Chapter 5

Zoe had always brought her staff coffee and pastries on Friday so it meant getting to the office early to set everything up. She was hoping to beat Cheryl to the office so she would have time to settle in before the interrogation began but as she fumbled to unlock the doors to the main office she could see all the lights were already on. As soon as their eyes met, Cheryl pounced.

"Tell me everything." Cheryl said coming out of her office to follow Zoe to the break room. Zoe had her arms filled with pastry boxes and a travel box of Starbucks coffee but Cheryl ignored Zoe's struggle and began demanding details.

"Did he say anything about the price? The apartment? The furniture? You did tell him that we could provide it with different furniture or no furniture, right? Did you show him the spa? The Sauna? The Bill- "

"Cheryl," Zoe interrupted her incessant questioning, "I will tell you everything once my hands are free. Let me just set up the coffee and I will be right in your office, I promise." Cheryl, caught off guard, nodded and walked back to her office as quickly as she had pounced.

Zoe had rehearsed her story about 100 times last night and another 100 this morning. She was not going to lie, she was just going to omit the details of how he had managed to get her wet without even touching her. She was going to forget to include the part where she screamed in ecstasy as he thrusted deep inside her. Zoe closed her eyes and shook her head, the regret she felt continued to shake her to the very core. She could hear voices in the main office, she checked herself in the mirror to make sure she looked exactly as Cheryl had instructed and walked out to see her boss.

In the main office she saw Cheryl talking with a gorgeous woman in a crisp, pressed white button up blouse and a tight black knee length pencil skirt with black high heels. She had long thick straight brown hair, dark eyeliner that accented her green eyes, and bright red lips. She looked like a Victoria Secrets model with the large perky breasts barely contained by her button up blouse and long tan, toned legs. She carried a black patent leather Filofax and an iPhone.

"Zoe! This is Maria, she is Mr. Moore's assistant." Cheryl was trying to hide her panic by overcompensating with enthusiasm. Zoe reached out to shake Maria's hand and was relieved when Maria took her hand with a warm smile.

"Mr. Moore was very impressed with what he saw last night. He just needs me to make sure that what he likes and what he needs are in alignment." Maria spoke with a cool grace. "He has sent me to check measurements and look at it more critically."

"Of course, it would be my pleasure to show you around." Zoe couldn't believe it. He liked the apartment. He hadn't even seen the whole place, they had barely made it through three rooms before she lost herself to him.

The elevator ride with Maria was much more pleasant than the rides Zoe had taken with her boss. Maria asked questions and listened to Zoe as she explained the amenities and features of the community.

As the elevator bell rang and the doors opened to the 25th floor, Zoe led Maria down the hallway and opened the doors just as she had the night before but this time instead of feeling David's pull, Maria made the penthouse feel light, cool, and calm.

"He is right, it is a gorgeous view. Do you mind if I take measurements?" Maria asked.

"Feel free to take as many as you need, let me know if you have any questions." Zoe stood at the island in the kitchen with her back to the door. She looked out across the living area to the same view she had seen the night before. It was amazing how different everything looked in the daylight. She still couldn't believe the night before had happened, the intimacy she had felt with him was unlike anything she had known. Every time she thought of him she could almost feel him standing behind her again. She could not forget the powerful pull she felt from him, even before they had touched. Thinking of it now made her breath quicken and she could feel her pulse increase as a longing stirred deep inside her.

"Good morning, Zoe." Even at a whisper his voice echoed deep inside. She could feel his voice in her bones. Her breath hitched as she realized he was really there, the electricity between them was palpable. Even when he stood a few inches away it felt as if they were connected again.

She turned to face him and met his eyes. They were cold today as they met hers and some how that made her want him more. His hair was perfectly messy again, and his dark gray suit draped his body in way that showed he toned form underneath. He stood above her, looking down into her eyes as if he were trying to read her without giving any hint of what he was thinking on his own face.

"Good morning, Mr. Moore." Zoe said unevenly. "Maria just went into the Master Bedroom to take measurements if you were looking for her." Zoe felt like she couldn't breathe, she couldn't look away from him but the more she looked at him the more she ached for him. She felt foolish for everything that had happened the night before and she felt more foolish now for letting the feelings of desire rise in her again. She needed something to break the silence before he pulled her in again.

"I did not know Matt Allen was seeing anyone." He said softly, without flinching, without looking away or batting an eye.

"Matt Allen?" Zoe was caught off guard by the statement. All of her focus was on not wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him passionately. She did not have room in her mind for names that made no sense.

