The Good Girl

by Tracy Reed

  The heat of his fingers and the warm fullness of his tongue moving in sync sparked some strange feelings. My body tingled from top to bottom, and I didn’t want him to stop. At that moment, I didn’t care about the art on the walls. The only art I wanted to experience was more of his kiss.

  I reached my hands around his neck and pulled him closer so I could enjoy the taste of him.

  Suddenly, a female voice called out, “Excuse me…excuse me…”

  We broke the kiss, looked around, and a middle aged woman was looking at us. I covered my mouth with my hand, a little embarrassed at our behavior.

  “Excuse me sir,” she repeated.

  Phillippe cleared his throat and addressed the woman. “Yes.”

  “I’ll be your guide…that is if you’re still interested in the tour.”

  He looked at me, then back at her. “Yes, we are, thank you,” he smiled.

  “Fine, you might want to wipe that lipstick off your face.” She commented with a disapproving look.

  “Yes ma’am.” I looked at him, smiling. He took my hand and we followed our tour guide.

  There was some amazing art in that old barn, but all I could think about was that kiss. After the tour, we did a little sightseeing. It was late when we finally made it back to the hotel. Phillippe walked me to my room and we stopped in front of my door.

  “So what happens now?” I asked.

  He stepped closer and I backed up against the wall. “What do you mean?” He brushed my hair behind my shoulder.

  “I had an amazing time today, but we never discussed how we’re going to…”

  He kissed my neck. “Work together and…”

  “Exactly.”

  “I thought we agreed to take it slow.”

  I patted his chest. My God, this man is solid. “We did, but…”

  He slid his hand around my waist and pulled me to his chest. I wrapped my arms around his neck, looked into his eyes searching for an answer to my question. He captured my lips between his, kissing me deep and hard. His hands traveled down my back and grabbed my behind. I gasped at the foreign touch and pulled back. I looked into his eyes and they seemed darker, more seductive, intense. I bit my lip wondering if I should continue or call it a night.

  He lowered his forehead to mine and his hot espresso scented breath and intoxicating cologne produced a heady euphoria I liked. “Do you want me to come inside?”

  I closed my eyes, knowing if I looked at him, I might say yes. “No,” I replied and opened my eyes.

  He moved those sexy swollen lips to my neck and I let out another gasp. I tried to get some air, but I couldn’t. “Are you sure?”

  I swallowed hard. The good girl was wrestling with the bad girl. The good girl, said, “No.” The bad girl, said, “It’s better to kiss in private.” He glided his hot finger along my arm and I wanted to jump out of my skin.

  “Uhm…I…I…” He nibbled my ear. Oh man. “I think…”

  “Gabriella, nous a laissés embrasser dans privé, mon amour…” followed by a kiss on my neck.

  French, you have got to be kidding. I cupped his face in my hands and gently pressed my lips against his. “Good night.”

  “Good night?”

  I bit my lip and nodded. “Good night.”

  He leaned back and smiled. “Where’s your key?”

  “Why?”

  “Gabriella, give me your key.” He stepped back and the smile was gone. I handed him my key, he opened the door and gently pushed me inside.

  “What happened?”

  “I asked could I come inside and you said no.”

  “So you’re leaving?”

  “We agreed to take it slow. You’re right, my coming inside definitely isn’t taking it slow. It’s something that could be a little dangerous.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? You know what, never mind. Good night.” I slammed the door.

  How dare he think I would sleep with him! I threw my bag on the chair and paced back and forth. That man! And where did the French come from? Not only do I have to figure him out in English, now I have to know French too.

  Knock…knock…knock… “Gabriella, open the door.”

  “No,” I shouted back. A few seconds later the door opened. I turned around and he was standing in front of the closed door. “How did you get in here?”

  “You forgot to take the key.” I walked over, snatched the key and he pulled me to his chest and kissed me so hard I forgot why I was angry. He slowly pulled back and stroked the side of my face. “Mon Amour, may I explain?”

  Still heady from the kiss, I could barely get my reply out. “Su…su…sure.”

  He smiled. “I thought some privacy would be better, but you were right.” I felt like an idiot. He brushed my lips with the ball of his thumb. “You’re not the kind of girl who wants to be on display. I apologize, but I couldn’t help myself. Those lips were calling me.”

  I smiled. “I’m sorry. I thought you were trying to get me in bed.”

  “The thought occurred to me.”

  “Oh.”

  He gently brushed my cheek. “I’m not going to lie. There is nothing that would delight me more, than to share my bed with you.” He brushed my lips with the tip of his finger.

  “I…I…,”

  “Shhh…let’s not cloud our minds with something that’s not relevant at the moment. Okay, Mon Amour?” He moved his mouth along my jaw, before covering my mouth with his in an amazing kiss.

  Phillippe

  I can’t believe she shut me down. The way she kissed me, I just knew…I thought we were on the same page. I heard the words come out of her mouth, but her body said something completely different. The way her body molded to mine as we kissed, I just knew I’d be in her room right now tasting every inch of her.

