Chapter 7: Go In

I sat on the floor in front of the couch since JQ was sprawled across it, he was fast asleep breathing deeply and evenly. The tattoo on his left side said something in some language I couldn't understand, there was another one on his left breast, Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. If his pants were pulled down low enough there were lipstick stain tattoos on the left and right side of his pelvis. My eyes traveled right back to his face and I was tempted to put a pillow over it. He had given me hell this week because Roman wasn't here to look out for me.

Roman had booked a couple of modeling jobs in L.A. and he left on Tuesday morning so JQ's ass was supposed to get me to and from work. He dropped me to work that morning, ten minutes late, so Stone was all over me. Stone was another pain in the ass, he was supposed to be my supervisor but allowed the other five people in the department to treat me like their go-for. I did so many coffee runs that by the time I left work that evening, the morning and evening staff at the Starbucks knew me by name. Stone immediately put me to the test. He tossed me a folder. 

"New lube and massage gel combo. You've got a sample in that basket on your desk. Your job is to design a bottle, come up with a name and later on you'll come up with an ad campaign. And this needs to be done by Friday two weeks from now."

I looked at him in disbelief as he strutted out of my cubicle like a proud cock. I spun around in the swivel chair, looked at my small cubicle and thanked the heavens I wasn't cluster-phobic, I would absolutely die if I was. My desk took up half of the space in the room, at least I had my own professional laser printer and a computer that was pretty bad-ass. The little section of space that I had left was occupied by the single filing cabinet. I dug in the basket and pulled out the samples, a clear bottle with some clear gel in it. "Awesome." I mumbled. 

I never got to start my work, one of the other guys, Derek, decided that he absolutely couldn't live without a frap, a woman, Bethany, left her purse in her car with her asthma inhaler inside it, her old freakin' Civic didn't have an alarm so guess who was running around looking for Bethany's car, luckily it was pretty cold out. I had to skip lunch because Sarah had to leave, she was planning her wedding and the wedding planner called a meeting. At five o'clock I was more than ready to go home but JQ conveniently forgot me. It just so happens that Stone came out of the building at the same time and saved me from nearly being run over for the fifth time. 

"You have to be pushy if you want a cab in this city." He stepped into the street with his arm raised and one of the yellow death-mobiles screeched to a stop. Stone smirked and held the door open for me, I mumbled a thanks, he paid the fare and sent me on my way. 

When I got home JQ grinned up at me, "You got home, I knew you would."

"You intentionally left me?"

"Yeah, you're so little and cute it's not going to be hard for you to find someone to protect you. How'd you get home today?"

"Stone got me a cab."

"Stone?" JQ chuckled and handed me a bowl of stew and a big cup of juice, my stomach growled and I forgot to be mad at him. "Lil' Thang I think Stone wanna sample them goods." And then I was mad at him again.

"Don't be a dick JQ."

"Girl you don't know me like that." He pouted and then grinned. "I'ma tell you this, Stone don't like people and he smooth as silk, he gon' get that kitty."  

For the rest of the week JQ left me helpless, Stone rescued me and JQ made cat calls whenever I got home. I damn near tackled Roman when he got back home on Thursday evening, the girls let JQ abuse me at least now someone would have my back, or so I thought. 

"Baby Doll, you gotta learn this city." He said gently and I pouted. I would learn the city, just not yet. On Friday I caught a cab to and from work on my own and I have to admit, I was proud of my accomplishment and my crazy roommates egged me on by clapping and cheering. 

The girls, with the exception of Dom, worked nightly, when I got home for work they were either already gone or heading out. JQ and Roman didn't work nightly like the girls did, they were usually on call for celebrity events or special appearances. When Roman came back, JQ disappeared and I must have been crazy for missing him.

The girls got me excited for shopping on Saturday, you cannot imagine what a feat that was since I am not a girly-girl, I do not get squeal like an idiot when it comes to spending money. I think I was more excited to be spending time with the girls, they worked all the time, this would be my chance to get to know them better. There was also the make-over they promised me, I couldn't wait to see what they would come up with.