Chapter 13 #2
“Ari, there’s papers on your desk that need to be faxed over today please.
Before five, if possible,” Beth asks as my phone dings in my desk drawer.
I hadn’t even noticed that I’d switched the volume on.
Beth shoots me a look as I’m thinking about answering it, but her stress levels are through the roof today, and I think better of it.
I’m sure she’s noticed that I’ve been less productive since we stopped for lunch and my bathroom break, and just thinking about it makes me drift off and smile to myself.
“I’m on it,” I reply.
“And can you chase up the Rocara order. It was supposed to be here today. I have a city to dress and no dresses to put them in. I want it here yesterday.”
“Sure.”
Crap. Rocara. Rocara. I’ve seen that order somewhere but I can’t remember where.
I flick through the stack of files on my desk.
It’s gotten bigger as the day’s gone on and as much as I love being busy, I’m starting to get overwhelmed.
This is the first time I’ve ever worked in such a senior position and I really don’t want to mess it up.
I want Beth to be happy that she took a chance on me and not regret her decision.
Aha, Rocara. Found it.
An order for seven of the most stunning gowns money can buy.
There aren’t any prices on this form. Just a list of order numbers.
These guys make the most amazing ball gowns and evening dresses, every one of their pieces is one of a kind and they use only the best designers.
I’m totally jealous of the people that are wealthy enough to have placed these orders.
I call them and chase up the order. It’s in transit and should be with us tomorrow, so I make a note in the calendar, and start on the next task.
The office is quiet and Beth is working out on the shop floor, so I get loads done. The stack of files gradually gets smaller, and I’m making headway. I sit up and straighten my shoulders, rolling my neck to loosen it from where I’ve been hunched over the desk for at least the last few hours.
“Want me to rub that for you?”
I jump nearly out of my skin, assuming that I was alone and not hearing anyone creep up on me. I spin around in my chair to find Denham casually propped against the door frame.
“You scared me!” I squeal at him, but I jump out of my chair and leap in his direction, flinging my arms around his neck.
He catches me around the waist and holds me tight.
I kiss him hard on the mouth. Showing him just how much I missed him today.
When I break away, he lowers me gently so my feet touch the floor but doesn’t let go of my waist.
“Hi,” he whispers, resting his nose against mine, and I giggle.
“Hi, yourself.”
“You nearly done here?”
“No, I have loads to do before I can go. Beth’s—”
“Beth’s done for the day too, you can go,” Beth announces from behind Denham.
I jump away from him and straighten myself out.
“Sorry, we were just—”
“No apologies. You’ve worked your ass off today, and I appreciate it.”
“I’ll come in early tomorrow and get all of this done.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Okay, uh, what?” I start to panic. Does she know about me in the rest room? Have I not worked hard enough today? No, she said I’ve worked my butt off and I have.
“Arianna, darling. You’ve worked so hard, I’m giving you the rest of the week off. I need you firing on all cylinders next week, so take the rest of the week off, relax, pamper yourself. Then come back ready for the craziness that happens after the summer ball.”
“Oh,” I say surprised. But I have no idea why it surprises me. My imagination is a dangerous place to be sometimes. “Thank you.”
“And you.” She points at Denham and looks at him sternly.
“I would be thankful if you don’t distract my staff during work time.
” He chuckles and doesn’t look in the least bit embarrassed but I think I blush enough for the both of us.
“Now take this girl home and wait on her hand and foot. She’s worked like a Trojan today. ”
“Thanks, Beth. I certainly will,” he says, stepping forward to kiss her on the cheek before holding out a hand for me to take. I grab my purse and we head out.
When we pass the large glass double doors, I look to see where commando is.
“No bodyguards this evening?” I ask.
“Nope. I’ll be the only one guarding your body this evening,” he says, causing me to laugh.
“Is that right?”
“Yep.” He stops in the middle of the sidewalk to turn to me.
He brushes my hair from my shoulder and leans in so his lips are just touching my ear lobe.
“I won’t just be guarding your body,” he whispers.
“I’ll be touching it. And licking it. And I’ll make sure that I’ll be sucking it too.
” He finishes his sentence by pinching my ear lobe with his teeth, then straightens himself and holds out his arm for me to link mine with.
Again, he renders me incapable of moving for a couple of seconds, just until my body comes down a little from the high he puts me on, and my feet start to move again.
I link my arm with his and he strides forward with a grin on his face.