Chapter Four
Drums played in my brain, vibrating against my skull. Whose idea had it been to down three vodkas when I’d stumbled into my flat last night, anyway? Oh yeah, mine. Because, why not? Elissa had gone with her guys – I’d had one update when I’d awoken, just to say that she was sore, lucky girl – so I had the whole place to myself.
Except, now I was at the office, wrestling with the front door as it tried to shut on me. A masculine hand appeared, holding the handle so I could push my way through. Smiling, I called a thank you as the young man waved and jogged on, going about his day. It was a shame he’d left so soon; I could’ve stared at his arse all day.
“Morning, Lola,” the maintenance guy greeted me as I walked through the corridor and to my office door.
Clinging to my files, my coffee cup and my four pack of doughnuts, I smiled again. Yes, there was the – I’m not hungover and about to have a feast in my office – smile.
“Morning, Fred.” Taking out my keys, I fumbled until I’d managed to get the door unlocked.
The block was an old run-down building with several small offices over two floors. Mine was right near the front entrance, which served me perfectly. Who wanted to traipse through long corridors and up dingy stairs to reach an ugly office? Much better that I was near the front, just in case a fire broke out.
I just about managed to get through the door before my files tumbled to the floor. Several expletives escaped before I remembered that Fred, a middle-aged man with a kind demeanour, could hear me. Nice way to represent Hunter Designs. Hi, I’m Lola Preveley and I swear like a fucking trooper.
Sighing, I kicked the door closed and headed for my desk, ignoring the pile of papers that had spewed on the floor. Oh well, it wasn’t like anyone was going to see my sloppy mess any–
I froze, my hand in mid-air where I’d been about to sip on my coffee. On my desk was a vase of gorgeous red and white roses with a big box of Belgian chocolates leant up against it. A fizzle of unease made me creep forward. The handwritten note that was lying on the desk made me lick my lips. I’d seen that handwriting many times before.
Lola , it started, the script almost romantic in its scrawl, thank you for giving me the chance to show you why working for Hunter Designs will be the best decision you’ve ever made.
A genuine smile finally pulled my lips, and I picked up the box of chocolates, flipping it over to admire the flavours. What girl didn’t love chocolate and flowers? Especially from a boss who had been neglecting them.
“Why, thank you, Mr Joseph Hunter, I’ll eat them until I explode.”
Dumping my doughnuts on the small counter, I flicked the radio on and cracked open the delicious treats, munching on them as I danced around the office, giddy with an undercurrent of excitement that I couldn't quite explain. I had stuffed three into my mouth when the phone rang, blinking Joseph’s name up at me from where it sat on the desk. Ah crap.
Scrambling, I chewed and swallowed, almost choking as I pressed the answer button.
“Hello, Boss.”
“I like that greeting,” his smooth voice drawled, “especially through a mouthful of whatever you’re eating. ”
“Your chocolates.” My reply was squeaked as I wiped my mouth. “I mean, the ones you got delivered.”
His chuckle warmed my skin. “I personally delivered them to your office. You deserve to be treated better and to get the chance to know your employer.”
“Do you give all your employees chocolates? Or am I the only one? Wait…” I pretended to gasp. “…I am your only employee.”
His blast of laughter was like honey trickling down my spine. I giggled before attempting to suck it back, afraid that he’d become annoyed at my immature antics.
“How do you feel about joining me for a job quote today?” His tone suggested that he wasn’t bothered about my playfulness at all.
My insides quivered, just a touch. “Yes, that sounds great,” I replied, adopting my most professional phone voice. “When and where?”
A slight pause made me hold my breath. When he cleared his throat and the rustle of paper followed, I relaxed. Good, he had been serious in his invite. My phone beeped and a message with an address appeared.
“I’m leaving now. Meet me there in an hour. And make sure to save me one of your goodies, you’ll make yourself sick if you’re not careful.” His laugh was deep.
Blinking, I opened my mouth to reply, only to hear the bleep of the call ending. Okay, so I might have overindulged with a chocolate or eight, but at least I hadn’t touched the doughnuts… yet.
He must have known females well. I had already made a good start on the chocolates, only moments after receiving them. Had I even thanked him for the gesture? Naughty girl, Lola, how rude.
Checking the journey time, I slumped back in my chair. It would only take me twenty minutes from the office so there was no point in rushing out. I didn’t want to wait around near the job, it was better to stay back.
My gaze slowly traced to the flowers and chocolate box. The image of Joseph’s handsome face slipped into my mind and my cheeks heated. I may or may not have had saucy drunken fantasies about the man when I’d got home from my night out. Would he be able to tell that I’d imagined him sliding his long – I presumed – penis inside me?
“Now, Mr Hunter,” I said, feeling all fuzzy inside, “I can’t have you turning me on at a single thought.”
Shaking myself, I got up and jiggled about before putting the tray of chocolates away and going over to pick up the papers I’d dropped on the way in. What had happened to me? Lola before meeting Mr Hunter would’ve been appalled at getting even a slight mark on a design, but this Lola, she was having some sort of giddy crisis.
Laughter escaped me as I tidied my desk and packed some chocolates into a handy pot – just for the boss – and downed the rest of my coffee. Maybe it would be a better idea to get to the client’s house first. I wanted to make a good impression, especially if the client was there.
Taking my drawings out, just briefly, I admired the lines and colours of the baby nursery I’d been working on. It wasn’t perfect yet, I just needed to decide on the theme, but the layout was ready. I had to remember why I’d been working this lonely job and why I had decided to pursue my passion of designing baby spaces. No one had cared enough to want to create a safe space for me when I was young. I would change that, not only for rich people, but for those less fortunate too.
And Mr Hunter – new hunk of my life – would be the one to help me achieve my dream. I had decided. I just needed to persuade him to give me a chance.