turns to me.
“Would you like anything to drink before we head out?”
As we are trying to decide if we’re having a drink here and then going, Eric follows someone with his eyes. “Hey man, are you coming with us for a drink?”
“You are definitely coming!” Sam tells that someone who is now standing behind me. “I need you to keep the female population away from my man!” she jokes.
A quite familiar scent finds its way to my nostrils and I slowly turn in frig
ht. “Lexy, this is Cole.” Eric says from somewhere far away.
Halfway through my turn, I grind my teeth. “Fuck. Me.”
I practically sense Eric and Sam raising their eyebrows after my comment, so, it wasn’t as subtle as I thought.
“Well, now that’s a proper introduction!” a gorgeous face smirks at me. “I thought you’d never ask, Tipsy!” he continues and there is no trace of the professional I met this morning. I pointedly roll my eyes. This is – what? – the third time I meet this guy?? In two days? God! Is the universe pulling a prank on me?
Eric and Sam are still shocked by our greeting.
“Ms. Lexy Davis,” he continues, slowly uttering and emphasizing each word. “Well, Tipsy,” he repeats that god-awful nickname, “you didn’t have to come all the way here to convince me to take your offer… Now, concerning this second offer… I’ll gladly consider it,” he turns to me suggestively and winks.
“It’s Lexy.” I snap at him. “For you actually, it’s Ms. Davis,” I add bitterly. “And there’s only one offer I want you to consider.” I turn to Sam with a meaningful look and she looks back at me in wonder.
“Do you two know each other?” Eric asks and at the same time Sam wonders “Did we miss something?”
“Kind of…,” Cole starts.
“We met a couple of times,” I make no effort to hide my resentment.
“Tipsy here is my new consultant,” he explains, putting his arm around my shoulders.
His unexpected embrace reaches my core and I feel my muscles tense.
“Oooh! That consultant you–hoo!” Eric starts but Cole cuts him midsentence with an elbow in the ribs.
His smell fills my head and I find it impossible to shake him off. Almost. I fight my instincts to grab him by the head and taste him. Instead, I slightly shove his hand off my shoulder and I turn to him.
“What do you mean your consultant? I thought you were in the process of assessing offers.”
“I was. Not anymore.”
“What do you mean?” I ask cautiously.
“Can’t you take a hint?” he says and raises an eyebrow at me with a mysterious look suggesting the beginning of something.
I stare back at him with a blank expression, while he lifts his hand and gestures at Eric to make us a drink.
The effect he has on me is unprecedented; I’m usually ready to answer back at everything anyone says to me before they even finish their sentence. Except this particular someone who makes me numb every time he’s around and it takes me ages to think and articulate anything! It’s frustrating! He is frustrating! Hot as hell, but frustrating nonetheless.
“Oh.” I reply registering his statement. “And, if I may ask, when are you planning on making this official?” I put on my work hat and get ready to talk business.
“Relax, Tipsy!” he simply says and sits on the stool next to me. He puts his hand on my stool and turns me around to face him. My legs are now locked between his and I feel the blood draining from my face. It is an awkward reminder of my dream. My wet dream. My wet dream about him.
“Stop calling me Tipsy! You don’t even know me!” I snap at him, probably a bit more aggressively than intended. I try to turn my stool away from him and put some distance between us, but his lock is firm.
“Well then, drink up and chill out so I can get to know you,” he says through a smile on his flawless face. He leans towards me and before I get uncomfortable and excited by his closeness I realize that he’s just reaching for our drinks.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to drink with a potential client.” I try to keep this casual and still on a professional level, but as if he can read my mind he replies:
“I don’t let my business affect my personal life and you should do the same. We can talk about work in our professional meetings so any other time I’m just Cole, your girl is dating my man, and you’re just Tip-” I scowl at him, “Lexy. We know we’ll inevitably spend time together so put away your business plan and let’s get to know each other. Cole,” he says and offers me his hand. Again. How many times am I gonna meet this man? It is now officially a joke!
I roll my eyes at him and introduce myself.
“Tipsy. Err, Lexy!” he chuckles at my answer and I fluster. God! How does he do that? Get under my skin so quickly? And so effectively? I try to distract myself by looking at Sam and Eric who are chatting away like two lovebirds flying over their own rainbow.
“See? ‘Tipsy’ comes out easily,” he laughs, and assertion is written all over his face. He makes fun of me in such a sweet manner I can’t stay mad at him for too long. But I pretend to be annoyed just because I don’t want him to become aware of the influence he has on me.
