by Ramona Gray
Pierre smiled at her as Julien’s gaze drifted over Amy’s body. Luke clenched his hands into fists as Amy said, “Let’s get started, all right?”
“Very good idea,” Luke said stiffly. “Jane, would you mind bringing in some glasses and water?”
“Not at all,” Jane replied.
As she left the boardroom, Luke waited until the French men were seated at the table before taking Amy’s elbow and steering her toward the table. Keeping an empty chair between her and Pierre, he pulled out the chair for her and she rolled her eyes at him before sitting down.
* * *
“You okay?” Luke asked Amy. It was two hours later and after walking Pierre and Julien to the elevator, he had followed Amy back to her office.
She collapsed in one of the beanbag chairs in her office. “I’m fine. I don’t need you to protect me, Luke.”
“They were blatantly hitting on you the entire meeting, Amy!”
“So? They’re good looking guys and I’m single. What’s the harm?”
“The harm? Forgetting that they’re not good enough for you, they’re thinking of partnering with us. No mixing business with pleasure,” Luke said.
“Are you kidding me? You’re banging your secretary, Luke.”
“That’s different,” he said. “Jane is…different.”
“Jane is a sweetheart and you need to lock that shit down before she figures out that she’s too good for you,” Amy said with a laugh.
“We’re not talking about me and Jane. We’re talking about you. Don’t sleep with Pierre or Julien,” Luke said.
“You don’t get to tell me what to do. Besides, a little flirting never hurt anyone. It might even help convince them to hand over their money.”
His jaw dropped. “Amy, you don’t think you have to sleep with them to get this deal, do you? The company is fine, the Board is happy with sales – we don’t need to go international,” Luke said.
“Of course I know that. I don’t mind flirting with them but I’m not going to fuck one of them just to get an account with them,” she said.
“Gross,” he said.
She rolled her eyes. “You started this conversation. What time is dinner again?”
“We’re meeting Pierre and Julien at seven,” he said.
She glanced at her watch. “I’m going to work from home for a bit. Text me if you need anything before dinner. Okay?”
“Sure,” he replied. He hesitated before saying, “I’m going to bring Jane to dinner tonight.”
“Sounds good,” Amy said absently as she scrolled through her phone.
“For work reasons,” he said. “I’ll pay her overtime. If we do more negotiations over dinner or they want to discuss work, I might need her to take notes or something.”
“Mm, hmm.” Amy was still staring at her phone.
“We’re not dating,” he said.
Amy glanced up. “Who’s not dating?”
“Nothing, never mind,” he said. “I’ll see you at seven.”
He left her office and headed back to his. Jane was sitting at her desk and smiled at him when he stopped beside it.
“How did it go?”
“Fine,” he said. “We talked a lot about our plans for the new website design, how we would incorporate a more seamless shopping experience for our customers. They still haven’t given us a final answer but that’s probably because they were too busy flirting with Amy.”
Jane laughed and picked up a stack of file folders on her desk. “They are very handsome and charming. I was with them for nearly twenty minutes before you showed up and they were a little relentless in the flirting. Hey, would it be all right if I filed these in your office or do you want me to wait until you’re out?”
“Go ahead and file them now,” he said shortly. Jealousy had flooded through him the moment she said Pierre and Julien were handsome and charming.
She hesitated at his tone but walked into his office. He followed her and shut the doors as she opened up the top drawer of his mahogany file cabinet. She had finished stacking the folders on top when he turned her around and yanked her into his embrace. He took her mouth in a hard kiss, squeezing her ass with one big hand as he pushed his tongue past her lips. She moaned and returned his kiss. The taste of her, the feel of her ass filling the palm of his hand perfectly, made his cock harden and he ground it against her. He pulled back and stared at her swollen mouth and flushed cheeks.
“What was that for?” She said.
“Did you like it when they flirted with you?” He asked a bit sulkily.
“You’re jealous,” she said.
