Chapter Ten
March
Ben sighed. “Can you get me Lauren’s number¸ please? Evidently she’s forgotten our video chat this morning and needs a little reminder.”
“Of course, Ben. Here it is.”
He jotted down the number that his assistant Kym read off to him, then stared at the notepad for long seconds. The very last thing he wanted to do this morning was place a call to his very volatile and unpredictable photographer out in Big Sur.
That was how he’d been forcing himself to think of her these past couple of months – as strictly his employee and not as the woman he’d once loved to distraction. And most of the time he did a decent job of convincing himself that he and Lauren were definitely a thing of the past. She had quite obviously moved on, treating him as distantly and impersonally as she would the FedEx delivery guy.
But there were other times – far too many for his liking – when he was either morose as he remembered their time together, or teeth-clenching jealous of every single man she flirted with or smiled at – including the very same FedEx guy.
It helped – as Lauren had pointed out during their initial one-on-one – that they saw each other so infrequently. Even when she was in the office during wrap-up and planning sessions, he wasn’t involved in every phase of the production. And he was being kept very busy at the job that was proving to be far more demanding than he’d first believed, too busy to spare a lot of time pining for what was no longer his.
But when she was in town, and they were obliged to interact, it seemed at times that she went out of her way to antagonize him. Lauren argued about almost everything, nearly always had a different idea or approach than the rest of the team, and wound up getting her way at least eighty percent of the time.
After one such grueling session where she’d triumphantly emerged the victor – having bullied, badgered, and cajoled the team into tackling their next story from her perspective – Ben had shook his head in exasperation, watching with mingled annoyance, admiration, and amusement as she’d strutted out of the conference room.
“Jesus, I’d rather cage fight a live tiger than negotiate with her sometimes,” he’d confessed to Karl, the only other team member remaining in the room. “Has she always been so stubborn? Such a - ”
“Pain in the ass?” finished Karl, nodding. “Yep, and from day one. I still remember the very first time Chris and Stefan and I met her. Here she was, this little girl just out of college, not even twenty two years old, and she swaggered through that door like she owned the place. And from the first time she opened her mouth, it was obvious that she was going to be the leader of the group. She might have had the least experience, been the youngest and the only female, but there was no denying she was in charge.”
Ben regarded him curiously. “And none of you minded? I never had the chance to meet Stefan, but I understand he wasn’t anything like George. The producer is unofficially considered the team leader.”
“In most cases,” agreed Karl. “Poor George there couldn’t lead an army of ants no matter how hard he tried. We all know he got this job because of family connections, and Lauren in particular rarely lets him forget that. Stefan was great at his job, but even he recognized that spark in Lauren right away, and he was content to let her boss everyone around.” He gave Ben a reassuring pat on the back. “And before you ask your next question – the answer is yes. Her Majesty also defied Quinn all the time. But then he had the hots for her big time, and let her wrap him around her little finger without even blinking an eye.”
Ben frowned. “Are you trying to tell me they were involved? Quinn’s a hell of a lot older than Lauren. Or was he just harassing her?”
Karl gave a shout of laughter. “Try to imagine anyone actually harassing Lauren – and living to tell the tale. And no, they were definitely not having a thing. Quinn’s almost twenty years older, for a start, and has a longtime girlfriend for another. And while Lauren flirts like crazy, she has a strict hands-off policy once she learns a guy is married or involved. Besides, the very last thing Lauren would do is date anyone who could be considered her superior. She’s not about to let anyone think the reason she’s been so successful is because she boinked her boss. Not that anyone would have the balls to go spreading something like that around.”
“Yeah. I get all that.”
In fact, nearly everything Karl had just told him made a lot of sense, made several missing pieces of the puzzle click into place. It explained perhaps why Lauren kept such a distance between them these days, why she rarely asked him a personal question, or was even alone in the same room with him. And the fact that he was living with Elle would have only added fuel to that fire, would have given Lauren further incentive to keep their relationship strictly on a professional level.
