Chapter Eleven #2
She was probably my age and her straight hair hung short from her hairband, so it was most likely just past her shoulders.
She was only a few inches taller than me, but her body was toned to perfection and her chest was at least double mines size – all natural.
She had green, catlike eyes, button nose, and stained red lips that were so plump it looked like she had been kissed long and hard.
She wore tan dress slacks and a sleeveless white blouse that draped down the front, accentuating her lush curves and showing off her two-hour-a-day workout body to best effect.
Her heels were low and sensible. I wasn’t positive she was pleased to be dressed as she was, but she rocked the comfortable business wear.
She huffed in irritation as she heaved her bulky bag higher on her shoulder, finally looking up after fighting with the strap. Her eyes opened so wide I was pretty sure I could see all of the white. Shock was evident.
But, I’ll give her this much. She cleared her throat, and schooled her features a lot faster than most, grumbling, “They keep losing me behind the runt.” She rolled her eyes.
“It does make eavesdropping easier, though.” She grinned and we shook hands.
“I’m Chloe. Did you say your name’s Ember?
” I nodded. “Awesome name. How about we go upstairs? I can’t wait to get rid of this bag. ”
“Oh, of course,” I babbled and jumped at my rudeness. “Sorry. That looks heavy. Do you need any help?”
She chuckled and shook her head. “This bag weighs more than you do, toots. But, thanks for the offer.”
I held the door of the elevator while they loaded everything inside. And there was plenty. I briefly wondered if we were going to exceed the weight limit. Blessedly, it only bounced a bit before moving into motion. And it didn’t stall between floors. Yippie!
“So who are you? And what are you doing with our bosses? There was supposed to be two of you. Where’s the other one?” Peter asked rapidly as the elevator lifted.
Okay. So I think it was going slower than normal, but it kept on climbing. Oh, wait. Did rude alpha actually deign to talk to me? Or, more like, interrogate me?
I glanced at Chloe and Bas. Chloe shrugged, but Bas looked just as interested in my answer, even if he mouthed “Sorry” for Peter’s impoliteness. These people were nosy.
I sighed. What the hell was I supposed to tell them?
That I was just along for the ride since I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life?
That Ally had followed me to get some disturbing answers?
That I’d had sex with two of their bosses, both of which had slept in my bed last night?
That my family had cost their new client millions in backhanded business practices?
I glanced at myself in the elevators mirror.
I had on my ballet skirt, as I liked to call it.
It was black and super short and made in layers of mesh that laid softly – underwear were a must, unfortunately.
I had paired it with sheer black thigh-high, striped pantyhose.
Garters that hardly showed. Black fuzzy leg warmers and my black converse.
My top was black with silver skeleton hands that were position over each breast as if the dead were copping a feel from behind me.
I had a black hoodie I was planning on wearing with it if I got cold.
Again. I didn’t really mesh with these people other than Bas.
I decided to go with the lie that Brent had formed. “I’m an employee of Lion Security. I’m an…analyst, I guess you could say. And there are two of us. Ally’s up in the penthouse.”
The elevator doors opened and we carted everything out.
Chloe hadn’t been lying. There crap was heavy!
I ignored the look of distrust that Peter wore the entire time.
The rest of his questions could wait until we had everything inside.
I, also, ignored Bas’ gaze. His weren’t exactly distrustful with where his brain had so obviously drifted to.
Ally was introduced to the three new arrivals. Peter seemed to approve of her. But, I guess he would. She was dressed much like Chloe. I’ve never understood why everyone would want to dress just like each other. Flavor! Give me flavor!
Once Peter seemed sufficiently at ease that both of us weren’t just like me, he asked me bluntly, “You said you work for Lion Security?”
I nodded. Luckily, Ally didn’t argue. She’s great at going with the flow. She nodded, too, even though she hadn’t been asked. Good.
“I haven’t heard of you and I’m in charge of new hires.”
“It was kinda last minute.” I shrugged and sat on a dining room chair.
“Uh-huh. And you’re an analyst?”
“Yes.”
“What of?” he continued, his dislike never disappearing.
I didn’t bat an eye. “People.”
“People?” Suspicion was written all over him.
“She didn’t stutter,” Ally quipped. She was getting irritated with the provoker and protective of me. Her normal.
