Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (20 page)

In the end we swapped out mugs for a quick glass of wine before I had to head home.

“So you’ll think about it” Sarah said, pulling me in for a final hug.

“Of course I will” I replied, returning the pressure of our arms around each other. On the short drive home I let my mind go over all the positive and negative points of Sarah’s proposal and all I could see where the right ones. I just hoped that James would come around to the idea that this was the best gift I could give them for saving my life all those years ago.

Chapter 30

Charlie was at home for the first week and then I drove her to catch the train as Mitchell was unable to come down and collect her. James was working most of the weekend so rather than disturb him we decided to spend the time apart. James had promised to start tidying the house and removing all the items he didn’t think he would need if I was moving in. This in itself required lots of text and email messages with questions about kitchen utensils, including strange pictures. The one really made me laugh when he told me he was cleaning the bathroom in only a pair of pink marigolds. Only a fireman could have made that picture look sexy!

Greg had appeared on a couple of the days and after my show we had poured over the plans for the station and arranged to go and look over the building the following Friday, which tied in with me spending the weekend with James. I had also set Charlie and Mitchell a task on my behalf. I knew I already had Leon and Jack on board for the two major shows during the week, but I needed some specialists to run evening shows covering all sorts of music. Greg had decided to broaden the scale to include current music, dance and a rock shows. I would front the afternoon drive time show which would be a change from my current lunch time slot.

When I wasn’t at work I took the time to approach a local estate agent about the process for renting out my house. In my mind I knew that I was holding onto it, just in case my world fell apart for a second time and I needed somewhere to run.

When Friday morning dawned I was already up, dressed and packed ready to meet James later. Reliving the frantic sex on the kitchen counter I had taken care to find just the right sort of outfit for the whole day. Wanting to appear as an executive to meet some of the other office and PR staff that Greg had already employed I decided upon my knee length black pin stripe dress. However to liven the whole thing up from being a bit too bland I had teamed it with a large red belt, that highlighted my slim waist. My red heels were higher than I was used too, but I had been wearing them in all week around the house.

Beneath this outfit the most enjoyable part had been finding the right underwear. The anticipation of being picked up for dinner by James and heading straight for a restaurant meant that I could tease him on the car journey with my stocking clad legs.  Knowing that he would spend the meal wondering what lay beneath the rest of my demure ensemble. I had been back to Ann Summers again and found the perfect red bra and briefs edges with a delicate black lace. The hold up stockings I had bought had a small red bow motif at the top which tied the look together. When I had pulled it on this morning and looked in the mirror I already felt the stirrings of desire deep within me.

The drive int
o
Birmingha
m
opened my eyes to the startling difference in traffic and scenery in comparison with the rural idyll of Herefordshire. I had given myself plenty of time to find the studio building and a car park which meant I could take a well deserved coffee break before meeting Greg. Grabbing my phone I sent James a text while I waited for my coffee to arrive.

“Hi Babe, here safely and sitting in a café just across from the studio building waiting for Greg to arrive. Looking forward to seeing you later”

“Hi Steph, can’t wait to see you later. I’m counting down the seconds but in the meantime I’m busy cleaning” I giggled as I imagined him naked in pink marigolds again.

“Pink marigolds”

“Oh yes”

The waitress must have wondered at my cheerful disposition on such a miserable day outside, as the rain pattered its tiny fingers on the window pane. I watched a man huddled on the corner of the street opposite, trying to keep his umbrella from turning inside out. I guessed he must have been waiting for someone as he kept glancing up and down the street and his eyes would stray to the warmth of the light radiating from the café. I was so lost in thought and the future plans for the radio station that I failed to hear Greg enter the place until he was stood right next to my table.

“Hi Steph, nice and early I see” Greg said, placing his order with the hovering waitress. I spotted her taking in his expensive suit, short dark hair and dark brown eyes.

“Hi Greg, its good to see you” I replied, motioning for him to take a seat.

“It’s good to have a decent establishment opposite the station for out of work meetings, although I did notice a wine bar a little further along but it doesn’t open until five in the afternoon” Greg said. As the waitress re-appeared with his coffee I got the chance to study his appearance a little closer as it obviously had an affect on other women.

He was taller than me but only by a couple of inches making him just around five foot nine. His jet black hair was short and well maintained; a slight smudge of stubble graced his chiselled features. His close fitting suit and bright tie spoke of power but perhaps with a sense of fun. I watched him hold the gaze of the pretty young waitress as a blush stained her cheek and I knew that he realised his allure. Over coffee we discussed the time schedule before it was time to head over to the studio for a look around and to meet some of the staff that Greg had recruited.

Standing up I reached for my coat but Greg was too quick and took it from my grasp to hold it open for me. Slipping it on I could feel his eyes apprising my outfit that had been partially hidden beneath the table. As I swept my hair back his fingers reached out for a couple of loose strands and carefully put them in place, grazing the skin at my neck. Then his hand moved down my spine to rest on the small of my back again as we headed towards the door. Dashing across the street together I huddled under my umbrella as Greg found the key to open the door and suddenly swept me up into his arms.

“I feel like I should carry you over the threshold as that always works in a new marriage…so why not a new partnership” he laughed.

I forced a tight laugh but the relief flooded through me when my feet returned to the floor. With his hands still lingering on my ass I shrugged the feelings of discomfort off as the lights lit up the area.

