Nice Girl (11 page)

Anthony moved his hand between her legs and bellowed “Come now, you bitch.” And it was obvious then, they both came together. 

Before I could process what I saw, I quickly moved from behind the door to the other end of the room.  I sat with my elbows on the table and put my head in my hands.  I was ashamed that I found myself turned on.  I could feel I was actually wet.  I crossed my legs and squeezed. 

Why did I feel so powerless when it came to sex?   I knew I didn’t want to be an exhibitionist but I wanted so much what I just saw.  What they were doing, I found hypnotic.  I never had sex like that. I was spellbound.   Would I ever experience such a rampage of pleasure?

I heard the door creaking and saw Vinnie stepping in looking as shocked to see me as I was him.  He probably assumed I went out for coffee. 

Being in a room alone with Vinnie was definitely not what I wanted to happen right now.  I know my face was flushed by the erotic act I just witnessed.  I could feel my nipples poking through the sheer top I was wearing.  Of all days to wear something thin.  To make matters worse, my shirt was a V neck.  Whenever I get excited, my chest becomes pink like a sunburn.   I was a mess.

Well, if Vinnie was here, it meant Carmella and Anthony had concluded the weekly sex act.  I stood up to leave. 

Vinnie smirked “I wouldn’t leave just yet.  Anthony and Carmella are arguing at the front door.” 

Which meant they were arguing right by my desk.  

“Well, that’s just great.”  I muttered.

“You can sit here for a few more minutes.”  He said almost gently.  Then I saw him gaze at my breasts.  He looked away quickly. 

This was so awkward. 

He had brought more pictures and was arranging them on the conference table.  I sat back down and watched him work. 

“Is laying out the pictures helping you get ideas?” I needed conversation right now to take my mind off of hot sweaty sex.

“I’m not sure yet.  It worked one other time I was stumped.”

“What’s this picture here?”  It was of a hotel that looked quite seedy.  I bet it was full of stories. 

“Apparently the snotty nosed rich kid had shacked up there for two days.  Pretty ironic to me.  My mom and I lived there for awhile when I was growing up.“  He said this with no emotion.  How could he even look at the place?  It must bring back horrible memories.

“What about this picture?”  I quickly changed the subject.

Vinnie proceeded to tell me the details of all the pictures.  Where it was, how long the missing boy was supposedly there, the connections between the places Vinnie was seeing.  I think it was the longest conversation we ever had.   

I watched him as he pointed out the pictures and talked about them.  What was it about him that kept captivating me?   His features always seemed so hardened.  But now that I look at him in a different light, I think it was because he always had that glare.  Here when he was talking so softly, I could see that those gray eyes had long lashes.  He had a pronounced nose that wasn’t too big or too small, it fit his face perfectly.  His skin was smooth except for his scar.  It’s funny how I never even notice the scar anymore. 

I was bewitched by his mouth.  I had no idea why!  I still couldn’t get over his perfect white teeth.  I wanted so bad to ask him if he had braces but I would have been embarrassed by the question.  He would know then that I liked to stare at his mouth.  I had only seen him laugh out loud once during one of Jamie’s outlandish performances.  He had a lovely smile but when he laughed, he was gorgeous. 

I started to ask about another picture.  I touched it at the exact same time he went to move it.  Our hands bumped into each other and I quickly recoiled.  I winced at my reaction.  I didn’t mean it to look like I still feared him.   Yet, I couldn’t meet his eyes.  It was the first time I actually touched him.  

I couldn’t look at him because what I felt immediately was desire.  When that realization hit me I knew it was time to leave that conference room now. 

“Well, I think it’s time for me to get back to work.  My bosses might be mad.”  I joked to try to ease the tension.   Still not looking at him, I got up to leave. 

As I headed to the door, he asked bluntly “Grace, do I still make you nervous?”

Damn my emotions to hell!  

I looked back at this beautiful man who got the most shitty start in life and the last thing I wanted to be was a skittish nervous female around him.  I wanted him to trust me.  I could never be different unless he did.  I tried for honesty.

“Maybe just a little bit.”  And then I did meet his eyes and smiled so he would know everything was okay.

I actually saw him breathe out.  “Well, I guess that is better than a lot.”  And the tips of his mouth curved just slightly.

“It is the right direction, Vinnie.”

