"Piper this is silly. All you need to do is go in, hand her a basket of product and apologise!"

"No. This is personal. She hates me and I want her to see I am not a bad person."

"She doesn't know you Piper! You are so overreacting. Look I appreciate you want her to not think you have shit for brains," Polly grinned, "but cyber stalking someone is going too far."

Polly had arrived as Larry was leaving for work. He looked miserable and when Polly asked why, he explained Piper had spent the entire weekend focused on work. "She didn't even come to bed. Its ridiculous." he muttered slamming the door behind him.

"So," Polly helped herself to coffee fetching one for Piper too. "What have you found out?

Piper grinned. "She is 35, 5 ft 10" tall and has worked for Barney's for 10 years. She is the youngest department head and only female international manager. She is an only child raised by a single parent mother."

"Piper how have you got this information? It is a bit personal."

"Not at all. Most of it is on her company profile. In fact I cant find the personal information I was after. I may have to do some research in person."

"What? You cant stalk this woman Piper."

"No!" Piper looked at Polly in disgust. "No, I am going to go shopping, at Barney's. Ask a few questions of the staff. Discretely!"

"Piper, please, just go apologise."

"No. I'm going to make her eat her words."

o0o

Alex pov.

She had expected to hear from her by now. She had actually expected to hear from her first thing Monday morning. The fact it was Thursday just made her frustrated. She had just put down the phone to Sam Healy, who had been chasing news of the proposed business arrangement, and sighed. She was not sure why she was allowing this woman to occupy so much of her time and thoughts.

Sure she was pretty, in an obvious kind of way. But her preppy, princess attitude was not in the slightest bit attractive, and Alex just wanted her to turn up, fail, and go so she could get her mind back in the game.

She had avoided drinks Friday which she never did, all because she did not want bump into Piper in a social setting until this business nonsense was sorted. Part of the reason Alex had got to where she was today was being part of a team, OK maybe the lead part but a part all the same. As head of this highly successful team she saw it as her job to make sure everyone worked hard, but played hard too.

Their Friday trips to the bar were a highlight of the week for Alex, she had hated not hearing how the week had gone for the women she knew worked their butts off for her. She hated not having the chance to check up on Daya's baby news or on Nicky's love life sagas.

But her biggest issue with this whole Piper nonsense was giving Nicky the slightest chance to sense weakness in her. She knew if she even gave her the slightest hint she found this woman attractive Nicky would make it her life's mission to do something about it. She was just grateful her friend had been on a course and had not been witness to her last few encounters with Piper.

The woman was obviously straight, she was getting married for gods sake, yet here she, Alex, was daydreaming about their next meeting.

As if on cue her intercom buzzed and Nicky's voice blasted through. "Hey boss. I have just had a call from a Piper Chapman, she said you were expecting to hear from her."

"Yes, I am, put her through Nicky."

"I cant boss. She said to give you a message. She said she had arranged a product testing for this afternoon at 4. This is the address..."

Thanking Nicky, Alex sat back in her chair. That was her own home address… what was Piper doing?

Alex was very protective of her personal life. Nicky was the only person at work she let close enough to see past the professional front, and even then it was a very limited view. She was the only member who knew Alex was gay, the only person she would even consider discussing her love life with. But other than an occasional comment on how her weekend had gone, or Friday drinks and the occasional work celebration, she made sure her private life was just that, private. Which led her to the question how the hell had Piper Chapman got her home address?

Looking at her watch she saw the time was fast approaching mid day. Checking her desk diary she saw the afternoon was clear. She had intended making a start on the monthly sales figures, but now she knew she would need to free up some time. Buzzing through to Nicky she said, "Sorry Nicky, I need to go out. If you could email me the sales returns I will do them at home, but I wont be back this afternoon."

"Everything OK boss?" Nicky sounded surprised at Alex's sudden change of plan.

"Yes everything is fine. Oh, and Nicky, don't forget to book that table for tomorrow night. If these returns are as good as I think they are, dinner for everyone is on me tomorrow."

Gathering the papers off her desk Alex shrugged on her suit jacket, picked up her briefcase and left. She had no idea what Piper Chapman was up too, but she did not intend to take any nonsense from her.

o0o

Piper.

