All Bottled Up (18 page)

“Well that hardly seems fair. Especially after I’ve worked so hard to get you ready to sweep him off his feet.”

She didn’t bother with a response.

The rest of the ride home consisted of Jerod talking to William, and William eating up the attention. When she pulled into her garage, she didn’t even wait for him. Viola got out and dragged her large suitcase into the house.

“I think you forgot something,” Jerod called to her in his best wounded-soul voice from the car. He even had his hand over his heart.

“Sorry, William.” She marched back to the car and plucked her dog out of Jerod’s arms. She placed a kiss on his head as she walked away from Jerod. “Poor baby.” Jerod didn’t seem the least bit fazed by her mood swing. He sauntered in through the door and proceeded to walk around her living room, picking up random objects that summarized her life. She pretended not to watch him, but she couldn’t help but be drawn to his movements. God, she couldn’t even stay upset with him around. Why the hell was she upset anyway?

“I need to sleep.”

“I’m surprised you lasted this long.”

When he smiled at her, Viola felt her heart melt. Genie or not, fantasy or not, he was the most amazingly handsome man she’d ever had the pleasure of spending time with.

And it felt right that he was here with her. He picked up a history book and began to flip through, chuckling as he went.

“What?”

“This book is wrong. At least half of the events in this book didn’t happen this way.” He tossed it back down onto her end table with a thud.

“They say history is written by the winners.”

“I see that.”

He sat down on his invisible cushion and picked up William, who immediately 165

curled up on his lap and went to sleep. Her propane fireplace lit up on its own and some light jazz began to play over the stereo.

“So, what’s on the agenda for tonight?”

Viola froze at the sight before her. Who the hell did he think he was, coming into her place and taking over? Thinking and acting like he had a right to be here.

Her
genie
, that’s who. She was the one who’d insisted on him coming back with her, who refused to ask for her final wish so he could be on his way. She’d made this mess, and now she was going to have to wallow in it. She found the arm of her La-Z-Boy and sat down.

“Tonight I’m going to unpack, iron, and get ready for work tomorrow morning. Then collapse into bed. I have to look my best so I can try to catch Bill’s attention.”

“You’re not going to win him over if you’re suffering from jet lag. You need to stay home and sleep.”

She could just imagine the size of the bags under her eyes right now. And as much as she wanted to wow Bill tomorrow, she knew he was right.

“Okay. I’ll call in sick tomorrow and sleep. But then no more putting this off. I want to make sure I
can
pull this off and if I wait too long I’ll chicken out.” Jerod’s lips puckered and the muscle in his jaw clenched. “I see. What may I help you with, Mistress?”

Maybe she was tired, but it felt like something subtly changed between them. The playfulness was gone, and in its place was a sticky, uncomfortable feeling. The mess of emotions that consumed her threatened to overpower her.

“Nothing. I’m going to have a bath. Help yourself to anything in the house.” She stood and made her way to the bathroom.

“Viola?”

She pushed the door closed, and managed to hold the tears back until the lock clicked into place.

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Today was the day. And if she screwed things up, she was going to go back to Mexico and live in Tropics Haven for the rest of her life. Viola adjusted the review mirror and checked herself over for the tenth time. She adjusted a few strands of hair, pushing them back into place and rubbed her lips together, making sure her red lipstick shone. And just to be safe, she checked her teeth to make sure none had gotten on them.

What the hell am I doing?

She had to fight the urge to drop her forehead to the steering wheel in case it messed up her hair. She’d barely come out of her room all day yesterday, totally confused and not knowing what to say to Jerod. That in itself was completely unnerving considering how much they had talked on the island. Nothing had changed since then. If anything, it should be easier for her to talk to him. That’s why she’d brought him home in the first place. The problem was, now that she was faced with the enormity of trying to figure out exactly what she wanted out of this pseudo-relationship they had, she didn’t know what to say.

The two times she’d ventured out of her room, she’d attempted to talk, only to freeze up before turning tail and hiding in the bathroom before she’d run back to her sanctuary, slamming the door behind her. She’d spent most of her time trying to convincing herself that he was nothing more than a vacation crush, that he couldn’t offer her anything long term.
He’s a genie for God’s sake!
She needed stability, a spouse who could help her raise their children and pay the bills. Who knew if Jerod could even have kids, let alone if he wanted them? None of which mattered, because the fact remained, as soon as she said her final wish he’d be gone.

When she’d finally come out that morning, she was ready to do what she’d been practicing for all week—go to work and knock Bill on his ass. Once she knew, really 167

honestly knew she could do this, she’d be able to march into the dating scene with confidence. She pulled every trick Lisa, the wonder stylist, had shown her when she’d gotten ready that morning, and marched out of her room looking better than ever.

