Chapter Six
Tapping save on Joseph's design of the baby nursery, I sat back in my chair and put my legs up, resting my ankles on the desk. He'd stayed professional for the rest of the time we'd been at the job and then bid me farewell, asking me to complete the measurements. When I'd returned to the office, he'd sent over his scribbled sketches, asking me to make sure they were ready in two days. I'd spent several hours on them and now, two days later, they were ready. Right on time.
The phone rang and my heartbeat increased, just like it had every time I'd received a message, email or phone call since I'd accidentally kissed Joseph. My boss. The man who employed me and was almost double my age.
“Hello?” I greeted, my voice tight.
“You have a delivery,” Fred said .
My shoulders slumped and I thanked him, getting up as I hung up the phone. Great, it was probably the new notepad and pencils I'd ordered... for office use, obviously.
Not even bothering to put my kitten heels on, I trudged to the door and exited the office, making sure to prop the door open with the small trash bin. Fred was waiting by the front door, holding a long rectangle package and a smaller box. Wait, my notepad had been slightly bigger than usual but not almost as big as me.
“What have you ordered?” Fred said, handing the packages to me with a smile.
Laughing nervously, I shook my head. “Oh, I can't remember.”
He frowned before nodding and returning to his sweeping. I quickly retreated, struggling with the awkwardness of the big box as I pushed through my door and let it shut behind me.
I seriously had no idea what I'd ordered that could warrant such a lot of packaging. Maybe I hadn't read the size of the notebook right. Was it a novelty one and I hadn’t realised?
Putting the box on the floor, I ripped it open, going still when a pretty royal blue dress was revealed. It was in a fit and flare style with a sweetheart neck. Frowning, I bent down and ran a hand over the quality material. It was extremely understated but perfectly extravagant at the same time. The shoe box caught my eye, so I flipped off the lid and gasped. The kitten heels were black with a layer of lace over the top. They were well made, cute as hell and a brand I’d never heard of before.
A note was tucked just under the dress. Picking it up, I chewed on the inside of my lip as I read it.
Beautiful woman, you now have a choice. Step into this dress and out with me... or stay stuck in that office, hiding from who you really are...
My stomach flip-flopped as I read the note, over and over. He had thrown down the gauntlet, letting me know that he'd noticed me and seen beneath the surface. So, I hadn't been imagining the spark between us. Shit.
The phone rang and I jumped, almost tripping over myself to grab it up.
“Hunter Designs.”
“If you choose to come out with me,” Joseph's deep drawl crept into my ear, “I'll pick you up in half an hour. You have ten minutes to decide.”
The end call tone beeped in my ear, and I gently replaced the phone. My hand shook as I lifted it away, clasping it in an attempt to calm my nerves. Jeez, he must have known exactly what time the delivery would arrive. Or had he dropped it off himself? Wait, maybe he was outside now... waiting.
The thrill tingled my spine. Smiling, I picked up the dress and laid it on my chair. Hell yeah, I was ready to step out with him... except, I hadn't had a shower before leaving for work. I'd slept in after a masturbation session involving the sugar daddy, meaning I really needed to get clean. Why, today of all days, would he want to take me out? After months of not seeing anyone, I'd gotten used to being slouchy on non-client days.
“Shit.” Sniffing my underarm, I searched around the room.
I wasn't quite sure what I was looking for until I spotted the sink. Yes, water – that was a good start. Going over, I quickly stripped, pausing when the cold air hit me. Okay, I was standing, butt fucking naked, in the middle of my office. This man made me all types of crazy.
Searching for a cloth, I cursed at my laziness. I'd been using sponges to wash up my cup and relied on the regular cleaner to do everything else. Which meant the only thing available to wash with was... a sponge. Well, needs must.
“What am I resorting to?”
Quickly wetting a clean sponge, I strip washed, jumping up and down to air dry. My nipples were rock solid from the cold and goosebumps rose on every available skin surface. An undercurrent of excitement suddenly warmed me as I slipped the dress over my head and smoothed it down my hips.
“Wow, Mr Hunter,” I murmured as I looked down at myself, “you know how to dress a lady.”
A snort of hilarity left my lips as I sat to put on my shoes. “Hhhmm, I'm not quite sure I'm a lady quite yet.”
