He tipped his head, regarding her thoughtfully. “You really want all the crap and headache that goes with owning a business when you can make a six-figure salary at Massey without the hassles?”
For her, it wasn’t a money issue, but a personal one. “I can deal with those kinds of hassles just fine, especially when I’m the boss.” There was humor in her tone, but she was dead serious about being able to manage the ups and downs of running her own business compared to working for someone else. “What I can’t handle is office politics and all the backstabbing that goes along with climbing the corporate ladder and maintaining your position when you’re on top.”
His dark brows lifted in surprise at her admission. “Is that personal experience talking?”
She hesitated, then decided there was no reason why she couldn’t reveal that bit of truth to him. “As a matter of fact, yes, it is.”
His gaze held hers steadily. “Care to enlighten me?”
She sat back in her chair as their lunch orders were served, which gave her a few extra moments to consider his question, and her response. Did she really want to apprise him of her past, one that not only explained the business decisions she’d made for the last year and a half, but also touched on deeper personal issues, like the relationship that had cost her so much, professionally and emotionally?
His interest seemed genuinely sincere, as did the concern reflected in his eyes. While she hated dredging up those painful memories, she figured he’d be better off knowing the reasons why she was so adamant about keeping business and pleasure completely separate, as well as why she wasn’t interested in working for anyone but herself.
He took a big bite from his burger, indulged in a long drink of his soda, and continued to patiently wait for her reply.
Picking up her fork, she stabbed it into the potato salad accompanying her turkey sandwich, ate the bite, then started her story from the beginning. “I went to work for my first advertising agency, Ad-Logic, fresh out of college. They hired me in the marketing department, and in five years time I’d worked my way up to creative director.”
A grin creased one corner of his mouth. “Have you always been so ambitious?”
“You have to be driven in this industry. You know that.” She chewed a bite of her sandwich, and licked a smear of sauce from her finger. “If not, you’ll get crushed by the competition.”
“True.” He dove into his French fries, drenching them in ketchup. “Go on.”
“Anyway, one of the associates on the creative team I was supervising started flirting with me. Since Jeremy was a subordinate, I turned down his advances, even though the firm didn’t have a no dating coworker rule. But he was very persistent, and before long I was hooked. We went out on a few dates, one thing led to another, and the next thing I knew, we were an item.” She glanced up at Eric, and without thinking, she said, “He was good-looking, and charming, much like you are.”
He frowned, seemingly taking offense by the comparison. “Sweetheart, don’t make the mistake of comparing me to any other man in your life. Especially when I have a feeling this guy screwed you over in one way or another.”
She exhaled a slow breath, amazed by Eric’s ability to read her so well. “You’re right, and I apologize.” The man sitting in front of her was open, honest, and very straightforward in his intentions. Important qualities she realized, belatedly, Jeremy had lacked.
“Tell me what happened,” he said, prompting her to go on.
She picked at her lunch, while Eric devoured his. Then again, there was no reason why her tale would ruin his appetite. “During this time, a big account came in for the firm, and I was also up for a promotion to senior art director, which left my position open to be filled. Jeremy made it clear he was interested in my job, and taking on the big account. Except, quite honestly, he wasn’t the best person for the position, and I gave it to a woman who was better qualified. He wasn’t happy about my decision.”
Eric cringed. “Oh, man, don’t tell me this guy was using you to get the promotion.”
“Yeah, he was,” she admitted, feeling her stomach cramp at how stupid she’d been to believe his interest had been genuine—and that she hadn’t figured out his agenda because she’d been so caught up in his romantic pursuit. At least she realized her affair with Eric for what it was—great sex and pure fantasy.
Uh-huh, that’s why you hated that he’d left you last night after giving you the best orgasms of your life.
Pushing those niggling thoughts aside, she continued. “One way or another, Jeremy was determined to get that promotion, and he figured I’d give it to him because we were sleeping together. When I passed him over, he cried sexual harassment and told the partners that I’d promised him my job and the big account in exchange for sexual favors.”
Eric gave another grimace of commiseration, though he declined to make any comments.
“It turned into a big, awful mess,” she said, and pushed her half-eaten lunch aside. “The partners said they believed my side of the story, but instead of facing a lengthy and expensive legal lawsuit, they settled the issue in-house. They made Jeremy an associate creative director, as well, and put him in charge of the account he wanted and claimed I promised him. As for me, I lost the promotion to senior art director to someone else, and because everything in the office was so tense, awkward, and stressful, I ended up resigning.”
“Jesus,” he said in disgust. “I’m sorry about that.”
“Yeah, well, it was a valuable lesson learned in many ways. One of which is that I’m better off on my own.” That, at least, had been a decision she’d never regretted. “With my own agency, I call the shots, and the responsibilities are all mine. Best of all, I’m in control, and I depend on no one but myself in terms of my success. I have no desire to plant myself permanently into that kind of dog-eat-dog situation ever again.”
