Narcissa Valentine. Even her name annoyed him. It sounded like some self-involved designer or hairdresser, not the name of the new Vice President of International Relations. And yet, that was her title. One she had plucked right out from under him. Whimsically, he thought that maybe it was because his name was so plain, maybe he should have changed it, made it more romantic and intriguing. But Jackson Fray Nelsen had been his father's name, and now he bore it proudly.
He had worked his way up the corporate ladder, starting right out of college and immersing himself in the corporation and its politics. He was next in line for Vice President, it had been as good as offered to him. Then, they accepted outside applications. Then, they hired HER. God, he was prepared to dislike her, this usurper of his position.
Memos flew around the office, directing the staff to make the transition easy, to make the new Vice President feel welcomed. Jack didn't feel like being cooperative or friendly. He felt like undermining her at every turn. He wanted her to go back to fashion or whatever she was suited for with that name, leaving big corporate decisions to the men who could handle them.
As the days passed, things around the office were hectic. The corner office, his corner office, was painted and recarpeted and new furniture moved in. Meetings were held to set up the pecking order, and to encourage the employees to welcome Ms. Valentine warmly and sincerely.
Then it was her arrival day. Everyone was sitting at their desk, pretending to be busy, but wanting to be the first to see her, to have the scoop to share with fellow employees. It was almost anti-climatic when she finally arrived. No fanfare, no trumpets. Just a woman walking into the reception area and asking for the company president. Many of the employees missed it. They were expecting an entourage, simpering underlings answering "yes" to everything.
Instead, Narcissa Valentine entered quietly and alone. Jack happened to be at the reception desk, picking up his messages when she walked up. Not knowing who she was, he was pleasant and friendly. It would be hard not to be. She was a striking woman. Small, petite, dark, with a beautifully tailored suit that fit her body perfectly. Her legs were short and shapely, encased in fine silk hosiery. Jack considered himself a leg man, and these were perfectly wonderful. She smelled delicious, a combination of flowers and powder, that he inhaled happily. The absolute best part was the little hat she wore. A hat! A perfect hat with the tiniest feather perched jauntily on the side. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen a woman wear a hat, and she wore it so very well.
He almost fell over himself trying to be helpful. He offered her coffee, a sweet roll, a seat in the well-appointed reception area. He sat beside her, keeping her company as she waited to be summoned to the inner office. She sat back, comfortable with herself, crossing those splendid legs, and sipped her coffee. Jack was his wittiest, his most charming. The lovely woman, the stranger who had walked into his life so unexpectedly, seemed quite taken with him too. She had a lovely deep laugh, from her heart. Her eyes smiled at him, lit from within.
He began chatting with her, drawing her out, while thanking the fates for sending her to him. Her hair was dark and worn short, a style Jack usually disliked. He preferred his women to have long, flowing locks. But on her, the cut was very attractive. She had curls that seemed to punctuate the air and he knew if he touched them they would be caressable. Her eyes were so dark, Jack would have said they were black, but he could see hints of golden flecks there, softening them. Her smile was devastating, her lips slightly puffy and very kissable. The suit, a butter yellow color, skimmed her compact body, and enhanced her exotic coloring. Her shapely legs were encased in creamy silk stockings. As she crossed her legs, he could hear the faint swish of silk on silk, and his blood pounded.
She was intelligent too. What were the odds of finding a woman so enticing who could discuss business and finance this easily? Jack totally forgot that they were in the reception area of his workplace. He felt so comfortable and relaxed, so incredibly pleased to be here with her. He could easily imagine this being a cozy restaurant bar, and that they were waiting for a table, making conversation and getting to know each other while on a very good first date.
