Blindfolded Innocence Read online

Featherston looked confused, and then her expression cleared. Her mouth curved into something resembling a smile.

  "He thinks you’re Tiffany," she said wryly.

  "Who?"

  "Tiffany. The girl who works downstairs, who handles travel arrangements. You slightly resemble her - he must have gotten confused. I'll make sure she gets the message." She shot me an amused look and then re-focused on her computer.

  I turned on my heel and headed for the doors, wanting to get back to the normalcy of the West Wing. Wow, talk about an ego-check. What a ... jerk! I could feel my irritation building. I pulled my shoulders back and straightened my head, enjoying the anger coursing through my body. It felt good having some of my backbone back.

  Back at my desk, I pulled out my cell and sent a quick text to Olivia.

  DINNER AND DRINKS TONIGHT?

  Her response was quick, and affirmative. We agreed, through a series of texts, to meet at 8pm at Cafe Salsa, a downtown tapas bar known for their great bands. I locked my phone and put it back in my purse. I planned on enjoying this Broward-free week, and damn if I'd let that Asshole De Luca affect it. I attacked my pile of files with new gusto.

  ----

  I dressed to kill - picking out a red minidress and sky-high nude Christian Louboutin stilettos. I straightened my hair and carefully applied my makeup. Putting on my sexiest lace bra and a matching thong, I shimmied into my dress and then dusted bronzer over my legs, chest, and arms. A small black purse in hand, I stood in front of the mirror and gave myself the once-over. Hot damn woman. You are looking good.

  At five minutes before eight, Olivia pulled up outside my apartment in her old grey Ford Explorer, blaring Katy Perry. I skittered out on my heels, navigating the overgrown path with care. Entering Olivia's SUV was like crawling into a bubble gum bubble. It smelled yummy and completely feminine, and said GIRL as loud as the feather boa hanging from the review mirror could scream.

  We sang and car-danced the 10 minutes to Cafe, and my spirits rose with every chorus. Parking was difficult to find, and Olivia ended up squeezing into a spot three blocks from the restaurant.

  One benefit of being with Olivia is the guarantee to never have to wait for a table. She's made a point to get to know someone at every hot spot in town. We requested a quiet table and were, within minutes, put at a great corner table with a view of the dance floor and bar.

  "So. Give me the goods," she demanded as soon as we sat down.

  "What goods?"

  "You know! On your new job, life, everything! I haven't seen you in over two weeks, and this weekend didn't count! Becca was there, and that prevents any real conversation from occurring." She giggled to soften her point, but we both knew she meant it. Becca was wonderful, but Becca was all about Becca, 24 hours a day.

  "Any word from Luke?"

  I rolled my eyes at her reference to my ex. "No, thank God. He doesn't know about my internship, and I don't think anyone has told him where I live. Has he called you any more?"

  She shook her head in response. "Just that one time. I think I made it pretty clear to him then that he wasn't going to get any information from me."

  I brought my martini up to signal a toast. She followed suit.

  "To new beginnings."

  "To new beginnings." she parroted. We clinked glasses and both took generous sips.

  "So, tell me about the new job." Her eyes glimmered. "Anything going on with you and that gorgeous hunk we saw at Amigos?

  "Todd?" I grimaced and shook my head. "No, he is too…. I don't know. Immature. Besides, I don't want to get involved with anyone at work - it's too complicated." I thought of De Luca and my face flushed. Olivia caught the tell.

  "What - What is it?"

  I told her about De Luca, Broward's warning, and today's interchange. She started to giggle and then clamped a hand over her mouth at my glare.

  "It's not funny," I hissed.

  "Oh, come on! It is funny! You trotted in there thinking that he would bend over backwards to woo you. Instead he gave you a menial task and sent you on your way!" She smiled affectionately at me, and patted my arm. "It's okay Jules. Not EVERYONE is insusceptible to your charms."

  I shrugged and was on the verge of a witty comeback when a server materialized at our table with two martini glasses filled with blue, glowing liquid. "Ladies, these drinks are from the table by the stage." He deposited the drinks in front of us and disappeared before we had time to formulate a response. I drew my blue martini close and tried to glance discreetly over my shoulder. Three suits by the stage nodded and raised their drinks. I gave them a quick smile and turned back to Olivia.

  "What do you think?"

  Olivia sorta leaned to the side and spoke over the sugary rim of her new drink.

  "Fairly cute, they look successful, a little old."

  "How old?"

  "Umm… late 20s? Maybe even 30." She said 30 like it was ancient. Which, for us, it was.

  "Any wedding rings?"

  She tried discreetly to squint and instead came off looking like she had discreetly farted.

  "Stop that-" I snapped. "We can look up close." What the hell, I had put on this dress for a reason, right? I turned in my chair, flashed my best smile, and gestured for the guys to come over. Time to have some fun.

  ----

  Two hours later.

  I am a Cock Tease. I know it, own it, and am not the least bit ashamed of it. I love the chase, and the tease, but don't need or want the sex or the reputation that comes with it.