"The man you were sharing margaritas with at Rodrigo's? Or do you make it a habit to entice strange men?" His tone remained unchanged as the insult slid from his soft inviting lips. Before she could defend herself David's attention shifted to Maria as she entered the room.

"So?" He asked cooly, stepping towards Maria and acting as if Zoe had never existed.

"It's perfect and the view truly is the best in the city. You would be an idiot not to take it." Maria said in her soft, calm voice that almost sounded like a gentle waterfall. She beamed a gorgeous smile at David and Zoe watched as his eyes smiled back at her, and yet his face stayed perfectly still.

"Zoe, I'll handle all the logistics and paperwork for Mr. Moore. I just need to make a few phone calls and I'll meet you back in the office." Maria collected her things and moved towards the door. David's face dropped back to stone, cold, and unreadable. "Mr. Moore." She nodded to him as she walked past him and out the door leaving Zoe and David in the penthouse alone again.

David stared at Zoe. The aching for him almost felt as though it was turning into a fear of him as he stood silently, waiting, and watching. She wanted him desperately but in the morning after it all happened it had become clear what a mistake she had made, and how it had to never happen again. As she silently begged for this moment alone with him to end, he stepped closer. She felt her knees weaken and she could feel how much she wanted him, she was wet with wanting for him.

"Do you have any other questions?" Zoe whispered. Her heart pounding in her chest as she fought every urge she had. He stepped closer and leaned in so his mouth almost touched her ear. She hoped he could not see that she was shaking.

And softly, so quiet that she almost could not hear it, he whispered with heartbreaking desire, "What's next?"

Chapter 4

"Holy Shit, Zoe." Abby practically screamed it as Zoe walked into Rodrigo's."I mean, holy fucking shit! You look like you walked off the cover of Cosmo. Did anyone know Zoe could look this fucking hot?"

Zoe walked up to their usual table on the outdoor patio at Rodrigo's to find Abby, Lexie, and Kelli already into their second pitcher of margarita's. Zoe had been expecting some kind of reaction from the girls on her new work attire but after the day she had she was hoping for something a little more low key.

"Boss-lady was right about that outfit, there isn't a guy in this city who wouldn't rent an apartment from you now. Is that why you were late? Were you making out with a client in the penthouse or something?"

The girls broke into fits of laughter at Lexie's comment. Zoe laughed too, hoping that she wasn't blushing as much as she thought she was. They were right to laugh, Zoe thought. The idea of Zoe hooking up with a random client was far-fetched. Or at least it was until about an hour ago. The image of him flashed through her mind. She could almost taste his salty skin and his memory made her ache in a way she had not felt before.

But that wasn't Zoe. Zoe was all professional at work. She had risen to Assistant Manager of the companies flagship property because of her professionalism. When Cheryl told her she needed to change her attire to fit the upscale clientele it was her professionalism that forced her to put aside her personal taste and opinions and put on the short black pencil skirt that hugged her shape and showed off her hour glass figure. It was her professionalism that told her to suck it up when her feet ached in three inch stiletto heels and it was her professionalism that put $500 worth of new low cut silk blouses and push-up bras on her credit card.

"Ha Ha Ha - you are hilarious." Zoe said with playful sarcasm, "Now hand me that glass and the pitcher, I need a drink." Kelli obliged and soon Zoe was sipping the cool refreshing margarita and listening to the girls talk about their jobs and the usual workplace drama. Zoe felt comfortable here and she lived for feeling comfortable. She was never the center of attention and that was how she preferred it. She liked it best when her life was comfortable, predictable, and ordinary.

Zoe had known Kelli, Abby, and Lexi since college. They had taken all their freshmen classes together and just clicked. They had taken turns being roommates, even sharing a house together at one point, and they had seen each other through college and the treacherous reality of adulthood that followed. They met every Thursday at Rodrigo's for Happy Hour margaritas and tacos. And every Thursday, conversation would inevitable fall to their love lives.

"Tristan is proposing this weekend." Kelli squealed with delight.

"Are you sure?" Lexie exclaimed, bright eyed.

"Very sure. He booked us rooms at the Cosmopolitan in Vegas and sent me shopping with his credit card yesterday for a new outfit. This is the weekend." Kelli would never openly admit it but her dream was to become a pampered housewife and Tristan was her Prince Charming with a trust fund. She was tall, blonde, and addicted to Spin classes and tall, muscular, beach blonde, Tristan had inherited a fortune giving him all the money to make all her dreams come true. Zoe loved Kelli but this was the part of her she would never understand. Zoe did not believe in fairytale romance and certainly did not need a man to provide for her.

