“Nah.” She waved a hand in dismissal. “I’m fine. Besides, boss, I wouldn’t want to delay your meeting a minute longer and screw up your schedule. Carry on.”
It was the least productive meeting Ben had ever had the misfortune to sit in on. Every time he tried to discuss a subject, all he could see were Lauren’s boobs thrusting out at him from the video screen. Or, when he attempted to divert his gaze, he had to watch George and Chris practically drooling as they kept their own gazes peeled to the screen. Every so often, when Karl spoke from his end in Tennessee, the amusement in his voice was glaringly obvious.
And all the while Lauren continued to sit there, half-naked and cool as a cucumber, not seeming to give a rat’s ass that four men were all leering at her lustfully. She was doing it on purpose, of course, as payback for Ben’s early wake-up call and stern insistence that she join the chat without further delay. And her truly evil method of revenge was working all too well, because instead of discussing important details about the team’s next assignment, all he could think about was pulling that strap further down her arm until one plump breast popped out and then sucking at the erect pink nipple until she was wild with sensation. He wished he could yank her right through the screen into this room and onto his lap, strip her naked and let her ride him until they were both crying out in release. Lauren liked to be on top, controlling things, and he’d been helpless to resist her each time she’d pushed him onto his back and had her wicked way with him.
Just when he was ready to call an abrupt halt to the meeting, figuring that nothing the least bit productive was getting done, Lauren’s image disappeared from the screen for a few moments. When she returned, Ben couldn’t help sighing in relief to see that she had pulled on that ratty old bathrobe she loved so much. With her ripe, tempting body now fully concealed, he was able to concentrate on the meeting and not worry that George and Chris would spy his massive erection.
She was a devil, he thought darkly a short while after the video chat ended, and he was alone in his office. A green-eyed, long-haired devil with a face and body to tempt a saint. And he was constantly tempted, continually provoked, no matter how far away she was or how coolly she treated him.
As the demands of his workday pressed upon him, however, he forced thoughts of Lauren from his mind. Ben considered himself to still be very much in learning curve mode when it came to his job, still unfamiliar with any number of his new responsibilities. He’d known from the moment he had accepted this job that he would be at an immediate disadvantage, and would have to work extra hard to learn the ropes. And that meant spending long hours at the office, taking work home with him at night, and often on the weekends as well.
And even though it had only been a scant three months since he’d left his old job, Ben sorely missed the travel and excitement of exploring new places, of writing his stories, and even hanging around airports to wait for a connection or because of a flight delay. Most days something like that would beat the hell out of reviewing an article that wasn’t his own, or sitting through a planning meeting for a trip he wouldn’t be taking, or, worse, enduring another tiresome session going over finances and budgets with the irritating Nadine.
But he’d made a commitment – both to his new bosses here at the magazine and also in a way to Elle – and he wasn’t inclined to commit professional suicide by bailing on a brand new job this quickly. Or to upset Elle by telling her that this really wasn’t what he wanted for himself.
Elle was already none too pleased with the long hours he worked, and how tired and stressed he was as a result. He’d had to back out of more than a few social engagements as of late, including a dinner just two nights ago with a college friend of Elle’s and her new husband. Elle had been equal parts annoyed and disappointed, and he had even noticed a shimmer of tears in her eyes, which in turn had made him feel like an unfeeling jerk.
“Look, Elle. I’m really sorry,” he’d apologized. “But these reports have to be turned in first thing in the morning, and I’m already going to be working until two or three a.m. to get them done.”
She’d given a little sniffle, her mouth quivering just a bit. “I know how busy you are,” she’d acknowledged. “It’s just that Antonia and Oscar will only be in town for two nights, and they already have plans for tomorrow. And I really wanted you to meet her.”
“I’m sorry,” he had told her again, giving her a quick hug. “This job is really kicking me in the ass right now, though. I’m beginning to think I’ve taken on more than I can handle.”
“What?” Elle had asked in alarm. “Ben, you can’t start thinking that way. You’ve only been on the job a few months, so give it some time. I mean, even with all the hours you work it’s still better than having you traveling so often.”
He’d nodded. “I know. It’s just going to take some getting used to. Everything is so different – so, well, monotonous, I guess.”
The look of alarm on her face was replaced with one of dismay. “Are you trying to say you miss the travel? Miss your old job?” she asked, her voice pitched higher than normal. “That you regret making this move?”
Ben had sighed. “I’m not saying that, Elle. It’s just – different. And it’s going to take some time for me to adjust. Now, stop worrying about it or you’re going to be late meeting your friends.”
“You’re sure you can’t steal away for a little while and join us?” she’d pleaded. “Even for a quick drink?”
“I wish I could,” he’d told her gently. “But every minute is going to count tonight if I want to get caught up.”
Elle had given a little huff. “You always seem to have time to meet your staff for drinks, though. Just last week you were late meeting me for dinner because you were having a drink with Chris and Karl and that awful Lauren.”
It had been the second time that Elle had brought Lauren into the conversation. The first had been the evening they’d had drinks with the team, and Elle had been aghast at Lauren’s bold, forthright manner, how much she’d had to drink, the way she had been dressed, and of course her tattoos.
“But I suppose for someone like her tattoos and piercings are no big deal,” Elle had sniffed. “She’s very crude, isn’t she?”
Ben had shrugged, trying valiantly to maintain a casual, unconcerned air. “She’s a tough lady, no doubt about it. But she needs to be, given her profession and the fact that the rest of her team are all men.”
“Lady?” Elle had been scornful. “There’s nothing the least bit ladylike about her. Even George said so.”
“George is an ass,” Ben had stated flatly. “And he was way out of line with what he said. He’s just lucky Lauren didn’t deck him. She’s quite the martial arts expert from what I’m told.” He hadn’t added that he’d seen her in action, and that her skills were off the charts.
Elle had given a dainty shudder. “Which only serves to prove my point. None of the ladies I know would ever consider practicing martial arts. And she has no filter at all, no manners. Did you see the way she lifted her shirt up to show off that ugly tattoo on her back? Does she really think that men find that sort of thing attractive?”
“Some men do,” Ben had replied neutrally. “And just because she has tattoos doesn’t automatically make her unladylike. Lots of people – men and women – get tattoos these days.”