NON-NEGOTIABLE

by RENATA BARBER

  "No, you're right. We should get a head start. You can explain in detail your expectations for me. That way I'll be better prepared, Monday.

  Her willingness while plausible was so enticing to him. It had its own sex appeal.

  "Good, then. Dinner's at seven,” Jared said , heading for the door and mysteriously disappearing through it without another word.

  As she watched him, Elizabeth would come to acknowledge that this was the way Jared Bentley operated. When the deal was done, apparently there was no need for a wasted gesture; or a good-bye, for that matter.

  A few hours later after a quick nap and a shower, Elizabeth decided it was time to take the plunge.

  Now, as she stood in front of Jared's suite at the other end of the hallway wearing a pair of black slacks and pink blouse that mostly served the purpose of covering up, her hair pulled back with a minimum of make up, she jabbed her finger at the buzzer and convinced herself that in a few hours it would soon be over.

  The door opened, but Jared Bentley wasn't standing in the threshold. Instead, her gaze fell several inches short, on a man of slight build man wearing an apron standing in the entrance. He greeted her warmly.

  "Ms. Lowell, come right in. Mr. Bentley is expecting you,” he said in an accented voice that had learned to speak English a little too properly to be truly native born.

  Mandalay, as he was called, had been with Jared Bentley for several years, a valet who took great pride in his position overseeing household duties, cooking meals and generally making Jared's domestic life run like clockwork.

  As Elizabeth followed him into the foyer, the opulence of Jared Bentley's suite unfolded right before her eyes. Expensive artifacts and collectibles elegantly were placed in between custom made furnishings, exotic tapestries to suit an affluent bachelor's taste. A sprawling velveteen couch faced the built-in fireplace with various sized oriental pillows tastefully arranged along the plush carpeting, should guests suddenly want to recline on the floor. Strangely enough, it brought to mind the female guests he'd probably invited over regularly, Elizabeth thought. She had to admit, though, when it came to excellent taste, the finer things in life, Jared Bentley was the forerunner.

  "Mr. Bentley is still dressing, but he'll join you shortly. May I offer you drink?” Mandalay gestured towards the couch.

  Elizabeth figured she might as well ask for the best. “If you have it, a glass of merlot would be nice. Thank you."

  Her wish was his command. Mandalay nodded and then set off towards the kitchen.

  Finally Elizabeth sank back in her seat on the couch and took a full perusal of her surroundings, the graphic originals displayed decoratively on the solid wood paneled walls, the modern sculpture of a woman's torso set in Plexiglas and the fiber-optics lining the encasing. These rare treasures weren't just accouterments to enhance a room with elegant furnishings. No, these expensive artifacts belonged somewhere in a modern museum and deserved the same kind of attention as their owner, Jared Bentley, destined to be on display. Nothing shy or modest was anything near the depiction. The bold exotic colors and patterns of the tapestries were like brazen reminders of a very strong strain of personality, and an even stronger will.

  "Unbelievable,” Elizabeth sighed..

  Just as the word escaped her mouth, far across the room the host for the evening entered.

  Jared was dressed in a simple black dinner jacket with matching slacks and a cloud blue custom tailored shirt, his wavy hair slicked back and the musky scent of cologne filling her sense of smell. His lips were slightly curled so that she couldn't tell if it was a smirk or a smile.

  "You were on time I see,” Jared announced.

  As if she'd had any reason to be otherwise detained, Elizabeth quietly thought to herself. What did he expect? Still, Jared seemed genuinely surprised. She wondered if some of his female companions had used their tardiness as ploy to ensnare him, to keep him waiting in anticipation.

  "I'm usually prompt."

  "I see. Which is why I must apologize. I am, too. I had some unexpected business come up.

  Elizabeth simply nodded in agreement while Mandalay entered the room and served drinks.

  "Merlot for the lady,” Mandalay graciously offered, placing a napkin under the goblet.

  "And the usual greyhound for you sir,” Mandalay said, handing the tumbler directly to Jared.

