Can't Touch This by Marley Gibson Read Free Book Online Page A

us.”  He’s quite sure of himself.  “Who wants to talk work anyway when there’s a beautiful woman in front of me?”
    Okay...I know I’m blushing.  Think fast.  Be clever.  The guy is just playing the corporate bullshit games.  “Oh, well,” I say, trying to sound mature.  “I’m in marketing, so I’m not into all that sales competition stuff.”
    “Then I guess we can be friends,” he says, winking.  He jumbles his thick blond hair and then asks if I want to meet his colleague.  Colleague .  What a step up.  When I was a flunky at my last job, my only associate was the telephone.
    Rory places his hand on my elbow (very Stage Four of intimacy) and guides me through the crowd super gentleman-like.  He introduces me to Gene Cappucci, a fellow salesman for SalesTracker, based out of Seattle, Washington.  Gene is Italian through and through, beefy with thick charcoal-colored hair and a bushy black mustache.
    “Well, aren’t you a cutie,” Gene says to me.
    I bite my tongue from telling him he’s not.  He’s old enough to be my dad.
    “We’re headed over to EG Venture Capital’s swing party in a bit,” Rory says.  “You wanna come along?”
    “I’m here with folks from my company.  Can they come, too?”  There.  Safe.  Bring along the guys.
    “Who’s with you?  Ted Spencer?” Gene asks.  “I can’t tell you how many times I beat him out for a new customer.”
    “Ted’s here with me,” I point to where he stands, holding two cocktails.  “And our new client services manager is here, too.”  I glance over to see Kyle in a heated conversation with a leggy blonde, but I don’t point him out.  My confidence sinks momentarily when I see the woman laugh at something Kyle says and then touch his shirtsleeve.  I find myself glaring.
    Rory reaches into his pocket and counts out three tickets.  “Here you go.  EG’s a client of mine.  Hope you show up.”
    “Sounds like fun.”
    Excellent.  The adventure has begun.  Rory Ellery will see the charms of Vanessa Virtue and tell her all of his trade secrets.  God that even sounds ludicrous in my own head.  It’s an excellent plan, though.  Besides, what harm is there in a little tradeshow flirting?  Nothing in The Compass handbook about that.  I mean, look at Kyle over there.
    Rory starts to head off, but then stops and turns toward me.
    “And Vanessa...” he trails off.
    “Yes?”
    “Save a dance for me.”
    *****
     
    L ater, as we’re sitting at the bar of the Hard Rock Café, I keep looking for the “work” part of what we’re doing here in Atlantic City.  Ted’s busy flirting with our waitress and Kyle chomps away at a cheeseburger (obviously didn’t get enough of the free food earlier while talking to the blonde woman.)  He’s been quiet and reserved so far, making voice notes on his Android.  I think he’s concentrating on meeting the clients and potential customers.
    Ted, on the other hand, is puffing away on one cigarette after the next.  He nearly falls off his barstool in an attempt to put his arm around me.  I think he needs to brush up on the company handbook.  I’m not remotely interested in him.
    Now, Rory Ellery... he’s a different story.
    Thoughts of our brief encounter are in full view and I’m itching to see him again.  His parting words resonate in my head and slight giddiness fills my senses at the thought of someone so intriguing being interested in me.  Mischievously, I want to explore this more as there’s no harm in a little fraternization with the competition.
    When I stave Ted off with my hands pressed flat to his chest, he says, “Don’t worry, ‘Nessa.  What hasssppens on the road stays on the road.”
    Kyle slides over to gently move Ted away.  “Come on, man.  You’ve had a lot to drink.”
    I thank Kyle with my eyes and he smiles back.
    Ted grabs for the empty pack of cigarettes.  “I’m fine.”
    “Why don’t we check out the EG swing party?” I