Oh Yes!
Myka went back to her office to freshen up. She ran the brush through her wavy locks, applied a little more lipstick, and straightened out her stiff white collared shirt that she wore with a gray pencil skirt. The pendant Helena gave her hung around her neck, resting just above the low cut in the blouse. Myka took one last glance in the mirror and smiled. She would never have worn a bright red lipstick like this before, but now she enjoyed trying different things.
And given the expression on Helena's face, she knew she was on the right track.
Myka went downstairs with the rest of her staff and took a seat at one of the tables farthest from the door where Helena would enter shortly. Myka loved to watch the expressions on people's faces as Helena came into the room. Her sheer beauty commanded the crowd of forty employees' attention – many of whom only saw Helena from afar or got to say hello at the holiday party. Now she was going to sit down and talk with them one on one. Myka could feel the excitement at her own table as she sat with a group of support staff members, rather than with some of the Associate General Counsel members, who sat together waiting to impress their boss' boss.
The doors opened and in stepped Helena, decked out in a Roland Mouret original magnolia stretch-crepe dress. The brightly colored fuchsia dress hugged Helena's shape like a glove and contrasted with her dark tresses and ivory skin. She was the brightest thing in the room – both visually and intellectually.
"For those of you who don't know me," Helena started the meeting, and soft laughter could be heard, "I am the woman who has kept many of you quite busy," she finished and now the laughter was louder. She was not apologizing, but she was being honest. Then she did something she had never done before. Instead of introducing Eileen as her assistant, she introduced her as – "my associate." The new phrasing did not escape Myka or Eileen.
Many of the questions from the more senior management table were to inquire if Helena knew what a good job they were doing. She smiled and simply asked them what part of the project had not gone well and then when they finally felt compelled to tell her, she would ask what they learned. Eileen watched and noticed that nothing seemed to surprise Helena and she was skillful at turning any discussion around to get at what she wanted. And in each conversation, Helena turned and would say something like – "You see, Miss Sullivan, general counsel has a high degree of accountability and visibility within Wells Corp, and that is why internal relationships and alliances are critical to achieve their success."
She was teaching Eileen without anyone suspecting a thing.
Eileen observed Helena as she sat with the more reticent paralegal staff and joked with them about all their overtime hours disappearing since she had stayed out of hot water. And then she remembered – and had trouble keeping on track. Helena purposely looked directly at the person speaking to her, but often found her eyes gazing in Myka's direction.
Finally, it was time to sit at Myka's table.
"Counselor," Helena said, and then had everyone at the table introduce themselves. "What kind of questions can we expect from you when both your bosses are at the table?" she teased the group. Helena was especially interested in speaking to the support staff; a group she believed contained untapped resources.
She asked them what they enjoyed about their jobs, and things they would change if they could. Helena wasn't the Captain of the Good Ship Lollipop – she pressed them to share their complaints and encouraged them to explore resolutions. And as she had done at each of the other tables, she reminded them how fortunate they were to work with one of the brightest Chief Counsels.
"And what would you say has been your greatest challenge, Ms. Bering?" Helena asked, catching Myka off guard. Helena was less interested in the answer and more interested in watching the ruby red lips delivering the speech. Myka caught the gleam in Helena's eyes and detected the tiniest smirk. She knew exactly what Helena was doing.
"I guess….. I would have to say the biggest challenge….. has been keeping up with the regulations that affect our company. They seem to change every day. But the staff and I do our best… to keep Wells out of….. hot water," Myka said, leaning in when she said the last two words. Her green eyes locked onto Helena's, letting her know she knew what she was doing.
It wasn't easy to have a lover's game going on in front of people who had no idea, but Bering and Wells were perfect at it. Helena was holding her own until Myka let the tip of tongue jut out slowly as she rolled it over her bottom lip, as if she were deep in thought. Everyone was looking at Helena to see what her next question would be.
Helena's elbow missed the table as she went to place it down – and Myka smiled mischievously because she knew she was the cause.
"Well, you are …all doing….. a grand job," Helena said, clearing her throat and smiling, conceding her loss.
The only one to catch on to the tete a tete was Eileen, who sighed audibly wishing her breakfast meeting had gone as well as this.
When Eileen got back to her desk, there was a recipe for a chicken and pasta dish from Millie. "Don't use forks, use spoons..…Easier to feed one another…." - The message read on the group's instant messaging window. "This way, while your mouth is full of apologies, her mouth is full of good food." Eileen looked around, as if anyone would be there, as she printed the instructions.
