Page 24 of The Executive Assistant

I took a deep breath. I was going to look desperate, but it didn’t matter, not when I had to fix my sexual frustration. “Would you like to meet up for drinks later? Say, seven o’clock?”

“Well, well,” he said, a smile in his voice.

I was glad I couldn’t see his smug expression. “Yes or no?” I said.

“Count me in. Let’s meet at Vine and Nectar,” Russell told me.

Of course. One of the fanciest bars in the city. There was no harm in trying something new, though, right? I could stand to enjoy an overpriced drink in a beautiful, bright venue if it took my mind off my troubles.

“Perfect,” I said. “See you there.”

I hung up and dropped my phone back onto my bed, hoping that I made the right choice.

For the rest of the day, I worked in my home office,exercised in my building’s gym, and tried to keep myself busy until it was time to get ready. After I showered, I opened up my drawer where I kept my panties, bras, and other pieces of lingerie, my eyes skimming over my options. I wanted to dress to impress tonight. I picked out a black, lace set with a thong. It would do nicely, especially paired with the black bodycon dress I had in mind.

I got dressed and did a few turns in front of my full length mirror, smiling a little at the deep V-neckline that was covered just enough to entice Russell to want to see more. The bottom of my dress stopped a little past mid-thigh, certain to have his eyes roaming.

Sure, I was wrapping myself up and presenting myself like a present, but this was what I wanted. This was what I needed to stop my steamy dreams.

Maybe I was sort of using Russell, which made me feel a flicker of guilt, but even if I was honest about using him to get another guy off my mind, he would probably still be game to fuck me. I had seen the way he looked at me.

When I arrived at Vine and Nectar, I found it looked exactly like it had sounded: expensive wooden furniture and golden hanging lights. Round tables and booths of people filled most of the space, but the bar was circular and huge. Jazzy, sophisticated music floated in the slightly warm air as I walked toward the bar.

I spotted Russell and took the seat beside him. “Hey,” I said, flashing him a small smile.

His eyes swept over me. “Wow. Look at you.”

I felt a stir of confidence inside of me, prompting my smile to bolden. Tonight could be fun if I allowed it to be. “Thank you. You look nice too.”

He wore a light tan suit with a silk, olive green pocket square, and his hair was neat and slicked back from his face. The smell of his aftershave was nice too.

This could work,I told myself.

Russell grinned and flagged down the bartender. “Old fashioned for me. Manhattan for her.”

I wasn’t the biggest Manhattan fan, and it bothered me that he ordered me, but I’d let it go for now. I was here for one thing only.

“Thanks for meeting me here on such short notice,” I told him as I angled my body more toward him and crossed my legs.

“Of course. I couldn’t say no.”

“Why’s that?” I asked, tilting my head.

Russell gestured to me. “You don’t say no to a woman who looks like you.”

“Something tells me you don’t get told no a lot either.”

Russell chuckled and shrugged. He nodded to the bartender when he set our drinks down in front of us. After taking a sip of his whiskey, Russell turned back to me, his hand brushing the back of my arm. “I have a lot to offer a woman.”

“Like?” I asked before sipping on my Manhattan,forcing myself not to grimace at the taste of whiskey.

“I can buy them whatever they want. Get them connections with whoever they want,” Russell replied with a satisfied smirk. “I’ve helped out quite a few people. I could help you out too.”

I thought he was going to talk about what he could offerphysically, not what he could offer in the realm of business or money.

If I really gave it some thought about what he would be like in bed, it probably wouldn’t be too different from how he acted outside of the bedroom: selfish. And not selfish in a hot, assertive manner like Cameron when he ordered me down on my knees to please him. The type of selfish where he would focus on getting himself off before even thinking about trying to please me.

I took a deep breath. I’d got dressed up and came all the way out here. I was going to give him a chance. Who knew? Maybe he’d surprise me.

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