Game Player

2 - Alex

He didn't under deliver. Alex flushed for the umpteenth time as visions of last night's sexcapades flashed through her mind. Just as well her PA sat outside her office otherwise Jo would think she was sick.

She'd spotted his keen gaze on her at the bar and knew his intentions - he was silently shouting at her with those green-hooded bedroom eyes. Tall with dark wavy hair and a day's growth on his chiseled face, he was the cliche out of GQ. He had his pick of the women - and some men, vying for his attention at the bar. There had been plenty of eyes on him. His shirt had outlined his athletic build while his jeans rode low on his hips. In his casual state, he still had it going on and he knew it. Cocky.......and boy was he cocky.

She flushed again thinking back to her comments when he'd sauntered over. She can be direct - a skill required to run a software company in an industry dominated by men - but she'd never been that direct. For some strange reason, his gaze and demeanour had provoked her. Also, maybe his timing was impeccable and all the prior badgering from previous propositions that night had made her finally say yes. It had just become too hard to say no to a repetitive and predictable question. Whatever Alex. You had a dry spell and he was fine man-flesh willing and ready to serve.

Shaking her head out of her reverie, Alex knew she needed to pull it together as she had a conference call and reports to review. Her email notification popped up just as she was about to launch back into her report.

From: Sam Kimball

To: Alex Richmond

Subject: woohoo

I heard your dry spell's over!!! Do tell. I know you don't like discussing personal sh*t on your work email...but just so you know, I'm DYING here for the deets. Jo said panty-melting. No response required but I'll call tonight!

S xo

Argghhh...Sam will grill her for the details. He was her best friend, and sometimes the reason why she goes through a dry spell. Unsurprisingly, men don't tend to approach her when she has a six-foot model constantly at her side, but she wouldn't have it any other way. They were each other's default plus-one at functions, providing a reciprocated fending mechanism for unwanted, and unfortunately sometimes wanted, attention.

Jo popped her head through the open office door and breaks her musings. "Don't forget you have a conference call with David and Harry in fifteen minutes," she chimed.

"Thanks, Jo. Can you also please arrange a car to pick me up this Friday at 4 p.m.?"

"Oh, you NEVER leave early. Hot date? Hopefully as hot as last night!" Jo said cheekily.

"Ha! Well hot and gay. I'm Sam's moral support for a launch party that is being held by his ex. That new fancy restaurant, Sawyer's over in Piccadilly Circus. And yes, last night was hot." Alex grinned.

"That's the restaurant I was telling you about the other day! It's fancy but cutting edge....so the review said. You're going to have to get dolled up again," she smiled. "Let me know if you need to borrow anything if you don't have time to shop for it!....I've got some smokin' hot dresses tucked away." Jo winked with a big grin on her face.

'Thanks, Jo but Sam reckons he's got something for me which he stole from the Milan fashion week," she smiled. Knowing Jo, she probably had latex and heels that could kill.

"Ooooohh, lucky girl! I wish my best friend was a model and could get me some free gear."

"Yes it's rather handy but he owes me for moving here and not being around for five years. Not a bad consolation I guess." She said slyly.

"Make sure you milk it!" Jo laughed and pranced out the door.

Jo had been her best and first hire a few months ago and had become her closest friend in London aside from Sam. She'd proven invaluable in maintaining some resemblance of order in Alex's life since her move to London four weeks ago. Which meant she had to keep David, her man-whore friend, and business partner, away from her as long as possible.

She sighed, thinking that would be an impossible mission next week when he arrived to meet the remainder of the team and attend the Serkos meeting. Her move to London had been inevitable and a strategy that she and David had planned for a long time. They knew that to expand their niche software company out of Australia, they needed to shift properly to the global market. It was a large investment but a risk they were both willing to take. She had been concentrating on setting up the London office over the last few months and finally, it had been time to do the permanent shift.

She sighed, tired and slightly concerned about the conference call she was dialing into. They needed the technology roadmap finalised and ready for the final step of negotiations on a large RFP that, if they won, would be extremely lucrative for them and help establish their footprint in the market. She and David needed this project to help drive growth and execute some of their plans over the next few years. They couldn't afford to lose on this deal so she wasn't leaving any stones unturned.

"Hi David, Harry not about? How're the final details of the roadmap going?"

"Almost done Alex which is why Harry isn't on the call. We ironed out all the issues and he's getting his team to finalize it as we speak. You'll have a copy by the time we finish up here today."

"Awesome news!" Alex signed internally with relief.

"We've also got the beta version for the upcoming release ready. Let Harry know if you need it for the meeting on Monday. It seemed like Serkos were keen to see the new functionalities which is a good sign."

"Yes, it is. I'm excited about the meeting. The vibes from Serkos that I'm getting are very positive. I'll cover all the technical aspects until we feel like Harry should come up and get a lay of the land. On another note, the sales guys here have been very busy with tech demos. A few things are looking promising in the pipeline."

"That's great news. Do you know who else has submitted an RFP?" He asked.

"No I don't unfortunately - they're being very tight-lipped about it but I guess the usual suspects. My contact at Serkos did say that we were looking good but to not be complacent."

"Ok - I think we've done that so let's see how it pans out next week. Also now that the London office is underway, we should start to look into the American market in more detail. I like the idea of a San Fran office but we can discuss it when I see you on Monday."

"Ok, no problems. You're all set to fly over tomorrow?" She asked.

"Ready to roll." He paused. "Any hotties in the office I should know about?"

"Shit David! Keep it in your pants! Don't get any new ideas and break your one rule about no banging colleagues!" She exclaimed.

He laughed "I haven't changed the rules. I never said you couldn't look though...."

Alex sighed. David liked to pull her strings. He'd never done anything to make her not trust his judgement before and always knew when to draw the line. She'd known him since she was a skinny, freckled-faced thirteen-year-old after he'd stepped in and beat the crap out of another boy who was trying to manhandle her while she was walking home from dance class. Since then, he'd become like an older brother to her and she'd grown up watching him charm the pants off countless girls. She was certain Jo could hold her own and fend for herself around David even if she was initially blinded by his charms.

"Fine, window shopping only David. Have a nice flight and see you Monday." She rang off to the sound of his laughter. She would be going grey by her thirtieth birthday in a few weeks at this rate.

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