Tell Me Something (The "Something" Series Book 1) (19 page)

“You are very soft and I like this look on you, very hot.”

To that he simply raised that sexy brow of his. “Soooo…” he hedged, closing the door.

Removing my shoes, I proceeded to undress in front of him, hanging up my suit and walking into the bathroom in my bra and panties to wash my face. He leaned against the doorframe, watching me. I was becoming more comfortable and kind of liked that we could share these personal moments.

“Sooooo what?” I pretended ignorance.

“So, are you going to tell me what’s going on? You and Sasha together in the office tonight?”

I turned and smiled slyly. “I could, but I’d rather let it play out, let it be a surprise. Do you mind?”

“Does it have something to do with today’s meeting with Catherine? I take it she is going to do the shoot.”

I crossed over and put my arms around him, enjoying the feel of his warmth. “It does, and yes, she is. In the next couple of weeks, actually. But the part with Sasha, I would prefer for it to come up through the chain at the appropriate time.”

He ran his hands down, settling them on my hips, and leaned back so that he could kiss my forehead. “And what if I wanted to know now?” he tested.

“I would tell you. I don’t want any secrets between us, but this is business, and I’d like for it to come from Sasha to Brian and up to you, like it would if you weren’t standing here stroking my back right now.”

He gave me a kiss then, and I melted. “I will let it be a surprise, then, my sweet Haylee,” he murmured, nuzzling my ear.

It made me happy that he trusted me.

“Let’s go to bed,” I purred, turning out the lights and taking his hand.

***

If Sasha was nervous, she didn’t show it as we headed up to Catherine’s office.

Catherine was warm in greeting Sasha, but I could tell that her guard was up. Toward me, I had never seen it. I made the introductions, and Catherine gave some background as to what she was looking for.

“I thought about it, and I decided we are going to do a chronicle from boy-meets-girl to dating to engagement to wedding to honeymoon. So we’ll start with meeting at a party, then perhaps a date scene then out to a fancy dinner in the Givenchy gown where the boyfriend pops the question. Next would be the bridal shower, and on to the wedding dress, which will be the centerpiece. I was thinking we’d do the wedding night with vintage lingerie. Do you have any, Haylee?”

“Uh, no. I sure don’t.”

“Well, I have a perfect Dior set that I think would photograph wonderfully on you. Not to worry, it covers more than a bikini. Then for the honeymoon, we feature the Pucci and do a green screen, so that we can have you on the beach or something.”

“I think that all sounds amazing.” I meant it, and Sasha echoed the sentiment.

“So what do you have for me, Sasha, as far as jewelry?” Catherine asked.

I had to hand it to her. Fifteen minutes later I was sold on all of it, and I could tell that Catherine was impressed. “You put this all together in the last twenty-four hours?” she queried, looking at the pictures.

Sasha nodded. “Yes. With Haylee’s help, I did.”

“It’s impressive. So from here I take it you need to talk to your client. You can let them know they’ll get full credit. Pricing, if they want it listed. I might suggest you give them some leeway in choosing the jewelry they wish to push, but tell them that I’m set on the pale pink diamond pendant necklace for the wedding gown. That, girls, was a great choice, and I have the perfect shoes in mind to complete the look.”

We both nodded, and she folded up the book.

“I’d like to meet with your client no later than Tuesday next week when I’m back in town, if possible,” Catherine said looking at Sasha.

Considering any client would jump at this opportunity, Sasha assured her that she would be in touch the next day with the details.

“So, Sasha. Haylee and I were going to make our way downstairs for happy hour. I’m newly divorced, and she is kind enough to reintroduce me to the single scene. Would you like to join us?”

Sasha smiled. “I’d love to. If you could excuse me for a moment, I’m going to call my boss and let him know about this. Then I’d like to call my client.”

“Of course. There is a conference room right out my door to the right. Please feel free to take as long as you would like. Haylee and I can discuss more about the scenes and a few other details.”

Sasha smiled, mouthed thank you to me, and quickly went into the conference room.

“You’re beaming like you won something,” Catherine remarked.

“I feel like we did. She worked hard on this, and it was important that you saw that instead of merely doing me a favor.”

“I can respect that, especially now having met her. Will you be comfortable doing the lingerie?”

“I think so. I mean, I’ve done bikinis, and Bart is amazing at making me feel relaxed. Is Will going to be the model?”

She smiled. “If he’s as great as you say, I think so. We are meeting on Monday. Also, Bart did get back to me. How does December twenty-third work for you? Sorry it’s so close to the holidays, but he’s coming into town to see family, so he’d like to combine the trip.”

“That’s not a problem. I’ll check with Mr. Singer and confirm, but he’s always said he’d be flexible when it comes to modeling.”

“Honey, I meant for your holiday plans, you have some right?”

“Uh, yes, I have a couple options. I’m working that week either way though.” Shit I hadn’t even thought of Christmas plans yet.

She sighed. “Well if you need me to talk to Josh about getting a day off, let me know, and I’ll have a chat with him.”

I tried not to think of the irony of her thinking she’d have more pull than I would.

***

It was obvious by the time we made it downstairs that I was not going to be the one who could show Catherine what the single life was like in New York City. Not only did I not know the city, but I also wasn’t familiar with how business professionals did happy hour.

Sasha, thankfully, was more than willing to take the lead. And Catherine and I were happy to be her pupils for the evening.

“Okay, first rule, ladies: never go to the bar right next to your work. Because guess who you will see there? Work people.”

Huh, well that made sense.

“Secondly, go to a bar that is next to a firm with a lot of successful men because they will simply go downstairs to grab a drink.”