“I guess I’ll keep working on it then.”  At that moment, I got it.  A full blown smile from Vinnie.

I walked back to my desk with a strange sense of gratification that I couldn’t explain but soothed me all the same.

Chapter 11

It was the day before the big open house.  Luke and I were as ready as we’d ever be.  We went over the hors d’oeuvres list so many times, I had it memorized.  I knew exactly how many trays of canapés, quiches, goat cheese truffles, and endive spears Luke would be serving. 

I was in charge of all contact with the banquet hall.  While Luke was providing the food, I had to work with the hall to contract the open bar, the setup, and all outside deliveries.  I was not a party planner and was nervous about the leap of faith Anthony was taking in me. 

When I woke up in the morning, I was so paranoid I went over the list one more time.  I felt like I had covered everything.  Then I remembered I had nothing to wear.  In a panic, I ran to my closet.  I looked at my fairly new office wear.  I was ecstatic about the wardrobe I bought specifically for the new me.  Quickly I realized there was nothing suitable for a fancy office party.  When I imagined the extreme makeover that would flourish in my radical adventure, it was always in the context of a classroom setting.  I never conceived of a fancy party because I didn’t plan on going out.  A nightspot meant men in an atmosphere where I didn’t make good decisions. 

My annoyance at nothing to wear ironically moved to contentment as I realized how comfortable I was in my new job.  Jamie and Luke were without a doubt becoming my closest friends in New York.  I really liked Jamal and even more adored his fiancée, Ivy.  I was succeeding at dealing with the dual natures of Anthony successfully.  As a boss, I had no complaints.  He was easy to work with and to approach about anything work related.  As for his other side, his fetish with Carmella, I wanted to show the other men in the office I could handle it as tactfully as them. 

Then there was Vinnie.  Every day we seemed to progress to more conversation.  I started to look forward to him walking in the door.  I couldn’t get over how my heart raced that first moment I saw him.  I knew it was ridiculous.   It was just an infatuation.   There was no way he would ever be attracted to someone as inexperienced as me.   I told myself to focus instead on my accomplishment.   Becoming friends with someone as tough and hardened as Vinnie was a feat I never thought I would achieve.  Every day I felt it becoming easier.

Tomorrow was the big day.  The party was booked for three hours on Friday from 7pm to 10pm.  I had the day off so that Luke and I could meet at the banquet hall early.  This meant I had some time on Friday to go dress shopping.  I hated waiting until the last minute but I had class tonight and knew I had no choice.  Noticing the time, I realized my anguish over the contents of my closet were now going to cut short my morning workout.  I quickly stripped and stepped on the scale. 

Yes!  Yes!  Yes!  124.  I finally broke my plateau. Perfect timing to go dress shopping.  I practically skipped to work.

When I arrived, I noticed the lights were on and the alarm was off.  Anthony must have come in early again.  I saw his door closed and assumed he was working on something important.  He knew I was always on time so I didn’t disturb him.  Jamie walked in earlier than usual.  He looked at my surprised face then grimaced “Luke will be cooking all day today.  I had to escape.”

“Poor Lukie, all overwhelmed with such a big job.”  I crooned.

“Poor Lukie?  You mean poor Jamie!  I can’t touch anything in the kitchen when he is working on his side jobs.  I haven’t eaten a decent meal since yesterday’s lunch.”  Then he looked at me with puppy dog eyes “Come out to lunch with me Grace.  I hate to eat alone.”

  The number 124 flashed in my brain.

“What?”  asked Jamie  “Why the hesitation?  It will be my treat.”

“I don’t need you to buy me lunch.  That’s not the problem.”

“Why can’t you go out to lunch?”

“Well….”  I hesitated then realized it was Jamie for goodness sake.  I could tell him anything.  “I have to go dress shopping.  I don’t have anything to wear for the party tomorrow.  I have a hard time finding clothes that fit as it is. Whenever I go to lunch with you, I usually eat half your fries.”

“What do you mean you have a hard time finding clothes that fit?  You have a scorching body.”  I blushed at his description even though Jamie always made me feel positive about myself. 

“Scorching?”  I rolled my eyes.  “I have lost some weight.  That feels good.  But maybe you haven’t noticed because I know this body part doesn’t interest you.“  I pointed to my breasts.  “I’m short which means I have to buy petite.   But I am a 34 D bra size.  Dresses that fit short girls never allow room for my chest.  I look stupid in dresses.”

