Chapter 10
Ten
S teph was in the conference room waiting for the last two members of her team to join her and was getting more agitated at their lateness by the second.
She heard the door open and turned to give them a piece of her mind. “When I say eleven o’clock, I mean eleven, not twenty to twelve.” She spun around and found Jack Baker and Jon Brooker staring at her. Jack confused and Jon amused.
“Sorry,” she said and added, “I assumed you were my wayward team members.”
“Alas, no.” Jon grinned.
“No, Steph, Mr Brooker was just passing and popped in to see us in the flesh,” explained Jack making Jon grin even wider now as he winked at her.
“I bet.” She knew full well that he was certainly not just passing.
“So, what’s going on here then?” Jon sounded entirely convincing.
“When my two stray team members arrive we will be discussing sustainability of costings within proposed new accounts.”
“That sounds very exciting.” He smiled at her despite them both knowing he found the subject anything but exciting.
“I think so.” She smiled back, although hers was a little less amused than his.
“Then maybe I could stay and observe, if you have no objection?”
“No, of course not.” She was in no position to object so after a glare followed by her cutting her eyes at him, he gave her another wink that literally had her clenching her thighs that felt like they had been subjected to hours on an exercise bike or the dreaded leg press courtesy of her night with him.
“Great!” he cried taking the seat opposite her at the conference table. “Jack, I don’t want to keep you from real work and I am sure Miss Pryor will take very good care of me.” There really was no end to his repertoire of double entendres and references to them having had sex, although nobody else would be aware of that besides the two of them.
“If you’re sure because I didn’t even understand what Steph said they were discussing, so I certainly won’t understand the details of it.” Jack laughed as he moved towards the door. “If you need me before you leave I am sure Steph will show you up to my office.”
“Yes, of course,” she agreed as Jack was leaving and her two missing team members appeared, Ashley and Martin.
Martin closed the door behind them. “Sorry we’re late.”
Steph stared at them as they appeared to be taking their seats at the table.
“Sorry,” she said looking at the people around the table. “Will you just give us a moment?” she added and gestured towards Ashley and Martin. “A word, outside, now!”
They followed her and as Jon watched her through the glass wall he smiled at her tearing a strip off them. He found it quite reassuring that she was pissed off with their lateness and piss poor excuses, or lack of them. He also couldn’t deny that he found it a huge turn on.
Steph was beyond annoyed as she stood looking at Ashley and Martin.
“When I say eleven o’clock that is exactly what I mean and in the event that an emergency crops up I expect the courtesy of a call to advise me of your delay.”
“Sorry,” started Martin.
“Shut up and don’t interrupt!” she told him and continued, “One of the partners of this company is now aware that you are more than half an hour late for our meeting and our newest and biggest multi-million pound contract holder is sitting in as an observer, so, well done both of you for showering yourselves in glory and making me look like an idiot.”
“Sorry,” they both said now.
“Where were you?” asked Steph. “Why were you late for my meeting?”
They exchanged a glance and then Ashley said, “It was my fault. We went to the pub for an early lunch because I’ve been having a tough time at home, and we just got carried away.”
She stared at them and shook her head as she turned to Martin, “Lunch at eleven? Anything to add or are you in agreement on that account?”
“That’s about it,” he agreed.
“Right, not only is that unprofessional, but it is also unacceptable and I may well choose to speak to H.R. this afternoon. Now, I suggest that you both get your arses in there and apologise personally to every person around that table for keeping them waiting and showing such a lack of respect for the rest of your team. Oh, and leave your problems from home at the door and if you can’t I would like to know.”
She followed them back into the room and waited for them to apologise before introducing Jon, then started the meeting.
Jon asked reasonable questions about sustainability and how the pricing of services was set.
After Steph closed the meeting her team members filed out and as Ashley walked past her he stopped to say, “I am very sorry about being late and making Martin late too. Sorry,” he repeated.
She called Martin back and said to them both, “I’ll see you both in my office at half past twelve, and don’t be late,” she told them before leading Jon out. “Do you want me to take you up to Jack’s office?”
“No. Take me to yours.”
She shrugged. “As you wish.”
Steph led Jon down the corridor towards the lift and hit the up button. As she stood in the opposite corner of the lift to him she remained silent.
“Are you pissed off with me or your late comers?”
“Both,” she admitted. “You for being here and them for not being on time.”
“Aren’t you pleased to see me at all?” He smiled at her, almost daring her to deny any pleasure at him being there.
Her expression softened but she maintained her stand. “No.”
“Liar,” he replied, a small smile quirking his lips.
“Arrogant,” she spat back as he moved next to her and began to gently rub her bottom through her trousers.
“I have missed you and I know I suggested the trousers, but if you were wearing a skirt or a dress right now I wouldn’t be able to resist skin on skin,” he whispered.
“You haven’t really missed me and I am glad I am not wearing a skirt or a dress,” she told him making him laugh.
“I thought I was the arrogant one?” He laughed again as the lift arrived at her floor.