“No, I’m not.”
“Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
She didn’t reply and he scowled at her. “Fine, I’m jealous. But in my defense, women love a man with an accent.”
She giggled. “You think I’m going to drop you for Pierre and Julien just because they have an accent?”
“Pierre and Julien?” He said.
She shrugged. “They share women and won’t have sex without each other.”
His mouth dropped open. “How the hell do you know that?”
“You can learn a lot about a person in twenty minutes. Especially when it’s two men who delight in talking about themselves. Now, let me go – I really need to get this filing done.”
“Jane,” he said anxiously, “are you interested in them? Do you want to, uh, sleep with two men at once?”
Now it was her turn for her jaw to drop. “Did you just ask me if I wanted to have a threesome?”
“Do you want to sleep with Julien and Pierre?” He said.
“Of course I don’t,” she said. “Luke, what has gotten into you?”
He pulled her closer and pressed a kiss against her mouth. “Nothing. I only wanted to make sure you remembered that you have plans with me for the weekend.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” she said.
“Good.” He nuzzled her throat. “I’ll make you forget all about those French bastards.”
He thought that would make her laugh but she cupped his face and gave him a serious look. “I don’t want to sleep with them. I know it’s not serious between us and I know we’re done after Sunday, but I still wouldn’t sleep with another person while I’m sleeping with you.”
His stomach churned and he was surprisingly hurt by her statement that it wasn’t serious between them. He swallowed down his disappointment and said, “I wouldn’t either, Jane.”
“I know,” she said. “I really need to get this filing done or I’ll end up staying late.”
He shook his head. “You can’t. Amy and I are meeting Pierre and Julien at seven for dinner and you’re coming with us.”
“I can’t do that,” she said. “it’s not appropriate and besides, I’m going to visit Mama J after work.”
“I’ll drive you to see Mama J. We have plenty of time to visit with her before dinner,” he said.
“It’s not appropriate, Luke,” she said. “I’m your assistant not…”
She trailed off and he reluctantly let her go and took a step back. “Exactly. You’re my assistant and I might need you at this work dinner. If they want to discuss work stuff, you may have to take notes. I’ll pay you overtime.”
“It’s work related,” she said. Her face suggested that she didn’t quite believe him.
He nodded. “Yes, so bring your laptop. All right?”
“All right,” she said.
“Good.” He returned to his desk and checked his email as Jane filed. He tried to concentrate on his work but his gaze kept flickering to Jane. God, she smelled so good and her ass looked fucking amazing in that skirt. He glanced at the couch before checking his watch. He hadn’t fucked Jane on the couch yet and today was his last chance. Both Wednesday and Thursday, he’d had multiple fantasies about bending her over the back of the couch, lifting up her skirt and sliding into her while she moaned his name.
His dick was as hard as a rock
again and he was about to lock the doors and coax Jane into a quickie when Mark walked into his office.
“Hey, Luke.”
He tried not to glare at his best friend as Jane slid the last folder into the cabinet and smiled at Mark as she headed for the door.
“How are you, Jane?”
“Good, how are you?” She replied.
“I’m good.” Mark sat down on the couch and stretched his long legs out as Luke watched Jane cross his office. She shut the doors and he sat back in his chair before turning to Mark.
“What’s up?” He said. He could hear the irritation in his voice.
Mark raised his eyebrow at him. “I wanted to see how the meeting went. I’m assuming not well or are you pissed for some other reason?”
“I’m not pissed,” Luke said.
“You sound pissed,” Mark replied.
“I was thinking of convincing Jane to have a quickie in my office until you came strolling in,” he said.
Mark laughed. “Bad timing on my part. Sorry, man.”
“It was a bad idea anyway. I need to be professional,” Luke said.
“Boring,” Mark said. “Anyway, how did the meeting go?”
“They still haven’t fully committed.”
“Then why the hell did they come to the office?” Mark said.
“Honestly, I have no idea what’s going on in their heads and they’re easily distracted.”