  I had Bob, a 29-year-old Tax Accountant with a bird chest and moderately muscular arms, flat on his back, gazing at me in drunken adoration. I straddled him, stripped down to my black lace bra and thong. My hair fell loose down my back and I leaned forward, nibbling and kissing his neck. He moaned, and I could feel his erection pushing at his dress pants, begging to get out. His hands roamed down my back, over the curve of my hips and grabbed my ass. Continuing to tease his neck, I reached down and slid my hand underneath his pant line and felt the hardness of his cock. It was pretty nice sized, compared to the few that I had previously touched, and I grabbed it firmly, jacked him up and down twice, and let him think for a minute that I was going to do more. Then I slyly bit my bottom lip, shook my head at him, and pulled my hand out.

  The fire in his eyes died a little and he looked at me with intense yearning. Right there, that is what I want to see. My confidence soared and I felt full satisfaction. You're done buddy.

  CHAPTER 10

  8:15am. Brad De Luca's cell rang for the seventh time that morning.

  "De Luca." he snapped into the phone, watching the 20-year-old "housekeeper" that he had hired bend over to dust the coffee table. She was dressed in cutoff jean shorts and a soft tee shirt that barely covered her midriff. She did a horrendous job on the house, but kept the clothes to a minimum and bent over a lot. He had a middle-age Russian Linebacker named Helga who came over afterwards and redid all of her work.

  "Julia Campbell." His cousin Tony's voice rang through the phone. Tony was a 40-year old divorcee with 3 kids who drank full time and painted houses as a hobby. He couldn't remember the last time he had spoken to Tony before 11am. He must need money. He groaned silently and waited for more.

  "You know her?" Tony asked.

  His mind searched his recent clients, conquests, and acquaintances and came up blank.

  "No, don't believe I do."

  "She's an intern, at your office." Tony's voice slurred a bit.

  "Oh. She's probably with Broward or Clarke. They keep the female interns away from me."

  Tony laughed so hard he began to hiccup. "I bet they do man! You'd be slaying them!"

  Brad glanced at his watch impatiently and willed the man to get to the point.

  "Who's she to you Tony? We related?" His voice had taken on the rough brogue of his Italian childhood.

  "Naw man - I got a call this morning from Robert Hanstle - the yuppie guy whose kitchen I'm painting? He's trying to get inform
ation about her - he knows she works for your firm, and…given my last name… thought I might know someone over there."

  "I don't know anything about her." He tried to convey a tone of wrapping up the conversation, but Tony wouldn't let it go.

  "Come on Brad - give me SOMETHING - this guy is desperate over this chick. She must have magic pussy, man."

  "Sorry Tony. Never met her before. If I learn something, I'll let you know."

  "Seriously Brad - give me a call - this guy-"

  He hung up the phone without waiting for the rest of Tony's sentence. He looked at his watch again. He needed to get to the office.

  ---

  I woke up buried in the soft sheets of my cozy bed. I stretched, rolled over, and winced at the hangover headache that was pounding in my temples. I pulled my eye mask up and glanced at my bedside clock. Holy Shit. 7:45am. I attempted to jump out of bed, and was squashed back down by the invisible stakes that were piercing some important cerebral mass in my head. I tried again, slower this time, and ended up on my feet. Glancing into the mirror next to my door, I saw a face smeared with makeup and a distinct floral skin design that must have come from my pillow. Ugh.

  I grabbed powder blue capris, a white cardigan/camisole set, and some tan Jimmy Choos. I didn't have time to shower, so scrubbed my face as quickly as I could, and threw on some light makeup. As any party girl will tell you - one day old going-out hair looks pretty damn good, so I ran my fingers through it and headed out the door.

  I was in the office's kitchen, buttering a stale biscuit and licking some melted butter off my fingers when he walked in. Whoa. It was as if every ounce of extra air left the room in that instance, squeezing all of the space out with it and putting me front and center in his laser beam. Damn. We locked eyes, and neither one of us moved. In his office, there had been a long, empty expanse between us. Now here in the small kitchen, I felt his…essence. It scared the crap out of me.

  His eyes were a normal dark brown color, not anything special, but they blazed with a powerful intensity. He smelled of…something. I don't know how to describe the smell but it was intoxicating and animal. The man reeked of masculinity and sex. He seemed to be a big tight ball of controlled energy and I could just as easily imagine him ripping someone's head off as dipping me backwards into a kiss. As I stood there frozen, his sexy features curled into a smile and he looked like he wanted to eat me. I backed up and bumped into the kitchenette counter. I was acutely aware of the butter all over my fingers and, now dripping, on the edge of my mouth. I licked my lips and said the first thing that popped into my mind.

  "I'm not Tiffany."

  His smile faltered slightly and he shook his head and chuckled.

  "I know."

  "I'm Julia. Julia Campbell. Broward's intern."

  "I know."

  "You do?"

  "Yes. I just asked Sheila where to find you. She said you were in here."

