Craving Her Curves (14 page)

“Totally.  I’m innocent.  See?” I pouted and Hugo laughed.

“Innocent, hmm?  You didn’t seem so innocent the other night,” he said.  I almost choked on my drink as I swatted at him across the table.

“You shut up; there might be other people from the office here,” I hissed with a grin.  Hugh smirked.

“All I’m saying is that someone who was innocent wouldn’t have known how to do that thing with the beads without instruction.  Especially not to herself,” he said.  I giggled.

“You seemed to enjoy it,” I said.  Hugo nodded frantically.

“Oh, I did, please don’t misunderstand me,” he said, which just made me laugh again.  The waitress returned with our orders, but she concentrated her attention one hundred percent on Hugo.  It was as if I didn’t exist.

“Wow,” I breathed when she finally left us.

“What?” Hugo asked.  I gave him a look.

“Are you telling me that you didn’t see that?” I asked.  He frowned.

“See what?” He asked.

“See that waitress completely ignoring me so that she could give you all of her attention,” I said.

“Really?” he replied.  I nodded.

“You really didn’t notice?” I asked.  He shook his head and grinned.

“I had no idea, but I’m not shocked.  It happens a lot,” he said.  It was my turn to frown a bit.

“What do you mean?” I asked.  Hugo grinned.

“I mean that I am a good looking man, and women seem to flock to me,” he said.  I snorted.

“Conceited much?” I replied with a smirk.  Hugo laughed.

“It’s not being conceited if it’s true.  I’m not conceited: I just know that I am a good looking man,” he said.  Another eye roll.

“No, dear.  It’s still being conceited,” I said with a snicker.

“Are you trying to tell me that you were not stricken with me as soon as you saw me, standing there with Jade?” he asked.  I shook my head.

“No, I wasn’t.  Neither was anyone around me, to tell you the truth,” I said.

“You did not see me and simply have to have me?  I figured that was why Jade made my first assignment with you,” he said.  I paused and put down my utensils for a moment.

“I didn’t even know you existed until I walked into that conference room.  When would I have had the time to let Jade know that I wanted to work with you?” I asked.  He frowned, as if in deep thought for a bit.

“Good point, I hadn’t thought of that,” he mumbled.

“Are you really that convinced that everyone wants you?”  I asked.  The look on his face as he responded told me that yes, he believed every word with all that he had.

“Yes.  They always have, so why should it be different here in the Unites States?” he said.  I sighed.

“It’s a good thing that you and I aren’t actually trying to start something serious,” I said, resuming my eating.  He watched me, puzzled by the statement.

“Why?” he finally asked.

“Because if we were, the last few minutes of conversation would make me walk away immediately,” I said with a slight laugh.  He still frowned.

“Why?” he asked again.

“Because you are a narcissist.  Eat your lunch.”

“L
adies, I’m Samson and I’ll be taking care of you tonight,” he said as he slipped a few paper coasters onto the table with a grin.  Samson was a tall, blond, muscular god of a man wrapped in a thin loin cloth around his waist and what looked like a small, tight pair of men’s bikini briefs underneath.

“Wow, they don’t let you guys wear much of anything in here, do they?” I asked with a laugh.  Samson grinned and brushed a cute blond curl back out of his face so that he could fix those bright, oceanic blue eyes on me.  They were like sapphires, amazing.

“Not on toga night.  Normally, we’re in pants and suspenders,” he said.  Jacinta, Isobel, and I all giggled.

“No shirt?” Izzy asked.  Samson shook his head.

“Nope, no shirt,” he responded.

“Does it make you feel objectified, having to be half naked like that?” Jacinta asked.  It was a good question, one that I wouldn’t have thought of since we weren’t there to write about the place, but something that would be good to come back and ask them about.

“We discussed this the other night, actually.  There are a few of the guys that like being objectified, so never really thought about it that way, but yeah, we all feel that way.  Being here has made me respect women more: I don’t stare or whistle or anything like that.  I see why women see it as disrespectful and demeaning now,” he said.  I smiled.

“Maybe all men need to come work here for a bit, if that’s what it teaches,” I said.  Samson smiled.

“My little brother is graduating high school next year.  I’ve already told Mom that I’m bringing him here with me.  I’ve seen the way he treats girls, and he needs this,” he said with a smirk.

