Fortunately, Rick put me at ease with his casual manner, and soon left me to figure out how everything worked. I familiarised myself with his schedule, the mail system and the computers. Eventually I was able to distract myself from the memory of kissing him and concentrate on my work.
He asked me to order lunch and I took care of it, hoping he liked chinese food. I went to retreat to my office, but he stopped me, pointing to the comfortable couches. We sat opposite each other, and talked while we ate. I learned a little more about his work, and he asked me questions about myself. He took his shoes off to relax for a while.
“I have to confess,” he said suddenly, during a quite unrelated conversation. “I’ve been thinking about you since Friday night.”
I paused, chopsticks halfway to my mouth. “Oh?” I said noncommittally, wondering if he’d thought of me in the exact way I’d thought of him that night.
“Mmhmm.”
My face was growing heated. I wished I could keep from blushing every time he looked at me sideways. But his words excited me. And I went right back to imagining his kiss. His soft lips, his strong arms.
“Well,” I ventured, “I had a really nice time.”
“I wonder if you’d like to come over sometime, and see my place.”
My heart beat a little faster. “Of course. I’ll have to get used to it, if I’m going to pick up your laundry and water your plants.” I joked, silently wondering what his bedroom was like.
“What are you doing after work?”
“Nothing. But let me go home and get changed first.” I wanted to look nice - like myself, not dressed in boring office-wear. Plus, I wanted to wear my sexiest lingerie.
“Deal. I’ll send a car for you.”
I decided to go with that. After all I was officially working for him now. And at least now I was relatively sure he wasn’t a serial killer.
The rest of the work day was uneventful, and Rick was out in meetings. But at 5:30 I got a text message from an unknown number. Jess. New phone. The last one had an accident. Go home, get ready. Pick you up at 7:30. R
I had a smile on my face for the ride home, even though I’d taken the bus and I usually hated it. I felt like a schoolgirl with a crush, excited in a way I hadn’t experienced in years. I spent some time babbling on the phone to James, mostly thanking him profusely, and being prodded for details. Then I showered, made myself a coffee, and took my time getting ready, trying to steady my burgeoning nerves.
I wore a red dress, and this time I had taken James’ advice and chosen one that would hug my curves. I’d remembered every word Rick had said to me about finding me attractive, and I wanted to please him. So, I decided to flaunt what I had. Under the dress I wore my favourite black bra and panties, with a garter belt holding up seamed stockings. My hair I let flow free, curling into soft waves.
After a quiet ride, the driver showed me up to Rick’s apartment and I rang the doorbell. In forty seconds(I counted), Rick opened the door. He was wearing jeans again, with a tight white t-shirt. My eyes wandered, taking in the way the shirt clung slightly to his body, showing off his well-defined chest.
Wordlessly he swung the door open to admit me.
The apartment was on the top floor, and huge. Obviously, Rick was a fan of a city view. It was beautiful. I walked through his living room, over to the window, to take a look.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, turning to face Rick.
He grinned, joining me, and we stood looking out for a minute.
“Do you want me to cook dinner?” I asked, smiling sideways at him. “Because that could get complicated.”
Rick laughed quietly. “Not this time. I thought I’d make something, actually. I have it all planned out. You can help, though, since you’re so enthusiastic.” He went to the kitchen, pulled wine from the fridge and poured two glasses. “We’re having pasta for dinner,” he said, “because that’s what I know how to cook.”
I giggled. “Fair enough.”
We stood in the kitchen and drank and talked; then he gave me a tour. I especially liked his bathroom and its corner hot-tub. There was a home-theatre room with a huge screen and big reclining chairs. I’d never seen anything like it.
“Have I mentioned,” he asked suddenly, “that you look amazing?”
We stood in the doorway of a room with a billiards table and a bar. I looked up at him, standing close beside me. “No,” I said with a smile.
“Well, you do. Lovely and soft, with curves in all the right places.” He raised a hand, and I breathed in sharply in surprise as he brushed a lock of hair from in front of my face. As he let it fall, I reached out and grabbed his hand. I pulled him closer.