by Volley, Rue
“What do you mean? I see myself, looking a bit hysterical at the moment. Okay downright dorky to be honest, this is not me.” I reach to unzip myself.
“Oh, no you don’t. You look amazing woman. Everyone is going to shit bricks. People kill to look this good?” She traces her finger down my side and spins me, checking out everything about the entire dress. “Perfect.”
“Not hardly.” I turn back to the mirror, not understanding exactly what she’s going on about. I mean I’m not ugly or anything, I don’t think, it’s just that I just consider myself one of the guys. I don’t do ladylike very well. I like the girlie sexy undergarments, but on the outside, I’m most comfortable wearing almost anything but a dress.
“You are just so gorgeous and such a wonderful person. I wish you’d give someone deserving a real chance, Gabs.”
“Amanda, quit trying to rescue my ego and play matchmaker. I look awful and feel worse. Can I please just skip tonight?”
“Not a chance. Take off those glasses, where are your contacts? You brought them right?” She reaches up and pulls them off of me.
“Yes, in my purse.” I dig through until I find the case.
“Put them on. You are about to stop the man’s heart. Just trust me, Gabby. You’ll see.”
“Who’s heart?”
“You know exactly who I am talking about. Mr. Suit himself,” she giggles as she pulls the clip from my hair.
“My God, it’s so long. I’ll never understand why you hide it up in a clip.”
Amanda takes the brush and strokes through my hair with it. She’s one of those blonde beauties who doesn’t have to try very hard to get noticed, her eyes are gorgeous and her long curls are the kind that people pay good money for. As for me, I’m just a big puddle of mess, plain Jane and there’s not a lot of hope, not at pulling off the girl thing.
After she does my make-up and hair, we’re ready to head out for the evening. I’m a nervous wreck over this.
“Let’s go show you off, Gabby!”
Chapter Three
Amanda drives us to Trey’s house, it’s only a ten minute ride. I already feel out of place with the way she has me all dolled and made up. It’s been so long since I got fixed up and I feel about like a circus clown. I cannot be this year’s laughing stock of the company again. Not that anyone laughed last year, but they more like felt sorry for me. It was horrible and very embarrassing.
As we get out of the car, I freeze, looking around the place. It’s incredible. I guess the rumors going around the office about his ex-wife sticking it to him in the divorce aren’t true. It looks like he still owns this amazing home.
We enter through the double paned stained glass French doors behind someone who holds the door open for us. He turns and I recognize him. It’s my friend and our copy guy from work. He addresses me like he doesn’t even recognize me.
“Oh my, Dale. You look incredible all swankified and shit, with your slacks and dress shirt.” I laugh. “Very handsome.”
“Gabby? Holy hell, I almost didn’t recognize you. You are, shit, I mean you look incredible, completely different. You clean-up nicely.”
“Quit messing with me, you know me, we’ve only been friends forever, punk.” I reach out and give him a little punch in the arm.
“I know, but wow, just fucking wow.” He gives me a little grin.
Whatever the hell just happened, I’ll never be sure of, but I kind of like the smile that traces his lips when he talks to me. It’s pretty cool.
“Thank you, Dale. See you in a little bit?”
“Definitely!” He smiles and turns to close the door.
Amanda and I walk into the main foyer of Trey’s house. In a basket off to the side, there is an arrangements of masks for the costume part of this party. I completely forgot about this part, ugh. I take a red, silver and green sequin mask that circles my eyes and traces down to the end of my nose. Christmas colored feathers come from the top up about three inches above my head. I feel like I’m at Mardi Gras or something.
“Who has a half costume party at Christmas? This is silly, Amanda.” I stretch the ribbon around the back of my head to tie it.
“Can you just relax and play along? Have a little fun.” She looks at me, daring me to say something. I know that look of hers well.
“I’ll try.” I roll my eyes and we enter the living room.
Glancing around the room, I spot Trey. He turns to look at us and smiles a crooked little grin from the side of his mouth that radiates across his cheeks. It’s gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile before, he’s so serious at work, usually always on the phone, his head stuck in a folder or locked in his office.
