"Mildred?" Mr. Steele called from the reception area.
"In here, Chief," Mildred answered as she made her way into his office. "Just in the bathroom finishing up."
Steele looked puzzled as he spoke. "Finishing up for...Good Lord Mildred...You look scrumptious love, where are you headed, some secret rendezvous?"
Remington smiled as he watched Mildred twirl around in a circle to show off her new outfit. Laura was also smiling as she noticed that lately Mildred had done away with all the tent dresses and had opted for clothes that accentuated not hid her figure.
"I agree with Mr. Steele Mildred, you look lovely. Where are you off to?" Laura inquired.
Mildred smiled and blushed slightly at all the attention.
"Actually kids I have a lunch date." Mildred admitted.
"Really? That's wonderful Mildred, anyone we know?" Laura asked.
Mildred shook her head and headed for her desk, Mr. Steele and Miss Holt quick on her heels, their curiousity was more than a little peaked now. Remington put his charm in overdrive as he fixed Mildred with one of his most captivating smiles. Laura rolled her eyes heavenward. He was definitely pulling out the big guns with that smile. Laura felt herself growing warm. She wasn't immune to his charm or his manners of persuasion when he wanted something. She knew Mildred would crack soon.
"Come on Mildred, do tell. Who's the lucky man eh?" Remington breathed.
Mr. Steele put his arm around Mildred and waited. He smiled wider as he caught Laura's stare. He knew he wasn't playing fair but it wasn't everyday that Mildred had a date and he wanted to know all the particulars. Mildred's immune system had never been strong enough to handle Mr. Steele when he turned on the charisma. She caved in faster than you could say Boo on Halloween!
"Alright, alright." Mildred said in defeat.
Laura sent her a look that told Mildred she understood and wouldn't have lasted that much longer than she had. For the last few weeks Laura's tough exterior had begun a slow melt down. She wasn't as strong as she had been at resisting Remington when he was after something. Laura noted that he too had lost some of his bull dog determination at resisting Laura's attempts to get her way. Yes indeed this relationship stuff wasn't such a bad thing. Laura mused to herself.
They both leaned against the half wall across from Mildred's desk and waited for Mildred to fess up.
"His name is Brett Slocum, he's my age, six feet tall, divorced, two kids, three grandchildren and he owns his own software consulting firm. I met him through Beatrice, the newest member of the Dragon Ladies. Brett did some consulting work for Beatrice's husband Warren. I'll admit, I'm not usually gung ho about blind dates, especially at my age but I said what the hell! We went out a few weeks ago, we met at the Sequoia and we hit it off right away. He is nothing like my ex-husband let me tell you. He actually paid for dinner! Brett held my chair out for me, the door open for me when we left, he even saw me to my car. I mean this guy is a gentleman in every sense of the word. I tell ya kids, I really like this man, not to mention that I find him beyond good looking." Mildred gushed.
At that Remington got up and came over to hug Mildred.
"Hey love that's great news it really is. He sounds quite charming and can't wait to meet him. Now if you two ladies will excuse me, I'll be in my office returning a call to Mr. Franklin."
With that Remington beat a hasty retreat. Mildred sent a confused look to Laura.
"What was that all about honey?" Mildred said baffled.
Laura came over to Mildred's desk and leaned against it.
"You know Mr. Steele, start talking about another man being attractive and he swears we're about to start the in-depth girl talk and start comparing notes. Mildred grinned and told Laura they'd talk about the dirty details on Brett later but suffice it to say things were moving along quite nicely. "He's picking me up for lunch today so if you two kids are going to be here, I'm sure he'd love to meet you both." Mildred said warmly.
"Thanks Mildred but I am going to be heading out soon. I've got to pick my dress up for the opening tonight at the gallery. I want to look my best tonight, I'll be seeing a certain Blonde Barracuda that has pushed me one foot too far for the last time." Laura said in a menacing tone.
Mildred raised an eyebrow and asked if the Barracuda was the Blonde Bimbo Felecia.
"The very same Mildred. I'll fill you in later." Laura promised as she headed for Remington's office.
Remington was still on the line with Mr. Franklin so Laura took her usual seat, she perched herself on Remington's desk, crossed her legs and waited. Remington quirked an eyebrow as he noticed Laura's long lean legs just inches from him. He enjoyed the view Laura afforded him immensely and was becoming less and less interested in what Mr. Franklin was saying. Remington slid his free hand up Laura's leg and back down again. He repeated the movement a few times, going higher up her leg each time. Laura's gaze heated up with each stroke indicating that she was enjoying his explorations. When Laura's hands started roaming of their own volition, Remington knew if was time he rang off with Mr. Franklin.
