Showcase

by P. Roper

  “Sorry, ma’am,” a thin young man in grey slacks and a blue paisley shirt stepped into the room, addressing me. “Mr. Nate wanted this sent up? He told me to hand deliver it. Specifically to NOT leave it with one of the secretaries.” Rushing in my direction, he thrust a palm sized hard cover, coiled notebook and three black pens into my hands. “Black, as requested. I need to be getting back, but lunch in an hour, Audrey?” At her acknowledging nod, he left as quickly as he appeared.

  “A notebook? I’m so sorry it wasn’t on my list. And black pens. I’ll need to make a note of that.” The girl was a tornado, a deeply organized tornado. She spent the next hour walking me through the goods she had acquired for my use. She had amassed a vast assortment of things. Makeup and hair products that only a girl with curly hair would know to buy. Slippers, the previously mentioned skates, an e-reader, and the sunglasses I had requested. Dozens of piles of paper, organized into folders with very detailed labels. And finally there was a detailed binder, containing an elaborate company directory.

  Slowly clearing them into bags or boxes, she explained each item. “I also got you a change of clothes for tomorrow because there was an airport delay in Amsterdam. Between that and the time difference, I wasn’t sure if your things would arrive tonight or in the morning.”

  “Thank you. I could have worn this though,” I gestured to my outfit.

  “Oh, nonsense. Nate wouldn’t have it. He’d want you comfortable, working from home tomorrow. Plus, there are clean undergarments and a swimsuit. You know, just in case…” her voice drifted off, momentarily distracted by her phone buzzing. Checking it, she burst back into action. “Time got away from me. Before I head out for lunch, here is your American cell phone and a laptop. I’ve taken the liberty of uploading Nate’s and the team’s calendars, plus any contacts I figured you may need. The computer also has company access and a complete address book. Here is a new wallet with a company ID and credit card. I also grabbed a handful of rewards type cards for places here in the city and some out in Pride’s Crossing. Finally, a handbag to put it all in. I sincerely apologise for not having one for you this morning. A complete oversight on my part.”

  As I accepted the bag from her, a sort of relief came over me. I felt somehow less exposed. “Thank you Audrey. For everything. Back after lunch? Or do I have somewhere else I need to be?”

  Grabbing her own bag from one of the chairs, she looked back up at me. “I will definitely see you after lunch; we have a company overview and tour scheduled. Riveting things,” she chuckled as her eyes widened with satire.

  “Interrupting?” Nathaniel’s voice filled the room.

  “Not at all boss, I’m just heading to lunch. Was about to send Dee your way, for the same. Anything you need while I’m out and about?” She backed toward the door as she spoke.

  Maintaining eye contact with me, he responded to her. “No Audrey. Go and enjoy your lunch. We’ll see you in an hour.”

  “Sure thing Nate. I’m out. Please mind the room; I put a lot into organizing it.” He nodded, taking slow steps toward me. “Cool, bye!” were her final words before closing the door behind her. I heard the lock click from the outside. I knew we weren’t locked in, but I was also 99% sure we wouldn’t be interrupted.

  “Getting everything you need?” He let the insinuation rich question hang in the space between us as he leaned against the edge of the table, setting a sandwich and coffee down beside him.

  “Mostly. But there are some things I’m not certain Audrey could get for me,” I responded, playing into his hand.

  “Oh, I’m not sure. From what I gather, the girl has all sorts of talents. I mean, she’s like my little sister so there are some things that are hearsay. But you never know. Why don’t you tell me what you need? Let’s see if I can be of assistance,” he smirked.

  I closed the distance between us, stepping between his feet. “Fuck, what I want to do to you right now,” he said, drawing me in closer and wrapping his arms around my middle.

  “You own the company. I don’t think anyone is going to stop you,” I reasoned.

  “No, I don’t think they would. But an hour isn’t enough time and I have a meeting right after lunch.” He leaned in, running his nose up my neck and along the edge of my jaw. “You smell so fucking good. How can you smell so intoxicating when I know for a fact you used my soap this morning?”

  His breath hits my ear as he pulls us flush against each other and my eyes flutter shut. “Not sure,” are the only words my deeply distracted brain seemed capable of mustering.

  Reaching down to adjust himself and run his fingers along my denim-covered center, he groaned. “You had to pick jeans, didn’t you? I think I liked your showcase outfit better. I mean, for access at the very least,” he smiled at his own humour.

  “I could peel the jeans off my legs and call this a sweater dress,” I plucked at the long, oversized sweater draped on me. “But I feel like you’d be far too distracted if I made that wardrobe change for the remainder of the day.” Pushing my hand between us, I gathered the hem of the sweater around me so I could flick open the button and zipper on my jeans.

  Noting my raised eyebrows, the hand still on my waist came up behind my head, pulling my face to his. Our mouths crashed together, seemingly starving and he swallowed the groan that escapes me. “I need to taste more of you, pretty girl,” he said against my lips, as his free hand grasped the waistband of my pants.