Jerod was floating in her living room with William curled up on his lap when she turned the corner. He didn’t see her at first and she’d been shocked by how normal the whole thing struck her. Her heart pounded when he looked up and their eyes locked.

Then his lips twitched into a smirk, like he knew something she didn’t.

“Have a good day at work.” His voice echoed in the small room.

Another glace at the clock display on her dash told her she had to move her ass or she was going to be late. It was now or never.

Viola took a deep breath, pushed open her car door, and swung her black high heels onto the broken asphalt of the employee parking lot. Seven days ago, she would have slinked in there with no one noticing. With any luck, everyone would see her entrance.

Especially Bill.

As her heels clicked while she walked, Viola tried not to let her nerves get the better of her.
I’m a sex goddess going to work at Way To Go Travel. Get out of my way!
She straightened her shoulders a bit more than before and added a bit more spring to her step, which made it challenging to dodge the frozen puddles of ice that had formed in the parking lot overnight, but Viola wasn’t about to stop now she was on a roll.

She was going to blaze in there and ignite every man in the room. And when Bill came running to her side, she would toy and tease him until he begged her to go on a date with him. Then she would coyly agree and have him eating out of her hand for the rest of the night. One date, just to make sure she was making the right decision. That she wasn’t giving up on what she thought she wanted for the chance at something that might never happen. She owed it to herself to see this though.

Then all she’d have to figure out was how to set Jerod free.

She’d made that decision yesterday as she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Giving him his freedom made the most sense. He deserved an opportunity to live life the way he wanted to and not be tied down to any one person or place. It really was the very least she 168

could do for him after all the kindness he’d shown her. And if she managed to convince him to stick around for a while, well that would be more than okay.

Viola hesitated for only a second before she swiped her ID card through the employee scanner that released the door. She made her way toward the coat rack and hung up her suede jacket. Her hands were able to smooth out the few wrinkles that the car seat had put into her flared black and tan skirt. She was about to adjust her hair again, when someone cleared his throat behind her.

“Excuse me, Miss. Can I help you?”

She turned around when she realized it was Brian. He was standing there, a look of shock on his face, his unlit cigarette dangling precariously between his middle and forefinger.

“Oh, come on, you trying to suck up to me already?” It was immensely satisfying when his mouth dropped open. Viola did a little spin to show off her new outfit.

“Like it? I got it on my vacation.”

“Viola?” He suddenly sounded like he was twelve.

“Who else would it be?”

When nothing came out of his flapping mouth, she giggled. “I haven’t changed that much.”

“Are you shitting me? I didn’t recognize you. You look
amazing
.”

“Thank you,” she said and dipped into a small curtsey.

“I mean really good. If I weren’t gay, I’d ask you out.” That got her. She laughed, and a burst of excitement rushed through her. If Brian was that blown away, maybe there was hope for her winning Bill over.

“Did you hear about Beth?” Brian lowered his voice and sounded more than a little conspiratorial.

“She called me while I was on vacation. I couldn’t believe it. I’m so happy for her.”

“Well, she quit on the spot and Bill’s been trying to find a replacement. Apparently they hired someone yesterday. I haven’t met him yet, but apparently he’s quite cute and 169

started this morning. He’s been in with Bill for the past hour.” It would be weird to have someone other than Beth checking her quality scores for her calls. And she doubted the new guy would want to hold their monthly QA session at the coffee shop. It would also mean she wouldn’t be giving out any more sex advice. And that really sucked, considering she now had actual firsthand experience she could refer to.

She looked at the double doors that led from the coatroom to the floor. On the other side were the sea of cubicles and all of Way to Go’s minions, busily convincing their customers to buy vacations.

She should be the poster child for what can happen on one of their trips.

Brian gave her arm a squeeze. “Walk in there with your head held high as if nothing in the world was different. Say hello to everyone you normally would in the exact same way you would.
That
will wow them.”

She straightened her shoulders and smiled at him through her excitement. “I think that’s a brilliant idea.”

A single push and she stepped through the doors and out onto the floor.

Now, there really weren’t too many people Viola normally said good morning to.

Beth, who’d quit. Brian, who was smoking. And Bill, who never noticed. She took a deep breath, marched over to Bill’s office, and poked her head in. Her stomach did a flip-flop when she realized there wasn’t anyone there. Damn.

It didn’t matter, she’d see him soon enough.

