Lila was all smiles. “Now that’s some news we’re happy to deliver.”
The very next morning we all met up at the spa, smiles on everyone’s faces and laughter filling the fresh smelling air. The day passed quickly, the men and women separating to get massages, sit in steam rooms, get facials, pedicure, manicures—you name it, that spa had it.
After dinner, some retreated to the bar while others went to their rooms. I spotted Lila walking off by herself toward the rooms and followed along far enough behind her that no one should’ve paid it any mind.
After looking over my shoulder to make sure we were alone in the corridor, I snuck up behind her and grabbed her by the waist. “Hey, there sexy momma.”
She laughed and turned around in my arms, putting hers around my neck. “So, my room’s right here. Will it be mine or yours tonight?”
“I say yours since we’re already right here.” She handed me her keycard, and I swiped it to get us into her room and out of the hallway where anyone might come upon us at any moment.
The door closed by itself behind us and I kissed her all the way to the bed. When the backs of her legs hit the bed, we stopped. Our mouths parted, and I looked into her eyes. She smiled at me with that perfect smile she had. “I’ve missed you today. Everything was great, but it would’ve been even better if you’d been there with me.”
“I thought the same thing, baby.” I began peeling her little sundress off her gorgeous body. I needed to feel her skin against mine, slipping and sliding back and forth.
In no time at all we were in bed, our bodies uniting in a way I’d come to love. As I made long slow strokes into her, I brushed her hair back, gazing at her and thinking about how much I loved the way she looked lying in bed, her hair all splayed out on the pillowcase.
Kissing her cheek, I moved my lips along until I got to her ear. “You make me happy, baby.”
She moaned as I gave her one hard thrust, going deeper into her warm wet pussy. “Duke … you make me happy too.”
I kissed my way back to her mouth, but then everything stopped as a knock came to the door. “Hey, Lila, it’s Nina. Let me in. I’ve got wine.”
We froze. Lila looked at me with wild eyes. “Duke,” she hissed. “What the hell should I do?”
She obviously knew Lila was in the room, so there wasn’t much she could do. “I’ll hide in the closet. You have one drink with her, then say you’re tired and going to bed, and I’ll come back out after she leaves.”
As much as I didn’t want to get off her, I had to. I grabbed a towel to put around my waist as she hurried to put on panties and a nighty. She waited until I’d shut the closet door before letting Nina in. “What took ya so long, Lila? I almost left and went to find someone else to share this wine with.”
“Sorry, I was in the bathroom when you knocked. It took me a second to finish up my business,” Lila lied.
I heard the sound of glasses and liquid being poured into them before Nina said, “Well, I’m glad you finally came to the door. I don’t trust anyone as much as I trust you, Lila. And I’ve got something I’ve just got to get off my chest. It’s driving me insane.”
“And that is?” Lila asked.
Nina made a long drawn out sigh. “I’ve got it bad for Ashton Lange. And I’m pretty sure he likes me too.”
Lila was quiet for a long time before she finally said, “Well, what do you think about that?”
“I know we can’t see each other, but it doesn’t seem fair to me. He and I get along better than anyone I’ve ever known. We like the same things, laugh at the same jokes—it’s just not fair that we can’t date,” Nina whined.
“No, it’s not. That damn rule is ruining things for more than just you, Nina.” Lila huffed.
For a second, I thought she was going to tell Nina about us.
Nina added, “I know that. I’ve seen a few others giving each other the eye, but no one acts on it for fear of losing their jobs.”
“Yeah,” Lila mumbled.
She and I had acted on it though. And my bet was that if Lila and I had gone behind everyone’s back to have a relationship, then there were others who had done that too.
“The thing is,” Nina said, “dating isn’t even close to the same thing as harassment. I know that’s the boss’s primary agenda with the rules he’s put into place, to create a culture that doesn’t tolerate harassment. But we’ve got to figure out a way to get him to loosen these rules up a bit—at least where consensual relationships are concerned. Keep a firm grip on the harassment part, but get more lenient with the relationship part.”
“Hmm,” Lila remarked, “I wonder maybe if all the women banded together to talk to Artimus Wolfe, then maybe he’d see things our way. I know he’s trying to protect all of us, but I think it’s the women he’s trying to protect the most. And that’s admirable, but it’s also too much. We need to let him know that we can watch out for predators and will be sure to report them. We also need to let him know that we’re more than capable of knowing the difference between being harassed and having a mutual attraction that we’d like to see through.”
Nina sounded chipper, “Do you think we could actually pull that off? Because that would be the best thing ever.”
“We’d probably need every female who works there to give her support. If even one doesn’t, then I foresee Artimus shooting us down. We’ll need to do a bit of networking to test the waters with our female coworkers before we go after what we want,” Lila planned.
“I get it,” Nina said. “We have small conversations with the other women we work with, and then we see how they feel about the rules. As soon as we find any one of them saying they think it’s too much, then we let them in on our plan. Right?”
“Right,” Lila assured her.
“That sounds great. I know nothing is going to happen overnight, but at least we have a plan.” Nina sounded happy. A lot happier than she’d been when she’d first come into Lila’s room, moaning about having the hots for Ashton.
