Authors Notes:
Disclaimer: Celebrity appearances in this series are in no any way to be considered realistic. They are included for the entertainment of open-minded adults only. Their thoughts, words, and deeds are in no way indicative of the real celebrity. They exist here only to build a story around.
The early morning Las Vegas sun should not have been there but after her marathon lovemaking with Gary last night, she remembered they had made a mess of her room. She looked about and giggled softly. They had trashed it. The maids wouldn't be happy but they were used to this kind of a disaster. Gary had accomplished what everyone had deemed impossible last evening and together, they celebrated late into the night.
Mark was more than her business partner. He was her lover and her friend. Cherry was her lover as well and she damned sure was not going to lose her friendship ever again.
She lay in the soft early morning light and thought back over her life. She was a practicing attorney when she first met Mark Banner. Their paths crossed over a legal matter and she was impressed with the fact that he was all business. She was tall, blonde, and used to attracting every man that crossed her path. Mark was the only lawyer who looked her in the eyes and not at her tits. She respected that in him. He had just started his own firm and was building his reputation very fast. He had negotiated a huge contract for an NFL player and that information had spread throughout the professional athlete community instantly.
Michelle was a competent lawyer and a natural born skeptic. She lived and worked in Las Vegas and was destined for senior partner status with her firm. That meant long hours with zero social life. She didn't mind, as most of the men she dealt with were not what she was seeking anyway. She smiled to herself as she remembered that, back then, she had no idea what she was seeking anyway.
Her dealings with Mark had been professional and friendly, albeit they held opposing opinions of a perfect outcome on the legal matter that had brought them together. Each time they met, her curiosity piqued more. Here was a handsome, intelligent man, who obviously had no problem attracting women. She wondered why he had never asked her out.
Part of the legal profession demands fast tracked lawyers attend social events where they can network and become known. For Michelle, all that meant was she had to go to the "meat market" and spend hours fending off the trolls who populated those events. They were not her favorite things to look forward to however business demanded it. She attended an event that profoundly changed her life. The legal conference at Caesars was a necessary to attend event.
The cocktail party was a gala event and she was determined to show up, put in an appearance, and get the hell out of there as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, when you are a tall, gorgeous blonde in Vegas, you get noticed everywhere you go. Head turning when she walked into a room was normal but put her in a cocktail dress and whiplash abounds.
She entered the room and headed to the bar. Most of the lawyers in her firm were there and she spoke to several of them as she waited to get a drink. While she was chatting, she heard a buzz go though the room, heads turned and looked at the entry. Michelle gawked at one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen.
She recognized her immediately as possibly the highest priced fashion model in the world. She was on the cover of every major magazine. Michelle's eyes widened when she realized the woman was also on Mark Banner's arm. Mark looked over towards the bar and saw Michelle standing there. He said something to the woman he was with and they walked straight over.
Mark did the introductions and then smiled, "You look as happy to be here as I am."
""You have no idea," Michelle smiled. "It was either this or a root canal. This won out."
"Mark, you were right, she is not only beautiful, but she has a wonderful sense of humor," the lovely model said to him. "A lady could get jealous."
Michelle inhaled sharply at that comment. Obviously, she had become a topic of conversation. Mark excused himself and went to speak with Oscar Goodman.
"Mark hates these events. He told me about a lovely lawyer he is working with on some big deal. He said he hoped you'd be here. He said you were the only lawyer in town he felt at ease being around," the model told her.
"That is quite a compliment. I barely know him. How long have you known him?" Michelle asked.
"I've known him since we were young kids. He and my employer are the best of friends. I was just getting started modeling and Mark was always around D'Orgasmic Lingerie. He was so kind and so much of a gentleman, even at that age. All I had experienced before was every man wanting to get me into bed. He was never like that. As a matter of fact, the 'three amigos' as the guys call themselves are the same. Gentlemen all, to the core. Gary Edwards and Jeremy Carter are the sons of the founders of D'Orgasmic. If you ever meet them, you'll know what I'm talking about."
"That surprises me. With your beauty, I would have expected him to be anxious to get into your pants," Michelle said.
"Oh trust me, he got there and in fact, they all did and I don't regret it a bit. They are just a cut above anything you could ever experience. Stick around him long enough and you'll find out. If he ever takes you to bed, it will be a day you'll never forget," she giggled as Mark made his way back to join them.
"So how did I become a topic of conversation?" Michelle asked.
