by Tania Cooper
“Easy there tiger, you may just get to do that tonight if you’re a good boy.”
“Well, I’d better behave myself then, hadn’t I?”
“Oh I never said that.”
The restaurant is quiet, warm and cosy, the scents in the air rolling over everything as Lane guides Lexi towards the back of the room. The maître d’ grins at them both as they walk hand in hand through the tactfully lit room.
“I’m glad to see my thought was correct when I saw you last time, Mr. Anderson.”
“And what thought was that, Leon?”
“That you and the fine lady with you would be more than just companions before the year saw its end. I just didn’t think it would be this soon.”
“Well, Leon, you know me, when I see a good thing I go for it without care for the consequences, and I struck gold this time.”
“I’m glad, sir. Now, there are several people in your party already here. If you’ll follow me I afforded you one of the best spots in my restaurant.”
“As always, Leon, your service is impeccable. Would you be kind enough to send over two bottles of red and white wine? I’ll leave your distinguished palette to decide the vintage; you’ve never steered me wrong before.”
“Very good sir, enjoy your evening.”
“Thanks Leon.”
I feel my boy’s heart hammering in his chest as he approaches the table, Lexi squeezing his hand lightly as she feels the trepidation in him as much as I do. Zali and Mel both turn to watch us all approach, their eyes widening as they catch sight of Lane and Lexi together.
“Wow girl, you look stunning and I’m guessing this tall drink of water here is the mysterious Lane Anderson. I’m not sure whether to shake his hand or jam it down my panties. You, girl, you scored big time.”
“Uh, nice to meet you too, miss.”
“Oh, polite too, well okay then.”
“Zali, behave and back up. He’s mine; I saw him first.”
“Girl, if I didn’t love you, I’d steal him right out from under you. Damn you’re one lucky bitch.”
“I know one thing, Lexi, Booker and Benji are going to love these two.”
“Okay ladies, so here he is. Zali, shush for a sec. Mel huni, meet Lane. Lane, this is Mel. Zali already made herself quite known.”
“Pleasure, Mel.”
“Likewise Lane, I hope you’re treating my girl right. If not, I’ll rip your heart out through your backside.”
“Okay, her I like.”
“And what about me?”
“Zali, well, give me a minute, let me think on that and I’ll get back to you. Kidding babe, after what Lexi has told me about both of you, I know you’re good people, crazy as an outhouse rat, but good people.”
“Okay then, Lexi, what the hell did you tell him?”
“The truth.”
“Ah crap, you know I hate that.”
This is so much fun!
“Okay, baby, I’m feeling rather outnumbered here.”
“Eight, you’ll be fine. My girls are awesome, just be your gorgeous self and you’ll do great.”
“That’s not exactly comforting, baby, being myself in these situations usually ends up with me in trouble.”
“Eight, my girls will play nice so relax. Trust me, you've nothing to worry your sexy head over.”
“Right, if you say so, baby.”
They are so going to eat him alive. Ha ha!
“So this is the impressive Eight. Hmm, well, impressive Eight, impress me.”
“Hey behave, chick, just because Zali got you inked last week doesn't mean you can have a dig at my man. As for you, Tibby, don’t you dare try and one up her, I know how bad you can be.”
“Fine, I'll play nice. I remember the nights when you used to be worse than us.”
“Oh come off it, I was never worse than you. Half the time we’d stagger out the clubs and find you wrapped around the bouncer’s stiff one.”
“True, but still, I hate playing nice, it’s no fun.”
“Who’s playing nice, what did I miss?”
“Oh thank God, I was praying you boys would get here soon.”
“We're here bro, sorry for taking so long but traffic was a bastard.”
“Any excuse, Henry. Any excuse.”
“Ha I'm serious, that and Benji kept stopping for every kitten he caught a whiff of. Speaking of which, hello gorgeous, my name is Henry, and who can I say I’m having such a delectable pleasure in meeting on this formerly dreary evening?”
“You’re meeting someone who is tired of the gentleman act and just wants a man big enough to fill me up till I all but split at the seams, and who can last more one round.”
“Well that is brutally honest, still doesn’t tell me your name though.”
“You can call me Tibet.”
“Why Tibet?”
“Because the only way you’re getting in me is if you’ve got the stamina of a Sherpa or you’re hung like a donkey.”
“Okay, Eight, this one is freaking hilarious. I love her, not in the way you love Hot Lips obviously, but damn is she fun.”
“Henry, Eight, what the hell is all this? Lane told my boy we were meeting a few friends here and I turn up and find an enclave of the sexes. This is like a damned scene from Jabba’s palace.”
“Well, why don’t you play Jedi so I can show you my dark side.”
“Well hello gorgeous, I’d rather show you my piercing to be honest.”
“Hmmm, sounds like a plan, big boy. You show me yours and I’ll show you my new tattoo.”
“Oh now that sounds fun. Let’s see if we can get our two to agree on something more intimate and get to know one another better, shall we?”
“I like how you think. Tibby, Hot Lips, I’ll see you two later. Boys, it’s been fun.”