  I slid my jeans to my ankles before realizing the boots prevented me from fully freeing my legs. Sighing, I slipped them off before stepping out of the pants. With one hand in my hair and one firmly on my thigh, he spun us around and rested my lace covered ass on the edge of the table. “I know I never mentioned it before, but I really like your hair like this.” Fire burned in his eyes as his hand moved from my hair, toward my center.

  Leaning back on my palms and hooking the leg not in his hand on a nearby chair, I spread myself out to him. At that moment, I think I wanted his mouth and hands on me as much as he did. “Touch me Nathaniel or I may need to just do it myself.”

  Not needing any more prompting, he pulled the lace to the side, dipping one finger into me to find me wet and ready. “Fucking hell,” he groaned before watching intently as he thrust two fingers deep into me. I let my head fall back at the sensation, only to roll it back to look at him again.

  He took a knee, pulling the leg that was in his hand over his shoulder. He dragged his tongue up the inside of my thigh, only stopping when he met his own hand, fingers still moving inside. I gasped as he flattened his tongue against my clit before rolling it over the sensitive spot several times. “I need...” I couldn’t even finish my thought or my sentence, as he curled his fingers and sucked my clit. Pushing me over the edge and patiently letting me ride out the orgasm.

  “Son of a bitch. It was definitely your turn, not mine,” I panted, pushing myself more upright to see his face. He withdrew his fingers and brought them to his mouth.

  “I know,” he said, dropping my leg from his shoulder. “But Deliah, I’m the boss. And I wanted you for lunch,” a full dimpled smile broke across his face. After leaning to help my shaking legs back into my jeans, he stood and fastened them back around my waist. “Please tell me that you have a healthy amount of dresses and the like in your wardrobe that is on its way here?”

  “Yeah,” I laughed, “the majority of my clothes from Europe could definitely be considered bohemian. And FYI, Audrey was seriously looking out for you. You should see the swimsuit she gave me today and the dress in case I need it tomorrow.” My eyes widened to emphasize my implication.

  “I can’t wait. I’ll bring you another coffee after my next meeting? Then I have a final sit down before we can head back to the estate for the remainder of the week. I hope to learn plenty more about each other in the weeks ahead, Deliah. And not just a familiarity with your body and the face you make when you come.” His panty melting smile was firmly in place, as
he drew me in for a gentle kiss before heading for the door.

  Unlocking it, he turned back to me momentarily. “Don’t forget about your questions. I look forward to answering them for you.” And then he was gone but I still stood there, flushed.

  Chapter 8

  The remainder of the day passed without incident. As promised, Nathaniel brought me another coffee between his meetings. But mostly, Audrey and I just sifted through the new life I’d found myself in.

  The girl had a contact for everything and insisted I be able to reach any of them, should the need arise. Car service or helicopter? Available 24/7. Plane? Meet you at the tarmac in 2 hours or less. Last minute or after hour alterations? She had a full service tailor on retainer. Her caterer had the capability of throwing a 200 person event with 12 hours’ notice. And the stylist in her elaborate rolodex sounded like a legitimate fairy godmother on the other end of a speed dial.

  I tried desperately to pay adequate attention when Audrey was going over the company structure and the fine details of what exactly Nathaniel’s team (which apparently consisted of no less than 6 assistants and 8 personal staff, in different capacities). The estate alone housed and employed 4, with another 4 that came and went. Plus he ran the company, employing a few hundred there.

  When the end of the day was nearing, she called up for some interns to haul a handful of boxes down to Nathaniel’s car. They would be my reference points. Audrey had ensured they were a lot better organized than if I had to go searching for information in the corporate database. After the boxes had been carried out of the room I began packing up my new belongings. A hand wrapped around my waist as I tucked the shiny laptop into the tote.

  “Ready to get out of here,” Nathaniel asked the side of my face.

  Grabbing the bag off the table, I turned around to face him smiling. “Lead the way.” I tilted my head.

  Flashing his dimples, he grabbed my hand before turning and pulling me out of the room. “Bye Audrey,” I yell from the hall, only to hear her snicker from where we left her standing in the conference room. When the elevator doors closed us inside, he was completely still but charged. Like the air before a summer storm. Save for his hand that he loosely untangled from mine to allow space for his thumb to trace circles on the inside of my wrist. The movement innately calming, in spite of the current running through the air.

  As the doors rang open he dropped my hand, relocating his just above the small of my back. I could see the classic car already waiting out front, through the vast lobby and glass walls. “Back to the house?” I asked as we walked.

  “Yes. I’m starving and dying to get out of this suit. I should also probably prepare you for all that is a Halstead Thanksgiving. Plus side, it’s at the estate this year, so we don’t have to stay the night in the city at the mausoleum that my parents have the audacity to call a home.” He chuckled to himself then, making me want to see the place he deemed to describe as such.

  Opening the passenger door of his car, he nodded at me to get in before carefully closing me inside and rounding the car. Sliding into the driver's seat of the sleek classic, he tossed a dimple assault in my direction and pulled away from the curb. I wondered if the man was aware of how many women would gladly curl up in those dimples to die. I mean, they made me weak.