I already knew I’d be talking to him to see what he had to say about Nina. I hoped he’d tell me the truth—I did consider us to be good friends, after all.
The girls wrapped it up, and I heard the door close. Soon enough, Lila was opening the closet door. “The coast is clear, Romeo.”
Taking her in my arms, I pulled her close, kissed her sweet lips, and said, “You’re a genius.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Lila
Monday morning came, and the excited energy flowed like a river through the studio. Duke and I sat in high-backed burgundy leather chairs on either side of a small table where cups of coffee sat, steam coming off them. It was a cozy set, meant to emulate the feeling of having a light breakfast with a friend.
Fresh crescent rolls, some bagels, and assorted fruit were also sitting on the table. The whole set looked inviting, complete with a fireplace blazing in the background, as if we were someone’s home.
I found it ironic that Artimus would create such an intimate set, what with his rules being what they were. But I had to admit that I’d never seen anything like it on morning television, and the whole premise was new. I thought it was just what morning television desperately needed.
When the red light came on, we went live. Duke gave me a wide smile, “Good morning, Lila.”
I smiled right back at him just as we’d rehearsed. “Good morning, Duke.”
Then we looked at the camera and said together, “Good morning, New York, and welcome to WOLF.”
The news wasn’t read the way most stations would do it. Instead, we talked about the news as if we were having a conversation about it. Duke picked up his cup of coffee and took a sip before asking, “So, Lila, did you happen to hear about the situation at the intersection of Broadway and 86th Street?”
I picked up a bagel as I shook my head. “No, what’s happened there now?”
“A bus hit a car, and while thankfully no serious injuries were sustained, it has shut
down traffic there for the foreseeable future.” Duke picked up a fresh strawberry. “But any New Yorker knows that intersection is to be avoided at all costs anyway, so I’m sure the locals won’t be heading that way.”
We went on like that for the entire two-hour morning show. We delivered the weather that way and talked about last night’s sports scores that way too. It was a blast, and when it was all said and done, our show got high ratings, making everyone happy and hopeful for the shows coming up throughout the day.
I adjourned to my office to see if I had any new emails, Twitter followers, or other social media notifications from the airing of the first show.
“Wow,” I whispered in awe as I saw that my Twitter account had over a thousand new followers. Moving on, I found the same thing had happened to my other social media accounts. When I opened my email, I lost it. “Oh, shit!”
A knock on my door made me jerk my head up and away from my computer screen. I pushed a button on the bottom of the desk to unlock the door.
Artimus strode in, followed by Duke. Artimus wore a broad smile as he said, “It was a great success, Lila.”
“Yes, it was.” I turned the laptop around to show them my emails, and they both laughed.
Duke nodded as he said, “Yeah, I’ve got that little problem too. And I went to Artimus for a solution.”
“I’ve rounded up a few staff members who don’t have much to do between newscasts,” Artimus told me. “So, they’ll take care of all the social media and emails for the news team. I put Nina on yours, Lila. If that’s okay with you?”
“Sure, it is. I hope she doesn’t get overwhelmed with it all.” I was happy she had more to do and hoped that meant a raise in her pay too. “You are paying them more for this extra work, right?”
Artimus laughed. “Of course I am. But I have to tell you that I like how you’re watching out for your coworkers.”
Duke chimed in, “Lila gets along great with everyone. She’s a natural leader.”
“I can see that.” Artimus gave me a nod. “We’ll let you get back to work. Answer what you want and leave the rest for Nina. She’ll be up shortly to get your information so she’ll be able to work from her computer in the office I’ve just assigned her.”
Nina now had her own office. I knew she had to be excited about that. “I can’t wait to see her. Thank you, sir.”
“Lila?” Artimus asked.
“Yes, sir?”
“Just call me Artimus, please. Sir is so … I don’t know, old sounding. Okay?” He shoved his hands into his pants pockets as he smiled at me.
“Sure, Artimus. I can do that. See you guys later.” I went back to reading some of the messages on my computer.
The two walked out, leaving me alone, but I had every idea that Duke would be back sometime later that day. Just before he shut the door behind them, Duke called out to me, “Lunch at Jimmy’s around two, Lila?”
I looked up with a smile. “You buying?”
“No, it’s your turn to pay, cheapskate.” He winked at me.
“Oh, man. I knew my time would come. Knock at my door to remind me when it’s two, and I’ll join you.”
“Sure thing.” He left me then, and I found myself still smiling away.
The time flew as I read through as many of the emails as I could. Nina came up to my office, and her excitement with the extra job and income was obvious. “Lila, I’m like your assistant or media secretary or something. How cool is that?” She was beaming.
“I’m glad it’s you who got the job.” I started writing down the usernames and passwords to all the accounts so that she could access them from her office. “I heard you’ve been given your own office, Nina.”
“I have, and it’s a nice one too. You’ll have to come see it. And try not to look down your nose at it. It’s not nearly as large or nice as this one is, but it’s my first office, so I’m pretty stoked about it.”