'Recipes?' Adelaide thought to herself. This wasn't the kind of information that would get her Ted's attention. She slammed her laptop shut and went back to the lab to work. The woman was starting to feel as if there weren't any secrets to uncover and yet, how was that possible? Wells Corp was on the cutting edge of so many things. But Ted was very specific – he didn't want information about products – that, he said, would be unethical. No, he wanted inside information on the woman who had beaten him out of almost every major deal on the street and who had even embarrassed him with her quick retorts at several social gatherings.
Ted really wanted to get Helena Wells.
If Wells Corp was expanding, maybe finding out about Helena's next big deal would give him the edge and he would purchase it out from under her. He didn't mind sacrificing an employee or two in the process.
Adelaide worried time was running out on Ted's trust that she could deliver.
Helena was finishing up in her office after a long day of meetings. Myka had already told her she would meet her at home and nothing set Helena rushing out like that news. Helena decided everything could wait until tomorrow once she got a text picture of water running in the large Jacuzzi tub.
"You've had a long day, Miss Sullivan. Let's review tomorrow what you've learned," Helena said as she rushed past her on the way to the elevator. She stood there tapping her foot, pressing the button - hard.
Downstairs, the exact same action was taking place as Bridget was trying to get upstairs to see Helena. Helena wasn't picking up her phone and the banker needed her input immediately. Claudia was coming back from a meeting with a vendor after getting an alert from the sniffer program. The techie came upon the banker who was furiously pressing the up button over and over.
"Come on!" Bridget said, looking up to see what floor it was on.
"You know pressing that button over and over again does not make it come any faster," Claudia said.
Bridget stopped and looked at the techie. Hadn't they had a similar conversation this morning?
"Darlin', I am going to make it my business to take you out for drinks. The sooner the better, I think," Bridget said.
"All I am saying Helena is that you're doing such a good job with these luncheons. It's a compliment. I know it's rare, but I want you to take it," Irene said in the elevator as she rode down with her boss.
The HR Director had been coming to see Helena when she was told in no uncertain terms that if she had anything to discuss, it had to be done on the way to the ground level.
"You say that as if you're surprised," Helena said as the cage descended. Too slowly.
"I am," Irene said truthfully.
"How is that possible? You of all people should know I am charming…," Helena said, pressing the button repetitively for the ground floor.
"You know pressing the button over and over again does not make it go down any faster," Irene said.
"Of course I know that! Is there a machine I don't understand?" Helena mumbled, annoyed she had unconsciously pressed it over and over.
"Yes, well as for your charm, I have on occasion witnessed it," Irene said, looking over the printed out survey responses that HR asked the staff members who attended the luncheons to complete.
"On occasion?" Helena asked taking the bait because she was distracted. Irene never looked up from her report, but Helena couldn't miss her smile.
The door opened on the ground floor just as –
Helena said -"You….…"
Bridget said – "I ….…."
Claudia said – "We..…"
And the three women all started to speak at the same time.
Irene stepped outside as they each verbally jockeyed for position. Irene heard Claudia say 'we got a ping', and Bridget say 'they were interested, but wanted more' - as Helena tried to tell them 'tomorrow'. Finally, Helena raised her hand and everyone stopped talking.
"Ms. Donovan, keep tracking that. I will have the message to put out in the morning."
Claudia understood and went upstairs.
"Ms. Cummings, I will give them what they want if they meet all my requirements."
Bridget didn't like conducting business in the lobby, but the seller was getting skittish about this whole deal and she had to get back to them. She watched as Irene stood there taking it all in. The banker thought quickly how to phrase her question.
"Ms. Wells, you know with these people, if they think you're willing, the sky will be the limit," Bridget tried to warn her client.
"If they do not accept this, I want to meet with them. And tell them, they do-not-want-to-meet-me after upsetting me like this," Helena instructed the banker.
Bridget understood and took off to make the urgent phone call. Irene walked alongside Helena waiting for her to say something. When she didn't, Irene walked her to the car.
"I hope whatever it is you're doing – you don't wind up in hot water, Helena," Irene said, suspicious of the exchange that just took place.
"That is exactly where I am hoping to wind up," Helena said, urging Pete to get home quickly.
Pete was always amazed at how swiftly Helena could get up the stone steps of the townhouse in high heeled shoes. Leena was always amused at how Helena tried to appear nonchalant after bursting through the front door.
