Betty was somewhat concerned that she and Daniel had been in the cloak room alone together too long and someone would see them and get the wrong (or actually the right) idea that they were getting closer than just boss and assistant, so she started to pull away from his grasp and amorous gaze.
"I really need to go check on some of the advertisers, then go by your loft and make sure you have everything you need for the trip."
He nodded, leaning against the counter, and pulling her closer to mold to his body, then spoke to her in that low, gravelly voice of his, "Betty, I know you need to go; you're right. But…while we're here, maybe you could do something for me first?"
She looked at him, narrowing her eyes suspiciously, "What's that, Mr. Meade?" she teased, guessing what it was he had in mind.
He laughed, "Mr. Meade, huh? Are you mad at me, again? What happened to Daniel? Okay, Miss Suarez. I was just wondering if the ferry affected my equilibrium the other night, or if it was just because I was kissing you that I felt…well, dizzy, unsteady, like something really weird happened to me.
Maybe you could help me see if it was in fact the motion of being on the water, or…it was you that affected me so much? You know, just in the interest of science, of course. This would purely be for scientific purposes. You know, like an experiment?"
She smiled shyly up at him, as he continued to move in closer, "An experiment, huh? Well…I don't know. I was never all that good in science. I was more of a written word student."
"That's okay. I'll be glad to explain the procedures as we go. My hypothesis is that being on the water was an independent factor that actually had nothing to do with my reaction.
I think I will have the exact same feeling being on land. I believe that in fact your lips were the real catalyst that made me feel so disoriented."
She made the mistake of looking directly into his eyes. Marc had once told her never to gaze into his boss, Ms. Slater's eyes, but that really went double for Daniel. Not unless you wanted to…well, fall into the black abyss of those insanely hot baby blues for a long, long time, she thought.
As he continued to get closer, she felt his breath on her lips, then he softly grazed her lips with his, smirking as he teased her, till finally, she put her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a passionate kiss.
He held back slightly at first, for as long as he could, as if he was trying to entice her to want more, but soon he was drawn into her warmth and passion and he sighed into her mouth, and first put one arm then the other around her waist, pulling her as close to his body as possible.
After what seemed like a lifetime to Betty, with time ceasing to exist, she pulled away, so she could try and even out her breath. Daniel rested his forehead against hers and smiled slightly, catching his breath as well, and gradually opening his eyes,
"Yep, my hypothesis was correct. Still dizzy. It's my conclusion, young lady, that you have a very positive, yet slightly disturbing effect on my sense of equilibrium and…possibly my heart. See, put your hand on it. It's beating really weird, like skipping a beat."
She giggled slightly, as he placed her hand on his chest. Her own breath hitched as she noticed how firm and toned his chest was, and she recalled how amazing he had looked that night without his shirt.
He smirked, watching her, and started to move his hand towards her, "So, let me see, am I having the same effect on you, too?"
She batted away his hand from her breast, "Daniel!"
"Oh, so, now it's back to Daniel, again? Make up your mind, Miss Suarez." He teased.
She pulled away from him, slightly and whispered, still trying to even out her breathing and seeing that was no easy task with him so close, "Daniel, please, I should go."
He nodded, and took a deep, cleansing breath, "Okay, Betty. I'm sorry. You're right. We can't do this. It's wrong. We have to keep things strictly business in Japan. We can do that, right? I mean…I can, if you can. Can you?"
He pulled away and straightened his tie, grinning at her rather wickedly. Betty smoothed her hair and nodded, trying to breathe, and backing away, then almost backing into a standing coat rack, Daniel caught her, and pulled her close again, whispering,
"Of course, we might just have all kinds of fun in Japan. Since nobody knows us there, there won't be any one from Mode to gossip if we WERE to….be bad, you know?"
He quickly pulled himself up, and cleared his throat, "Sorry, Miss Suarez, that was very inappropriate of me. If you prefer, I can…keep things professional. Although, you did kiss me first, remember." He smirked again.
She rolled her eyes, and shook her head, "I don't know what kind of games you think you're playing here, but, yes, I think we need to keep things professional, Mr. Meade. I really need to go. I'll stop by your loft and pack your documents and um...briefs."
He nodded, moving past her on his way out of the cloak room, holding the door for her, then whispered, "Don't you remember, I wear boxers, Miss Suarez?"
Betty tried her best to regain her composure, so she could go around the party, and speak to the advertisers there, and she noticed Daniel obviously flirting with an older woman, that she recognized as Sandra Winthorpe.
The woman had a reputation as a cougar, and Betty watched them carefully out of the corner of her eye, but finished her rounds, then left to go make sure her boss was prepared for their trip the next day.
She located his passport and other travel documents, and started straightening up his rather messy loft. As she began packing for him, she smiled, seeing he did, indeed have boxers, silk ones.
She honestly hadn't even paid attention the other night when she had come over, she had been so distracted by his insanely hot chest and arms, and…abs, and eyes. Daniel's eyes had a way of reaching down to her very soul, it seemed.
Just as she was finishing up his packing for him, she heard him come in, and she gasped, as he stood behind her, "See, I told you I wore boxers. Thanks for doing this for me, Betty. I hate packing."
She shrugged, "It's my job, um…Daniel" She didn't turn around, afraid of things getting out of hand. She had no intention of crossing that line, not wanting to put herself in a situation of sleeping with her boss.
