“I’m going to ban personal items,” he said.
“Why? Personal items are great. They allow people to bring their family to work. I bet if you took their personal items away, they’d work slowly.” She turned the vacuum on and started buzzing around the office. When they were finished, Lana took the duster away from him. “Maybe you’re in the wrong profession,” she said.
“I’ve watched the best.”
She smiled at him enjoying his compliment.
“Right, why don’t you put this away and meet me down at the parking lot?” Kent turned to her, cupped her cheek and leaned down. The air whooshed out of her at his nearness. “And you better be there within ten minutes. If you don’t I’ll take you over my knee and give you what for.”
Her mouth opened in shock. “Are you threatening to spank me?”
“You bet I am. Are you going to tell the press? I can see the headline now, notorious billionaire threatens to spank his cleaner,” he said.
“One, I wouldn’t go to the press. Why would I? And second, you’re a billionaire now?” she asked, smiling. She tapped his chest then moved toward the elevator.
“Why wouldn’t you go to the press?”
“I’m not that kind of person. You don’t mean what you say, and I don’t like causing fuss. The press turn everything around anyway. I like your billionaire comment though. Maybe I should ask for a raise,” she said.
The doors to the elevators closed.
Should I go with him?
Indecision struck her as she looked at her bland features in the reflection of the steel of the elevator doors. There was nothing stopping her and Kent from being friends. He was fun to be around and playful at times.
Lana enjoyed his company, and watching him clean had been a pleasure.
Placing the cleaning trolley away, Lana headed toward the parking lot. Kent waited for her. She was aware of the security guard giving her the once-over. Lana knew what he was thinking and didn’t care.
****
Kent watched as she got in beside him. He wanted to fasten her seatbelt to have any excuse to touch her. Settling for watching her, he waited for the guard to open the security barricade. He gave the guard a wave and then was on the main road heading toward her house.
“I thought I’d have to come and get you,” he said.
“Not tonight. Your offer of food is far too tempting. Besides, you’re not a rapist or murderer, and that’s points in your favour.” She joked with him.
“Finally the lady starts to relax.”
“Actually, I’m far too tired to argue with you. Help and food were too irresistible to turn down.”
He chuckled, loving the banter with her. Kent couldn’t remember a time when he’d spoken with a woman about anything meaningful. There were his friends’ wives, but other than that, there was no one else he talked to of the opposite sex.
Lana was by far more refreshing just from her conversation. They pulled up outside her house. “I want you to go in and buzz me up. How do you feel about Chinese?” he asked.
“I’d love some. There’s a great Chinese place a few blocks from here.” She got out and went inside. Tonight she didn’t look back to give him a wave. Heading in the direction she pointed, he drove until he found the Chinese place.
After ordering half the menu, Kent waited a good half an hour for his order. The box that came out made him feel good. The box was loaded with several different dishes. He bid them goodnight before making his way back to Lana’s house. The food made his stomach rumble. He couldn’t wait to get inside her apartment.
Parking the car in the available parking lot around the back, he grabbed the food before heading back to the main door.
He buzzed the bell waiting for her to respond.
“It’s open,” she said. “I’m on the third floor, fourth door from the stairs.”
Opening the door, he walked up the stairs. She was stood waiting for him with her arms folded. The apartment was nice but small.
“Hi,” she said. He was struck by her. In the time it had taken for him to get the food, Lana had showered and changed into something far more comfortable and seductive. The jeans and black t-shirt moulded to her body like a second skin.
“Hi,” he said, averting his gaze.
“You’ve ordered enough food to feed the entire apartment block.”
“I didn’t know what you liked. I bought enough for both of us.” Her stomach growled at him. “And I think it’s time for us both to eat.”
She invited him in.
He noticed how clean her apartment was before he noticed the few pictures on the wall. There was nothing personal. The artwork showed someone lived in the apartment but not who that person was.