“What do you mean?”
“They were flirting with Jane and when I walked into the boardroom, both of them were touching her.” Luke’s face darkened with anger as Mark grinned at him.
“Beating up potential investors because they flirt with your woman is bad business practice.”
“She’s not my woman,” Luke said as his email dinged. He turned and stared at his computer screen. “Besides, the minute Amy walked in, they forgot all about Jane. It was more than a little disgusting to watch them hit on her. She didn’t seem to mind all that much but - ”
“They were hitting on your sister?” Mark interrupted.
“Yeah,” Luke said as he clicked on the email. “They were all over her. I’m surprised they even invited me to dinner tonight. Pretty certain they’d rather spend all their time with Amy.”
“They’re having dinner tonight with Amy?”
Mark’s voice sounded strange and Luke swivelled in his chair. “What’s wrong?”
“Amy’s having dinner with them tonight,” Mark repeated.
“Well, we’re having dinner with them – I’m taking Jane in case I need her to take notes or something - but I won’t be surprised if they try and convince Amy to go back to their goddamn hotel room with them. Jane told me that they told her they share their women. That they won’t even fuck a woman unless both of them are - ”
“I’m going to dinner with you,” Mark snapped.
“What?”
“What time and where?” Mark said.
“You want to have dinner with us?”
“Yes,” Mark said irritably. “If it’s a business dinner, I should be there. Don’t you think?”
“Uh, sure,” Luke said.
“Good.” Mark stood up and stalked toward the doors. “Text me the time and address.”
He left the office and Luke shook his head in bewilderment before turning back to his computer.
* * *
“Amy, you look amazing,” Jane said.
Amy was standing next to the coat check when they’d arrived at the restaurant. Luke took Jane’s coat as Jane stared at Amy. The blonde was wearing a form-fitting dark green dress that hugged her curves and showed off a generous amount of cleavage.
“Thanks, Janie.” Amy handed her jacket to Luke before smiling at Jane. “You look lovely as well.”
Jane laughed. “I’m still wearing my work clothes, but thanks.”
As Luke took their jackets to the coat check, Amy said in a low voice, “Do you think it’s too much?”
Jane shook her head. “No, that dress is beautiful on you. Julien and Pierre won’t know what hit them.”
Amy blushed softly. “I didn’t wear it specifically for them.”
“Did you wear it for Mark?” Jane asked.
Amy stared at her. “Why would you say that?”
“Well, Luke mentioned that Mark was coming to dinner tonight and I thought…”
Jane trailed off and chewed at her bottom lip. “I’m sorry. I’m being an idiot. Forget I said that.”
“Mark’s coming for dinner?” Amy’s face had paled.
“Yes. You didn’t know?”
“Luke didn’t mention it.”
“Luke didn’t mention what?” Luke had joined them and Jane suppressed her shiver when he rested his hand on her lower back and rubbed gently.
“Why is Mark coming to dinner?” Amy said sharply. “And why didn’t you tell me?”
Before Luke could answer, Julien and Pierre had joined them. They stared in frank appreciation at Amy in her green dress before Pierre hurried forward and took Amy’s hand, kissing the knuckles. He smiled at her and said, “Tu es belle, Amy.”
“Thank you,” she said as Julien crowded in on the other side of her. “Your dress is stunning, mon ange.”
“Angel is very fitting for her,” Pierre said before stroking a strand of Amy’s blonde hair.
“Oui, très approprié,” Julien murmured.
“I hate to interrupt, but we haven’t met yet.”
Amy paled at the sound of Mark’s voice. She took a step back from Pierre and Julien and gave Mark an odd look that was half defiance and half guilt. Mark’s face was dark with anger as he stepped forward and held out his hand. His nostrils flaring, he shook Pierre’s hand and then Julien’s. Jane wondered if he was deliberately avoiding looking at Amy.