  "Oh." A pause. His eyes never leaving mine. "Why were you looking for me?"

  "Would you like to go to lunch?" He turned some powerful, magical force on full blast and it was like he radiated with intense sexual heat. I almost swooned, but caught myself. Keep it together you damn woman!

  "Umm, no."

  "No?" His grin increased and he looked almost incredulous. He glanced around as if wanting someone around to witness this.

  "No." My voice grew in strength and confidence. Cocky prick.

  "Why?" He moved closer and I lost all sense of reality. The man was like no one I'd ever met. I could see why divorcing wives would throw apart their legs and beg him for more than lawyerly duties. The man was walking breathing sex. I had never found body builders or large men attractive. I had pined and worshipped the rail-thin pretty look of male models. This man was built like a God - with the deposition of Satan. I couldn't imagine being an intern to this man and NOT doing more than filing his briefs.

  I would have moved back farther but the kitchen counter rail was already digging into my ass and no doubt now leaving a bruise. I met his amused gaze and tried to portray nonchalance.

  "For one thing, you're a little old."

  His eyes flickered a bit at that, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

  "And?"

  "Annnddd, I'm not supposed to talk to you." Even to my ears, that sounded juvenile.

  His egotistic smirk was back.

  "Ahhh… yes. Broward wants to keep you all to himself."

  I didn't like that response, but kept my mouth shut and let me eyes communicate my silent retort.

  "Come on. Let's go to Centaur."

  "No. I have work to do."

  "Come on - I'll have you back in a flash. No one will even know you are gone."

  "I -

  "Julia!" Sheila stood in the doorway and glared at De Luca. He had the good grace to look sheepish, which also looked ridiculously sexy. Good lord. Someone needs to take this man out back and shoot him.

  I fled to the safety of her side, taking my buttery fingers with me and leaving my plate and knife behind.

  "I need Julia," Sheila said. "Are you all through with whatever it was you were needing her for?" Her expression painted her opinion clearer than any billboard sign could.

  De Luca nodded a goodbye to me and strode out of the kitchen, winking at me, and patting Sheila on the shoulder as he passed. I could suddenly breathe a lot easier. Sheila turned and affixed me with a steely stare, all evidence of grandmotherly goodness gone. "Is this going to be a problem?" she demanded.

  "I don't know what you're talking about."

  "Good."

  CHAPTER 11

  11:45am.

  I didn't know what I had been doing the last two and a half hours, but it hadn't been anything productive. I twirled a pencil around my hand and debating asking someone for an Advil. My phone rang, a shrill sound that poked at my headache with a sharp stick.

  "Julia Campbell."

  "It's Beverly." Beverly was Broward's #2 Secretary - a redheaded, plump woman who thought that stripes and polka dots matched and had an extreme habit of over-sharing everything. I mean everything. The second day I met her she "confided" in me that she caught genital herpes from a gas station restroom toilet. Need I say anything more? She would.

  "Hi Beverly."

  "We need you to run over to Office Max. Rick in IT just called, and apparently they are having some kind of technical crisis that can only be solved by a…. TI44 Firewire Cable Port. Whatever that is. We would go, but De Luca's office is having us run a gabillion copies for some last minute filing and the-"

  "No problem Beverly. I'll do it now." And stop by CVS and grab every hangover remedy they got.

  "Are you sure? I hate to ask you but if we don't get-"

  "Yes. I am sure. I'll do it now."

  "Great! Thanks Julia. Just run it to IT when you get back. It's on the second floor, next to the-"

  "I know where it is."

  "O-KAY! Thanks Julia."

  "Your welcome."

  I hung up the phone and rose, glad for a chance to get out of the office. I slid my heels on, grabbed my purse, and practically skipped to the elevator, purposely avoiding even looking in the direction of the East Wing doors. Take that Brad De Luca!

  I took the elevator directly to the parking garage floor and exited, looking to the right for my car. One of the firm’s black town cars was idling near my Camry, and the driver's tinted window rolled down as I approached. A 20s-something white kid in a chauffeur's uniform was seated in the driver’s seat, and spoke to me as I passed.

  "Ms. Campbell."

  "Yes?" I stopped in surprise, staring at him.

  "I've been instructed to drive you to the store."

  "What?"

  "I'll drive you to the store."

  "No, I'm fine. Thank you."

  He ignored me and got out, walked around to the back seat door, and opened it. I glared at him.

  "I can drive myself. I'm a big girl."

  "Get in the car." The order
came, not from the pimple-faced driver, but from inside the car. It only took a second for me to figure out that voice, and I shoved aside Pushy Driver and leaned over, looking into the car.

  "You listen to me, " I hissed, pulling out my finger and pointing it in De Luca's face. "I am not one of your strippers you can order around! I am BUSY at work and-" My tirade and conviction was interrupted by De Luca's burst into laughter, him grabbing his side, his entire torso shaking. My finger sagged a bit but remained pointed at him, and I fought the ridiculous urge to laugh myself.