Read Online Insipid by Christine Brae - Free Book Online

few days… might be intense, all work and late nights, but I want to sneak at least one night to see you.”
    “I would love that.”
    “Will you stay downtown so we can go out? Dinner or something?”
    “Yes.”
    “Stay with me?” Yes, yes. I want to.
    “Hmm. Maybe not, but I’ll take a hotel close to yours. Tell me where you decide to stay.” I pause for a second and add, “Can you try to stay far from this office? I don’t want us to be seen together.”
    “Got it. Yes, of course. I’ll text you my hotel as soon as I book it.”
    “I can’t wait to see you,” I reveal mindlessly.
    “Me too. See you soon, Jade.”

 
     
    THE CHILL OF the November air seeps through my legs as I walk briskly towards the office dragging my suitcase behind me. This is it. The first day of our week. Or the week that he’s here. And I’m an idiot for wearing a dress in this cold weather. I packed as if I was going on a long trip, mocking myself whenever I remembered that I was just going to be taking a hotel in the city. I’ve been waiting for this week for so long. I missed him. Whatever part of him I missed, I have yet to figure out. I’ve completely abandoned my original plan of staying away from him. When he called me about his upcoming visit, I just couldn’t pass it up.
    My phone rings right as I struggle to get my suitcase through the revolving doors that lead to the office lobby.
    “Hi! Are you here?” I squeak excitedly. No holds barred this week. I need to show him just how much this time together means to me. I’ve completely shocked myself when I realize that I’m following my heart. For once. Lord help me. I’ve never done this before.
    “I am. I’m actually a block away from your office. I can see you from the window.”
    He’s kidding, of course. I roll my eyes and shake my head as I delay getting in with the rest of the employees. “What hotel are you at?”
    “The W. And you?”
    “Lucas! That’s right across the street from my office! Didn’t we agree that you would find a hotel that’s farther away to avoid being seen?” I exclaim under my breath, acknowledging the people around me with a slight nod of my head.
    “Jade, Barcelona is a smaller place and I don’t even get seen there. Relax. Everything will be fine. You worry too much. Where are you staying?”
    There’s no point in arguing with him. I’m too enamored to think clearly. “Across the street from you on the opposite side.”
    “Oh yes, I know that hotel. Cool. You’re getting good at these secret missions,” he teases. “So I’ll call you later?”
    “Yes, call me later.”
    The morning drags on as people shuttle in and out of my office. Questions. Issues. Complaints. Everyone seems to want to unload on me these days. I sit at my desk trying to concentrate and attempting to direct my attention to the piles of papers in front of me.
    Finally, it’s lunch time. I unhook my purse and don my coat, zigzagging through the maze of cubicles until I reach the elevator bank. I’m feeling quite excited as I take a ride to the ground floor where Leya is waiting patiently on one of the marble benches scrolling through her phone.
    “Ready?” She smiles as she gets up to follow me out the door.
    We find ourselves at a swanky lingerie shop called La Perla on Michigan Avenue. Pat, my personal shopper, is waiting by the counter with a sly smile on her face.
    “I’m ready for you,” she says as she leads me to the fitting room. “So what’s with the emergency need to purchase some undergarments?”
    Leya can’t help but release a wicked laugh.
    “Nothing,” I reply. “Just ran out of good stuff to wear.” I blush hotly at my lame defense.
    “I’ll be out here, Jade. Get busy.” Leya takes a seat in front of the fitting room while I draw the curtains. I look at the outfits that Pat has laid out for me. Lace lingerie in all colors, some bodice-type full length slips, wireless bras, bustiers, nightgowns, underwear. I try on