Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
LOLA
He starts to laugh.
He fucking laughs and shakes his head, and ugly heat burns all over my skin.
Enzo rises and saunters over to me. "If I wanted to fuck you, I would be fucking you, Lola. I never realized you were so into yourself. Then again, you were the one flashing your ass at me, so I'm not sure why I'm fucking surprised."
The heat burns even higher.
"What—"
"Look, I get you've had a thing for me since we were kids, and now it's an adult lust-filled thing, but, Lourdes, I would prefer to keep this professional."
I want to spit words at him, deny I ever had a thing, and say I never tried to get his attention with the wardrobe mishap. But I don't.
I know how these things work. The more denial, the more it sounds real.
I clench my fists, then force myself to release them.
"Then why—"
"To kill two birds with one fucking stone.
I told you your work shows you earned that promotion, and I need someone to answer a phone here and there.
I'm not asking you to get refreshments, there's a water cooler.
I do most of my work myself, but I know your day is organized, your work is always done early, and it is meticulous.
You have a few extra minutes a day, maybe a few hours a week extra to do both jobs. And this one is not much."
That deflates my sails.
But I claw for a handhold. "Just a few hours a week that will become more."
"No." He pauses. "Obviously, I can't predict the future, and there will be the odd client here and there I need to see. But it is not going to be much at all."
"But—"
"And even if you don't want the bonus money for doing Luke's job, I need you close because I will be throwing some private jobs your way. Private as in your eyes only. That's it. Nothing more."
"Private as in...?"
"Nothing untoward, Lola. Just private. This isn't my only business."
"Oh."
"Oh," he echoes. "Go pack up and come up here. Luke will show you how to work the phone and anything else you need to know."
I blink. "He's not the friendliest."
"He will be when you return."
I nod, and unable to think of anything else and unable to conjure a second apology for my outburst, I make my way downstairs, my heart going a mile a second.
I find a box in the supply room and, ignoring the eyes that goggle at me, storm into my cubicle where I begin to shut down my computer and pull out the external hard drive assigned to me for backup.
I don't do anything personal on the computer at work.I really don't do anything personal, but I take it as it is. I've got my work on there. I throw it in the box, along with some papers and pens, and I turn to open a drawer.
Ruby appears again. "What did he want?"
I set my box down and just look at her.
Her eyes widen a bit. "Whoa. A little wild-eyed and feral there."
I shrug. "Yes, well..."
I continue to empty out the few things in that drawer.
She eats it up, silent for a few seconds. "What are you doing? Did he fire you? What a fucking asshole."
I shake my head, clutching the box, tears pressing at my eyes. "No. He gave me a promotion. Two, I guess. Well, a promotion and another job."
Ruby studies me. "That's great, isn't it? I mean, it sounds great. I would think it was beyond great, so riddle me this, Lola. Why the hell do you look like you're about to burst into tears?"
I let out a shaky breath.
Really, I don't know how to answer this in any form that won't require five hours of explaining, and I don't want to talk about any of that for five minutes, let alone hours. So, I just say, "I've got a lot on my mind."
Ruby checks her watch. "The day's almost done."
"So?"
"I know you're done with work."
"But I'm sure Mr. Marino wants me to learn all the ropes, and—"
"Ropes? Kinky." She laughs. "I'm coming up with you, and I will tell him you're going out at five on the dot."
"No—"
She grabs my box, walks away, and just leaves me here.
Fuck.
I grab my bag and my jacket and speed walk after her, somehow unable to shake the feeling this is going to be a long day.
Ruby is a true force of nature. She not only bullies Enzo into cramming my learning the ropes into the time left in the day, but she also informs him we are going out for drinks.
And we do.
There is a bar that is a little pricey near Central Park, a few blocks from the building. It has walls of glass and Edison globes and is the kind of place to entertain clients of a certain level for mid-managers and for workers from the surrounding buildings to let off steam.
I usually keep away because the prices are out of my league, but tonight, with a looming pay raise right in front of me, I don't have that excuse.
We squeeze into a booth in the corner, and the conversation fights with the latest hits playing, while laughter and shouts muddy it more, yet it turns into something borderline fun.
Ruby elbows me as she sets our drinks down, Manhattans, which I'm thinking are her favorite.
She makes me keep up with her until the next round, and a pleasant buzz hits my veins.
She is smiling, relaxed. "I think the promotion's great. He was busy when I went in there, and I got to see him with his jacket off and shirt sleeves rolled up, so score me."
She is looking at me like she's expecting some sort of answer.
"I was busy with Luke."
At that moment, the table around us turns quiet, and then a rushing rumble of comments hits me.
Enzo, apparently, has walked in and is sitting at the bar with a pretty girl and a guy in glasses.
My heart turns cold, and I refuse to look. Refuse to speculate on the woman, and I just... I don't want to deal.
Ruby leans over, facing me but letting her eyes stray to the bar. "The woman is definitely with the hottie with the glasses."
"Not my business."
She rolls her eyes.
Everyone is talking about how sexy the new CEO is and how amazing it is that he is here with the rest of us.
The conversation bounces back to his looks, and I want to hide.
He is attractive, I guess.
But I'm lying to myself, I don't need to look at him to remember my first reaction to seeing him again. Seeing him and not recognizing him, so I can't even claim I wore childish rose-colored glasses.
He is no-holds-barred hot. Sexy. Gorgeous.
It is just... I don't want him.
Ruby nudges me. "Are you being coy because you secretly want him?"
