Addicted to you, p.2
Addicted to You, page 2
“I see. Do you want to incorporate the traditional reds and blacks, or do you have something else in mind?”
“Well, I think that if I want to say power those are good colors.” Marissa picked up her coffee cup and took a sip covertly watching Elin over the rim. The girl certainly was attractive. Her mouth moved in ways that sent waves of pleasure over Marissa as she imagined the lips working their way over her body. She knew then that she wanted her and would have her.
After an hour of a lively and revealing conversation, Elin had a clear idea of what her new client needed in the way of business clothes. Because she was a partner in a venture capital firm, it was important that the woman look conservative and very professional, but Marissa wanted to go beyond the traditional banker image.
“Now that I have a very good idea of what your preferences are, Marissa, the next step is to arrange a time when will it be convenient for you to return and go over the selections that I picked out for you.”
Marissa flipped open her phone and punched a few buttons. “What about Friday? I have meetings in the morning, but I could get away around three.”
“That will be good.” Elin wrote a notation about the appointment. “Thank you. Would you like me to write the date and time down for you?”
“No, I’ve already made a notation.”
“Well then, I will be looking forward to seeing you this coming Friday. Come with me and I will show you out.”
Marissa stood and followed her out of the room.
†
As Elin watched Marissa walk out of the shop, Bess came up behind her.
“How did it go? Was it as bad as you thought?”
Elin shook her head.
“I knew you could do it.”
“Actually, it went really well. A bit shaky at the start because she was expecting you.” Elin turned around blushing slightly before a smile crossed over her face. “Did you see her? Can you believe she is forty-three and a partner of a venture capital company? She certainly doesn’t conjure up my idea of what someone in investments should look like.”
“Remember the number one rule, dear...never mix business and pleasure.” Bess shook her head and gave her a serious look. “It will only cause heartache in the end.”
Elin hadn’t disguised her sexual preferences and Bess didn’t seem to have a problem with that. Although Elin had always known she was gay, she had never acted on those feelings in a relationship. She’d had her share of crushes and even dated a few women, but the extent of her physical experience was only passionate kisses with girls she had met and danced with in lesbian bars. Her life had been all about excelling in her work and she had little time for a social life. She figured that once she proved herself in the designing world, she could devote time to finding a stable, permanent relationship. And, maybe, come out of the closet to her family.
“Trust me, Bess, I know the rules. She’s more than twenty years older than I am. I can’t see me in a relationship with someone that old.” Elin screwed up her face. “It would be like dating my mother. And that idea is gross.” She saw the look of humor on Bess’s face and laughed. “Of course, you are not in that category, Bess, for you are still a young chickie.”
“Okay, if you say so. I can’t wait to tell Frank that someone thinks I am a chickie.” Bess waved off the comment with her hand.
“I just want to thank you again for the chance you gave me today.” A sense of exuberance washed over her.
“You’ll do just fine. Do you want to confer about the client?”
“No, I’ve got it but if I run into problems, you’ll be the first one I ask for help.”
Bess patted her hand. “Anytime.”
The door opened, and both women turned to the next client.
†
Marissa Banks left the store with a predatory smile. She had watched the sway of hips as she followed Elin to the store’s door. The shop girl would no doubt satisfy her every need and maybe some she didn’t know she had. She grinned. Yes, Elin Prescot will do quite nicely. Her body was tense at the thought of what was to come. Her last conquest had ended several weeks earlier and she wanted—no, needed—a replacement. The naïve young woman would be the perfect distraction. She had noticed the light in the girl’s eyes when Marissa had told her she lived an alternate lifestyle.
“Yes, she is batting for the right team and I am going to be the pitcher that throws her a fast curve ball.”
Relationships had never been her strong point. She preferred to love them and then leave them wanting more. She, of course, never gave more. The hunt was her lifeblood much the same way she sought out investors. Marissa smiled as she remembered following what she thought was a nurse because she was dressed in scrubs into a hospital. An investigation revealed that she wasn’t a nurse but was a resident, so she made an appointment for a physical. Research, patience, and charm had worked on every woman she went after. She never remembered anyone’s name except for the select few she allowed back into her bed. She was certain Elin would succumb to her seduction. They always did. After taking her cell phone out of her purse, she pressed a speed dial number.
“Marcus, I need you to adjust my schedule for next week.”
“Sure thing. What do you want me to change, Ms. Banks?”
“I need Friday at three open this week. Next week I’ll need from one to three open on Thursday.”
“Okay. You do know that Mr. Heath is scheduled at two on Thursday, don’t you?”
Marissa bristled at the young man’s comment. Heath was an eight-figure account and her most important biggest client, but she didn’t like Marcus telling her something she already knew. “I am aware of that, Marcus, and that is why I’m calling you. I will be back at the office in less than thirty minutes and expect that you will have taken care of the schedule change by then.”
She raised a hand, a cab stopped, and she got in.
“Fifty-fourth and Park. If you get me there in ten minutes there is a twenty in it for you.”
