Mrs R (Mrs R & Mr V #1) (31 page)

Angela whooped – she
actually whooped. “You so Googled him didn’t you. I knew it! Oh boy this is
going to be so much fun!”

Rachel rolled her eyes. “Have you
totally lost the plot Ange? I have no idea where you are going with this but
even if I fail miserably I won’t feel like I’ve let Nate down without a fight.”
Rachel grabbed an elastic band off her desk and tied her hair into a messy
pony.
 
“I’m going to need a small
team to assist with research and to help me prepare for court. We’re heading in
to summer so maybe a couple of graduates would do.”

“Leave it with me Mrs Renton. I’ll
have CVs for you by the end of the day.” Angela rose from the couch; smoothed
down her dress and gave Rachel a wink. “You are going to be just fine, and just
to let you know, Nate was already proud of you so you have no worries on that
front. Do this for yourself Rachel.”

Feeling a lot more motivated
following her little pep talk from Angela, Rachel grabbed the Genesis file on
her eviction case and got to work.

**********

Joe meanwhile, was having a hard
time concentrating on anything other than the fact he had behaved like an
idiot. He had been distracted by the hard on he had for Rachel rather than
treating her with respect. At the very least he should have considered how
difficult it would be for her the first time she saw him here in Nate’s old
office. Joe had previously prided himself on being fairly intuitive where most
women were concerned – it had always got him laid before. But Rachel
Renton was something different. She clearly didn’t like him, or find him
remotely attractive so no advantage there. She’d even gotten over the steam
room debacle apparently which is more than he could say having just this
morning jerked off in the shower to visions of Rachel touching herself.

But this was work and that always
came first with Joe. Picking up the phone, he decided to call her to make
things right. There was no way he would apologise; hell it wasn’t his fault her
husband was dead, but he supposed she did deserve a chance to fail and prove
him right.

“Rachel Renton.”

“It’s Joe Mason.”

“Oh.” Joe heard her sigh. “How can
I help you, Mr Mason?”

So formal; the gloves were off
then.

“About before; you seemed a little
off and I just wanted to make sure……..”

“Oh, I’m feeling fine now thank
you for asking.”

“Er, no, I’m not asking. I wanted
to make sure you understood the terms I laid down for Genesis.”

There was a pause from Rachel’s
end of the line.

“Everything is perfectly clear.”

“Good then. I’ll have Angela
arrange a meeting for tomorrow afternoon when you can take me through your
first case. We can convene in the boardroom if you would prefer.” Joe thought
that was a nice touch.

Rachel, however, was seething
– the man was so far up his own arse it was unbelievable. Boardroom
indeed; no way would she let him think she was too weak to handle being in that
room a second time.

“No – your office is just
fine. I’ll wait to hear from Angela.”

“Ok then. Goodbye Rachel.”

“Goodbye” she replied politely,
then added “arsehole!” after she hung up the phone,

Returning to the email she had
been composing before Joe called her, a notification message from Mr Arrogant
Idiot himself popped up on screen.

Clicking his email open she read,
“You might want to check you’ve actually disconnected next time you call me
that.”

“Holy fucking shit!” Rachel
groaned resting her head in her hands. Why did she continually fuel Joe’s
already tainted impression of her? Every time she thought she had a handle on
the guy, he brought out the worst in her. It was a side she never even knew she
had; always fairly laid back and organised; Joe had her in a tailspin.

He was really getting under her
skin, and the most infuriating aspect of the entire situation was the effect he
had on her physically. It was madness and she couldn’t begin to comprehend why,
but she had the horn for Joe Mason big time.

**********

Joe on the other hand, was really
quite pleased with himself. He’d offered a more sensitive option which she had
declined; end of story. Hearing the crude annotation to her sweet little
‘goodbye’ made him laugh out loud; he’d been called a lot worse than that, and
now he was reassured that she was indeed going to fight for her cause, he
couldn’t wait to see how she was going to impress him. After all his big talk
about shutting Genesis down, his interest was finally piqued. If it meant that
much to Nate and Rachel, the least he could do was to hear her out; assess her
ability and maybe go to court and see her in action. Adjusting himself, he
switched his attention to more important matters.