I jerk back and then pick up my drink and gulp it down, somehow managing not to sputter from the burn of the liquor.
Is Ruby reading my mind?
I shake my head. "No. He's attractive, but not my type."
Ruby snorts a laugh. "He's everyone's type. Look at him."
I dart a look over and try to tell myself his friend, with the woman and the glasses he has now moved to the top of his head—the guy in the black hoodie and jeans—is more my type. If I have a type.
But I just nod and keep that silent.
Mainly because it is a lie.
Shit.
I send WN—Alex—a text. Hey.
Not very exciting, but soft and open-ended. Because now we know names, what if he decides to just back off?
The phone goes dark.
Then it lights up.
Alex
Did you hear from my PI?
Me
Not yet. How are you?
Alex... He is my type. And I haven't even met him.
And I'm not going to.
A man like that is totally my type.
Not sex in a suit.
Mentally, I smack myself in the head.
Now all I'm doing is thinking of Enzo.
Not only do I hate him and not trust him, but he is my boss. My boss who I will be working closely with.
And if that Silas tells me to run, I will up and quit.
So, he might be handsome, but I'm not interested.
Sucking in a deep breath, trying to loosen the clamps that seem to have closed around my chest, I pick up my phone and sip my drink.
Is this glass full again?
My phone lights up again.
Alex.
My heart thunders in my chest.
Alex
Honestly? I was thinking about you.
And I smile.
He makes me feel special, like I matter. I know it is not true. I know this is fantasy, but it is nice and safe, and I love it.
Me
Really? I wasn't thinking about you at all.
Alex
You texted me.
Me
I slipped.
Alex
Should I be jealous you know all these other Alexes you want to text?
A giggle breaks free, and Ruby is flirting with pretty much the only decent single guy in the company. Since their table is also people from Barwon, we decided to join both tables.
She has already told me she likes to casually flirt with him when out, but no lines will be crossed.
I believe her. She could choose from thousands of men.
Me
Lucky you, no other Alex.
Alex
Phew.
Me
I didn't say I wanted to text you, lol.
Alex
Way to wound a man's ego. Luckily, I'm tough. How's work?
I don't want to talk about work. I don't want to talk about Enzo or any of that. I have already encroached enough reality on Alex, so I type, Work's work.
Alex
The fight club of work?
Me
First rule is don't talk about work.
Then I swallow.
Me
Unless you want to.
Alex
Work isn't as fascinating as you.
And I swear my entire body flushes with a buzzing warmth that makes juices flow and adrenaline spike.
Me
Agreed.
Alex
Going to take that as a win for my ego. And to celebrate...how about another dare?
Me
I'm not removing my underwear.
Even though I'm wearing pants, so wardrobe malfunctions would be close to nil.
I say close because knowing me something would happen.
Alex
Been there, done that. This time, why don't you sneak into someone's yard and go skinny dipping?
Me
Hold up. It's your turn for a dare.
Alex
I thought this one might be too much for you.
I bristle, hating how he can so easily wind me up.
Me
Fair's fair.
Alex
Welcher.
Me
One. I'm not getting arrested for you or anyone. No breaking or trespassing.
Alex
C'mon...
Me
Two. What yard?
Alex
You have a Chicago number.
Me
I haven't changed it. I don't live there. I'm in New York.
I hesitate on the New York, but in the end, I text it. He might be from here, the number he gave me for his PI is a Queens or Brooklyn area code. But he has been so nice that I tell him.
And besides, New York is big.
Alex
New York? Damn. I spend time there, but I'm in California right now. Tell you what? How about an indoor pool or hot tub?
Me
I don't have that.
Alex
But you must know someone. And someone has to have a pool...
Me
Maybe. Way out in Jamaica, or on Staten Island, or far out in the Rockaways.
Alex
The Hamptons.
Me
I'm not going to the Hamptons.
Alex
Fair enough. But I'm sure there are a few houses somewhere in NY that have nice yards and a pool.
Every part of me prickles and sparks.
Me
No way am I going to someone's place.
Alex
It's a dare. You have to take it. Tell you what...
He doesn't continue.
I shake my phone like it will release more words. When it doesn't, I down my drink.
Me
What?
Alex
If you do this, you can dare me next.
I hesitate.
I really don't want to go skinny dipping, or any kind of dipping in a random yard. But the thought of being able to dare him back...
Me
I don't know if that is enough.
Alex
Coward.
Me
I don't have anything to wear.
Alex
Didn't you read the part about it being skinny dipping? That means you don't have to wear anything!
My libido thrums.
And I do know of a neighborhood where several houses have pools. And they are just around the corner.
Fuck.
I guess I'm doing this...
Me
No one calls me a coward. I will send you proof, and I better not get arrested.
The thing is, the worst that can happen is that I either can't get inside or I chicken out. And after his last text, I'm determined because...coward? Fuck that.
I take Ruby's arm. "I have to go."
"Hot date?"
"Hot shower and then bed."
She hugs me, and I say bye to the table and go to leave some money, but Ruby shoves it back at me. "When you get your raise, we will go out on you, just you and me. Deal?"
"Deal."
I glance over at Enzo as I leave, and my stomach sinks. He is laughing with the gorgeous woman and the guy with the sexy glasses.
Why does he affect me so much?
But I shove him from my mind and head out.
Me
Next two dares will be you as the star. I hope you're ready.
Alex
Always.
I grin and hurry out. I have got a mad dare to do, and I want to get it underway before I chicken out.