“Can’t Chris go in my place, he’s dressed so much more appropriately than me today, look…” I gestured to Chris in his chair, who was grinning from ear to ear at my obvious discomfort, “I look too casual it doesn’t set the right tone.” I pleaded, but Frank was having none of it.
“Stop worrying Ella, you look beautiful. Now chop, chop you don’t want to get caught up in the traffic and keep our most important client waiting do you!”
I huffed and turned on my heels heading back out towards the office car park at the back. Great, my week just took a nose dive…again.
An hour later and after misreading the sat nav on numerous occasions, I finally pulled up to a pair of large wrought iron gates which instantly opened as if by magic as my little red car approached. There was a long tree lined drive which wound through the gardens leading to a magnificent old style mansion. It looked like a stately home, but had obviously been recently built judging by the age of the bricks. The look they were going for here was old English charm on the outside. No doubt the inside would be in contrast, with all the mod cons rich folk would expect from a health club and spa like this.
I found the whole place over whelming, much like its owner. There were large sash windows across the front of the building and steps leading up to well-polished black lacquered double doors that had two large brass lion head knockers on them. There were large pillars around the building and topiary added that sophisticated touch to the exterior. The icing on the cake was a beautiful fountain in front of the building, the water sounds adding to the overall effect of reconnecting with nature for relaxation and well-being. I was impressed and overawed.
I took a deep breath in and stepped out of my car into the breezy sunshine. I could hear the distant calls of workmen and the buzzing of their tools as they worked away somewhere in the building or on the estate. I glanced furtively around but no one appeared. I shut the car door and stood up tall to exert some air of confidence for what I was about to walk into.
As I walked up the grand steps towards the doors they opened and one of Joe’s associates from the initial meeting at the office greeted me with a big friendly smile. I smiled back and felt myself relax a little. Maybe I had read this all wrong. Frank hadn’t said exactly who I would be meeting here and a tour of this beautiful place with this nameless guy wouldn’t be so bad would it? In fact I might even enjoy it, being out of the office in the sun, perhaps I could even leave early and head straight home. Finish my working day on a high note. The man offered his hand to me and introduced himself as Josh. I shook his hand and he stepped back to let me enter.
The building was still under construction but the foyer was breath-taking. Silver grey tiles with diamond flecks ran across the floor and in the middle was a chrome desk or counter of some sorts. Grey velvet armchairs and sofas were dotted around along with mirrored coffee tables, each holding an elegant spray of grey roses and gypsophila tied together with silver organza ribbon. A larger flower display to match these was placed on the desk in the middle and on either side of the desk were two sweeping marble staircases running either side of the foyer. The biggest chandelier I have ever seen twinkled above us and I gasped as I looked up at it.
“Wow this really is something.” I said taking it all in as best I could. “What do the grey roses symbolise?” I asked.
“I’ve no idea…” Josh smiled “but it’ll mean something, Joe doesn’t do anything without thinking carefully about the meaning behind it and the consequences of it all.” I wanted to laugh out loud right there, did this guy even know his own boss? Because every time I’d seen Joe Madden the last thing on his mind had been careful thinking and the consequences of his actions.
Josh looked pleased with his answer though, and beckoned for me to follow him down the hall to start our tour. Each room was as elegant and impressive as the last and I began wishing I could afford to come to a place like this. I doubt my salary would stretch to the membership I thought sadly. Pampering for people like me usually meant a do it yourself home face mask and slices of cucumber whilst bathing in our cracked bath and drowning out the neighbours arguing with my iPod. Not water beds, lavender induced snooze rooms or private relaxation pods suspended from the ceiling. How the other half lived hey, maybe I could get a complimentary day pass after I’d worked on this account. I mulled over that idea and smiled thinking I’d have to rope in Robyn and her legendary powers of persuasion to help make that happen.