Several hours later, he was
interrupted by Angela bringing him his lunch. “Thanks” he grunted at her not
even looking up from his papers.

A loud cough filled the silence.
“Joe; a moment please.” He leaned back in his chair giving her his attention.
Angela was not someone he wanted to piss off; she was too valuable around this
place. Wearing a knee length black dress with cap sleeves that fitted her like
a second skin, exposing toned arms and gracefully long legs ending in red
heels, she was also mighty fine to look at. Her dark skin looked velvet to the
touch and he fleetingly wondered what she would feel like underneath him with
her long legs wrapped around him as he thrust into her.

Another cough topped off by a
raised eyebrow and he knew she’d read his thoughts. Witch.

“Can we discuss your Welcome
Cocktail Party taking place Saturday night?”

“Do we have to?” Joe was bored
already.

“Only if you want any chance of
people here liking you. It’s out of business hours and a good opportunity for
you to show a more human side to your personality. I hope you don’t mind me
saying that people have been finding you a little intimidating, Joe.”

“Including you?”

“No honey, not me. But then I’m
usually the exception to the rule.”

“That you are, Angela. So tell me,
what shall I do to make this place a warm and welcoming environment in which to
work?”

“Well, you could consider actually
speaking to people in the first instance. Do you even know anyone apart from me
and Ben?”

Joe thought hard for a minute, his
brow furrowed with concentration as his long fingers playing with his beard.

“Rachel Renton – I know
her.”

“And how’s that working out for
you Joe?” Angela cocked her head at him.

“Hmm – you may have a point
there. So I need to be all sweetness and charm on Saturday night, is that what
you’re telling me?”

“You got it boss. My work here is
done.”

Joe laughed as Angela strutted out
his office, admiring the view as she went.

**********

Karen sat at Rachel’s kitchen table
patiently listening to her friend’s presentation. She had been taken a few
notes here and there and was impressed with the delivery and the passion
displayed. It was bemusing to watch Rachel in work mode. Karen knew she was a
competent solicitor having worked on a few local issues that had been reported
in the community newspapers, but this was in different league. The depth of
Rachel’s preparation supported by intelligent argument spoke volumes about the
professional she wanted to be seen as. She had transferred to the next level
seamlessly and Karen was blown away by the ambition firing Rachel forward.

“Wow, Rach, you were bloody
brilliant. You are going to blow Joe Mason away tomorrow mate. I don’t know why
you’re so worried.” Karen looked suitably perplexed never having seen her
friend in such a panic. Not calm, sophisticated, supercool Rachel Renton.

“I can’t seem to control my idiot
factor when he’s around. It’s the strangest thing; he pushes all my buttons and
I end up in such a tizz. The man is an off the scale wanker at the best of
times but honestly, he behaves like an arrogant arse. I can’t stand him.”
Rachel was pacing up and down her kitchen.

“Tea?” she asked Karen, puffing a
bit from her outburst.

“Oh my god, you fancy him!”

“What? You are crazy lady.” Rachel
slammed a couple of mugs down on the counter top making Karen jump slightly in
her chair. “What are you looking at?”

Karen was tapping away at Rachel’s
iPad. With a very broad and very smug look on her face she turned it around so Rachel
could see she had found an image of Joe dressed to the nines at some New York
Charity Function.

“Oh, really Rachel. Was there
something you forgot to mention about your new boss? Like the fact that he is
sinfully sexy with a body to die for. Are his eyes grey?”

“So grey; they change colour with
his mood though – you should see how dark they get when he’s angry and oh
my lord they can sparkle when he’s amused. And then they get really silvery
when he looks like he’s paying attention but really thinking about something
else.”

“Not that you’ve noticed.”

“No – well, they are a weird
colour.”

“50 shades weird?” Karen asked
optimistically.

“That’s nasty thinking Karen, No
– they look sort of wolf like which is so appropriate you can’t imagine.
Only he’s no sheep on the outside; he’s like a coiled spring most of the time
and it just makes me want to push him to the limit. I can’t stand him; he’s
despicable.” Rachel screwed her face up in disgust at the photo, ‘turn it off”
she told her friend as she sat down opposite her with their tea.