Everyone looks towards us for a minute as we’re the newcomers. It’s a little hard to make out who is who with the party masks on and it makes me a little uncomfortable. I turn back in Trey’s direction. His eyes are still on me, my heart starts racing. The man is one hundred percent fuck-a-licious, and even though I would never say anything like that out loud, it doesn’t mean I never think it.
Ryan used to dress all straight laced and proper in a suit every day and until tonight, I thought Trey was the same way. He definitely isn’t. Trey’s an amped up hottie who has been hiding underneath the bulk of material every day at the office. Seeing him dress this way makes me want to do very bad things to the man. His shoulders bulge out of his sleeves threatening to shred the sexy polo shirt that clings so tight to him. His jet black hair cocoons him in an essence of gorgeousness, as it dangles around his shoulder. The man is everything you are not supposed to want, but find yourself not being able to stay away from. He’s got the total bad boy thing going on. I should probably run and most likely would, if I thought I wouldn’t break my ankle in these damn heels.
If my body temp rises anymore, it’s going to send me into seizures. Growl!
Trey stalks across the room, like a panther seeking a mate. He flashes me that look, the one that crawls through your pores and sends flames into every nerve ending you have. Me, out of everyone here, he gave me that look! My body breaks out in a shiver. As he approaches, I’m practically biting a hole through my lip at the way a pair of legs can carry a man. There is no doubt, he’s fucking gorgeous. My mind zooms off to left field, as every kink-a-fied thought I’ve ever had ricochets through my mind, setting off sensors inside me. The chemistry is electric.
“I’m Trey, the new owner of Hamilton and Hamilton.”
Um, hello, does he not recognize me at dressed a little different and with the mask on? This is like a dream come true, I can be anyone I want to be right now.
“Pleasure.” I hold my hand out to him, as I scan the room trying to keep from fainting on my feet.
He kisses the top of my hand. “You are?”
“You don’t recognize me?” I ask, needing to know if he’s serious or not.
His tongue curls over his top teeth, pressing his upper lip out just a tad. Mmmm…sexy. He takes a little step back, then looks me up and down. I think I’m going to shrivel up and melt to the floor like a hot Hershey’s bar.
“There’s something familiar about you, but it’s hard to tell what it is, especially since I haven’t met everyone yet. This mask idea may have been a bad one.” He grins at me, his eyebrow raising, and he lets out a belly laugh.
“Is there?” I smile back trying to decide which way to go. This conversation has the potential to sprout off in any direction.
“Yes, something about your eyes. I can’t pinpoint it,” he answers. “Can you give me a little hint?”
“Sure.” I tilt my head to the side and let out a giggle. “I work for you.” The funny approach might work, we’ll see.
“Really now?” He laughs again. When he tenses, his shirt hugs his chest and ab muscles. “Well, it is an office party, I kind of assumed that already.”
“Never assume, I could be married to one of your employees.” Cocky could work too.
“But you’re not wearing a ring.”<
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Touché! The need to play this little game of cat and mouse with him is strong. I wouldn’t dare doing this if he actually knew who I was, but he doesn’t, so why not?
“Okay, so you got me.” I laugh and flutter my eyes. The innocent, you busted me game?
“Your voice is also familiar, but I’ve not been with the company long enough to learn voices or personalities. I’m lucky to remember names, and that’s a guess most times to be honest.” He takes a step back from me. “Seriously, I don’t recognize you and I’m very sorry. I’m trying to run through faces in my mind to pinpoint you, it’s pretty obvious that I’m not having much luck, huh?” He smacks his palm into his forehead and laughs.
I like that he doesn’t recognize me. My hair is down and straightened via Amanda’s Salon, and I’m wearing make-up. Two things I rarely ever do. Amanda painted my green eyes with a shade to match, but added in a little bit of silver and pink, mixed. My eyeliner offers a slight slant to my eyes, and the lip liner and stick give me a bit of a fuller look. I thought it might look a bit silly, but Trey keeps staring at me, and not in a bad kind of way. I’m totally mysterious.
