Chapter Three
“So…” I started, sipping my wine and leaning closer to my friend, Elissa. “I finally met my boss after quitting.”
Slamming her hand on the bar, she gaped at me. “You did? What was he like? Was he pissed that you’re leaving?”
Her long brown hair swung behind her as she gestured for me to speak. The dark hazel of her eyes caught the glint of the overhead light. The tassels of the shade hung low, almost brushing our heads. The grouping of shades was effective, hovering over us like a cloud of brown and mustard jellyfish. I’d always admired the quirky design of the bar. The dark green wallpaper was adorned with a gold print reminiscent of an old English gentlemen’s club. I perched on a green barstool, leaning my arms on the dark wooden bar. It was actually perfectly clean, unlike a lot of other bars I’d been to in London.
Turning my attention back to my friend, I rolled my eyes and shrugged, chuckling as I imagined his face. “He’s actually really hot.”
“Hot? Is he younger than you predicted?” Elissa eyed up a guy who walked through the door, his leather jacket thrown over his arm.
I followed her gaze, melting at his warm smile as he threw it towards me. Oh, no, wait, he was looking at the woman behind me. Of course he was.
“Ugh,” I sighed, placing my head on the bar and groaning. “Why do I have to be so perpetually single? I’m going to die a spinster, just like Jane Eyre.”
Elissa tugged my arm and poked me in the armpit. Shooting up, I frowned at her, resenting her foul play. The handsome biker man slunk up behind me, smelling all gorgeous and shit. Sigh.
“Firstly,” she said, sliding my wine closer to me, “Jane Eyre ended up marrying a much older man. Secondly, tell me about your boss. Don’t keep me hanging.”
My fuzzy head cleared and my mood brightened. Ah yes, I’d been telling her about the elusive Joseph Hunter. “He’s approaching middle-age with grey in his beard and around the temples. You know, the distinguished look. Quite frankly, he’s fucking god-like, even if he is seventeen years older than me.”
My laugh caught the attention of hot biker man and he smiled, clearly amused by what I’d just said. He was probably early thirties, which was still ten years my senior. Huh, apparently I appreciated an older man.
“You’re like a bitch in heat.” Flicking her hair again, Elissa took a big gulp of wine. “So, he’s not a homely man, like you suspected?”
The image of Joe – yep, I would call him Joe from now on, it was easier – came into my mind and I smiled. “Hell no, he’s solid.”
“Solid?”
“Uh huh.” Throwing my head back, I downed my drink, jumping when biker guy brushed my hair with his jacket. “That’s the most action I’ve had in months.”
Pointing to her eyes, Elissa frowned at me. “Concentrate. Solid? What exactly does that mean?”
Oh, we were still talking about my boss. Yes… I was drunker than I’d realised, my thoughts rushing all over the place.
“His muscles live on top of other muscles, and they were visible through his clothes. His jeans were fitted well, not too tight or baggy. He looked more like a workman than a designer. I’d so do him. ”
My mouth clamped shut as Elissa gaped at me, her eyes wide. “You, my dear, need to get laid. You’re showing signs of V-stress.”
“V-stress? What now?” I couldn’t quite work out what she meant. Vagina stress? Was that a thing when it wasn’t being used?
“Virgin stress,” she whispered, patting my hand gently. “It’s clear that you’re craving someone to give it to you.”
“Is it that obvious?” I lowered my voice. “I’ve never heard of V-stress and as immature as it sounds, it’s so true. I’m doomed to live out my fantasies through books.” Placing the back of my hand on my forehead, I feigned old-fashioned distress.
“I mean, you have been quite fussy...” Nodding her head, Elissa smiled over my shoulder. “...but you’re clearly desperate if you’re thinking of your boss in this way. Not that it matters now that you’ve quit.”
Holding up a finger, I opened my mouth to speak. “Ermm… about that…”
“Elissa?” a young man interrupted my confession, coming around me to kiss Elissa on the cheek.
Phew, at least Miss Judgement over there would stop probing. What was the big deal? Yes, my boss was gorgeous, but it didn’t mean anything .
Another man joined his friend as they chatted to Elissa. She introduced them as guys from Uni and they all giggled, looking a little flushed.