  No...that's what she said. I think she’s the first woman to not invite me in. What's even worse, I’m not upset. In fact, her rejecting my suggestion makes me want her even more. True, I’m headed back to my suite to take a long, cold shower, but I’m good.

  I walked into the suite and Tony was sitting on the sofa watching television. He looked at his watch. “What are you doing back so early?”

  I closed the door, took my jacket off and rolled up my sleeves. “Uhm…” I grabbed a bottle of mineral water and drank it in one shot.

  Tony pressed the pause button on the remote and placed his bowl of popcorn on the table. "Okay, what happened? Did you decide to skip dinner?”

  I grabbed another bottle of water and walked over to the chair next to the sofa and sat down. “We had dinner, it’s dessert we skipped.”

  “Let’s back up. Did she have a good time?”

  “She said she enjoyed herself.”

  “Good, so why are you here and not with Gabriella?”

  I took a long sip from my bottle. “I walked her back to her room…everything was going fine. We were kissing and I suggested we go inside where it was private and she said no.”

  “No?”

  “No.” I nodded. “I can’t…I mean, I know she was feeling me, but she said no.” He smiled. “What's so funny?”

  “You.”

  “Me?”

  “You really thought she was going to sleep with you?”

  “I mean…I thought…I wasn’t proposing sex. I was suggesting privacy.”

  He shook his head. “That’s what you want to go with?”

  “Yeah. I thought she would have been more comfortable in her room.”

  “You have an MBA, right?”

  “What does that have to do with this conversation?”

  “Hear me out. Gabriella isn’t a dime a dozen chick. She doesn’t need you.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  She may be attracted to you. Heck, she may even have feelings for you. But her career means more to her than sleeping with some slick, rich dude.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Today was a step in the right direction, but you’ve just begun your hik
e to get her heart.”

  “You lost me.”

  “The women in your past relationships were fine with only the material things and a portion of you. Gabriella, doesn’t care about the things. She wants to know you. If you want her, you have got to share you with her.”

  “Crap!” I can’t believe my best friend is laughing at me. “What’s so funny?”

  “She’s got your number.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Think about it. You said she enjoyed the date."

  “Yes.”

  “Let me ask, how was the kiss?” I couldn't look at him. I turned my bottle up and finished it. “That good?”

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  “You didn't have to. It’s all over your face.” He sipped his ginger ale. “She asked how you two were going to handle work and a personal relationship.”

  “What did you say?"

  “Slowly.”

  “That’s not an answer, it’s an adverb.” He shook his head. “She wanted to hear your plan for the two of you.”

  “My plan?”

  “You approached her, which meant you had a plan.”

  “Crap!”

  “You need to let her dictate the course of the relationship…set the pace and when she’s ready, she’ll let you in. Metaphorically speaking.”

  “Great. So what am I suppose to do while I wait on her to metaphorically let me in?”

  “Court her.”

  “What?”

  “Go old school. Make it about her…Throw on the charm.”

  I stood up. “Charm her…I can do that.” I started towards my bedroom.

  “Turning in?”

  “Right after my very cold shower.”

  __________________

  Gabriella asked the million dollar question, “How are we going to work together and be in a personal relationship?” I failed to answer her question.

  Before she came into my life, I was content with being alone for a little while. After spending three tumultuous years with Chantal, the last thing I wanted was to be in another relationship.

  Gabriella has changed that for me. She brings passion and excitement to my life. I’ve never had a woman effect me the way she does. She consumes my thoughts and my dreams. I find myself lying in bed fantasizing about her. How she’ll feel lying underneath me…what she’ll sound like when we make love, and how those beautiful thighs will feel wrapped around me. When I do fall asleep, Gabriella is there with those lips and hips doing things no good girl should know anything about.

  I’m not sure where this relationship is headed, but for the first time, I see marriage as an option and I don’t feel like I’m being pushed. However, before I can entertain that, I need to get this company healthy. When I agreed to take over, I was assured the board would be very supportive. Now that things are underway, the person that I thought would have my back, is giving me the most headaches.

  My grandfather has got to step back and let me do the job he hired me to do. Otherwise, I’m stepping down and he can get someone else to be the CEO of Morgan Grant.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Gabriella

  I SLAPPED MY ALARM AND reluctantly sat up, stretched my hands over my head, and let out a long yawn. “Thank you, God for another beautiful day.” I climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom. I bypassed the mirror, went straight to the toilet, and then the shower. After the hot water danced along my body, reality set in. I was now dating my boss…I think.

  I turned the shower off, climbed out, grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my body. I walked over to the vanity, wiped the dew-covered glass, looked at my reflection and repeated the words. “I’m dating my boss…what the crap!”

  Last night, back it up, yesterday, it seemed like a good idea, especially after he kissed me. Then last night when he walked me to my room and kissed me again, it really seemed like a good idea. Now, after a restless night, I’m wondering if dating my boss is a good idea. “God what have I done?”

