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He laughed. “Look at you, so creative.”
“Look at you, so condescending,” she mocked.
“I like the last one. Be a reporter who’ll do anything for some inside info.”
“How good am I at my job?” Her voice was becoming more breathy.
“You’re inexperienced,” he murmured. “Eager to please. But surprisingly good at giving head.”
He expected her to laugh, but all she said was, “Got it.”
“Aren’t you going to tell me that I’m risking my job and reputation?”
“Isn’t that therealfantasy you’re playing out here?” She paused, then added a quick “See you soon.”
Half an hour later, Brendan heard voices outside his cube. Stealthily, he stood up from his desk to get a better look. When he saw the woman entering the outer office, he almost dropped the papers he held.
Sonia had transformed herself. Her short dark hair was pulled back with sparkly barrettes, and her makeup was girlish and subtle. He stared at the pink lipstick on her full lips, the small silver hoops in her ears. She’d removed all other piercings and jewelry.
She wore a pale blue knee-length skirt and a white eyelet blouse, topped with a fuzzy blue cardigan. A hint of cleavage peeked from the blouse’s low neckline. Brendan peered down; he’d never seen Sonia in high heels before.
But the most striking difference was her body language. Her entire walk had changed from a prowl to small, darting steps. Her movements were shyer and quicker. The disdainful panther was gone, replaced by an eager-to-please kitten.
She looked hopefully around the empty front office, fiddling with the big canvas bag that hung from her shoulder.
“I said we needed this yesterday,” came an impatient male voice. Pete strolled into the room, holding a coffee cup and gabbing into his earpiece. At the sight of Sonia, he stopped short. “Talk to you later,” he said into the earpiece, turning his attention to Sonia. With a big smile, he looked her over. “Well,hellothere. Can I help you?”
“I’m here to see Mr. O’Brian, please?” Even Sonia’s voice was different, pitched higher and softer. She glanced toward the rows of cubicles, where Brendan lurked out of sight. “I should be on his calendar.”
Pete grinned. “And you are?”
“Jacqueline Jacobson from the Washington Post.”
Who was Jacqueline?Brendan wondered if Sonia had pulled the name from thin air. The lipstick case flickered through his memory, with its monogram of intertwined Js.
Studying her, Pete shook her hand. “You’re not one of the people the Post usually sends over.”
She gave a self-deprecating giggle, toying with the neckline of her blouse. “I just started this week. I’m an intern.”
Swirling his coffee cup around, Pete raised his eyebrows. “Why would they send over a brand-new intern? Doesn’t make sense.”
Impatience flashed across Sonia’s face. Brendan knew it was mean to hide in his cube and enjoy the show, but Sonia’s act was too entertaining for him to cut short.
“It’s just been acrazyday at the office,” she confided to Pete. “A bunch of people are out sick, and oh my God, we’re scrambling. Plus, my boss had to go home early because this thing happened with her kids… Do you want to hear? It’s kind of gross. And a long story.”
Pete shook his head in alarm. “That won’t be necessary. Media pass?”
“Oh! Of course.” Sonia reached down her blouse, then pulled it away from her chest, frowning as she peered at her cleavage. “Oh God, I thought I was wearing it. Let me see…” She rooted around in her tote bag. “I’m so sorry. I forgot to bring it. Today’s only my third day, and I must have taken it off… Look, I’ll just call Mr. O’Brian, because he’s expecting me.”
Pete was staring at her breasts. “Don’t worry about it. Go on back. He’s in there, on the left. Just make sure to bring your media pass next time.”
“Thank you!” Sonia breathed. “I will, of course I will.”
Taking short, delicate steps on her high heels, she approached Brendan’s cube. When she knocked, he was sitting at his desk.
“Welcome, Ms. Jacobson,” he said calmly, getting to his feet. “If you’ll follow me.”
He led her to a meeting room off the front office and closed the door. Sitting down at the table, he indicated the chair beside him.