“Now tell me what you thought of
my presentation. Does it sound convincing? Joe won’t be swayed by sentiment; he
needs proof Genesis will add real value to Gyles Bishop or I’m out. And to be
honest, Karen, it’s not just about Nate’s vision; dream; whatever; it’s my
future that’s in jeopardy too.”

Karen was seeing her friend in a
whole new light. “It was perfectly pitched – you are amazing, and Joe
will be dazzled by your brains as well as your beauty. Rach, I’m so pleased
you’re doing this – it’s like you’ve been holding back all these years
and now you are discovering potential you never even knew you had.”

“Ha – I think you are a tiny
bit biased, but thanks for the vote of confidence. I really need it. I was
wondering though; you’re not too mad at me about Luc are you?”

“Doll – there is no amount
of time that’s right to say it’s ok to move on. I believe you still love Nate,
but Rach, you’re only in your early 40’s and you have a lifetime ahead of you.
You shouldn’t be on your own.”

“But was it too soon?”

“Did you feel guilty?”

“At the beginning, yes. But I
couldn’t resist him. He was there, willing and patient and understanding. And
oh my god so sexy. It was like he was heaven sent to help me heal.” Rachel had
the good grace to be blushing. “I know that sounds silly, but it’s what it felt
like.”

Karen’s expression turned dreamy.
“Don’t let me stop you with the details – no such thing as tmi here
love!”

Rachel laughed. “You really don’t
want to hear how this old lady got her groove on with a 22 year old man boy
god, now do you Karen?”

“I need to live vicariously
through you my friend!”

Rachel slapped her hands on the
kitchen table. “This from a woman whose husband has a standing order with Agent
Provocateur. I don’t think so sweetie. Just let me leave you with this thought;
there is a lot to be said for youth, stamina and agility! Oh, and imagination
and dexterity.”

The two women talked long into the
night like the best friends they were, until Rachel chucked Karen out with the
promise of calling tomorrow evening with an update on how her pitch went.

**********

CHAPTER 16

Rachel was back in the steam room
but this time she knew she wasn’t alone. She could see silhouettes of three men
sitting across the way lined up next to each other. They each had a towel
draped around their midsection. They weren’t speaking with each other; in fact
they looked to be rigid in posture and not relaxed at all even in the
sweltering heat. Moisture coated their delicious bodies and Rachel studied them
one by one.

The first was a slightly older man
who obviously kept fit. He had fairish coloured hair styled neat and short that
matched the curls over his chest. There were a few grey ones scattered about
but he was lean and muscular with a trim waist. He had a handsome lived in face
with kind eyes and a full mouth. Rachel was struck with the familiarity of the
man and how comfortable he made her feel.

“Hello beautiful,” he cooed at
her, “I miss you baby.”

“Nate!” she sobbed wanting to go
to him but finding her limbs to heavy to move. “I miss you too.”

“I can’t stay here with these two”
he gestured towards his companions, “but I know you’ll be ok with them Rach. I
love you, baby.” He blew her a kiss.

Rachel reached for her husband as
his image faded into the steamy recesses. A whimper escaped her lips at his
parting.

“Mrs R?”

“Luc; oh Luc – what are you
doing here?” Rachel’s body hummed in appreciation of him being so close.

“Just checking in on you love?
That’s what I do isn’t it?”

Rachel sighed at his raspy tones
through the mist. She was never going to tire of the way his voice did wonderful
things to her insides and got her all hot and needy.

“I’m sorry if I hurt you baby boy.
You’ll never know how much you helped me.”

“Rach, I think I helped myself
just fine. And I have to say you look fucking hot in that towel love!”

Rachel laughed at the typical Luc
comment that took all the awkwardness out of a potentially difficult
conversation. She caught a sexy wink from him as he too faded out of focus.

“That just leaves me then.” A
gruff American accent stated through the haze.

“Seems that way Joe.” Rachel
sighed adding an ‘harrumph’ for effect.

“Best until last darlin’.”