“Mark Stanford. I’m the CFO of Dawson Clothing.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Stanford,” Julien said. “We did not realize you would be joining us for dinner this evening.”
Mark gave him a tight smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Julien stared coolly at him and Amy said, “Mark often joins us for client dinners and meetings. He would have been there this afternoon but he had a previous meeting. Isn’t that right, Mark?”
“Yes,” Mark said.
There was an awkward silence and Jane lightly elbowed Luke in the ribs. He was studying his sister with a faint look of confusion. She elbowed him again and he said, “Well, now that everyone’s here, let’s ask the hostess to take us to our table.”
* * *
“Amy, these are magnificent,” Pierre said. Both he and Julien leaned closer and studied the screen of her phone. When they were shown to their table, both men had snagged the seats on either side of Amy. They were outrageous flirts and both men were using their considerable charm on her. Jane had sat between Mark and Luke and spent most of the dinner wondering who would snap first and punch the French men. Her money was on Mark. Luke was obviously angry by the way the men were flirting with his sister but Mark’s rage was palpable.
She watched with growing alarm as Julien’s gaze dipped to Amy’s cleavage and Mark’s body stiffened. His hand tightened around his wine glass and Jane said hurriedly, “So, is anyone having dessert? Something sweet might be good.”
“I do enjoy something sweet after dinner,” Julien said in a low voice. He traced one finger across Amy’s collarbone. Jane grabbed Mark’s forearm with her right hand and Luke’s thigh with her left hand and squeezed hard when they both started to stand.
Luke relaxed in his chair but Mark jerked in anger and stared at her hand before raising his gaze to her. She gave him a pointed look and he flushed before saying, “No dessert for me.”
Jane released his arm as Luke said, “Me neither.”
Pierre was studying Amy’s phone again. “Seriously, ma chérie, these are incredible. Have you thought about starting a line with these?”
Amy shrugged. “Our clients want business clothes. A casual line doesn’t align wit
h their interests and I’m not wasting company money on a line that won’t give us a return on investment.”
“I think it would,” Pierre said. “We should talk more about this casual line. Perhaps you’d like to come back to our hotel room after dinner? We can have some wine and talk business.”
Jane thought Mark was going to have a stroke. His face was bright red and he was squeezing his wine glass until his fingers were white. She elbowed him discreetly and he glared at her before clearing his throat. “If you want to talk business, then it’s Luke or myself you should direct questions to. Amy doesn’t like to be involved in the business side. Isn’t that right, Amy?”
She gave him a cool look as she tucked her phone into her purse. She sat back as Julien laid his arm across the back of her chair and played with her soft blonde hair. “I’m considering becoming more involved in the business side.”
“Since when,” Mark snorted. “You just want to make the pretty things, remember?”
She scowled at him and crossed her arms over her chest. The motion made her ample breasts push against her dress and both Julien and Pierre stared in unabashed delight at her pale skin. Jane wondered if she was the only one who heard Mark’s low snarl.
“It’s good to try new things,” Amy said. “Life is boring if you’re doing the same old things repeatedly.”
Mark raked his hand through his hair as Pierre smiled at Amy. “Julien and I do love adventurous women who are up to trying new things.”
“So, that’s a no on dessert for everyone? Because it’s getting late and I think we should call it a night,” Luke said. Jane could hear the anger in his voice.
“Trying new things isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be,” Mark said through clenched teeth. “Sometimes it’s the biggest mistake a person can make.”
“Amy?” Luke leaned forward. “Ames, are you all right?”
Amy’s face had turned deathly pale and for one moment, Jane thought she was going to burst into tears. Desperate to help her friend, she said, “I need to use the ladies’ room. Amy, how about you?”
Amy shook her head. “No,” she said in a low voice as she stood up and grabbed her purse. “I need to go. Pierre and Julien, I’m afraid I can’t meet this evening but if your earlier offer is still open, I’ll be your tour guide tomorrow and perhaps we can talk about the new line then.”