AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I find that admirable, Miss Adams,” Garrett said. “I appreciate your openness and wish you all the success in your endeavor. Perhaps you’ll share the scope of the project with me when you are ready.”
Elizabeth smiled, knowing he was sincere in his hope for her success. “Thank you,” she said, with another smile. “I would love to discuss it with you one day. I really value your experience and would appreciate any tips you might wish to share.”
“I shall look forward to it. I need to ask that you do not share the contents of this meeting with anyone outside this office,” Garrett said, and though the caveat piqued her curiosity, Elizabeth and Nancy both assured him he could rely on their confidentiality. “I believe you’ll understand more after Friday’s meeting.” He stood, both women rising as well.
As he walked to the outside door, he spoke again, “Nancy, the invitation includes your husband. The Dietrichs understand you are a newlywed and wouldn’t dream of taking you away from your husband so soon.”
“That’s so sweet,” Nancy said, “We’d love to attend.”
Garrett turned to Elizabeth. “Miss Adams,” he said softly, “if you also have a partner who would miss you for dinner, please let my assistant know. I’m sure Benjamin would understand the need for another place at his table.”
Elizabeth flushed and lowered her eyes before shaking her head. “That’s not necessary, sir,” she said. “I’m not… I don’t need—”
“That’s fine, thank you,” he said. “Until Friday then,” he said, opening the door and stepping through it. The women waited until they were sure he was no longer in the hall.
“Oh God,” Nancy gushed, fanning herself with the envelope where she had replaced the invitation. “How exciting is this? I can’t believe they want just the two of us for another project. What do you think it is?”
Elizabeth slipped the invitation into her purse before answering. “I have no idea,” she admitted. “And why is it so secret that Garrett… I mean, Mr. Foster, couldn’t tell us about it?”
“I don’t know but promise me you’ll at least think about doing it if they offer it to us,” she said. “It wouldn’t be half as much fun doing the project without my best friend.”
“I don’t think it will be a problem,” Elizabeth said. “I have no intention of giving up any projects until I have the financing set up. I certainly can’t afford to turn down any jobs right now.”
Nancy stood and grabbed her purse for an afternoon coffee run. She was smiling as she stood with one hand on the doorknob. “Am I picking up on your possible interest in Garrett as more than a business friend?” she asked.
Elizabeth looked up from her desk. “Garrett?” she said, as if the name was unfamiliar.
“Yes, Liz,” Nancy said, rolling her eyes—something she rarely did in her husband’s presence, for fear of her own bottom. “You know, the very handsome, very rich, and very, very sexy man who was just sitting on our couch? The one you said you would be happy to—let me see—sit at his feet and soak in any ideas he might have about a project whose details you’ve slaved over for years? Yes, Garrett.”
Elizabeth could feel her face flush. She had honestly not given a single thought to Garrett as a possible partner. The man’s face she saw nightly in her dreams flashed across her mind. The face didn’t belong to Garrett, but she wasn’t about to admit her intense, senseless attraction to some mystery man. Nancy was still at the door, watching her closely.
“No,” Elizabeth said, shaking her head. “I admire him greatly and do appreciate his experience, but no, I hadn’t even thought of him in that way. Haven’t you noticed he is far more formal with me than you? He calls you Nancy and I’m always Miss Adams. Besides, didn’t you say he was involved with another sub? I mean, he was flogging her, right?”
Nancy shook her head. “I love you, but you can besoobtuse at times. He’s a Dom and while he knows I’m taken, you weren’t at the club when we watched his demo. That whole asking if you had a ‘partner’ is a good way to see if theproperMiss Adams might be available. And just because he was participating in a demo does not mean he is a one-sub Dominant. Heck, there was another, very fine gentleman who did the next demo. Perhaps they were just asked to demonstrate their abilities at the club. I think Garrett is interested in discovering whethersubmissiveElizabeth likes to play as well.”
“It’s nice of you to think I’m so enticing, but, girlfriend, other than business, I do not feel the attraction,” Elizabeth said. “Now, stop playing matchmaker and go get coffee.”
Nancy shrugged her shoulders. “I’m thinking perhaps, the lady doth protest too much.”
“Stop thinking and start walking,” Elizabeth said, and pointed to the door.
Wednesday evening found Elizabeth both excited and frustrated. Her meeting with the bankers had gone well, but she hadn’t received all she needed. The property she had tentatively decided upon had recently gone under contract. Though the sale was pending, there was still a faint hope it might fall through and become available again. The bank was willing to give her a loan, however, since Elizabeth was the only applicant on the forms and had admitted she intended to cut back on outside projects in order to focus on getting the place up and running quickly, the banker had insisted she come up with an additional five percent as a down payment, regardless of what location she might purchase. Even with her savings, she would still be short a few thousand dollars after emptying out her own accounts. As she ran the figures through her head again, she knew she might have to continue accepting larger projects to work on with Nancy for a few additional months, or else find additional financing. Nancy had assured her that she would be content to handle only smaller projects or, if necessary, hire temporary help while Liz worked on her dream. They had decided to play it by ear and not make any decisions until they knew more about what would be required.
Friday evening came quickly. She dressed with care in a violet-colored dress with tiny white polka dots covering the fabric. She cinched a purple belt around her waist, put her hair back with a clip and slipped her feet into deep purple heels, fastening the thin straps around her ankles. She hurried to answer the door, to find Jason outside.
“You look beautiful,” he said, as he took her arm. She thought he looked fantastic in his black suit, white shirt and a very colorful tie. He helped Liz into the car, and Nancy, lovely in a green dress, blonde curls framing her face, turned to smile at her.
“I’m so excited,” Nancy said. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to eat a bite.”
When Jason snorted, she reached out and slapped his arm. “Sorry, honey,” he said, “I just can’t imagine you sitting at a table full of food and not eating.” Nancy’s dramatic sigh told the others that he knew her very well.
They drove through the tree-lined streets of River Oaks, passing huge, elegant homes that were more estates than residences. Jason pulled into the driveway of the largest one and whistled. “Maybe I’m in the wrong business,” he said, as he escorted the women to the door. Nancy kissed his cheek and assured him that he was in a perfect business as far as she was concerned. He ran a successful financial firm and managed his money very well.
The door opened, and Benjamin ushered them into the foyer. “Welcome,” he said, with a smile, pressing a kiss upon Nancy’s cheek and then Elizabeth’s. “I can’t tell you how much Helen and I appreciate your coming.”
His wife stepped from behind him, and she was soon hugging the women. “It is wonderful to see you again,” she said, and any nerves Elizabeth had disappeared. The couple had always seemed friendly and approachable, even when they first met months ago to discuss the remodeling of their home. Tonight, they seemed more like friends than host and hostess. Jason was welcomed as well, and congratulations given to the young couple on their recent marriage.
They were led into a room that another team member had done, and Jason commented on how beautiful it was. Helen asked what they’d like to drink and brought their glasses of wine to them, after serving her husband first. As they chatted and sipped their wine, the doorbell rang. Elizabeth and Nancy were standing in front of the large fireplace, their backs to the room, as they talked to Helen.