"Matt!! I am so glad you made it!" Abby jumped out of her seat and threw her arms around a tall blonde in black slacks, a crisp white button up, and black tie. "Ladies, I would like to you meet Matt. He is Junior Partner at the firm. Matt this is Kelli, Lexie, and Zoe." The girls all smiled and said hello as they were named off. "Zoe is the one I was telling you about." Abby said as she pushed Matt closer to Zoe.

Cornered, that is exactly how Zoe felt. She hated when the girls did this. They had serious committed boyfriends and it was not that Zoe was single because of a lack of trying. She had profiles on three different dating websites and regularly went out on first dates. But that was just the problem. She regularly went out on first dates because there never seemed to be the need for a second. The girls were constantly trying to set her up and lately Zoe had been taking them up less and less on their offers. So now they resorted to tricks like this.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Abby has told me so much about you." Matt said as he moved in closer. She couldn't blame Abby for trying, Matt was handsome. He was just over six feet tall and clearly hit the gym daily, his shirt could barely contain his muscular build underneath. "Should I grab us all another pitcher?"

And in unison the three girls Zoe had hoped to spend the night laughing and chatting with were suddenly listing off reasons they had to leave Happy Hour early that night. The chorus of good byes would have only been more obvious if they had actually rehearsed it ahead of time.

Abby's excuse came last, "I'm so sorry but Zack is working late and I have to go home and walk Jagger. Have a great night you two." Just like that, the three girls walked out the door of Rodrigo's and left Zoe and Matt alone. Without hesitating, Matt pulled a chair across from Zoe and called over the waitress to order another pitcher and a plate of tacos. As she walked away with his order he turned and smiled at Zoe, "Might as well make the most of it, right?"

His eyes scanned Zoe from head to toe and she could tell by the ways his eyes lit up that he was pleased with what he saw. The pitcher arrived and after he poured them both a round he leaned in closer.

"Abby did not mention that you were a model." Do not roll your eyes, was all Zoe could think. He was so stereotypically good looking with his blonde hair, tan skin, perfect smile, and clearly chiseled body that he probably never had to perfect the art of the pick up line.

"Thank you, but I'm not. I work in property management." Zoe took another sip of her Margarita and looked out across the patio. The girls always liked it here because you could see all the way down Main Street, you could see the entrance to every major bar, club, and restaurant in town.

"Cool." He said after guzzling down an entire margarita. He poured himself another. "Yeah, Abby mentioned you work at one of the fancy high-rise apartments in Newport. I've heard the views there are sweet. I've been thinking about renting there." As Matt took over the conversation, Zoe watched three black SUV's pull up to the front of a new bar that was opening later that week. She watched as the men in suits all got out and shook hands, the universal greeting of businessmen. "Maybe you could give me a tour?"

The weight of his hand on her thigh got her attention and she turned to meet his stare. He was close, too close for someone she had just met. She could smell the salt of the margarita on his breath. She looked down at his hand and glared back up at him. "What do you think?" He removed his hand and grabbed his drink, finishing off his second margarita and pouring a third.

"What do I think of what?" Zoe said bluntly.

"Giving me a tour of the apartments." Matt said, oblivious to her irritation.

"Oh, yeah, of course." Zoe took another drink of her margarita and looked back out across the patio.

"I've heard that place is going to be the next big thing." Matt said using his drink to indicate the bar with the black SUV's out front. He was right, all anyone at work was talking about was V the new bar that would host the top mixologists from all around the world. She looked at the entrance and almost spit out her drink as she saw him. Standing in the light of the neon sign with his cell phone in his hand was David Moore. But he wasn't staring at the phone he was holding. He was staring straight at her. David Moore, the client from the penthouse, the man she had inside her just over an hour ago was across the street staring straight at her. All at once her skin felt hot and she felt an ache rise from deep within her. How could she long for someone she didn't know?

"So, do you want to?" She was so consumed by the man across the street that she hadn't noticed Matt's hand on her thigh or how he leaned in so close he was practically whispering into her ear. She looked at Matt and looked back at David across the street, his eyes were still locked on her. He still stood frozen.

"Ok." She nodded, if only to be able to move away from Matt. "Sure." Zoe said, almost breathless. She met Matt's smile.

"Cool. I'll pick you up around 6? The invitation says black tie, will that be enough time for you to get ready?" Matt was smiling from ear to ear as he took another drink of his margarita. Shit, thought Zoe as she realized that she had just agreed to attend the Opening Gala of V with Matt, the almost overly hunky lawyer with zero romantic potential.

"That'll be perfect." She lied through her smile and took another drink. When she looked back across the street David was gone.