“We didn’t tell the old man the first or second time, but by the third time I did because poor Lizzie was so scared Maddie was going to stop us seeing Dad. She was crying every night and got into trouble at school and even began wetting the bed. I felt I had no choice but to run the risk and tell him.”
“And?”
“He went ape. He believed me straight away and Maddie was out of the house that night and divorced within six months. It’s why Lizzie feels the need to tell him everything, because he told us he would never abandon us and we would always come first and if anyone asked us to lie they would only ever do it once.”
“Shit. I asked Lizzie not to tell him.”
“But you told her not to lie, it’s different,” reassured Philip, but Tasha wasn’t sure.
Philip’s phone beeped again. “Oh no. Dad got Juan to check Facebook this morning and he saw the stuff before we deleted it.”
“I think we’re both in trouble again.” Her phone rang now, still to the sound of ‘Viva Las Vegas’, Jim’s tone. “Hello.”
“Tasha, check your messages and reply,” he said and hung up.
She looked at the phone in disbelief as Sandra appeared and began to clear the pile of dishes Tasha had earlier piled up.
“Apparently I have a message from your dad,” she said with a very nervous laugh.
Philip giggled at her. “I’m going back home to bed so I’ll see you later.”
Tasha waited for Philip to leave then went back to bed and retrieved her message.
She lay on Jim’s side of the bed and inhaled his scent from his pillow before reading her message, or messages as it appeared to be.
She smiled as she realised she may have gained enough brownie points to wipe out any annoyance he still had.
Tasha smiled at Jim’s words. She believed he believed her about her role in the dancing, although as she reread the message and thought about the reality of clothes shopping with him the smile faded. Not because she didn’t like nice clothes, she did, but because she didn’t want to be dressed like a real life doll.
Whilst she waited for Jim’s reply Tasha wondered how he had ended up with someone like number three, the would-be porn star who had tried and succeeded to a point in manipulating his children, especially Lizzie. It explained why he was so protective of them and why he didn’t readily introduce the women he slept with to them.
<11 o’clock Mr Maybury. Tx>
With a very broad and expectant smile Tasha looked down at her phone, still in her hand, but then allowed her mind to stray and wondered how on earth she was going to go back to her old life in London in a matter of days.
Chapter 23
After sending her final message to Jim and the less than welcome thoughts about her life in London, Tasha looked at the clock. She had an hour to be ready so disappeared into the wardrobe to see what she was going to wear. About twenty minutes later she re-emerged wearing the white sundress she’d worn a few nights before, but added a green shrug
and green strappy sandals. She checked the overall effect in the mirror and was happy her invisible underwear was just that. Her hair was loose and wavy and as she had some natural colour in her face courtesy of the Californian sunshine she’d used just a hint of bronze lip gloss and a light coating of mascara. She picked up her bag containing her phone and purse and threw in a couple of condoms, just in case. With a quick spray of perfume Tasha went downstairs where Mike was talking to Sandra in the kitchen.
“We can go whenever you’re ready.” Mike smiled at her. “And Jim has said to give you the choice of vehicle, whatever you’re most comfortable with.”
She smiled, he did listen to her and he did remember.
“SUV please, or anything apart from the limo. It makes me uncomfortable for a trip to the shops or meeting Jim at the office. It just seems a bit much to me.”
Sandra nodded as Mike said, “I’ll bring it round and then we can go.”
Tasha and Mike chatted about places and people back home and when she arrived at the studio, she felt very relaxed. Security had checked her appointment and someone escorted her up to Jim’s office where a tall, slightly fuller figured brunette waited for her. As she left the elevator the brunette grinned at her and suddenly looked younger and very attractive.
“Miss Winters?” she asked and signalled for the escort to leave.
“Yes.”
“Please, take a seat. Mr Maybury’s meeting has run over slightly, but he shouldn’t be long. Can I get you some coffee, or tea?”
“No, thank you.” Tasha sat down.
“I’m Amanda, Mr Maybury’s P.A.”
So, this was Amanda. Tasha resisted the temptation to correct the other woman’s role from P.A. to ex-wife. She could see why he may have gone for her, but as pretty as she was Tasha felt reassured by the other woman’s words, tone, demeanour and Jim’s previous words that she was just his P.A. and he was just her boss.
“Mr Maybury has asked me to put some more appointments on his schedule, so I will email you a revised copy. If you would like me to add yours to your combined schedule you can call or email unless you have your own people back home and they can advise me.” Amanda passed Tasha her card.
“Thank you. I don’t have people, but I’ll email you any new dates I get from my agent.”
Amanda nodded. Suddenly, they both turned to see people. They poured out through a door and headed towards the elevators before Jim appeared with Marcia.
“Tasha, something’s come up so Marcia is going to give you a quick tour while I sort this out.” Jim had a serious expression that gave Tasha the first glimpse of corporate James Maybury.
“Of course,” she replied, smiling at Marcia.
He kissed her on the cheek and returned to his office.
Marcia and Amanda looked at each other and grimaced. Tasha glanced from one to the other enquiringly. “Is everything alright?”
The sound of Jim shouting seemed to answer her question. “Would someone like to tell me what the fuck is going on here?”
“Scratch that question.” She grimaced with them.
Marcia took her to visit the set of a medical and a police drama before they arrived on a movie special effects blue screen and then she was escorted back up to Jim’s office. They chatted politely as they went, talking about Philip and Lizzie, Jim, her work, just comfortable and easy chit chat.
When they finally returned to Amanda’s desk, she looked up at Tasha. “Sorry, he’s not quite done yet.”
They all looked in the direction of the office and could here muffled voices.