He stood still, just behind her, "I know, but…you're still sweet. Why were you giving me the evil eye back at the party? Don't tell me you were actually jealous of Sandra Winthorpe, Betty?
That was…just business flirting, you know. I certainly had no intention of sleeping with her. I noticed you working your charms on all the male clients you were talking to, and you don't see me getting jealous.
Although, I meant to tell you earlier, I didn't particularly like seeing you talking to that stupid Henry again in accounting today at the office. That guy is such a loser, Betty.
He's not worth your time! I can't believe he knocked up his ex, back in El Paso or wherever, then thinks he can just come back here and hit on you! And people say I'm a player!"
She turned around to face him, and because of their height difference, since he was standing so close, she was faced with his chest again, causing her to draw out a breath, as she backed away slightly, so she could regain her composure, "Daniel, I was only giving him your expense report. It was strictly business."
He ran his fingers lightly up her arm, then teasingly towards her breast, "You mean, like we are?"
She shook her head, trying not to smile or even look into his eyes, she didn't want to give him the satisfaction.
She pulled away, "Daniel, I should go. I still haven't finished my own packing yet."
He straightened up, "Don't bother, Betty. Just take an overnight case. You need a more…appropriate wardrobe, anyway. Let me get you a few things while we're there. It'll be fun. I'd like to go shopping with you. See you try on things for me."
"Daniel, I can't let you buy me clothes."
"I just want you to look good for the client, Betty. You need to present the right image for Mode, as my assistant, you represent the company. Besides, it'll be fun. Have you ever fooled around in the dressing room before?"
She blushed, "Daniel! No, of course not! Don't be silly, we're not doing that!"
He moved closer, whispering, "Okay, okay, don't get all worked up. I didn't mean sex. Just…kissing, mostly. Maybe a little…touching."
He grinned and she pulled away, taking a breath and went to get her purse, "Well, we won't be doing that, either, Daniel. This is business, remember? I'm going now. I'll see you at the airport tomorrow."
He shook his head, "I've got the town car scheduled to come pick you up at the crack of dawn at your house tomorrow. We have an early flight, remember?"
"Of course I remember, I booked the flight. But, you're picking me up?"
He shrugged and nodded, "You're closer to JFK. I'll see you in the morning, Miss Suarez. Sleep well. Sweet dreams." He kissed her cheek, then folded his arms across his chest, as he leaned against his dresser.
Betty tried to stay focused and made her way out of his bedroom, heading for the door, trying to ignore her pounding chest, and her raging emotions that were pleading for her to kiss him back, damn the consequences!
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she leaned against the outside of his door for a moment, trying to pull herself together, before she beat a hasty retreat.
Once she got home, Betty quickly finished packing, then got ready for bed, trying to stop dreaming of Daniel and his damn blue eyes and sexy smirk.
The next morning came before she knew it, her alarm set for five am, she hurried to shower and dress, and looked out her window, to see Daniel's town car waiting outside. She noticed Gina Gambarro peeking out her window at the car, and she couldn't help but smile.
Betty ran outside, having already said goodbye to her family the night before, she didn't want to wake them. Of course, her father was still awake, and he handed her a brown paper bag with his homemade cinnamon churros, and gave her a warm hug and kiss on the cheek,
"You be careful all the way over there, mija! Have a wonderful time. Te quiero."
She teared up slightly, hugging her father tightly, she whispered, "I love you, too, papi. I'll be home in a week. I'll call you when I get there." She held up the bag, "Thank you. These smell delicious!"
He nodded, then gave her a sideways glance, "You're welcome, mija. I put in two extra ones for Daniel. Didn't you say he likes cinnamon, too? Just be careful. I've seen him on that show your nephew watches. He's sort of a ladies man, that one, isn't he?"
She nodded, "Yes, I know he has been, but…a lot of it is just for show, Dad. He isn't that bad. He sort of had his heart broken by some woman."
"Sofia Reyes? Yes, Justin told me. But, still, be careful, Betty."
"I will, papi. I promise. Te quiero! I'll miss you all! Goodbye!"
Ignacio waved to his daughter from the door as she slid in next to Daniel. He looked at her, smiling. "Your dad got up to see you off?"
She nodded, trying not to tear up. He put his hand on top of hers, "You're really lucky to have such a great family, Betty."
"'I know. Oh, papi made extra churros for you."
His eyes lit up, "Ooh, cinnamon? Wow, those smell delicious, Betty! Thanks!" He started to take a bite, then grinned, giving her a quick kiss on the lips, "You're really something, Betty Suarez. I've never looked forward to a business trip so much in my life!
This is going to be so much fun! Plus, we've got this account in the bag, thanks in no small part to your great research. I read over your ideas about using the family angle as a selling point to why they should consider advertising in Mode.
They've been trying to expand to the US market, they highly value families, since they're family-owned and we're the only high fashion magazine on the east coast that's family owned. Brilliant!
I can't decide if I am more attracted to your mind, or your kindness, or….well, your body. Not to mention, you're a damn good kisser! It's hard to decide, when you've got so much going on." He took a bite of the churro, making soft moans of pleasure.
"Or your dad's cooking! Mmm…amazing! Thanks!" He said with his mouth full, making Betty giggle.