If anyone had self-assurance when it came to men, it was Sasha with her flawless porcelain skin, her pencil skirt, and her white blouse accenting her curves. Her killer stilettos appeared to be the icing on the cake. I had a feeling I could learn a lot from her when it came to self-confidence.

When we entered the bar, I noticed right away the ratio of men to women was indeed in our favor. The décor was modern with funky light fixtures, chrome tables and a huge bar with colorful liquor bottles behind it. Mirrors were everywhere and although we stayed downstairs, it looked like there was an upper level. It was happy hour central with suits and ties everywhere.

Sasha smiled at the bartender and held up three fingers.

He obviously knew exactly what she wanted since he nodded and then pointed over to a high-top table with two stools. Within a minute, another stool was brought around and three martinis delivered.

“Wow, that’s some service. You come here a lot?” I asked, impressed.

Sasha smiled and then shrugged. “Enough, although I haven’t been out in a while. I like to bring my single female clients here as there is a big law firm upstairs. Lots of men.”

Sasha nudged me under the table when I tried looking around. “Third rule of Operation Trolling for Hot Guys: we don’t look around. We are here for these amazing blackberry martinis and to talk to one another. We don’t give a shit about who is around us or how cute the men are. Let them come to you, ladies.”

The rules made me giggle. We made small talk, and I realized that Sasha was actually quite funny when she was comfortable around people. By the end of the evening, I’d had a great time in the company of two dynamic, successful women, and Sasha had given her phone number to a hot attorney.

***

It was late by the time I got home and sank into my bed. I lay there waiting for Josh, hoping he’d come by. Finally frustrated, I picked up my phone and texted him.

“Had three drinks and miss you. I am home now in my lonely bed.”

Fifteen minutes later my door opened. I sat up, watching him crawl into my bed.

“Lonely bed, huh?” he queried, tucking my hair behind my ear.

I stroked his bare chest. “Very lonely.”

Reaching down, I cupped his thick erection in my hand and marveled at how soft his skin was while he could be so hard at the same time. He shifted and lifted me up so that I was on top of him and I scooted down and took his hard length in my mouth. I liked it when I could take him by surprise, and his deep guttural groan let me know he was enjoying it. I worked my way up, kissing his chest and teasing his nipples. Hovering over him, I aligned his erection to my wet center and took it one inch at a time.

He took deep breaths with the pleasure. “I— Jesus, Haylee.”

“I definitely like this position,” I hummed, now filled with him. I gasped with pleasure at how deep he was.

The added bonus was the fact that he had access to my most sensitive spots and took full advantage of it. He rubbed my clitoris in slow circles and established a rhythm. As I was about to come, he took control, gripping my ass and thrusting up until we both went over the edge together.

I lay on top of his chest, catching my breath. I loved the way he smelled and felt under me.

“How was happy hour?” he inquired.

“It was good. Sasha definitely has it down, and I think she will be good for Catherine.”

“Hmm. Well, I heard something today from Brian. Seems that Sasha presented to Catherine today an idea for Delayne Diamonds to do the jewelry for this vintage spread Catherine is doing. Do you know anything about that?”

“Surprised?” I asked, kissing his neck.

He gently moved me off and tucked me into his side. “I was surprised, and then I realized I shouldn’t have been. You have a very business-oriented mind, Haylee, but I do have a question.”

“Mm?” I was getting sleepy.

“Did Catherine want Sasha to present, or was that exercise merely to make Sasha think Catherine wasn’t merely doing a favor for you?”

“I think you know the answer. Sasha is proud, and I wanted Catherine to know that Sasha’s diamonds were going to do her shoot justice, that the whole idea wasn’t simply a favor to me.”

“Why did you do this for her?” he questioned quietly.

I was a little uncomfortable with the question. “Technically, it was for Gamble Advertising, but the truth is that I liked her idea during the meeting. She got shot down before anyone actually listened to her, and I didn’t like to see Warren bully her. Then this opportunity, well, it presented itself.”

He brushed my hair back and kissed me. “You are special, Haylee. Not many women would do that for someone else, let alone Sasha Fierce.”

“Huh, that’s her nickname?”

Now it was his turn to look uncomfortable. “Not ever to be repeated, but it’s what Brian calls her sometimes. It’s a compliment, but I don’t think one she’d enjoy knowing he has for her.”

“I think it is fitting, and they should be a couple.”

He sighed. “No matchmaking. Especially in the workplace as it could be disastrous, which I know is totally hypocritical, but I don’t care. By the way, I hope you and Catherine don’t have me as a subject of your conversations.”

That earned him a swat. “Narcissism does not suit you, and no, neither one of us would ever gossip. One, it would make me feel disloyal towards you. And two, I’d feel guilty as hell regarding her since she likes you, and I really like her.”

“Well, it isn’t the ideal for me to have you two be friends for that reason, but at the same time, she’s one of the best people I know in the city.”

“Don’t you have someone you could set her up with?”

That earned me a swat. “No matchmaking, Haylee, especially by me. I want no part of it.”

“All right, no more talk of that. So the shoot is set for the twenty-third of this month. Bart called, and he can do it. I will check with Nigel about the day, but considering David’s surgery is two days after Christmas, they will be in town. He should be able to cover for me at the office.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem. I believe Brian plans on being there at the shoot, so I thought I would be, too, if that’s all right.”

As if I would say no. “Of course it is.” I wanted to warn him not to get weird about the wedding dress, but to hell with it, he would have to deal.

“Who is the male model?” He inquired lightly even though I knew there was nothing light about it.

“Catherine is going to interview a couple of candidates.” I didn’t want to reveal I had offered up Will until my hot Aussie friend had met Catherine and she had decided whether to use him or not.

“So I guess now is as good as time as any to ask you what your plans are for the holidays. Are you traveling?” Josh asked.