Free Various States of Undress: Virginia by Laura Simcox Page B

his warm breath tickling her ear. She glanced up at him, ready to shake her head, but there was something in his eyes—something raw and intense—so she just nodded. She’d rather let him down in private. “Where are we going?”
    â€œTo see what could be your office,” he answered and led her toward the middle of the store, where an antique elevator stood between two large pillars. A chubby old man wearing a New York Mets baseball cap and a blazer with “Lilah’s” embroidered on the front stood up from the folding chair where he’d been sitting. “Going up, buddy?” He glanced at Virginia and his eyes became saucerlike.
    â€œYes, thanks. I see that you recognize Virginia,” Dex said.
    â€œJeez Louise,” the man muttered. “You could have warned me.”
    â€œIt’s more fun this way. Eddie, this is Virginia Fulton. Virginia, this is Eddie Trotter. He’s been our elevator man for about fifty years.”
    â€œFifty-two,” Eddie said as he hitched up his pants before pushing open the accordion gate. “And I’ve been here long enough to decide what privileges I have. One of them is that I don’t stand on ceremony. I believe in being friendly to every damn body, no matter who they are. So nice to meet ya, Virginia. Hop in.”
    She grinned at him and stepped into the small car, which featured 1970s wood paneling. “Likewise. I think I like you.”
    â€œMost people do.” He winked at her; slammed the gate behind Dex and Silent, who was obligated to come with; and punched a button. The elevator lifted off with a shudder and didn’t stop—shuddering, that is—until it reached the tenth floor. While it went up, Eddie talked nonstop about the Mets, the Knicks, the weather, and then the Mets again. Dex didn’t say anything. He stood behind Virginia so close that his chest brushed against her back as the elevator rattled upward. There was just enough space for her to take a small step forward, but she didn’t, and when the door clattered open, she felt his hand brush hers and then clasp it. She glanced up at him in surprise, knowing her face was hot, but he squeezed her fingers and gently pushed her forward.
    â€œThanks, Eddie.” Virginia smiled over her shoulder and followed Dex into a narrow hallway lined with mostly empty bulletin boards. She untangled her fingers from his and cleared her throat.
    He smiled at her and then pointed Silent toward a door at the end of the hallway. “If it’s okay, could you check out the offices so that Virginia and I can have a private meeting?” Silent nodded and marched down the hall. “Thanks, man,” Dex called after him, and then he turned to Virginia. “There are apartments sandwiched between Lilah’s and our offices. They have a separate entrance and elevator, so this elevator shoots straight from the first or second floor to the tenth. Hope the ride wasn’t too . . . unsettling.” His voice was pleasant, but there was a thread of tension there too. Sexual tension?
    â€œUnsettling?” If he only knew. No doubt she had lust written all over her face—and very soon, she’d be truly alone with him for the very first time. And probably the last time, since she intended to turn down the job. He’d know what she was thinking if she continued to stare at him, so she looked out the small window next to the elevator instead. He didn’t say anything for a couple of minutes, and as the silence stretched, she got more and more self-conscious. Finally she cleared her throat. “Great view.”
    Dex stood close behind her. “Yes, it is. But I’m about to show you a better one.”
    Before she had a chance to respond to that cryptic comment, the door flew open and Silent strode quickly toward them. “All clear. I’ll wait by the elevator.”
    â€œThanks,” she said, just a bit