“No!” he exclaimed making her laugh as she replied to Lindsay’s message.
“Yes please, in silver for me,” she said reciting her response out loud.
“I forbid it!” he said making her almost roll with laughter. “God I sound like my dad used to.” He shook his head.
“Why? Did you want silver hot pants?” she asked enjoying his objections.
“Ha bloody ha! Cancel your holiday and we’ll go away together.” His tone and expression confirmed he was serious.
“I can’t! Linds and I do these a couple of times a year, although I would relish the sight of you in little, black Speedos.” She grinned salaciously.
“Oh, darling, you in a bikini or hot pants would not be conducive to me remaining in little, black Speedos and quite possibly I would end up in a foreign jail for indecent exposure.”
“I can’t bear to think of you stranded in a foreign jail while me and my hot pants hit the beach.” She pulled an overexaggerated sad expression.
“You are a bad girl, darling, and for that reason alone there will be no hot pants,” he said still serious despite his smile.
“We’ll see,” she teased and then laughing at his expression darkening said, “Although you won’t see, will you?”
“You are insufferable in this mood, but seriously, would you consider changing your holiday plans for us to go away together? All of us if you want, Charlie and Lindsay, too,” he asked looking concerned about her holiday plans now.
“Jon . . .” She moved across his office to sit on the edge of his desk in front of his chair where he sat now. “I am going on holiday in just over a week, so a bit late to let Lindsay down, but I would love to go away with you, with or without hot pants.” She smiled a smile that quickly turned into screams as he pulled her off his desk and into his lap where he swiped her behind.
“You are going to drive me mad while you’re away and I am going to be a complete bastard to be around, darling.” He movedin to kiss her before the intercom on his desk sounded. “Saved by the bell, Stephanie,” he said as he spoke to Andrea who was letting them know that they were needed back in the conference room.
As they headed backinto the conference room all eyes turned to look at them and as they retook their seats, Jon turned to Mr Newton. “So, are you interested in the deal or can I finish what I had planned for the rest of my day?”
Steph was sure she blushed knowing that she was what he had planned.
“Yes, we are very interested in the deal, but if we could clarify a couple of specifics with Miss Pryor?”
“Of course,” replied Jon waving towards Steph to suggest that they should ask their questions.
Another hour or so had passed before Steph was handing over for Sonia to discuss the direction she anticipated the company moving in once the merger had been completed and Steve had joined them to discuss some legal points with Mr Newton who was representing legal for Montague.
Steph leaned back in her chair and struggled to stifle a yawn to Jon’s amusement and began to regret managing no more than two hours sleep in favour of world rocking, hot make up sex, although she had found it most pleasurable at the time, every time, she let out a sigh that appeared to be more audible than she had imagined it might.
“Are you okay, Miss Pryor?” Jon obviously knew that she was having thoughts of an inappropriate nature.
“I am fine, thank you,” she said, smiling. “In need of a holiday I think.” She grinned across the table at him making him frown which only served to increase her smile.
It was after lunchtime before the meeting closed with signatures and handshakes in all the right places and a hugely relieved looking Sophie. As Sophie was about to leave, Jon called her back and as Steph prepared to leave them together he took her arm and said, “You too, Steph.”
Steph remained where she stood next to Jon while Sophie moved back towards them nervously.
“Sophie, as you may be aware, Steph is off on holiday from a week Monday, but when she returns she has made some suggestions to aid new employees like you and she has also agreed to mentor you,” he announced surprising both women, one more pleasantly than the other.
“Oh, thank you, that’s marvellous. I really am very grateful for this chance, Jonny,” she said infuriating Steph with yet another pet name between them. “And of course you, Steph,” she said, but back tracked slightly when Steph stared at her wide eyed, still struggling with Jonny rather than the informality of the use of her first name. “Miss Pryor, really I am.”
“No problem,” replied Steph. “It was all Mr Brooker’s idea, and Steph is fine, but I should be getting on, I need to call my friend, Jonah.” She offered a sardonic smile.
“Steph,” he called after her, “Tread carefully, darling.”
She strode out silently, refusing to get drawn into this and she really did need to return Jonah’s call and find out exactly what he wanted.
Twenty-Four
Steph was waiting for SuLyn, Martin and Sophie to arrive for their meeting when her phone rang making her smile to see her dad’s picture flashing on the phone screen.