But Ben knew it went beyond all of that, too. The mere fact that she’d adamantly refused to let him even attempt to explain or apologize told him that he’d ruined any chance of ever getting her back. He’d hurt her too deeply, crushed her pride too thoroughly, and Lauren was definitely a woman who could hold a grudge. It was good, therefore, that he’d finally begun to move on with his life, just as she had with her own.
“Is that why Quinn got transferred to another division?” asked Ben. “Did Lauren finally blow the whistle and file a harassment complaint against him?”
“Christ, no,” denied Karl emphatically. “Lauren’s too proud to let someone else fight her battles. She, uh, took care of the problem by dumping a cup of coffee on Quinn’s crotch. She made sure it was extra hot, too, heated it up in the microwave until it was boiling over. You should have heard the fucker scream – it was very emasculating. But he left Lauren alone after that, pretty much let her do whatever the hell she wanted. And he got that promotion because he kissed a lot of asses. None of us were too sad to see him move on.”
Ben had shuddered at the very thought of having scalding hot liquid poured in his lap, and silently vowed never to piss Lauren off to that extent. “I, uh, can’t imagine she dates a lot then, given the extreme measures she uses to ward off unwanted advances.”
Karl grinned. “She draws guys in like a magnet, and flirts more than a whole roomful of Southern belles. But, personally, I think she’s a lot of talk and not much action. At least not around us. For someone who has little to no filter about most everything else, Lauren keeps her private life – correction, her sex life – very private. She’s never once mentioned a boyfriend. Chris and I think she had her heart broken once and that she’s determined never to let that happen again.”
Ben had wondered for days after that conversation if he’d been the one to break her heart, but after considering the indifferent way she treated him nowadays, had decided that she certainly wasn’t pining after him anymore.
He continued to stare at the phone number in front of him, then looked around the small conference table at Chris and George. Since they both lived in New York they always participated in the video chats in person, while Karl and Lauren joined in from their respective homes. Karl had already called in, and was now waiting along with the others for Lauren to connect.
“You want me to call her, Ben?” offered George. “She must have overslept. Probably had a late night and now she’s nursing a nasty hangover.”
Chris looked at George scornfully. “I doubt that. Big Sur isn’t exactly the most happening spot on the map, and as much booze as Lauren can put away I’ve never actually seen her drunk or hungover.”
“Well, whatever her excuse is, she’s late and holding all of us up,” declared Ben impatiently. “So let’s wake Sleeping Beauty, shall we?”
He dialed the number determinedly, drumming his fingers on the table irritably as the phone rang and rang. With each ring he began to grow a little more impatient, become a little angrier, and if that infuriating little minx was in the room right now he’d be sorely tempted to shake her or. Or spank her. Or –
“’Lo?” grumbled a husky, sleepy voice.
It was exactly the way she’d always sounded first thing in the morning, when he had been impatient to have her again and couldn’t wait a minute longer to sink himself deep inside her tight little body. And because it pissed him off to recall just how quickly she’d woken after his first hungry kiss of the day, Ben didn’t even try to couch the sarcasm in his voice.
“Well, good morning to you, too, Lauren,” he drawled in a not so pleasant tone. “I assume your hot date last night distracted you from setting an alarm clock. Or did you just forget the video chat you were supposed to have called in for fifteen minutes ago?”
“Huh?” she mumbled, clearly disoriented. “Who is this anyway? And why are you calling in the middle of the night?”
Ben’s irritation was increasing with each passing second. “This is your boss. Remember me? And the rest of your crew is waiting none too patiently for you to drag your ass out of bed and join us.”
“Ben?” Lauren’s voice was clearer now, but she still sounded confused. “What – no, I didn’t forget. I even set my alarm for eight o’clock so I’d have plenty of time to get ready. What time – Jesus, it’s six-fifteen? What happened to the nine a.m. call we agreed on?”
He closed his eyes, counting to ten. “That would be nine a.m. Eastern time, Your Majesty,” he replied acidly. “If you’re going to insist on having a West coast base, then you need to start adapting your schedule to my time zone. Got it? Now, drag yourself out of bed and connect in to the call.”