  I got dressed and continued praying. My phone rang and I almost jumped out of my skin. I stopped packing and stared at the phone. It rang again so I walked over and picked it up. “Hello Miss Townsend, this is your wake up call.” I forgot I requested a wake up call.

  “Thank you.” I put the receiver down and sat on the edge of the bed with my head in my hands. This is a bad idea. What if it doesn’t work? I don’t know anything about Phillippe other than he likes the color black, art, and when he kisses me, my entire body ignites. If this thing tanks, I could lose my job. I’ve worked too hard to lose everything behind a powerful set of lips and a tight behind. I’ve got to fix this before…

  My phone rang with Phillippe’s ring tone. I hesitated to answer. After the third ring I pressed the Accept Call button. “Hello.”

  “Good morning, Mon Amour.”

  “Good morning.”

  “We’ll be leaving in thirty minutes. Do you need more time?”

  That was new. Usually, he tells me what time to meet him. After one date, things are already changing. “No, that will be fine.”

  “We’ll have breakfast on the plane.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ve already called the bellman for you.”

  “Thank you. Bye.”

  “Bye.” Click.

  __________________________

  The bellman loaded the last of my bags on the cart and left. I walked around and double checked all the drawers and closets. I picked up my tote bag and purse and opened the door.

  “What are you doing here Phillippe? I thought we were meeting downstairs?”

  “May I come in?”

  There’s that question from last night. “Sure.” I stepped to the side, closed the door and put my bags on the chair.

  “After I hung up, I sensed there was something bothering you.”

  “There’s nothing…” I folded my arms in front of my chest, a definite contradiction to my statement.

  “Please, let me finish.” He stepped closer and my heart leapt to my throat. “I was up most of the night thinking about your question.”

  “My question?”

  “Yes. You asked how we were going to handle our relationship.”

  “You said, we would take it slowly.”

  “That’s not an answer, it’s an adverb.” I smiled. “I was caught up in the moment and…I know the policy is that any Executive involved with an employee on any level has to inform Human Resources. However, if you don’t mind, I would prefer to wait a while before putting our relationship under the Human Resources microscope.”

  “I agree.”

  “As for the office. What do you suggest? What would make you comfortable?”

  He caught me off guard with that question. One of my concerns about our work relationship was not being the center of office gossip. It hadn’t occurred to me that our plan needed to include how we would handle office protocol. I definitely don’t think now is the proper time to ask my mother for help.

  “I think we need to keep it professional. That doesn’t mean I expect you to call me Miss Townsend, or me call you Mr. Marchant.”

  “I don’t know, calling you Miss Townsend has a little naughty vibe to it.” He smiled. “First names it is.”

  “What if this tanks?”

  “If you’re asking will you lose your job? The answer is no. If this falls apart, I’ll promote you to another department.”

  “So it’s a win win situation for me.” I smiled and dropped my arms. I was starting to feel better about this whole thing.

  “You could say that.” He stepped closer.

  “It’s imperative we keep our two worlds separate. If we are fighting, we have to leave it outside of the building.”

  “I agree.” He stroked the side of my face. “I promise not to attack those gorgeous lips during work hours.”

  “Will Tony always travel with us?”

  “Do you have a problem with Tony?”

  “No. I like Tony, and thi
nk it would…”

  “You feel more comfortable having him around?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then it’s done. Anything else?” He stepped closer and took my hands in his.

  “I need you to understand I’m not like the other women you’ve dated.” I tried not to fidget. “Yesterday, you said you wanted to share your bed with me.”

  “I shouldn’t have said that.” He stepped closer. “I like you. I want this thing with us to work…but only if you do.”

  I looked at him searching those gorgeous dark eyes for his truth. I cleared my throat and continued. “I do, but I need you to understand that I can’t give you what you probably had in your past relationships…that’s not me.”

  I hope he understands what I’m trying to say. Although I am deeply attracted to him and my mind fills with all kinds of wicked thoughts when I’m around him, and his kisses turn my insides to hot jelly, I can’t sleep with him.

  “I understand. I respect your honesty.” He stroked the side of my face. “I’m prepared for this. It just means, I’ll be spending a lot more time in the gym and taking a lot of cold showers.” He teased. “Gabriella, I like you and I promise not to push you to do anything you don’t want to do. Anything else?”

  I stepped closer, and the heat of his body surrounded me. He pulled me to his chest and brushed the side of my face with his lips. I wanted to sink deep into his space. He grabbed my lips between his and kissed me like he did last night.

  There was a knock on the door followed by a familiar voice. “Miss Townsend.” Another knock.

  “Yes, Tony…”

  “Have you seen Mr. Marchant?” he called out. We pulled apart and I walked over and opened the door.

  “Good morning ,Tony.”

  “Good morning, Miss Townsend. Have you seen Mr. Marchant?” I opened the door wider and Phillippe walked around and stood in the middle of the room. Tony looked at Phillippe and then back at me. “I’ll meet both of you downstairs in ten minutes.”