Page 56 of Pure Recklessness

Whilst I hadn’t laid eyes on him in person, Mr Devlin was still making regular appearances in my increasingly frequent fantasies.

I’d binged my way through four more spicy audiobooks since then and I was a certified sex toy aficionado. I was using them so much now, I was convinced my clit was going to drop off.

When I’d expressed my concerns to Dana, she’d reassured me that it’d be fine.

She said that most people masturbated this enthusiastically in their teens and because my upbringing had made me live like a nun for so long, I was just making up for lost time. Trying to cram a decade’s worth of self-care into just over a week seemed excessive, but I could think of worse ways to entertain myself.

And anyway, it was essential research.

Dana and I had enjoyed lunch together almost every day at the staff canteen and we also met Joe for drinks on the rooftop bar. It was nice to finally have some friends in London.

Joe said he’d ordered a few different dresses for the awards which he’d got me a ticket for (yay!). They were all due to arrive in the next week or so along with some office outfits, so once he had everything, we’d arrange a time for me to try them on.

I’d never been to a swanky event before. It sounded exciting and terrifying in equal measure. But I was getting ahead of myself.

I wouldn’t get the money to pay for these clothes, treatments or go to the awards unless I nailed this presentation and kept my job.

There was a lot riding on this. No wonder my stomach was in knots.

I took the lift to the top floor and Valerie greeted me.

‘Hello, Eleanor.’

‘Hi, Valerie.’ I grinned.

‘Mr Devlin’s just finishing a call. Please take a seat and I’ll let you know when he’s ready for you.’

‘Okay. No problem.’

I was hoping I’d just be able to get this over and done with, but Mr Devlin was a billionaire, so of course he was busy.

After opening the Mac laptop the PR department had loaned me for the presentation, I scrolled through the slides.

I’d done my best. I really hoped that was good enough.

Valerie’s phone rang.

‘Will do.’ She nodded, then hung up. ‘Mr Devlin is ready for you.’

‘Thanks,’ I flashed Valerie a weak smile then stood up.

Fake it ’til you make it, I said to myself, pulling my shoulders back, before continuing my inner pep-talk.

A man like Mr Devlin didn’t like people who dithered and acted insecure.

He expected excellence.

I had to exude confidence.

Demonstrate that I was an asset.

Show him that I deserved to be here.

After knocking on the door and waiting for his customary ‘enter’ command, I strode inside.

‘Mr Devlin,’ I said confidently, wishing I had one of the outfits Joe had ordered now to boost my confidence.

‘Eleanor.’ His head jerked up.