Page 6 of CEO April: Zed Barker
Chapter Three
We had a couple of hours to kill before dinner. Some had opted to spend the time on the beach or in the pool; I chose to return to my room. I had a call to make.
I dialled Rebecca’s number and listened to a continuous ringtone. Eventually her answerphone kicked in.
“Erm, what on earth have you booked me in for?” I asked, and then laughed. “I’ve had a nice massage and I’ve met one of our authors, not sure if you know the guest list. Now, I’m waiting to find out what playtime is.”
I disconnected the call and switched off my phone. If what I thought the evening was going to become, I didn’t want distraction. It actually felt nice to leave the device upstairs as I wandered back through the lounge area.
“I wondered where you’d gotten to,” I heard and turned to see Miriam by the bar. “Would you like something to drink?” she asked.
I nodded and walked towards her, placing my order with the barman as I did. “Nice massage?” I asked, accepting my glass of red wine.
“So-so,” she said, smirking. “I prefer when the masseur is naked as well.”
“Is it pretty standard for the women at these parties to be so forward?” I asked.
She frowned a little, as much as her Botoxed brow would allow, I guessed. “Does it worry you?”
“Ah, answer a question with a question. I know that one,” I replied, lowering my voice and leaning forwards a little. “I asked first.”
She smiled and sipped on her drink before answering. Her breath ghosted my ear as she, too, leaned forwards. “Yes. Here, we know what we want, how, and when. It’s our opportunity to lead from the top,” she said.
“And what if I don’t allow you to do that?” I answered, turning my head slightly so I was looking directly into her eyes. Our faces were so close I could feel the hitch of her breath. “And by that poorly disguised gasp, Miriam, I’m thinking you might enjoy that.”
I leaned back. Her lips were slightly parted and her pupils dilated. I didn’t need to hear to know her heart rate had risen, I could see the pulse at the side of her neck thundering.
“Then, Mr. Barker, I think we are in for a more enjoyable evening than I first imagined.”
She raised her glass and walked away. I shook my head gently and smirked. She was a fiery one, for sure, and I liked that. A little spark, a fight, a tussle for control turned me on. I always won, of course, and it would be funpunishingher for her insolence.
I pulled myself up short. She was a client. The thoughts running through my mind should probably stay there. I had no idea how the evening was to unfold and for a split second I thought about bailing. The last thing I needed was complications with a client. However, Anna was the welcome distraction to change my mind.
“She’s a girl, isn’t she?” she said, wandering over and looking at Miriam.
“A client as well. Somewhat awkward.”
“She has mentioned that, many times,” she replied with a laugh in a bitter tone.
“I get the impression you’re not exactly friends,” I asked.
Anna smiled as a response and I laughed. “How about I get you a drink?” I asked, although the bar was free, it seemed the right thing to say. “Tell me about yourself?” I asked handing her a glass.
“Not much to tell, career girl, who left it too late to have children, unmarried, no wish for a serious relationship so I come to these parties instead.” She raised her glass to me with a smirk on her lips. “You?”
“Pretty much the same except I’m all man and this is my first, but not last, party.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “Yes, I discovered that already.”
Unlike Miriam, there wasn’t anything predatory about her. I enjoyed her company; I hoped I’d get to see more of her after dinner. She certainly seemed like the kind of woman I could have on speed dial.
We chatted some more and were interrupted by the arrival of a very demure-looking Laura. If there was ever a stereotypical image for a young librarian, she was standing in the doorway.
Wearing a grey-checked pinafore dress, over black woollen tights, and lace-up shoes, she rocked from foot to foot as if nervous. Her wide eyes scanned the room until they came to stop at Anna. She smiled and gushed out a breath of air in relief.
“Anna, thank God you’re here,” she said in a voice that sounded a lot stronger than she looked. She strode over, or clomped rather. The sound of her heavy shoes echoed as she stepped on each wooden plank.
“Laura, it’s good to see you again. Can I introduce Zed?”