"So explain again what you are going to do?" Polly was sure she had misheard as surely even Piper wasn't that stupid.

"I am going to her house, letting her try the products in whatever form she prefers, shower or bath, then I will give her a neck massage with our new oil."

"Piper that's insane."

"No it isn't. She said I had to show her the product was good. She was scornful of the opinions of our family and friends, who by the way number far more than the handful you led her to believe. I have chosen various scents for her to select as well as a male/female gift basket to leave so she can enjoy them with her husband or partner. By the time she is relaxed and willing to listen I will explain about the charade with my mother and apologise for my behaviour at the meeting."

"Do you not think it is inappropriate?" Polly looked shock Piper was even suggesting this.

"You wanted me to apologise, you said I needed to make up for the fuck up at the meeting. That's what I am going to do. Now what I need you to do is tell me what to wear."

"You are really serious aren't you. Wow! OK then something smart but casual."

Soon a fashion parade ensued, Piper's clothes scattered around the room and Polly laughing at her practising to be nice.

"It really should not be this hard Piper!"

"I will make her give us this deal if it kills me." Piper muttered her tone determined.

o0o

As 3 o'clock crept round Piper gathered her notes. She had made a comprehensive list of people who had reviewed their products, alongside cost breakdowns and projected sales forecasts. This was what she had intended to present before. She refused to let this woman distract her this time though.

Grabbing the luxury gift basket, alongside the products they would use today Piper left. She knew it was a risk going to Alex's house but she could hardly test the products in the office and to invite her to her own home, where pictures of Larry were everywhere, would just draw her focus back to her opinion that Pipers accepting his proposal was insane and her mind would therefore be prejudiced.

Satisfied with her own reasoning, but glad she didn't have to justify it to anyone else, Piper drove across town to the address she had conned out of Larry's father. Telling him she was entering a business arrangement with Alex, which was the truth after all, and she needed to deliver some documents for personal signing, which she had to admit was a lie. But now, parking her car Piper felt her nerves come back.

Steeling herself she got out of the car, gathered her belongings and crossed the street. The house was nice. Smart, tidily kept and, Piper was sure, very expensive. The neighbourhood seemed quiet and as she glanced around Piper wondered if her casual/smart outfit was inappropriate. Making herself walk towards the front door Piper rang the door bell and waited.

Nothing.

She checked her watch. She was dead on time. Ringing the bell again Piper pulled out her cell phone ready to ring the Barney's office to check her message had been passed on, but hearing a rustling noise the other side of the door she paused.

Suddenly Alex was there before her. The frown on her face however, not at all welcoming, made Piper hesitate.

"This had better be good kid." Alex snapped, "I am knee deep in sales figures in here so I don't have time to humour whatever princess fantasy you are living today."

Blinking in shock at the harsh words Piper took a deep breath before saying. "Just hear me out. This is purely a business meeting. You asked me to show my commitment, so here I am. You wanted to test our product so here it is." Piper thrust the gift basket into Alex's arms. "Now if you would just give me a little of your time I can explain why I came here, not to your office."

Looking Piper up and down slowly, as if trying to assess the validity of her words, Alex finally nodded then stepped aside to let Piper Chapman into her home.

Once through the door Piper paused. Momentarily taken aback at the beautiful spacial room she turned to look also at Alex. Whenever she had seen her before, whether in the bar or her office, Alex had looked the consummate professional. Always immaculate in a smart dark business suit. Hair always pulled back off her face which was always professionally made up. Now though Alex looked different. It took Piper a second to realise the difference was her clothes. Looking her up and down, as Alex had done to her on the doorstep, she took in the long slim legs now encased in skin tight black jeans. Her arms bare due to the black t shirt and her hair flowing in long black waves over her shoulders.

"You finished?" The husky voice interrupted her gazing and Piper blushed as she tore her eyes from Alex's body and saw the amused expression on her face. "You were going to explain why you are here invading my private life!" Alex prompted seeing as Piper made no move to explain.

"Oh.. yes…" trying to compose herself Piper looked around for a table to place her brief case. Finally settling on the floor, as Alex had monopolised every surface it seemed with work documents, Piper pulled another bag of products.