“Good, I’m glad you don’t recognize me. You might resist if you knew.”
“Oh I doubt that. Your eyes speak a symphony of emotions, you are daring me on the cool, yet I sense you might be a little bit out of your comfort zone and element. God, you have irresistible lips.” He licks his. “I’m sorry, that was out of line.”
I can’t help but grin and blush at the same time. “No it’s fine, really.”
“Yeah? I’ve always liked a good mystery.” He grins and steps up to me. “Your dress, mmm…is amazing.” He puts his hand on my waist.
My eyes close for a minute and tremors quake through my body. His touch is like being hooked to jumper cables, my body tenses, electrifies, and chills shoot down my spine all simultaneously. As inappropriate as it is to have your boss touch you, its goddamned irresistible. Quite frankly, it’s all I can do to keep from guiding his hand to my zipper and begging him rip the dress off of me.
“You are very sensual the way you carry yourself, and you like this chase we’re playing,” he says in a demanding way.
So we are playing chase, interesting. He completely pegs me on enjoying this.
“I do like it and you seem to be enjoying it as well. Does not knowing who I am rattle your cage?” I flirt back.
“Absolutely, and I love it, but It makes me want to say and do things completely out of character.” His hand tightens at my waist.
“Does it now?” I lick the corner of my top lip and place my hand on his.
“Can I be very blunt?” he asks.” I mean really blunt?”
“Definitely.” I can’t believe I’m going all flirty and dirty with him.
He leans into my ear and whispers. “You have lips that I could suck on until next Christmas.”
“Mmmm…” I purr.
I’m hooked, just yank back and reel me in like a fish on a line.
“Your body movements are so sensual, you are a very sexual person and like being desired, don’t you? You demand a certain amount of respect and sensuality, yet you are tense. This isn’t something you normally do.” He gives my side a gentle squeeze.
“You figured out all of that just by looking at me?” I slip my pinky between two of his fingers and stroke back and forth against him. “Interesting.” I pull back.
A hostess walks by and Trey grabs two glasses of champagne from the silver serving tray, offering me one. I nod and take it from him, carefully putting it to my lips. I take a sip, patting gently after with the cocktail napkin he hands me, careful not to destroy my lipstick.
“I did figure out all of that.” He swirls his glass, tilting it to the side. He walks up close to me and I step back, pressing against the spindles in the staircase.
I’m trapped. I’m not sure how he just did that trick with the champagne glass, but when he twirls it in his hand, it’s very seductive. “Keep going.”
“You are very sexy.” He leans into me, oh my God he smells delicious. “Your body movements are extremely seductive, yet careful. Almost guarded, have you been hurt before?”
What the hell, does the man hold a master’s degree in Psychology or what?
“Everyone gets hurt, it’s not important right now.” I do not want to be on the topic of being hurt.
“I don’t believe you, I think it is important. Did you know your eyes just changed to a different color when you said that? They darkened, you’re scared.”
“If I am?” I’m trying my very best to ignore the humiliating feeling that is trying to creep in on me when I think about last Christmas.
“I won’t hurt you.” His eyes turn tender and loving, instead of mysterious and flirty.
“You don’t know me.” I swallow the remaining champagne in my glass. I’m about to break out in a panic sweat.
“Something in your eyes makes me want to protect you. Are you sure you are okay, you seem a little uncomfortable, is it me?” He takes the back of his fingers and strokes my cheek.
Oh God. Goosebumps cover my arms. “No, and I’m fine.” The hostess needs to come back soon, I need another glass of champagne.
“You’re lying to me, but I’m just not sure why.” The man will not break eye contact with me at all, he’s not letting me off the hook now. “Like I said, I wouldn’t hurt you, there’s something too familiar about you.”
“Is that good or bad?” I try my best to regain my composure and go back to flirting.
