All That She Wants(5)

And then I heard her voice.

“Uh… I’m sorry, Mr. Brooks, but Mr. Zimmerman left just a few minutes ago…”

Whoa.

Definitely not a 50-year-old.

Very young, very pretty-sounding voice. Mellifluous, if that’s not too overwrought a way to describe it. Very slight Southern accent, just around the edges.

Things just got a lot more interesting.

She continued, “I can make an appointment with him if you – ”

She sounded a little befuddled. I decided to take advantage of it.

“Who’s this? What’s your name?” I interrupted, even though I knew exactly what her name was.

There was a slight pause.

“Lily. Lily Ross.”

“And you’re his secretary, Lily?”

“Yes sir.”

That killed me. ‘Yes sir.’ It was the Southern upbringing, had to be. She was probably really young.

How young, exactly? I wondered.

“Ahhh, ‘yes sir,’ I like that,” I chuckled, teasing her a little. Then I used the tone I reserve for women I’ve dated when they’re being naughty and think they’re getting away with it. “Lily, you have his cell number, don’t you?”

The ‘you naughty, naughty girl who needs to be spanked’ tone of voice worked. She sounded even more flustered now.

“Uh… yes, but – ”

“I’m going to need that number, Lily.”

“I’m really sorry, Mr. Brooks, but I can’t give out Mr. Zimmerman’s cell number – ”

“We’re wasting time, Lily. You and I both know Klaus is still in the building. I need his cell before he drives off to whatever frou-frou wine bar he’s going to tonight.”

She sounded as though she liked my dig at her boss, but she still wouldn’t give an inch. “I’m sorry, Mr. Brooks, I can’t.”

Hmmm. Interesting. She had a little backbone to her.

“Discretion. I like that. Then I need you to come down here, Lily. And bring your cell phone.”

“…excuse me?”

“Come on, Lily, daylight’s burning. Stanley will be here to chaperone, and I promise I won’t bite. But I need to talk to Klaus. Immediately.”

“I’m… not sure I’m comfortable – ”

We were wasting time, and I hate wasting time.

I decided to let her have it with both barrels.

“Lily.”

I paused, then said as seductively as I could:

“…please?”

There was a long pause.

I heard her catch her breath.

“…I – I’ll be down in two minutes,” she finally stammered.

“Good,” I smiled, then hung up.





7





I chatted it up with Stanley as I waited. Turns out he was a big Lakers fan and had recently gone to one of their home games. I told him about going to see the Knicks (I didn’t mention the box seats, just that I’d seen them recently at Madison Square Garden) and he kidded me about their dismal track record this season. We traded good-natured barbs back and forth until Lily showed up.

I decided I would let her be the one to initiate contact. She would have to come to me, which was good psychology – she’d already given up a large amount of control just by coming down here to the lobby. I figured I could talk her into anything else I needed… although she’d shown a certain amount of resistance that I found intriguing. Basically, nothing had worked except full-on sex appeal.

That was even better, though.

I love a challenge.

I saw Stanley’s eyes flicker over to the side, and I realized she was right behind me – so I turned around and got a nice surprise.

She was cute – very ‘girl next door.’ I put her at about twenty-two, twenty-three. Short, maybe 5’3” in bare feet. Long, thick, luxurious brown hair – not the best cut, but she probably couldn’t afford to waste the money on a secretary’s salary. Clear, radiant skin, with just a hint of makeup.

Huge brown eyes. I’m a sucker for big, expressive eyes, and hers were absolutely captivating.

She was on the slightly curvy side, which I like. I’ve dated too many runway-model waifs with no breasts or asses whatsoever. Nothing against thin women, but the ultra- stick-figures that filled the New York fashion world these days had lost their appeal for me a long time ago.

She was dressed simply but well. A blouse and skirt that flattered her figure… mmmm.

Damn. I really had spent too many Friday nights locked up alone.

I might have come there that night to fool a random stranger into helping me, but my smile was absolutely genuine as I held out my hand. “You must be Lily.”

She was staring at me, and I figured I knew why. I’m not vain – well, I certainly don’t think I’m vain – but I’d be a fool or falsely modest not to know the effect I have on most women. And I apparently had it on her, too.