Rising Up: Finding Me book 1 (4 page)

"I know but he was just so gorgeous and I think I would like to see him again, you know that when we start work we'll be so busy, so I just fancy a bit of fun, so what do you think, shall I call him?  And don't think I didn't notice the way you and his cousin were looking at each other as we left."

"Yeah well, I'm not looking for that sort of thing right now, but how about we compromise? We'll get the first week of work out of the way, and then you can call or we can just hit the bar again and see if they are there."

"Yay!" Jumping up and clapping her hands, "Thank you so much.  You are the bestest best friend in the world!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know you love me!"  The rest of the day is brilliant, we shop, we have lunch, we people watch, and laugh so much that I realized how much Jake had brought me down, I felt lighter and happier than I had for a long time.

*

Getting up for work this morning is both exciting and nerve-wracking, we had a practice run yesterday and we know where we are going, and how long it will take and as it’s walking distance from our apartment we decided not to get rent a car.

I dress in an above the knee charcoal grey skirt with a black tailored shirt, and as I’m so tall I keep my heels reasonable low.  Maddie is similarly dressed but she has on her usual killer heels.  So grabbing a coffee from the Deli on the corner and we are set to go.

“I’m really beginning to shit myself now Ginny.”  Maddie looks a little bit green and her hands are shaking.

“Don’t be nervous, we have spoken to HR plenty of times now, and they chose us Maddie, out of all the other applicants, we got picked, so head up, shoulders back and let’s go and kick some butt.”  I grab her free hand and give it a squeeze.

“You’re right, we are awesome!  Let’s go.”  So with a smile we enter the main reception area, and then our faces fall when we see the photographs of the partners and associates on the wall behind the receptionist desk.

“Shit!!!”  My mouth drops open.

“Fuck!!!”  Maddie turns round and goes to leave.

There in front of us in all of their absolute glory are Lake Davenport and Mason Reynolds.  Not the two complete hot hunks that flirted and messed with us on Friday night, but two incredibly successful, taking-the-US-by-storm, hot-shot lawyers.

Seriously What The Fuck???

Just then the smoked glass doors open and a woman I recognize from our Skype conversations approaches us.  “Madeleine, Imogen how lovely to finally talk in person.  Welcome to Davenport-Reynolds and Partners, please come this way.”

I look at Maddie and see that the green tinge is spreading back over her face, and under my breath I start to whisper, “Maddie!  Come on pull yourself together.  Let’s go.”  I turn back to my new colleague, “April, it’s super to meet you too. We can’t wait to get to work. “I grasp Maddie’s hand and we go through to our new jobs.

After the shock of our first day, the remainder of our first week at work has been hectic, we have been introduced to so many co-workers that it will take a while for me to remember everyone’s names, and have yet to be assigned to a particular team, but we have been issued with our id cards and computer log on details, and have spent days with the HR manager completing all the forms and paperwork needed for our year here, as well as understanding the computer system and the programs they use.

We have taken up the offers of lunches, and have made friends with other girls our age.  Every person I speak to is friendly and welcoming, and all speak highly of the two young partners and the achievements they have made since taking over the firm, but how will they feel when they see that the two girls from the bar are now their two newest employees?

Imogen

Friday soon comes, and even though I’m feeling pretty tired, I know I promised Maddie, so we are going to hit the bar again.  I'm getting ready to go out again, I pay more attention to my clothes and make-up knowing that back home I'd be told I looked trampy and dressing up like a tart.  I know this would really piss off Jake which only fuels my desire to look as good as I can.

My new short dark denim skirt and silk vest top look good with my wedge sandals I pull my hair into a loose plait over my shoulder and a quick spray of L'eau D'Issy, my favorite perfume and I'm all set. 

The strange feeling is back again, and I'm trying to put it down to nerves, because everything is new, but deep down I know it's because of one very tall, and exquisitely handsome man and my desire to see him again.

Maddie’s voice interrupts my thoughts.  "Are you ready Ginny?"

"Yep, I'm good to go." 

I walk out to the main room and see that Maddie has pulled out all the stops too.

"You're looking good Mads, No holds barred tonight then?"  I laugh happily at her.

"D'you think it's too much?”  She shakes her head.  “No, of course not I look hot!"  Her white denim shorts are teamed up with a tight bright pink shirt tied under her breasts, and her signature high heels finish off the outfit.  "Let's go! 

And just looking at us tonight, even if the guys from last week aren't there, we won't be alone for long."

"Just promise me you won't try and hook me up with anyone tonight, Mads I mean it," when she raises her eyebrow at me. "Let me do this my way, okay?"

"Sure, I promise."  Giving me a hug we set out.

I see Tammy as soon as we walk in, and she leads us off to her section. "You girls look fabulous, have you had a good week settling in?"

"Yeah we hit the mall last weekend and work has been hectic but good.  Tamsin this is Maddie, my best friend."

"Hi Maddie, it's good to meet you.  Just let me know if you get pestered tonight and I'll shoo them away for you."

