Test Drive (The Bachelor #1) (14 page)

Beth had a copy of the building’s layout, and she pinpointed Sloane Enterprises on the map. "Okay, we need to go here to set up. Then there is a meeting at eleven with the chairperson. We will break for lunch at noon and then the doors open at two." I nodded and smiled, before placing my hand on the small of her back. She jerked at my touch at first, but then settled back against my hand and let me guide her through the room.

Our booth was at the center of the "cul-de-sac" according to the map. Beth mentioned that my father insisted on being able to see the entire room from our table. When we arrived at the six-by-eight table, we immediately set to work putting up the boards and spreading out the flyers and pens. Beth had ordered a set of stress relief balls with our company logo plastered on the side.

Our theme this weekend was Rest and Relaxation Luxury Private Airlines! We, well mostly Beth, had played on the need to be pampered on flights. The crowd that we wanted to appeal to was the hardworking business men and women who needed to be able to escape and reach their destination in a timely fashion. My partner was busy putting everything just so, while I checked my hair and tie in the makeshift mirror I had stored in our bag. Appearances meant a lot here.

"You look so much like your father," she said. She didn’t seem to say it from a place of malice, and I decided to take it as a compliment. "But you have so much of your mother’s spirit in you." I had to agree. My mother and I were kindred spirits, both wanting to love and be loved in return.

"Thank you," I said because I could think of no other response. The clock was ticking, and we had to rush to get our seats for the meeting. The seats filled up quickly leaving only one corner seat in the very back. I motioned for her to sit while I was happy to stand behind her. Camera flashes clicked all over the center as Mr. Garman rose with his opening speech.

"Good Morning!" he shouted. "It is always such a pleasure for all of you to make the trip down here each year. I know Atlanta is always happy to host this event, and the staff here at Transportation Unlimited is full of wonderful people. Please give them all a hand!" The crowd erupted in applause before he continued. "Now we plan for this to be a safe, fun, and productive event. After our opening, we will break for lunch. I have listed some suggestions in your brochure, but you are welcome to make your way to any of the city’s fine dining establishments. The doors will open at two p.m. sharp, so I suggest you be back at that time. Our tickets sold out almost immediately. There will be a few school age classes here on a field trip. I urge you to embrace them; not just as potential for your company, but as the future of our industry. I can look around the room and say with all certainty that we aren’t getting any younger." The crowd exploded with laughter and a few "Speak for yourselves," could be heard from different corners of the room. Mr. Garman was a very enjoyable speaker, and I could remember him visiting my college graduation as a guest speaker. He spoke about going places in your life and how transportation could take you there. To this day I still feel like my dad put him up to it. He had been so set on me pursuing his dreams that he didn’t want me to follow my own. "Enjoy your lunch everyone!" He exited the stage and the crowd began rushing for the exits. Beth was nearly trampled a few times. I pulled her out of the way and right into my arms. I let go immediately and half expecting her to move, but she stayed pressed up against me until the rushing crowd stopped.

"They must be really hungry," I joked.

"Men!" She laughed. "Whatever happened to chivalry?"

She was so close to me that I had this sudden undeniable urge to plant a soft kiss right on her forehead. Deciding against it, I offered her my arm, which she willingly took, and we headed out to the street.

"What would you like to eat?" I asked as Beth pulled out the map. "I wouldn’t head down that street." I pointed to the swarm of people heading north towards the center square. They looked like ants scurrying around in their black suits.

"There is a burger joint down the street. I grabbed a bite there last year, and it was pretty good." I agreed and we headed to "Sal’s Burgers and Beer" Sounded like my kind of place.

I had no idea that today’s girls even ate burgers anymore. The fatty meat and the carb infested buns seemed to send girls screaming in the other direction. We were seated in a small booth in the corner. Beth ordered a bacon cheeseburger with all the fixin’s and curly fries. I was a bit intimidated by her order. I ordered a Philly cheesesteak with sautéed mushrooms and onions and a side of chips. I had to fight the urge to grab a beer, but I could already feel the way Beth hesitated when I flipped to the craft beer menu.

Be responsible!
I chided myself.

Beth was all business until the food arrived. We discussed how we would approach the companies about the show and tell and whether we could offer incentives to the buyers. When the food arrived, all conversation was shelved in favor of choking down the delectable sandwiches and sides in front of us. She had finished her burger and half of her fries before I could finish the first half of my sub.

"I love burgers," she said.

"I can see that. You are starting to make me look bad here." She shrugged, licking some mayonnaise out of the corner of her mouth and slathered another fry in ketchup.

"Ehh, your sandwich was bigger." She winked and I nodded. At least she didn’t take the opportunity to bash me like some other girls I knew. I tossed my napkin over the chips and pushed it away.

"That’s it. No more food. I won’t be able to stay awake for the presentation if I eat another bite." I stood up and swiped my card taking care of our lunch. She grabbed her bottled water, and we took our time strolling down the long streets back to the conference center. The buildings in this area seemed to reach all the way up to the clouds. I had one brief moment of insanity thinking about how it would feel to stand on the large balcony of the twenty plus story building next to me. Then I squashed that.
Uh, no thank you!

We were the first ones back to the conference center and that gave us a few minutes to relax before we had to resume our business presentation.

Like a good worker, Beth was reporting back to my father on her phone. She had all good things to say of course, and my father seemed to have come off the ledge a bit from this morning. I laid my head back on the leather cushioned chair and dozed off to the sound of Beth’s soothing voice.

"Oh, I hope you and Mrs. Sloane enjoy your vacation." She actually smiled when she spoke to my father, even over the phone. "Yes, you two have a great trip, and don’t worry about a thing here. We have it covered."

