Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Lorelei
My stomach was a bundle of nerves as I entered the 48 Lounge. Why? I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like I didn’t know anyone. Then I saw Jack leaning against the bar and talking to some woman, smiling and laughing. My stomach fluttered, but something more crept up inside me. The feeling wouldn’t exist If he was talking to someone I knew from the office. But she wasn’t from the office and wasn’t someone I knew. I didn’t come here tonight for him. I came for Coco. He was just the added bonus. Why the hell was I even thinking that?
I walked opposite the bar to avoid him when I saw Coco sitting on one of the couches, talking to Franny. Her face lit up when she saw me.
“Oh my God, you came!” she exclaimed as she got up and hugged me.
“Happy birthday, Coco.” I handed her the small, pink glittery bag I had brought.
“Look at that dress. Turn around.” She smiled. “Which designer? It looks like a Betsy Johnson design.”
I laughed. “I made it. I guess you could call it a Lorelei Couture.”
“You made this? Seriously? You designed and made this dress yourself?” She put her hand on her hip and held her drink in her other.
“Yes.” I smiled as I nodded my head.
“It’s fabulous. I had no idea you designed clothes. Mother!” Coco yelled and held up her hand, waving Kit over.
“Yes, darling.”
“Look at this dress Lorelei is wearing. She designed and made it herself.”
Kit looked me up and down and then reached out and felt the fabric of my dress.
“Beautiful. Simply beautiful.” She smiled. “You have quite a talent, Lorelei.”
“Thank you.”
Coco took me by the hand. “Come on. Let’s go get you a drink,” she said as she led me to the bar.
Before we reached the bar, Jack looked up, and his eyes locked onto mine. My heart started to beat rapidly as I saw the corners of his mouth curve up into a handsome smile. My belly flipped a couple of times, and suddenly, I felt like a high school girl all over again. When we reached the bar, he left the woman he was talking to and walked over to where we were standing.
“You look stunning.” He smiled.
His woodsy man scent filled my personal space, and the ache between my legs hit hard.
“Thank you.”
“Is this another Lorelei creation?” he asked.
“Yes. It is.”
“I highly approve.” He winked.
“Doesn’t she look gorgeous?” Coco asked him as she handed me a cosmopolitan.
“She sure does.” His sultry glare burned into me.
“Please excuse me,” Coco spoke. “It looks like Joshua needs rescuing.”
Jack rolled his eyes as she walked away.
“So, who’s your date?” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“That woman over there you were talking to.” I pointed.
“She’s not my date. She’s Coco’s friend. I’ve known her since she was twelve years old.”
Oops. I assumed, and I shouldn’t have. Nope. I should have because he was Jack Sutton. But my whole attitude and mood changed when he told me that. A part of me was pleased he wasn’t here with a date.
Jack leaned against the bar and wouldn’t stop staring at me, making me uncomfortable.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” I asked with a small smile.
“Because you’re incredibly beautiful, and I can’t seem to take my eyes off you.”
My cheeks became heated as I looked down at my drink. He was my boss and shouldn’t be saying those things to me.
“Jack, you’re my boss. I don’t think you’re allowed to say those things.”
“Not tonight, I’m not. Tonight, I am just a man, and you are a beautiful woman with whom I’m having a conversation.” He smiled, and my panties became a little wetter.
I finished off my cosmopolitan and signaled the bartender for another. When I turned around, Garrett was standing next to Jack.
“Good evening, Lorelei. You look beautiful.”
“Thank you, Garrett.”
“Doesn’t she?” Jack grinned.
I took note of the glare that Garrett gave him.
“Do you mind if I steal him away for a moment?” Garrett asked.
“No. Go right ahead. I’m just going to mix and mingle for a bit.” I smiled as I walked away.
Jack
“What the hell, Garrett?” I asked in irritation.
“We have a problem, Jack.”
“What is it?”
“Lindsey, Bradley’s secretary, told me that he has been embezzling money from the company. She found some documents he had left on his desk. When she tried to ask him about it, she said he became nervous. So, I started to do some digging. Sutton Magazine is in real trouble. Bills haven’t been paid in months, and creditors are threatening to sue.”
“Does my mother know about this?”
“No. I came to you first. He’s already embezzled over eight million dollars. Do you know what will happen if this gets out to the press?”
“Where the fuck is he?” I asked in anger.
“That’s the problem. Nobody knows. Lindsey said he hadn’t been in the past few days and hadn’t called. When she tried to reach him, his cellphone was disconnected.”
“Get in touch with our private investigator and call Finn, Muir, & Abernathy. We’re going to need a lawyer to calm these creditors down. Don’t mention any more of this tonight. I don’t want to ruin Coco’s birthday. We’ll discuss this Monday morning when we’re all back in the office.”
“Will do. I’ll go make a few phone calls now.”
Anger started to roar throughout my body like a wild beast. I flagged down the bartender and ordered a double scotch. As soon as he set it down, I threw it back as fast as possible.
“Everything okay?” Lorelei asked as she walked up to me.
“Yeah. Everything’s fine. Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yes, I am. It’s a great party.”
Feeling the way I was, I couldn’t stand not touching her. It became an obsession, and not only did I desperately want her, but I also needed her. I grabbed her hand without saying a word and led her to a private room down a hallway.
“Where are we going?” she asked as I pulled her behind me.
“You’ll see.”
I opened the door, and we stepped inside.
“Why are we in here?” she nervously asked.
“I just needed to get away from everyone for a while. We can talk here in private.”
“About what?”
“I don’t know. Whatever you want to.” I sighed as I paced around the room. “Listen, Lorelei. I’m going to be completely honest with you. I hate games, and I don’t play them. I am extremely attracted to you, and you have no idea how badly I want to kiss you right now.”
“Oh,” she said.
“Oh? Is that all you’re going to say?”