He expected her to grumble or cuss or flat out defy him. What he didn’t expect was to hear a throaty chuckle, almost a purr, as she replied teasingly, “Aw, come on, Blue Eyes. You of all people should remember that I’m not a morning person. And you don’t have to be so mean about it. Just give me a few minutes to get dressed and grab some coffee and I’ll call in.”
He grit his teeth, fighting off his mounting irritation, not to mention the growing arousal that her deliberately seductive teasing had triggered. “No. Now. You’ll have to make do without coffee. And nobody gives a crap what you’re wearing. Get your butt on this call now.”
“Fine,” she spat. He could practically see her green eyes spitting like a cat’s as she spoke. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you. Asshole.”
She muttered that last word under her breath, but just loud enough for him to hear. His reply was cut off by the chime that indicated someone else had joined the video chat, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He’d expected Lauren to put up more of a fight, to give him shit for waking her up so early. He remembered how much she hated getting up before sunrise, how she’d always declared no sane person would ever willingly leave their bed at such an ungodly hour of the morning.
But his relief was short-lived as Lauren’s image appeared on screen, and she stared back at him with a smug, defiant expression on her face – and very little clothing on her lush little body.
Ben couldn’t help himself – and from the looks of it, neither could Chris or George – from staring at the tousled-haired, sleepy-eyed woman who positively shrieked wild, dirty sex. All she wore was a tiny black cotton camisole that clung to her full, round breasts like a second skin, displaying a whole lot of cleavage, and a pair of black cotton boy shorts. The shapely length of her legs was bare, as were her small, surprisingly dainty feet, and Ben offered up a silent thanks that Lauren had worn even this much clothing, given her penchant for sleeping in the nude.
“Ah, I think we can, uh, delay for a minute or two while you, er, get dressed,” sputtered Ben, trying desperately not to notice how her nipples were poking against the camisole. Or that Chris and George had noticed, too, and were making no attempt to hide their slacked-jawed fascination.
Lauren seemed to be enjoying herself, too, her behavior irritatingly provocative. She shrugged, causing a spaghetti strap to slip down her shoulder, baring the top half of one breast. George’s eyes bugged out, Chris’s tongue hung out, and Ben’s cock hardened to almost painful proportions.
“Nah.” She waved a hand in dismissal. “I’m fine. Besides, boss, I wouldn’t want to delay your meeting a minute longer and screw up your schedule. Carry on.”
It was the least productive meeting Ben had ever had the misfortune to sit in on. Every time he tried to discuss a subject, all he could see were Lauren’s boobs thrusting out at him from the video screen. Or, when he attempted to divert his gaze, he had to watch George and Chris practically drooling as they kept their own gazes peeled to the screen. Every so often, when Karl spoke from his end in Tennessee, the amusement in his voice was glaringly obvious.
And all the while Lauren continued to sit there, half-naked and cool as a cucumber, not seeming to give a rat’s ass that four men were all leering at her lustfully. She was doing it on purpose, of course, as payback for Ben’s early wake-up call and stern insistence that she join the chat without further delay. And her truly evil method of revenge was working all too well, because instead of discussing important details about the team’s next assignment, all he could think about was pulling that strap further down her arm until one plump breast popped out and then sucking at the erect pink nipple until she was wild with sensation. He wished he could yank her right through the screen into this room and onto his lap, strip her naked and let her ride him until they were both crying out in release. Lauren liked to be on top, controlling things, and he’d been helpless to resist her each time she’d pushed him onto his back and had her wicked way with him.
Just when he was ready to call an abrupt halt to the meeting, figuring that nothing the least bit productive was getting done, Lauren’s image disappeared from the screen for a few moments. When she returned, Ben couldn’t help sighing in relief to see that she had pulled on that ratty old bathrobe she loved so much. With her ripe, tempting body now fully concealed, he was able to concentrate on the meeting and not worry that George and Chris would spy his massive erection.