“At least he’s not shouting,” said Marcia.
Amanda smiled. “He’s gone way beyond shouting. Susie has already left in tears once.”
Suddenly, a woman of about thirty appeared looking upset and rather shell shocked.
“Should I go back in?” she asked Amanda.
“I’ll check.” Amanda offered a small smile at the other woman as she picked up her phone and rang through to Jim. “Mr Maybury, Ms Raymond is here. Would you like me to show her through? And Miss Winters is back.” There was a short pause. “Yes, of course, Mr Maybury. Yes, Ms Whittaker is still here, yes sir.” She hung up. “Ms Raymond, Mr Maybury will see you now, go through.”
The tearful looking lady cautiously knocked on Jim’s door.
“Come!” he barked.
Amanda now turned to Marcia. “He has asked if you will entertain Miss Winters until he is done.”
“You really don’t have to. I will sit here and wait for him, you must be busy,” said Tasha.
“No, it’s fine. Amanda, could you get us some coffee? We’ll camp out in Marc’s office.”
Amanda nodded as Tasha followed Marcia into the office. It was quite simply decorated with white walls and a tiled floor. The desk was a metal frame with a huge glass top. A plush leather chair sat behind it and two matching chairs were positioned opposite. Marcia sat on a white leather sofa, kicked her heels off then placed her feet on the glass coffee table.
“Sit down, please. He shouldn’t be much longer if Susie is at the crying stage.”
Tasha blanched slightly as she took a seat next to Marcia and shrugged. The other woman laughed. “You haven’t seen corporate Jim before, have you?”
Just as Amanda appeared with a tray of coffee, Tasha replied, “No, not the angry version.”
“It’s quite something. I have known Jim for over twenty years and still find him very scary in full flow.”
“He can be quite intimidating, can’t he?”
“He doesn’t intimidate you though, does he?” asked Marcia bluntly.
“Not really, but I am still figuring how far I can push him, and I don’t work for him.”
“You will end up working for the studio, though.”
Tasha shrugged, not really wanting to get into this, with anyone, not Jim and certainly not Marcia. “Unlikely. I don’t want any favours from Jim or be seen to be accepting favours from him.”
“So you don’t plan on working out here then?” Marcia looked confused at the notion.
A huge frown creased Tasha’s brow. “I have no immediate plans, but I would like to work out here at some point.”
“Then you’ll work for the studio, Tasha. There is no way Jim will allow you to work for other studios and not ours.” Marcia, possibly sensing Tasha’s unease or reluctance to discuss this further, changed subject. “Lizzie is devastated you’re going home. She thinks you’re dead cool. High praise indeed from our Lizzie. Very few people are cool for her.”
Tasha laughed. “She is very sweet.”
“Some of Jim’s exes may disagree,” said Marcia cryptically.
Tasha opened her mouth to speak, but the door burst open to reveal Jim looking agitated.
“Sorry, baby.” He marched over and kissed her on the lips. “Thanks, Marcia.”
“No problem.” She quickly turned back to business. “Have you sorted it now?”
Jim nodded. “Yeah. They made some errors in their auditing which allowed them to go way over budget so their funds will be controlled by accounts for the foreseeable future.” Jim had already pulled Tasha to her feet, keeping a grip on her hand.
“Susie looked a little emotional,” laughed Marcia.
“Susie looks emotional from the second she leaves the elevator,” he replied sarcastically before essentially ending their conversation. “Thanks again, Marcia. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.” He turned to leave taking Tasha with him.
“Nice to see you again.” Tasha offered the other woman a warm and genuine smile.
“Yeah, till next time. Have a good trip home.”
They passed Amanda talking on the phone as they headed for the vast space that was Jim’s office. She looked around and noticed a huge, glass conference table with about twenty chairs around it at one end of the room. At the opposite end was a large black leather sofa and a coffee table next to a door. In front of her she looked at his desk; much bigger than the one at home a
nd glass, like Marc’s, but much bigger. He sat behind it now, filling his roomy, black leather chair and stared at her still by the door.
“Are you coming in, Tasha?” he asked with a smile.
She grinned in response and shut the door behind her as she looked out of the large window behind him.
“I prefer the view in New York.” Although this was an amazing view he had.
“So did I.” He spun around in his chair and pulled Tasha onto his lap. “Do you like my office?”
She nodded and ran her fingers through his hair, ruffling it a little. “I prefer the one at home.”
Jim responded with a laugh as he allowed his hand to travel up her leg and beneath her dress. “I know you do.” He kissed her neck, causing a low moan to leave her parted lips. “I am very pleased to see you, honey.”
Tasha turned on his lap so she faced him then shifted her weight wearing a large smile. “Gosh, you really are pleased to see me.” She giggled as she fidgeted a little more in his lap, ran her hands under his jacket to his shoulders and caressed her way across his chest as she went. “Bad morning?” she asked taking in the half frown he still wore.
“Hmmm, I’ve had better.”
Smiling, Tasha leaned in, whispering gently against his lips, “I could help you to relax.”
“What did you have in mind?” Jim was already undoing her shrug and pushing it off her shoulders, allowing him to move in and nuzzle her neck, obviously knowing exactly how she planned on cheering him up.
“Well, when we sext and you’re in meetings I often imagine being under your desk, but I didn’t realise it was glass.”
Groaning, Jim leaned back in his chair with a smile. “Glass or not that would definitely relax me.” He pulled her face to him and kissed her, stroking her lips before breaching them to find her tongue waiting to greet him. “But I thought it was your frustration we needed to resolve?” he asked once he’d released her mouth.
Lucky Seven Page 29