“What are you talking about?  You wear skirts all the time and you look totally hot in them.”

“Come on Jamie.  Aren’t gay men supposed to know fashion?”  I stood up.  “A skirt can separate this”  I pointed to my breasts.  “So it’s not one long line.  That is why you’ve never seen me in a dress.  It is hard to find a dress that fits my body type.”

“Your chest is not that big.  Let me see.  Pull your top tighter.”

I was wearing a silk shirt.  I wrapped one hand around my back and pulled my shirt back.  Then I took my other hand and smoothed my shirt in the front.  I now had it tight against my breasts.

“See, a 34D is no joke and believe it or not, since I lost weight, my waist has gotten tinier.  Now I feel like they’re even more pronounced.”  I stuck my breasts out to accent my point further. 

Then I heard a throat clear.  Vinnie was leaning in the hall with a grin on his face.

“Oh shit!”  I squealed and sat down at my desk immediately.  I knew my face was bright red. Jamie was laughing so hard it looked he was about to fall out of his chair.  I wanted to glare at him viciously but I couldn’t bring myself to lift my head. 

“So what do you think of Grace’s size 34 D breasts, Vinnie?  Think she can fit them in a dress?”

I was so going to kill Jamie later
.

“I think you should stop embarrassing her, Jamie.”

“Oh Vinnie, how chivalrous of you.  I didn’t know you had it in you.”

“Chivalrous, huh?  Well I’ve been called worse.”

Why did that deep husky voice turn me on?

“Maybe, Vinnie, you’re just chivalrous when it comes to Grace?”

Justifiable homicide kept going through my brain.

Just then, Anthony walked in.  THANK GOD!

“Good morning everyone.  Vinnie, sorry I was late for our meeting.  Are we all excited about our big event tomorrow?”

“Yeah, ecstatic.” Vinnie answered dryly. 

“Now Vinnie.  I know schmoozing with corporate suits in not your thing, but you promised you’d try.  These insurance contracts will be a huge boost to our business.”

“Yeah Yeah.”  Vinnie muttered as he walked down the hall.

“He is going to piss me off at our party.  I just know it.” Anthony grimaced. “Hey Jamie, since you’re here early, come meet with us too.  I wanted to go over some of ideas I planned on pitching tomorrow.”

“Sure thing Anthony.”  When Jamie got up, I made sure to smack him a few times.  He quickly ran away grinning.   

I delved into the paperwork relishing a diversion from Vinnie seeing me in such an awkward position.  I hated the feeling that I was so attracted to him.  I felt thankful that he no longer grunted at me and we were able to have a conversation.  I knew that it wouldn’t go any farther.  Yet, every time I looked at him, I got
those feelings
.   I don’t know why he of all men would bring this out in me.  I knew his history with women.  I definitely did NOT want to be used that way.   The idea of having sex again and feeling unsatisfied or worse yet, degraded.  I couldn’t go there no matter how much he made my heart race.

Jamal walked in about an hour later.

“Hey Jamal.  Today is Thursday, where’s Ivy?”

“Hey Grace.  She had an appointment scheduled with the video editing department.  She is close to finishing her documentary.”

“I’m happy for her.  I know how hard she has been working on it.”

“Yes, she is one passionate woman.  That’s why I love her.” 

“Is she coming to the party tomorrow night?”  I was holding my breath.  I needed to be able to find friendly faces in the crowd.

“Of course, she HAS to.  She’s the reason I started working here.”  Jamal grinned.

“Are you nervous, Jamal?  I know you’ll be working the closest with the new insurance contacts.”

“Nervous?  Naaah!  Can’t you tell, Grace?  I thrive on stress.  I’m one cool dude.”  We both laughed. 

“What about you, Grace?  You’re in charge of the whole party.  Are you nervous?” 

Great, he had to remind me.   I decided to play it up.  “Me?  Naaah.  I’m Grace under pressure.”

“Oh God, did you just make that up?”  Jamie suddenly appeared out of the hallway.

“Stay away from me, Jamie!  You are so on my shit list.”

“What did he do now?”  asked Jamal looking way too eager for gossip. 

“Don’t ask.”  I muttered.

Then, Anthony came flying out of the hallway.  “Grace, I’ll be back.  I forgot to mail a certified document.”  He ran out.