“Well, uh, yeah, that was Benji and well, um, okay; this has progressed a lot quicker than I thought it would.”
“Told you my girls were fun.”
“A little too much fun by the looks of things. Please tell me you were never that easy.”
“Nope, I made them work for it. I prefer substance over everything else. I picked you, didn’t I?”
“Yeah baby, and I’m glad you did. I love you darling.”
“Love you too.”
“I’m going to pee, I’m going to pee, quick, quick, it’s coming out. For the love of God, Lexi, listen the fuck up and get me to the toilet again!”
“Relax baby, it’s just nerves. You have already been twice, surely there’s nothing left in there.”
“You are not in my vagina at the moment so you don’t get to comment, so shut up please.”
“Seriously, you are getting yourself in too much of a tizz. Please calm down, baby, for me?”
“This is so fucking nerve racking. I feel sick, I’m serious when I say I’m about to pee and throw up discharge at the same time. Arr, I need some air or something!”
“Oh my poor love. Calm yourself please. There is nothing to worry about. The clients have loved Alexis and Lane’s work when they have been presented with glimpses of the project, so there is no reason to panic that they won’t like the finished product. You know our two are going to freaking rock the clients’ minds with what they came up with.”
“I know, I know. But why are they taking so long to call Lane and Alexis back into the boardroom? They spent all morning presenting this campaign and it’s been a half hour since they completed their presentation, so what’s taking so long?”
“I have no idea, babe. But you felt the vibe in that room, it was freaking electric with what our two were showing the clients. They are going to kill it. This is probably just protocol or something. Please, please just relax a little, baby. I don’t like seeing you this wound up … well … unless it’s with me inside of you that is.”
“Shut it, Eight. Now’s not the time.”
“Yes, dear.”
Most of the morning was spent in the bo
ardroom with digital slide shows and mini movies presenting all of Lane and Alexis’s ideas on how to make this company number one in their field. My girl and Lane held up great all the way through, but now my girl’s nerves are starting to get the better of her and it’s affecting me big time.
“I’m so proud of you baby, so proud of us. I just know they’re going to say yes to our entire campaign, I can feel it.”
“Oh Lane, I hope so. I know they were all so impressed throughout our entire presentation, but I can’t help but feel nervous. For Christ’s sake, I feel like I need to pee again, but I know it’s just nerves.”
“Aww baby, come here. I truly believe we have nothing to be nervous about.”
As Lane is rocking Alexis in his embrace, the phone rings from the boardroom signalling that the clients are ready for them to return.
“No matter what they say in there, I’m proud to have worked alongside you, to have worked alongside one of the best in the business.”
“Oh Lane. You’re going to make me cry.”
“No. No tears until they are happy tears after these next few minutes.”
They make their way down the short hallway, knock and then enter the room they spent the morning pouring out their blood, sweat and tears into. They both take a seat at the head of the table, next to their handouts and notes, as Alexis takes a slow deep breath to calm her erratic heart. Lane grabs her hand under the table and gives it a reassuring squeeze just as the client begins to speak.
“Miss Ryan and Mr. Anderson. Let me start by saying what a pleasure it’s been working with the two of you over these last couple of months. Your professionalism has outshone your reputations.”
Ha, if only they knew how professional they were not sometimes, in fact, right on this very boardroom table at one time.
“What you have presented us with is beyond our expectations. So much so, that not only do we want to implement all of this campaign into our business immediately, we would also like to hire you both exclusively to re-brand our entire company and the other two sister companies we own. We believe with the ideas that you have presented us with today, that you could help our overall company become number one.”
“Eight! Did you hear that?”
“I knew it! I knew our two could conquer the world together. Damn baby, I’m so happy that you and our girl became a part of our life.”
“Thank God your boy pulled his head out of his arse.”
“Thank God your girl helped him love again.”
“Aww. My romantic dick.”
The next few hours fly by like a blur. The company wanted Lane and Alexis so badly, they already had their entire offer written up by their legal team and ready to hand over for consideration at the end of the presentation. They’d even consulted with Lane’s boss yesterday about what they were going to offer Alexis and Lane today and he, in turn, had arranged a meeting with my girl’s boss Andre to discuss it. Both of whom have been in this boardroom all afternoon going over the finer details with the power duo.
It has been decided that Alexis will officially be employed by Lane’s company, something Woody and Andre had been working at when they put these two together for the initial project. Andre will still get a percentage of the campaign that was presented today, but will let go of my girl completely, with the promise that she will come by for a coffee at least once a week. It is late in the day by the time our two slip away for a few minutes to discuss whether to sign on the dotted line or not.
“I told you, I freaking told you they would love it all. Oh baby, we hit the jackpot!”
“Oh Lane. I’m speechless.”
“Tell me honestly, do you have any reservations about signing the contract they presented? Our legal expert said it’s the best contract he has ever seen, but if you think this job is too big, or it’s not something you would be happy taking on, please tell me. I want you to be happy, baby, so if you want to pass on it for whatever reason, please just say so and I will knock it back also.”
“How did I ever stand a chance of not falling for you, Lane Anderson? I love you and if you are prepared to take a chance on this crazy, freaking awesome and profitable offer, then so am I. Let’s jump together, baby.”