  "Dinner will be ready in a half an hour"

  "What are we having, Mandalay?” Jared asked when he caught the aroma slowly permeating the room.

  "London broil."

  "Mandalay graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. I was lucky to eventually lure him here to New York."

  Compliments to his valet/housekeeper generally seemed to excite the man anxious and eager to please his employer.

  "I'll see to it, now, sir” Mandalay said dashing off to the kitchen.

  Jared took a swig of his drink and then swiveled around in his seat on the couch.

  "So, are you currently involved with anyone, seeing anyone?"

  "Why do you ask?"

  "Well, you're an attractive woman. I figured there must be a few candidates lurking, somewhere..."

  With that simple question dangling in the air between them, this dinner date was off to an awkward start.

  "I really don't what this has to do with me working for you, Mr. Bentley."

  "Ah, but you see, that's where you're wrong. It has everything to do with it."

  His implication was bold, daring. Elizabeth didn't like the arrogant tone accompanying it, either.

  "How so?” She was fully aware she walked a fine line.

  "We both know you're lacking in work experience. The unemployment rate has increased since you were let go."

  "What are you saying Mr. Bentley?"

  Alarm bells sounded in her head. She needed him to spell it out. If he had something unethical or seedy in mind, now was the time for it to be revealed. Elizabeth braced herself for the worse.

  "There's a new market I'm interested in taking over, a fairly conservative one; consumers who will only buy from companies with a certain image. Those conservative companies who cater to them won't even consider selling shares to outsiders that don't present that same brand of appeal, a sort of wholesomeness. That's where you fit in."

  "So you hired me for my ‘wholesomeness.’ Correct?"

  Her cheeks were burning with indignation, the sensation growing by the minute. The audacity and assumption being made so repulsive to Elizabeth that she feared any moment now, she wouldn't be able to contain her reaction.

  As Jared observed the gradual transformation of rosy to rouge to crimson, he chuckled to himself and then cleared his throat. It would be rude of him not to address her concerns in a more serious, direct manner. If she wanted the truth, he'd deliver. He could manage it, and still get away with it.

  "Not, exactly. I hired you to be my mistress."

  Dead silence. She wasn't imagining things. No, she'd heard him correctly.

  Her gasp was so audible and the look of disgust on her face so evident, Jared feared any moment she'd jump off the couch she'd run out of his life forever He'd better move quickly. Re-adjusting his stance, he needed to soften the blow.

  "It's just an illusion Elizabeth. That's what I'm after, nothing more. Besides, I have quite a stable to choose from in that respect.."

  His ego was out of control; just listening to his analogy, a comparison of women to horses, made Elizabeth angry. But she was more curious, perplexed even, by his choice; hiring her as an escort companion especially when her image was anything but companion-like.

  "Why didn't you hire one of them to pull off your little charade?"

  Jared was tickled by these virtuous aspirations. Elizabeth Lowell had a sense of humor. The fact she wasn't aware of it made it even more delightful. Still, he held back the urge to laugh, outright at the statement. It would've been rude to do so.

  "Well,” he began, struggling to keep a straight face. “As far as I kno
w none of them possess any credentials from Ivy League institutions. They're not endowed with that kind of intelligence. I'm a purist Elizabeth; I like the real thing, no substitutions.

  "Reality doesn't coincide with this picture, Jared."

  "Oh, I beg to differ. Here's a preview."

  Before she knew it he was there, his lips pressed to hers demanding a response, savoring the timidity, trembling, probing the depths of her mouth so thoroughly and with complete command that she could scarcely think. Truthfully, didn't want to think; just feel.

  From that moment on she was helpless, limp from the swelling of an uncommon and unusual desire. In the back of her mind she made comparisons: the other, few occasions. But there was no comparison. No one had ever dared to kiss her like this. That was the reality of her previous encounters.

  But then again, the sheer pleasure of this burning new passion would eventually lead her somewhere, perhaps, to the one place she didn't really want to go: his bedroom.

  Inner strength returned in full force, like a powerful reminder of all the things in life she swore would never happen to her, compromising positions she'd never allow herself to be manipulated into.

