The elevator once again took its time coming. So much for the saying, “clothes make the person.” My short-lived self-confidence morphed into anxiety. I feared the elevator might be broken, never get here….and that at any moment, Jaime might show up. My eyes darted back and forth between the elevator and his room down the hallway. I sighed with relief when the elevator arrived first. I scuttled into it, and blew out another breath of air when the elevator doors closed sans Mr. Zander.
Kevin, dressed in skinny black leather jeans and a tight knit pullover, was waiting for me in the lobby. He gave me a hug. “Morning Glory, you look sensational!”#p#分页标题#e#
“Thanks. Where’s Vivien?”
Kevin rolled his eyes. “Late as usual.”
Damn her! She had no respect for anyone’s time except her own. Ten minutes later, she showed up acting like the queen had arrived. Carrying an unnecessary fur coat over her arm, she was dressed in a tight, low-cut purple mini dress and thigh-high black leather boots with mile-high heels. Her outfit was totally inappropriate for our round of meetings. It screamed: Fuck me! Because she was so late, I couldn’t ask her to change into something more businesslike. The truth, knowing the vixen’s taste in clothes, she likely had nothing more conservative to change into.
She shot me an obsequious smile. “So, how was your dinner with Jaime Zander?”
None of your fucking business. “Very productive.” I kept my voice very businesslike. “I’m looking forward to his pitch.”
“So am I,” chirped Vivien with a smirk. “I’m sure he’ll enjoy seeing me again.”
Inside, I sizzled. There was definitely something going on between the two of them.
Each meeting was more disappointing than the one before. While the agency heads and their teams pitched us with enthusiasm, everything was SOS. Same Old Shit! A gorgeous big-boobed beauty posing in scanty lingerie. It didn’t matter if she was sprawled on a bed or squatting wide-legged on chair. I was looking for something more. Something beyond the obvious that Gloria’s Secret equaled sexiness. I was looking for a story. A story of seduction.
My stomach bunched up with nerves as Nigel drove us downtown to our last meeting with ZAP! While I’d managed to keep Jaime Zander on the back burner for most of the day, I now faced the reality of seeing him again. I reapplied a coat of red lipstick. I needed to stay in control, not let him get to me.
We got there a little before five. Jaime’s gorgeous assistant Ray promptly greeted us in the reception area and offered us waters. I immediately caught sight of the sparks flying back and forth between Ray and Kevin. Ha! I knew Ray was his type! I shot a knowing glance over to Kev. He mouthed the word “hot.” Vivien rolled her eyes. A beaming Ray led us back to the conference room. Already seated at the large conference room table was a geeky twenty-something girl next to whom Ray took a seat. I took in my surroundings. Like the rest of the office, the windowless conference room was warm and creative. There was large flat screen TV on one of the walls and posters of successful ZAP! ad campaigns on the others. Facing me was a large canvas-covered easel. I wondered—was this the pitch?
“Jaime will be here shortly,” announced Ray. My heartbeat sped up at the mention of his name.
On cue, Jaime came flying into the room. I inwardly gasped. He was dressed in a tapered, perfectly tailored black suit, crisp white dress shirt, and a stunning black and blue patterned tie that accentuated his broad shoulders and brought out the blue in his eyes. I’d never seen him in suit before. Holy shit! Today, of all days, he was sexy Mr. Powerful. He took a seat at the head of the table next to me.
His eyes instantly connected with mine, and I could already feel the electricity in the air. I nervously played with my strands of beads.
“Hi, Jaime,” purred Vivien. “Great suit.”
“Thank you,” he replied stiffly.
My blood curdled. What was with them? I was growing more and more convinced that they had some kind of thing going on.
Jaime turned his attention to me and asked me to introduce everyone. He, in turn, introduced Ray, his assistant and protégé, and the funky young woman, Chloe, who was his head copywriter.
“So, Ms. Long, should we get straight into the pitch?”
“That would be good.” My tone was very businesslike despite the fact that I was buzzing all over. Damn him! The smartass knew his suit would affect me.
He flashed a smug smile that was intended only for me. “Excellent.” He rose to his feet and strode over to the easel. My eyes followed him.
“Ladies and gentlemen…” He swept off the canvas. “Gloria’s Secret. Let yourself be carried away.”