- Will -
couldn’t remember the last time I was so excited for a meal, and since I ate at Capulets at least twice a week, I knew it wasn’t the food that had me all worked up. I couldn’t wait to see Ella in a softer light. Maybe she would relax a little around me outside the office. Maybe she would stop acting like I was about to bite her. Not that I didn’t want to, but it bothered me that she seemed to sense it somehow.
Still, how could I not be eager? After wracking my brain, I realized that I’d slept with every single woman that I’d ever brought there. There was just something about the place. It was like all I had to do was wait for them to get wet over dessert, and then just be there at the right time. And I had a good feeling that Ella had never been anywhere like it before. Her face was going to beam from the excitement of just being there and if I was lucky, the dessert spoon wouldn’t be the only thing she felt like licking.
Ugh. I could hardly stand it. Ever since she agreed to accompany me, I’d had to up my workouts to twice a day just to stay calm. Still, even as the sweat rolled down my body, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. She was so sexy and she didn’t even know it. If it didn’t make her such an irresistible challenge it would’ve pissed me off that she was so oblivious to her own charms. But when I was done proving to her how sexy she could be, she would be changed. There would be a swing in her hips after I had her, and I would know it was there because of me.
Most of the time, all I had to do was suggest a woman give herself to me. I didn’t even have to ask politely. Scratch that- even if I did ask- it was never politely. And still, they always said yes. But Ella was different. She was skittish. I could tell by how often I unintentionally made her blush that if I came on too strong she might panic before she realized what a good thing it could be for both of us.
Maybe it was some sort of midlife crisis bullshit, but I wanted her to beg for it. I wanted to hold out until I knew that she would be up for whatever I asked of her. I wanted to build enough suspense that when the time came, she wouldn’t be able to say no to anything. She’d be blinded by lust, paralyzed by desire. Then I could have her any way I wanted her.
Which was the only way I wanted her. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to control myself once I had my chance. So she had to be ready and willing. She had to be open minded before she spread her legs for me. Because restraint wasn’t my strong suit, and I had no intention of practicing it with her.
I jumped when the phone rang. “Emily.”
“Laura’s on the phone for you.”
“What does she want?”
“To talk to you I think, but I could ask her-”
“Don’t be a smartass. It doesn’t suit you.”
“Speaking of smartass, could I have a word when you’re done speaking with her?”
“What about?”
“The new girl.”
I feigned ignorance. “Which new girl?”
“Ella Riley.”
“Is something wrong?”
“Perhaps we could talk about this after you’ve spoken to Laura.”
“Right. Of course. Put her through.” I waited for the beep. “Hello.”
“Hi Will. It’s me.”
“How’s your Dad?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.
“Still hanging in there.”
“And the Corbett Suites on the fourteenth?”
“Just waiting on the reed diffusers.”
“The what?”
“They’re almost done.”
“Good.” I looked at the clock. Why did Emily want to talk about Ella? “What do you want then?”
“I was wondering if you might like to have lunch this afternoon?”
“Can’t.”
“I mean lunch lunch.”
“Not today.”
“Why?”
“I’m swamped.”
“But you’re never too swamped for-”
“Well there’s a first time for everything isn’t there?”
“Is something wrong? You seem cranky?”
I rolled my eyes.
“Have you been working out?”
“Of course I’ve been working out. I’m just cranky because I told you I was busy and you’re still on the phone!”
“Excuse me. Sorry to call and offer you no strings attached sex. I’m so out of line I-”
“You are out of line, and it’s not no strings attached is it? It’s all about the strings with you, and I don’t have time for it right now.”
“Fuck you, Will.”
“No you won’t. Not today.” I hung up the phone and smoothed my tie down. Frank was right. Screwing my ex-wife was only going to end in her fucking me more than she already had. I took a deep breath and picked up the phone.
“Will?”
“Now is a good time.” I hung up and waited for her to knock and enter. “Have a seat, Emily.”
“Thanks.”
“What’s on your mind?”
“I’m concerned about Ella.”
“Why?”
“Well for one thing, she has zero experience even going to elite parties, much less planning them.”
“Everyone has to start somewhere.”
“She didn’t even know what a fondue pot was.”
I squinted at her. “Go on.”
“She interrupted my work day to ask me what it was in one of the pictures.”
I shook my head. “Emily.”
“Yes?”
“Did she really not know what a fondue pot was or was she asking about the one they had at the Blessington Wedding in 2010.”
She looked down at where her hands were clasped in her lap and then looked up. “Well, it was that fondue pot but-”
“I don’t think that’s really fair then, do you?” I put my elbows on my desk. “No one would know that was a fondue pot unless they were there. It had a live swan on top of it for Christ sakes.”
Her mouth formed a straight line.
“Why don’t you like her?”
“I don’t know. I just think she’s too-”
I cocked my head. “Too what?”
“Young, I guess.” She crossed her legs.
I was touched. Emily was jealous. Which was hilarious because I employed her partly because I found her completely resistible, and I didn’t want to be one of those guys who had to train a new secretary five times a year.
“To have all that responsibility,” she added.
“Remember when I hired you?”
“Yes.”
“Remember how no one else would because you’d been at home raising your children for so long that people thought you couldn’t handle a fast paced environment?”
“Yes.”
“And so much responsibility?”
She pushed her glasses up her nose. “I do.”
“Aren’t you glad I gave you a chance to prove yourself?”
“I am very grateful.”
“And if you didn’t step up, you would’ve understood if I let you go, right?”
“I would’ve.”
“This is no different, okay?”
She nodded.
“Okay?”
“Why her though? Of all the inexperienced girls in the city who like to go to parties, why her?”
I chose to ignore her snarky tone. “Are you asking me because you’re genuinely curious about my hiring process?”
She swallowed. “Of course.”
“Ella Riley’s Mother is one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met. She’s the kind of woman that goes the extra mile, takes pride in her work, and is willing to make enormous personal sacrifices in order to excel at her job.”
Emily pursed her thin lips.
“So I decided to give Ella the benefit of the doubt.”
“That makes sense, Will. I’m sorry I questioned you.”
“It’s okay. I appreciate you having my back as always. You know you’re my number one asset so I’m glad you didn’t hesitate to come to me.”
She smiled.
“No matter how ridiculous your concern was.”
Emily looked down at her feet.
“But I know how much work you put into the Christmas Party every year, too. So you have every right to be concerned about whether she’s the right woman for the job.”
“Thank you. That’s all it was.”
“I’m meeting her on Friday to hear her concept for the party. If I feel that she is in any way in over her head or incapable of pulling this off without distracting you from your other responsibilities, I will not hesitate to find a replacement.” I sat up in my chair. “Does that sound fair?”
“It does.”
“Good. You can go.”
She stood up and made her way towards the door.
“And play nice, Emily. It’s your job to make her feel as welcome here as I made you feel.”
“Will do, sir.”
When she closed the door I put my head in my hands. I hoped I wasn’t being an idiot. And more than that, I hoped Ella would impress me. I didn’t want to have to choose between her and a killer party when I wanted both things very badly.