Three and a Half Weeks(14)

After our second night together, he dropped by the store unexpectedly while I was working. I just so happened to be waiting on a young male customer who was hitting on me big time. Ian strolled in through the door just in time for the grand finale. That’s when I learned how jealous and possessive he was. I’d been showing the guy possible gifts for his mother: scarves, bracelets, and wallets, I think. The customer, a mid-twentyish, blond athletic type in a tight tee-shirt, jeans, and leather coat had finally selected a sterling bracelet, I believe. That’s when the fun started.

“Would you like it giftwrapped, sir?”

“Absolutely. But before you ring it up, I’d like to make another purchase.”

“Yes?” I asked politely, happy for another commission.

“My girlfriend is just about the same size as you and I’d like to buy her some lingerie. Would you mind trying on a few pieces for me?”

I was stunned by the man’s audacity. “You want me to try on lingerie?”

“Would you, please? I wouldn’t want to misjudge her size—that could get me into all kinds of trouble,” he laughed, flashing a row of straight, white teeth with sharpened incisors. Predator teeth.

I had seen Ian walk in a few seconds before but he’d begun to browse while I finished with the customer. Just his exalted presence in the small shop made me nervous but now that the man was flirting with me—beyond flirting, really—I could feel Ian’s eyes boring into me as he watched the scene unfold. I wondered if he’d take any action or not.

I forced a laugh. “I don’t think that’s possible. Sorry.”

“Oh, come on, be a good sport. You work on commission, don’t you? This sale is going to go over five hundred if you’re a good girl and help sell me the sexy lingerie.”

He was there in a flash, a collage of dark suit, white teeth, and deadly aim. “Get the fuck away from her and out of the store if you value your miserable life, you piece of shit cretin.” The words streamed out of his mouth like ammo from an AK-47.

The blond man got red in the face and whipped his head around to find a fuming Ian Blackmon towering over him. “Who the fuck are you?” he demanded, but his voice lacked conviction in the face of Ian’s black fury.

“Who am I? That depends. If you don’t disappear in five seconds, then I’m the worst thing that ever happened to you. Clear enough, douche bag?”

The man turned and stomped out of the shop letting the door bang behind him, his potential purchases forgotten. I studied Ian, watching him try to wrest control of his ugly temper. Well, now I knew the answer to the question, was he jealous?

“You just cost me a hefty commission, Mr. Blackmon. Plus, my boss lost a big sale.”

“Really? Well, it’s no problem since you’re quitting your job today anyway. Right now in fact.”

“Quitting? Are you nuts? I need this job; not all of us are obscenely wealthy dilettantes, you know.”

“Dilettante? Either you don’t know the meaning of the word or you have no idea of who I am, Ms. Strong. But you are quitting this job: I assure you.”

I was flabbergasted. Who the hell did he think he was? “I am not quitting, Mr. Blackmon. Now that that’s settled, what can I do for you?”

Transforming from angry, protective lover to smooth, powerful CEO, he smirked and pulled out his phone, watching me intently while he swiped in a number. “Claudia? I want you to contact the owner of Archipelago… yes, the boutique near the Barnes & Noble in the University district? I believe her surname is Vickers. Please inform her that I planned to make a very large purchase in her store today but was displeased with her salesperson, a young woman named Ariel Strong. Correct. Yes, thank you, Claudia.”

The gasp that came out of my throat could have drowned out a fire engine’s screaming siren. I could not believe he just got me fired. What a dick.

Smirking, he grabbed my hand and kissed it before I could snatch it away.

And snatch it away I did, so violently I nearly fell backward when he released me. “I never want to see you again, Mr. Blackmon. I can’t believe you just did what you did. I happen to need my job to pay my bills!”

He was so cool, his eyes hard like chips of flint. “Not anymore. I’ll see to all your needs, Ariel.”

“I am not a prostitute, for your information.” My voice was trembling with unspent rage. “Call her back and tell her not to do it. I’m serious.”

He was stubborn but I could see his pigheaded resolve crumbling. “You can work for me, Ariel. I’ll pay you considerably more than you earn here in your best week and you’ll be safer.”