Haze(5)

"I come bearing samples of one of our new items." She swings both her arms so wildly in the air that she stumbles backwards, her heel tapping the edge of one of the bags causing it to fall over spilling most of its contents on the polished floor.

Gianna grimaces as she drops Cicely's hand to point towards the garter slips that are now in full view. "Look what you've done."

Before Cicely has a chance to turn to pick up the slips, I'm on my knees, pushing them back into the bag. I would have been happy to stay where I was but if I'm going to hold onto this job, I need to make at least one good impression on Gabriel Foster. This may be my only chance.

The room falls silent except for the sound of shoes against the marble floor. I catch a glimpse of a black wingtip oxford just as it comes into view. There's little time for me to react before I sense him crouching next to me. I suck in a deep breath hoping that he won't fire me in front of all these women while I'm on all fours with a handful of lingerie.

"Allow me to help." His breath races across my cheek as he leans in to scoop up the lingering pieces.

I only nod softly in agreement as my breath catches when his hand brushes against mine. The touch, matched with the scent of his exquisite cologne, and the sound of his voice, makes me feel momentarily light-headed. I close my eyes hoping to ward off the sensation and the temptation to lean against him.

"You have your hands full, son." Gianna's voice pulls Gabriel back to his feet. "I'm leaving. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," he repeats. "I'll take care of that issue we discussed before the end of the day."

Just as I stand I catch Gianna, with her coat and purse in hand, rounding the corner towards the elevator.

"Mr. Foster." Cicely stands in front of Gabriel. "I'm prepared to go over the samples with you."

"Samples?" His hands jump to the silver necktie he's wearing. He straightens it, keeping his eyes trained on my face. "These are the samples that were delivered last week?"

"These are the ones." She scoops two of the bags into her hands as she brushes past him on her way into his office.

I follow her lead because right now, Cicely owns this meeting with her misplaced sense of why we are even in the Foster Enterprises building. Mr. Foster doesn't seem fazed that we arrived together with this much of his product in hand. Maybe I did misjudge what happened back at the boutique.

I pick up the remaining two bags and take a step towards his office. Any relief I may have felt is wiped away in a single second as I feel his hand catch hold of my elbow. His breath races over my cheek when he leans down and close, his voice low enough that only I can make out the words. "I wanted you here alone, Isla. I thought I made that clear."

Fuck. Just, f*ck.

I don't turn to look at him when I feel his hand drop away. I pull in a deep breath, walk into his office and wait for his next move.





CHAPTER FOUR


Gabriel




"I apologize for the delay," I say as I close my office doors behind me. "A matter came up that couldn't be ignored."

Cicely, the boutique manager, nods vigorously in understanding even though it's now near five o'clock. After my mother left, I'd retreated to one of the empty boardrooms to make the inevitable call changing the course of Dante Castro's career. I half-expected more push on his end but he'd taken the news with calm resignation.

I anticipated at least a question or two about why the offer was being pulled but there was none of that. His voice had lowered as he told me he understood and with that the call ended.

I'd spent the next thirty minutes connecting with the magazine contacts to correct what I called, 'a simple oversight on the part of one of our internal managers.'

I see no need to embarrass my mother. If I can't find a workaround to save her from humiliation, I'll craft one. It's all part of helming both the business, and my family. It certainly helped when I offered each contact backstage access to our showing during fashion week here in New York.

"Should I begin now?" Cicely springs from her chair. "I arranged the garter slips on the sofa by color."

I look toward the large black sofa that I sat on not more than an hour ago with my mother. Draped over the back cushions and armrests are pieces of lingerie.

"I prepared a presentation." Cicely glances down at her smartphone. "I have my notes open. I'm ready whenever you are, sir."

Unlike Cicely, Isla is sitting quietly, her legs crossed at the knee as her right foot bobs up and down. Her hands are resting in her lap, discreetly holding the front of the skirt of her pink dress in place.

When I'd entered the room, Cicely's head was the only one that turned. Isla's shoulders had tensed briefly before they relaxed once her manager spoke.

I made no mention of Cicely coming to my office when I was at the boutique earlier. I'm not sure what Isla did to convince her boss to tag along but it's impressive. I admire creativity and tenacity. It changes absolutely nothing though.

Isla's proposition was all I needed to extend the invitation. Regardless of who is doing the offering, sexual favors for customers is grounds for dismissal. She may be a new hire but there's no room for excuse. Any employee who doesn't follow company guidelines is expendable; even if that person has a face that can stop traffic and a body that can bring a man to his knees.