“Oh, don’t make any rash decisions because obviously we have no intention of letting you down.” Jack sounded whiny and creepy now.
“Are you saying that you wouldn’t recommend her to prospective employers?” Jon was curious as to how Jack would play this.
“She has left with a very good reference and as you have said she was very good at her job, but I think she wanted a little more than I was able to give as a happily married man, if you know what I mean?”
Steph stared wildly at Jon now. She resembled a goldfish with her mouth opening and closing but no words uttered before Jon used two fingers to lift her chin to leave it in a closed position.
With his other hand still circling and stroking her skin, encouraging her ongoing silence, Jon seemed to hum down the phone line, as if considering his next words.
“I see. Leave it with me Jack and I will speak to a few people here and get back to you. Do we have any of your people here today?” Jon asked innocently.
“Yes, Martin. He really is a most efficient and experienced accountant who was on Miss Pryor’s team,” boasted Jack.
Steph arched a brow while Jon shook his head, not at her but at Jack Baker who it seemed thought he was capable of pulling the wool over his eyes, but moreover he thought he could do it and leave Jon completely in the dark. He replayed Steph’s words that Jack wanted to see ‘how on the ball’ he was. Jack Baker might not realise it yet but Jon was far too on the ball to be taken in by this, or to allow the other man’s treatment of Steph to go unpunished.
“Martin? Oh yes I remember, he was one of Miss Pryor’s team members who was late for her team briefing if memory serves me right.” Jon was unable to resist one little dig making Steph smile at him.
“Erm, I don’t recall, erm . . .”
“As I say, leave it with me, but don’t send me anyone on Friday and I will let you know early next week, but I have to go. Thanks for your time.” Jon sounded impatient when he disconnected the call. “Steve’s right, he is a slimy bastard.”
“Indiscretions? I wanted a little more? From him?” Steph cried with a mixture of annoyance and disbelief.
“Darling, don’t sweat it. I have told you he will get his, but I am just not sure how yet,” said Jon as he stood up and took her with him. “Now, you need to go and meet Rosie and I need to check who has already sent me their quarterly figures. I will get a copy of them for you and Grant will call you to discuss your temporary contract.”
“Okay.”
“See, I knew you’d see things my way,” he said, spanking her bottom lightly before continuing. “Text me when you have a time for Eddie’s.” With a gentle kiss to her lips he saw her out of his office.
Steph was sitting watchingan old black and white movie by mid-afternoon as she ate a packet of chocolate biscuits. She had agreed most of the details of her temporary contract with Grant, received the quarterly figures from Jon and agreed to have dinner with Eddie and Zoe at seven o’clock that night. Jon had confirmed that the time was convenient. Despite her offering him yet another get out, he had declined, in fact, he had insisted on going with her. He had told her to meet him at his and stipulated that she should take her car, as she knew where they were going.
She arrived at Jon’s early and it felt strange to let herself in, but she had only enough time to put her clothes for the evening, the following day and her toiletries in his bedroom and bathroom before Jon appeared behind her as she made her way into the kitchen where she was opening a bottle of water.
“I could get used to coming home and finding you in my kitchen,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her.
“I don’t think your wife would appreciate that.” The words came out curtly and she immediately regretted them. “Sorry,” she said sincerely now as she turned to face him.
“So you say.” He frowned down at her.
“I am really,” she insisted as she stretched up to kiss him.
“How much?” He cocked his head to one side.
“Enough to let you take me to bed.” She began to undo the buttons of the silk blouse she was wearing.
He allowed his lips to curl slightly now. “You’ll let me take you to bed anytime, darling.”
Although she knew it was true she felt slightly embarrassed by his observation, embarrassed and a little ashamed that she really was that easy.
She was still trying to think of something witty or cutting to say when he grabbed her hands to stop her from undoing her blouse further and smiled. “But I believe I offered to removeyour chamois leather blouse for you and I am a man of honour, so . . .” he said as he continued to undo the buttons for her. “You smell fucking amazing.” He nuzzled her ear as he pulled her blouse from her body.
“You’re not too bad yourself.” Steph offered him a huge grin as she pulled his tie off.
“How was your afternoon?” His fingers found the zip of the trousers she was wearing.
“I watched old movies, drank tea and ate biscuits, so pretty bloody good,” she acknowledged as her trousers fell to the ground, pooling around her feet. “Why am I almost naked and you’re virtually fully dressed.”
“Because you look far better naked than I do,” Jon replied, his hands already settling on Steph’s hips that he was using to pull her closer while his lips were heading for hers. “Now, let me take you to bed.”