  The drive back was uneventful. He traced circles just above my knee whenever he didn’t need to be shifting. We casually chatted about our days. I rambled a while about the whirlwind that was Audrey and a handful of company details I could recall. He spoke animatedly of his meetings, detailing intricacies I doubted I would ever understand, but also of some employees that were scheduled to be receiving accolades in the weeks to come.

  I was not prepared to pull up to the gates of the estate and see the whole property dripping in lights. The gate, the lane, the trees, the house. Anything that could be strung with tiny white lights had been. The soft glow was nothing short of magical. I must have gasped, because he chortled from beside me.

  “It’s a lot, I know.”

  “No, it’s perfect. It’s beautiful.” I tilted my head, to better see out the window, awe clearly written all over my face.

  Pulling up directly in front of the grand front doors, he turned off the car. “Shall we? Ellen should have dinner just about ready.”

  “Yeah, of course,” I said, gathering my bag in one hand and reaching for the handle with the other. An extended hand met me when I pushed the door open. I was slightly taken aback at how quickly he had exited and made his way to me. But I smiled, placing my fingers in his. The house loomed in front of us. It was vast, but possibly still the most welcoming home I had ever been in.

  “Oh. My. God. Where have you been,” are the aggravated words that meet us the moment we stepped foot into the foyer, distracting me from the elegant Christmas decor that drenched the space that had been empty when we left hours before. “I’ve been waiting for like hours, Nathaniel.”

  I knew that my shock must be tangible. This had to be her. The girl with the frothy room. She was tall and lithe. Her almost waist length, dark blonde hair looked like a professional had hand-placed each strand around her shoulders. Bright blue eyes that could stop traffic were framed with full, dark lashes. She would be at the top of every call list, in my world. My old world? But seeing the naivety radiating off her, I also knew that existence would eat her alive.

  “Noelle,” he began, sounding like he was trying hard to garner understanding. “You knew I was going to the office today.” He raised his eyebrows taking a step toward the young woman.

  “Well, yeah. But since when does an office day,” her eyes widened and her hands shot up to make air quotes, “keep you any later than I am at school?” She sounded absolutely exasperated.

  “Since I’ve been overseas for weeks? Ellen was here. Harper was here. Jerry was here. It’s not like you were alone. Or that you haven’t been here without me, for much longer than a couple hours, before. I’m failing to see the problem here.” He tilted his head, waiting for her response.

  “I know Nate, but dammit! You said it yourself. It’s been weeks. I missed you!” At that, she launched herself off the stairs, wrapping her arms around his neck. His arms automatically enclosed her. The action was clearly familiar, only turning up the volume of the questions racing through my mind. And then she gasped. “Wait. Dude! Is this her,” she exclaimed, extricating herself from the hug.

  A chuckle left him as his hand raked through his hair and an almost bashful look graced his face. He nodded, “It is.”

  Another gasp left her lips as she smacked his stomach. “And you let me freak like that. Come on man.” She shook her head and turned to face me. Her hand shot out as she advanced on me. “Hi! I’m elated that you’re here! I’m Noelle!”

  Startled, I met his eyes over her shoulder. He was fully smiling as he nodded. That’s when I noticed. The megawatt smile spread across her face was an exact duplicate of his. “Elated?” I questioned, meeting her handshake.

  “Yes. Elated, delighted, overjoyed, thrilled,” she giggled, pulling me into a hug by our still joined hands.

  “Uh. It’s nice to meet you, Noelle,” I said, my words laced with questions. Pulling back, I meet her eyes. Again, so familiar. “I’m Deliah.”

  “Oh, I know. And we are gonna have the very best year!” She bubbled before bouncing back towards him. Reaching up to plant a kiss on his cheek, she flounced down the hall. “I’ll let Ellen know you’ve arrived. Dinner should be ready literally any second. Oh, and welcome home.”

  The minute her long hair disappears around the corner he meets my eyes. “I’m sorry,” he sighs, stepping toward me. “I wasn’t expecting her to be around until tomorrow.”

  “Expecting her?” I could hear the concern and confusion that laced my words.

  “Yes. That,” he gestured in the direction she had gone, “is Noelle-”

  “Yeah, I got that part.” I didn’t mean to cut him off and sound s
o clipped, but that’s how my words came out of my mouth.

  “My little sister.” My shoulders must visibly relax because he stepped forward, palming my shoulders. “She lives here almost exclusively. Because my parent’s house is a terrible place to spend adolescence. Plus, she attends a prep school in the next town over and I had the space. She’s been with me a few years now.” His eyes seek something in mine. Acceptance, perhaps.

  “Well, I guess that answers the first question plaguing my mind all day.”

  He closed his eyes and a laugh escaped him, “Oh?”

  “Yeah. I mean. A frothy bedroom that clearly belongs to a younger girl, in a grown bachelor’s house? Audrey didn’t say a word when she opened and closed the door. She probably didn’t think anything of it, just showing me each of the rooms.”

  “Right. Well, surprise? I don’t have a secret love child?” He shook his head, laughing as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. Leading me down the hall, he asked, “Have you ever lived with a teenage girl?”