Layers(34)

To make sure I don’t look like one of the characters in Twilight I put on some mascara and a tan shade of blush. That’ll do. Time to play grown up.

~~~

I arrive earlier than we’ve agreed upon, but Ken doll, aka “boss” is already there, grinning at me with a tad-too-excited-to-see-me smile as I approach his room.

“Good morning.” A perfect set of bright, white teeth greet me as I enter his office.

“Good morning.” I mirror him. “Here and ready,” I declare.

Hope that didn’t come across wrong. Stupid innuendos! That’s something I should say to Daniel when I see him. Then I suddenly realize we haven’t planned anything together when he left off yesterday. I get slightly low thinking about it.

“Let’s get some coffee in us first, shall we?” Josh offers.

“I like your thinking.” I follow him. “Where are we going?” I ask, noticing he’s walking toward the main entrance.

“We have a Starbucks just around the corner.” That radiant, at-the-verge-of-annoying smile again.

“Valuable information,” I murmur idly.

“How do you take your drink?”

I look at him, distracted, still deep in my thoughts.

Noticing my puzzled look he asks, “How do you take your coffee?”

Oh. “I’ll take a grande, doubleshot, extra hot cappuccino without too much foam.”

“One of those,” Josh now shines his smile at the blushing, freckled redhead operating the register.

“Anything else?” he refers back to me.

“I’m good, thanks.”

“So let’s go start the day, shall we?”

That smile again. The guy is a walking ad for Colgate.

~~~

“Hayley, there’s someone here to see you,” I am hailed by Miss Piercings from reception. Looking at her perplexed, I question, “Is that so? I don’t think it could be for me. Perhaps there’s another Hayley around?” She twists her face into a shrewd smile—the first time I see her smile. She’s actually kind of cute if you overlook her hair and defiled face.

“We don’t have another Hayley here,” she mutters, short-tempered. Relax, kid. Josh looks at me questioningly; I shrug, having no clue who it might be.

“Where is this someone? Does he have a name?”

“He’s in the reception area. I didn’t ask for his name but he’s ultra-hot.” Both Josh and I look at her saucer-eyed. She grimaces back at us, seemingly completely indifferent to our stares. Impudent young creature.

I see him casually leaning against the wall in the reception: tall, white polo shirt, jeans, wavy gold hair, all Daniel. My heart skips a beat, both from seeing him and from seeing him here. Josh looks at me with an inquisitive stare.

“Daniel,” I say as I get closer and face him.

“Good morning.” He sends me his irresistible, crooked smile.

And the reason for your gorgeous self being here would be? I smile back, still waiting for some sort of enlightenment. Josh coughs next to me.

“Oh, Daniel, this is Josh Wilde, the creative director of YOU.”

Josh enthusiastically extends his hand for a shake; Daniel mirrors his action except with utter apathy.

“Daniel,” he mumbles, his eyes fixated on mine.

Josh completes his line with deferential enthusiasm, “Stark.”

The bored thin line on Daniel’s lips could not be more suggestive of his slight annoyance.

“Nice to meet you,” Josh says, still eager.

“Same here,” Daniel says, still indifferent.

“So, to what do I have the pleasure, Daniel?” I ask, glancing sideways at Josh trying to signal, can we have a moment here? And there’s also Miss Goth-Gone-Wild observing us shamelessly.

“I didn’t want to start my morning without kissing you,” Daniel says bluntly, that wicked grin of his on his face; I freeze and imagine that my face is currently the brightest shade of red that exists on the planet. Josh finally dismisses himself, murmuring something about me coming to see him later.

Daniel takes a step to get closer to me and settles himself legs parted with mine in-between, one hand at my lower back, pulling me closely to him till I can feel his concrete chest against me. His other hand, at the back of my neck, gently tilts my head up to meet his slightly-parted lips and kisses me the most corrosive, lustful kiss.

Wow. Every molecule in my body has awakened. While I’m still in a state of shock he leans down and whispers in my ear, “Why, Miss Grace, you seemed so much more talkative the last time we had the pleasure of meeting. Have you lost your words now, do you need a moment?” Oh, I need a moment; yes, I need a moment to regain the power to stop myself from jumping you in public, D.

He chuckles and hugs me close, very tight, enveloping me against him, then says in a low voice, “Please wear this bra tonight when you come over. It is so hot.”

We’re meeting tonight?

Hardly getting back to my senses, I manage to say, “As long as you promise to take it off later.”

His look narrows and his face turns stern. “Keep saying that and I will drag you to the nearest alley.”

By all means, please do.

“When are you off? When can I pick you up?”

I blink at him, elated. So determined, Mr. Stark. Care to ask perhaps if I can, if I don’t have any prior plans? “I don’t know yet, I’ll text you later.” Being my first day here and you causing a scene and all …