As we entered a room that looked like some kind of office overlooking the gardens and outdoor pools Josh’s mobile rang and he held up a finger to indicate he needed to take the call and would be a few minutes. He walked out of the room shutting the door quietly and I walked over to the windows to take in the view. The English countryside really was breath-taking at this time of year. I heard a door open again and assuming it was Josh, back to conclude the tour I spun round with a big smile on my face.
“You actually looked pleased to see me today.” Joe had entered the room via a side door and was walking slowly almost hesitantly towards me. He looked totally edible in dark jeans and a tight grey t-shirt. His dark hair fell sexily over his forehead and he reached up to rub his bristled jaw. He was beautiful, even the sight of his strong arms, tanned and muscular made my knees weak. I felt nervous and started to shake, I just didn’t know what to say. All my thoughts were drowning in a haze of desire that I couldn’t control anymore. I was rendered speechless. This was his territory and I was powerless to fight him any longer. I had zero resolve and after my shitty week I just couldn’t give a fuck about making a fool of myself anymore.
As he slowly stalked forward I found myself taking a step back, leaning against the glass of the window trembling like the innocent mouse trapped by the hungry playful cat.
“I’m s
o glad you came here today, I was hoping to see you.” He smiled that sexy lopsided smile that always gave me butterflies and cocked his head to the side. “So what do you think?” He leaned back against a desk holding me hostage with his sparkling grey eyes, twinkling with mischief.
“It’s all really beautiful, very… sophisticated and elegant.” I replied.
“Isn’t it just” He purred looking me up and down like he wanted to devour me on the spot. “Maybe I could show you round the rest of the place, give you a special tour, and my undivided attention of course.” He was way too confident.
“I’m sure you have much more important things to do Mr Madden and Josh is doing a fantastic job of showing me around the club anyway.”
“I told you it’s Joe and no I don’t have anything more important to do than be with you right now Ella. My tour would be much more…informative for us both.” He raised an eyebrow and I knew exactly what his tour would include and damn if I wasn’t losing my resolve. If he kept this up for much longer I’d be a goner.
He pushed off from the desk he was leaning against and came towards me, holding his hand out to touch my face and the breath caught in the back of my throat. As he stroked my cheek with his knuckles and traced down towards my neck he took a step into me, holding my body hostage against the glass. I had to admit I kinda liked him being so close to me right now.
“You look beautiful today, as always.” He said in a low drawl, then the grey sparkle in his eyes took on a darker edge as he added, “I’m not a patient man Ella.” He sighed in frustration, “Fuck if one look… one touch of you doesn’t short circuit my whole system. You beautiful girl have got me all tied up, I don’t know which way is up or down anymore.”
He lowered his head to my neck and planted whispered kisses under my ear, down my neck towards the space where my neck joined my shoulder. I couldn’t stop myself leaning into him and softly sighing. The smell of him; subtle aftershave and that manly scent that was special to him was intoxicating me and putting all my nerves on high alert.
“Your skin is so soft, like velvet.” He was playing my body like an expert and I could feel the wetness and urge growing in between my legs pulsing with desire to be touched, stroked and filled in the most delicious way. It had been so long since I’d given in to lust like this, I was fed up of fighting. What harm could it do to give in to the desires he was evoking in me? I wanted to feel again, and feel wanted and desired in return. I had to get myself back out there, back in the horse’s saddle. Who better to do it with right?
He looked up into my eyes, his hooded and full of lust, as he traced circles on my bare shoulders.
“You want this too, I can tell, I can read your body so well Ella.”
He slipped his fingers under the straps of my dress and let them fall down my arms. The fabric skimmed down my body exposing my cream lacy strapless bra. My chest was heaving with desire as he looked down at me, I could feel his breath catch as he placed his hand in the centre of my neck and slowly ran it down to touch the top of my breasts.
“Just perfect, so so beautiful.”
He caressed the top of each breast bringing goose bumps to my skin. He looked like a man totally under a spell as he kissed me there slowly, seductively, his lips brushing tenderly over my skin like a feather. I was paralysed, I groaned and wantonly pushed myself further into him, I was so turned on right now.
“You taste like heaven” he sighed.