Josh Cooper worked for a highly lucrative and successful banking and investment company in the US Steel building in the city’s downtown area. He was the assistant to the Compliance Officer of the company and had been with the company for a few months now.
The company was in dire straits when he joined. Apparently, there had been allegations of misconduct committed by a few of the execs in the company that dealt with some risky financial investments. It was Josh’s job to make sure that the allegations were just that and that no criminal misconduct was occurring. The company needed to come from this without an SEC investigation, or, if there was one, to make sure they had their ducks in a row. Just having the allegations of misconduct alone could be grounds for the company’s demise.
He started his investigation by getting familiar with the clients before he delved into the investments. The representative that the execs gave him to work with was Paula Davenport. Paula was a driven, successful Assistant Controller and worked directly with the CFO. Paula was all attitude in the office and had the beauty to back it up. She had the confidence of a Black Widow spider, knowing she had serious venom that would take down any man… or woman for that matter.
She was tall, with legs for days, and put those said legs on display every day she was able. She had long wavy brown hair that she wore in a bun most days and stayed in expensive suits. Her lips were pouty, and she had these green eyes that could turn you to stone if you looked too long.
She also had a thing for Josh. Josh knew the instant that they were introduced that she wanted him. She made no qualms about it either, which bothered Josh some. He was there to do his job, not have an office fling.
If things were different, he admitted, he definitely would have fucked her by now, but he had a job to do, and he was dedicated in doing it. No distractions, he told himself, but that all went out of the window the moment he took in Summer. He shifted the crotch of his pants under his desk and shook his head. Just the thought of her had him wanting her.
This shit is unreal.
Josh had been looking through numerous spreadsheets and documents with the help of Paula in his office for hours now. His office was average in size with a dark wooden desk facing the door to his office, a window bringing in natural light, a few cabinets and a table to his right with four chairs around it. Paintings and pictures covered the walls around the room, and synthetic plants decorated the space, bringing a small inviting setting to the office.
Paula was sitting at the glass table across from his desk with her head also buried in her laptop. She crossed her legs, revealing a toned bronzed thigh to Josh. Josh tried to not show he was paying attention, but the woman’s short skirt seemed shorter than normal. He did have to admit, her legs were phenomenal.
“Okay, Josh, I get it,” Paula told him. “But do you have any idea how many clients we have, how much we have invested? It isn’t uncommon for us to get a taste of a good investment and invest ourselves.”
Josh looked up and met her eyes.
“I know that. Just see if something jumps out at you; anything that seems a bit odd for this company to invest in. Pay close attention to the dollar amount, as well as the company. You’ve been here for years, and you know the owner of this company well. You know the company’s characteristics when it comes to investing, so something that’s out of character should jump out at you.”
Paula watched as Josh talked to her. His lips looked so kissable. She couldn’t help but wonder how soft they would feel along her neck. She was determined to find out if it killed her. She never purposefully pursued anyone from work, but with Josh, she would make an exception.
“No problem, Josh. I understand. I’ll keep looking and let you know what I find.”
Josh smiled. “That’s all I ask.”
They went back to work and as nonchalant as she could, she asked, “So Josh, are you going to the company dinner?”
Not taking his eyes off the computer, he said, “You mean, the one next Friday?”
“Yes. It’s on Mt. Washington at Maria’s. Have you been on Grandview Avenue since you’ve been here?”
“No, I can’t say that I have,” he replied, finally looking up at her.
She smiled brightly, thinking of the plan to finally get him alone outside of work.
“Well then, that just won’t do. Maybe I can take you out and show you what this city truly has to offer.”
Josh knew a setup when he heard one. He knew her perusal of him wouldn’t go away unless he told her implicitly he wasn’t interested, and since he hadn’t, Paula thought he was fair game.
Josh smiled. “Well, if and when I can figure out what’s going on with this company, maybe I’ll take you up on your offer.”