“I like you, Samson,” Isobel said.  His whole face lit up.

“Thank you.  But can you all order? My manager is looking daggers over here at me for standing in one place too long,” he said softly.  We all snickered.

“One Pina colada, two mango daiquiris, and an order of wings,” Jacinta said with a wink.  He grinned and nodded.

“Coming right up, ladies,” he said before turning and leaving us there to wait.

“So, is that how we teach men not to be disrespectful jerks?  Let them prance around in loin cloths for a bit?” Izzy asked.  I laughed.

“I don’t know, but I’m not opposed to the idea of trying it out on a few,” I said.

“That reminds me, what’s going on with you and Hugo, hmm?” Izzy asked.  I stopped and eyed her; I hadn’t said a word.

“Hang on, who is Hugo?” Jacinta asked.  Izzy’s burning gaze moved from me to her.

“Hugo is our new photographer.  Tall, dark, handsome, sexy French accent, and brilliant to boot.  Exactly Miss Char’s type.  And, Jade paired him up with her for his first job,” Izzy explained.  I sighed.

“Ooo, sounds promising,” Jacinta said.

“What makes you think anything is going on?” I asked.  If Hugo had opened his mouth...

“I caught him watching you the other day.  You walked past, completely absorbed in the stack of papers in your hands, and his eyes were completely locked on you.”  She said.  Inwardly, I let out a breath I’d been holding in apprehension.  Outwardly, I snickered.

“That does not mean that something is going on.  Maybe I looked especially tasty that day,” I said.

“You didn’t,” Izzy said quickly. 

I shot her a look.

“Geez, Izzy, tell us how you really felt about Char that day,” Jacinta said with a laugh.

“I didn’t mean that the way it came out,” Izzy said, holding up her hands in surrender as Jacinta and I screamed in laughter.

“She’s so mean to me,” I said, fake crying on Jacinta’s shoulder.  Izzy rolled her eyes.

“I just mean to say that you were dressed like you normally are at work, and there wasn’t anything special about that day,” she said with a laugh.

“Maybe he just thinks that she’s spectacular on her normal days,” Jacinta said.

“Thank you,” I replied.

“I’ve got you, girl.  We’re not going to let Izzy call you ugly,” she said.

“I didn’t call you ugly!” Izzy squealed.  Cue another round of laughter.

“Your drinks, ladies.  It sounds like I should be over here, as all the rest of my tables look like they’re pissed about something,” Samson said, returning and depositing our drinks on their little paper coasters.  I glanced around, noting that indeed the other tables seemed to be a bit... boring.

“Are we the only ones up here having a good time?” I asked, my voice a bit softer.

“You and the party in the private room, but that’s a bachelorette party and they were all drunk before they got here.  They’re super drunk now.  I’m pretty sure half of them don’t remember where they are,” Jacinta snorted a laugh.

“It’s only excusable to get that wasted when you are in your early twenties, when you don’t know your limits yet,” she said.  Izzy and I nodded our agreement.

“They’re in their late thirties.  And sloppy drunks: three of them have tried to pull off my clothes, but were too drunk to actually get it done,” he said softly.  I put my head down, trying not to laugh out loud.

“Oh holy crap, that is hilarious,” Isobel said. 

Samson shivered. “It’s scary.  I mean, I prefer my women 30 and older, but those women back there are worse than some of the 22 year olds that come in here,” he said with a laugh.

“Anyone that old who doesn’t know how much she can drink without becoming an embarrassment should be ashamed,” I said.  Samson nodded.

“Thankfully, the owner saw them the last time they tried to get my clothes off.  I’m pretty sure they’re going to be asked to leave in a bit,” he said with a grin.

“Good, because while I think seeing you naked would be great, seeing you naked because some sloppy drunk pulled off your clothes and you had to streak through the restaurant to get away from her would take some of the fun out of it,” Jacinta said.  Izzy and I exchanged a glance.  Jacinta was never this forward with anyone.  She must really be interested in this one.

“Well, we can’t have that, now can we?  I’ll be sure to show you as much fun as possible when you see me naked, beautiful,” Samson said, his entire mood having shifted now that he realized that Jacinta had her eye on him.

“When?” she repeated.  Samson winked.

“When,” he repeated.  Then he simply turned and walked away.