“This will be the reception area, with a desk, sofa and refreshments for visitors and guests” Greg said, sweeping his arm around the room before we headed through the set of double doors. On the right were two rooms already kitted out as studios, a glass panel separated them. The left hand side was a staff room, two small offices and rest room area. It all looked wonderful as I wandered in and out of the studios and then looked across at the two offices.

“Which one is mine” I asked.

“Whichever one you want, I’ll be taking the other when I am in the area”

Opening the nearest door I peeped in and saw a desk and chair, small book case and filing cabinet, Greg stood behind me in the door frame.

“The other room is exactly the same” he said, watching me walk across to the window and peep out.

“You can add any finishing touches you would like, just let me know” he offered, shutting the door behind him. I was trapped between the window wall and the desk as he advanced towards me.

“Until today I never realised you had such a fantastic pair of legs and a gorgeous body too” his voice, husky and deep.

Panic filled me as I realised there was no where to run as he blocked the gap between the desk.

“I believe we can have a very close working relationship, Steph” he breathed. I felt it hot and warm on my cheek as he reached to run his hand down my face. I was frozen to the spot as his fingers trailed down my neck and arm. What should I do, slap him away and risk losing a job that was going to bring me further into James’ life? Or try to reason that this was not the best way for colleagues to behave? Closing my eyes I prayed for a miracle and someone must have heard for a loud buzz sounded throughout the building.

The noise seemed to snap Greg out of his advance

“Fuck, it’s the door” he said, glancing down at his watch. Taking a few deep breaths I watched as he left the room and I was able to steady my nerves. Ducking into the ladies I looked at my reflection in the mirror as I pulled open my handbag. I had promised James I was not going to take any more of my pills but after what had just taken place I needed something to calm me enough to get through the rest of the day. Swilling it down with a handful of water I waited for the calming wave to flow through my veins.

Once it had taken affect I swept some fresh colour over my lips and headed back to the reception area to find Greg holding court with three other females. I noticed that all of them had rapt expressions on their faces and hardly noticed me as I stepped into the room.

“Girls I’d like you to meet Stephanie, the new Station Manager” Greg said. He stepped towards me and watched as all eyes followed.

“Stephanie, let me introduce you to your minimal staff at present” he continued. A tall dark haired girl stepped forward; she looked to be about mid twenties, slim and elegant in her trouser suit.

“I’m Lesley” she said “I’m one of your PR team” reaching out we shook hands and smiled.

“I’m Amy” said the shorter blond girl who stepped out from her shadows “I work on the PR team too, and it’s so good to meet you” Shaking her hand I immediately knew that we would get on well together. She was bubbly and bright with blue eyes and a warm smile.

Finally a bleached blond stepped forward, probably about the same age as Charlie. She had a curvy figure and dressed to show it off.

“I’m Naomi, your receptionist, telephonist and I make a mean cup of coffee” she giggled. Edging past Greg she shook my hand too.

“Hi everyone” I replied “Its great to meet you all and I’m sure you are all looking forward to launch day as much as I am” I could sense Greg standing just behind me as all their eyes were focused slightly higher than mine.

“I might be new to the area, but I have over twelve years of experience as a DJ and am looking forward to this new challenge. I already have 2 DJ’s lined up and will sort out a date so you can meet them” I said.

We all spent the afternoon going through the plans. Lesley outlined the various sponsorship deals we already had on board. Amy explained who they had left to target and how the advertising campaign was building interest in the launch. Naomi enthused about all the famous pop stars she hoped to meet and how she was looking forward to starting work, as this was her first job since leaving college. Then Greg and I worked on the budgets and salaries for the current staff and how much we had left to spend. We agreed upon a timetable of visit dates to keep in touch with progress fitting it in around my holiday.

As each of the girls left I glanced up and noticed it was almost six and James would be meeting me shortly.

“Would you like to come for a drink with me at the wine bar” Greg asked.

“Thanks but no thanks as I have someone meeting me for dinner” I replied. I spotted a brief look of disappointment cross his face.

“Perhaps next time” he said, the charm exuding from him like the scent of his aftershave.

“Is there somewhere safe I can leave my car overnight” I asked.

“Sure, there’s a compound at the rear of this building, this pass will allow you access. You can keep it for when you start work here full time” he said.

Leaving the studio building I hurried to collect my car and bring it round to the parking area. Greg was now outside and standing beside his vehicle, a red Porsche. Parking my smaller, cheaper car next to his I knew he was still waiting to make his move. He opened the car door for me and held out his hand, his eyes swarming over my body. Wrapping his arms around me his lips swooped in towards mine.

“Shall we finish what we started in the office” he murmured “I know you want too, I can feel it”

“I really don’t think this is a good idea” I whispered back.

“Well, if you don’t want the job then I’m sure I can find someone else who would” he replied.

I knew I was in a seriously difficult situation and as I wondered what to do, his hands bought me in closer. With his lips on my neck I lessened my struggle and hoped another miracle would save me. Squeezing my eyes tight shut I hoped that by allowing the kiss it would appease him for the moment. A bright light flashed by and then I heard a car slow to a halt and I pushed Greg away.

“I really need to go” I said, softly. Greg nodded and released me and I walked towards the main road. Greg jumped into his car and fired up the engine. By the time I reached the pavement his car was just behind me and he slowed down.

“See you next week, sexy Stephanie” he purred, a smug look on his face telling me he thought he was irresistible.

With his foot down the car growled into life and sped off down the street as James appeared at the end of the road. He was on foot instead of driving and I noticed him glance at the red car as it levelled and passed him. James saw me walking towards him and we met just a little way past the door of the studio.