“I bet you are. I’ll stop by after lunch and check it out. Maybe bring you a cool stapler or something like that.” I pushed the paper across the desk to her. “Here’s everything you’ll need to gain access to these accounts. I’ll try go through some every day too, so you don’t get overwhelmed.”
“You’re truly the best, Lila.” She pointed to a plant that sat on the window ledge behind me. “And how about you forgo the stapler as an office warming gift and get me a plant instead. I’ve got my very own window too.”
“Look at you,” I said with a laugh. “A plant it is then.”
She was all smiles. “You know, I came here a lowly cue card girl, and on the first day of actual work I get promoted to media assistant and given my own office.” She pointed at the other two doors in my office. “Mine doesn’t have any other doors in it. Where do those lead?”
“A private bathroom and a closet.” I looked at them both. “But don’t get jealous. If you need to use my private bathroom, all you have to do is ask.”
“And I just might do that.” She got up. “Well, I’ve got to get to work on these things here. I have a goal to get every last one of these things commented on or liked by the end of each workday.”
“And follow back too.” I suggested as she walked away from me.
“Will do, boss.” She giggled all the way out the door.
Everyone was on cloud nine the whole morning, everything going off without a hitch. It was all coming together. And then came the knock on my door at two o’clock.
Instead of buzzing him in, I met Duke at the door. “I’m ready.”
“Good.” He stayed by my side as we walked to the elevators. “I’m starving. I sure hope you brought your credit card today.”
“You’re in luck.” I hit the button to go down the elevator. A few others came up behind us. We wouldn’t be making the trip down alone.
The place was busy. It didn’t even seem like the same place we’d be showing up to in the days leading up to today. The lobby was busy too, I found out as we stepped off the elevator.
“Whoa, what’s all this?” one of the other women on the elevator asked.
Some other guy answered, “We’re open for business, and business is good.”
Duke and I kept walking side by side and right out the glass doors, taking a left to head to one of the many cafés on that side of the street. “I’m thinking Italian,” he said.
“Hmm. I was thinking deli.” I nodded at the one that was coming up.
“Let’s split it down the middle and go all-American with some cheeseburgers and onion rings,” he offered.
“I’m with you on that. I want a thick chocolate shake too. And we’ve got to stop by someplace where I can get Nina a plant for her office. I want to give it to her as an office-warming gift.” I pointed across the street at a florist’s shop. “That one will do.”
We found a café and got the burgers we’d wanted, before Duke started in, “So, how many ladies have you rounded up to go to Artimus with?”
“Only Nina and I so far. I haven’t ventured into that territory yet. I’m trying to take it nice and slow. I want to give our boss some time too. Let things settle in for him.” I took a bite of the delicious greasy cheeseburger with extra pickles. “Yum.”
Duke shook his head as he gave a sexy little grin. “That’s exactly what you said last night—about me.”
“Mmm, well you’re yummy too,” I reminded him.
He dipped an onion ring in the ketchup we shared. “How long are we talking here, before you do start to try to talk to some of the other women?”
“I don’t know. There’s no rush.” The Coke fizzed, drawing my attention, so I picked it up and took a drink, all the while noticing the frown on Duke’s handsome face.
“What do you mean there’s no rush?” he asked with a stern tone. “Don’t you want things out in the open?”
“I do. Believe me, I do.” I placed the glass back on the table before picking up my burger. “But things like this aren’t done quickly. I know there are some women there th
at really like that rule. It makes them feel safe. And that’s a feeling many women haven’t felt in the workplace in many years. I’d hate to change that for them or make them feel like I’m forcing my opinion on them.”
“Well, you’re going to have to start somewhere. You and Nina can’t be the only ones who think this way.” Duke put his burger down. “By the way, I talked to Ashton, and he is into Nina. He’s just worried about the same thing we are, getting fired.”
I thought it over a second before asking him, “Can I tell her that?”
Duke shrugged. “He didn’t say not to.”
She’d be over the moon when I gave her that bit of news. “Thanks. I won’t tell her where I got the information from, don’t worry.”
His brows rose a bit as he asked, “So, does that information make you think you might want to speed things up with your plan? You know, give your best friend a shot at happiness too?”
“Duke, it’s not that easy. This plan is new. It can’t be rushed, and I need more time to make sure I make it count.”
“Yeah, so do I.” He put his half-eaten burger down. “More time with you. Out in the open, like a normal couple. What’s so hard to understand about that? And what about your friend? Shouldn’t Nina and Ashton get to be with each other if they want?”
“Of course.” I glanced at the clock over the bar and saw how time had gotten away from us. “We’ll have to talk about this later. Or better yet, not at all. We’ve got to get going if I’m going to have time to pick up that plant.”
“Fine, I’m done anyway. My appetite is gone now.” He got up and left without waiting for me.
I’d made him mad, but what choice did I have?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Duke
After Lila’s nightly newscast, the last one of the night, we took a cab to her place. She needed clean clothes for the next day, and the plan was to pick up some things and then head back to my apartment to stay the night.
I’d tried to keep my mouth shut about her plan, but I just couldn’t stop myself. “So, did you tell Nina about Ashton?” I plopped down on the edge of her bed as she looked through her closet.
Dirty News (Dirty Network Book 1) Page 16