She would be at her office in less than a half hour and that would rattle Marcus. She grinned. By now, she would have thought he knew better than to question any of her words or actions. She also knew that Frank Heath would not be happy with the schedule change and Marcus would have to face his wrath. How she loved to play this game. Delicious.
“No problem, lady.”
As the taxi weaved in and out of the heavy traffic, Marissa wondered if the cabbie would sell out his family for a fifty. The vehicle screeched to such a sudden stop that Marissa had to stretch out her arm and brace herself from lurching forward. After opening the door, she handed the driver the exact amount for the fare.
“Hey, where’s the twenty you promised?”
“I said ten minutes not eleven. You lose.” She opened the door and got out before slamming it shut. As Marissa walked briskly toward her building, she laughed as she heard the driver bellowing obscenities.
†
“Marcus, did you change the appointment?” Marissa smiled slyly knowing exactly what his response would be.
“Ms. Banks, I called his secretary and she said there was no way the appointment could be changed.” The young PA followed her into her office.
Marissa turned around and eyed Marcus. “Did you ask to speak with Mr. Heath directly?”
“Ah, no, ma’am.”
Marissa angrily flipped through her Rolodex and picked up the phone.
“Hi, Janet, this is Marissa Banks, I need to speak with Frank.” She waited for a moment. “Frank, it is good to hear your voice too. Listen, I need to change our appointment for next week...Yes, I know you don’t like changes but what if I made it worth your while?” Marissa had developed a voice that she knew dripped with sexuality mixed with persuasion. It always got her what she wanted. “What if we met at Rao’s around eleven thirty? It will be my treat. We can discuss new acquisitions and the funding for them.” Marissa laughed. “Yes, I know it’s your favorite. Do we have a date?” Her face glowed with victory. “I thought so.”
Marissa hung up the phone and turned to Marcus before piercing him with a cold stare. “You know when I hired you, I really wanted someone older with more experience. But I took a chance on you. It looks like I might have to reconsider that decision.”
“But, ma’am—”
Marissa held up her hand. “I don’t want to hear excuses. Go see if you can do something right and find the Holcomb file for me.”
Marissa watched as Marcus closed the door quietly behind him. She grinned, recalling the dejected look on his face when she picked up the phone and called Frank directly. Priceless. His dejected hang-dog expression was exactly what she wanted to see. Either she’d mold him into precisely what she wanted or he’d be out of a job. She could not tolerate a PA that had no initiative. Her mind turned to her new target, Elin Prescot. A wolfish smile crossed her face.
“Ah, how I love the hunt.” It had begun, and she knew exactly how to woo the shop girl. She’d done it more times than she could remember, but each one was a new challenge. Marissa wondered which was more stimulating, the hunt or the challenge.
Chapter Two
For three days, Elin pored over catalogs and designs for the perfect look for her first real client, Marissa Banks. Banks’s figure was the kind that designers designed for so there was no problem in finding a large assortment of the proper apparel. Elin knew exactly what she was looking for and rapidly flipped through catalogs, dogearing pages until she was satisfied.
Her enthusiasm increased as the week passed, and she bounced around the shop with a big smile, causing everyone to smile back at her.
“Elin, you bring me fond memories with all your preparations.” Irene Witherspoon, a coworker, patted her on the shoulder. “I still remember my first client…Jennifer Wolcheski. She was so hard to please. I think of all my clients over the years, she was the most difficult, but in the end she became a good customer.” Irene smiled.
“I can’t believe how nervous I am.” Elin motioned to all the catalogs and pictures she had strewn across the table. “I feel like a kid in a candy store when I look at all the different choices I have. But then I get this feeling in the pit of my stomach...what if she hates everything?”
“You will do fine. If you run into a problem just excuse yourself for a moment and find me and I will help you work it out.” Irene patted Elin’s hand. “Remember that although you are the expert, the client is always right.” Both women laughed. “Sometimes, the hard part is convincing them that you just may know what is right for them.”
They both stopped what they were doing when they heard the bell announcing that someone had entered the shop. Elin’s eyes darted to the clock on the wall. A quarter to three.
“You don’t think she’s early, do you?”
“Wouldn’t be the first time a client got here before their expected arrival time. You know Camille will greet whoever it is and make her comfortable. If it is your client she will come get you.” Irene patted her hand. “Why are you so jumpy? It isn’t like this is your first day.”
“I should’ve been waiting at reception when she arrived.” Elin stood and quickly headed for the door.
Irene reached out and held Elin back. “Stop. Take a minute to gather your composure before you go out there.”
“What do you mean? She’s here and she’s expecting to see me. I need to go.” Puzzled, Elin looked at her.
“You need to take a deep breath and relax. The client needs to see you calm and stress-free and not all flustered. Camille will take care of her so let her do her job and come for you, not the other way around.”
Elin took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. “You’re right.” She could feel her heartbeat slowing.
Just then there was a soft tap on the door before Camille opened it and poked her head in. “Your client is here, Elin.”
