I wake the next morning from a deliciously deviant dream. I was bent over a silver serving trolley with Sam Byron spanking my ass hard and then smoothing cold vanilla ice cream over my pinkened cheeks to soothe them.
I shake my head sleepily, scolding myself and stretch out against my white linen sheets, ignoring the wetness between my legs.
The sunlight is streaming through my bay window in spite of the vintage floral curtains hanging top to bottom. It's one of the reasons I love this flat -- it's part of a converted Victorian townhouse & the light is fantastic. I stretch again before forcing myself up and heading to the shower.
As the water gushes down on me, visions of Sam Byron and that infectious grin enter my head again and I'm tempted to relieve myself right there, but I resist the urge. I've got work to do.
I sit down at my desk with my hair damp around my shoulders. Fresh pot of coffee, check. Laptop fired up, check. I'm all set to tidy up my chapter on Dr Hutchinson and his love of latex. The same Dr Hutchinson whose regular appointment is tonight as it happens. I need to swing by the agency later to pick up my freshly laundered red dress.
I'm very grateful that Crystal is so organised like that -- I'm not sure how I'd explain some of my 'work clothes' at the local dry cleaners.
Before I can even read a sentence, there's a knock at the door. Sighing, I get up and tighten my satin dressing gown.
'Miss Amber?' the delivery driver asks cheerfully with an armful of flowers -- smiling a little too widely at the sight of me in my short flimsy gown. I'm momentarily thrown.
'Um yeah, that's me.' I reply.
'Sign here please.'
Shit. I've never signed as Amber before. As I make up a signature, I mentally rack my brains for anyone who knows Amber and my address. Crystal has never sent flowers before and Ruby definitely wouldn't -- she's got a weird thing about "paying money for dead things".
I send the delivery man on his way and close the door, quickly finding a small white envelope attached to the stunning bouquet.
There's a brief handwritten message in an elegant, looping script:
'Thank you for last night, it was delicious.
As are you.
S x'
Byron.
I scold myself for being so sloppy -- clearly Harvey is very dedicated to his boss's orders.
Still, the flowers are beautiful -- a massive hand-tied posy of various exotic looking blooms that I don't recognise. They smell incredible too. I smile as it dawns on me. They smell of vanilla. My smile widens as I picture the sender with a smug grin on his face as he thought of his clever joke-come thoughtful gesture.
Just when I had managed to get that impossibly handsome man out of my head, he's right back in there.
I put the flowers in water and get back to work.
* * * * *
Later that day, as I walk into the office, Crystal is on the phone, as ever.
'I'm so glad to hear that Mr Stevens, here at Precious Gems, we do always aim to exceed your expectations.' She gives me a wink and motions for me to sit down.
I flop into the chair in front of her desk and smile as I listen to her finishing with Mr Stevens -- she really does love to lay the charm on thick. As she hangs up, she lights a cigarette and inhales deeply.
'Amber, darling. How are you? How was your big spender last night?' she gushes.
'I'm good thanks Crystal, and he was fine.' I smile, handing her the envelope of cash.
'Fine? That's it?' she quizzes. I look at her, confused.
'Amber, sweetheart, did you even look in here?' she holds up the envelope.
I shake my head, shrugging. After three years of working for her, I trust this woman implicitly, she deals with the cash & I always get my cut. She rips open the envelope and quickly counts out a pile of notes.
'Four thousand.' She says matter of factly, pushing the pile towards me.