Seduce Me (The Heart Series)

by Angela Estienne

  “Morning Rachel.”

  “Morning Jazz, I wouldn’t guessed you were a runner.”

  “Yeah it’s great, I love it, it lights a fire under my ass, and I love how it makes me feel inside. I will have to go, sorry, I need a quick shower before work starts.”

  “Oh yeah, sorry, are we on for lunch again?”

  “Absolutely 12:30 again?”

  “See you then.” I rushed inside and jumped into the shower, I quickly got changed. Now I was ready to face my day.

  When I got to my van, Zale had already started loading it for me.

  “Morning Jazz, how are you on this lovely fine morning?” Someone was in a good mood. He must have got laid last night. I started giggling to myself.

  “Morning Zale, I am good. How are you?”

  “Fabulous. Better than that actually, I feel terrific. The sun is out and I am me, who could ask for any more than that, seriously? It’s going to be a busy one today. Lots of parcels need delivering.”

  “Ok, we had better get a shift on then hey?” I finished loading the van with Zale. He was whistling and singing. He really was in a good mood, he made the morning pleasant with all of his jolliness. It was rubbing off on me. I couldn’t wait to get home and start singing. We had a new building on our list today. It was on the 34th floor in The Heart Tower. Zale talked me through the stringent security protocol before we arrived. I felt all worried about it after that, I didn’t fancy being patted down by a security officer.

  We pulled up outside. I got the parcels out of the van and set off up the stairs to the two imposing glass revolving doors, I took a deep breath in and followed Zale. We walked into a huge open space. There was a selection of different plastic plants in large ceramic red plant pots, we walked over the white and black marbled flooring, right up to a large half-moon wooden desk.

  “Morning guys.” Zale said to the security officers on duty.

  “Morning Zale, I see you are the appointed trainer again.” One officer replied to him. They both started laughing.

  “You know they would be lost without me. Tim, Nigel, meet my trainee Jazz.”

  “Morning Jazz,” they both said.

  “Morning guys, nice to meet you.” I was still shaking. All I could focus on was the metal detector, my heart was racing so fast. I started looking around trying to focus on anything else but the metal detector. Behind the security desk was a large board. It named all the companies that traded from this building, including their floor number. I followed Zale through the imposing metal arc and we got escorted to the lifts. Once the door opened Zale inserted a key and then pressed the button for floor 34, we were on our way up.

  As the doors opened, we entered another open space with a reception desk and two black leather two seater sofas. In front of us was an opaque glass door, with the words The Heart Foundation etched into the glass in a black font, you could only just make out a silver handle on the door, there were other less impressive doors to our left and right. We walked over to the reception desk, the receptionist smiled at Zale.

  “Morning Judy, how are you on this lovely fine morning?”

  “All the better for seeing you Zale. I will buzz through for you.”

  “Thank you Judy.” She picked up the phone.

  “Misty I have a delivery for you,” she said. I was totally bewildered by what was happening.

  “So you are training a newbie up again I see?”

  “Yes. Judy please meet Jazz.”

  “Hello Jazz, nice to meet you,” she said.

  “Hi Judy, nice to meet you too.” A middle-aged blonde lady came running around the corner.

  “Sorry to have kept you Zale, hectic morning.”

  “Your all right Misty, he works you too hard,” Zale said to her.

  “Tell me about it, but you know I love my job,” she replied.

  “Misty, meet our latest recruit Jazz.”

  “Hi Jazz, nice to meet you.” She reached out for my hand.

  “Hi Misty, nice to meet you too.” After the hand shake, she took the parcels off me and signed on the dotted line.

  “Catch you later guys.” We headed back to the elevators and back out of the building.

  “Well that eats up your time doesn’t it?” I asked Zale.

  “Yeah, but they are a great bunch of people, I am sure you are going to enjoy it once you get the hang of it all.” That was our last delivery of the day. We headed back to the depot to file our paperwork.

  12:30 came fast, Rachel and I headed out for lunch at Spuds–too–Nom restaurant. Rachel said they did the best Jacket Potato’s, so I really needed to test out her theory. I opted for a Jacket Potato, with coleslaw and salad, with a glass of lemonade. Rachel went for Jacket potato with chilli con carne, and a glass of orange juice.

  “So how did your afternoon job go then?”

  “It was really good, very entertaining, but the uniform is a bit off.”

  “Off, what do you mean off?”

  “Basically I look like I should be in a porno movie, it’s a really short skirt, I have to wear stockings and a suspender belt, it is terrible, but I need the job, so I would just have to get used to it.”

  “So any news then Rachel?”

  “Yes I was going to tell you this morning but you needed a shower. I have a friend that knows Zale’s girlfriend, she told me Lisa was out of the picture.” I don’t think I have ever seen such a big smile on anyone’s face before.

  “That’s odd.”

  “Why?”

  “Well all morning he has been singing and whistling, he has been on cloud nine, if it’s true, why would he be so happy about it?”