"Thanks Tammy, but I think Maddie here is ready to get pestered."  I laugh and we sit down.

"I'll bring your drinks over, two beers and a couple of margaritas to follow?"

"Yes please."  I can see Maddie scoping the room, but she doesn't look like she has seen them.  "No sign of them then?"

"No, not yet, but it's still early."  I can hear the desperation in my voice and I try to calm down.

We sit back and enjoy our drinks, chatting about our day and trying to decide what to do tomorrow, it's Saturday and we have no real idea of what goes on around here at the weekend. I’d notice a couple of posters for a market, so we decide to go there.

After about half an hour I suddenly feel my skin prickle and the hairs on my arms stand on end, and I know that Mason has walked in, I try not to look around but can't stop myself, and although I can’t see him yet I get the feeling he knows I’m here.

How can my body react to somebody like this?  I don't even know him, but hell my skin feels like it's singing out to him.

"Maddie, they're here." I whisper.

"Where? I can't see them."  Her eyes roam around the room.

"Neither can I, but, and I know this is weird, I can feel him. They will find us soon.  Stop looking around Mads, it makes you look desperate."  I chuckle at her.

"I am desperate!  Do you know how long it's been? I'm gonna have to send a chimney sweep up there soon to clear out the cobwebs!"

I'm really laughing hard now.  "I've spotted them.  Fuck!  Maddie, he is so fucking gorgeous."  Tonight Mason is in faded jeans and a tight white T-shirt, showing off his perfectly toned muscles, and I can see a tattoo peeking out under the sleeve, and a shadow of more ink under the shirt and his hair is still damp from his shower. 

My mouth goes dry and my hands get clammy at the sight of him.  I can tell he can feel me here too, his eyes are scouring the bar searching every face, between every space and corner of the room.  I can tell when he spots me, his body goes rigid and his eyes turn almost black as his pupils dilate. 

I can feel my heart rate increase, and a shiver runs over my body, and I straighten up as he stalks towards me.  I can feel Maddie staring at us watching our reaction to each other with her mouth open.

"Fuck Ginny, what the hell is going on with you two?"  She whispers.

But before I can answer, he reaches me and runs his hand gently down my face, sending every nerve ending into a frenzy, causing me to blush again.  He reaches his hand out to mine and stands me up and tucking a strand of my escaping hair behind my ear, and leans down whispering in my ear.  "I could sense you the moment I walked in I can tell you did too."

The air surrounding us feels thick and heavy, my voice is breathless when I manage to speak. "Yes, how can that be, we don't even know each other?"  As he pulls me towards his body I can feel his erection pressing against my stomach, and as I look up to his eyes a small sigh escapes from me causing his eyes to dilate even more and are hooded and heavy, he leans down and brushes his lips across mine with the softest touch as his breath washes over me, and I inhale his unique spicy woody scent and my eyes close and I know I'm lost in him.

"I don't know, but I can't get you out of my head, I've not been able to concentrate all week.  I didn't know if I would see you here again."  His hands have run down my arms and I start to step back away from him.

"I know I've felt like that too, I've tried to put you out of my mind and I wasn't sure if I should come back here, but Maddie really likes your friend."  I'm trying to make light of the situation but it doesn't seem to be working.

"Why wouldn't you want to see me again? I know you felt the connection last week when you left."  His eyebrows furrow as he shakes his head.

"I knew I wouldn't be able to trust myself around you."  I can feel the frown on my forehead, and I try to shake it off, but his thumbs smooth over it relaxing me.  I hear a cough from next to me and I tear my eyes away from his and look at Maddie and Lake both standing with their mouths open staring at us.

Lake is the first to speak. "What the fuck is going on with you two?  Why are you looking at each other like that?"

"Bloody hell Ginny, that was seriously hot!"  Maddie is grinning and giving me two thumbs up.

"What? Nothing's going on."

Mason sits down and pulls me next to him, keeping hold of my hand under the table.

"Yeah, sure. The whole bar watched that little show!"  Lake looks pissed off, but Maddie is smiling at me.  I look around and see that people are still looking at us.

"Whatever! Get the drinks in Lake."  Mason looks a bit put out by Lake's comments so I try to pull my hand away but he grips it harder, and just shakes his head very slightly and whispers, "No Ginny, don't let go."

I look at Maddie and see her whispering in Lake's ear and then he looks at me and smirks.  "Be good to him Imogen, he's had a shit time lately."

"Shut the fuck up Lake, I don't need to hear this shit from you." Mason stands up and stalks away towards the bar. 

I look at Maddie, "What should I do, should I go to him?"  I’m watching his tense muscled back as he strides away from us, from me.

"Hell girl, after watching you two then I would never let him go, so yeah you should follow him."

I stand up on shaky legs and follow him over to the bar, as I reach him and put my hand on his arm he turns quickly towards me, and with my face cupped in his hands he kisses me hard.