She was a devil, he thought darkly a short while after the video chat ended, and he was alone in his office. A green-eyed, long-haired devil with a face and body to tempt a saint. And he was constantly tempted, continually provoked, no matter how far away she was or how coolly she treated him.
As the demands of his workday pressed upon him, however, he forced thoughts of Lauren from his mind. Ben considered himself to still be very much in learning curve mode when it came to his job, still unfamiliar with any number of his new responsibilities. He’d known from the moment he had accepted this job that he would be at an immediate disadvantage, and would have to work extra hard to learn the ropes. And that meant spending long hours at the office, taking work home with him at night, and often on the weekends as well.
And even though it had only been a scant three months since he’d left his old job, Ben sorely missed the travel and excitement of exploring new places, of writing his stories, and even hanging around airports to wait for a connection or because of a flight delay. Most days something like that would beat the hell out of reviewing an article that wasn’t his own, or sitting through a planning meeting for a trip he wouldn’t be taking, or, worse, enduring another tiresome session going over finances and budgets with the irritating Nadine.
But he’d made a commitment – both to his new bosses here at the magazine and also in a way to Elle – and he wasn’t inclined to commit professional suicide by bailing on a brand new job this quickly. Or to upset Elle by telling her that this really wasn’t what he wanted for himself.
Elle was already none too pleased with the long hours he worked, and how tired and stressed he was as a result. He’d had to back out of more than a few social engagements as of late, including a dinner just two nights ago with a college friend of Elle’s and her new husband. Elle had been equal parts annoyed and disappointed, and he had even noticed a shimmer of tears in her eyes, which in turn had made him feel like an unfeeling jerk.
“Look, Elle. I’m really sorry,” he’d apologized. “But these reports have to be turned in first thing in the morning, and I’m already going to be working until two or three a.m. to get them done.”
She’d given a little sniffle, her mouth quivering just a bit. “I know how busy you are,” she’d acknowledged. “It’s just that Antonia and Oscar will only be in town for two nights, and they already have plans for tomorrow. And I really wanted you to meet her.”
“I’m sorry,” he had told her again, giving her a quick hug. “This job is really kicking me in the ass right now, though. I’m beginning to think I’ve taken on more than I can handle.”
“What?” Elle had asked in alarm. “Ben, you can’t start thinking that way. You’ve only been on the job a few months, so give it some time. I mean, even with all the hours you work it’s still better than having you traveling so often.”
He’d nodded. “I know. It’s just going to take some getting used to. Everything is so different – so, well, monotonous, I guess.”
The look of alarm on her face was replaced with one of dismay. “Are you trying to say you miss the travel? Miss your old job?” she asked, her voice pitched higher than normal. “That you regret making this move?”
Ben had sighed. “I’m not saying that, Elle. It’s just – different. And it’s going to take some time for me to adjust. Now, stop worrying about it or you’re going to be late meeting your friends.”
“You’re sure you can’t steal away for a little while and join us?” she’d pleaded. “Even for a quick drink?”
“I wish I could,” he’d told her gently. “But every minute is going to count tonight if I want to get caught up.”
Elle had given a little huff. “You always seem to have time to meet your staff for drinks, though. Just last week you were late meeting me for dinner because you were having a drink with Chris and Karl and that awful Lauren.”
It had been the second time that Elle had brought Lauren into the conversation. The first had been the evening they’d had drinks with the team, and Elle had been aghast at Lauren’s bold, forthright manner, how much she’d had to drink, the way she had been dressed, and of course her tattoos.
“But I suppose for someone like her tattoos and piercings are no big deal,” Elle had sniffed. “She’s very crude, isn’t she?”
Ben had shrugged, trying valiantly to maintain a casual, unconcerned air. “She’s a tough lady, no doubt about it. But she needs to be, given her profession and the fact that the rest of her team are all men.”
“Lady?” Elle had been scornful. “There’s nothing the least bit ladylike about her. Even George said so.”
