"Look I told you, I don't care who you work for, I can't help you. I'm sorry but this is finalised. It can't be changed now. I'm sorry goodbye."
I didn't bother waiting for a reply, just ended the call. Of course it wasn't strictly true. These award shows were flexible to a degree. I could have added someone to the list, made sure they could get in. But the work involved in doing so this late just meant I couldn't be bothered in doing it. It wasn't worth the time or effort.
At least that had been my thought an hour before while on the phone. I sat back in my office working away endless amounts of paperwork and organising to get done for the party. That was the trouble with award shows. They didn't run themselves, and I had it all to do. Seating arrangements currently top of my list. Of course most people weren't too fussy, but if you put two people close by that had dated and split up, or didn't get on, you were likely to get endless complaints. I had lists of people from agents and assistants who didn't want to be near others. It was a constant battle not helped by interruptions.
Which was why, when my door opened up and a figure strode in I wasn't happy. At least for a few seconds until I realised who it was in my office. The woman was unmistakable. Kate Beckinsale, elegant, classy, the pictures didn't do her justice. At 43 she was better looking than a lot of women I dealt with, I had a suspicion that she knew it to.
She closed the door behind her. It was late in the day of course and I didn't think anyone else was around, but still.
"Uh Miss Beckinsale, I don't believe we've met. I wasn't expecting you."
"I believe you spoke to my assistant. There must have been a problem as she said you couldn't get me an invite but that can't be true now can it?" She murmured softly arching one eye.
The voice alone sent shivers through me. So it had been her assistant. Damn that wasn't good news.
"Look I'm sorry Miss Beckinsale."
"Kate." She interrupted.
"Kate" I replied slowly. It felt bad enough saying it, oddly intimate. I was beginning to feel out of my depth here.
"Look Kate. I'm sorry, I really am. But as I said to your assistant, I can't help you. The lists have been done and sent. It's too late now." I held my hands up in apology trying not to stare. Her slender figure looked superb.
Her long brunette locks were loose around her shoulders. Sunglasses perched on top of her head. She wore a light black blouse that hugged her torso and then a short white skirt, the lacy edges floating around her thighs which left her long legs bare. She didn't reply just walked slowly over to my desk and perched herself on one corner so I had an even better look at that leg.
"You know after I spoke with her I made a few calls. Rumour has it you can make changes. You do it all the time. You just have to have the right incentive."
I cursed wondering who had talked. I didn't like the sound of that. Not one bit.
"The thing is it's my daughter's birthday this month, 18 so extra special. I promised her a few more autographs and messages from people I know will be there. So I need to be there to get them otherwise she'll be disappointed and I can't have that. So I need to be on that list. So what will it take?"
"As I said Kate, I really can't help you it's just too late, the organising needed to do it would take so much extra time and work..."
"Ah so not impossible then, just extra work. Now were getting somewhere. So what will it take? Do you want a photo? An autograph?" She continued on her soft brown eyes glinting with amusement. I felt really out of my depth with this situation.
"I meant it Kate really I don't have the time to see to all that now it's to short notice."
"So we just need to make it worthwhile for you. So what did you want?" She teased softly this time her hand slipped out over the desk her fingers stroking my hand so I almost jumped. I suddenly looked up again meeting her mischievous gaze. What exactly was she suggesting?
"I need to be there, so whatever it takes. You can do it for me, you've just admitted it. You just need the right incentive to make it worth the effort. So now we can negotiate." She stood up slowly retreated back a few steps still smiling as she watched me. The hand that had just brushed me rose up to grip her blouse and deftly began to slowly open up a button.
I stared hard suddenly feeling the tension grow even more. "I uh Kate I really don't think this is a good idea." I began as her fingers slipped down to slowly undo a second button.
"Actually I think his might be exactly what you need to relax, just a little treat, a little extra show, a close personal view, a proper look not just a picture." She continued to tease me, her voice soft. Those fingers continued to slowly work down her blouse popping open buttons one by one.
I couldn't look away. I knew it might be wrong but I couldn't do it. Those buttons fell open one by one, over her breasts, down her belly until she slipped the final one free and then gently shrugged it off her shoulders, slowly peeling it down first one arm and then the other. She didn't rush, she worked slowly drawing it out while I just sat and watched.
The bra was lacy hugging and lifting up the soft pert curves of her breasts. The swells rising and falling steadily, looking tempting as I gazed at them.
"So are we getting better or do we need a little more yet?" She murmured again grinning, standing there hands on her hips.
I could only shake my head unable to form a sound.