“Hot damn, go Jacinta go!”  Izzy hissed as I pushed Jacinta’s shoulder playfully.

“What was that?” I asked.  She shrugged.

“I like him, from the little I’ve seen here.  I need to know more to decide if I want him to be a part of my life, and that won’t happen if I never let him know that I’m interested, right?” she said.  Izzy and I shared another look.

“You are totally correct,” Izzy said.

“I am so proud of you!” I grinned.

I
yawned as I shuffled through the office on my way to the supply room for a new duo of red pens.  Today, I was editing, and my last set had given up the ghost a few minutes prior. It was mid-morning, so most of us were either gone off to our morning job or settled in at our desks with something that would keep us there for at least an hour or two.  I slipped into the silent supply room and turned on the overhead light, letting the door slide shut behind me as I turned and started looking for the pens that I preferred.  I didn’t even hear him slip in behind me.

“I found this wonderful little store last night that sells sex toys,” Hugo almost growled as he came up behind me in the stock room, where I’d gone to get a pen and not be felt up.  But that was precisely what was happening, as his hand drifted up my thigh and lifted my skirt up around my waist.

“Hugo!” I squealed as he laughed softly.

“Shh! People will hear if you’re too loud, Charlotte,” he whispered against my ear.  I shivered and bit my lip.

“We’re at work,” I whispered.

“I bought this little cock ring/vibrator toy.  It’s supposed to stimulate you while I...” he paused and laughed deviously.

“I am familiar with the toy, Hugo,” I said with a smirk.

“Good.  Next time, we can try it out, hmm?”  his lips were against my skin now, my body remembering the fact that he was in fact very good without the aid of any toys, and unexplainably talented with them.

“Yes,” I whispered, my eyes closed as I dropped my head and tried to keep my legs from starting to tremble in anticipation of whatever naughtiness he was about to do.

“You’re wearing the lace G-strings that I bought you.  I love the way you look in them,” he said, turning me to face him.  My goodness, he was sexy, wasn’t he?

“You said you’d behave in the office,” I said with a smirk.  He grinned.

“I said I’d behave around other people.  We are alone,” he said, lowering himself to his knees.

“Hugo!” I hissed again, this time conscious of how loud my voice was.  But he didn’t respond this time.  He pushed me back against the table behind me, slipped those gifted panties to the side, and slipped his lips between my thighs.  That meant I had real trouble being quiet.

A few minutes later, I slipped out of the supply room with the pen I’d originally gone in there for, and shaky legs.  Hugo had instructed me to leave first, that he’d leave in a few minutes, so I had.

“Hey!” Izzy said, coming up behind me and tossing her arm over my shoulder.

“Hi, Izzy,” I said with a laugh.

“So, lunch with Jacinta today?” she asked.  I smiled and nodded.

“Sure.  I’m editing this morning, so I shouldn’t be late,” I said.

“Lucky,” she said with a sigh.  I giggled.

“What do you have to do?” I asked.

“Remember that author you interviewed about a year ago that was so horribly rude that you walked out on her and trashed the article?” she asked.  I nodded with a frown.

“Yeah, she was a total ass,” I said.  Izzy nodded.

“She just put out a new book and Jade asked me to go talk to her.  She said it would be good press for the magazine, and that she was sorry, but I was the most professional and the least likely to hit her,” Isobel said.  I snickered.

“I hate to tell you, but she’s probably right about you being the least likely to hit her,” I said.  Izzy sighed again.

“I know.  That doesn’t mean that I have to like going to talk to her,” she said.  I wrapped my arm snugly around her waist as we walked together.

“You’ll be fine, and your article about her will be great.  I trust you,” I said.  Izzy smiled and laid her head on my shoulder.

“Thanks, Char.  That means a lot,” she said.  I nodded with a smile and lay my head against hers, just before we parted ways: Her, on her way to grab her purse, and me, on my way back to my desk.

~*~*~

“T
he club opening is Saturday night, not Friday.  Friday is the match-making thing,” Jacinta said.  I laughed.

“Why are we going to a match-making thing?” I asked.

“Because Jade wants an article on it,” Isobel said.  I sighed.  Right.

“I’ll see if Hugo can come along so we can have some photos,” I said, pulling up a message in my phone to send off before I forgot to ask him.