I Surrender

“Now remember, we’ve got nothing to lose, the worst she can say is no. Okay?”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine,” he said, although he wasn’t sure he was fine, his heart was pounding like crazy.

When they got to the gallery James opened the door for Jessica then followed her through to the far end where they found Dani at her desk. One look at the smartly dressed couple striding confidently towards her was enough to let Dani know that Jessica was up to something. She got out from behind her desk and greeted Jessica warmly with a hug and a kiss.

“This is James Whittaker,” she said to her friend, then turned to James, “James, this is Daniella Van Der Hass.”

“Pleased to meet you,” he said, holding his hand out.

As she shook his hand James said, “I love your gallery, Miss Van Der Haas, is that one there…” he said pointing to an impressionist painting of a house surrounded by flood water, “…is that by Alfred Sisley?”

Dani could barely hide her shock, “Please, call me Dani. Yes, it is. You like art, James?”

“It’s a very recent interest,” he said calmly.

Jessica was open-mouthed in shock. This was not part of their plan, she had no idea he knew anything about art, he’d quite put her off her stride.

“You both look very nice,” said Dani, “are you going somewhere after we’ve had lunch?”

“James has a meeting with a very prestigious client.”

“Oh, that sounds interesting, I thought you worked in retail, James?” said Dani with a slight frown.

A few days ago, Jessica ordered some business cards online for James and they’d arrived that morning. James pulled one out of his jacket pocket and handed it to Dani.

While she examined the card James said, “Jessica persuaded me that my talents lie elsewhere.”

“I’m curious, may I ask who your client is?” Said Dani.

Jessica grinned at her, “Why it’s you of course.”

Dani smiled, “I should have guessed you were up to something Jess. We’d better sit down,” she said, pointing at the chairs in front of her desk.

“I’m not keen on being ambushed into unscheduled business meetings James. But seeing as your PA here is an old friend of mine I’ll let it slide, just this once,” she said and winked at him. “So tell me, James, what is it exactly that you think Whittaker IT can do for me?”

“To begin with I’d suggest a new website. There’s nothing wrong with your current one, it’s just that it doesn’t show off your art as well as it could. And I’m guessing you have quite a bit of downtime, how often does it crash?”

“Actually we do have a lot of very annoying crashes, once every couple of months or so.”

“That’s because your hosting provider is struggling financially and can't retain staff. They’re notorious for poor service and bad working conditions. They’re cheap though.”

“You got me there, I did pick them on price, but they had good reviews.”

“Those reviews are questionable at best. I’ve got a few others in mind that are more reliable.”

“And more expensive I presume?”

“Of course, at least up front. But what is the cost of your downtime, and the cost to your reputation?”

“Financially it’s hard to say, but yes, I see your point, the reputational cost is…”

Dani stopped mid-sentence, she looked at Jessica, then at James as a broad grin spread across her face.

“Everything okay?” Asked Jessica, smiling back at her.

“Okay you two, okay, I surrender, you’ve got me. How much is this going to set me back?”

“Not a penny,” said Jessica.

“I’ve got a funny feeling that I’d rather pay you,” said Dani.

Then James spoke up, “We’ve got as far as setting up the limited company and I’ve produced my own website, but beyond that, neither Jess nor I are sure what our next step should be”

“What we need,” said Jessica, “Is your business acumen and your contacts.”

“That’s a high price indeed.”

“Not for a top-notch website and ongoing IT support it’s not. From this day on, James will look after your IT, at no cost.”

“No financial cost you mean.”

“Exactly. So is that a yes then?”

“Of course it is, I’d be happy to be your first client James. You have a deal,” she said, then stood up and offered him her hand.

They shook on the deal at which point Jessica crossed and uncrossed her legs, a sign they’d pre-arranged with each other.

“If you don’t mind, I’m going to take a look around, let me know when you’re ready and we can head off to lunch,” he said and wandered off to look at the paintings.

“Bravo Jess, bravo,” said Dani, “Your rough diamond has polished up very well indeed.”