Kenya
“Hey, Summer, are you working tomorrow night?” Joy, my friend and fellow co–worker, yelled to me.
I was piling my drinks on my serving tray on the side of the bar. I’ve mentioned that I have two and a half jobs. Sara’s is my half job, and honestly, I don’t make that much money there, nor do I spend a lot of time there. It’s just the love of baking. The two jobs I work consistently were my moneymakers; one being Finn’s Bar and Grill. I work at Finn’s on East Carson as a waitress. Finn’s was a very popular neighborhood restaurant that had been here since the mid–90s. The place had laminate hardwood floors, wooden round tables and chairs that were strewn all over the area. There were booths along the walls of the place, a huge jukebox and a large bar that spanned the length of the building. The décor put you in the mindset of pirates and sailing at sea with the many pictures of old ships and nets hanging from the walls. Fake round ship windows hung along the walls of the bar and most of the tables were shaped like the steering wheel of a ship.
The atmosphere, I loved tremendously. It was always packed with a huge diverse crowd who loved to drink, laugh, smoke and most of all they loved to tip; well, most of them did. The jukebox was always playing, and the crowd was always entertaining. When I wasn’t here at Finn’s, I was at my other money making job, waitressing or being a hostess at one of the pristine restaurants, LeMont, on Mt. Washington.
The next night, which was a Friday, was typically my day off from both jobs, but I knew Joy already knew that. Joy Maize worked with me at both places and had become a really good friend of mine. I met her while apartment hunting two years ago at the current building I’m living in. At the time, she lived across the hall from me, and I swear we hit it off instantly.
She was my saving grace sometimes when I just wanted to forget it all and go home. Joy was around five feet, five inches tall with black shoulder length hair, fair skin and brown eyes. She had a slight curve to her body, but she was solid muscle with a body that any girl would die for. She worked out all the time, and in her spare time taught self–defense classes. When I told her a little bit of what I was running away from, she never judged me. Instead, she made sure I would never, ever repeat my past.
I waited for her to fill my bar order. She was working the bar tonight instead of waitressing, and we were busy as always.
“You know I’m not working tomorrow. Why are you asking?”
She smiled and looked at me pleadingly. “Brian finally asked me out yesterday, but I have to work at LeMont.”
“And?” I said to her, in response.
“And Friday night is the only time he’s free for a few days. Sooo… I need you to work for me.” When I started to shake my head, she begged. “Come on, please, hon? You know I’ve been waiting for him to ask me out for like ever.”
Brian was a guy she met at the gym she belongs to and drags me to most days. I have to say, Brian was handsome in a muscle bound kind of way. He was very tall and muscular, like everywhere. I think Joy said he used to body build for a while, but now he’s a trainer at the gym, as well as a personal trainer for some of the city athletes.
I pouted. “I know you have, but it’s like my only full day off this week.”
I knew I was going to work for her, but I just wanted to play with her a little.
Joy leaned into me so she could talk over the music. “I know, and I promise to make it up to you. I can switch with you anytime next week to give you a break. Please help me out?”
“Can you stop begging and get back to work?” Milo Anderson, our boss, barked at us.
Joy rolled her eyes and went back to the other side of the bar to take more orders. I gave it thirty minutes before I put her out of her misery.
When I walked past her and whispered, “Yes,” she squealed and hugged me tight. I really didn’t mind doing the extra days. As a matter of fact, I really needed the extra money. I mean, tips were good here at the bar, but working at LeMont for private parties was sometimes better.
LeMont was the only five–diamond ranked restaurant in the Pittsburgh area, and they prided themselves on impeccable service, especially since I worked there. The food was amazing, of course, with a wide variety to choose from. The restaurant was nestled on top of Mt. Washington and gave you a beautiful view of downtown Pittsburgh. There are a variety of restaurants along what is called Restaurant Row, but in my opinion, LeMont was the best. Again, I am kind of bias.