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Smitten
Lisa Marie's gaze was intensely focused as he talked, outlining all the details for their business strategy. In fact, she found it damn near impossible to tear her eyes away. The only problem with that was that she was having major difficulty in actually absorbing the words he spoke.
"I'd really like your opinion on all of this."
She smiled uncertainly as she was abruptly brought back to reality.
"I'm sorry... What were you saying?"
Dave Batista straightened up in his huge, plush office chair and eyed her.
"The business proposal for the 80 Park Avenue West block," he stated. "I just outlined it all for you, and I wanted your opinion."
"Oh..." Lisa Marie couldn't help but feel embarrassed, though she didn't blush. Many would be shocked that she was actually capable of experiencing such an emotion. "I'm sorry, I..." She cast quickly in her mind, unable to recall a single detail he'd laid out in the past fifteen minutes. "... I think every one of your ideas are perfect."
Batista stared at her for a moment, silent. Then, a slow but large smile spread across his face.
"I like you, Lisa," he said. "I knew you had an amazing business sense. And it certainly helps that you're very nice to look at."
Probably any other woman in her position would have felt uncomfortable or angry, and would have heard the words 'sexual harassment' screaming in their heads... But Lisa Marie was a woman in a class all her own.
"Hmm... Well, Mr. Batista, are you hitting on me?"
The burly man, still smiling, allowed his gaze to slowly rake over her, down and then back up again. He licked his lips before answering the question.
"I guess you can say that. But we do have work to get back to," he said.
Lisa Marie eyed him appreciatively, a slight half-smile curving her lips.
"You're the boss," she purred. She felt a deep stirring inside, and she went back to taking meager notes as she watched the man before her.
"Great... So, it's all set. Once the deal is set in motion, I'll leave it to you to plan a party," Batista said, clapping his hands together.
The brunette grinned and stood up to leave the office, though reluctantly. She just wanted to remain seated there in front of the large desk and drool over this man's rippling muscles all day... But she did have work to do.
Dave stood up to see her out. As they walked to the door, he lowered his hand, pressing it against the small of her back.
"And yes, I was hitting on you," he whispered into her ear. "You are so damned sexy..."
Lisa Marie closed her eyes for a beat at the sensation of the man's hot breath in her ear, the feel and heat of his huge hand touching her. She felt as though she were melting. She shuddered pleasantly.
"Have dinner with me," Batista said. His free hand snaked up to the door, as though keeping it closed until she gave him her answer.
Lisa smiled seductively as she turned slightly to face him. They were quite near to one another as she did so, and this fact was not lost on either one of them.
"I think that can be arranged," she practically purred. She stared at him for another moment before turning back to the door, pulling it open and slipping out of the office.
*
The next morning, at Mom's On Park Avenue, everyone seemed relatively distracted. Trish talked about her in-vitro preparations, and no one seemed to really be listening.
"What is wrong with all of you?" she cried, and that finally did the trick. She literally appeared to be on the verge of tears.
"What?" I asked. "I'm listening.
"You are not!" the blonde exclaimed, an indignant and hurt look combining on her face. I felt awful upon witnessing such an expression.
"I'm sorry, Trish," Candice said. She appeared almost defeated as she eyed our friend. "I just have a lot on my mind."
"So do I," I admitted. "I've been seeing Edge again lately."
Trish gasped.
"You what? Amy..." She shook her head, giving me a most disapproving look.
Candice soon followed suit.
"Please tell me you're joking!"
I shook my head, waving both hands in a dismissive manner.
"No, no... It's not like that," I explained. "I swear," I added as I noticed the disbelief on my two friends' faces. Lisa Marie had been the only one to remain silent thus far, which was surprising. "We're just friends now."
"Oh, give me a break," Trish snapped. She appeared to be fuming.
"Okay, what is up with the attitude lately, sweetie?"
That changed her demeanor, but only to a small extent.
"I'm sorry... It's all the hormones," she said, resting her chin on her hands, elbows propped up on the table. "Randy has to give me two shots a day - one in the morning and one at night."
Candice gave her a strange look.
"Don't you start to feel like a pin cushion?"
The question made me laugh, but Trish wasn't amused. She shot the brunette a look.
"What's up with you today?" I asked, directing that to Lisa. "Hey!" I reached across the table, swatting at her hand. "Earth to Lisa Marie!"
"Hmm? Oh, nothing... I was just thinking about work," she replied. However, the smile on her face seemed to tell a different story.
"You look just like the cat that swallowed the canary," Candice observed.
"Yeah," I agreed. "What's really going on? It can't just be about work."
"It is," she insisted. "I have to call David." She fished for her cell phone in her purse, her face lighting up as she realized she had a text message.
Candice, Trish and I all exchanged glances. We could all clearly see what was really going on.
"Well, I'll be," I said. "This is all about your boss, isn't it?"
The brunette raised her gaze just long enough to meet my eyes. This time, she didn't give anything away in her facial features.
"I have no idea what you're insinuating," Lisa Marie insisted. "We were just doing a late business dinner, and... Well, one thing led to another."
"And? Give us the details," Trish prodded.
"I'd rather not."
"What? Lisa Marie Varon doesn't want to share details on her sexual escapades?" Candice said incredulously. "The sky must be falling!"
"Oh, my God!" I quipped. "Ladies, don't you see what's going on?"
They all eyed me expectantly.
"Lisa Marie likes a guy!"
Three of us laughed it up, but Lisa seemed offended, and oddly, even hurt.
"I'm not going to stick around and take this!" she snapped testily. She shocked us by rising from her chair and gathering up her purse and blazer, obviously to leave. She tossed money onto the table. "Now, if you'll excuse me..."
"Oh, Lisa, come on!" Candice said.
But our friend didn't respond verbally. Instead, she pivoted and briskly walked out of the restaurant. And the rest of us were left feeling bewildered.
Then, all at once, we each burst out with laughter.
"She is so obviously smitten!" I cried. "I can't believe it!"