“Can we go now?” I turn to Sam.
She fidgets and raises her eyes to me with guarded expression.
“I was thinking…,” she utters.
“No!” I warn her.
“...that maybe...”
“No!” I repeat.
“...we can just hang out here with the guys?” she puts on a childlike expression like she’s asking Santa for a bike for Christmas.
I stare at her and she widens her smile, lifting both eyebrows and her shoulders in a silent ‘please?’
“That’s a wonderful idea!” Cole jumps in. I turn to him with a ‘no-one-asked-you’ look. He gives me a sideways smile. I turn back to Sam who’s put her palms together and drawn them to her chest as if she is begging me. I look at Eric who is leaning over the bar.
“I don’t mind the place, only the company,” he gets himself off the hook just like that.
I exhale in defeat, knowing that staying here or going someplace else will really make no difference.
“Then staying here it is!” Sam announces enthusiastically.
I down the rest of my drink.
“It was three versus one Tipsy, you didn’t really have a choice!”
“Damn democracy!” I mutter jokingly. “You’d better not stop the drinks coming!” I nod at him.
“Sure, water for you and for you Sam?” he pretends to take our order, not missing the chance to make fun of me. I stick my tongue out to him.
Sam is trying to get the joke but fails to.
After some seriously nerve-wracking nagging from Sam and some quite embarrassing stories of my time as a bartender during college, I give in and rolling my eyes, I get behind the bar to prepare some cocktails for us.
Cole follows me and shows me where everything is. While I make the drinks, I’m consciously trying to keep him out of my personal space, while he keeps invading it.
“How strong do you want it?” I ask him ready to pour alcohol in his drink.
He stalls for a sec. “That depends.”
“On what?”
“On whether I’m having sex later,” he replies casually.
“Well, are you?” I ask him without hesitation.
“I don’t know. Am I?” he says suggestively, and I raise my eyes to him. I pick up on the innuendo and sarcastically, I offer:
“In danger of getting punched in the face? Yeah, very much.”
“Worth a shot,” he lifts his shoulders nonchalantly and joins the others at a table.
‘Worth a shot,’ I mock his words bitterly and finish the rest of the cocktails. Did he just ask me to have sex with him? Seriously? The nerve of that man… Why did I say no, again?
“Lexy was in Greece a few weeks ago, that’s why,” Sam offers some kind of explanation. Taking the drinks from me, she elaborates. “The guys were just wondering why they hadn’t met you earlier.”
I give her a brief nod and not really willing to share more on the reasons of my trip, I say nothing and take a sip of my drink.
“Oh! I know a greek word!” Cole says with excitement.
“Let me guess. ‘Malaka’?” I smirk.
“Yeah! It means like asshole. Right?” he continues, and I confirm with a nod.
“Yeah, I’m sure you’ve heard it a bunch of times, du
de!” Eric jokes. “And I guess it always came from women, while you were heading for the door after having slept with them!” We all chuckle, even Cole. “And I’m sure at first you thought it meant ‘goodbye’!” We burst out laughing.
Cole lifts his head as if memories are flashing through his mind. “Good times,” he says. “Cheers to that!” We clink our glasses and drink.
A bunch of thoughts go through my head in mere seconds but the one lingering is, of course, about Cole. His comments concerning sex are proof to my assumption: he is an arrogant ladies-man. And probably always goes home with someone every night. Correction: with someone else every night. He looks like one of those guys women never say no to. Hell, I can hardly say no to him! Well, challenge accepted. Oh, God, help me. I’ve already dreamt about him, pictured him naked and googled his cologne? Sheesh!
“So, Lexy, I take it you and Cole haven’t slept together?” I nearly choke on my third or fourth drink as Eric blurts out the question. “I mean, you being here now...” I knit my brows in confusion. “Don’t get me wrong,” he continues, “it’s just that you said you met a couple of times before, and well, if Cole hooks up with a woman, we never see her again!”
“Thanks man!” Cole says slightly offended.
“What? It’s the truth, dude!”
Cole agrees nodding and leans back in his chair. Eric turns back to me waiting for an answer. “So...?”
“God no”! I hurry to answer.
“I can easily make you change ‘God no’ to ‘God yes’”! Cole’s comeback comes with a smirk.
God, please yes! I can’t stop myself from thinking of the possibility. Right on cue, a feeling of excitement settles between my thighs.