While his gaze softened in understanding, his corporate, bargaining expression remained in place. “You know, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the position the partners are offering you pretty much puts you at the top of the creative department, which means no dogs to deal with,” he said humorously.
“That position is one rung below you, which would technically make you my boss and top dog.” And she was already sleeping with him, which made the entire situation too controversial for her. Not that she was considering accepting the job.
“I have bigger aspirations and plan to make partner in the next year or two, which will eventually leave my position open for someone as intelligent and creative as yourself.”
She ignored his sweet-talking compliment. “And let history repeat itself? No, thank you.”
His sensual lips pursed with annoyance, and she knew he wanted to argue her point about history repeating itself with them, but that meant dragging their intimate relationship out into the open in the light of day and breaking the vow he’d made to keep their affair private.
He sighed heavily. “I truly understand your reservations and reasons for being so hesitant, and I’m glad you told me about what happened,” he said instead, taking a more sensitive approach to the issue. “A whole lot more makes sense to me now. But I promised Gary that I’d talk to you, and now I can say that I did.”
A part of her was shocked that he wasn’t pushing her harder to take on the position at Massey, yet she was grateful, too, for his easy acceptance. He seemed to genuinely care about her reasons for declining their offers, and his understanding of the situation touched her in places she didn’t want to acknowledge for fear of letting those feelings take on a life of their own—if they hadn’t already. This new connection between them was unique and special, and had nothing to do with sex or their fantasy world. It was about a man and a woman talking and relating to one another, and she liked the warm, heartfelt bond they’d established more than was wise.
“Tell him I said thank you for the offers, but I’m not going to change my mind.” Her tone was firm.
“Fair
enough,” he said, conceding defeat without further prodding. “At least I can tell him that I tried my best.”
Jill attempted to give the Enchanted advertising package another thorough proofreading and review, making sure all the materials were in place and perfectly coordinated for the client presentation scheduled for Wednesday of that week. She made a few last-minute notations for changes before her mind started to wander to other more personal issues, and the lack of concentration where it should be focused, on work, infuriated and frustrated her.
So did Eric’s no-show at her place over the weekend. And therein lay the crux of her irritable mood.
Three days had passed since her lunch with Eric Friday afternoon. Granted, she’d been a bit distant after their business conversation because it had encompassed too much of her personal history, but she’d never expected him to forgo their agreed-upon affair… for the entire weekend.
And here it was, close to quitting time on Monday, and she was beginning to wonder where she stood with Eric. If maybe her story had turned him off to their affair, or if her final refusal to accept the position at Massey had also contributed to his decision to keep his distance. But that would make him no different than Jeremy, and she knew Eric had more character and integrity. Still, the possibility that he’d changed his mind about her made her chest hurt with an emotion she refused to analyze too closely.
She’d seen him briefly in passing throughout the day, had even consulted with him in regards to the media proposal for the Enchanted account. Yet not once did he mention his absence over the weekend. Not that he owed her an explanation as to his whereabouts or how he’d spent those evenings, but she’d assumed there would be more than just one night of sex with him.
He’d been his normal, amiable self all day long, treating her with the same flirtatious, easy charm as he always did, but he never crossed the line into anything remotely personal. She’d found herself continually searching his eyes and expression, but neither gave away what he was feeling. Or if he planned to visit her ever again. She was dying to ask, but she wasn’t about to be the one to break the rule they’d established to never mix their business relationship with their fantasy world.
Closing her eyes, she pressed her fingers to her temples, where the beginning of a headache began a steady throb. Thank goodness the day was nearly over, because she needed fresh air, freedom, and a better perspective on the entire situation.
A half hour later she headed home, and discovered a long, white flat box topped off with a big pink bow on her doorstep. She picked up the gift, unable to stop the warm glow of hope and excitement tingling through her. Once she was inside, she plucked the pink envelope attached to the bow, withdrew the card inside, and read the succinct sentence written in a bold, masculine scrawl: Wear all these things for me tonight.
There was no name signed to the note, but she knew who the gift was from. Unraveling the ribbon securing the sides of the box, she lifted the lid, separated the pink tissue paper, and felt her stomach flutter when she discovered the sexy lingerie he’d sent.
Jill would have pegged Eric as a man who would have gone for something black and racy and possibly in leather, but what she found instead caused her breath to catch and her heart to quicken. Her fingers glided over white satin and lace, the color of purity and innocence, which was such an incongruous choice since their illicit affair was neither. He’d selected an ensemble for her which included a demi bra in see-through floral lace with matching crotchless panties, and sheer white, lacy banded stockings accompanying a garter belt set.
A flush stained her cheeks and she bit her bottom lip. The outfit was incredibly provocative and decadent, more so than anything she’d ever worn before, and she appreciated his thoughtfulness in providing a pale pink silk wrap for her to wear, too. Not that she’d be wearing the robe for long, she knew, already anticipating the fantasy Eric had in mind.