"Well, you're in a hurry," Leena noted as she caught Helena's coat before it dropped to the floor. They were still working on hanging up clothes.
"No, not really," Helena lied. "Is Ms. Bering home?"
Leena had seen this act once too many times not to know what was going on. It went something like -
Myka would come home first, come into the kitchen and say hello to Leena and ask how everything was. She might or might not have iced tea. Then Myka would look through the mail casually and go upstairs to get changed. Leena would watch as she moved at a pace she finally deduced was based on Myka's estimation of how long it would take Helena to arrive. Since the traffic flow from Times Square up to Central Park West was one of the more congested routes in Manhattan at that hour, Myka knew it would take at least twenty minutes. And if Myka need more time, Leena would see her text Pete and it could take twice that while Helena huffed and puffed in the backseat, threatening to call the Mayor about the horrific traffic issues according to Pete.
Leena purposely replied, "Ms. Bering?" and bit her lip while frustration grew in her employer's dark eyes.
"Yes, Ms. Bering. She is here, is she not?" Helena asked wondering why it seemed the rest of the world was in slow motion.
"Oh…yes, she is," Leena said. "Up…." she started to say when Helena took off.
"I knew she was! Why do I stop to be polite?" Helena grumbled at the two minute delay.
Leena shook her head and laughed.
Helena often made the mistake of rushing upstairs, only to be slightly out of breath and then try to act casual when she reached Myka.
"Oh…(pant) (pant)…you're home," Helena said when she saw Myka sitting at the desk in the bedroom. Myka had already changed into yoga pants and a dark green v neck t-shirt embossed with Colorado State Rams logo. Helena detested the spirit wear – never quite grasping why someone would advertise where they went to school. Myka loved it because it was one of the oldest, most comfortable shirts she owned.
"Yes, I am. Didn't you get my text?" Myka reminded Helena.
"Te-xt?" Helena asked, looking at her phone.
Myka knew Helena was lying because whenever she did, her accent always became more pronounced and single syllable words became two.
"Yes, the one of the water? Did you get it? " Myka said, walking to the place Helena stood. She moved in and pushed Helena's hair back so she could kiss her neck. She took a deep breath of Chanel and smiled. God, how she loved that scent.
"Oh…the one ...with water...per-haps," Helena said almost dropping her phone. "What was…that…about?" Helena asked as if she had no idea. All the time she was hoping the water was still warm. The last thing she wanted right now was a cold bath.
"Oh, it was just a picture…," Myka said, her voice breathy on Helena's bare skin. "…of the bath I was running for you."
Myka's fingers deftly pulled down the zipper in the back of Helena's dress excruciatingly slow. Myka was so close to Helena's throat, it was easy to see how hard she was swallowing, in a very feeble attempt to be coy.
"I could…yes," Helena said, unable to form complete sentences.
"Unless you're busy?" Myka said, pushing the dress down off of Helena's shoulders and letting it fall to the floor. She wasn't waiting for Helena's answer as she gently kissed the top half of breasts encased in an Agent Provocateur Hyacinth two tone bra. The French lavender lace covered the fuchsia silk that matched her dress, now in a heap at her ankles. Myka unclasped the brassiere, and sent chills up and down Helena's arms as she slipped it off her.
"Are you cold?" Myka asked, devouring diamond hard protrusions and hearing only guttural moans in response.
Helena was on fire – and she rushed at the rest of her undergarments to disperse of them, but Myka stopped her by gently grabbing her hands and pushing them behind her, holding them there.
"Contrary to the rest of your day, Helena," Myka whispered, as she held Helena's wrists behind her. "You are not in charge here."
Myka wasn't sure what it was about statements like that that made Helena erupt into molten lava, but it worked every time. Myka was the only person who took the power away before Helena even grabbed for it – and to the Brit, it was ecstasy.
Helena was all about the push and pull.
Holding Helena in place now, Myka cupped a lace covered buttock, gently squeezing it and running her finger under the trim to touch bare skin. Hooking a finger at the waistband, Myka pulled at the panties as she started a trail of kisses down Helena's chest over her abdomen. Releasing Helena, Myka knelt down and ran her hands up Helena's long sleek legs, making the return trip only when she had secured the underpants and pulled them down.
Helena's hands were free and she grabbed for Myka's head, pushing her own fingers through the mane and holding on as her knees threatened to give out.