“Thank you, Cammie, I’ll be right out.” Elin turned to Irene. “I’m ready to go now.”
“Good. Now go knock her socks off.” Irene smiled fondly. “Elin.”
“Yes.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks.”
†
Elin walked with purpose to the front of the shop and saw Marissa Banks speaking with Camille. Her stomach churned as she watched what she was certain was flirting between the two women. She lengthened her strides.
“Ms. Banks.” Elin smiled and held out her hand.
“It’s good to see you, Ms. Prescot.” Marissa took Elin’s offered hand and firmly shook it before letting go.
“I was just going to get Ms. Banks a cup of coffee,” Camille said.
“No,” Elin blurted. “I will take care of it.”
“Oh, okay.” Camille turned to Marissa. “It was nice seeing you again, Ms. Banks.”
“Likewise.”
“Please come with me, Ms. Banks. I have everything prepared.” Elin had seen Marissa wink at Camille. Her roiling stomach fought with the composure she was trying to maintain.
“I am looking forward to seeing what you have selected for me.”
When they entered the room, Elin motioned for Marissa to sit in a chair. “May I get you that coffee?”
“No, thank you. I am on a tight schedule so if you wouldn’t mind, can you just show me what you’ve come up with?”
The smile on Marissa’s face had disappeared. Elin’s heart sank at the businesslike tone as she scrunched her face in concern. Marissa wasn’t going to buy anything and she probably already had a date with Camille. No way. Determination overtook her.
“Certainly, I think you will be pleased. Let’s begin, shall we?” Pulling out her first choice, she held her breath as Marissa’s eyes scanned the picture.
Marissa’s long tapered fingers ran over the linen fabric of the last suit of Elin’s presentation. “Hmm, you know, I do believe you have come up with a very functional yet attractive wardrobe.” She repeatedly tapped her fingers on the pages. “You’ve captured success, power, and money, which is exactly what I wanted.”
Elin beamed. “Are there any you would like me to order so you can try them on?” Marissa had appeared to be very interested in all the selections, but Elin knew better than to put much stock in that. Customers were finicky and when it came down to actual selections, they tended to pick only one or two items.
“It is important in my business that I look professional at all times.” Marissa flipped through the selections again. Her eyes glanced at the drawings and photos and tapped one finger on the folder. “You have managed to capture exactly what I have been looking for...professional, but with a flair that says so much more. I think the words would be, very successful.”
Elin held her breath wondering if she would turn blue before she got an answer.
“I’d like them all.”
Elin’s eyes widened. “All?”
“Yes.” A warm smile appeared on Marissa’s face. “At first, I had my doubts about you, Elin, but after this,” she touched the presentation, “I know you are just who I have been looking for.”
A swell of excitement and pride filled Elin. “Would you mind undressing, so I can get your measurements?”
“Certainly.” Marissa stood, took off her skirt, and then began to unbutton her blouse slowly.
Elin watched as the blouse came off and couldn’t help her blush as she noticed the swell of Marissa’s nipples.
“We have a dressing room if you like. It’s probably warmer in there.” She watched as Marissa’s fingers lazily ran across her chest as she lifted her blouse off. Elin grabbed the table for support. “You can leave your slip on.” Elin regained her composure as she took Marissa’s measurements and recorded them. When she looked at the final calculations she giggled.
“What is so amusing?” Marissa asked. “Is my body that funny?”
“No. No. Let me finish, then I will show you.”
“I don’t like being made to feel foolish.”
The tone of the woman’s voice scared Elin. Damn.
“It isn’t what you might think.” She held out the page she had written the measurements on. “See, here are the measurements I just took.” She picked up a scrap of paper from the table and apprehensively handed it to Marissa. “And, here is what I had written down after you left on Monday. It’s a little game I play.”
Marissa rapidly scanned both documents and was surprised that Elin’s earlier estimations were exactly what she had written. “I’m impressed that what you guessed at on Monday was spot on.” Marissa quickly dressed then looked at her watch. “I really must be going.”
“Shall I place the order then?”
Blue eyes turned cold again. “That is what I said, isn’t it?”
“Yes, yes, it is. When would you like to come back?”
“Next Thursday at one.”
“Great. I will be looking forward to seeing you then.” Elin held out her hand and was embarrassed when Marissa reached for the door handle instead. “Goodbye.”
The woman had already left. Elin followed her out the door trying to catch up to her but she couldn’t.
†
Elin’s shoulders fell as her body finally relaxed once the door closed, signaling that Marissa had left the shop. She jotted the time and date down in her appointment book with a puzzled look. Marissa had given that day and time without consulting her schedule. That was odd. Elin took a deep breath, and although she tried hard to stop, she couldn’t hide what she knew was the relieved expression that crossed her face. Turning back to the smiling faces of her coworkers, she beamed.
“What a rush.”
“I take it by your expression it went well,” Irene said.
“My first real client and she liked everything.” Elin’s eyes widened.
“Everything? I have never had a client that liked everything,” Bess interjected.
“Yeah, she wants me to order all of my selections.”