  Elizabeth immediately broke away. Words weren't necessary as she and Jared gazed at each other a few moments with a mixture of wonder and confusion.

  Jared held her gaze, drawing new inspiration from it as he slowly inched away from her and returned to his original position. He picked up his tumbler, seductively swished it around a few times and took a swig. The alcohol had the effect of simmering the flames raging inside.

  "Intoxicating ... that's proof enough,” he boasted.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  "I swear I don't understand how or why in the world this happened to me. All that was needed was a simple accounting position, that's it. This is certainly not what I expected,” Elizabeth moaned to Madeline. She relayed the entire incident on the phone while she undressed for bed. Recalling how she'd almost lost control of the situation caused her considerable angst.

  How she'd managed to make it through the evening was anyone's guess. And, when dinner was over, like some frightened little mouse aware of the cat, she'd politely concocted some ridiculous excuse about a headache and fled from Jared Bentley's suite down the hall into her very large cubbyhole. This kind of behavior was too pathetic to belong to her character or her reliable poise.

  "Did anything else happen outside of the kiss?” Madeline insisted with some reservation, aware that Elizabeth's nerves had been taxed.

  "No, not this time. But what about next time or the time after that? Madeline, I just can't go through with it. I just can't!"

  "Calm yourself, Elizabeth. From what you've explained there's obviously an attraction, but nothing occurred. Nothing will, unless you want it to."

  "Now, why on earth would I want that to happen? Tell me!"

  Madeline giggled and then seemed to think better of it. “It's just a thought, my dear, not a fact."

  Thoroughly annoyed and disgusted with herself, Elizabeth shut her eyes and blocked out the highly unlikely suggestion. It had been awkward enough sitting through the meal, making idiotic small talk with a man who was all too aware of his own appeal. Pride and ego weren't qualities Elizabeth particularly liked in men.

  "You have nothing to lose, Elizabeth."

  "Oh, just my self respect at performing a job at which I'm actually capable of... That counts for nothing I suppose."

  It had been a long day. Too, long, Elizabeth thought, as she flung herself onto the bed. Madeline's advice was disturbing.

  "I'm going to bed, now. Monday, I hope I find the strength to deal with this."

  "I'm sure you will. Try not to think about it too much."

  But try as she might, Elizabeth had no choice but to think about her first priority, her first day at Bentley Industries.

  It was chilly Monday morning. The fall weather had dovetailed into winter over the weekend. The arrival of a new season in New York City was mirrored by the lined trench coats and full length parkas some pedestrians sported on their way to work.

  A gust of wind whipped through the entrance of Bentley Industries, unfurling Elizabeth's coat as she pushed against the double doors and stepped inside. The lobby was chaotic, overflowing with people hoping to catch one of the crowded elevators and arrive on time for work at 9am sharp. Now, she was one of them.

  Elizabeth quickened her stride and barely managed to squeeze herself inside the elevator heading for the upper level executive suites.

  When she reached the appropriate floor, Elizabeth briskly approached the main reception desk and resigned herself to do her best with her new position.

  The receptionist wearing a headset pressed a button on the console and quickly glanced up.

  "Elizabeth Lowell?"

  Elizabeth nodded.

  "Your office is through those doors straight down the hall, turn left."

  Elizabeth was about to ask for the key but the receptionist had already turned back to her busy console.

  As she proceeded down the hall, several doors were closed while some were left ajar which afforded her a sneak peak at new colleagues, brethren who appeared to be holding some sort of meeting. In fact, a few of them even smiled warmly.

  At the end of the corridor, Elizabeth finally found her office, which was unlocked; no key needed.

  Stepping inside, she saw it was a fairly decent size, especially for someone who'd never had had the privilege of having one. A medium sized, modern secretarial sat in front of the window with a skyline view of downtown Manhattan. Drawing back the curtains, Elizabeth let the daylight enter the darkness so that florescent lights wouldn't be needed. Immediately, her gaze was drawn to what was sitting on her desk, the basic set-up: appointment book, calculator, high-tech lamp, plasma screen desktop computer, pad, paper and pens.

