Now...
Her heels made a clicking noise as she walked down the hall. The knee high boots, flaring open at the top, bringing to mind the image of someone auditioning for the role of a pirate, sat over her tight blue jeans. The light blue, short sleeve, button up shirt Alyss wore hugged her body to perfection.
With tablet in hand, she focused on the new account. The Briggs account among others. Glad for the distraction from other events in her life. Those she could control, and those she could not.
Or more accurately, she knew, those she should control.
So far over the past month she had been successful. Mostly. Her roommate Clair became suspicious one morning, asking who Kayden was. The night before, at the climax of her self induced ecstasy, she must have shouted out his name, able to be heard beyond her bedroom.
Passing by the office of Mr. Zuel, the owner of their firm, reminded her of the message from him. She closed out graphics program and brought up her e-mail.
"Alyss!"
She stopped at the sound of her name echoing slightly through the squeaky clean, well lit hallway. Peering back through the open door to one of the small conference rooms she saw Regina seated behind the table therein. Her black hair done up in a perfect bob and wearing a blouse showing off her assets. Alyss saw her smile and hand gesturing her in.
"Hey? You busy?" Regina asked.
"Ah, no." Alyss turned back and walked in, all smiles and cheery disposition. "What ya needing?"
Regina did not get up from her high backed chair. "Been meaning to get with you one one about the Imperial Books account."
"I am so sorry, Regina. Been so swamped with other stuff." Alyss put on her apologetic face. The fact she was not lying tempered the discomfort she felt for in fact avoiding her.
"Well this is a perfect time," Regina said, motioning her hand at the other high back seat in the room facing away from Alyss. The chair slowly swung around, its occupant now exposed. "This is Mr. James."
Alyss looked at him. Just three feet away from her.
The sight of him hit her like a wave. Unprepared for the event, her mind and body danced between staying or fleeing, unable to feel her eyes and mouth open wide. Kayden smiled at her.
Mesmerized by his eyes looking into hers, she stared at his face as he stood, taking him in: his short dark hair, dark rimmed glasses, dark eyes, the beginnings of a five o-clock shadow.
"Hello," he said, extending his hand. "Nice to finally meet you."
His voice shot through her. Having long fantasized about what he might sound like, his soft, stern, low toned voice fit him perfectly, completing the mental image of him seared into her mind. He stood a mere two inches taller than she.
Regina stood herself and spoke. "Mr. James. This is Alyss—"
"Alyssandra!" Alyss spouted as she held out her and took his. "I mean..." She put on a wobbly smile and let out a slight, girlish laugh. "But everyone calls me Alyss."
The two shook hands. Alyss felt a chill run through her as his warm, soft hand embraced her's. She then saw his smile grow wider.
"Alyssandra," Kayden repeated. "Very nice name."
Oh my God!
She thought, hearing him say her name, her full name.
Can he say my name any sexier...
Still holding his hand, She looked Kayden over. Under the light colored, silky blazer he wore a v-neck tee shirt, one hugging his frame. His stomach came out slightly over his belt, but still appeared slender. Glancing down at his crotch, Alyss noted the mild bulge upon his pressed slacks. She began imagining what he looked like naked. The warm feeling growing between her legs since she first saw him spiked.
Immediately she looked back at his face.
His eyes are up there!
She ordered herself, a tingle and wetness adding to that warm feeling.
Regina then spoke. "Alyss here is one of our graphic designers. Hoping to get her on with you."
Alyss looked over at Regina, quickly releasing her grip on Kayden. "Ah—What? Get it on?"
"His project." Regina glanced at Kayden, noticing him still staring at Alyss. "She's a girl in demand. But sometimes I think she's just trying to avoid us!"
Regina and Kayden looked at the other and laughed. Alyss then did, realizing the attempt at humor. He then turned back towards her.
"I have heard much about you and your skills," he said. Alyss soaked up his every word. "I look forward to see what you can do for my site. Of course," he looked over at Regina, "my looks may need a bit of work." He went back to Alyss. "But thank God for computers."
Again, he and Regina laughed. Alyss smiled at him. "Oh Kayden, you don't need any enhancement—"
Kayden saw shock in her face as her mouth hung open.
"I mean, I mean," Alyss spat out, glancing between Kayden and Regina. She took a small step back, bringing her computer tablet to her chest, hugging it with both arms like a shield. "Mr. James here is a... well groomed man and I doubt... I would need to... you know... touch you-touch you up!" Another girlish giggle came from her mouth.
Way to spaz out woman,
Alyss said to herself.
"Well that's great." Regina sat back down. "We're about to go over the final contract and once Mr. Zule puts his Jonny Hancock on it, Mr. James here will be our newest client."
Kayden returned to his chair. "I look forward to working with you all."
He then glanced over at Alyss with a beaming smile.
"Oh, by the way," Regina added. "As a celebration and thanks for his faith in us, we're going to have a small party at BRs this evening."
Kayden looked back towards Regina. "Very nice place. Enjoyed it. Nice ambiance." He then swiveled his chair around, facing Alyss. "Hope to see you there as well."
Alyss stared at him, unable to look away from his.
Ambiance... Ambiance...
