Private Show (The Private Series) (11 page)

He raises an eyebrow, “Wow, you must be really
really
nervous, because you’re never speechless. Actually when you’re a normal nervous you ramble on and on.”

He leads me onto the elevator and gives me a kiss.

“You’ll be great,” I doubt that, but I am pretty good at putting on a façade when I have to.

Ben leads me to a waiting room, where we check in with a secretary, then he returns to work. Moments later, I am ushered into Mr. Andrews’s office.

He stands and walks over to me, smiles and introduces himself. “Hi, Tess, I am Ted Andrews, CEO of
Tones Magazine
. Please, please have a seat.” He is in his late thirties, with dark ash blonde hair with a little bit of gray coming through. No tie. I feel a little more at ease.

We sit and I notice his eyes linger on my legs. “Can I see what photos you have for me?”

I eagerly present him with my small portfolio on a flash drive, he offers a friendly sly smile and leans forward to take it from me, his thumb nail lightly scratching my palm as he pulls away, making my stomach twist. He plugs it in and inspects my work. I don’t think I have ever felt so self-conscious. He slowly flips through my pages and he doesn’t give anything away. Man, he has one hell of a poker face. I start to fidget with my hands.

“Do you edit your own work?” he asks.

“I do.”

“Have you edited how the performers look in anyway? To make them appear sexy… such as yourself?” His questions makes me uncomfortable; where is he going with this?

“No sir.” I answer, trying not to crack my voice.

He nods in what I hope is approval. Finally, he closes the black case and flips it over. Leaning back in his CEO chair, he smiles.

“Very impressive work, Miss Martin, Mr. Mitchell was right on with how great your work is. Now, we have had a lot of applications for a new event photographer, but since my highest-ranking columnist has recommended you, I am going to give you a test run. One show. I want ten of the best shots, from start to finish. If you can give me those and I can use them in the next issue, I will set you up here at
Tones
with a monthly salary of twenty-five hundred and will increase it once it takes off. What do you think?”

I want to jump up and down and hug the man, but I am pretty sure that is against any and all first-acquaintance behavior. Especially with a possible future boss. “Of course,” I practically squeak.

He smiles and stands, holds out his hand to shake, but pulls me in for a hug instead; his hand lingers on my lower back. “Then this Friday you will be working with Mr. Mitchell. He tells me you are dating. Now, we don’t have anti-dating rule here at
Tones
, I figure what you do in your personal time is up to you, as long as it doesn’t affect your work. I trust that won’t be an issue?” He asks with a wink. Ew.

“No, sir.”

“Ben will have all of your access badges and information on the show for Friday night. I look forward to see what you report back. Have fun.”

I thank him and make my way to the office next door.

Ben’s office.

I am caught off guard when I see that he has blinds extended down over the glass walls. I can’t see him, like I did before. I knock on his door.

He answers the door right away. “How did it go?” He backs up to allow me into his office. Which is all grays and blacks with some red tones thrown in, just like his apartment. There are photos of him with numerous bands and albums on the walls. He has music playing low in the background.

“We are working Friday night together?” I can finally squeal.

Ben swoops me up in a big bear hug that makes me drop everything in my hands.

“Will we get to do every show together?” I ask.

“I would presume so. How was he?” Speaking of Mr. Andrews.

“Um, well, he’s a little unsettling, but everyone is different right?”

“Just keep it professional with him and you’ll be fine and you let me know if he gets handsy.” Ben jokes.

“Ha ha.” I smack his shoulder.

He nips my neck lightly with his teeth, the sensation shoots right between my legs and I let out a little moan. His hands glide from my arms to my ribs and rest on my hips.

“Ben,” I warn.

“Hmmm?”

“What are you doing?” I ask.

He then moves his hands to my thighs. “Touching my beautiful girlfriend in my office.”

“Obviously. But do you think this is appropriate?”

“Like you once asked me… when am I ever appropriate around you?” He them moves his hands to the apex of my thighs and I throw my head back to rest it on his shoulder. He takes this opportunity to lay a whopping sexy kiss on my mouth. He dives deep with his tongue and I give it right back full force. I start to move my behind on his lap and I can feel him starting to get hard. If I have any intention of getting out of this I better do it now… but do I want to stop?

I stand up off of his lap and step away. I can see the disappointment on his face. Why is he upset? I am sure he has had quite a few afternoon delights in this office, and that thought quickly makes my stomach turn.

His phone rings and he quickly grabs it off his desk and either ignores it, or turns it off, “Someone important?” I ask teasingly.

“No one is more important that you.”

“Ooh, nice save.” And the phones goes off again, who the hell?

“Where are you going?” he asks with sad eyes.

I know how to rectify this situation and I can’t believe I am going to do this here and right now. I walk to the other side of his desk and stand by his leather chair. I take his phone and turn it off.

I point to his chair. “Sit.”

Eyebrows raised, he obeys my orders and I feel hot with power. He brushes his shoulder against mine as he walks past me and I get the chills. He sits down and looks up at me with a heated glare, his mocha eyes searing me deep into my soul, and I feel my heart skip a beat. He reaches out to grab my hips but I shake my index finger at him: No touching! He gives me a fake pout, which makes me want to laugh, but I am trying my damnedest to be sexy!

