Fervent Desires

Chapter 6 - The Camping Trip

I stared out the window of my eight floor office at the bustling streets below, I couldn’t help but smirk at the fact that the people looked like mere ants from this height. It was finally Monday and Erica would start her first official day on my team. I anticipated seeing her the entire weekend. I had hoped for her call, waited for one, but nothing. My emotions were a wreck by now, I felt a mixture of annoyance and disappointment. Noelle had called over the weekend, she was coming to New York and wanted to meet up. I knew I had to break things off with her but I wanted to know for certain if things would work out between Erica and I. Angrily I snatch up my intercom and rang for Anna.

“Yes Ma’am?" she answered instantly

“Is Erica here yet?”

“No Ma’am” She sounded anxious

“As soon as she gets here send her in”

I sat at my desk pouring over mountains of documents, not registering a single thing. Frustrated I pushed them aside. I was going to have to look them over later anyway. I looked at my watch when I heard a light knock on my door. I cleared my throat “come in”. Erica popped her head in cautiously before coming in and closing the door behind her. 

“You wanted to see me?” she asked.  

I did want to see her I wanted to see all of her. I leaned back and scanned her expression. 

“Yes,” I finally responded. “Where are you on those reports?” I tried my best to sound composed.

“I’ve been going over them and wanted to pick your brain,” she said tensely.

“Well I’m free for lunch.”

I could see her wrestling with her better judgment before she finally nodded. 

“Ok, the car will be here at 11:30,” I responded. “I will see you then.” 

Erica smiled and as she walked out of the office I couldn’t help but look at her backside. She really did have a nice ass, I leaned back in my chair smiling as I watched her go.

I spent the rest of the morning pouring through various documents; while trying to contain my excitement about the impending lunch date. I was finally going to be alone with Erica for the first time since that night and I fully intended on taking advantage of the situation, I was going to make my move. The time seemed to move at a snail’s pace and by lunch time my nerves were raw.

The car ride was all about work; which consisted of Erica asking me various questions and giving me her opinion on the files I had sent to her. Even though we went to a steakhouse not far from the office by the time we got there she was practically done with her line of questioning. “What can I get you to drink?” asked the waiter after we took our seats. I smiled, took the menu he offered and casually ordered a martini. Erica however ordered an iced tea as she clearly didn’t realize this was meant to be a date. The waiter had taken our orders and vanished, and for what seemed like a very long time all we did was sit and stare at each other. 

I decided to be the one to end the uncomfortable silence “So, tell me about yourself,”

She smiled, obviously grateful for the icebreaker. “Well, I’m 21. I just graduated college where I studied finance. I actually moved here from Ohio for college”

I sat and listened as she basically recited her resume. I already knew all of this; they had sent me a profile when I requested to have her transferred to my team.

“So what about you?” she asked as she finished giving me the highlights. 

“I am 30 years old, single, I just moved here from L.A. and I’m looking to meet new people,” I responded maintaining eye contact. She blushed under my gaze and I knew then that I had her. “Would you like to go out with me?” I asked as the waiter finally came back with our drinks.

“I don’t think that such a good idea” she responded, taking a sip of her iced tea.

“Why? What’s the worst that can happen? Its not like we haven’t already had sex.”

Erica choked on her drink and as she struggled to regain her composure I asked “Are you seeing someone?”

“No,” she responded

“So what about the girl in the club the other night?” I pressed

“Who Cindy? She’s just my roommate”

“So go out with me,” I put on my most charming voice.

“It’s just that you’re the boss, and I don’t want people to think that I’m trying to sleep my way to the top” she finally admitted.

I thought about it for a second, she was right. If things got out it really would look bad for her; but I was not going to be deterred. “I appreciate your honesty,” I smiled then took a sip of my martini. “What are you doing this weekend?”

“Nothing much,” she admitted dryly.

“Do you like camping?”

“I’ve never been, but you only live once right?” She reminded of Vaughn at that moment.

“My friends are having a camping trip this weekend and I was wondering if you’d like to join me, its all the way in Montana, very secluded and you wouldn’t have to  worry about anyone from the office“ . I knew it was a long shot. What woman would willingly go out into the woods with complete strangers? To my surprise Erica said yes. “Well don’t worry about gear, I’ll take care of it,” I said almost too excitedly. She giggled as she noted my excitement and it immediately sent a thrill down to my nether regions. I had to have this woman. It was only Monday, which meant I had all week to seduce her, because by Friday she had to be mine.

The week dragged on slowly and by Thursday I was ready to throw in the towel. I had barely spent any time with Erica. It was like my schedule was conspiring against me. Whenever I saw her I was either heading into a meeting or already in the midst of one. I was sitting on my balcony reading the paper when my phone rang. I quickly glanced at my watch before picking it up.

 “Hello”

 “Hi, its Erica,” I heard a tentative voice on the other end. “Are you busy?”

“No, not at all,” I said, shoving the various papers away from me and breathing a silent prayer of thanks.

“Ok great, I know it’s kinda late, but I was going through the documents you sent over and I think I need some help. Anna told me you needed them first thing tomorrow and you said I could call” she finally paused to catch her breath.

“Sure, no problem. Do you want to come over? I can send a car,” I responded equally as nervous.

“Actually I’m still at the office” she sounded timid.

“I’m on my way,” I responded, grabbing my keys.

I arrived at the office twenty minutes later. I found her in one of the conference rooms pouring over a mountain of papers. “Ms. Vanderbilt,” she shot out of her chair as soon as I entered the room.

“Taylor,” I corrected.

“Taylor, I’m so sorry to bother you at this hour”

I looked at my watch again, it was only 8:30; it had taken me fifteen minutes to get there. “Have you had dinner?” I asked, looking at the pile of papers; then looking back at her.

“Not yet,”

“Well then, dinner it is” I responded, holding the door open for her.

“But what about your meeting?” she asked anxiously.

“Don’t worry about it,” I smiled. “Let’s get you fed”

We were leaving for Montana the next day and tonight I was determined to make up for lost time and show Erica the best night of her life.