“It’s different, but I’m going with it. I want to figure this out. It’s turned into a little Christmas mystery game now. I’d like to know that maybe I do know you, yet not, both at the same time. It’s very sexy and interesting.”
“Let the games begin!” I laugh, as he turns spotting the waitress.
“I’ll be right back.” He walks off, turning to look over his shoulder at me, giving me a smile.
I take a deep breath. Oh fuck what am I doing?
Chapter Four
“Gabby, having fun?” Amanda walks up and nudges me in the side, and gives me a grin. “So, what are you doing?” She lets out a laugh and looks towards Trey as he socializes with some of his guests.
“I don’t know, his words are driving me insanely horny and he doesn’t know it’s me. He is goddamned irresistible right now. There is something totally kinky in being mysterious, but he can also read me like a book and I don’t like that.”
“Yes, there is something naughty in being a mystery, so forget whatever you are thinking about that could ruin this and run with it.” She bumps me with her hip. “Remember what I told you back when you split with Ryan?”
“Yes, that the quickest way to get over a man, it to crawl under another one, I remember.” I roll my eyes at her. “That is also insane Amanda.”
“Oh no it is not, it’s a fact. Look, it’s been a damn year already, and trust me, you need to get fucked in the worst sort of way, seriously.”
“Oh my God.” I put my hand over my mouth. She’s always blunt like that.
“Well, you do. Quit letting your ex mess it up, every man is not like him. Now go have some fun and I’ll see you soon. Oh, and I want details, Gabby.” She gives me a wink and strolls over to a group of coworkers huddled in a little group.
Maybe she’s right, maybe I need to lighten up a little. I definitely need to get laid. I’ve kept Duracell in business for the last year. I glimpse across the room and Trey’s eyes find mine. After a quick grin, he turns back to the group of workers who swarm around him. His tongue grazes across his top lip, then he sucks it down into mouth. He bites into it, holding his lip in place. Fucking hotness! He looks back to me, nods and takes a step to break away from the crowd, shaking hands with them. He walks towards the hostess, takes two glasses and strolls towards me.
“So, in our little mystery, are you going to give me hints?”
“Maybe Trey, ask another question and we’ll see.�
�� I love feeling bold behind this mask.
His eyes dart upward to the left side, like he’s scanning his mind for a question. “You really do work for me, right? You’re not someone’s wife or girlfriend?”
“Yes and no.”
He laughs, “Are you someone I see everyday?” He hands me the glass of champagne.
“You already answered that, no double dipping on the questions.” I shake my finger no at him.
“Okay, but how did I answer it already?” He takes a sip.
“You said I was familiar.” I tilt my glass toward his, lightly tapping his, and smile.
“Damn, you aren’t going to cut me any slack are you?” He shifts weight to his other foot.
“Nope. It wouldn’t be any fun if I did, now would it?” I run my fingers through my hair.
“Probably not.” He gives me a wink.
“Mmmm…good. I’m glad.”
He puts his arm back to my waist, and my hand instinctively reaches for him, but not to stop him. I slide my fingers back in between his. He caresses my hand with his thumb. My eyes close and a gasp escapes through my lips. He pulls me towards him and slides his arm around to my open back dress. The warmth of his hands send another quiver down my spine and my body shakes.
“Would you think I was a total creepy if I just shot straight with you?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Probably not, try me.” I tease.
“Okay, but I want to tell you this is not what I set out to do tonight. Hitting on one of my employees wasn’t on the schedule of events.”
I laugh. “Mine either. So what is it you wanted to say?”
“I’m getting really excited by you. This was supposed to be a calm and relaxing evening for everyone, but the thoughts that are running through my mind are not calm at all.”
“No?” I laugh. “Same here.”
“You have me completely intrigued. I’ll screw off the whole party just to search and find out the mystery behind you. You have the sexiest set of eyes, they are so full of expression and life. I love that. You know the old cliché, the eyes are the windows to the soul and all that crap? I thought that it was made up, until this moment.”