I move in closer to him and I step between his long legs. I place both hands on either side of the large chair and I lean in, my mouth just about brushing his. I give his lips a quick lick and move my hands down the front of his chest to his belt. I look into Ben’s widening eyes.

That gives me the confidence I need.

I undo the leather belt and unbutton his dark jeans, and slowly unzip the zipper. I reach into his pants and through his boxers I find him hard and ready for me.

He gasps when I drop to my knees.

I lean forward and I teasingly flick the tip of his head with my tongue, and he throws his head back against his black plush chair. I take this time to take him deep into my mouth, making him growl, which turns me on to the point where I moan with him in my mouth. I am guessing he likes this because his dick twitches and his hips unintentionally pump up, so I do it again as I start to move. I change my speed from fast to leisurely slow, which makes him whimper.

I like this power I hold over him.

I flick him once more and take him deeper than before, he moans and his head shoots up and looks right into my eyes. Biting down on his own lip to conceal his desire, he comes hot and hard into my mouth. I slowly stand to my feet and he is breathing heavy and ragged, trying to do up his pants.

I turn away and I finally get that pen I was going for.

I couldn’t believe the look on Tess’s face when I got down to the front of the building. I don’t know how she could be so nervous, her photos and well… practically anything she does is amazing. She just needs to build that confidence. So once I got her text I knew a good cup of coffee would help settle her nerves.

I am incredibly excited knowing that I might just get to work with her and to possibly do shows together. We would make a great team and I hope Mr. Andrews sees that too, that’s why I asked him to put her on an assignment with me. I won’t let her know that right away though, if at all really. She will get the job regardless of me, I just want him to see that we should work together.

While she is in her interview I decide to throw on some music and finish that article that’s due in by the end of the day. But having her here is a big distraction, all I can think about is how it’s going and I hope she remembers to breath and not pass out. Well, it’s either that or she has had too much caffeine and she won’t stop fidgeting or talking, but if I had to guess she is sitting their quietly and nervously biting that pink lip of hers. Yup. Big distraction today.

When I saw my phone light up and I heard that one annoying fucking ring I hate. I look down at it and hit ignore it right away, which is just one call that will happen on my terms as usual.

A few minutes later I got a call from reception and was told I had a call from that same person. She had some balls to call here. I had told Pete to block her.

When I heard a knock on the door I was hoping it was her and when I saw her standing there I just had to grab her up. I had already taken the opportunity to close the large blinds that over the glass walls for a little privacy.

I am oh so freaking glad I did to. I couldn’t believe it when she dropped to her knees for me in my office. I have never had a woman do anything to me here. EVER. And my God! When she moaned for me in her mouth it took all of my strength to not come, I didn’t want it to end that quickly, but holy crap that felt amazing.

And what was I saying about her confidence? I think she has earned that badge.

Thankfully she never looked at my phone’s screen.

I head down the street to the same Starbucks that Ben scared the shit out of me at not long ago, making me plaster my latte all over the window. OK, maybe I will go to the other Starbucks around the corner…

I duck inside just before a downpour. I make my way to the counter and place my order; I think I deserve a triple shot today!

I take my drink and put in my ear buds, listening to music on random shuffle. Right as I am about to dive into one of my favorite parts, I see Erin’s boyfriend Mark at the window seat, and he is not alone. At first I thought it could have been Erin, because the woman is tall and has her hair braided and pulled to the side, but she is no redhead.

I am sure it’s innocent, because if Mark is smart enough he won’t hurt my best friend. He wouldn’t have to fear only me, but Erin is a ballbuster and won’t stand for that crap. Then I see him run his hand up her bare leg.

Nope, not innocent. It’s your funeral, man.

With my iPod, I snap a quick pic for proof. I keep watching as he tucks a stray hair behind her ear, brushes his leg against hers, and tickles her palm.

Just as they are standing to leave he looks over this way and I try to duck my head so he doesn’t see me. Fail. He says something to the woman and steps away, shit shit, he is coming over.

“Tess…”

I hold up my hand to stop him and his eyes widen, “Look, I don’t know how serious you and Erin are and this is none of my business, that and who your friend may be. But you are in the wrong right now, Mark.”

He quickly looks over to the woman who is now on her way over… damn it, can this get any more awkward? She stops next to him and puts her hand on his arm. He frowns at me and looks ashamed.
Damn straight, tuck that tail between your legs…

“I gotta get going, baby, I’ll see you later tonight right?” The talk platinum blonde bats her eyelashes. I am assuming she is doing this to make sure I hear that she is with him. Well, hunny, I wouldn’t be caught dead dating a cheater, and if you only knew…

He kisses her cheek and nods. She glares at me and walks out of the coffee shop. Mark drops his head, “Look… I could ask you to not say anything to Erin, but I know you will. I planned on breaking it off a while ago, but damn, that girl is hot between the sheets.”

I can’t believe he just said that to me and I can’t believe he expects me to let it slide either. I stand up, get close to his smug face. I am not one who likes confrontation, but when it comes to my best friend and you are downright bragging about sleeping with other women and telling me that you are only staying with her for the sex…