CHAPTER 10
Brett
I was getting restless as the days seemed to drag. I pried everything that I could out of Cherie about her likes and dislikes. I was planning to have a dinner set up for her, even though I’d want her naked and on the bed before anything else. The talks were getting hotter as we discussed what we wanted to do to one another and I was so relieved that I’d be inside of her soon. I was tired of my hand, holding out for my night with her as opposed to my usual behavior. I didn’t want anyone else, at least not for now. There was a chance that we would tank once we met, and I’d be left to start over, though I doubted that. She’d let her walls down some but was keeping what she looked like as a surprise.
I secretly hoped that she would look something like Amy, who was getting more gorgeous by the day. She seemed like she was falling in love with someone and I knew that he was a lucky man. She was changing just a little, her clothes getting sexier while keeping her classic style with an edge. There was the hair cut as well and the anticipation shining in her dark blue eyes and the smile on her face.
I let her go completely, wishing her the best in my heart as I looked ahead to meeting Cherie.
It was the last week before we met at the Sunset Marquis. It was a beautiful hotel, and I reserved a villa for us along with some of the best seafood in the area, since she’d confessed to it being her favorite food. I planned a spread that we could nibble on in between long sessions together on the bed in the room filled with the scent of vanilla and roses that were going to be on the dresser as well as a night stand. I had a small kitchen in the suite so we could reheat if needed, realizing that I was going a long way to woo this woman. I had it all mapped out.
I knew that I was living off adrenaline at the end of the week approached. We were meeting at four on Saturday, and I was already going to be in the room waiting for Cherie. I had the fear that she’d back out at the last minute deep inside even though she sounded as excited as I was when we spoke. I hated the idea of this falling through as well.
I ended up having lunch with Amy in my office as we worked on a report that was due first thing in the morning. She ate sushi as she typed, her hair pulled back from her face as she focused on the words on the MacBook that I’d provided for her. “Why did the client need to change the deadline again?” Amy grumbled as she paused to sip her tea. “We had through next week.” I sensed that she was especially edgy today as I glanced at her, drinking a large gulp of coffee.
“It happens in this business. I’m sure you’re aware of that.” She gave me an irritated look, and I could see her unraveling before my very eyes.
“I know. I’m just out of sorts. I’m sorry,” Amy apologized as she rolled her head around. “It’s a busy week for me.”
“You could work just the one job,” I suggested as I reached for another roll on the tray.
“I’m not wealthy like you,” she replied, sarcastic as always. I heard more in her voice and gazed at her. “I’m sorry. I just should make it on my own, and it requires long hours. Surprises don’t suit me.”
“Don’t I pay you enough?” I asked as she sighed and looked over at me.
“The pay here is amazing. I just have the student loans that I’m attempting to pay off before I die and I am fussy about where I live,” Amy told me with a weary shrug. “It’s my choice. I need to stop whining about it.”
“It’s okay. I’m here to listen,” I assured her as she forced a smile on her face. “There’s that smile. It’s a good one.”
“Am I pretty enough?” Amy asked suddenly as I stared incredulously at her. “I know that I might be a little chubby and have some flaws.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I asked her as she gave me a wide-eyed gaze. “You’re gorgeous. I thought that I made that clear to you. Now, you’re even more beautiful. Why the doubt? Doesn’t your boyfriend tell you nice things?”
“Boyfriend,” I mused aloud as I stared forward. Wait, I was supposed to have one of those. “Of course, he does. He’s great. I’m just a girl, that’s all.” I’d never admit the truth to him. Brett could get any woman that he wanted, and I was certain that they were all beautiful. We kept that part of our lives private and as much as I assumed that he was serious about someone now, I wasn’t sure. He just seemed settled somehow or close, at least.
“Clearly he needs lessons in telling you more.” Brett turned back to his own computer with a supportive smile, and it was back to work.
We had eaten all the sushi before we finished for the night, both groaning that we needed to get to the gym before we walked out of the building. It was home for a few hours and then back to work, cutting deeply into my phone time with Cherie. That used to be my life before she came along, and no woman ever competed. “I’ll see you in the morning. My turn to bring coffee and donuts.” Amy smiled as she walked down the street as I watched her with concern.
“Let me give you a ride. It’s so dark.” I called out as she glanced back. She didn’t live incredibly far, but it wasn’t safe for any women to walk these streets at night.
“I’d love that,” she replied as she followed me to my car, allowing me to open her door for her. I headed down the road and pulled up to the curb to let her out as she smiled her thanks at me. Amy looked tired, and I watched her carefully as she walked to the secured entrance to her complex, wondering if I should walk to her door with her. I felt so protective towards Amy, needing to let that go. She had someone to take care of her.
I sighed and drove home, walking in to take a hot shower and change into shorts before bed. I sat on my bed and looked at the clock before I dialed Cherie’s number. I just wanted to hear her voice but the call went straight to voicemail as I ended the call. I only had three more days before we met but I missed her at work today. I missed her voice, her laugh.
I was tired and climbed under my sheets, needing some rest before the morning. I’d have all night with Cherie soon if not all weekend assuming we hit it off. For now, I had to get through this week with Amy and I was grateful for her help during busy times. She got it, and she knew what to do.
I woke up when the alarm went off, groaning at the abrupt end to a dream about a faceless woman riding me as she screamed my name.
I went for a brief run and showered before dressing for work. I got in the car and listened to the news as I drove, parking with a yawn as I leaned back in my car. It was going to be a long day with more reports, and I vowed to just make it to the weekend when I could work it all off inside of Cherie.
Amy was tired as expected and we both started the morning with strong coffee. She cleaned up the report from last night before sending it off and shifted in her seat before she opened a blank word document. “Here we go with number two.”
I laughed at the reference as she narrowed her eyes at me. “Sorry. It’s funny.”
“You’re a fool.” She grinned. “You need some sleep.”
We ordered lunch in to keep working, and I could see the looks that I got when I went to refresh my cup of coffee. There were rumors about how closely we worked together, but none of the staff knew what was going on in my life. I was sure that they might know that I was a player before but to know that I was talking to a phone sex operator was so much more. The fact that I was planning to meet her since I was falling for her sounded absurd in my head, not to mention saying the words.
Somehow, the rumors about my assistant weren’t so bad.