Page 19 of Love Me Ever After
Trevor had offered Fraser and I the use of his room to get changed in to save us both going home. Being theever-generoushost, he had also ordered six pints from room service which were waiting for us when we arrived.
“God, I need that.” I swiped one from the tray and downed it in one.
“Take it easy, mate,” Fraser warned. “Thought you were going to try and speak to Robert Lane later. You don’t want to be pissed while doing it.”
I’d almost forgotten about my conversation with Janine earlier in the week. Good thing Fraser had one eye out for my career. I slammed the empty pint glass down on the side and grabbed my bag from the bed. “I’ll make this the last one for now, then get absolutely shitfaced after dinner.”
“The chick running the show looksshit hot,” commented Trevor, pulling off his white work shirt and replacing it with a navy polo. “Red top, fuck-me heels.”
My hackles rose. I didn’t like to hear him describing Ems in that way, even if I did agree with him. She didn’t deserve to be reduced in any way by his description.
Fraser glanced over at me, raising his hand slightly as if to tell me to back off. “Not sure she’s going to respond too well to that, Trev. When was the last time you got laid?”
“Too long, buddy, too long.” Trevor shook his head. “Perhaps I’ll spend some time schmoozing with the secretarial recruiters from London instead.”
Fraser and I laughed, the tension over Trevor’s comments about Ems forgotten.
“We should get a move on. The drinks reception starts in five,” I said, glancing at the reminder on my phone. I got changed into smart grey trousers and a tailored white shirt, shoving my feet into the black Chelsea boots I’d brought with me. Folding up my work suit as neatly as possible, I stuck it in my bag along with my other shoes. “I’ll pick this up in the morning.” I placed the bag next to the dressing table. “Don’t want to disturb you if you get lucky tonight.”
“I’ll bring it to the first morning session. You can probably leave it at reception until we’re done for the day.” Trevor adjusted the collar of his shirt, then sprayed a liberal amount of aftershave around him.
“Fuck, I thought you wanted to attract women, not repel them.” I coughed.
“If I spend the evening with you, I’ll be a pussy magnet too.” He grinned. “Let’s go.”
We went downstairs into the foyer outside the restaurant where the drinks reception was taking place. I scanned the area for any sign of Ems, but she was nowhere in sight. Serving staff milled around with trays, full of champagne, beer, wine and soft drinks. There was a table plan set up to one side of the doors and the three of us went over to check who we would be sitting with at dinner.
“You have got to be kidding me.” I pointed a finger at table one, which had my name on it. Seated on my right would be Robert Lane. I don’t know who had put the table plans together but finding myself on what was basically the top table along with one of the CEOs of the company, changed every aspect of the evening. I thought I’d be able to enjoy myself with my mates, have a laugh, get pissed. But it looked like my career was being put front and centre.
What an opportunity.
“Nice one, Mason.” Fraser punched my upper arm. “Make sure it counts. Don’t bang on about how much fun you had in New York with Whit. And for fuck’s sake, don’t mention the rugby.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, haven’t got a clue how the game works. Prefer football myself.” I blustered. Even though Lane & Parks wasn’t a massive organisation, an audience with the CEO wasn’t something that happened regularly, especially to people in the regional offices like me. Somehow, I’d made a favourable impression with someone to get that opportunity.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Ems chatting to one of the servers. She had lost the black suit jacket somewhere and the red blouse was fully on display. I couldn’t help but notice how the V of the neckline dipped just right to hint at the delicious rack underneath. Her skirt skimmed her knees, tight enough to give her hips a hypnotic sway to them as she walked across to the bar. My gaze fixed on her arse and I clenched my hands into fists, remembering how her butt cheeks felt in my grasp as I controlled her movements around my dick.
“Looks like we’re going in to eat. I’ll catch up with you afterwards.” Fraser brought me back to the present before my mind could go down a rabbit hole of memories about Ems’s body.
“Give me a minute.” I waved the others inside, needing a couple of minutes to compose myself and force down the semi forming in my trousers. Sitting next to the CEO with a hard-on wouldnotbe appropriate.
How I gotthrough that dinner, I would never know. I stuck to my promise of not drinking and, for the whole three courses, drank sparkling water, while Robert Lane quizzed me about my time with Lane & Parks. I told him honestly that I was surprised to be on his radar, and he said he’d been hearing good things from Janine. By the time the coffee and petit fours were served, I was mentally exhausted. I couldn’t wait to get to the bar.
“Emily!” Barbara, seated on the other side of Robert, called out. “Come and meet Robert.”
Seconds later, Ems stood between Barbara and Robert. I fixed her with a look while Barbara introduced her to the CEO.
“It’s a beautiful hotel, Emily,” said Robert. “I can’t believe you haven’t done any sort of conferences like this before. Great job.”
“Ems always does a great job.” I swigged the last of my water, not taking my eyes from hers. I swear I could see her nipples poking through the thin, silky material of her shirt. Seems I wasn’t the only one unable to keep my physical reactions to myself.
“Thank you, Mr Lane,” she said, totally blanking me. “Today has gone well, I hope you’ll agree?”
He nodded vigorously. “Indeed I do. I’ve already mentioned to Barbara that if things went well, we would consider using it for some of our leadership training in future.” Robert turned to me. “Which means you’ll be spending more time here too.”
My jaw dropped. After one dinner meeting, he was already considering me as leadership material?
Ems looked between him and Barbara. “Well, you just say the word and I’ll sort it out.” She smiled. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go and check on the kitchen.”