“George is an ass,” Ben had stated flatly. “And he was way out of line with what he said. He’s just lucky Lauren didn’t deck him. She’s quite the martial arts expert from what I’m told.” He hadn’t added that he’d seen her in action, and that her skills were off the charts.
Elle had given a dainty shudder. “Which only serves to prove my point. None of the ladies I know would ever consider practicing martial arts. And she has no filter at all, no manners. Did you see the way she lifted her shirt up to show off that ugly tattoo on her back? Does she really think that men find that sort of thing attractive?”
“Some men do,” Ben had replied neutrally. “And just because she has tattoos doesn’t automatically make her unladylike. Lots of people – men and women – get tattoos these days.”
Elle had grimaced. “Don’t remind me. At least you keep yours covered up most of the time. Have you ever thought about getting it removed?”
“No.” He rarely spoke to Elle in what could be thought of as a stern tone, but he had done so then. “I like my tattoo and have no intention of getting it removed. But I’m well aware of your feelings about it, so I’ve tried my best to cover it up around you.” He also hadn’t bothered to mention that Lauren had been fascinated by his tattoo, had traced her fingers over the intricate design, and even taken photos of it before replacing her fingers with her tongue.
Elle’s indignation had increased at his tone. “You’re probably one of those men you just mentioned who think Lauren’s tattoos are attractive. You probably think she’s attractive.”
“Lauren is a beautiful woman,” he had stated calmly, aware that Elle’s agitation had been slowly mounting. “And despite how much you dislike her personality, I don’t think you can deny that fact.”
Elle had given a careless shrug. “I guess she’s pretty enough, even if she doesn’t bother with her appearance. I suppose she’s the sort of woman you used to date, hmm? Did she look like Lauren?”
Ben’s blood had turned ice cold at that moment, and he’d been terrified that he had betrayed himself with that stupid, offhand remark about Lauren’s beauty. But before he could dream up a reply, he’d been saved by providence – or rather, Elle’s cell phone. And since it had been an incoming call from her father – an occasion that always warranted dropping everything – she had dashed off to talk to him.
He’d given himself a mental kick in the ass after that near miss. It was glaringly apparent that Elle was jealous of Lauren, which shouldn’t have been all that surprising. Since they had become a couple, Elle’s jealousy and insecurity had come rushing to the surface. Despite her own quiet beauty, sophistication, and poise, she wasn’t all that experienced with men or dating or relationships, and thus her tendency to cling and almost smother him a little too often was somewhat understandable. But at times her jealousy could get tiresome and annoying, and Ben had nearly lost his patience with her on a few occasions. He’d assured her time and again that he wasn’t interested in other women, that he’d only smiled at the waitress to thank her and hadn’t been flirting, and that things were good between them.
But he also knew it bothered Elle that he had yet to say the three words she longed to hear – “I love you”. She had said those same words to him soon after they’d slept together for the first time, but had assured him she didn’t expect him to feel the same way. At least not right away.
But as the weeks and months had passed, and he still hadn’t uttered the magic words, Elle’s insecurities had mounted, and it seemed at times that she was unreasonably jealous of nearly every woman he came in contact with, no matter how innocent the association was. So it was little wonder that she was consumed with jealousy over someone like Lauren – a gorgeous, sexy, and sassy woman who was both strong and confident, and didn’t know the meaning of the word insecure.
It would be a disaster if Elle was ever to discover that Lauren was the woman he’d been so deeply in love with. He’d actually thought several times about telling Elle, about finding some way to break the news to her. But then she would glare darkly at a waitress or sales clerk or even a stranger passing by on the street because she was convinced they were smiling at Ben and flirting with him. And then he would have to spend long minutes soothing her, assuring her, until she seemed convinced. Until the next time it happened.
So in the end he’d decided to keep the details of his past relationship with Lauren a carefully guarded secret, knowing how hurt and upset Elle would be to learn the truth. Especially since he didn’t think he could tell her an outright lie by saying he no longer loved Lauren.