CHAPTER 25
Leon
Normally, the office party catering consists of platters of supermarket cocktail food, cheap booze, and paper cups set out on a couple of foldable tables. I’ve never attended a financial year-end celebration, but this is what the other programmers tell me.
This year is different. The party is taking place at the country club. For some reason, Gus invited a handful of our top clients, including Carter, and if the venue is anything to go by, he’s not skimping on the costs.
On my way home after work, I dial Violet. This time, she answers like a good girl.
Her greeting is brusque. “Leon.”
“Violet,” I say with a grin. No matter how frosty her tone is today, we’ve been too hot together last night to fall back to cool indifference. “I’ll pick you up at six.”
“That won’t be necessary,” she says quickly. “I’m going with Gus. He insists.”
“Is that so?” I change gears and put my foot down on the accelerator, enjoying the power of the engine. “You’ll be waiting for me in your lounge with your hands folded on your lap, wearing a pretty dress and no panties. When I ring your doorbell at six, you’ll open it for me like the good girl you promised to be.”
She’s breathing in my ear like a phone pervert. Only, in this case, her loud inhale and exhale are motivated by anger.
“I’ll see you in one hour,” I say before hanging up.
I’m still smiling to myself when I get home, my future looking more stable and promising than ever.
After a shower, I dress in a tailored suit, a button-down, and a tie. My Jaeger-LeCoultre watch and a splash of cologne on my cheeks finish off the outfit. I’m most comfortable in jeans, but appearance is important. The men in Gus’s circle judge a book by its cover.
On my way, I stop at the florist for a bouquet, opting for a huge bunch of colorful flowers instead of classic roses. Violet isn’t your run-of-the-mill woman. Nothing about her is predictable, well-mannered, or tame. The wild, informal arrangement is more fitting.
At six sharp, I ring the Starley residence doorbell armed with the flowers. Like I ordered, Violet opens the door. When I take her in, the smile that’s been playing on my lips all afternoon slips from my face. For a moment, I’m at a loss for words. She’s wearing a simple, tight-fitting, purple dress that brings out the lavender color of her eyes. The V-cut in the front is low, exposing too much of her cleavage for my liking, but fuck me if she doesn’t have the attitude to pull off the look. The hard tips of her breasts advertise that she’s not wearing a bra. The skirt boasts a slit that starts at her thigh, revealing a long, slender, golden-tanned leg and a silver, strappy heel. Her hair is piled on her head with a few tendrils escaping, just enough to look a little messy. Her eye make-up is dark and her lips painted a deep shade of purple that matches the polish on her fingers and toenails. Other than the silver studs in her ears, she wears no adornments, not that she needs any. She looks like a goddess.
When I finally find my voice, I say, “You look beautiful,” kissing her cheek so I don’t spoil her lipstick before handing her the flowers. “Do you want to put these in water before we go?”
Violet takes two uneven steps, her limp more pronounced with the spiky heels.
Exiting from the lounge, Gia clears her throat. “Hello, Leon.”
I nod. “Gia. I hope you are well?”
She takes the flowers. “These are beautiful, aren’t they, Violet? I’ll take care of them.” Giving me a meaningful look, she says, “You two go on ahead. Gus and Elliot have already left.”
I understand her unspoken message. She wants to avoid making Violet walk all the way to the kitchen in her heels.
“Thank you,” I say, offering Violet my arm. “Shall we?”
Violet purses her lips but hooks her hand around the crook of my elbow.
“Do you need a ride, Gia?” I ask.
“Oh, no.” She brushes a hand over her nape. “The party is for staff only.”
Schooling my features, I don’t show my surprise. I expected Gus to invite his spouse. “Later, then.”
She sees us off with a wave. “Have fun.”
Once I’ve seated Violet and fastened her seat belt, I remove my jacket and hang it on the hook at the back.
I slide my gaze over her as I take the wheel. “You’re going to break hearts tonight.”
She snorts. “What a pity you don’t have one.”
Grinning, I start the engine. “Does that mean you have aspirations of breaking my heart?”
Her jaw tightens. “Don’t put words in my mouth.”
“You won’t have to try very hard,” I say, cupping her knee.
She looks at me quickly, dragging in a breath. I suppose she hasn’t expected my honesty, but I’m not scared of admitting my feelings.