“Oh my fucking god – you
really are a prick.”

“Talking of which, I’d say we had
unfinished business in this room, eh Rachel? And has anyone ever told you your
language is just plain rude?”

“It’s been mentioned, yes. I think
you should prepare yourself, I’ve a feeling you’re going to hear a lot worse.”

Joe got up from the marble coated
bench and slowly moved towards her like a predator towards its prey. “Remember,
Rachel, no means no. Anytime you want to end this…”

He loomed over her, gloriously
naked except for the scrap of white cloth precariously wrapped around his
waist. His huge body glistened with sweat and his smell was intoxicating. The
mix of his gorgeous cologne and male scent was heady and mouth watering. Joe’s
torso was a sumptuous landscape of dips and ridges she wanted to trace with her
fingers and tongue. She let her eyes wander down the dark happy trail leading
invitingly down to where the towel hung loosely around his waist. The v of his
hips was beautifully shaped by those enticingly defined muscles that she had no
idea what they were called, but desperately wanted to lick.

“You want me Rachel.” It was a
statement she vehemently tried to refute but she couldn’t formulate a single
sound. Her eye level now matched his crotch where he was obviously sporting a
huge erection. She wasn’t surprised; everything about the man was big. Her
nipples hardened and her clit throbbed in anticipation. With one hand Joe
dramatically whipped the towel away from his body and….

“Motherfucker!” Rachel screamed at
her alarm clock rudely disturbing one of the most erotic dreams she’d ever had.

Panting like she’s just run a
marathon, Rachel slammed back in to her pillows closing her eyes desperately
trying to get back to Joe, but he was gone along with the previous two men in
her life. “Blimey that was intense” she thought, and it had left her extremely
frustrated. Thinking back over her dream, she didn’t need to be a genius to
decipher it’s meaning; it was blindingly obvious. Karen was right, but Rachel
had known it all along – Joe Mason was indeed her current object of lust.

**********

Donning her Armani dress and
jacket like it was armour; Rachel’s commute to work gave her a chance to
prepare for the battle ahead. Her challenge was three fold. Firstly, she had to
get over the fact that Joe had taken up residency in Nate’s old office. The
room had been totally transformed from Nate’s traditional mahogany furniture
and panelled wall décor into a much airier glass and black leather environment.
It was very classy and modern but essentially cold and uninviting, “much like
the man who works there,” she thought.

Secondly; ‘Genesis’ itself. Joe
was opposed to the project because he primarily worked on the reasonable basis
that if something wasn’t financially viable then it had no worth to the
business. She had to persuade him that there was another concept to consider
that would work in his favour; goodwill and humility. “Exactly, the opposite of
the man” Rachel reminded her self.

And last but by no means least, as
he had deftly indicated in her dream earlier this morning – Joseph
William Mason the third. Rachel was suffering her greatest dilemma with him. He
was undeniably the most attractive man she had ever laid eyes on and she was
infuriatingly infatuated with his physical self. However, she despised his
character; arguably she didn’t know him that well and by reputation he was a
fair man; a very successful one, and a good father. That must mean he had a
human side he kept hidden at work and it would be a lie to say that she wasn’t
mildly intrigued to see that side of him. In fact, Angela had told her that
this was the main reason for the Welcome Cocktail Party, so that people could
meet Joe in a social setting without the formal constraints of the business
day. Rachel was really looking forward to it – it would be a good excuse
to dress up and at last somewhere to go on a Saturday night where she didn’t
feel like the spare part or odd one out. But first she had to get through
today’s meeting without letting on to Joe his very presence had her thong
drenched and her blood humming.

**********

The Power
Point presentation was all set up and ready. Rachel had saved it to the shared
drive on the Gyles Bishop network so that she could access it from Joe’s PC.
She didn’t need additional notes as she had committed the details to memory.
Apparently, Joe was known for his formidable recall skills and she wanted to
impress him with her own ability to cope without referring to notes
unnecessarily. Admittedly, she just wanted to impress him – he may be an
arrogant arse but he held her future in the palm of his hand and she was
willing to do pretty much anything to gain his favour.