"The basket I gave you was a gift," Piper began nervously. "The reason I am here is I want you to try these. Not all of them obviously, but I was unable to discover your favoured scent so I -"

"Wait, what? … you tried to find out what perfume I use?"

"No, no. I mean... sort of." Deciding to start again Piper turned slightly so she was not directly facing Alex, who had now taken a seat and was staring with her large green eyes intensely at Piper, distracting her far more than Piper cared to admit. "I wanted to make sure the product I brought here suited your tastes, but as I have no idea what they are I have a selection for you to choose from. Both bath and shower range."

"Are they not in the gift basket?" Alex frowned confused still as to why Piper had two lots of product.

"Yes but they are for you to use or share at your leisure."

Alex eyes widened. "Are you suggesting I use these now!"

Piper nodded enthusiastically "Then I will give you a massage."

Alex was silent, staring in disbelief at Piper. She wasn't sure how to respond. The level headed business woman in Alex wanted to forcibly remove Piper immediately from her house right this instant. But another part, the part that seemed to be shouting the loudest in her head right now, wanted very much to see how far Miss Piper Chapman was willing to go to secure this deal.

"Let me get this straight." she said slowly "You want me to shower, then you are going to give me a massage? Here in my own home?"

Piper nodded, although she sensed Alex was not exactly thrilled she knew if she could persuade her to at least try the product she would be impressed.

"You have never sold to anyone before have you?" Alex asked changing the subject slightly.

"No." Piper admitted reluctantly.

"Then let me give you a little advise. Firstly, business meetings are held in an office. If that location is not suitable a meeting room is booked somewhere. Not in someone's home, it is unprofessional."

"But_"

"Wait. I haven't finished!" Alex snapped. "If, and it is a big if, you can convince the person you are meeting that a home location is more suitable there is no circumstance where it is appropriate for you to suggest the person you wish to enter a business arrangement with should get naked so you can rub oil all over them! "

"No! No, no, no!" Piper was scarlet as she realised how her announcement had sounded. Hearing Alex throw the suggestion back at her she realised this is also why Polly had been so horrified.

"No, look, oh god I'm sorry. I don't want to rub oil all over your naked body." She blushed further at Alex raised eyebrow, "I mean I …" pausing to calm down Piper tried again. "We have an oil that is perfect for head and shoulder massage. If you go take a shower then I can demonstrate how our product are both soothing and revitalising. Please, I didn't mean to imply -"

Finally taking pity on the blustering woman before her Alex stood and looked at the bottles Piper had removed from her bag. Checking the labels she selected 2 then left a stunned Piper staring after her

o0o

Alex.

What the hell was she doing. She should have just chucked Piper back onto the street the minute the word 'massage' passed her lips. Yet here she was upstairs standing under the shower doing exactly what she knew she shouldn't do.

What Alex couldn't deny was that part of the reason she had left Piper downstairs was to buy herself some breathing space. She wasn't sure what was wrong with her, but just being in such close proximity to the blonde had her mind racing in directions which were certainly not business related, and if Piper knew would certainly accomplish the task of her fleeing the house.

As amused as she had been to see Piper checking her out when she had arrived, to find herself doing the same was disconcerting.

When Alex had opened the door and seen Piper standing there her stomach had flipped. She looked beautiful, angelic even, her blonde hair loose, a slightly nervous smile on her pale pink lips and an innocent eagerness about her expression that took Alex's breathe away. The pale blue silk blouse she was wearing had made Pipers eyes pop, their colour bright and shining. The short, but not too short, skirt had highlighted her slim long legs and the sandals showed pink polished toes that, quite frankly, Alex just wanted to suck!

Dear god she needed to get a grip!

Grabbing at one of the bottles she had blindly chosen, she opened it and sniffed. The aroma was pleasant. Not some overpowering flowery perfume, more like subtle citrus flavours and something else Alex couldn't identify. Curious she opened the other bottle and the scent which hit Alex nose made her smile.

Surely not…

Sniffing again this time she chuckled, it was definitely coffee with a hint of chocolate. Pouring a little of the creamy liquid into her palm Alex rubbed her arms and was surprised how smooth and luxurious the soap was.