She left the lift without him and smiled to herself as she heard him following her towards her office.
“There are a couple of messages on your desk,” said Rosie.
Steph nodded at the other woman and as she saw her expression change she knew that Jon was standing behind her.
“Thank you, Rosie. This is Mr Brooker. Mr Brooker, this is my assistant, Rosie.”
Jon extended a hand towards Rosie who happily accepted it before asking, “Can I get you some tea or coffee?”
“Coffee please,” replied Jon.
“Nothing for me thanks.”
Steph headed into her office where Jon closed the door behind them. “You really are very scary when you’re in boss mode.”
She laughed at him now as she sat on the edge of her desk. “I hate lateness without good reason and when I have chosen to come into work instead of staying in bed with you the least they can do is turn up to my meeting on time.”
“I couldn’t agree more.” Stepping closer, he continued, “Give me one good reason not to throw you back on this desk and have my wicked way with you?”
There was a knock on the door making her laugh. “Your coffee or as I call it, one good reason.”
She removed herself from between Jon and her desk and as she made her way behind it to sit down she called for Rosie to enter.
Rosie put the coffee on the desk and returned Jon’s smile as he asked, “Does someone have a secret admirer?” He gestured towards the flowers.
“That would be Miss Pryor,” said Rosie as she left.
“Yes, but I think he may be more of a nuisance than an admirer,” Steph said seriously.
“You have no idea just how much of a nuisance I could be,” he said dryly.
“I’ll take my chances.” She offered him a small smile, then realising she really would take her chances on him becoming the best kind of nuisance, her smile broadened into a grin.
“Why don’t I pick you up tonight and we’ll spend the weekend together and complete our negotiations?”
“The whole weekend?” She wondered where Mrs Brooker fitted into his life or at least his weekend.
“Yes, but I am sure we can break up the monotony of negotiations somehow.” He grinned, dissolving any reservations she may have had.
“Okay. Now drink your coffee and sod off out of my office so I can shout at my staff some more.”
When Steph arrived at Brooker Incorporated she headed straight to the lift where Steve Cannon appeared behind her.
“Steph, I was just on my way back up to email you; two o’clock in the conference room on the twenty third floor, okay?”
“Yes, fine. Do you want to meet about fifteen minutes earlier to give me the overview of your team meeting?”
“Yeah, great. Thanks for this because if there’s a mutiny it will be my arse in a sling,” he said seriously.
“No problem, and there is no need for a mutiny. I thought I’d been quite clear in the parameters of the contract, but maybe not clear enough. I will bring some copies of my easy-to-follow flow chart, just in case,” she laughed.
“Bring whatever you need. Thanks again, Steph. Is there anything I can help with for the meeting?” he asked as they left the lift.
“No, just for people to be on time,” she said, making him frown. “I had some late comers to my team meeting this morning and was less than thrilled with them.”
“Oh right. Everyone is normally pretty good with punctuality because Brooker is a bitch for time keeping and everyone knows it, plus, we’re in his conference room so they will all be on their best behaviour in case he puts in an appearance,” said Steve as they stopped at his office door.
“Is he likely to join us?” Steph tried to disguise her excitement at the prospect.
“Possibly, he does like to pop in and go on a little wander around the building to see who’s doing what.”
From what Steph knew of Jon, that didn’t surprise her. “I shall remember that. Call for me when you’re ready.” She smiled as she made her way to her own desk to prepare for the meeting.
It was almost two o’clock and everyone had arrived and were sitting around the conference table when Steve opened things. “Right, let’s get started then. Miss Pryor has kindly agreed to give us some more detailed information on our new contract with her law firm to ensure that everyone is happy and confident with their own role within the set up after our team meeting. So over to you, Steph.”
“Thanks.” She smiled and with a deep breath began. “I will go over the main points of the contract again and then I will give you all a copy of the flow chart to help you to identify when to cascade things to Baker, Ross and Riley and finally I will be happy to answer any questions you may have,” she explained before going on to do that and as she passed out the flow chart, one woman at the table stared at her full of hostility. Steph wasn’t here to make friends, but she also didn’t need enemies so attempted to smile which only resulted in the other woman’s stare becoming a glare. “Right, any questions?”
“Yes, what exactly is your role because I am rather confused as to why an accountant is here to advise us on where our legal limitations end?” asked the woman.
Steph stared at her thinking it was a fair question and yet it seemed loaded. “What’s your name?”
“Jayne Roe,” she replied curtly.
“My role here, Miss Roe, is neither as an accountant nor a legal expert, but purely as a link between Brookers and my company. I did act as senior accountant on the deal that Mr Brooker accepted and as such I do have an understanding of just what services are included in the contract–”
“Sorry to interrupt,” came Jon’s voice from behind them announcing his arrival, “Please carry on, Miss Pryor, Mr Cannon has brought me up to speed on legal’s concerns.”
