Mister Moneybags(35)

Dex: You should go to sleep. You need to rest up for tomorrow.



Bianca: What’s tomorrow?



Dex: You’re meeting me at my office. I’ve hired a photographer to take as many photos as your heart desires for the feature. What I originally promised. I’m coming out.





Josephine buzzed into my office. “Mr. Aster has arrived.”

Looking at my watch for the tenth time in as many minutes, I blew out a frustrated breath. Hoping to get a few minutes alone with her, I’d told Bianca that the shoot was scheduled for 9:30, even though Josephine had scheduled the photographer to arrive at 10AM. Mr. Aster was fifteen minutes early, and Ms. George was fifteen minutes late. I was beginning to lose hope that Bianca was even going to show at all.

“Tell him I’ll be with him in a few minutes, Josephine.”

“Yes, Mr. Truitt.”

I twiddled my thumbs at my desk for another ten minutes and then gave in and shot off a text to Bianca. “Since it appears you’re not coming, is there any specific pose you’d like for the article?”

After another five minutes and no response, I begrudgingly went to meet Mr. Aster. He was flanked with a woman at each side.

“Mr. Truitt. Joel Aster. It’s an honor to meet you. I was so excited when I received the phone call from your office yesterday.”

I shook his hand. “Something’s come up, and I’m going to need to get this wrapped up quickly. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. I know you’re a busy man.” He looked to the woman to his left and nodded. “Cheri can get you camera-ready with a little makeup while Breena sets up the lighting.”

After showing them into my office, all three of them sprang into action. Joel and Breena started to rearrange office furniture and set up lights, while Cheri tucked a white paper bib into my collar. “I’m just going to put some moisturizer on you and then some matte foundation,” she said. “You really don’t need any work at all. Your bone structure is amazing, and the camera is going to love it.”

As Cheri went to work, she spent a good deal of time standing in front of me with her tits right at my eye level. It was difficult not to get an eyeful with her low-cut blouse.

“Will your wife be joining us for the shoot?”

“I’m not married.”

She leaned down to blot some shit on my chin and smiled. Taking in her face for the first time, I noticed she was very attractive. A mane of wild, blonde, curly hair framed her petite face. Cheri told me to look down so she could rub crap that wouldn’t reflect light on my eyelids, and I was pretty sure she positioned herself for a grand view down her shirt. While it was tempting, I shut my eyes.

They were still closed after a few minutes as she went to town with powder on my face, so I tried in vain to use the moments to relax. Joel and Breena were making a lot of noise moving things around, so I hadn’t heard Josephine come in until she was standing on the other side of my desk.

“Mr. Truitt. Ms. George has arrived. Shall I show her in?”

I startled poor Cheri, ripping the white paper makeup bib from my face and standing. “I need to speak to her first. Is she in reception?”

“She is.”

My office was in the southeast corner of the thirty-third floor, and it was two long corridors to make my way to reception. There was a transparent glass door that led from the back office area to reception. My heart hammered inside my chest as I turned the corner and caught sight of Bianca sitting on a couch in the waiting area. She was looking down at her phone, so she didn’t see me until I was almost in front of her.

“Bianca. I’m glad you decided to join us.”

She stood. I knew immediately something was wrong from the look in her eyes.

“What happened?”

“My taxi had an accident. Some idiot hit us from behind, and when the crazy driver got out and started to yell at him, the guy backed up and slammed into our car a second time.”

I started to pat her down, unsure of what the hell I expected to find. Holes somewhere, perhaps? “Are you okay?”

She laughed. “I’m fine. But I’m pretty late.”

“Who gives a fuck? You’re sure you’re alright? Does anything hurt?”

“My neck is a little stiff. But it’s nothing. Probably just the jerk from the impact.”

“We should get you to the hospital to get checked out.”

“I’m fine. I’m fine. Really.”

I cupped her face and looked into her eyes. “You’re sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Without thinking, I pulled Bianca against me, wrapping her in my arms tight and inhaled deeply, allowing a fresh breath of calm to finally exhale out. I’d been trying to relax all morning and this…this…is what I needed to make it happen. I kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you’re alright.”