Another smaller box caught her eye, and she gasped as she revealed the contents. She stared in stunned disbelief at the exquisite double strand of gleaming pearls nestled in a bed of burgundy velvet. Picking up the necklace, she rolled the smooth, polished pearls between her fingers, the texture cool, luxurious, and sensuous to the touch.
She was undeniably aroused by his gifts, no doubt just as he intended. She’d dress up for him tonight and play the part he wanted, but he had a few questions to answer before she let him have the full fantasy.
Chapter Four
Standing in the shadows of Jill’s patio that evening, Eric watched as she prepared herself for him, a sweet kind of torture that tested his restraint. She’d taken a fragrant bath, then slowly, methodically, slipped into each sexy piece of lingerie he’d bought for her. Unaware that her lover was spying on her, her movements were sensual and uninhibited as she clasped her bra in place, then shimmied into the panties that would give him direct access to her body when the time came. Sitting on the stool in front of the vanity in her bedroom, she pulled the pale stockings up her slender legs to her thighs, then clasped the lacy band to the garter belt secured low on her hips. She put on a pair of white strappy shoes with a good four-inch spiked heel, adding her own special touch to the tantalizing ensemble.
With her hair a cloud of soft waves around her face and shoulders, and dressed so wantonly, she looked like a centerfold straight out of his fondest teenage fantasies. And he was rock hard with wanting her.
Finally, she secured the pearls around her neck and absently touched one of the luminescent beads. One gleaming strand draped across the full swell of her breasts, and the longer one dipped into the cleavage in between. The tiniest movement rolled the pearls over her nipples like a fluttering caress, teasing them into hard little points that strained against her sheer lace bra. His cock swelled even more with the wicked thoughts filling his mind. Those pearls were going to be the source of immense pleasure for both of them, as was the single lavender rose he’d brought with him.
Last, she slipped into the silk robe, and as soon as she had herself covered and the sash was tightened around her waist, he stepped out of the shadows and through the French doors.
“Hello, Jill.”
She glanced up at him, the instantaneous awareness flickering in her gaze quickly replaced with a cool reserve and a defiant tip of her chin. “I’m glad to see you didn’t stand me up tonight.”
He blinked lazily, not at all surprised at her rebellious attitude. He’d expected it, actually, and the annoyance simmering off her pleased him immensely. Obviously, she hadn’t been able to blow him off as easily as she would have liked, which meant he affected her more deeply than she’d ever admit out loud.
He also knew her haughty disposition wouldn’t last long. She wanted this next fantasy, wanted to be kissed and touched and fucked by him, or else she wouldn’t have taken such care getting dressed up in the things he’d sent her.
Slowly, he strolled over to the nightstand, set the long-stemmed rose next to the bed, and sauntered the rest of the way into her bedroom. “The note I sent with the outfit insinuated I’d be here tonight.”
“After not hearing a word from you all weekend,” she stated, crossing her arms over her chest.
He inhaled the floral scent lingering from her steamy bath, and couldn’t stop the pleased grin that curved his mouth. “Miss me?”
She gave a dismissive shrug, but the hurt he detected in the depth of her eyes told another story. “After our conversation Friday afternoon, I thought maybe you changed your mind about us.”
He came to a stop in front of where she stood, sobered by the fact that he’d caused her any kind of emotional pain. He’d only meant to give her space, but he’d obviously given her too much time to think. “There’s not a chance I’d change my mind about us, sweetheart.”
“Then why didn’t you come?” She raised a brow, her gaze searching his for answers.
He owed her an explanation, needed to make her understand his reasons for staying away. And being honest with her was all part of the
intimacy and trust he needed to establish between them if he wanted their relationship to last beyond a temporary affair. Because for as much as he enjoyed their fantasies, he craved more than hot sex with her. He wanted to see her whenever the urge struck, wanted make her a part of his life in a way he’d never allowed any other woman.
And after their conversation last Friday, at least now he felt better equipped to deal with her fears and insecurities.
Reaching out, he wrapped a loose curl around his finger to maintain some kind of physical connection between them. “Not coming over this weekend was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. And if it makes you feel any better, I did miss you, and thought about you every waking minute,” he said, all the truth. “But after you told me about Jeremy and what effect he had on you and your previous job, you were on the defensive and I know you were comparing that relationship to ours, especially after that comment you made about history repeating itself. I just felt as though you needed time to calm down and want me again without a past relationship gone bad getting in our way.”
Her full lower lip puffed out in an adorable pout, but she didn’t argue his point. “You could have said something to me.”
“I thought about it, but decided it would have spoiled the anticipation of being together again.” He ran his finger along the collar of the silky robe, and down the lapel to where it crisscrossed at her breasts. “You thought about me all weekend, didn’t you? About all the things we did together and what I still want to do to you.”
“Yes.” A tangible shiver coursed through her. “But I don’t enjoy feeling like a fool, and that’s how I felt waiting up for you every night.”
Wilde Novellas Page 5