"Morning Love." He walked into my small office, a cup of coffee in hand and a smile stretched across his stubbled face. I had developed a full on crush on Simon, I hadn't crushed like this since Eddie Hamilton in the sixth grade. Everything about him made my stomach do flips. The way he called me Love turned my insides into warm gooey mush… Love. His sweet affected British accent, and his full lips would curl up into a small perfect smile. Mush.

"Morning Simon." I chirped, I was not a chirpy girl what was I doing. I think I even giggled, like a child. How was it possible that my entire demeanor changed when he was in such close proximity. "Did you get the report I left on your desk last night?

It was my first week in my new position, the sharks had descended upon me. The general consensus was that I had not deserved the promotion Simon had bestowed upon me, I was too young and too inexperienced to help broker a deal such as this. I was under the gun with a mountain of work to do, reports to analyze and then translate, figures and conversions. Everyone watching me closely, waiting for the smallest mistake so they could pounce. It was important that I proved that Simon was right about me, I left later and later each night, and it was only the first week.

"Yes, I did, I gave them to James to look at…This is for you." He handed me a steaming paper cup of coffee from the Starbucks around the corner with my name written on it. Love. The smell was intoxicating, the mix of coffee and Simon.

"Wow, thank you Simon. You have no idea how much I need this."

"I do actually, I heard you were here until well after midnight last night."

"How did you…"

"I have my ways. Now I don't like the idea of you on a subway at all hours of the night. So if you are going to insist on staying that late. I want you to use our car service to get home." He placed a business card on my desk, and pushed it towards me. I was used to the subway, granted it was dirty and there was always the lurking chance you would get groped or mugged but that was part of the charm, the excitement.

"Simon, that's really sweet. But I was born in Queens, I can deal with the subway."

"Amy…" His voice dropped and octave as he said my name and raised his eyebrows.

"Ok, Simon. Thank you." I gave in easily, wanting to please him. And the idea of not having to deal with the subway was appealing.

"Good, now that is settled, what are you doing tonight?" He sat at the edge of my desk, leaning in closer to me. He took the paper cup out of my hand and took a casual sip of my coffee. I looked at him slightly shocked, it felt so personal sharing my coffee with him. "Hello, tonight?"

"Um…Well I have to finish the…" He waved his hands interrupting me.

"No I mean, do you have plans for this evening. I have a dinner function tonight that would be exponentially more enjoyable if you were my date."

"Oh, do you need me to translate?" He passed the cup back to me and I took a sip of my coffee, trying to act calm and casual. I had gone to lunch meetings with Simon twice during the week, my sole purpose to act as interpreter. Despite my growing crush and how much I would love to go on a date with Simon, I knew he would never really be interested in someone like me. But the way he was looking at me now there was a hunger in his eyes that made my stomach drop and my heart race.

"No, Love it's a pleasure thing not a business one. Old friends in from out of town." I swallowed the huge lump in my throat. He smiled, knowing he was making me nervous.

"So you mean like a date… date?"

"Yes, a date. You do date don't you?" He was being smug now, teasing me. I liked to see him playful and relaxed.

"On occasion. Um, is it a fancy thing with fancy people?" I was mocking him, successfully doing my best British accent. I was trying to gain back a shred of pride, teasing him right back. He laughed and smiled.

"Fancy?"

"Jeans, cocktail dress or gown?"

"Cocktail dress." I thought for a minute about the contents of my closet. I had two dresses that might work.

"Ok, I would love to go." I finally said, not able to contain the smile on my face. Simon Archer, focus of my crush, (everyone's crush actually) just asked me on a date.

"Really, are you sure, because that was pulling teeth Amy."

"Yes Simon I am sure, what time?"

"I will pick you up at eight."

"Ok, let me write down my address." I pulled out a post-it and pen and began to write.

"I have it Amy. Honestly that is something we are going to work on Love, now that you have an actually salary. You live far too uptown for my taste, it's not safe." For someone who barely knew me he was worried about my safety.

"I love my apartment, granted it's a little dodgy but I am perfectly safe and its cheap by NYC standards."

