Ladling With Luke Chapter One
ELLI
“Hey girl, how did it go?”
I look away from my computer to see Grace standing behind me.
“I’m feeling positive. Hazel seemed pleased with my ideas and Anthony didn’t doze off, which is always a good sign. I need to keep my fingers and toes crossed that I win this campaign and promotion” I reply, spinning around in my office chair to face her, holding up my crossed, manicured fingers.
“Girl, with those legs on show and your British accent, it’s no wonder Anthony was paying attention.” Grace smirks.
I smile as I look down at my grey pencil skirt suit and high heels. That’s not why I wore this today, but I’m not going to tell her that.
“Looks like Luke’s just come out from doing his pitch. He’s looking very smug,” Grace says as she looks across to the conference room, her smile quickly disappearing. “Fuck, he’s coming over here,” she mutters as I moan.
“Howdy, legs!” I hear his solid Southern accent come from behind me. I turn my chair and face Luke with a raised brow.
“I’m sure that’s classed as sexual harassment in the workplace, cowboy,” I reply, smiling. “Haven’t you got anything better to do than spend your day looking at what you’ll never get?”
Luke leans on my cubicle wall and looks at me with his sexy, playful grin. It’d be much easier to dislike him if he weren’t so damn gorgeous, with his jet-black hair and blue eyes. Don’t even get me started on his body.
“I’ve told you legs,” Luke replies with a cheeky wink, “one day you won’t be able to fight these desires anymore, and I’m going to show you just how much fun we can have with those long pins wrapped around me.” I place my elbows on my desk before leaning my chin on my fists, smiling.
“The only part of you my legs will ever be wrapped around is your neck as I crush your windpipe,” I reply. Luke runs his fingers through his hair as he flashes me a mischievous grin.
“I’m telling ya legs, you will succumb to me one day.”
“That day will come when you stop being a royal pain in my ass. In other words, never!” I lean back into my chair and cross my arms over my chest.
“Ahh legs, you almost look like you mean it,” Luke sighs as he places a hand over his heart and pouts. “Almost!” he adds with a wink before reaching over, picking up my coffee mug, which is half full and strutting off towards his desk on the other side of the floor. “Thanks for the coffee, legs!” he shouts as I flip him off.
“Bloody wanker!” I call after him, trying not to smile.
“I don’t know why you don’t report him for how he speaks to you?” Grace says behind me. I turn to face her again as I laugh.
“Nah, he’s harmless. He just needs somebody to keep him from getting too big-headed. It’s all just friendly banter. Plus, it’s fun when I win ad campaigns over him. He sulks for weeks and I get to gloat,” I reply with a gleeful grin. “I’ve got this latest one in the bag; I can feel it.”
Grace laughs as she picks up her bag from the floor. “Come on, it’s the end of the day and I fancy a few glasses of champagne before we finish tomorrow for Christmas.”
“Sounds great; let me grab my stuff, finish this email, and I’ll meet you at the entrance,” I reply as I turn back to my computer. After all the late nights working on the campaign, I could do with unwinding with a drink or ten.
* * *
Luke
“All hail Luke Johnson, the king of advertising. Long may he reign over us lesser peasants, especially those with long legs and British accents.” Oliver calls out as he holds up his beer bottle, the other guys from the office all cheer as I shake my head.
“Hey! Only I get to talk about her legs! With me, she knows it’s friendly banter; with you it’s just perverted.”
“Protective of her much, Luke?” Oliver teases, grinning.
“Someone has to watch out for her; she’s only been in the States for six months, and that British accent is going to get her into trouble,” I argue as I take a sip of my beer.
I’m surprisingly protective of Elli Clarkson. It’s not just because she’s gorgeous; with her long amber hair, hazel eyes, and curves that make me feel things I haven’t felt in years. It’s also because she’s very quickly become a great friend. With us both having moved to Chicago within the last year, we’re still finding our places in work and elsewhere. Plus, the banter is just plain fun.
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and quickly pull it out.
Anthony: A fantastic presentation today, Johnson. Be in my office at 9 A.M sharp to discuss how it can be improved so you can move forward with it.
I turn and show the message to Oliver, whose face lights up as he starts cheering.
“I fucking knew you would get it! I never had a single doubt! Time to celebrate, my brother; let’s get on the shots!”