"I received the paperwork you requested and I called to make an appointment. I learned that you were here so we decided to come and mingle. I figured you'd be here and bored to death," Mark grinned. "I can drop it by your office tomorrow afternoon if you'd like."
"Sure, that would be fine," Michelle, told him.
"Great, my work is done here. Would you like to join us for dinner Michelle," Mark asked. "I have reservations at the Top of the World. That restaurant is one of the best kept secrets in town."
"Oh I wouldn't want to intrude, but thank you anyway," Michelle said.
"Don't be silly," Cheryl, said. "I want to get to know you better. I never know when I'm going to need a good lawyer."
"Hey, what is that all about?" Mark laughed. "You have a great lawyer."
"Darling, lawyers are like shoes. A girl can never have enough of them."
Michelle burst out laughing. "Okay then, yes, I'd love to have dinner."
They had a lovely evening and they became friends easily. Michelle was amazed at the total confidence Mark displayed. He was refined and poised. He was funny and easy to be around. Cheryl had the bluest eyes she had ever seen and she was as down to earth as anyone could be. They said goodnight and Mark said he'd drop off the paperwork for her the next day.
Michelle didn't sleep much that night. Her head was spinning. She had had a great time, which, for her, was unusual. For once, she felt at ease and comfortable with them. She could be herself and she had let down the barriers she was so used to constructing.
The following day, Mark delivered the paperwork but he didn't see her. She was in a meeting. He needed a drink and he headed to the Rio. He entered the Voodoo Lounge and was greeted by several of the waitresses. He had had a fantastic day so far. Business was coming in faster than he could have imagined. He had signed several major athletes this month. His morning meeting promised him another big name to add to his growing list later this week. At this pace, he was going to have to expand sooner than he had planned.
Michelle's secretary brought her the papers and left. Suddenly she was overcome by a sense of loss that she missed him. She left her office and decided she needed a drink. When she walked into the bar, she looked around and a smile spread across her lovely face.
"Are you stalking me Mr. Banner?"
Mark looked up and grinned. "I was here first, I do believe. Therefore, it is I who should be asking that question."
"I don't stalk," Michelle laughed as she joined him. "I'm sorry I missed you at the office. I wanted to thank you for rescuing me last night. I had a wonderful time. Cheryl is even prettier than she appears in print. You are a lucky man."
"Oh we are not an item. We are friends. We've known each other for years. She models for friends of mine. We've been friends since we were in high school."
"I got the impression that she was more than that."
"Oh, you mean 'Friends with Benefits'. I guess you could say that. We are close friends, lovers from time to time but most importantly, we are just old friends. I love her to death but I can never have her anymore than she can have me. You could say it is a perfect relationship."
"You are a complicated man Mark. Intriguing, but complicated."
He laughed and called for refills. They talked the night away. They told stories and laughed. He enjoyed her more with each passing minute.
She saw a man driven, not to just succeed, but to be the best in the world at what he did. She respected that. She also saw another side of him that really pleased her. She saw a man who could be the epitome of professionalism and yet someone who really appreciated his friends and refused to grow up in many ways. It was quite charming actually.
He, on the other hand, saw a woman with high standards, drive, and an equal desire to succeed. He wasn't surprised to discover that she was quite athletic; her body betrayed that. She was elegant, refined and yet, like him, playful and funny. He learned she had many interests outside of law. She appeared to be a student of high fashion and her interests leaned toward the playful side of the fashion industry.
"At work, I dress to hide my sexuality. At home, I dress to make me feel good and sexy," she confided to him. "I don't have much of a sex life but I like to at least feel sexy at home."
"Memo to Mark," he smiled. "Introduce Michelle to Gary and Jeremy."
"Cheryl mentioned them to me. They are your best friends I'm told."
"Yes they are and I do hope you have a rather large closet."
"Someday perhaps," she sighed, "Not at the moment though. Recently, the partners invited to become a senior partner with the firm. There is a huge buy in. I'm not living high on the proverbial hog at the moment."
"Neither am I but that will change. I've had some fantastic success and it is bringing me clients faster than I know what to do with them. I couldn't do what you do. I am damned well never going to be chained to a desk in an office. The world is my office and I plan on seeing all of it."
"Mark, something tells me you'll do exactly that. Sounds like a fun way to practice law and have fun at the same time."
"Exactly my point! Let me ask you a personal question. When was the last time you actually laughed at work?"