"Dodgy is not even the word for it. Like I said, something to work on. I will see you at eight. Oh and take the car service home from work tonight ok."

I stood in front of my closet in my best bra and panties. I needed all the help I could get, and my black lace set always gave me a boost in my confidence. I settled on my simple black Calvin Klein dress, another find from the consignment shop, this dress still had the tags. As long as I lived I would never understand rich women. It was fitted, with a deep cowl neck that showed off just the right kind of cleavage and small cap sleeves. It was edgy but simple. I squealed when I put it on in the dressing room so happy that it fit and was only two hundred dollars. I pulled out two pairs of heels one black suede platforms and another pair of black pointy toed pumps with metal stud details. Choosing the former because they brought out the edge of the dress and because they were so ornate no other jewelry was necessary. My dark brown hair had just been highlighted with fine honey colored streaks and cut into a sleek boob, just skimming my shoulders; just one

of the perks of your best friend being a hairdresser, thank God for Laurel. In keeping with the vibe of the outfit and my mood, I pulled my hair back into a sleek ponytail. I kept my make-up simple, a soft smoky grey eye and a shiny pink lip. I looked hot, expensive even, maybe even good enough to be on Simon's arm.

When my bell rang any confidence I had managed to harness dissipated into the air and was replace by fear and doubt. I opened my door and there he stood. He was wearing fitted black flat front slacks, the matching suit jacket and deep blue shirt that made his eyes practically glow. The top buttons were undone, exposing just the right kind of chest hair. It wasn't really fair. His eyes ran up and down the length of my body, stopping at my shoes for a few beats before finally meeting my eyes.

"Amy Knightly, sex pot."

"Shut it Simon."

"Seriously Love, I was not expecting this. You look so prim and proper in the office." For the first time I realized this edgy look might not be appropriate. I mean Simon looked so, refined. To him I must look like a fist pumping, shore girl. What was I thinking. I should have worn the grey sheath dress, black pumps and freaking pearls. I pressed my lips together, a nervous habit and could feel the sweat forming at the small of my back.

"I can change, I mean. I have another dress that is less… whatever this dress is." He leaned in my door jam, smirking.

"Amy, you look spectacular. I am thinking all kinds of naughty thoughts about you as we speak." All of the air left my body, but I tried not to let the excitement, fear, nervousness show on my face. "I think you would like 96% of what I am thinking, 4% might take some convincing." Well that was it, I could feel my cheeks start to burn, and my knees go a little weak. This was not happening, I mean there is no way he just said that to me. I took a deep breath and tried to muster up an ounce of the smart ass that I was known for.

"Don't be so sure Simon, for all you know I could be super freaky." I watched with satisfaction as his jaw dropped slightly, his eyes widened. "Or, the Virgin Mary…You ready to go?" I grabbed my purse and pushed passed him through my door.

"You are going to be fun Miss. Knightly. Very fun indeed."

His car and driver were waiting and I slid into the town car thinking this could not be happening. I mean seriously. Simon sat close to me, closer then necessary and I could feel him breathing as he wrapped his arm around me. My body tightened at first, he made me so nervous but then I leaned into him and allowed my body to relax.

"I finished that report on the cost of manufacturing…" He put his finger to my lips silencing me.

"Shush Love, no work tonight." His fingers trailed to my chin pulling my lips to his. His lips were soft, as they pressed against mine. I felt like my body was buzzing, as his tongue parted my lips. Being kissed had never felt like this before, I usually got bored or distracted, my mind wandering but with Simon I was completely engaged in this moment. The look in his eyes, his smell, his taste. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close, my hands knotted in his hair, A small man escaping from the back of my throat. I had never made a sound like that before. What was happening. He pulled away, and it was then I remembered we were not alone.

"Frankie, change of plans. My apartment." He reached in his pocket, pulled out his cell phone and told who ever it was on the other line that he was sorry but a business emergency came up and he couldn't make it. "I hope that's ok?" He didn't wait for my response, instead he just kissed me again.