Mason

Walking into the bar I know she is in here, my skin erupts in goose bumps, and a light sweat breaks out over my body, but can’t see where she is yet.  Scanning the crowds it takes a few moments till I find her, and she is watching me, her face flushes when I catch her eye. 

I automatically turn and walk towards her, not hearing Lake behind me but I have to touch her, so when I reach her I can't stop myself from running my hand down her cheek. 

My dick is swollen and pulsing inside my jeans, I pull her up against me and her eyes widen as she feels my hardness pressed into her stomach.  Leaning down I kiss her softly not trusting myself any further.  

I hear Lake cough, and it breaks our gaze, I sit down with her next to me still holding her hand.  Listening with half an ear to Lake and Maddie talking shit I squeeze Ginny's hand when she tries to remove it.

Suddenly Lake's voice penetrates, and I hear him telling her to be nice to me.  Fuck that!  I get up and stride up to the bar not noticing anyone around me staring, and being 6' 5" people always clear a path for me.  Waiting to be served, I feel her hand on my arm, and I before I can stop myself, I turn to her and kiss her hard.

Kissing her is like nothing I've ever experienced before, it feels like sparks are flying all around me, I run my tongue over her bottom lip asking for entrance and as she sighs her mouth opens and I stroke my tongue into her mouth finding her own. 

As they start to dance slowly with each other her hands creep up to my chest and clutch the fabric of my shirt pulling me hard against her.  I start to nip her lower lip between my teeth and a groan builds up in my chest until it's bursting from my mouth into hers.  With my hands still in her hair I start to pull away as I suddenly remember where we are.

"Whoa!" She says as she looks around her, and I can't help but laugh and pull her against my chest, wrapping my arms around her, I rest my head on top of hers.

"You can say that again, but was that okay?  I’m sorry I don't know what came over me."  I look down into her eyes and see complete acceptance in them shining at me.

"Damn right it was okay, I think that's the best kiss I've ever had."  Her blush makes another appearance.

"Well good, 'cos I think I've got a few more of those in me."  Smiling hard at her I take her hand and we walk back to our seats.

Lake looks up at me as we approach. "Sorry man, that was well out of order of me."

"No worries Lake, I think we're good here."  We bump fists and I take a long slug of my beer.  Ginny turns to Maddie and they huddle together whispering, I squeeze her hand and she turns to look at me, "Are we good?" I ask, and nodding at me she turns back to her friend. 

The night goes quickly, and I haven’t been able to keep my hands to myself.  The need to keep touching her has me overwhelmed, and how I have managed to keep my cool is baffling, I just want her with me, preferably under me.  I think she feels the same too, her eyes constantly stray towards mine and although we have been talking to Lake and Maddie, her hand hasn’t left mine, and has been drawing soft circles over my palm and knuckles sending my nerve endings into overdrive.  When we notice how late it has gotten I realize we are going to have to leave each other.

Lake looks at Maddie "What are you two up to tomorrow?"

Maddie tells them that they're planning on visiting the market in the morning to pick up some stuff for their new apartment.

"Do you want to come too?"  Ginny looks at me hopefully and I grin and lean down to kiss her.

"Sure, we're planning to take the boat out on the lake in the afternoon, you could come with us if you'd like?"

Maddie answers first, but Imogen is nodding her head.  "Yes please, we'd like that."

And after arranging to meet outside here at nine in the morning we start to leave.  I can't help myself from pulling Ginny against me again and claiming her mouth with mine, I'm a bit gentler than the last time but still manage to make her sigh. "See you tomorrow babe." I whisper into her mouth as I pull myself away from her.

"Okay, sleep well sweetie." She gives me one more soft kiss, and walks back to Maddie, waving just one more time before turning the corner.

"Do you think we should've walked them home?"

"No. I asked Maddie and she didn't really want me to know where they are living."

"I wonder why not?"

"I know why, and at least they're not getting clingy, Maddie assures me she's just looking for a good time.  That just makes her more appealing.  So are you going to tell me what was going on with you and Imogen?  Have you worked it out yet?”

"What do you mean? What do I need to work out?"

"God you're so dense sometimes, I wonder how you ever passed the bar.  Okay, I'll spell it out for you.  Two young girls come over here to work, they live within walking distance of our offices, and lastly if you ever bothered to read the HR emails you would know that the two new girls at our place are called Madeleine and Imogen.  They are working with us, they are the new girls!"  He steps back laughing at me.

"Fuck, shit!  What are we going to do?  Have you told them who we are yet?"

I can feel the panic rising in my chest, we have a strict no fraternizing policy at work.

"No, and I'm not going to either, we both know this is just a bit of fun for them so let's just go with it."

"Yeah right, 'cause that always works well for us.  We'll be introduced to them on Monday.  Crap, if we hadn't been so busy out of the office this week we would have found out, and I wouldn't have kissed her.  Don't you think it's going to be a touch difficult for us, and embarrassing for them, and we live in the same fucking building as them they're gonna see us there soon."