strong, he’s clever and driven... he’s goddamn gorgeous,” I admitted.
“Yes, he is.”
“But he doesn’t want me.”
She pulled my face back to hers. “What the hell makes you say that?”
Embarrassment burnt, and I craved the safety of my bed, hidden under the duvet away from all this craziness. “I asked him over last week. He said no.”
“You asked James Clarke on a date?” she grinned. “You kept that quiet.”
“Don’t I always? And no. I asked him over here, to hang out with both of us and check my project file.”
She laughed, and it sliced like razors. I pushed her off me and she took it in good humour. “Jesus, Lyds, you asked him to come check out your project file? That’s a new name for it.”
“Laugh if you want, he said no, anyway. I’ll have to try and seduce Trevor White instead, he’s a client.”
She shook her head. “James Clarke, Lyds, that’s your challenge.”
“He won’t fuck me!” I wailed. “Seriously, Rebecca, it’s not possible. You’re setting me up to fail!”
“I’m setting you up to test your resolve, there’s a difference. Seducing James Clarke will be an easier bag than seducing Masque, believe me.”
“It will be impossible!”
“No, it will be difficult. That’s the point. He’s a tough cookie, you’ll have to be persuasive. Succeed and you’ll get your time with Masque, that’s a promise. Cross my heart and hope to die.”
I weighed it up. Whichever way I looked at it felt completely unobtainable. James would blow me out again and I’d look a fool, and then I’d lose my shot with Masque altogether. All bad. I sighed. “You’re such a bitch, Rebecca. You know I’ll fail.”
“If you want Masque enough you’ll make sure you don’t.”
“Have any date rape drugs lying around I could borrow?”
Her eyes twinkled, and she pulled me in for a kiss. I resisted at first, mouth fixed in a stubborn little line, but she won me over. She pulled away, smiling. “You won’t need date rape drugs, Lyds. He’s tough, but he’s not that tough. Just be yourself, and don’t let him escape before he’s given you his cock.”
“I’m myself every day, he hasn’t offered it so far.”
“I’ll give you some advice. James likes to be confided in, he likes vulnerability. Open up to him, as sweet little Lydia Marsh on a night out in the big bad world, and you’ll get your guy.”
“I can’t open up, Bex, you know I can’t.”
“And there’s your challenge.”
“Like I need any more hurdles on this ridiculously impossible quest of yours.” I rolled my eyes. “He won’t want me.”
“That’s up to you. It’s your future with Masque at stake, take it or leave it.”
“Why do you even want me to fuck James Clarke anyway? Does the idea get you off or something? Mr corporate screwing your new little pain slut?”
“You’ve got me there. Yes, it does,” she laughed. “I think you’d be good for each other, you both need to let off some steam.”
“Oh, so it’s a two-way mercy mission now, is it? Get us both laid at the same time? You’re really serious, aren’t you? I can’t believe you’re doing this to me!” I removed myself from her arms, leaving the sofa to check myself out in the full-length mirror. “And what about this?” I pointed at my battered body. “How the hell would I even begin to explain this, if I ever even got that far?”
“Be inventive. Lights out... panties off only... Use your imagination.”
“When I fail at this, and lose my job in the process, you’re giving me another shot at Masque, Bex, as well as free rent until my life is sorted again. This is totally unfair.” I marched away to the sound of her cackling.
“You won’t fail, Lyds, I have every faith in you.”
I shot her the finger before I slammed my bedroom door, and only just caught sight of her poking her tongue out at me.
***
Chapter Nine
James
Trevor White wasn’t listening to a fucking word I was saying. He nodded in all the right places, but his beady little eyes were fixed well and truly on Lydia, and Lydia alone. She stared ahead oblivious, hanging on every word I said. I was relieved. A two-way street and I’d have struggled to hold myself back from throat-punching the sonofabitch. This Lydia Marsh shit was becoming unbearable to the point that I’d been checking out employment ads. A decent management position, far away from London and far away from my cat-eyed temptress. I don’t think she even realised the effect