Rock Hard Love(6)

“I usually don’t do that. I’m not sure what came over me yesterday. I guess I should thank you. If you didn’t put me in this position, Victoria probably would have fired me. So, thank you for delaying the inevitable,” I said trying to sound snarky but I’m not sure it worked.

“Well, now I can have dinner with you. I’ll pick you up at your office at five. We’ve got a lot to discuss,” James said. Great! Now I had to face him in person and I knew what that would do to me. It was already happening. I had to make a concerted effort to stop my mind from wandering where it shouldn’t.

“Is that what this is about? Dinner and dessert? Is this just all some ploy to get me into bed?” I asked, my temper not fully gone just yet.

“No, that’s not all this is about. I honestly think you’ll represent the band well,” James replied. I chose to ignore his subtle implication that this was about getting me into bed and focused on my new job.

“Fine, I guess I don’t have much choice. You’re my client now,” I said in resignation.

“See you at five, little girl,” James said seemingly pleased with himself. I was about to ask him not to call me that, but the phone went dead. I hung up and took a deep breath. It didn’t help much. My panties were likely soaked and my stomach felt as if I was going to throw up. I hadn’t been this flustered since, well ever. I closed my eyes and fought the urge to cry, confused now more than ever. Why did he put me in this situation? How did this happen? Most of all though, I wondered why I couldn’t stop imagining the man looming over me, both of us naked as he made love to me? Why did I find such an uncivilized man so exciting?

I worked, finding it even harder to get into a rhythm today than I did the day before. I was still working on Peter’s stuff when he invited me to lunch so we could talk. I went reluctantly. On top of it all, I felt like I’d stolen a client from him even though it wasn’t my choice. He took me downstairs to the deli on the first floor of our building and we both ordered a chicken salad sandwich and matzo ball soup. Sal, a retired firefighter from New York, ran the deli. It was a dream of his since he was a boy, but he just couldn’t take the New York winters anymore so he wound up here in Southern California.

“I’m sorry Peter,” was all I said as we found a table.

“For what?” he asked as if he honestly had no idea what I was talking about.

“For stealing James and Battery away,” I said and Peter laughed.

“I know you had nothing to do with it. This is just more of Victoria’s games. I’m not sure why James asked for you to represent the band, but I can guess. Victoria sees it as an opportunity to rid herself of you and punish me for some reason. She doesn’t like you very much,” Peter said stating the obvious.

“You think? What is her problem, anyway?” I asked. Peter sighed and he looked sad.

“Samuel Roland was a magnificent man. He loved doing what he did and really cared about his clients and they all loved him back. So did his employees. He spoiled his kids too, especially his eldest daughter. Unfortunately, Victoria took it all for granted. He called her princess and I’m pretty sure she took that literally. She thinks she’s the center of the universe and she is more concerned about being in control than she is about her clients and what they want,” Peter explained.

“That’s too bad. So why does she hate me?” I asked.

“Who knows? You’re pretty, young and smart. Maybe she sees you as some kind of threat,” Peter offered. I didn’t know how I could be a threat, but Victoria didn’t really need a reason. I think she got off on messing with people.

“So why did James ask for me? To get at Victoria? Am I some pawn?” I inquired since Peter seemed to have some secret knowledge.

“I don’t think James would do that. I think he’s got a crush on you,” Peter replied. I blushed and looked away. Even with Peter, I couldn’t get away from James and the way he made me feel.

I’m glad you’re not angry. I know you can’t help me in representing Battery. I’m doomed,” I said, changing the subject.

“Simone, you’ll do fine. This job is as much about taking care of our clients and their egos as it is about negotiating and representing them. You’ve got the right mix of talent to pull it off. You proved yesterday that you’ve got a mean streak when you shut down Victoria. It took all I had not to stand up and applaud. I wish I had more of that in me,” Peter said. I got up, went to Peter and hugged him.

“Thanks, but I’m not sure why I did that,” I told him. I wasn’t about to tell Peter about James and the way he made me feel, but I wasn’t even sure if that’s why I called out Victoria.