I FELL BACK ON THE
plush mattress in the hotel. The day had been exhausting starting with my long frustration filled night and with the sun setting outside my window, I wanted nothing more than to strip down and pass out in between the bed's cotton sheets.

Beth and I were sharing a suite on the top floor. I could see into her room from my spot on the bed. She was unpacking her suitcases and taking off her jacket. She removed her collared shirt revealing the white camisole underneath. I raised my head a bit to get a better look. I didn't want to get caught spying, but on the flip side she could shut the door if she felt under dressed. I couldn't help but admire her tan, toned body with all of the great assets she hid so well under the expensive suits.

She reached for the hem of her shirt and lifted it slightly before walking out of view.
Damn!
I thought.
When did I become a peeping Tom?

She emerged a few moments later in a swimsuit that made the olive green one at my parents’ look like a beach towel. I almost fell off the bed watching her saunter towards me.

"Whoa," I whispered.

"What?" she said. She looked down to make sure everything was covered. The bright pink triangles barely covered the round fullness of the flesh underneath. "You like?" she said spinning around. The back of the suit has a set of pink ruffles that completely set off my manhood sirens.

"Hell yeah! I like that. You look hot, Beth. Where are you headed in that?" I must have looked like that crazy cartoon character with my heart beating out of my chest. She was obviously amused with my response. Maybe amused wasn’t the right word. She looked pleased with herself.

"Actually I thought it would be cool to head down to the pool for a swim or maybe get in the hot tub?" She pushed her hands through her hair to put it up into a high ponytail.

"I don’t know if it’s a good idea for you to go by yourself. You might get kidnapped looking like that. I know if I saw you it would be my mission to take you home." I instantly regretted my comment.
Okay, slick!
I said to myself.
Stop drooling and start playing hard to get before she kicks you to the curb.
My inner monologue was off the charts. It appeared that my body was struggling with how to handle this chick.

"Are you saying that you want to come with me?" She twisted her body from one leg to the other.

"I’m saying that you definitely shouldn’t go by yourself, and since I am your escort to this event, I think it’s the gentlemanly thing to do to accompany you." I mentally patted myself on the back.
Good one, Drew!

She responded with a simple okay, and I jumped up to grab my trunks and get changed. I had never seen Beth like this. This fun flirty side was very appealing, and I wanted to follow her lead
wherever
she wanted to take me. If you had seen us a few days ago you would have thought I was her lowly servant, but now we might be confused as a couple traveling down to the pool. I stopped to grab a beer for me at the hotel bar, and Beth hollered to grab her a glass of wine.

I was only gone for two seconds before the pack of dogs sitting around the pool started howling at my, err . . . business partner. I had to force myself to take one step at a time even though I almost broke out into a run to catch up with her, but then I heard her speak. She didn’t sound intimidated or mad, instead she said, "All right, guys, thanks a lot, but I am taken."

You could hear the "boos" echo from across the pool. I rounded the corner with our drinks, and Beth was nowhere to be seen. A moment of panic threatened to rise up into my throat, but then she emerged from the crystal blue pool water. The guys around the pool still couldn’t keep their eyes off her. She plunged back underwater and swam towards me; her pink ruffles shimmered and waved through the water creating a delicate ripple of light.

She burst through the water, climbing the metal ladder to get out of the pool. I tossed her a towel, making every attempt to hide the goods from the competition across the pool. She sat down in the chair next to me and thanked me for the wine. She looked so relaxed just hanging out by the pool.

"How’s the water?" I asked. She was still sipping her wine so I made a statement that came from a purely jealous place. "You seem to have created quite the fan club over there."

She snapped her head to the guys stupidly waving from across the pool. She almost spit out her wine when one guy stuck his tongue out and wiggled it around.

"Disgusting!" She laughed. I tossed back the beer and chugged it heavily. "Are you getting in?"

"Nah, I was thinking about the hot tub, but I think it is hot enough in here." I couldn’t bring myself to get over the five douche bags sitting in the corner even though she was visibly disappointed.

"Okay, well, you can go back upstairs if you want. They don’t scare me." She made her best attempt at perky, but I could see that she was upset.

"I am going to grab another beer, and then I will get in if you want, okay?" She had a sweet smile. I felt like a jerk, but maybe I could make it up to her. I hurried to the bar and back in record time. Beth was already submerged in the hot tub. Even through the bubbling surface I could see her perfectly curved body under the water. I took the steps into the hot tub one at a time trying to get used to the scalding hot water.

"You just have to walk in." she winked. "Hot water does amazing things for your muscles and your stress. Well, it does for me anyway."

Sitting against the slippery tile wall, I stared into the face of the beautiful girl across from me. "You were awesome today, Beth. My father would be very impressed with you, and so am I." I meant every word, and I wasn’t sure why it came up then, but whenever I was around her I felt more like the person I should be.

"You did great yourself. We make a great team, Drew." She put her hand up, giving me a high five from her seat across from me. I felt silly high fiving this beautiful woman’s hand in a hot tub when I wanted nothing more than to take her into my arms.

We stayed in the hot tub for a less than an hour. One of the guys decided it would be cool to cannonball into the pool next to us. The freezing cold water dumped on us chilling me to the core. I was sure that Beth was going to be upset, but being the diplomatic easygoing person she was, she simply thanked the guy for cooling us off.

We headed upstairs huddled in towels and when we got to our suite, I wrapped her up in the warm fuzzy robes hanging in my bathroom. We both took a shower, alone unfortunately, and got ready for dinner.