“What’s your name?” one of the men asked me, leaning in… wait, no, he was losing his balance and just using the back of my stool to right himself. Of course.
“I’m Lola.” My phone buzzed, drawing my attention away from the drunken men.
Glancing down, I read the name that popped up on my screen. Joseph. Oh, that was strange. I’d never had a text from my boss. Like, ever.
My fingers fumbled to open the message. Lola, it was delightful to meet you today. You’re an extremely talented woman and I cannot wait to spend more time trying to persuade you to stay. I hope I can stop you from saying no.
A fizz of excitement danced down my spine. There was nothing untoward in the message, although the last bit was a little cryptic. Almost like a game. Was my boss playing a game with me? Or was I drunk and stupid, reading into something that wasn’t there?
“Lola?” Elissa called, waving her hand in front of my eyes .
The men watched me, fake smiles planted on their faces. I snapped out of it and smiled back, realising that someone must have asked me a question.
“Do you mind if I go?” she said, giggling as she glanced at both men. “We have some memories to relive together, if you get what I mean?”
My eyes blinked rapidly as I nodded slowly. She was going to leave me, in the middle of a bar, to go and fuck two men. Two men! She couldn’t even share one of them? Wait, I didn’t want a man who wasn’t interested in me, and by the excited looks on their faces, they were happy to be sharing one woman. Some peoples’ kinks baffled me, they really did.
“Go.” I waved a hand and grinned manically, just to force them to leave me alone.
The men placed their drinks on the bar and turned to leave. Elissa hung back, grabbing my arm and squeezing. “I’m so sorry, I’ll make it up to you.”
“It’s fine,” I replied, pouting playfully. “I’ve got my boss to talk to, he just messaged.”
Holding up my phone, I winked at Elissa, who took it from me and read the text. Her nose screwed up and she frowned, shaking her head violently.
“That is so fucking weird, Lola,” she spat, “please, block the guy and leave! ”
A surge of heat warmed my cheeks as she looked at me, her eyes pleading. Okay, so she was genuinely concerned about the creepiness of the text. That was fair. And yet, my heartbeat had increased, and my palms had perspired… in excitement.
“Okay, okay.” Taking my phone off her, I tucked it away. “I’ll let him know that I’m leaving because he’s coming across a bit stranger danger. He’ll back off and I’ll go on my merry way.”
Like hell I would.
Elissa’s breath released and she lifted the corners of her pretty lips before looking over my shoulder. “And you don’t mind me being a dick? I can stay with you instead of being spit-roasted.”
My blast of laughter made her jump as I pushed her playfully.
“Please,” I said, glancing around her to look at the two men, who waited patiently. “Go and have fun.”
Tapping my nose affectionately, she blew me a kiss and reversed, almost tripping over one of the men’s feet. He caught her, scooping her up into his arms and also blowing me a kiss – without his hand – as they left.
Well. There she went, all happy and shit, ready to get laid… twice. Sorrow that often reared its ugly head flooded my chest and I got up from my seat, re ady to call it a night. Elissa had been right. I sometimes got hit on – although it wasn’t very often due to my fuck off vibe – so I couldn’t exactly say that I wasn’t desired by some men. However, I didn’t just want a quick fuck. As much as I moaned about being a virgin, I genuinely wanted someone who could touch me deeper than an emotionless one-night stand. Someone who could help me to actually feel beyond the pain of abandonment.
The noise of the bar was loud in my ears as I pushed myself through the crowd and surged through the door. A breath released from my lungs as the fresh air sucked the bar noise out of my ears and the city sounds of London filled them instead.
My phone almost dropped to the ground as I fumbled to call a cab. It was time to go home and sleep off the four wines that had made my head fuzzy. The text from Joseph was still on the screen, glaring up at me in all its brightness.
There was something about the man that had drawn me in. His eyes had spoken to me unlike any young man who had tried it on. There were things that he knew that went soul deep, and fuck me, I wanted to go there. I wanted to see what game my boss played. I wanted to be a willing participant.
Before I could regret it, I typed out a reply to Joseph. He had offered me an opportunity, one that I was completely oblivious to. And yet, my insides churned, ready for the game.
I can’t wait for you to show me what you’ve got. I replied. Somehow, I think I’m going to enjoy it.