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Gayle’s office was just a few doors down from the elevator bank. It was spacious and decorated with expensive Cherrywood furniture and smelled of lemons and peppermints.
She motioned to one of the guest chairs.
“Please, take a seat.”
I unbuttoned my suit jacket and settled in a chair.
“I’ll just jump right in since time is of the essence these next two months,” Gayle began. “We’re looking to turn this company around and fast. To help with that, we’re launching two new lines which will now go up to a size twenty-four to cater to our plus-sized customers.”
I nodded to show I was following, although she’d mentioned most of this before, during our many talks.
“Where you come in…we need a kick-ass campaign for both of these lines. Something that makes it nearly impossible for a customer not to buy our lingerie. Your past work on campaigns for Victoria’s Secret, and even Rihanna’s new lingerie line, speaks for itself.”
I bowed my head, feigning humility. I knew I was good. After all, that was the sole purpose of having a job: doing it well.
“May I see the catalogue from the latest campaign?” I asked. I told myself that I wanted to see what kind of models I would have at my disposal, but I knew that was a lie. I wanted to see her face again. Even if it was just the print version of it.
Gayle nodded eagerly, happy to oblige any request of the man she was counting on to help save her beloved company. She opened a drawer and briefly rifled through it, before pulling out a glossy 8x11 booklet.
“Here you are.”
“Thank you,” I murmured distractedly, already flipping through the pages.
From a male standpoint, I admired the sensuality of the lingerie the models wore. They were some sexy pieces, yes, but there was nothing eye-catching about the campaign theme, and subsequently, the photographs. The backdrops, the colors, the furniture were all drab and unoriginal. I’d seen something like it a thousand times over.
I flipped to a new page, stopping when my eyes fell on a familiar face.
Kerenza.
In the photo, she was modelling a sheer bra and panty set, looking both sexy and angelic at the same time. I zeroed in between her legs. The hot pink thong she wore was extremely see-through. She had to be completely bald down there.
An image of the two of us tangled up in the sheets flashed in my mind. I could practically feel her smooth, soft skin beneath my palms.
“Who…who is this?” I asked, unable to pull my eyes away from the image. Now, of course I knew who she was, but that was my secret to keep. No sense in telling my new boss—of sorts—that the only reason I’d taken this job was for a woman I’d never spoken a word to, but wanted in every way possible.
“Oh, that’s Kerenza Towers, one of our top models here at ULC.”
Swallowing, I pried my eyes away from the photo and smiled.
“I can’t wait to meet the team.”
Gayle glanced at the time on her computer monitor. “Let’s just head down to the conference room now.”
We walked back toward the elevators, passing them as we approached the end of the hallway. Gayle made a sharp right and pushed open a door, standing back so I could enter first. I straightened my posture and made my face a blank canvass.
The room was on the larger side, with numerous conference tables positioned all throughout. The majority of the chairs were filled with staff members, all of whom craned their necks to get a look at the new guy.
Most people would be apprehensive about joining a close-knit company so late in the game—but not me. I was here to win over Kerenza and to work. Making friends was quite literally the last thing on my mind.
Gayle led the way to the front of the room, and proceeded to give an introductory speech, listing a few of my notable campaigns. When she finished her spiel, she gave me the floor.
“Good morning, everyone,” I started, speaking in a firm but neutral voice. “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining the ULC team for the dual campaign run…” As I talked, I scanned the room, taking in the various faces. My eyes landed on the face I’d come all this way for, and suddenly, suddenly I couldn’t seem to string together a coherent sentence.
“Uh…I…I…”
The corners of Kerenza’s eyes crinkled with concern, and she gave me a small smile of encouragement, probably thinking I was nervous about standing up in front of a room full of strangers. That wasn’t the case. It was being in front of her. Oddly enough, Kerenza was the one having this effect on me and it was her smile that made me pull it together. A woman who both unnerved me and gave me strength. I couldn’t wait to make her mine.
Clearing my throat, I continued, “I’ve got some fresh, innovative ideas for the upcoming campaigns and I’m excited to get to work first thing tomorrow. Thank you.”