  “Maybe he is relieved it’s over with, they maybe don’t get on anymore, or maybe she was all skin and bone, he maybe wants to try a curvy lady like myself for a change.”

  “I suppose you could be right, so what are you going to do about it?”

  “I don’t know, I am too scared to say anything to his face, I don’t deal with rejection very well. What would you do?”

  “Invite him out for a dinner.”

  “No, that involves talking to him, I can’t do it, but you can.”

  “You want me to ask him out for a dinner date with you?”

  “No, silly, I want you to invite him out to dinner with you and me. But you would have to make up some sort of excuse.”

  “Like what?” she paused for a moment.

  “I know. It’s a celebration meal for getting a new job.”

  “Oh no wait a minute, this is—.” She cut me off mid-sentence.

  “No Jazz wait, before you say anything else think about it, you know it makes sense, come on lure him out for me.”

  “I must need my head testing.”

  “So does that mean you will do it?”

  “Yes, I will do it.” She flew up off her chair and wrapped her arms around me.

  “You are amazing Jazz, thank you.”

  “I know, so when do you want me to set this up for?”

  “Is this Thursday pushing it do you think?”

  “He may already have plans.”

  “Well we have to try, ask him in the morning will you please? If he is busy this Thursday how about suggesting next Thursday instead? I will book the restaurant, it’s perfect.”

  “Fine.”

  “No, this isn’t fair.”

  “Now what’s wrong Rachel?”

  “I have nothing to wear.”

  “I am sure you have plenty of clothes.”

  “Yes I do but none of them are suitable to lure in Zale, can you come shopping with me PLEASE?”

  “Yes, I will go shopping with you, when do you want to go?”

  “Tonight after work.”

  “Ok, meet me at my house at 7:00 tonight, that will give me enough time to get home and grab a shower.” I wrote my address on a piece of paper for her, but I wasn’t looking forward to the shopping trip, I hated shopping, it was always Cat’s thing not mine.

  I said m
y goodbyes and shot off to my afternoon job, I made really good time so I had chance to have an apple and pear smoothie before my shift started. Man this smoothie tasted great, I was converted. I had never liked the idea of them before but now it was different, I couldn’t get enough of them.

  “So how has it been this morning Yukari?”

  “Busy.”

  “That’s not a bad thing.”

  “I suppose.” I went out to the back so I could get changed for my shift, when I came out Yukari went and got changed but then she sat down. I stood behind the counter looking at her. I had to find out what was going on.

  “Yukari why are you still here? I thought you had to get back to collect your son.”

  “I am waiting to see if Mr Heart is going to come back or not.”

  “Now that’s silly, go home and see your son, you’re wasting your time waiting here.” She shrugged her shoulders and started reading a book. I had another large order come in, I think this was going to be a regular thing from this company, I was a little faster today than yesterday, but I would have to speed up a lot more.

  Then Mr blue eyes came in, my heart sunk into the pit of my stomach. My whole body came to life, my skin prickled with awareness for the tall dark and very handsome stranger stood before me. I swallowed the lump in my throat, I was regretting not wearing a padded bra to work. I crossed my arms across my chest.

  “Hello again, what can I get you today?” I asked. He frowned at me and replied.

  “I told you yesterday what I required when I came back today.” Oh shit, he was being serious. He wasn’t even smiling. His voice was laced with dominance, which only added to his bad boy charm.

  “I will get right onto it sir.” I could see Yukari giggling behind her book, then she picked up her bag.

  “See you later Jazz.”

  “Catch you later Yukari, have a good afternoon.” Then she left.

  I took Mr blue eyes his sandwich and drink out once I had made it.

  “Thank you Jazz. Now would that be short for Jasmine by any chance?”

  “Yes it would, hope you enjoy your sandwich.”

  “So now Jazz don’t forget I will owe you one now.” One what?

  “Owe me what?” I replied.

  “A smacked bum, remember?” I thought he must be joking, no one could be that serious, could they? Surely not, I am reading far too much into this, typical Jasmine trick.

  “Very funny,” I replied. His eyebrow rose up.

  “Do I look like I am joking?”

  “You’re good, you had me going then.”

  “I am being totally serious, unless your boyfriend would mind?”

  “I don’t have a boyfriend.” Why did you tell him that? I thought you were on my side.

  “Good.”

  “Pardon?” I knew he had said something but I couldn’t quite hear it. You know exactly what he said. Be quiet.

  “I was also hoping for a second showing today.” Now what is he on about?

  “Excuse me.”

  “Would you like to pick my pen up again? I have been dreaming about your silky red panties?” He had half a grin on his face. Oh no, I could feel my face turning red. I turned around and walked back to the counter. I could feel his eyes piercing into my back. I was happy when more customers came in, but I couldn’t get his words out of my mind, does he really want to spank my bum for not having his food and drink ready? I was getting damp thinking about it. I pushed it out of my head so I could get on with my work.