"I can't ...stand….," Helena said and could have finished that sentence with 'it' or 'up' and both would have been true.
"Oh we can't have that," Myka said teasingly, as she purposely let her hands touch the back of Helena's knees and caught her when she fell forward. "I've got you."
"I need to sit…," Helena pleaded, and Myka helped her step out of her clothes and sat her down on the long seating couch. The nickname 'fainting couch' was very apropos because Helena felt lightheaded with agonizing delight. Myka smiled, taking in the result of her tender, yet deliberate touches.
"Let me help you out of these," Myka said, unclasping the garters and releasing the sheer stockings. Each one was then slowly pulled down Helena's leg and removed.
"I am not sure I will make it to the bath," Helena confessed, parts of her aching so badly she was tempted to beg Myka to take her to the bed.
"Oh but you have no choice," Myka said assertively. She gently pulled her lover upright and unfastened the last piece of clothing Helena had on. The garter belt fell off and Myka pulled Helena into her, and kissed her lightly. The familiar smell of vanilla and the slickness of Myka's gloss made Helena try to latch on harder.
But Myka wasn't letting her ...yet.
"I promised you a hot bath," Myka said, putting a silk robe over Helena's shoulders and taking her by the hand to the bathroom.
"It will be cold by now," Helena complained because so much time had passed.
"Oh I think we can figure out a way to heat it up again," Myka said, sitting on the side of the Jacuzzi and testing the temperature.
Helena accepted Myka's hand, after letting the robe drop off her body onto the floor. Helena put her toe in the water, glad to feel that the water was indeed still warm. She steadied herself with Myka's help and slid down into the water. Myka knelt behind her and a pout automatically appeared on Helena's lower lip.
"I much prefer you to be in here with me," the Brit said, pulling at Myka's hands.
"Then I couldn't do this," Myka said, pouring warm water over Helena's black hair and rubbing her shampoo covered fingers through the tresses. The feeling was divine, and Helena stopped protesting as she reclined in the water and enjoyed the sensation. Myka marveled that no matter what she did to Helena's hair, it always flowed back to its innate straightness.
Myka sat Helena up, so she could rinse her hair. Then she rubbed the bar of lavender soap and started to massage Helena's shoulders, pressing her thumbs into her shoulder blades and muscles. Helena didn't think there was a tense bone in her body, but she continued to relax under Myka's diligent fingers.
Every time Helena would grab for Myka's hands, she was gently, but firmly pushed away. She could feel the water temperature cooling and was getting lonely in the tub. So she took matters into her own hands.
"I feel very tense there," Helena said to Myka, pointing to her lower back. "Could you rub it?"
Myka immediately changed her position and put one arm over Helena's shoulder and down the front of her while Helena held onto her. Myla pushed under the water with her other hand to rub near the small of Helena's back, asking 'is this the spot?'
"Lower," Helena said, as she gently reached up and grabbed Myka's shoulder and pulled, flipping her over into the tub. Myka screamed and water splashed and sloshed over the sides of the tub as Myka's whole body landed in water on top of Helena.
"Helena!" Myka yelled, but it was too late. Helena saw to her soft landing, but Myka was surprised nonetheless.
"You are so…," Myka tried, but Helena grabbed her arms and pulled them across her, making it impossible to move.
"You are so…. not," Helena said slowly in Myka's ear.
"I'm soaking wet," Myka said, trying not to laugh.
"So am I, darling," Helena said. She let go of Myka long enough to pull the t shirt off and help Myka push off the wet pants.
Soapy hands covered Myka's body and she leaned back and kissed Helena. Myka wasn't about to lose – this had been her idea. She turned and knelt in front of Helena, offering her a distracting sight as she ran her long fingers up Helena's thighs. She lifted Helena's feet up to the opposite edge of the tub, leaving Helena completely accessible. Slippery hands glided upward and teased Helena until she reached to push Myka's hands in the place she needed them. Myka smiled, content that Helena was back on the edge.
Myka's thumb rotated softly and firmly on Helena's aching spot as she bent down and covered Helena's mouth until screams erupted from her throat. The sensation of Myka's tongue jutting in and out at the same rate her digit was - sent Helena into pangs of electrical explosions.
Helena collapsed, muscles weakened after tensing for so long. Myka turned in the water, and leaned back on her temporarily exhausted lover.
The water may have cooled off, but their evening together wouldn't do that for a few more hours.