Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 74643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
"Hey, Tiffany, are they ready for me?"
"Of course, Ms. Donovan. Let me just notify the men."
Watching her walk away in a tight wrap dress makes me doubt my position. Is she under contract too? Am I just a pawn in their game?
I take a seat and look around at all the stunning details of the room. The penthouse really is amazing, with its sharp lines and curves, the view as stunning as ever. But am I ready for this?
"They'll see you now, Ms. Donovan," Tiffany says. She leads me down the hallway, this time to a different office.
"Here you are," she tells me before walking away.
I'm on my own now. I take a deep, steadying breath.
The door opens and I see Cameron's smiling face. "Hi, Nicole, good of you to come by."
"Did I have a choice?" I smile tightly. He knows I'm referring to the contract.
"That's funny, you're really funny."
He has a somewhat stern look on his face that gets me wet despite myself, especially when I think about what the contract details—and what it could get me into with him involved.
"This is my office, Nicole. Come on in. Everyone is here. May I offer you some refreshments?"
"Water is fine," I say.
And then I see them—Chase and Adam. As if Cameron didn't make me nervous enough. Now I have all three of my potential bosses again in one room.
"Hi, guys," I say nonchalantly.
They rise to greet me.
Adam is the first to say hello. "Nicole, you look positively radiant."
Everything they say is laced with a sexual undertone. I have the feeling they're undressing me with her eyes. I can't say I dislike it, but again I'm wondering why I’m here, working for a firm where no one cares about my political talent.
Chase takes my arm and offers me a seat. "Nicole, if you say yes to us, I promise you I will make it worth your while. We'll show you the ropes of the political industry. And we'll show you the ropes of how to live life." Cutting to the chase once more, that man.
I take the water from Cameron and say look each of them in the eye before saying, with as much ease in my voice as I can muster, "Gentlemen, I'm here for a reason.
“I read the contract, and I can't say I'm dissatisfied, but I'd like to negotiate a few things."
"Go right ahead," Adam says.
"First of all, I'd like to say that an extra week of vacation will be required. And that the pay is fine as long as it's the base salary.” They nod, as if my demands sound perfectly reasonable to them. “And, there are a few more things."
"Let me guess," Cameron says. "It's about the sexual content?"
He looks at the other two men, and it's a hard position to be in, knowing that they are a team essentially working against me.
What they don’t know is that I’ve decided that I will do anything to advance my career—even this. Even though I am very, very unsure of it.
"As far as the sexual details,” I reply, “I feel that I need to know what I'm getting. And in order for this to happen, I need to have a trial period."
They look at each other and seem to nod in agreement. My legs are crossed tightly, and I'm trying to hold all of my emotions in and to appear as professional as possible.
For the first time since entering the office, I look around and take in the exquisite detailing that Cameron's office has to offer. Everything is expensive and in its place. He's got citywide views.
I think of what it would be like to work in here. By now I've ascertained that I won't be in a cubicle on the lower levels. They want me up here, with them.
I sip my water tentatively waiting for an answer. I think my requests are reasonable enough, given what they're asking.
"I think," Chase finally says, "that a trial sounds fair. But if you're going to get that, we also need to see what we're getting for our part of the bargain.”
I look at him quizzically, not understanding at first what he means.
He explains with one word. “Strip."
Okay, so they're anxious to get started. I'm taken aback, but I can give them what they want. I wanted to be a dancer after all.
If there's one thing I know how to do, it's to move my body and make men like it.
"Let your dress fall to the floor so we can see you," Adam says as he sinks back deeper into the tufted leather couch.
The other guys take their various places around the room, so I end up the centerpiece. I slip out of my dress and let it pool in a puddle at my feet. Easy enough.
"Now let's see you turn, slowly," Cameron says.