But, even I had begun to think his rapid fire questions were getting annoying, but if he needed this to make him feel better, so be it. It wasn’t hurting me any. He had said he was the head of new hires. He had a right to feel distrustful. I just wasn’t a fan of how he carried his emotions out.
His focus caught on Ally. “If she’s an analyst, then I’m the tooth fairy.” He paused and scratched his chin. I think he almost smiled. “And what are you supposed to be within the company? This should be interesting.”
Oh, boy howdy, did Ally’s hackles ever rise. Dumb, dumb man.
Her grin was malicious to say the least. “I’m in marketing. And Ember really is an analyst and brilliant at it when she needs to be.” She paused, tapping her foot. Her gaze caught mine.
I sighed.
Well, there went my fun and relaxing day. Oh, well. He kind of deserved it now.
I nodded, eyes crossed.
“Do you enjoy workin’ for Lion Security, Peter?” Ally asked sweetly, her accent dripping like venom. He didn’t notice.
“Absolutely. It’s the best company I’ve worked for.” He nodded stoutly. Oh, this might actually be fun.
“Okay. And you don’t really believe Ember here is an analyst of people?” She kept her tone sugary sweet, with a hell of a bite as a chaser. He still didn’t notice.
“Hell, no.” Blunt and to the point.
“I’d like to make a wager with you,” she stated and at his eyebrow raise, she explained, “You see, I believe Ember here can persuade you to quit your job by the end of the day.”
I gulped. That was actually a pretty tall feat. Normally, I had a week to work on someone. I tilted my head back and stared at the ceiling, reviewing everything I had noticed about him so far.
He was chuckling as Ally confirmed, “Can you do that, Ember?”
I held a hand up and kept thinking. Something. Darn it, there had to be something.
“I’m sorry Miss, but there’s no way she can do that. I’m not going to take that bet. It just wouldn’t be right,” he offered honestly.
Bingo!
“Yep, I can do it.” I leaned my head back down and stared at him.
He looked incredulous. I almost laughed.
Wait until the end of the night. “But, if I do, you’re going to spend the remainder of your stay here helping Ally with dinner.
Even if she doesn’t want you there, you stay, or you quit for real. ”
“Hey! I didn’t…” Ally complained loudly and I cut her off.
“You wanted this, now you’ve got it. Deal,” I told her. Her mouth snapped shut and she scowled. Oh, yeah. Peter-boy was going to have a blast in the kitchen with her.
“And if I don’t quit by the end of the night?” he asked like he was placating me.
I shrugged. “I’ll leave. No hard feelings, just done and gone.” I tried to ignore Ally’s brief look of worry at what I had wagered. Like I said, she started this. She should have better confidence in me.
“Deal,” he stated immediately, sounding eager for me to be gone. He sure didn’t like me much.
I nodded. “Deal.” Wager struck.
“No one says anything to anyone else. This wager stays between the four of us. If anyone of us mentions it to anyone outside the occupants inside this room right now, the wagers null and void,” I said officially. Then added, “And when I win you can’t be too mad at me.”
***
The game officially began when the crew walked in an hour later, but I had started with my weak act right after our agreement. I had watched Peter closely to make sure I was accurate with my assessment.
I was.
He had held out chairs for Ally and Chloe to sit in.
Gotten drinks for them first. He even let Ally have the last of the cobbler remains for last night’s desserts when I had clearly heard his tummy rumble.
His exterior may be rough--and yes, he was a suspicious man--but that was all driven from circumstances I was pretty sure I had pegged down.
Events occurred throughout the evening that I took advantage of easily.
The crew were busy talking with their staff – Peter and Chloe were the computer techs and Bas was their weapons specialists, and they all had jobs that were going to be required of them during this assignment with Sensations.
Really, if I would have picked a time to do this, it would have been today when Brent and Cole were so focused on their work and others. It couldn’t have worked out better.
There was the time when I started babbling – not too badly – to Zane when I had “accidently” dropped my glass.
They had all been standing around the table looking at floor plans and Brent and Cole had been leading the discussion.
Zane had been utterly zoned out and trying to speak to Stash while I talked to him, staring at the plans and Brent had slapped a hand over my mouth and giving me a gentle shove toward the kitchen.
Peter didn’t know about our past, or my constant rambling, so the act looked rude and even a little cruel. Especially, when Brent turned his back, and I made the shove look a heck of a lot worse. I made sure to keep quiet and defenseless about the action in the end. Point one for me.