So I’d play dirty pool.
As I pulled into the parking lot of her office building, I continued to chuckle about the night before. Her lips were soft and quite tasty, but I did have a goal in mind and as sexy as Vanessa Blair was, she wasn’t wife material.
I’d considered sending a driver to bring her to the office, but had decided what fun would that be? As I pulled to the curb of her office building, I didn’t think I’d find her standing, waiting patiently. She was wearing sunglasses and a pencil skirt, and the soft cotton top left little to be desired. Given the light breeze, the blonde locks in her long copper hair shimmered in the sun as it blew back and forth across her shoulders. It was apparent she had no intention of allowing me back into her office.
As I approached, she lifted her head and her sunglasses at the same time. The disgust was evident by her sour expression. She waited on the curb as I kept the engine idling, the deep rumble catching the attention of everyone coming and going.
Finally, she leaned down and when she did, I lowered the passenger window.
“I thought you were sending a driver. Aren’t you far too busy to be playing chauffeur?”
“For you, playing hooky is worth it.”
“Oh, I’m so flattered.” She opened the door and with the low-riding suspension, I was given ample view of her long, tanned, and luscious legs as she climbed in.
The fact my cock immediately twitched didn’t bode well for the rest of the day. If this continued, I’d need some sense of gratification.
“A Ferrari?” she asked in her saucy way.
“Why not? I like fast cars.”
She snorted, which was the cutest thing. “In red, no less. Who do you think you are, Magnum P.I.?”
“I’ll take that as a compliment, although you are showing your age.” Yes, I’d tossed out the insult. For God’s sake, I was at least ten or twelve years older than she was, but she brought out the worst in me.
“Age trumps arrogance.”
I laughed and immediately pulled away from the curb. “Beauty trumps all, and you have that in spades.”
“Compliments will not win you any favors.”
“Who said I need any?” I casually threw her a look, drawn by the way her skirt had bunched up around her thighs. I shifted in my seat given how uncomfortable I suddenly was.
“Evidently you do. My guess is my firm is your last hope of securing a wife in the timeframe you need. Such a shame a man of your stature is being forced into marriage simply to keep your business afloat.”
How could she possibly know that? “Let’s just say it’s much better for my reputation to be settled down.”
“Nothing could help your reputation, Mr. Elliot. A woman won’t soften you. All she’ll do is bring your insecurities to light. I’m surprised you’re not in one of your signature suits.”
“I didn’t know I had any.”
“Oh, come on. You’re never photographed outside of a finely tailored suit. This is a workday.”
“Maybe I consider this pleasure.”
“Maybe I don’t.”
I squeezed the steering wheel. Today could be a very difficult day. “I do have a private life.”
“Yes, going to lavish parties. If I agree to… working with you, I’ll add to the checklist that your wife will need to be comfortable in posh surroundings.”
She was more of a ballbuster than I’d originally thought. “I’m curious. What are my insecurities?”
“You fear a powerful woman, number one. You worry your masculinity won’t be enough. I assure you the world can see through your masculine bravado.”
Sighing, I rubbed my finger across my lips. Out of the corner of my eye, I could tell she was paying close attention. “Perhaps we can call a truce for today. I honestly believe you’ve developed the wrong impression of me. I hope to change that.”
“My first impressions are always correct, Mr. Elliot.”
