The Hunter(24)

I was wearing my treasured silver Louboutin pumps, a tight grey skirt that was a good few inches shorter than I usually wore and I had unbuttoned the first three buttons of my soft pink silk sleeveless top. I had left my long black hair down but I had brushed it until it shone like it was studded with black sapphires and then curled it so that it fell in waves to my breast. I became aware that the eyes of several men, who were in the reception lobby, were firmly fixed on various parts of my body. Game on, Lucas Hunter! I hope I run into you today - I will make sure that you want me as much as my body wants you!



Ten minutes later, I was uploading the photographs from Norman & Wilde off the memory card of Angel’s camera when my office phone rang.



“Hello, Issy Prince speaking,”



“Hello, Ms Prince. My name is Daniel; I’m Lucas Hunter’s assistant. He has asked me to arrange a time for you to meet with him. I understand that you are expecting my call?”



I sat up straighter in my seat. “Um, yes. That’s right. I will just get my diary. Please excuse me for a moment.” I opened my diary, noting with dismay that I only had two appointments in the next two weeks. It shouldn’t be a problem finding a mutually convenient time then, should it?



“Okay, what is Mr Hunter’s availability? I will try to fit him in,” I continued brightly.



“9:30, 11 o’clock or he could do a lunchtime meeting at 12:15,” said Daniel’s slightly bored voice.



“Sorry, what dates are you looking at?” I frowned.



“Today.”



“Oh, he has nothing else in the next few days? I heard my voice say. I fleetingly wondered why I was being difficult. I was free all day today.



“He has only given his availability for today, Miss Prince. In fact, he has completely rearranged his diary to free up those times.”



I got the impression that Daniel did not appreciate him rearranging his diary. I was about to claim that I had no availability today but I remembered his excitement when he talked about renovating the mini Dakota. Why play silly games? I wanted to run into him today, didn’t I? “I can make 12.15,” I capitulated. Daniel informed me that the meeting would take place in Mr Hunter’s office on the 20 floor.



I spent the rest of the morning selecting which photographs I would use for my portfolio and then contacting local printing companies to arrange for quotes and samples. At 12.10, I retouched my make up in the bathroom and then made my way to the elevator. As I ascended, I felt a thrill to be going up to the top floor of the building - I couldn’t wait to see the view over Manhattan.



The elevator doors opened and I stepped out into a huge reception area, tiled entirely in crystal white quartz. I couldn’t help but smile - no wonder Lucas liked my work at Norman & Wilde! I noticed that the name of the company had been etched into the wall next to the huge granite reception desk. Hunter Enterprises Limited. Oh, I could think of a few enterprises that I would be willing to undertake with Lucas Hunter!



I walked towards the reception desk, noticing that there were two men, both dressed entirely in grey, holding a quiet yet earnest conversation behind the desk. As I neared, one of them nudged the other in the ribs with his elbow and then nodded his head subtly in my direction. By the time I had reached the desk, they were both standing with completely impassive expressions on their faces. “Issy Prince to see Lucas Hunter,” I announced with what I hoped was a charming smile.



For a second, there was silence before one of them remembered their professionalism. “Yes, of course Miss Prince. Please take a seat. Mr Hunter will be with you in just a moment.”



I smiled and walked over to a soft grey suede sofa and, as I sat down, I became aware that I was being watched. I looked back at the reception desk. The pair of them were once again huddled together, conversing quietly but now they were both casting frequent furtive glances in my direction. I was well used to receiving attention from the opposite sex but I didn’t think that what I was receiving were admiring glances - I felt that they were judgmental. What was their problem?



I suddenly felt very uncomfortable and made a spur of the moment decision to attempt to change the type way that they were looking at me. I slowly crossed my legs, allowing my short skirt to expose more skin than I usually would. Then, looking through my lashes at them, I licked my lips with the tip of my tongue. Then I tipped up my chin, closed my eyes and ran my fingertips, oh so slowly, down my throat and onto my collarbone. I flicked open my eyes and had to suppress a smile when I found that they were both standing there with their mouths open, practically drooling.