"Uh Mr. Franklin, I'm sorry to cut the conversation short but I have an important meeting I must attend straight away. You understand. I will call you later to give you the last minute details about the opening tonight. Until then Mr. Franklin." Remington said abruptly.
Mr. Franklin had no choice but to agree as Remington quickly disconnected the line. Before he hung up completely he buzzed Mildred to inform her to hold all calls and no interruptions. Remington reached around Laura to slide her in front of him on the desk. Laura looked surprised by the movement but she didn't impede his progress. He slipped her in his lap and kissed her with pent up passion. Laura wound her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with equal ardor.
"Mmm that was delicious Mr. Steele but didn't you tell Mr. Franklin you had an important meeting to attend to?" Laura asked innocently.
Remington ran his hands along Laura's back and up her neck as he ran his fingers through her brown tresses.
"Oh I do Miss Holt. I find these staff meetings quite necessary to keep my associate current on the latest developments as it were." Remington said seductively.
Laura grinned wickedly and ran her hands down Remington's chest. She enjoyed the wickedness they both seemed to possess since consummating their relationship, but they had yet to make love at the office. Laura just didn't feel right about it. Remington sensed her retreat and didn't press her. He knew that as much as they wanted each other, a quick tryst in the office with Mildred on the other side of the door lacked a certain something. He gave her a look smoldering with desire, a brief squeeze then released her.
"Another time perhaps my love?" He questioned.
Greatful that he understood she gave him a long kiss filled with promise of things to come. They straightened as Laura told him that she had an appointment of her own to take care of. Remington could tell by the battle ready look she'd taken on whom the meeting was with. Remington sighed as he asked if Felecia knew she was coming.
"No and that's the way I prefer it. She and I have a score to settle Remington. It's way past due that she and I come to an understanding, about a lot of things. If I told her I was coming do you honestly thing she'd still BE there?" Laura asked.
Remington shook his head as he got up and looked out the window.
Laura knew that meant he was troubled about something. She went to him and put a hand on his arm.
"What's troubling you Harry?" Laura asked with concern.
It wasn't often that Laura used the name Daniel had given him. At times she preferred not to, she felt that it was reserved especially for Daniel. Sometimes she had a hard time calling him Remington too eventhough she'd been the one to give him that name. It was times like these, when they were talking about things with this level of intimacy that she wished they knew his real name. Remington turned to face her.
"Laura, I wish you'd let me talk to Felecia, I understand how you feel Laura really. She had no right whatsoever to seek your mother out and tell her the truth about me. We both know she did it for selfish reasons and out of jealousy. But Laura surely you know by now that I don't harbour any feelings for Felecia. I haven't for years. It was over between us long before I met you and since then, I've only had eyes for a special brunette who means the world to me." Remington said tenderly.
"Remington I know it's been over between you and Felecia for years. But she won't let go. Eventhough you don't care for her she's still there between us and up until now she hasn't taken the hint to stay out of our lives. She breezes in here and tries over and over again to re-stake her claim on you. Well I have had enough of her interference Remington. Felecia has to understand once and for all that you and I are together and we are staying together!" Laura said deliberately.
Remington eyed Laura with surprise at her vehemence.
"Are we really Laura? Staying together?" He asked quietly.
Laura looked at him and refused to look away. She'd backed down too many times in the past from a committment with him, now that they finally had one, she was making damn sure they stayed committed! Laura nodded her head in confirmation and slip her arms around his waist.
"Oh yes Mr. Steele, we certainly are. We've waited too long to be together to fall apart now." She confirmed.
Remington's heart tightened. He loved this woman so much, he didn't think he could ever leave her. This was where he belonged and he would remind Laura of this every day for the rest of their lives if he had to.
Laura gave Remington a final kiss before she headed for the door. He didn't try to stop her. She turned and looked at him.
"Remington, I know the extent of your commitment. I have for years. I just tried hard to overlook it sometimes because it meant having to face my feelings. I've faced those feelings now and I can't hide them any longer. Felecia and I have to finish this once and for all. She has to hear she can't come between us and she has to hear it from me. I have to get through to her that she can't interfere in our lives like this without repercussions. Please understand that I have to do this." Laura pleaded.
Remington looked at her and waved his hand to the door. He smiled as he did it so that Laura would know he wasn't upset. Laura headed for the door, stopped and turned around.
"What time are you picking me up tonight?" She asked.
Remington pondered that for a moment. "How's 6:00pm? That should give us enough time to run a final check on the system and the outer perimeters before the gala starts." He smiled.
Laura nodded and left his office. As soon as she'd gone the smile Remington had been wearing disappeared and he turned back towards the window.