“I love you, baby. We can do this. As long as your hand stays in mine, I would be happy to jump into anything.”
The cheers when Lane and Alexis give a very big yes to the clients’ offer are deafening. After a few little details are changed and the documents are signed, the client offers to take everyone out to dinner. Apparently they were so hopeful that they had already booked Mo Vida, which stands ready for this large gathering.
At the restaurant, once all the excitement dies down and the congratulations have been said, boring corporate talk takes over all of the big heads.
“So, how do you handle the long hours these crazy people work, sweet cheeks?”
“I’m not that sweet when you get to know me and my girl is smart; she stretches often during a work day.”
“Yes she is sweet, but if you call her sweet cheeks again, I will find a way to head-butt your arse.”
“Eight, calm down boy. He was just making conversation.”
“She’s right, chill dude. I was just being nice. I have had a long day stuck in these crappy jocks and the tight cotton edges are cutting off my blood supply. I just wanted to know how the rest of you coped.”
“Sorry mate. Just love my girl a little too much I guess. And as for your uncomfortable situation, you need to guide him to the new Calvin Klein’s, those boxer briefs are like wearing nothing at all and the fabric, ah man, so freaking breathable, it’s like going commando every day. Your circulation problems will disappear.”
“Thanks mate, I’ll make sure he stops by them this weekend.”
“Since you’re handing out advice, care to give us a hint as to how your team came up with that social media ad? My guy could use a bit of help in that area.”
“Hold on there, we are not giving away any trade secrets. I know for a fact my girl was as proud as punch for initiating that idea, so your guy will have to learn how to come up with his own ideas, or get another day job.”
“But how did they predict the exact market trends for our industry? That is something I have never seen before.”
“Again, I ain’t spilling any trade secrets. It’s enough that we have to listen to the big ones jabber on about business, can’t we talk about something else for a while? Like why is your male-female ratio so off balance? You have too many dicks. Where are all the chicks?”
“Well, gossip is not my specialty, but five years ago the head of finance, Tom, was caught having an affair with his receptionist. Not such a big deal, if they were single that is, but Tom was married and so was the receptionist and she was also the CEO’s sister. If that scandal didn’t rock the boat enough, someone had taken photos of them in the boardroom one night and posted them on social media. So a no fraternization policy was implemented and since then, if they need a receptionist or PA, all the men in power mostly hire male secretaries. Strange but true.”
“Well, that’s a bit sexist. How do they get away with it?”
“Sexist, slightly. Safer, hell yeah.”
“I see your point.”
After dinner and some supposably more important business talk, Lane and Alexis excuse themselves, claiming they have some work they need to attend to early tomorrow. But work is the furthest thing from their mind. They want to celebrate, in private. Lane suggest taking a late night drive out to the beach house and Alexis is quick to agree. They go back to Lane’s and pack a bag, easy, considering that half of my girl’s stuff has ended up here. Mmm, I hope it all ends up here. I love our apartment, but there is sooooo much more closet space here.
On the long drive down the coast, Lane and Alexis steal little glances at each other, with happy smiles on their face. After all those stressful weeks trying to figure out their feelings for each other and then trying to navigate a new relationship with the
balance of working together, all worked out in the end and neither of them could be happier.
“Oh Eight. I fucking love you, do you know that?”
“Damn babe, I sure do. I love you just as much. And to think, I get to spend every day with you now. I was worried that when Alexis returned to her own company I would only get to see you on an occasional lunch break, but now, oh baby, I will get to see you all the time. I’m so excited I’m just about busting the zip on Lane’s slacks.”
“No sexy thoughts while driving, babe. You know the rule. Safety first.”
“Fuck baby, I know, but I can’t help but get excited about all the opportunities that will present itself by working closely again. Mmm, I’m rock hard just imaging the positions I can get you in.”
“Eight! Don’t distract Lane from the road! Or I will suddenly develop a headache as soon as we get to the beach house.”
“Now that’s just cruel, woman.”
It’s late when they finally reach their home away from home and both are utterly exhausted now after all of the adrenaline from today’s events has seeped from their bodies during the long drive to Sorrento. Salt hangs heavy in the air as they slowly get out of the car and make their way up the steps of the weatherboard house. My girl leans on Lane’s shoulder as he places the key in the front door and clicks it opened.
“What a day, hey baby? I can see you are done for. Why don’t you grab some wine while I head upstairs and run us a bath? Sound good?”
“Yes baby, that sounds perfect.”
She places a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth and then watches his fine arse walk up those stairs before turning towards the kitchen. She grabs two glasses, a bottle of wine and an opener, before following the steps that fine arse just took. My poor girl is dragging her feet as she makes it up the stairs and into the master suite, exhaustion settling into her body very fast.
Lane has already started the bath and is stripping down. Alexis places everything on the bathroom counter before slowly stripping herself free from clothes. Lane pours the wine and sits the glasses on the far edge of the bath before hopping in and sliding against one end and reaching a hand up for his love, knowing she is tired and wanting to make sure she hops in safely.