Chapter 3 #2
I stared at myself in the full-length mirror, turning to catch myself from all angles. Smoothing the dress over my hips, I smiled pleased. Satisfied, I tossed my hair over my shoulder and made my way to the dining room. The table was already set for two, candlelight, and a bottle of wine chilling.
Taking my seat, I crossed my legs under the table and waited demurely for my guest. Ten minutes later the door to the dining room opened. His eyes swept the room once before settling on me. I clocked his reaction. That small shift in a man’s expression when the fantasy becomes real.
I stood slowly from my chair. “Good evening,” I said with a soft, inviting smile.
He seemed to collect himself as he walked further into the room. “Good evening,” he replied, his voice deep but polite.
I stepped around the table and extended my hand. “Gianna.”
He took it, his grip warm but gentle. “Daniel.”
His eyes lingered on me, taking me in. I let him enjoy the view.
“I see Madam wasn’t exaggerating.”
I tilted my head slightly. “Oh?”
He gave a small smile. “She said the new girl was going to make an impression.”
I let out a quiet laugh. “Well now I feel like I have something to live up to.”
He chuckled under his breath. “Something tells me you won’t have any trouble with that.”
I gestured toward the table. “Please. Have a seat.”
Daniel pulled out the chair across from mine and settled into it as I reached for the wine. “Red or white?” I asked.
“Red.”
I poured slowly. When I set it in front of him, his gaze met mine again curiously, studying me. I lifted my glass. “To your evening,” I said.
He lifted his. “To our evening.”
I smiled again at that.
The chef came in moments later wheeling in two silver domed dishes. He placed them in front of us gently. "Lamb chops, roasted root vegetables and sauteed greens," he presented before quietly exiting.
We began to eat. The food was amazing and seasoned to perfection.
For a few minutes I was so focused on eating that I forgot the goal.
Wiping my mouth delicately, I took a sip of wine.
"So Daniel, aside from what's been shared with me, is there anything else you would like for me to know to make this a memorable night for you? " I asked softly.
He smiled. "I'm a pretty simple man. I just enjoy the company of beautiful women. My work keeps me out of town and busy, so when I do have down time, I enjoy companionship without pretenses if that makes sense."
I nodded in understanding. "It does. You want pleasure without the extra steps, but you don't want it to feel…transactional. Am I correct?"
His smiled widened. "That's correct. You're observant and beautiful."
I shrugged modestly with a small smile. "I've always been a quick study."
"I like that." He cut into his lamp chop still smiling. "Tell me about you, Gianna? You're obviously gorgeous. How did a woman like you get into a field like this?"
"Well…I believe that as a man in finance, you and I share a commonality," I began.
His eyes focused on me curiously, a faint smile on his face. "Please do share."
I took another slow sip before continuing, "Money," I said simply.
"I don't have a trauma filled back story of abuse.
I was raised in a two-parent household. My parents were married.
Divorced now. Middle class upbringing. I was a cheerleader in high school.
Popular and well adjusted. For the most part I've led a very regular life.
But I like nice shit, Daniel. And nice things cost money.
I do this because I like money and I don't want to struggle for it. "
His brows shot up in surprise. He paused his eating to focus on me.
"I want to make as much money as I can, as quickly as I can," I explained. "And I understand that as a woman, I have something that is extremely valuable. So, why not capitalize on it." I shrugged easily.
He chuckled. "I'm intrigued. Please continue." He sipped his wine.
I smiled. "Well, you dabble in investment, Daniel.
And I'm sure you understand that a good investment can skyrocket you to wealth or sink you into the poor house.
But pussy…" I leaned in closer with a seductive smile.
"Pussy, is the greatest investment any man can make," I purred.
"Willingly or unwillingly, men spend their entire lives putting stock into it. "
He grinned, shoulders shaking a bit as he laughed softly. "You're not wrong about that."
"Exactly," I continued. "Think about it…
if pussy was a stock on Wall Street, every man in the world would want to invest. Men understand the value of it.
Women, however, underutilize their worth all the time.
I don't." I picked up my glass, leaning back slightly.
"And a man as intelligent as you understands that. "
Daniel leaned back in his chair, studying me over the rim of his wine glass. The candlelight caught in his eyes, and for a second he just watched me like I’d said something he wasn’t expecting. “You’re very…direct,” he said finally.
I smiled, unfazed. “I find it saves time.”
He chuckled again, clearly amused now. “Well, in my world we call that market awareness.”
“Exactly,” I said, lifting my glass. “I know my market.”
He shook his head, still smiling. “I have to admit,” he said cutting into another lamp chop, “this is not the conversation I expected to have tonight.”
“That a bad thing?”
“Not at all.” He swallowed and dabbed his mouth with his napkin. “Most women try to convince me they’re something they’re not. You’re the first one who’s been completely honest about the business side of it.”
I tilted my head slightly. “Why pretend?” I asked. “You’re here because you have money and you want a good time with a beautiful woman of your choosing. I’m here because I provide that and I want to be paid well for it."
"I can't argue with that." Daniel laughed softly. “I know that you're new, but you seem perfectly comfortable.”
I lifted one shoulder in a small shrug. “I'm a Gemini, I adapt quickly.”
He studied me again, this time with something closer to respect than curiosity. “Well,” he said, raising his glass again, “I’d say Madam made a good investment.”
I clinked my glass gently against his. “I aim to provide a good return.”
That earned another laugh out of him.
The rest of dinner passed easily after that. Conversation flowed from business to travel to the absurdity of airline food. Daniel told me about a deal he’d just closed in Chicago and how he’d barely slept in two days.
“You must live on airplanes,” I said.
“Pretty much,” he admitted. “This place is one of the few stops where I can actually relax.”
“That’s the idea,” I replied.
"I must admit, Gianna," he leaned towards me. "This is the most intriguing conversation I've had in a while. You're so easy to talk too. Feels like I've known you for longer."
"I'm flattered, Daniel. Thank you." I smiled.
When the dinner plates were cleared by the staff, Daniel leaned back in his chair, looking far more relaxed than when he arrived. “You know,” he said, loosening his tie slightly, "I don't want to be presumptuous, but I would like to see you again. With your permission of course."
I fixed my eyes on him. "I would absolutely love that." I stood. His eyes slowly ran over my body. I crossed around the table to his side, his eyes on me the entire time. I held out my hand. "Let's continue the conversation in the bedroom, shall we?"
Daniel grinned and rose, taking my hand.
As I led him to the suite, we passed Monroe and Bianca in the parlor. I looked over at her with a smirk as they glared at me. She better watch out, her spot as the top earner was in jeopardy fucking with me.