“As I was saying, Miss Roe, I am merely a link between our two companies, but I am familiar with the terms of the contract and with the appropriate legal experts within Baker, Ross and Riley. Also, there really is no need for anyone to feel undermined by the contract as the services you provide to Brookers as employees are very different to what we would be providing.” She waited for a few seconds so Miss Roe might respond.
“And how do we access your expertise when you only work for a day and a half a week?” was the other woman’s sarcastic reply now.
“If it’s something that can wait until I am next in, fine. If not, I do work every other day in my own office and I have a Brooker’s mobile number, so I am available, or you can speak to Steve and he will contact me if necessary.”
Miss Roe still looked sceptical, but everyone else around the table seemed happy enough, although Jon appeared to be frowning.
“Miss Roe, you still seem less than happy with the situation,” Steph said bluntly.
“I still don’t see why we need an accountant to give us orders.” Her voice carried only petulance now.
“I’m not here to give you orders,” Steph replied sharply.
“If you say so.”
“I do. I am here to advise, but if you would like to discuss my attributes for the job maybe we should schedule a one-to-one meeting.” Steph felt weary of this whole conversation that was going in circles.
Miss Roe stared at her again and huffed before Steve asked, “Anyone other than Jayne with an issue now?”
Everyone shook their heads and generally muttered that they had no issues.
“I think we can all see your attributes,” muttered the still unhappy Miss Roe as she made her way out after Steve closed the meeting.
Eventually, when only Jon, Steph and Steve were left in the conference room Jon addressed Steve, “What is her problem? Miss Roe?”
“I think she has some personal issues at the moment,” explained Steve.
“She’ll be adding unemployed to her personal issues if she insists on being so unprofessional.” Jon was obviously annoyed.
“I’ll leave you both to it. I have some calls to make,” said Steph heading for the door, but neither of them answered which she found to be something of a relief.
Steph was just hanging up her phone when Steve appeared behind her. “Sorry about Jayne.”
“Don’t worry about it, but I meant what I said, if she wants to meet one to one I will schedule it,” replied Steph.
“Let me speak to her first and get back to you,” said Steve. “And I know it’s no excuse, but she is having a rough time at home, although Brooker didn’t think that was an excuse for her conduct.”
“Yeah, well, women can be bitches to work with and I think men find that more difficult to deal with because they don’t tend to see it first hand, but you speak to her and let me know if she wants to meet with me, but I should warn you, I don’t need Mr Brooker to fight my battles and won’t stand for her bitching at me in a meeting again.” She returned the smile Steve offered then turned back towards her computer screen, still aware of Steve standing behind her. “Is there anything else?” Steph asked confused by Steve’s presence.
“No . . . kind of, I was wondering if you fancied going for a drink after work?”
“Sorry, I’ve already made plans, but if it’s a regular thing that everyone does on a Friday I could maybe do next week.” That might be one way to reduce people’s suspicion of her because although only one person had been openly hostile, she wasn’t na?ve enough to believe she was the only one who felt that way.
“Erm, no, I meant with me, just me.” He looked a little uncomfortable, maybe because of her misunderstanding of exactly what he’d been asking.
“Oh, sorry. I don’t think that would be a good idea. People might get the wrong idea,” she explained feeling embarrassed herself now.
“And it would be the wrong idea would it?” He stared down at her making her wish she’d seen this coming and prepared for it.
“Yes it would be.” She offered a sympathetic smile in case Steve felt embarrassed before realising he was looking down at her legs, not that there was anything to see other than her trousers, but she did remember what Rosie had said to her the previous week about men wondering if a woman wore stockings or tights. “Sorry,” she added as she felt herself colouring up.
“No problem, Steph, we’re both adults and well, some you win, some you lose. If I don’t see you before you leave, have a good weekend. I’ll see you next week and thanks again for today,” said Steve before heading back to his own office.
Steph breathed a small sigh of relief as she turned back to her laptop and kicked off her boots under the desk as her mobile rang. She smiled as she saw that it was Jon.
“Hello,” she answered smiling still.
“Hello yourself. Are you avoiding me this afternoon?”
“No, why?” she asked curiously.
“I didn’t see you until you were meeting with legal and then you couldn’t wait to get out of there,” he said seriously.
“It’s called discretion.” She laughed.
“I don’t think I like discretion. I was hoping you would come up to my office when you arrived so I could see you, kiss you, touch you,” he almost whispered making her breathe deeply.
“As good as that sounds I think that would be ill-advised. Your P.A. would very quickly become suspicious and others would follow.”
“My P.A. that sent roses to your office? I think she already knows, darling, but I see your point and it would be far more damaging for you than me, so I will see you at yours later.”
“I look forward to it,” she teased.
“Then I shall try not to disappoint you, which I obviously won’t,” he replied making her laugh.
“Very arrogant.”
“Thank you. See you later.” He hung up leaving her wearing a stupid grin until she wondered how she could have more to lose if their relationship was discovered as he had a marriage to lose, didn’t he?