Chapter 11
Make it memorable? He certainly succeeded in his mission. My lips were swollen and tingling, the heat in my core was begging for relief. All I wanted to do was close the distance between
us and plunder his lips once again while grinding myself on the very impressive hardness of him. His arousal was evident by the bulge in his pants.
I sat in my seat, panting for breath, watching him shift uncomfortably in his seat trying to
relieve his discomfort. Well, I had no idea I could have such an effect on a man.
Giving up on trying to discretely adjust himself, Bradley stood up and stalked to the bathroom.
“See what you do to me, woman!” he muttered. I couldn’t help but giggle. He didn’t even try to hide how turned on he was as he walked past me. The naughty part of me sent a fleeting. thought through my head. Maybe, just maybe, when Bradley was playing out his game, I would
play a bit of a game of my own. And depending on how well our friendship progressed, I might
be tempted to change the rules I had just laid out.
I mean, after all, isn’t it a woman’s perogative to change her mind?
It was a good fifteen minutes before Bradley found his way back to his seat. I could only
imagine what took him so long. I gave a soft snort of laughter as he passed me. He quickly
bent down and planted a searing kiss on my lips, before backing away with the comment,
“you’re a little minx, aren’t you?”
The Captain’s voice came over the speakers, advising we would be landing shortly. We
buckled our seatbelts as the steward did a quick walk through to make sure everything was
as it should be in preparation of the landing. He disappeared back to his seat just as we began our descent.
“I have a car picking me up, Red. Can I give you a drive to where you need to go?”
“No, that’s okay. The company sent a limo for me. I’m booked into the St. Regis for the night.
I’m meeting with the company lawyers early this afternoon if you would like to meet me there to discuss the partnership.”
“Why don’t I meet you at your hotel at twelve? We can have lunch then meet with your
company lawyers. That will give us both a couple of hours to catch up on a few things at the
office before getting down to contract talks.”
“That would be lovely. Call my cell phone and I’ll meet you in the lobby.” With that settled we
waited patiently for the jet to taxi to the private jet gate. It didn’t take long for us to gather our
belonging and exit the plane.
My driver, who I was well acquainted with, was standing with a sign bearing the name
Graystone Timmediately went to him, and followed him to the vehicle “How are you, Hector?
How is your wife doing?”
“We are both doing well, Ms. Graystone. Connie’s leg has healed well, the cast is off, and she starts physio next week” he responded with a smile. “Who would have though getting out of a hot–air balloon basket could be so dangerous?
I honestly couldn’t help but laugh. Hector’s wife had won a ride in a hot–air balloon. It was something she had always wanted to do, and when she won the ticket she was estatic. She had enjoyed every second of the ride, but getting out of the balloon basket had proved to be
her downfall.
The balloon had landed in a recently plowed farmer’s field. When she stepped onto the ground, her ankle had twisted horribly, causing a spiral fracture in her fibula and tore ligaments. She had be be in a cast for six weeks and was now facing at least that length of time in physio. She claimed the adventure was worth the pain and would do it all over again just for the thrill of the ride. Actually joked that it was how she looked at life as a whole. Connie is a hoot.
“Please let Connie know that next time, I will arrange a ride in a balloon that has a basket with a door so she doesn’t have to climb over it like a monkey. And maybe you should go with her, just to keep her safe.”
Hector threw me a glance in the rearview mirror. “Well, I am sure she would love to take you up on that offer. She has been searching online looking for that very thing.”
“Have her send me the information and I’ll look after the arrangements for her.” Connie and Hector both had my email address. I have known them since I first moved to live with my grandparents. Hector had been their driver, and Connie was their cook. When my grandparents died, and the estate sold, I had used some of the proceeds to purchase a nice home for Hector and Connie in a neighborhood close to their children. Though they had protested at first, they really couldn’t say no. The house had been bought and paid for, and registered in their names.
Hector continued to work as a dirver for Graystone International and Connie works in the company on–site daycare as the senior nutritionist. They had settled into their new duties well over the past year. I was happy to see them thriving.
“Hector, can you pick me up at the hotel at one–thirty? Myself and a new business partner will be meeting with the company lawyers at two this afternoon. The meeting will last for about an hour and a half, but I will text you if it ends sooner or goes longer than expected. I don’t have
I
anything else planned for the rest of the day. Tomorrow though, I do have to go to the office from nine until two, then on to the airport after that.”
2/4
Chapter 11
O
“Certainly, Ms. Graystone. I’ll make sure to get you to where you need to go.” He assured me.
“Hector, how many times have I asked you to call me Anna? You’ve known me for sixteen years, for heavens sake.” I chided him for his formality.
He simply smiled in response. Ever since I inherited the companies last year, Hector addressed me as Ms. Graystone. I know it was ingrained in his nature to show respect to his employers, but come on. I practically grew up with his kids.
Knowing I was fighting a losing battle I let the subject drop. We had arrived at the hotel anyway. He parked out front, and exited the vehicle to get my overnight bag from the trunk. I grabbed my purse and briefcase, then took the bag from Hector. “I’ll see you back here at one–thirty.” Then I entered the hotel lobby and checked in.
A bellhop carried my overnight bag and briefcase to my room, where I tipped him generously for his assistance. I settled in, then set up my laptop. I used my encrypted email account as ! was contacting Johathan Proctor, the head of accounting for Fredericks Design Co. He had been there from the beginning, and his loyalty was first to my mother, then to me, exclusively.
The man absolutely hated my father, Fiona, and Adam, and they hated him. He had come to me a number of times over the last four years letting me know of various schemes those three tried to pull in order to scam money from the company. So far, their schemes had been unsuccessful thanks to Johathan sweat, a nit couldn’t get past his eagle eye, let alone at
clumsy attempt to scam the company.
Lemailed Jonathan letting him know that I was taking his professional advice and moving my personal funds to a different account, and that I would have the new account information for him on Monday. I also let him know there were going to be some very heavy expenditures showing up on the company credit card. I gave him the company names and amounts so hel wouldn’t freak out when he saw them. His response was a row line of question marks, then
an ‘I’ll call you on your encrypted phone this weekend.”
We both know that anything important has to be discussed outside the office, and listening ears. It wasn’t unusual for me to rent a car, meet him at some out of the way location, then go on a long drive while we discussed issues affecting the company. It felt all very ‘cloak and
dagger, but very necessary. Now more than ever.
was going to tell Jonathan my plans. I know he will be more than happy to leave Fredericks Design Co and join Graystone Design and Construction. Especially since I will guarantee hist full retirement funding being transferred from Fredericks Design Co., and a hefty increase in Salary Those I want at Graystone will find it very lucrative for them to make the move.
My mind immediately few back to Bradley Gray I want him at Graystone. Being able to work.
1/4
with him, partner with him. I was excited at the prospect. Especially the partner part of it. In more ways then one