Standing, I admired the small kitten heels, loving the gothicy lace detail. Something about the shoes reminded me of a dark Alice in Wonderland. Would Joseph even know that they had lace on them? Maybe he was into heavy metal and bondage behind closed doors.
Laughing again, I grabbed my phone, took a selfie and sent it to Joseph with the caption: Almost ready to step out with you.
I only had ten minutes left, so I shot into the little toilet with my makeup bag.
My hands shook as I quickly applied some mascara and a nude lipstick. I fluffed my hair, grateful that I'd washed it before bed. At least I looked semi-presentable.
The glint in my eye caught my attention as I went to pull away from the mirror. The fizz of anticipation was the most excitement I'd felt in... well, ever. I stared into my brown eyes, trying to see into my soul... trying to see who I really was. How could I know such a thing when I didn't even know where I'd come from?
My heart was heavy with a profound loss as I stepped back. What was I doing? This man was basically a stranger, one who was acting odd. And why was he interested in me? I was a nobody, almost invisible. And yet, when I glanced down at my phone and noticed that my time was up, the excitement reappeared, bubbling in my stomach as I hurried from the small toilet.
Grabbing up my things, I rushed out of the office, waving at Fred as I thrust through the glass front door.
My feet stalled as my gaze landed on a beast of a black Rolls Royce. The sleek expensive paintwork reflected the setting sun, making every passer-by pay attention. I was about to search for Joseph when he stepped out of the car and approached, his appreciative gaze sliding up my figure.
I held back a gasp as I admired him right back – shit, his gorgeousness shone as brightly as the car. He wore a navy-blue suit with a white shirt. There was no tie, but he didn't need it. His greying stubble hugged his cheeks and chin, just short enough to be sexy.
“Evening, Lola, you look beautiful.” Taking my hand, he kissed it before directing me towards the luxurious vehicle.
Blinking, I let him guide me and climbed in without replying. Had Joe just blown his whole profit to take me out in a posh car?
He came in behind me and sat right next to me before calling for the driver to go on. I licked my lips nervously as he glanced over at me, a smile playing on his own lips.
“You didn't expect to see me in this type of ride, did you?”
Snorting, I shook my head. “No! Honestly, you shouldn't have spent all your money on this.”
His smirk was accompanied by a slow nodding of the head. “Your naivety is cute.”
I swallowed and smoothed the dress over my knees. I wasn't sure whether to be offended or flattered. No, cute wasn't the impression I wanted to convey. I wouldn’t be a good companion to someone so striking if I didn’t live up to his gorgeousness.
“Where are we going?” I said, drawing the conversation away from my cuteness as I admired the leather interior.
Joseph's gaze followed mine, his brow furrowing. “To dinner. I hope you like fancy food. ”
“As if I've ever tried it.” I laughed. “No, really, where are we going?”
“You said that you're a box baby,” he changed the subject completely. “How were your adoptive parents?”
The change of topic caught me off guard, causing me to cough. The sorrow fell around my shoulders, wrapping me tight like it always did.
“I was never adopted.”
My blunt reply made him sit back and shuffle in his seat. Had he just adjusted his crotch?
“I, erm,” I went on when he didn't say anything. “I had several foster families and moved into a house-share when I turned sixteen. That's where I am now.”
Glancing over at him, I studied his expression. He looked forward, his forehead creased and his thumb resting by the side of his mouth. He was chewing the nail quite intently.
“I'm sorry you went through that,” he murmured, turning to look at me. “It must have been traumatic.”
“What do you want me to say?” I replied, “That I've never belonged anywhere or had anyone who genuinely loves me?” Shrugging, I waved a hand in dismissal. “Lots of people go through worse. ”
His breath hitched and he cupped my hand in his, caressing my thumb gently. “All trauma is relative.”
“Do you have trauma?” I whispered, staring into his bright blue eyes
For a split second, his gaze was soft, but then it hardened. “We're almost there. I truly am sorry for what you've been through. I'd like to soothe that in some way.”
“How?” I breathed; all my attention zoned in on his gentle touch.
The driver called back to us, breaking the staring contest that had developed. My insides quivered as Joe smiled and leaned over me to open the door. I hadn't even realised that we'd come to a stop.
I took my hand out of his grip and slid from the car, taking care not to trip. He was there beside me in seconds, holding onto my elbow. When I was on firm ground, I looked up at the hotel in front of me. Shit, I was out of my depth and about to drown.