  I watched him approach the counter in his very well fitted black suit and white shirt. He had loosened his blue tie and undone his top two buttons. He walked with confidence and grace with his jacket slung over his left shoulder, he stood looking into my eyes, he touched my hand as he handed over his money, I felt a tingle run up and down my spine, I found him arousing.

  “I will see you again tomorrow Jazz,” he said. I got goose bumps from head to toe. My head was spinning. I found it hard to concentrate on my work for the rest of the day. All my thoughts could focus on, was Mr blue eyes smacking my bum and what lay under his clothes? He looked masculine, my mind wandered into unfamiliar territory. I bet he worked out. I bet I could give him a better work out. Shh, don’t make me think like that. For some reason I couldn’t wait to see him again, he was the kind of guy your mother was supposed to warn you about.

  I got home just before 6:30, and got a quick shower. I had only just stepped out when I heard a knock at the door, I slung on my dressing gown and went downstairs to answer it.

  “Rachel, sorry I am running behind today, kitchens through their, help yourself, I won’t be long.”

  “Cheers Jazz.” I ran upstairs and got changed. When I got downstairs, I walked into the kitchen.

  “Here you go.” She passed me a hot cup of coffee.

  “Thanks Rachel, I need this.”

  “You have a lovely place here.”

  “Thank you.”

  “How long have you lived here?”

  “Not long.” I wasn’t ready to talk to her about my past so I was hoping she wouldn’t ask any more questions.

  “Who sent you all these flowers? They are beautiful.” This new line of questioning I didn’t mind at all.

  “Now that is a brilliant question, but I have no idea.”

  “You must have, these must have cost a fortune?”

  “Yeah I suppose they did, all I know is one bunch turned up when I got this place, then another when I got my job and the last lot when I got my afternoon job.” I couldn’t tell her about the hospital ones, I really didn’t want her knowing anything about that part of my life.

  “So did they come with a card?” I walked over to the kitchen drawer and pulled three cards out, I handed them over to her. She read the first card out.

  “Hope you are starting to feel better, ‘congratulations on your new home, All my love H.H.’ Have you been ill?” Oh no, I had totally forgotten it had that wrote on it, I need to think of something fast. I had nothing, I was never a good liar, I hated it, I could never think of something to say on the spot.

  “I was feeling a bit down before I moved here, that’s all.” Well it wasn’t exactly a lie, I just left a key bit of information out.

  “Right next one, ‘Congratulations on your new job, All my love H.H,’ and the last one ‘Congratulations on your second new job All my love H.H,’ so you have no idea who H.H is then?”

  “No idea at all, it is a complete mystery to me.”

  “I need to help you get to the bottom of this, I adore a good love storey, and I absolutely love a good mystery.”

  “Love story? How do you figure that one out?”

  “Whoever it is has put, ‘All my love’ on all three cards, with a ‘red heart’ following it, hence a love story.”

  “If I had an admirer out there, don’t you think they would have come forward?”

  “Not if they are shy, those flowers are mega expensive, you have a secret admirer, and I am the perfect person to help you figure it out.”

  “Right are we ready to go on our late night shopping trip then?” I had already rung for a taxi, I knew it was going to be a long evening.

  I was so thankful I had put my converses on, as my feet were killing me. We visited so many shops, Rachel tried on so many dresses, I thought she would never decide on what she wanted. We had a great time though, halfway through our shopping trip we stopped off at a coffee shop for a rest, I was feeling tired, I needed the caffeine buzz to keep me going. We headed off to another nearby shopping centre hoping Rachel would find something there she liked. We had already been in nearly all the shops and she still couldn’t find anything she liked. I was going to need a fresh caffeine boost soon, I was flaking by the second. As we were walking through I got knocked off my feet.

  “Sorry I didn’t see you there,” a voice said. I was so angry. I was tired and needed chocolate fast.

  “Well you should really be watching where you are walking then,” I replied.
I looked up straight into the blue eyes of Mr Heart, I found myself staring directly into his eyes, my gaze fixed and locked. He held out his hand to help me up, I took hold of it, I was too exhausted to get up by myself, as my hand connected with his I felt a surge of electric travelling through my body. What the hell was that? I let go of his hand as soon as I was on my feet, I turned my head away, not wanting to encourage him.

  “Well hello Jasmine, fancy seeing you here. I am sorry knocking you over. Let me buy you a drink to make it up to you.”

  “No, it’s fine, don’t worry about it, I really don’t have time.”

  “You must have time.”

  “No I don’t, we are trying to find a new dress for my friend before the shops shut.”

  “Are you going to introduce us then?” He asked.

  “Rachel let me introduce you to Mr Heart.”

  “Nice to meet you Rachel.” He took her hand and planted a kiss on it, she was totally blown away by the charm of this man.

  “So Rachel is it a special occasion?” Luke asked her.

  “Is what a special occasion?” She queried.

  “The reason you need a new dress,” he replied.

  “Oh, yes we are going out for a meal on Thursday night to celebrate Jazz getting her new jobs.”

  “Well that sounds like fun,” he said.