  Suddenly, there was knocking.

  "Come in."

  A polished young woman wearing a suit entered the space. Elizabeth recognized her as Jared Bentley's administrative assistant.

  "Hi I'm Emily,” she said extending her palm followed by a brisk handshake that was both impersonal, yet polite.

  "Nice to meet you, Emily."

  "Likewise. Mr. Bentley asked me to conduct your company orientation and help you get set-up on the network.

  "That would be great."

  What didn't they think of at Bentley Industries? This was no ordinary company. At Tri-Star Investments, the set-up process unfolded within a week or two; Bentley Industries wanted you up and running the first day on the job.

  Two hours later Elizabeth's computer was up and running with upgrades on the latest software programs. She'd been given several passwords to access databases, files, information programs regularly used by Jared. Anything involving his interactions with the media, press releases or publicity was now her domain.

  As she listened to Emily's instructions and made notes on character do's and don'ts pertaining to the illustrious image of the man himself, it finally struck her, the gravity and enormity of her new responsibilities as overseer.

  Although Jared Bentley's image was larger than life, there were certain aspects of it were in jeopardy. They desperately needed some tweaking. His lack of philanthropic activities was a red flag, frowned upon for a man of his great wealth and stature. In addition, his voracious appetite for female company, in particular, socialites, made him a taboo topic among his competitors. No wonder more traditional companies tended to vilify Bentley Industries more for its owner's escapades, than for his innate ability to corner markets. His brand, being a “Beast,” didn't help matters either.

  After the initial set-up was complete, Emily handed her an itinerary, a list of upcoming social events Jared would be attending for the next few months. Jared Bentley would be busy. Scanning the document, Elizabeth recognized some of the names of the other attendees. Most of them had regular business transactions with her former employer, Tri
-Star Investments. And, yet, Bentley Industries and its CEO had been excluded from buying stock and shares or even contracting with these companies. A penny dropped and something fell neatly into place. Elizabeth soon realized that that something was her.

  "And we never refer to the specific names of those companions. They're always anonymous. Mr. Bentley prefers it that way."

  "Yes, of course."

  Elizabeth struggled with a inclination to laugh out loud. So, she'd learn to keep her mouth shut. That wouldn't pose too much of a problem, especially if she was being paid for it and didn't give a damn whomever he had an affair with.

  But the fact that he didn't even bother to give his bedroom cohorts an actual name, well, that was more telling of Jared Bentley's true nature than any other information now being imparted. His misogynistic tendencies made her stomach turn and there was no denying the truth; the man held absolutely no respect for the opposite sex.

  All women were simply pawns to be used solely for his purposes, readily disposable, too, she imagined. Or, did that convenient explanation, perhaps, go deeper? Below the surface, did that disrespect stem from a painful previous relationship? Suddenly, a wide number of hypothetical scenarios were popping out of nowhere, occupying her thoughts with intrigue and fascination, more than she'd readily admit to anyone, however.

  "Elizabeth?” Emily said as she cocked her head slightly, studying Elizabeth's face, the far-away gleam in her eyes giving way to overtones of serious contemplation.

  Elizabeth instantly came back to earth. “I'm sorry. You were saying?"

  "I asked you if you'd like to join me for lunch, now. Afterwards, I'll take you on a tour, so you can familiarize yourself with the other departments.

  "Certainly."

  But even as she continued to half listen to Emily's orientation of her job duties, most pressing was the burning desire to know how she really fit into Jared Bentley's plans. Changing the image of an obnoxious CEO to a docile and agreeable reflection was one thing, but transforming the minds of a bunch of archaic fossils, regular associates of the people that had recently fired her; well, that was a fairly daunting prospect, an illogical one. Obviously, she wasn't being told everything. Significant pieces of a complex puzzle were missing. Emily hadn't been too forthcoming about filling in the blanks, either. She'd consistently avoided questions Elizabeth had asked her during lunch. It was second nature for her to be vague and nondescript when it came to certain subjects.