Pushing away from his office door, Viola proceeded to march across the floor toward her cube. She ignored the heads that turned to face her. She ignored the whistle she heard as she walked and the voice that admonished the man. HR violations going on left, right and center. Over her!

After she finally reached her small part of the Way To Go world, she sat down in her seat, took Ross out of her bag and placed him back on her desk.

“There you go, Ross. Home sweet home.”

“Excuse me? Are you here to fill in for Viola?” Viola looked up and smiled at the shocked expression on Bill’s face.

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“Good morning, Bill. I’m back from my trip.”

The shirt she’d chosen to wear this morning was professional, yet had a low enough bust line to take full advantage of her cleavage. She knew Bill would like it. What she wasn’t expecting was for him to stare so blatantly down her shirt.

“Viola?” he said to her chest.

To put herself on even footing, she stood up as she pulled her headphone set over her head to rest on her neck. He was still a good several inches taller than she was, but not quite as tall as Jerod.

The thought of Jerod made her feel a little bit guilty at what she was currently doing.

They’d grown so very close over the past seven days, been lovers. It didn’t seem right to jump into the arms of another man so quickly.
He knew what this was all about when he
granted my wish. There’s nothing to feel guilty about.

She pushed Jerod from her mind and smiled even wider at Bill. “How have things been around here since I’ve been gone? Busy?” Bill gave his head a shake before giving her a good once over, starting at her head and stopping at her feet.

“I’ve been interviewing new QA analysts, since your friend up and won the lottery on me.”

“I know. I’m so happy for her. Brian said you hired someone?” Bill looked straight into her eyes and licked his lips. The urge to gag at the sheer sleaziness of the gesture and the leer that followed was almost too much. Hopefully he wasn’t going to be like this from now on.

I’m just nervous, pull it together
.

“As a matter of fact, I did. We got lucky to find someone of his qualifications who could start right away. He’s coming over now. Let me introduce the two of you.” Viola tried not to fidget. If things didn’t work out with the new guy, she would take Beth up on her offer to help her while she looked for another job.

“Viola, I’d like to introduce you to Jerod. He’ll be making sure you stay in line,” he said and laughed a little at his own joke.

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She damn near broke a heel when she spun around to come face to face with Jerod’s crystal blue eyes. He held out his hand and smiled that secretive grin only he could pull off. Her eyes locked on his hand, she opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Her stomach was doing strange things and it seemed that all of the heat had drained from her fingers and toes.

“Very nice to meet you, Viola. I hear we will be working together quite closely,” he said, a chuckle in his voice. “Take my hand and shake it,” he whispered in her ear.

Instantly she responded and shook his hand. His accent seemed heavier than normal.

And he was wearing a tie. She didn’t like him in a tie. It was too stuffy, too proper. Very ungenie-like.

“Nice to meet you as well,” she somehow managed to get out.

“Bill was just getting me up to speed on how things work here at Way To Go. I hope you’ll be able to spare a few moments this morning so we can chat.” Something in the way he said
chat
got to her. That, or the fact she felt his invisible fingers trace a line down her back.

“Of course,” she said, sounding very much as Brian had a short time ago.

Despite the fact she was standing in a room with over two hundred other people, Viola felt her body respond to Jerod. The wetness between her legs grew and she was suddenly scared he would be able to smell her arousal. He was doing something to her.

He had to be. She turned away before she blushed and gave him the wrong idea.

So when she turned to Bill, she tried to give the impression that it was because of him that she was feeling aroused. Her mind began to whiz through all of her lessons with Jerod. She tried to push back the more intimate memories and concentrated on what he said would entice Bill. She tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and exposed the curve of her neck, giving him a clear view.

Small talk. Something that would keep him engaged.

“I really enjoyed the vacation resort. Really one that we should promote to our customers more,” she said and twirled the cord to her headphones.

“Hmm?”

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Bill was fascinated by the movement of the cord. Or was it her breasts? She didn’t really know, or care at this point, as long as he was paying attention to her.

“The resort. You know, big vacation prize?”

She leaned back just enough that Bill lost his balance and fell forward against the cubicle wall, trying to follow her cleavage. Jerod chuckled and winked at her, which only served to crank Viola’s annoyance higher.

The impact seemed to knock Bill out of his daze and his gaze snapped to hers. “Yes, of course. When you get a chance, I’d love to have a complete report on the site.”

“Well, I’ve only just arrived, but I’d be more than happy to—” Bill waved her silent. “No worries at all. Have your meeting with Jerod and get him up to speed on how we do things around here. After you’re done there, stop by my office and you can deliver your report orally.”

There was something about the way he said the word
orally
that gave her the creeps.