Masked Ménage (Ménage Series: Book 1 of 6)

Chapter 2: The New Girl - Joe

Joe

After all this time, she is right on the other side of this wall.

Mark clears his throat, and I look up to see that it's my turn to speak. Everyone is waiting and my mind just went blank.

"Mr. Wagner, today is November 1, 1984, and we have been going around and around about this merger for almost a year to the day, yet we have accomplished nothing. Bill, do you want to merge with us or are you blowing smoke up our asses? Not to be crass, but the time is now, and either shit or get off the pot. You want to retire; your daughter Emma does not want the company and yet here we are playing... this game. Listen, we are offering you a substantial amount of money, the best deal by far. Has anyone else come close to our offer?" I exclaim as Mark looks at me in shock.

"Bill, let me show you the numbers again," Mark says in a calm tone as Bill glances at me and then at Mark.

Well, that did not come out as I'd planned. What the hell is with me today? This girl is affecting me and I don't even know her. We met in a parking garage elevator two years ago, then again in the club an hour later. We barely said a word to each other, and now she is all I can think about.

Listening to Mark talk, I try not to acknowledge her by looking through the glass window. The last thing I need is for Mark to see me.

The problem is, my eyes are drawn to her. This woman has the most gorgeous smile. Her long chestnut hair is braided and wrapped meticulously up in a bun, with soft tendrils flowing down that soften her beautiful face. She looks very sophisticated today, dressed in business attire, rather than black leather and fishnet stockings.

Remembering back to that moment in time, she was so sensual, yet elegant, and sexy as hell. The girl could have any man in that club. Now, with her light pink blouse, black pencil skirt, and those black pumps, she is taking my breath away. There is something about this woman. I know her secret, and she is not as innocent as she portrays.

As we walk out of our meeting with the Wagner Group, she's still there, the woman from my dreams. Our team said goodbye to Bill and his people as they walked to the elevators. It was another long and unproductive meeting, thanks to Mark and his antics. He was having fun playing footsie with Bill's daughter under the table. Luckily, I'm the only one who noticed.

Once they were all on board and the elevator doors closed, Mark turned to me with a strange look on his face. Expecting him to say something raunchy about Miss Wagner, he turns and looks directly at her. His gray steely eyes glancing back and forth between me and this woman, sitting before us, as a peculiar smile grows on his face.

Oh no, he spotted her.

"Look at that woman, Joe. Now that is one stunning young lady." Mark whispers, and I am astonished that he doesn't remember her from the night at Shenanigans.

Shit, maybe it would be better if she worked on another floor.

"Did I tell you that Maria Walker is gone? She was one arrogant bitch until I showed her who's boss. She turned in her notice yesterday, and I think I've just found her replacement. What do you think, Joe? Does she meet your standards?" Mark asks and I instantly feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Son of a bitch, this asshole will destroy her, and I cannot say a word. She has haunted me for years and now Mark's going to use her up, then toss her away.

Mark whispers again and says, "Her name is Deidre, and I want this girl, Joe. She has the most perfect body. Yes, I'm normally partial to blondes, but her hair looks like waves of chocolate, so soft, and those dark eyes look almost black. My God, she is magnificent. Joe, I want her naked and on my desk by the end of the week."