Jessica looked across at James as he studied one of the paintings, “He’s done wonderfully well, and against the odds too. He’s had a bad start to life.”

“Why the charade? If you’d have called and asked me you know I’d have said yes straight away.”

“You’d have said yes to me, your friend. But I wanted you to say yes to James.”

“You wanted to show off your handy work you mean.”

“No, well, maybe a bit, but I wanted you to buy into James. He’s good, isn't he?”

“Very good. For a moment there I forgot myself and got into the throws of a genuine business meeting.”

“Tell me honestly, if he’d have approached you independently would you have hired him?”

Dani looked across at James, “Yes, I think I might have done. He knows what he’s talking about, that’s clear enough, but he’s devilishly handsome too. He doesn’t fit the stereotype of a typical IT geek.”

“A few weeks ago he did. His talents elsewhere are rather impressive too.”

“Now that is interesting. I presume you’ve been the beneficiary of these talents then?”

“Naturally.”

“I thought you had a glow about you.”

“How would you like to glow too?”

Dani grinned at her, “I think you’d better tell me exactly what you’ve been up to.”

Fifteen minutes later…

“So you’re actually going through with this Project Harem thing?” said Dani.

“Yes.”

“I’m not sure if it’s the belly full of come or that plug in your arse that’s addled your mind.”

“I can assure you I’ve never felt more sure of anything in my life. And so will you once you’ve had a chance to get to know him the way I have.”

“My god, you’re serious, aren’t you? You actually want me to be the first recruit into your harem.”

“Oh don’t play the innocent with me, Dani. We were in a seven-person poly once before, remember? I know just how downright kinky you are. And I saw the look in your eyes when you met him, you like him, I know you do.”

“I can’t deny how handsome he is, and I can’t deny your tales of earth-shattering orgasms and a wonderous cock have piqued my interest. But we were young and carefree when we did that poly at Cambridge, and it was a kitchen table poly too, with people who knew each other well and were on an equal footing. This is different, very, very different.”

“I didn’t hear a no anywhere in there,” said Jessica with a smile.

“JAMES,” said Dani, and waved him over when she caught his eye.

“Ready for lunch?” he said when he got over to the desk.

“I’m afraid we’ll have to change our plans. You’re little unscheduled business meeting and this proposition I’ve just had put to me have eaten up my time. I presume you’re aware of what Jessica has asked me to be a part of?”

James scanned the room to make sure nobody was within earshot when he answered, “If you mean Project Harem, then yes, I am aware.”

Dani stood up, sensing the meeting was at an end Jessica stood up too.

“After just one date Jess saw something special in you. So I’ll give you the same chance to impress me. Pick me up at eight tomorrow night, and don’t even think about taking me to that Italian hovel.”

“Will MacDonald’s do?” Said James with a wink.

Dani laughed, “Go on, be gone both of you, I’ve got work to do. I’ll see you tomorrow James.”

When they got outside Jessica turned to James and kissed him passionately.

“Well done, that couldn’t have gone better,” she said to him, “Do you like her?”

“I like her a lot, but, I mean…”

“Go on, this is no time to be coy, say what’s on your mind,” she said as she put her arm through his and they walked off towards the car.

“It’s just that’s she so posh, and so hot, and has her art business and…”

“…and she is completely smitten with you.”

“You sound very sure?”

“I know Dani better than anyone on this earth, both as a friend and a lover. Trust me, so long as you don’t make any major faux pas at dinner tomorrow night she’ll take you to her bed. Then just do to her what you did to me.”

“You make it sound simple.”

“You’ll be fine, don’t worry. Oh, and when did you become an art enthusiast?”

“You mean that painting I recognised?”

“Yes, how did you know it was a Sisley?”

“I got lucky, I watched a TV show not long ago about the impressionists, Sisley did a whole load of paintings depicting that flood.”

“Well, you had me convinced. Now then, let's get home and you can claim your prize.”

“What prize?”

“My bum.”