As the steam from the shower mixed with the scent from the soap, Alex felt like she was transported to some Parisian street café. Closing her eyes Alex let her hands glide over her body, stroking her breasts then letting her hands drift across her flat belly, lower. Her touch soothing, the smell sending her mind to another place and she really did begin to relax.

Damn. Piper had been right. Making herself stop touching her body, ending the little thrills of pleasure that were beginning to build, Alex tried to bring her conscious mind back to the reason she was in the shower in the first place. Not so she could get herself off thinking about a pretty blonde, but so she could make a professional decision on a business proposition. More than a little disgruntled at how good this product felt Alex abruptly ended her shower. Climbing out and drying off briskly, she grabbed some clean underwear and pulled her jeans and t shirt back on.

She walked back downstairs to find Piper sat on the chair she had vacated not 15 minutes before. As Alex entered the room Piper jumped up.

"Well?"

Her eager expression made Alex bite her lip to hold back a smile. Seeing Piper like this, so young looking, innocent eager and hopeful, made her want to grab her hand and take her back upstairs to try the other shower gel. Mentally pulling herself out of her fantasy though she nodded and said "It was nice."

Piper grinned. "You used the coffee one didn't you?" At Alex's confirming nod she said "I knew you would. It is our newest fragrance but its my favourite." Piper chatted on excitedly, "whenever I use it I can imagine sitting outside a French café eating croissant sipping coffee and people watching."

Alex didn't answer, a little shocked that Piper was echoing the precise thoughts she herself had experienced not some 5 minutes before. Changing the subject she said. "How many fragrances do you produce?"

More comfortable now Alex wasn't glaring at her, Piper grabbed her stack of papers and handed over the list. "That's our product range including prices, also some reviews from those who have tried them. Yes," she jumped in quickly, "I know they are friends and family but you have to believe me when I tell you there is no way on this earth my mother would say something positive if she didn't mean it."

At the mention of Pipers mother Alex recalled the well presented woman she had seen at the plaza. The woman who had been gazing in total happiness at her daughter as she spoke.

"Oh I am sure that is not true." Alex sniggered. "You are her daughter after all."

Piper shrugged, not wanting to even think about her mother right now she changed the subject asking enthusiastically. "Can I give you the head massage now?"

Alex looked at Piper. She so desperately wanted to say yes. But her sensible side winning over, not trusting herself if she let the younger woman touch her, she smiled professionally and said, "that wont be necessary."

"Oh but-"

"It's OK Piper. I am convinced your product is good. I am willing to agree the terms you have proposed and I will inform Sam Healy and the head of marketing tomorrow. All you need to do is stick to the schedule you have put forward and I am sure they will be happy."

"Are you not head of marketing?"

"Yes, international marketing. Once I have signed this off you wont have to deal with me any more."

"Oh." Piper felt a disappointment she wasn't sure she could explain, but trying to cover up she said "I am sorry. For how I behaved the other day I mean. It was a shock seeing you there."

Alex smirked, "Yeah it was a shock for me too." Then in a more businesslike tone she said, "OK well I will get Nicky to call you tomorrow to confirm the details and we will have contracts too you before the end of next week." Standing waiting for Piper who began to hastily gather her belongings she nodded to the bottles Piper had lined up for her to choose from. "Don't forget those."

"Oh keep them." Piper smiled. "They are all good I promise. And maybe your boyfriend will enjoy the oil."

Muttering "That's unlikely!" Alex herded Piper to the door before shutting it and leaning against the wall eyes closed in relief.

Slowly returning to the living room Alex picked up the remaining bath product. Picking up a pink coloured bottle she opened it and sniffed.

It smelt of Piper!

Unable to resist Alex held the bottle tight and went back upstairs to finish what she had abandoned earlier.

o0o

A/N: Again words fail me as to how amazed I am so many people are reading this and have been so generous in their messages. It has been lovely talking to so many friendly writers and receiving so many lovely comments and such encouragment. I am not sure if I will get a chance to post for a few days, but rest assured the next chapter is already in the pipe line. Have a lovely Easter everyone! xx